Member Info for buffa

IMO all Westminster politicians, with very few exceptions, are a disgrace in thar they represent relatively small pressure groups whilst ignoring what they, in theory, are elected to do - represent the view of their electorate. There is a growing call for Proportional Representation in this Country (I understand there are only 2 others that have 'first past the post') which should better represent the electorate. Of course the dominant parties would strive to keep the present system but the key word is 'dominant'. If one of the 'dominant' two - ie Conservative - are reduced to double figures in next parliament the door may be open to a coalition of smaller parties who have been calling for PR to have more impact. I would like my vote, and everybody else's, to have some impact.

As of today divi worth 5.68p. Final comment - oil companies invariably do well when geopolitical risks accelerate. Just recently Biden allowed Ukraine to fire their (US) missiles into Russia some of which nearly took out a Russian early warning system!! As a result Russia publicly declared the US as an enemy with the right to retaliate. Now Russian warships to conduct 'exercises' in the Caribbean. To me that represents a significant increase in risk. Meanwhile, back on planet normal, BP (not alone) continues to drift. As they say '...interesting times.'

Jeff - if anybody can answer your question I for one would like to hear it. I have bought and sold the shares over many years and unless we get taken out by a US predator (or Shell) then I expect BP to 'perform' as before. I believe BP has been badly led (cf UK politics) fir many years, it has gambled on electrification/esg, it has a pure trading arm and is governed by the dollar (now having fallen 2.5% this year - which reduces divi paid in sterling). Too many factors affect the SP, including politics -both local and geopolitical. From previous posts you may recall that I am also critical of buybacks since I believe that cash would be better paid into divis rather than the black hole aka bonuses. In summary imo the market doesn't understand this Company's raison d'etre. Meantime, for me, it's rinse and repeat.

Jeff - if anybody can answer your question I for one would like to hear it. I have bought and sold the shares over many years and unless we get taken out by a US predator (or Shell) then I expect BP to 'perform' as before. I believe BP has been badly led (cf UK politics) fir many years, it has gambled on electrification/esg, it has a pure trading arm and is governed by the dollar (now having fallen 2.5% this year - which reduces divi paid in sterling). Too many factors affect the SP, including politics -both local and geopolitical. From previous posts you may recall that I am also critical of buybacks since I believe that cash would be better paid into divis rather than the black hole aka bonuses. In summary imo the market doesn't understand this Company's raison d'etre. Meantime, for me, it's rinse and repeat.

I voted no as soon as that was put to me recently. My reason was not simply price but more the fact that DARK is one of the few cutting edge technology companies on the LSE and should not disappear into asset stripping private hands.

First let me declare that I have held shares in Cora for some years and my holding is now fairly insignificant having been decimated by the military takeover in Mali. The warning is for prospective investors. It is my view, fwiw, that the Russians will control the resources in Mali going forward and even the likes of Barrick will lose control of their investment in the Country. I don't believe Cora can therefore mine there or make money there. If they can succeed, against all the odds, then great because my holding might just be worth something. Russia is a big player in Mali and supports the Junta who appear happy to get rich from the gold refinery being built there to exploit their vast resources.

Class actions, typically American, are very difficult to prejudge ad BP famously discovered

In answer to question who have I just transferred to from Aviva the policy is now with Allianz. As an aside I accept comments re 'loyalty' to customers etc. Years ago I used to lecture that 'your best prospect is your existing customer '. That has now been rejected in favour of what? I have a no claims record going back further than I care to remember yet I am penalised on renewal. Economically that makes no sense to me whatsoever.

Will repeat something I wrote re buybacks some time ago. These are referred to within the investing community as 'financial engineering'. Check for yourself. The value of this massaging of balance sheets (primarily EPS) generally favours BoDs bonuses with nil value to SHs. If there is any possible use of buybacks otherwise it is as a result of lower market cap - fewer shares with a stagnant SP - which makes a Company a potential takeover target. Could that happen with BP? Perhaps a better question is why it hasn't happened with BP?

