Member Info for alex1621

Bfd ... yes, just looked at it again. I think they have been amongst the biggest lenders over the last few years.

I thought Norges had a big stake, but when I looked through the updates I noticed that on 22 June 2023 RNS it states they have no holding? The previous amount was 2.97%.

They might have re-purchased later but seems unlikely?

What don't you get? Shorts have risen leading up to an expected trading update, with a background of falling retail sales in December. As long as retail is challenging the shorts will be pressurising the share price.

The key for Boo is signs of steady sales and perhaps some tentative growth. Most retailers are under pressure currently. That will change eventually, but when is anyone's guess.

The circus that is the SP is a side show, and no upward movement can be trusted to continue until the numbers are there to back it up.

What is painful is how sad a human being you have to be to join a site in order to troll people you don’t know. Joined Oct 23, no holding, posts only on Boo. Looks like a former troll in a new disguise?

I’m looking forward to the advent of AI that can detect mental health problems in posters. Then ban them.

Had a Quick Look. Norges went to zero June 2023.

I recall that Norges Bank owned a chunk of shares? Have they sold out?

So who is lending? Naked shorting occurs in the US, why not here?

As I stated previously my broker called me unexpectedly. I never took the call but emailed them. The reply was that there was a demand to borrow Boo shares, would I be interested in making a return on mine? The strange thing is I switched off that facility, so why call me?

Perhaps Ashley is lending, allowing the SP to fall, then buying more? For what purpose?

I don't think a merger can be forced on the company, by anyone, as the Kamani's still have enough ownership to prevent that from happening. I can't see them pursuing that option because it would dilute their control of the business. There is a possibility of a takeover, but the price would have to be compelling to tempt them. With Shein looking to IPO there may be a possibility of a takeover, and perhaps that is what Ashley is investing for? He has had dealings with them and will certainly know more about their plans than an outsider.

I'd be surprised to see a merger, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a bid.

The Panorama programme was several months ago? So where did this come from?

Looks like more shorter games.

Bad start to the year … for practically every stop. US markets drop on good employment numbers, because a hot economy reduces the chance of interest rate decreases.

But this is still holiday trading volumes, and there is a long way to go. Shorts placed going into the trading update season. Hoping for more bad news. One day the news will turn positive, and it will take people by surprise.

Read a Twitter comment about Next this morning. It had fallen 90% in the 80’s and was on its knees. Anyone investing £10k would (according to the tweet) be sitting on £4 million. Food for thought.

The macroeconomic picture should improve this year, so the key is whether sales stabilise and we begin to see some growth. Coordinated and planned shorting will not disappear until we get there.

Pendulum - it is simply a stock that is easy to manipulate if you coordinate with other professional shorters. There is no countervailing forces except the likes of Ashley, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is also loaning shares.

The SP rose off the back of more favourable macroeconomic trends, but that is not enough to deter short interest. What Boo needs is stability in the numbers and the prospect of better things ahead. In the meantime, don't be surprised by these attacks on the SP.

Isn't this just short interest increasing in anticipation of disappointing retail sales ... from a range of retailers? Same cast of retailers ... THG, ASC, BOO ... if the online world is still suffering there's no reason for this to stop.

The improved macroeconomic picture with the prospects of interest rate reductions is positive for the markets, but the most important numbers are the updates. Looking for stability and return to growth in 2024.

The important thing to remember about the Kamani’s is that they have considerable skin in the game … so will want their life work to come good, for reasons of wealth and family pride.

How does the market value of a company increase over 2% in one minute?

Something to ponder for those who believe that the price tells you everything.

Merry Christmas folks.

I believe that online growth during the pandemic flattered to deceive as it was the only game in town to a captive audience. But the growth is still there, and I believe will be a major feature of the future of retail. It looks like certain destination retail areas will survive and thrive as brick and mortar, but as we can all see many high streets even in prosperous towns are struggling.

The question of competition is a good one. What’s often overlooked is the absence of scrutiny and pressure from regulators and politicians. Shein and Temu are prime candidates for that, so we shouldn’t presume that their business models are sustainable. And if Shein have to pivot they may well pick up a company that’s already navigated those waters. Ashley owns a lot of stock, and has an established relationship with them. We might thank the much maligned Kamani’s, because they will look to maximise the price.

Hexam … I believe that when Rolls was at its lows the sentiment and commentary, professional and bulletin board, were far gloomier than on here. Almost apocalyptic.

Since starting investing the one thing that shocked me was how extreme share prices can go, both up and down, on the strength of short term events, like the pandemic or supply chain issues. The value of a private company on the open market would fall, but not to the extremes we see on markets, especially AIM.

If BH can show stability and improvement in 2024, the moves could be violent and rapid. The only thing that might intervene is an opportunistic bid from newly IPO Shein.

Rolls Royce is an interesting recovery stock. Hammered during the pandemic and now, three years later has increased 7.5 times from its low, with predictions of much further to run. And the bulk of the move happened in 2023.

Online retail growth accelerated prematurely during the pandemic, well ahead of its expected trajectory. That growth had to retreat once the world opened up, but the supply chain and macroeconomic impact hit even harder. I still believe online is only at the beginning, and this period will be viewed as an anomaly.

I also think Shein will be subject to organised and coordinated shorting, but before the dump comes the pump. Expect nothing but positive news flow for a while, and little short interest. Same pattern as THG.