Member Info for JamesOxford

An offer for Wood Group for £1.00 per share, now way. Not with Wood Group in its current state. EG incompetent management, high debt, Deloittes review, negative FCF etc. A sales pipeline, is just that, a pipeline - it is not agreed and signed sales contracts.

A more resoanable first offer would be double whatever the current share price is at the time (i.e. currently the first offer would be circa .55p). However, any offer made would be refused by the board - no matter if the offer was £1.00-£1.75. It is clear that the CEO and board do not act in the best interest of its shareholders, nor do they communicate well with their shareholders (all this has been clearly proven in the past)...which is why a couple of institutional investors decided to quickly sell out last week - the Wood Group RNS on results issued on Friday was the final straw.

Due to the above, it would be far better to make a hostile takeover of Wood Group on very favourable terms. There are many ways to do this in terms of incentives and have the Wood Group's management (excludes CEO and BOD), stakeholders, partners, and shareholders on board. Once completed, remove the incompetent CEO and board entirely, and insert a new CEO and board. Then the new CEO and BOD can implement the urgently required obvious measures to turn Wood Group around.

That said, with Wood Group anything can happen...and probably will.

In the meantime, I expect the Wood Group share price to regain upwards momentum from Monday next week onwards. Everyone knows teh sell off is completely over done, and a share price of less than 30p is ridiculous.

GLA

@Macy AH is not Lewis. Lewis is not AH. DYOR on AH.

For the record I have never endorsed Lewis and never will. I would NEVER have invested in Capita while Lewis was CEO.

Market senitment is weak on Capita...and will be for some time until 'proof is in the pudding'. It's all par for the course.

In the interests of a new subject title...

Proactive Investors New Update, dated 20 February 2025:

Zephyr Energy PLC (AIM:ZPHR, OTCQB:ZPHRF) has completed drilling at its State 36-2 well in Utah's Paradox Basin, reaching a depth of 15,288 feet.

The company said everything went according to plan, with the well following the expected path and matching up with existing seismic data.

Drilling results were encouraging, with elevated gas levels recorded throughout the process.

Nearly the entire lateral section of the well—97%—was drilled within the target zone, showing Zephyr’s ability to precisely navigate the complex underground structure.

With drilling now wrapped up, Zephyr’s team is preparing to install casing before removing the rig. The next stage will involve completing the well and testing for production, with results expected by the end of March.

https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/1066577/zephyr-energy-says-drilling-complete-at-paradox-basin-well-1066577.html

@Sentanta1 If you indeed own over 8 million Zephyr shares, you will do well.

I currently own over 2 million Zephyr shares, which is why I plan to add substantially either when the test results are announced at the end of March, or if the Zephyr share price drops below .03p between now and when the test results are announced. When either of these events occur, I will add substaintailly. It's a no brainer.

@Sentana1 I agree that the BODs of Zephyr are not thinking of an acquisition at this point in time. However, I do know that CH mentioned a while back it could be on the cards at some point. It makes sense, but only in the future.

To clarify, when I mentioned Zephyr could hit 30p, I am looking at successful oil production first and foremost which when the RNS announcement is made ought to push the share price into the 10-15p range. Next, is further and sustainable production. Then (or around the same time) a further acquisition, which ought to push the share price to 30p.

Personally, I am not invested in Zephyr to make pennies on the pound. I fully expect the Zephyr share price to attain 10-15p when production starts, and I have no plans to sell at that point. I expect a special dividend, and Zephyr should have the funds to expand further operations.

There is plenty to play for here - and the test results will be revealed at the end of March.

IMO & DYOR

For those who were invested before AH joined Capita you have my sympathies.

That said, the past is the past.

AH has been at the helm over the last 12 months. Look at what he and his new team have achieved over that very short period of time. If the next 12-24 months are anything like the last 12 months, good times ahead for Capita and its shareholders. AH may be understated in his outlook and comments etc. However, he knows how to turn a company like Capita around, and he is actually doing it. He is focused on the right areas at the right time. He is creating the 'new' Capita and winning hearts and minds of stakeholders, employees, investors.

In my role in the banking industry I have been involved in many turn-arounds over the years. Trust me when I say that AH is the real McCoy. Period.

