Member Info for JohnLewis79

I might add its usually the CEO or MD's job to boost the share price and thus the value of the the company.

Now we know our esteemed board are getting on in years so jetting round the world punting for business might not be for them, we need someone doing the leg work and developing future relationships. Will Nicholas Bell take over this most important job if he's not already doing it?

Somehow trade volumes have to increase, this morning only 2 trades in the first hour and just 50 last week. That's never cutting the mustard even for a micro cap let alone an Aim share.

I'm not the bigest holder by a long way but I'll lay you money I have probably made more trades than most since becoming a shareholder in late 2022 (35) and counting at prices between (410 & 868).

Since January 2 (850) MSi has fluctuated between 910 & 780

currently 820 so though not especially good the sp is more or less flat on a ytd basis. And considering we have had no news the lifeblood of Aim stocks as far as sp appreciation is concerned that's not a bad result all been said given All Aim is down 9% over 52 wks.

Still plenty of time for the board to announce any contract wins of note and I'm sure we must have been awarded at least one! Expect to see the shares turn for the better in the run up to the F/Y nos in late June.

Far Eastern mrkts are significantly lower this morning after Wall fell back on Friday. In Japan the 225 is down 409 at the morning break in subdued trading vols due to rising geo political tensions in the ME after Iran escalated the war against Israel by firing hundreds of missiles at Jerusalem. Most investors have retreated to the sidelines fearing a surge in oil prices and a worsening of the ME situation developing into an all out regional war.

In Sydney the ASX200 is down 38 towards the close with losses in Gold and tech counters. Major miners Rio Tinto and BHP are better on improving commodity prices. Gold Miners are lower despite prices in an uptrend, its recent momentum may have peaked. Gold hit an intra-day high of $2449 on Friday.

Elsewhere in Asia & Pacifica most mrkts are down though Shanghai is up 36 having alternated between positive and negative finishes through the last 4 trading days. The Shanghai Composite has recovered all losses since Jan 2024 trading 3% up ytd.

The Govt has issued an unprecedented set of policy guidelines to push for transparency, security and risk management in the country's US $9tn stock mrkts. A crackdown on corporate extravagance has eroded Chinese stockbroker incomes these past two years.

Latest :- Vix 17. Brent $90.

Gold $2357. Copper $4•300.

Palm $1060. Silver $28•275.

$1•246. €1•170. 10ytb 4•552%

FF -35. DF +124.

Morning all.

US stocks fell back throughout the Friday session as a mixed start to the earnings season wrong footed investors. The 500 closed out its worst week since October dropping c.2% not helped by tensions in the Middle East which rattled mrkts when Biden said "DONT" to Iran (attack Israel).

A jump in oil prices to nearly $92 further raised worries of more upward pressure on inflation and t/bills sank while gold a hedge against fiscal excess as debt explodes worldwide sees investors hoarding gold as the only worthwhile currency. Adding to nervousness was a report suggesting sentiment among US consumers is sinking as the Fed delays rate cuts.

Banks led the reporting season, Wells Fargo ($57) slipped despite topping analyst forecasts for overall earnings and Citi ($58) beat estimates for Q1 revs as investment banking profits delivered better than expected nos. The bank said it would be shedding 7000 jobs this year.

JPMC ($183) the largest US bank fell nearly 7% on a poor guidance outlook and having to pass on higher saving rates to depositors for the first time in years. BOA, Goldman & Morgan report next week.

NYC data

Issues 2886

Advances 449

Declines 2388

U/c 49

NH 64

NL 60

T/vol(bn) 3•9

-------------

DJ -475 (37,983)

SP -76 (5123)

NS -304 (18,003)

R2 -21 (1270)

WTI $85

10ytb 4•532%

-----------

MSCI(W) -40 (3351)

Gold Bugs -4 (263)

---------------

Close :- Vix 17. Brent $90.

Gold $2343. Copper $4•316.

Palm $1060. Silver $27•970.

Yen 153. Yuan 6•90.

FF -65. DF -22.

Morning all.

Really not much point in commenting on the weeks trading suffice to say the bears are in control and the stock is in need of spiritual support.

That's highly unlikely. Having had plenty of opportunity to buy investors, are in a quandary, and on the off chance the F/Y nos underwhelm they are primed to be sellers of the stock.

But having been a die hard bull for nigh on 2 years I see no reason to desert the company on short sellers outpacing buyers on one weeks evidence.

I think investors have been caught in the headlights and refuse to press the up switch for a clearer long-term view. I'm a buyer and remain on the bull tack come what may!

