Member Info for Gerry557

Effective Yes, efficient I would have to disagree. Efficient = achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense. Its not minimum expense hence my issue

wazzza you might be right about the service but its not the driver for me. A few hundred pounds compounded soon starts to add up and in my case is more so added up even quicker. Total that up over 20 years and its eye opening. Apathy is why the share price will remain on the up cos tey are making a mint out of most customers. In fact there own estimations are for 1 in 5 to be worse off. Iweb only charge a one off £25 and £5 to deal this undercuts HL by some way. The £45 cap that HL had on the ISA is also being removed so the bigger your holdings now grow the more costs you have (although their profits will increase so ok for shareholders)

Hi Bentley I am glad you are enjoying the service not sure about being cost efficient. A small SIPP under 30K and you could be correct but most other things work out expensive but like you say its great for the share price. You may be happy to pay over the top (unless your in that SIPP category) and that is for you to decide. Unfortunately for me I can afford not to move I feel like its me being bent over by them not the other way round

Better value is easy nearly everyone! Service is another question. On Service HL was OK on most things but evaded direct questions when it came to costs. I had requested them to do something about some of them and quoted savings I could achieve elsewhere but was disappointed with the outcome so had been moving from them for some time now anyway, The changes have now forced my hand to move even faster and to rub salt in the wounds they have added extra charges now to leave. This is expected to become a legal matter shortly. As for who I am likely to use Interactive Investor and Iweb are current favorites. Of course there is the unknown regarding the service and if lots of people follow me they might have a blip so I will give them time. Generally I just hold some funds so not much needed in the way of service there and some buying and selling of shares, so again not much to do apart from providing online platform and collecting the divis.

Well I did say it could continue to rise and the numbers were good today. The price is coming back a bit now and if you wait for a market down day I doubt you will loose too much. I wish I had more ................ waiting for the dips

I can't see why this isn't a screaming buy. The remaining funds I hold with HL are going to result in a ten fold increase going to the platform post the RDR changes. Their own presentation states they expect to make 71p for each £1 they receive. I have had several communications in different formats relating to the high costs of being with HL and their staff are excellent at giving the party line and stating the benefits of staying with HL as opposed to moving, such as answering the phone. I was pointed to the calculator on the site. Again a fantastic bit of misdirection, as this estimates I will make a "saving" but this is based on HL what I would have been charged under old charges. I assume they hope nobody notices this or that people will just stay. Unfortunately, even after "reducing my costs" they are still extremely expensive and I have written requesting that the new contract is unfair to me and intend to switch, also requesting wavier of all exit fees. Family and friends are also doing the same. If its just us few who port and all the rest say, then this is a buy. I will wait until the next update to buy in to make sure people arnt leaving in droves like me and mine and then buy a few. Unfortunately my commission will end up somewhere else. Of Course DYOR and good luck to all and for those that dont know me I had my fingers crossed when I recommended the buy signal

I too was wondering why the SP keeps rising. I had it down to the rise in the market generally and that some of the bad news has been "forgotten" now. As the SP starts to rise it give confidence (maybe falsely) that things have got better or to jump on before its too late. Im not sure if Alb1on will get his 75p opportunity and how much is priced in for the divi cut in Feb but as all options are on the table you cant discount the possibility but unlikely IMHO. I still think there will be another fall in the SP in Feb especially if its keeps this general rise going but the longer it continues the less likelihood of a take over, why pay more for an asset that is possibly worth less. Now at 75p, I think there is more merit .

Although I think its overvalued that doesn't mean the price will fall, although it may. It could continue to rise but at a slower rate than real growth in the company and be overvalued for several years before the share price matches the value. You also pay a premium for a rosy outlook, strong company, growth and good divi. It depends on how long you want to wait and your time frame. You might pay an extra 10K for a certain house on a street but 20 years later it will be forgotten as the house price as risen by then (hopefully) and you have had 20 years in what you wanted. Would be nice to get a bit of a dip though

So TRIG are floating the idea of a placing which UKW also did a few months ago. I notice no details were provided apart from they have identified a "pipeline of attractive acquisition opportunities in both solar PV parks and onshore wind farms" I know the party is in full swing with placements at the moment but Im not sure if it is aimed at the likes of me or to see if the institutions fancy helping out. I can see why they would like to be bigger and Im sure it will help increase the fees to those running it but whats in it for the owners? Will we be offered a discount or locked out completely. What will it do to improve the company and when will become a positive on the top line. I would like to see some figures or are they going to use our money to overpay for expensive assets just to feed the BoD bonuses. That RNS says so little

Found this:- Seasoned Standard Chartered investors will not be surprised that the emerging markets-focused bank has yet again become the source of takeover talk. Stanchart shares were trading flat in Hong Kong in morning trading, even after Citigroup analysts commented in a research note that Australian lender ANZ may explore a buyout. - Financial Times It looks like someone is after most of my stocks one way or another

Hi wenlock. IMO yes. Its a great company or was with exposure to Asia which everyone wanted and pushed the price up added by a tad of QE. The latter is being scaled back and the former is also suffering hence the SP is coming off its highs and as it falls more holders sell up despondent at the falling share price. I am looking to put more of my wonga in here and have been waiting some time. The PE is still over 18+ and the yield below 3.5%. The only good thing for me now is that currently its below its 200 day Avg but bear in mind the SP was high so the avg will be up too. Im not saying that this wont rise from here, it can always get more expensive so I'm waiting in the wings hoping it will drop further into my price range. How long will I be waiting? I will leave others more cleaver than me to to speculate on that one.

It looks like there are more of us hanging on to what we've got in the hope of better things. Cant they get the 5% at below the 75p offer on the open market or do they have to purchase as agreed. I suppose if you have made the offer to them at 75p you could buy today and get your stake back with 13p in your pocket a start I suppose or is there a worry that you could end up with x2 lots?