IMO & DYOR

Of course Capita cannot carry out cost savings of £250 million in one year. However, cost savings of £160 million was identified, and this inceased to £250 million. It will be of interest to see how much has in fact been achieved in the results, and how much will carry over.

The results will show everything. ALL will be revealed soon enough and with forward outlook/commentary. The devil, as always, is in the detail.

I have no view on whether the Capita share price will increase or decrease. I am only interested in the financials as that will determine whether or not I add substantially to my Capita shareholding at this already low share price.

As an aside, there may well be an investor (probably from the US) who will look closely at the results also. It will show whether or not Capita is worth an offer or not.

@Setanta1 Obviously the big RNS announcement (i.e. after the RNS that the drill test has been completed successfully) is that production is underway i.e. with some predicted numbers to support it. On that news, I predict 10-15p.

If CH and co decide to make an acquisition on top of good production results (not just this drill but elsewhere), then 30p is a maybe...it would not surprise me at all. I never rule anything out - especially in the oil and gas sector.

As for your hypothesis, sorry but it was so bitter and dull it almost put me to sleep. I am sure you have 'seen it all'. No doubt after 5 years invested here you are deep, deep under water. Such is life - live and learn son. In the meantime, either add and average down to a more reasonable level. Or, sell out now and help drive the Zephyr share price lower (ideally under .03p), so I can add very cheaply before the test results of the drill are known at the end of March. Lol

Everything is for sale at the right price...always has been, always will be.

CEO has kicked out the CFO dead wood has left the room.

Time now to appoint a new CFO who likes a challenge. Revenue is important. Wood Group has plenty of revenue and pipeline sales. Debt is manageable. The Wood Group ship is very easy to repair for those in the know.

A buyout offer or hostile takeover is likely and probably on the cards over the next few weeks. This 'wood' (pardon the pun!) benefit Wood Group and stabalise the company, everyone benefits: employees, stakeholders, partners, shareholders. Very little to no downside.

If a buyout offer or hostile takeover is made, the Wood Group share price will rocket upwards. Big players will dive in before markets open, so either step in and buy soon for a low risk and high reward ratio...or step aside, watch, moan and groan about how smart you are to not invest...and leave this stock for the smart and savy investors.

Wood Group share price was circa 65p on Thursday. Completely oversold (due to exit by a couple of disgruntled institutional investors over a couple of days) and everyone knows it.

Wood Group share price up by circa 3% so far today, however still an absolute bargain. Lots of easy money to be made. No doubt the Wood Group share price will increase next week as calmer and smarter investors absorb the information over the weekend and buy in from Monday onwards. Massive upside and plenty to play for here.

You snooze, you lose!

GLA

AH has £250 million in cost savings targeted. It will be interesting to see how much cost savings has been achieved in the results, and how much will be carried over into the new year.

Capita's cost savings target is £250 million. Meanwhile, Capita's current market capitalisation is £227 million. It beggars belief!

I would say CH's RNS statements are on the conservative side, which suits me. It is important not to think too much ahead, and let each step take its course. I don't believe CH 'gave away' 50% to the investor. The fact is that investor is funding the entire operation at their risk. No risk to Zephyr and its shareholders whatsoever.

With regards to the Zephyr share price being manipulated - that is nonsense. The fact is that the volumes of shares traded are very, very low for a simple reason - production has not started yet. Until it does, most investors would view an investment into Zephyr as somewhat of a 'gamble'. No need to take a 'gamble' when there are plenty of other undervalued stocks to invest on the LSE in right now.

My advice is to either sit tight and wait for events to unfold. When it the big RNS announcement is made, it will be too late, as the big players will buy in before the market opens to the public. At that point, the Zephyr share price may well increase to 10-15p immediately. If all proceeds well, 30p or more is not out of the question. I've seen it before and I've benefitted massively from this type of event. Watch this space.

Alternatively, if the wait is too much, sell up, drive the Zephyr share price lower and sleep easy. If this share price drops below .03p between now and when the test results are known, I will certainly top up.

@pb1001 and @daltry: You may well be right. I am only interested in the results for the reasons mentioned. I don't mind either way as to how the results are read by others. I know what I am looking for in terms of results, KPIs, ratios, trends etc. I am also interested in AH's forward comments (i.e. the road map ahead), which should be in line with his earlier comments.