Predicting future oil prices is one of the more difficult calls in my experience. Traders have predicted current drop for probably a week now based on pure technical trade signals. As for the next 6 months - well imo it depends whether you believe Western economies to be strong or weak. My view for some time is that the unprecedented debt levels of all Western countries weighs heavily in favour of a serious market crash, recession, stagflation whatever you will. If true then oil could easily fall to $40 or so with demolition of oil companies and most others. I have been a LTH of BP but sold out earlier this year in order to park the cash, on deposit, awaiting to reinvest after the 'market correction' that I expect. This is not investment advice just my interpretation of a world situation that I have not encountered in many decades as an investor. As a footnote there is now an innovation that has/will revolutionise markets - the use of robotic AI trading. Watched it for myself this morning on a trading floor (as a guest, I am not a 'trader') and was amazed at the result.

Just had my insurance renewal from aviva. Within minutes have accepted offer from rival which is ca £100 cheaper. No-brainer. Wonder how typical or otherwise my experience is.

Just a quick comment in 2 parts. First look at BP who spend billions in buybacks. Any use to SHs? None that I've ever noticed but the lacklustre BOD do very nicely thank you. Secondly, back to DWL, surely we are entering takeover territory at such a low market cap. Any thoughts?

Just a quick comment in 2 p

Both cybersecurity and AI are hot topics everywhere but particularly in the US. US companies have recently seen their market cap take off just by suggesting they're using AI within their Company. The AI chip front runner Nvidia has, alone, virtually supported the American markets. So what? My point is that DARK's SP is absolutely ludicrous compared to what it might be if listing transferred to the States. AND, not being a fortune teller, I don't know whether the upcoming vote will be 75%+ to sell. AND, given the extraordinarily low deal offer, I do not accept that a better offer will not emerge in the time remaining. With me it is not all about greed but more to do with parting with my shares at a true/fair valuation. I understand that the Board, like so many others before, are happy to accept 'low' offers since their holding is usually from a very low base cf we poorer mortals. Alas the LSE is fast disappearing as a result of megarich foreigners offering a quick buck to BODs who seek their spots in the sun. Just my view dyor.

I suggest we await to see what happens. I work on probability an whether I trust 'manifestos' from any source. Overall I believe that Companies who run out of constructive ideas resort to buybacks. I could 'run' a Company on that basis and so could most others. Management skill imo shows itself in ways to improve and develop the Company seen through many other parameters such as ROCE etc.

If only. In theory share buybacks should be good for SH. What they do, in fact, is increase EOS for Companies who are not growing revenue so that same revenue over fewer shares higher EPS. My experience shows that many director bonuses are paid out of increasing EPS. Thus directors profit at the expense of shareholders. BP is a prime example of this and reason SH constantly complain of low SP and dividends whilst buying back enormous volumes of shares year in year out.

DYOR obviously, and sensibly. My own figures indicate, near as dammit, over 30% share ownership with IIs including Sprott. This is a healthy investment for what remains a hole in the ground until mine development starts.

Numerous shares including BP of course as one if the few large cap shares on the LSE. My posting was to be careful because in a large scale recession no investment is safe. You may have a problem with that but you can simply ignore my concerns and do as you will.

Must confess I expected more and better informed response but I am an investor - one who studies and researches markets across the world with the hope of buying low and selling high. I do not fall in love with any Company shares. Throughout several decades I have bought and sold numerou

I watch the US market very closely on the basis that it is the major Western influence on most economies. I am now awaiting a significant recession in the US which will impact us all. I can only recommend being more careful with your investments and ask questions why for example Sunak is going early, US institutions are selling, lowest volumes mainly retail purchases, World gearing up for war. Oil, a good indicator of recession, dropping as we enter peak demand - the American Driving Season so-called. Sticky inflation....I could go on but my message, to coin a phrase, is be careful put there.