Member Info for AllAtSea

Option granted under the Company's all-employee HMRC approved Save As you Earn scheme (AO Sharesave Scheme) with an exercise price of 332p. 5,421 shares.

It's true he can get his money back if need be!

Interesting article from the FT 21 Jan:
"AO World enjoyed its best ever trading period because of the pandemic but has warned of “significantly higher costs” to meet demand, rattling investors.
..
The group had incurred “significantly higher costs” from changes to comply with coronavirus regulations while the impact of the pandemic on consumers drove a “slightly increased” rate of cancellation of long-term contracts in mobile and warranties, the retailer said on Tuesday.
..
Analyst John Stevenson said he was “surprised” at the share slide “when we are looking at an upgrade in 2022, given that AO’s market position has improved materially”.

“They had a spectacular third quarter, with sales running at a higher level than we anticipated,” he added. “They weren’t planning to knock out 67 per cent sales growth in the UK.”

AO shares fell as much as 13 per cent before paring losses to sit about 6 per cent lower in London trading at lunchtime.
..
“AO is looking at a profitable self-financing business in Europe and we expect them to go beyond Germany into other markets,” said Mr Stevenson. “The scale of opportunities is absolutely massive.”
The group expects to benefit from further demand for electrical products as more people continue to work from home, as well as “structural market changes” as consumers shift more purchases online.
"
https://www.ft.com/content/4919858f-5193-4c84-90f4-fe1dc5c626bb

Now balanced my XPP investment with AHT and OCDO. Quite similar prospects IMO.

Good to hear the HSBC assessment below.

Seeds and land.

You can't eat gold.

I am in too.

"Diploma PLC ("Diploma" or the "Company"), the international group supplying specialised technical products and services, is pleased to announce the proposed acquisition of Windy City Wire Cable & Technology Products, LLC ("Windy City Wire" or "WCW"), a leading value-add distributor of premium quality, low voltage wire and cable in the US for up to c. £357m ($465m) (the "Acquisition")[1].

Diploma has also separately announced today a proposed equity fundraising of up to 10 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Company to part fund the Acquisition.
"

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/DPLM/acquisition-of-windy-city-wire-replacement/14694912?lang=en

The firm also noted the "excellent" first quarter contribution from Windy City Wire which is trading "very well" following a smooth transition into the company.

https://www.lse.co.uk/news/DPLM/diploma-makes-strong-start-to-year-focus-remains-on-acquisitions-u8wy2zul7a3q2y3.html

"[The] numbers suggest to me the company is shrinking. That means it makes sense that Shell shares should be worth much less today than in 2014.

The second reason I decided to sell is the energy transition. While I’m confident oil & gas will remain two of the world’s dominant energy sources for at least the next few years, the green energy revolution is gaining speed. Shell is trying to keep up, but it seems to be struggling."

https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2021/01/18/why-i-sold-royal-dutch-shell-shares/

As a source I don't usually believe the Fool (Motley, not Rupert!) but since the sp was still ok for me I sold the lot. Thanks RP.

Last year I took some eye-watering losses on stocks like HSBC and don't regret it now. Sometimes you have to abandon ship if there is another on the horizon.

Sorry to butt in. Could some kind person please direct me to

"Share Discussion for Glaxosmithkline (GSK)"

Thanks ever so..

Couldn't say for sure but I am pleased I took profits because I was able to get back into OCDO at a price I was willing to pay.

""Next announces that it has withdrawn from the process to acquire any, or all, of the Arcadia Group from the Administrator, as our consortium has been unable to meet the price expectations of the vendor," the company said.

Next said it wished the administrator and future owners well in their endeavours to "preserve an important part of the UK retail sector".

JD Sports Fashion PLC, Frasers Group PLC and Boohoo Group PLC have also been reported as having an interest in acquiring Arcadia brands."

https://www.lse.co.uk/news/NXT/next-pulls-out-of-race-to-acquire-philip-greens-arcadia-group-zd4gt4pqq88fqp5.html

Tomorrow will interesting. I must admit I sold out already so if the price rockets I'll be fed up!

POLR is on the shopping list but for me this price is too high. I have a fair bit of cash in the stash but think patience is the name of the game.

"Polar said he is ‘diversifying his portfolio’ and is also committed to ‘improving the free float and liquidity’.

Ashford-Russell, who founded Polar with Tim Woolley in 2001 and who remains a non-executive director, has been gradually selling down his holding in the business since offloading £2.1m worth of shares in July.

He remains a top 10 backer though, owning 4.6 million shares worth £31m at today’s price of 674p."

https://citywire.co.uk/funds-insider/news/polar-capital-co-founder-sells-further-500000-of-shares/a1451275?ref=citywire-money-latest-news-list

Nobody knows!

The way I see it is it's a gamble right now. Deciding, with very little information, whether the negotiations for Top Shop will benefit the share price. Does the market really 'like' a successful outcome? Or a failed bid? What will the outcome be anyway? What other factors are lurking in the wings? Should the price drop, how soon will it recover?

The other issue is having an alternative investment in mind to lodge the revenue from a sale.

As things are I am relying on the judgement of the management and holding on but DYOR.

I am optimistic. It's been reported that in the hearts and minds stakes, infrastructure spending is the low hanging fruit for Biden. Trump's promises were largely just hot air with no follow through. Other than the infamous wall for which Mexico was to pay!

It's reported that NXT is a frontrunner to win Topshop bid, albeit as a minority partner. The news seems to please the market.

Pleased to have taken more AZN profits and now GSK is my only pharma stock again. What can possibly go wrong?!

""M&G slashes charges on 45 funds after major review

Fairview Investing co-founder Ben Yearsley said: ‘It’s probably overdue. Many of the older groups have issues with expensive funds with legacy books of business.

‘If they are listed, it is very difficult to cut fees as shareholders and the city don’t like profit warnings. M&G have had this issue coupled with some mediocre performing funds, especially equity. These cuts make them competitive again from a cost perspective.’

The group added that the creation of its £28bn wealth management arm which brings together the recently acquired platform Ascentric, The Advice Partnership, was part of the move to increase the competitiveness of its offering.
..
Darius McDermott, managing director of Chelsea Financial Services, added: ‘When you think that M&G’s 10 biggest funds have more than £20bn of assets between them, this will make a material difference to a lot of investors and make the funds much better value for money.’"

https://citywire.co.uk/funds-insider/news/mandg-slashes-charges-on-45-funds-after-major-review/a1450625?ref=citywire-money-latest-news-list

On the basis of BBD's assessment I have taken some XPP profits and shifted the cash to a growth stock beginning much earlier in the alphabet.. Its exposure to a change of US leadership is purely alphabetical too.

Been watching these for a while and dipped a cautious toe in the water today. I'd have liked them a bit lower and may buy more if they dip.

"Â SSA Investments Sarl intends to sell a 4.0% stake in B&M European Value Retail SA, Merrill Lynch International said on Monday.

SSA, the Arora family investment vehicle, plans to sell around 40 million shares in B&M via an accelerated bookbuild, which will commence on Monday. Following the sale, SSA will own 109.9 million shares in B&M,"

Bit of profit taking, I would say.