Member Info for BlahBlahDoh

"His next big task is to complete a restructuring of the company's debts this year."
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-10075443/Quit-UK-stay-says-man-Pru-Mike-Wells.html

If I understand todays news correctly, it looks like they are now planning issuing new bonds to pay down old ones with an even lower "coupon" than the ones already chosen for redemption - USD725 million 4.375% undated tier 2 notes. The "lead managers" include banks from France and Japan.

Company is not really explaining these balance sheet activities very well to ordinary investors. Their given reason is that "The equity issuance will serve to maintain and enhance Prudential's financial flexibility in light of the breadth of opportunities to invest for growth in Asia and Africa." That's the same reason for issuing the new shares. They don't explicitly say how issuing new "fixed interest" money to pay off existing ones achieves that, or why it is being done now. Presumably the new bonds will have lower coupons, or have some other benefit? Another possibility is that they are adapting to the different regulatory conditions they face in Hong Kong?

The market doesn't seem surprised or concerned at all this capital structure sculpting. Maybe we're still not "done" yet after all, and there is more shape shifting to come?

Scottish solar panels under a blazing sun: what a wee scorcher, eh?

Sorry to announce that the proposal that 100 (working) days is, somehow, "significant" has not obtained approval at this time. The committee felt that the absence of valid logic or reason was a significant barrier to the adoption of this idea and made it unviable as a concept.

Seems like Rock Nominees Ltd, (parent of Gresham House) have some minor quibbles about being ditched by GHS investment trust. They have called for the immediate return of GHS cash to shareholders, complete realisation of assets and return of capital within 24 months of meeting. This despite the opportunity of simply selling their stake to new managers Harwood. They are apparently deeply concerned about all the other investors, and very anxious about corporate governance. It certainly isn't petulant revenge, an attempt to shut down the trust for good if they are no longer allowed to manage it. That, of course, cannot possibly be the case, they are not, after all, petty, vindictive vipers. It's simply an alternative suggestion, for polite discussion at an EGM.

Can't debate with someone who just makes things up to support their argument. When they are obviously doing this deliberately, they aren't arguing in good faith and are probably well aware that what they are saying is lies. Pretty inappropriate here, and hypocritical, when the company is firmly based on science.

I thought you were the lurking menace on this board, Moany?
People would be wise to recognise the specific flu threat due to possibly the lowest general immunity levels for decades. It's distinct from the ongoing covid threat, and potentially more dangerous in the near term. Covid deaths were 830 last week in the UK. The AMS worst-case estimate for winter flu equates to an average of over 4000 deaths per week. Estimates are nearly always wrong, of course, but better safe than dead.

"euphoria" is an exaggeration, but the milestone is self evident. Invinity are obviously responsible for completing the phase, so why try to diminish their achievement by casting shade on them for not having a time machine and the ability to change history? Ascribing the entire project to a previous incarnation of the company which no longer exists seems nonsensical.

"the first step toward demonstrating externally what we ourselves know to be true"

IES has become a toddler. Hopefully it will be a mouthy teenager one day

btw Moderna are starting clinical trials in November for an HIV vaccine using mRNA

This is the first vaccine approved for Malaria after 100 years of trying. Useful to ORPH in that it stimulates industry interest and activity, and potentially expands the market for services.

Thanks restorer and lobo87. Well once again, Samsung's case seems to exhibit weakness. Objecting to an expert on spurious grounds and being correctly overruled does not augur well for them. Cross examination is probably a dangerous game for them too, as they essentially need to obscure the truth with cleverly worded questions, whereas a knowledgeable practitioner like Cossairt is likely to just continue the process of highlighting their errors and misinterpretations which characterised the early court proceedings?

Must admit, I'm fairly skeptical that incentive schemes generally work. It's not like they wouldn't try to be successful without the added incentives, surely. Far more effective would be if there was a disincentive for failure, i.e. share price doesn't reach £2, you forfeit your salary? And that's why they won't let me on the remuneration committee.

Thanks extrader. Actually, it looks like Meade was a non-exec too, so really just a like-for-like replacement.

It looks like CF is replacing a full time director with a part time non-exec?

Excellent results for the first half with UK sales matching last years COVID boosted levels! Europe down but given all the problems, not badly, and steps have been taken to bypass the problems introduced by Brexit. The market was clearly expecting a lot worse, with all the delivery, supply and fuel shortage issues hitting the headlines, but these numbers show the company thriving.

AAF currently winning a close battle for second place in the Nigerian GSM market. Total subscribers seem to be in decline so far this year though, possibly due to regulation? https://www.ncc.gov.ng/statistics-reports/subscriber-data#quarterly-subscriber-operator-data

The market may also be influenced by the aftermath of the ONT IPO, with the SP there drifting lower? Hard to tell, but with big news events coming, sentiment towards AGL should hopefully become more focused soon. It would be encouraging to see some more commercial success for British companies in the health sector, especially ones based on US technology - gamekeeper turned poacher (:

She looks well qualified and apparently actively researching nanomaterials. As Samsung are taking her deposition under oath, presumably they have reason to believe her expert opinion will favour of their claim?

Richard Staveley is returning as portfolio manager and Harwood are planning to buy Gresham House's stake in the company:
https://www.investmentweek.co.uk/news/4038396/gresham-house-strategic-trust-appoints-harwood-capital-proposes-change