Wk 15

820 - 840

L/yr 520

High 935

Low 443

7/88 113

-------

T/trds 50

T/vols 33,000

Buys 12,150

Sells 20,850

Sell% 63

Av trd 657

Av trd £ 500

------

Ytd

Msi -5%

100 +3%

250 u/c

All +4%

Aim -1%

---

Gold +15%

Oil +17%

Palm +22%

---------

Morning all.

Big tech pulled the broader mrkt out of its slide yesterday led by the Nsdq hitting a record close. Apple and Nvidia were both up c.4% and were responsible for most of the mrkt gains which totalled $300bn in added value to stocks.

Earnings growth for companies in the 500 is expected to jump 11% this year. Eps growth for the 500 are up 47x that of the broader mtkt over the last 17 years and since 2004 the S&P has nearly quadrupled where the MSCI is up 48%. No wonder overseas companies want to list in NY.

Globe Life stock slammed 53% on Thursday bounced back 15% yesterday. The stock had been sold down on a report from Fuzzy Panda Research who alleged multiple occurrences of insurance fraud. Morgan Stanley ($86) dropped 5% on news Fed regulators are probing how the bank vets clients who are at risk of money laundering through the banks sprawling wealth management division.

The producer price index came in below estimates providing some relief however NY Fed President dampened rate cut hopes saying there's no need for a policy change in the near term.

The big banks will kick off the reporting season today when JPMC, Citi and Wells Fargo present earnings numbers.

Nyse data

Issues 2901

Advances 1415

Declines 1379

U/c 107

NH 47

NL 28

T/vol(bn) 3•8

------------

DJ -2 (38,459)

SP +38 (5199)

NS +296 (18,308)

R2 +6 (1291)

WTI $86

10ytb 4•575%

-----------

MSCI(W) +11 (3391)

Gold Bugs +4 (267)

---------------

Latest :- Vix 15. Brent $90.

Gold $2385. Copper 4•263.

Palm$1140. Silver $28•865.

$1•254. €1•170.

FF +35. DF +50.

Morning all.

On Wall the major stock averages remained firmly negative throughout the session falling to their lowest point in almost 2 months. Bond yields spiked to 4•500% and stock index futures fell on high inflation impacting ever changing rate cut prospects now scaled back by most analysts to September.

As US consumer prices increased more than expected in March due to gas prices and higher rents for the 3rd month in a row investors turned risk averse and pulled money out of the market particularly among the small caps. Gold which has been the star performer in Q1 slipped back but bulls of gold look to a close above $2400 as their next price objective.

In a surprise announcement the giant US big box retailer Cost Co said it had sold $100m in 1 ounce gold bars between Aug & Sept. Investors should start paying attention to the retailers gold business now thought to be running at between $100m - $200m a month with physical over the counter demand growing strongly.

The Dow tumbled over 400 points taking the index to 38,462 some 1428 points below the 52 wk high of 39,889. Big tech growth stocks and profit taking among the Dow 30, where Home Depot, Intel & Goldman propped up the laggards caused the about turn in sentiment. Walmart and Chevron led the 9 gainers on the big board.

-----------

Nyse data

Issues 2894

Advances 414

Declines 2433

U/c 47

NH 36

NL 46

T/vol(bn) 3•8

------------

Latest :- Vix 16. Brent $91.

Gold $2341. Copper $4•289.

Palm $1140. Silver $28•095.

$1•254. €1•167.

FF +22. DF +28.

Morning all.

Wall St having set multiple records through Nov to March now begs the question whether inflation is cool enough to deliver cuts to int rates.

Doubts have crept in after a series of hotter than expected reports on the economy that some are even talking about the possibility of no cuts, that's down from 6 or 7 at the start of the year. This raises fears of tipping the economy into recession should the Fed dither.

Todays volumes and trades were down on average as some of the bigest gainers in the Ai frenzy gave back gains (Nvidia et al). The mrkt staged a late rally to close near par for the day as Tesla ($177) returns to favour though Boeing ($178) fell $4 on an engineers complaint the company wilfully ignored safety issues. Strongly denied by Boeing.

Among lower division stocks Tilray Brands ($2•06) a meme Canadian cannabis stock was the big loser slumping 20% on Q3 growth nos to disapoint. Moderna ($113) a mega cap star of the covid era was a bright spot gaining 6% on news of a promising early stage drug trial.

