The next focusIR Investor Webinar takes places on 14th May with guest speakers from Blue Whale Growth Fund, Taseko Mines, Kavango Resources and CQS Natural Resources fund. Please register here.
This subject already posted by me 23 March - (here's an update) "The World Championship, sponsored by 'BetFred' until 2017, is snooker’s most important event, and one of the highlights of the sporting calendar. For 17 days each Spring, the very best on the planet go through a test of endurance, skill and mental toughness with an ultimate goal: to lift snooker’s most famous and coveted trophy. The tournament has been running since 1927 and is steeped in history, from the days of Joe Davis, through the 1980s when snooker became the biggest sport in Britain, to the modern era when greats such as Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry have graced the green baize. Since 1977, the tournament as been staged at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, renowned for its unique and intense atmosphere. The tournament is supported by Sheffield City Council and will stay at the Crucible until at least 2017. Host broadcaster is BBC Sport and the event is watched by nearly 400 million people worldwide. It is sport at its finest" (Copied & Pasted from - worldsnooker.com) Four-Hundred-Million people is HUGE and I am hoping that when Fred Done is (erm) done with the sponsorship in 2017 that our Mr. Kristof Fahey - Ladbrokes Chief Marketing Officer - will be putting a successful bid in to become the successor to BetFred. "The Ladbrokes World Snooker Championship" ... sounds about right to me!!! This would represent a massive advertising coup for Ladbrokes. All fingers & toes crossed - that a good price can be negotiated. Eyes peeled for a favourable RNS to this effect.
Here's a Word from the Management: http://huwaaron.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/638-gamble-1024x721.jpg
Ladbrokes pens content partnership with Real Sports Global - Today 14 April 2016 http://www.igamingbusiness.com/news/ladbrokes-pens-content-partnership-real-sports-global Related article: Ladbrokes pockets snooker sponsorship deals - 26 February 2016 http://www.igamingbusiness.com/news/ladbrokes-pockets-snooker-sponsorship-deals
Hello Gerry (and all) ... I think that we have all heard of a duff "three legged race horse" being referred to as a donkey, yes? But what do you call a donkey with only three legs, eh? Go on ... Fish n Chips (and mushy peas) at 'Byrnes Chippy' in Stuart Road, Walton L4 - and - a pint o' best bitter in The Stuart pub to the first correct answer - (postcards only, please). Meanwhile, my Ladbrokes entry point is seemingly remote a.t.m. The SP has dropped 13p since I first posted on here in February. That's 129p down to 116p on today's showing. (Hoping for more). The SP was 'riding high' early 2013. Fortunes come and they go! I'm thinking that I may have to chomp on the bit and just go for it!!! I would not like to miss the boat - (or the Ferry) - with this one !
Hello Gerry (and all) ... Yes a good race for Ladbrokes, + all of the other bookies, too! Thirty-nine runners with only 16 finishers. Twenty-three either fallen or were pulled up. So, that is 23 bets down just for starters. 'Rule the World' first past the post @ 33/1. The favourite 'Many Clouds' did not oblige - to the massive sense of relief all round. Odds of 33/1 suggests that not many bets were placed on this years winning horse. [One ray of sunshine is that there were zero injuries at this years Crabbie's big race] I want a Stewards Enquiry ... I think that my horse got 'nobbled' on the way to Aintree. I have strong suspicions that a substitution was made - for Harold Steptoe's Hercules. Did the Ladbrokes entourage celebrate by dining at 'Byrnes Chippy' in Stuart Road?
'CRABBIE’S GRAND NATIONAL' - 2016 ... [from 'The Sun'] "BOOKIES face a £200 million Grand National bashing if jockey Leighton Aspell wins his third on the trot. His mount Many Clouds - 25/1 winner last year - is hot favourite at 8/1 to romp home in the 169th Grand National. The monster payout to punters flocking to back the Irishman will be the biggest in history, alarmed betting firms said yesterday" David Williams, of Ladbrokes said: “The gamble on Many Clouds is already making bookies weak at the knees. We daren’t think about how expensive it could be if he wins” I'll be watching the Ladbrokes share price all of next week. I'm still not re-invested (as yet). Cannot get my entry point. Hopefully my patience will be rewarded in the near future. Here's a bit of golden nostalgia for horse racing fans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CulKfV2cEJc
Been following / enjoying the Ladbrokes (sponsored) Players Championship on ITV. During commercial breaks I notice that one of our competitors - 'Stan James Bookmakers' - gets plenty of air time. This is a Ladbrokes sponsored event and (apart from the sponsorship) Ladbrokes has zero commercial advertising. Stan James Bookmakers, however, have been very quick to ride in on Ladbrokes shirt tails and take full advantage - (Kudos to them) - but I can't help thinking that Ladbrokes have missed a trick on this one. Kristof Fahey - Ladbrokes Chief Marketing Officer - shame on you. Your Report Card for this term will read - "could have done better!" Will John Kelly be presenting the trophy on Sunday night ..... ..... along with the cheque for £100,000 ..... [to Ding Junhui?]
Been watching/listening to Jim Mullen - Chief Executive on BBC News - about the (first time in corporate history) Ladbrokes LOSS. (although Group net profits are UP by 3.2%!) Retail is UP by 2% - Digital is UP by 13% - Australian business is UP by 71% (from a revenue perspective). UK shop closures will number 20 for this year ... but that will be down to leases running out. There are no further closure planned. I trust JM and the Ladbrokes Board to turn this around. After all, it is all down to the increase in (&+$#@) Taxes. I am not a shareholder - I once was a long time ago and sold at a profit - I shall be watching this SP very closely for a 'decent' drop ... and I shall be back in. Now @ 129p
goldust88 asks if anyone had a forecast for when the LXB update arrives. Well how about breaking the 100p barrier? Right now it is 97.25p but research (and a ‘warm feeling’ about this share) tells me that we shall be going on to better things. I am very upbeat about this rising star and I am v. happy to have this in my portfolio. Yes, breaking the one pound mark will be a ‘fillip’ and put a spring into everyone’s step. Definitely one to watch! As you say, cm45: “Lonely on this board, anyone out there?” Seen a few tumble weeds rolling across my screen when popping into here – but that will change methinks as 2016 will be a lot busier. Maybe a "Top Slicer"? Carpe Diem
Today's RNS should put a spring in all of our steps. http://www.investegate.co.uk/aviva-plc--av--/rns/acquisition-of-rbc-general-insurance-company/201601211213016057M/ Mark Andrew Wilson