That £200M is the lowest figure Ive seen banded about the top being £1B or are they talking about the hole which was also £200M total. I think last years divi cost £343M so it would be "easy" to get from scrapping the divi and moving/reducing some profit. I suspect they might need more but are trying all the options to see if they can get a best fit. Shareholders dont like their divi being stolen or for that matter having their capital eroded. So that one down and ....... (one to go maybe) Wonder if they will get a 100% vote in favor of the remuneration report this time round. At least targets are matched to profit now not sales! The Divi cut has been well communicated but how much is that expectation. I suppose if its smaller than expected the SP might rise. I have not seen any figures being touted. Pity they cant issues some B or C type shares in lieu of the divi which they could buy back at a later dated. Sort of delayed divi Not long to go for the details to be finalised

Well this is difficult as there are a lot of unknowns at the moment. No clarity on how much they need /want to raise or how they will achieve it. Personally I an penciling in complete cancellation of the divi and it being rebased after that. Whilst this will probably be good for the company in the longer term its not going to be good for the share holders in the short term. Of course things can change but I see no merit in selling the best assets and who would buy the bad ones? They might hive off something which salvages something but it depends how much leeway the regulators will allow them. If I were not in I might sit on my hands and wait till the Feb statement and find out what is definitely on the cards. A full cut in the divi might drag it lower as I don't think everyone else shares my views. On the other hand some sort of rabbit out of the hat manoeuvre might surprise on the upside. You pays your money you take a chance!

Oh look everybody its back and trading again.

Issues identified will also be part of audits for 2014 I may email them with a few more questions to see if they will provide a bit more detail Of Alb1on 5 questions most were sort of covered but not what I would call in any real detail his Qn 1 was not covered or asked. I might include that in my email. I felt that the board were batting off the questions until Feb to give them more time to get their act together but wanted to highlight that the problems were contained and were now either being, or in the process of being fixed.

Started by RSA stating, as per RNS, RSA is trading in line with expectations and recent weather will impact on results The Barclays analyst questioned reserving. Identified in 2012 after being reported in results as being x1. (I might have to go back and look at this in more detail now) RSA were also asked if they would disclose in £ or % reserve rates but said it was too early but would consider what, if any disclosure to make if any in Feb. (If it was great or good even I’m sure they would announce it to calm nerves) 1. Checks and balances working properly 2. Review policies and tighten 3. To reduce the risk of collusion 4. Re-emphasize the whistle blowing policy An independent audit review was also c/o in 2012 and was OK Capital strengthening – 5 weeks in 7 weeks to go. Progressing well, but they were none committal on any detail such as asset sales. Did state no offer for whole group but again none committal on parts until details in Feb. Were pushed by many questions on this issue with standard answer of; all options being considered and no figures or guidance was given. Frustrations on both sides with this. Martin Scicluna, RSA Executive Chairman stated “Capital! Capital! Capital!” In the end, stopped answering questions as analysts kept pushing for more and more detail but board were unwilling to give any more than what had been stated. KPMG carried out a “very detailed review” 2014 audits will be carried out earlier and in more depth. KPMG have given assurances (So problems should be limited and corrective action underway if not already started) BNP Paribas analyst discussed P1 cover and Deloitte audit. Asked if RSA were looking to recover money back because of the Irish unit, there was no real comment on it other than they were looking at it (I assume they will be discussing this and any options with the legal beagles) RSA have been talking to PRA & CBI taking them through the reviews and they were still ongoing, I missed a comment about taking advantage of buying down? (Maybe alb1on can comment more on this but it sounded like they had and that this was a positive) Morgan Stanley analyst asked How/When/What amounts (regarding issues identified) and RSA stated that submissions were Late/Incorrect/Suppressed. RSA used the term “Teeming and Lading” and suggested that there had been “extremely aggressive” and “inadequate” reporting. There was also a query if the board’s incentives were a reason for collusion. RSA discussed that targets had been reduced and were non committal on the actions behind “individuals”. RSA did state that after the dismissals announced they were not looking to take any further action. (So I suppose the Garda wont be asking questions then!) The resignation of Simon Lee was raised; it was felt appropriate given the size of the problem, queried that the RSA board an

Hi The Jackel. I agree its not good to lock out ordinary investors but I think its down to costs for the company. THis is not at a massive discount as some placing are. In fact they state "The Placing Shares will be issued to new and existing shareholders at a premium to the most recent Net Asset Value per share and will therefore be accretive to the prevailing NAV for existing shareholders." So its not as bad as some placings. The placing price is expected to be set at 48.25 pence per share. You might find the price falls to this anyway. You could contact your broker. One the whole I see this as positive news even if I can take part but will be keeping an eye out

Yep, I thought it might drop back a little after the rise. I hope you had your tongue in your cheek when you stated I was a pro cos clearly my day trading head was wrong. Yes handy to know for all my day trading followers but it keeps the Xmas card list to the group well manageable

I had assumed Philip Smith would be talked too as part of the investigation. Although Maybe if he feels he is being made the scapegoat, might refuse to assist. PwC will have to look at some facts/actions and compare to the company processes to identify if wrong doing has happened. I dont think the police or Garda will offer the same terms I was also assuming that it was because of Adrian Brown's cross checking systems that the problem came to light, possibly delayed if individuals or groups conspired against his team and Simon Lee fell on his sword as it was on his watch. Then again you know what they say about people that assume! I think they may "hide", my term, behind the "cant say more due to ongoing legal issues blah blah" kind of statements. I had your 2nd and 3rd on my list. If I was "innocent" I might be speaking to the press with some firm facts to support my observations depending what is published. Anyone else?