I will stay the course with AH for 18-24 months, so any movement in the Capita share price before or after the results in March does not interest me at this point. My horizon on Capita is much further than the results in March.

The fact is that AH has an excellent record, and I can clearly see he has followed and implemented the classic 'turnaround' text book (virtually line-by-line) on the turn-around of the Capita ship.

I think when AH puts his foot down on the new, lean and focused Capita - it will take off and very quickly. At that point anything can and probably will happen.

@Garonne. You are a rare breed indeed. You are also very likeable.

I think you should design and manufacture yo-yos...you'd be really good at that. I bet you'd design the best yo-yo on the planet! Lol

I am really looking forward to Capita's financials on 5 March.

I am sure AH and co will spend quite a bit of time and effort to make sure the financials and forward commentary are spot on. Needless to say, these financials are a story-book that reflects directly on AH and his efforts over the last 12 months.

Hopefully all the skeletons are now out of the closet. If so, a new chapter starts in that 'new' Capita foundations (AI and technology based 'repeatable' services and solutions with 6-8% margins, debt reduced significantly etc.) will now be set, and the road ahead should be smooth.

@HappyInvestor100 'I'll make you an offer you can't refuse'.

Well, I'll do better than that take this advice instead: 'Be greedy when others are fearful.'

I'm in Porto, Potugal for a visit. Lovely river, nice busy place. Off for a coffee now! Will check in later. Meantime, savy investors will climb in and push the Wood Group share price to 26p, 26.5p, 27p, 28p, 29p, 30p... which is still far too cheap! Lol

@Sm66 Yes you're right typo error: I bought 192,762 Wood Group shares at .258062p for £50,000.

Just added a few extra to my Wood Group stake:

I like the RNS' of late. I like that Ken the CEO has kicked the dead wood (now former CFO) out the door; and I like the new sales and sales pipeline. Wood Group is a probably takeover target now or in the future.

Wood Group offers the best value in terms of risk vs reward on the LSE. The upside here is huge.

All IMO & DYOR

I just have added a few (to my already decent Wood Group shareholding since Friday). Just bought 19272 Wood Group shares at .258062p for £50,000.

GLA

Wood Grou's RNS today 'John Wood Group PLC ('Wood' or 'the Company') has been awarded a $120 million contract extension by Shell UK Limited to provide brownfield engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) to onshore and offshore assets across the UK.'

This is a clear endorsement of Wood Group and its services by Shell Group. Enough said.

Shell Group's market capitalisation is circa USD $203 billion. Wood Group's market capitalisation is circa £176 million. Interesting.

Wood Group is obviously a takeover target with secure contracts like the above firmly in place. Watch this space...

Been away yesterday...

So the Wood Group's RNS shows that the CFO made an 'honest oversight' and stated his professional qualification as a Chartered Accountant instead of as a Certified Practicing Accountant.

In my experience, applicants ALWAYS make 'honest' (aka 'dishonest'!) errors (aka lies) like this i.e UPGRADED qualifications (NEVER downgraded) in their employment applications in order to win roles.

The fact is that the failure rate to achieve a CA is far higher vs that of the 'broader' (and weaker) qualification of a CPA. The now former CFO of Wood Group would know this also, hence his blatent lie on his employment application.

The fact is that Wood Group is a large company and the CFO needs a CA qualification i.e. technical tax and accounting specialist. This would be particulary relevant when working closely with audit and investigation companies like Deloittes (i.e. currently reviewing Wood Group). Whereas, a CPA qualification is far more general and the CFO would have been out of his depth in key areas.

I bet Deloittes or someone in Wood Group who works closely with them, raised the alarm that the CFO was indeed incompetent in certain areas (for a qualified CA) and so his qualifications were investigated fully by the HR dept who discovered he had a CPA. End result: CFO Busted!

Ken Gilmartin, CEO, said: "On behalf of the Board and the company, I would like to wish Arvind all the best in his future endeavours".

Best RNS Ken has made since he started! Decisive action taken by Ken, followed by a short sharp comment. Credit where credit is due.

At least this 'honest oversight' by the now former CFO means Wood Group would be unlikely to have to pay severence pay, due to the CFO's obvious and blatant dishonesty!