Nyse data

Issues 2895

Advances 1615

Declines 1177

U/c 103

NH 104

NL 8

T/vol(bn) 3•4

------------

DJ -9 (38,884)

SP +8 (5210)

NS +70 (28,170)

R2 +7 (1324)

WTI $85

10ytb 4•359%

-----------

MSCI(W) +4 (3412)

Gold Bugs +5 (268)

---------------

Latest :- Vix 15. Brent $90.

Gold $2357. Copper $4•305.

Palm $1140. Silver $28•215.

$1•267. €1•168.

FF +46. DF +21.

Morning all.

Celestial events aside there's a packed diary of economic data out this week. Bond yields spiked ahead of key economic & inflation data, the release of FOMC minutes and the ECB monetary policy meetings later in the week, which could also shed additional light on officials thinking on rates. Reports on US consumer and producer inflation in the month of March are scheduled for Wed and Thursday.

Wall turned in a laclustre performance trading mostly around the u/c line at the start of Q1 earnings season led by JPMC, City & Wells Fargo. On a dull day for the mrkts Tesla provided a rare boost when Musk said the company would unveil its self driving robotaxi on August 8th. Shares added $8 to $173.

Trump's Media & Tech group valued at $9bn a few weeks ago sank another 8% as fans give up on the stock. Once trading as high as $74 the stock is changing hands at $36. His paper profits have dropped around $1•6bn to c.$3bn to date. The declines are welcome news for short sellers who own approx 5m shares.

Nyse data

Issues 2910

Advances 1665

Declines 1139

U/c 106

NH 133

NL 16

T/vol(bn) 3•2

-------------

DJ -11 (38,893)

SP -2 (5202)

NS -8 (18,100)

R2 +8 (1317)

WTI $87

10ytb 4•273%

----------

MSCI(W) +6 (3409)

Gold Bugs -3 (262)

---------------

Latest :- Vix 15. Brent $91.

Gold $2343. Copper $4•273.

Palm $1135. Silver $27•885.

$1•266. €1•165.

FF -2. DF -6.

Morning all.

A good close today for Billington investors are slowly catching on and some press on Master Investor hasn't gone amiss!

Last communication from HO was on the 12th, Dec reporting

the H/Y results, the one's impacted by the 'delayed delivery' (revenues not accounted for).

Since then their's been no news to holders. While not unusual for the board to be slow coming forward, it doesn't help with investor relations. Perhaps their has been nothing to report? So let's give the board the benefit of our doubts though I suspect we have had either new orders on several fronts or add-ons since Dec '23.

Like any good poker player one keeps an ace or two up your sleeve. If the next material RNS will be the F/Y nos it better contain some aces else you can expect blood on the streets of Doncaster in June.

Stocks across Asia opened wk15 mixed despite Wall ending strongly on Friday. Tokyo followed the Street higher closing the morning session up 525 led by exporters, techs and financials. Stocks came under selling pressure towards close the 225 ending just short of 39,250.

Elsewhere in Asia HK investors were active early on pushing the Hang Seng up over 200 but profit taking sent the index lower at mid session. Dealers are only too eager to snatch profits when they can, long'term bein about 5 minutes.

In an effort to stem the 'roulette' reputation Hong Kong's leader John Lee said they were trying to lure back capital, businesses and visitors in an effort to boost the stock market which has taken a hit from China's slowdown the property crash and geo political tensions.

In Sydney stocks are narrowly better as the ASX200 moved above 7800 thanks to Gold Miners, Techs and Banks. Newmont ($40) stood out gaining more than 5% for its 9th straight gain but still well short of its year high of $52. The ASX200 was heading to 7780 after days best of 7802.

In other news Life 360 soared 17% after the family monitoring app maker said it was outpacing mrkt forecasts after drawing in 4•8m active users in Q1 but shares in Elders one of Australia's bigest companies slumped 25% after its H1 nos came in significantly below expectations due to the El Nino weather effect, lower farmgate prices and margin pressures.

Latest :- Vix 16. Brent $90.

Gold $2336. Copper $4•238.

Palm $1140. Silver $27•910.

$1•270. €1•169. 10ytb 4•427%

FF +10. DF -5.

Morning all.

DJ +307 (38,904)

SP +57 (5204)

NS +230 (18,108)

R2 +5 (1309)

WTI $87

10 y/tb 4•406%

------------

MSCI(W) +16 (3402)

Gold Bugs +8 (265)

----------------

Close :- Vix 16. Brent $91.

Gold $2329. Copper $4•340.

Palm $1140. Silver $27•600.

Yen 151•21. Yuan 7•23.

$1•264. €1•166.

FF +18. DF +35.

Morning all.

In a shortened week vols and bargains were about average for the year though investors saw little increase in the value of their beleaguered shares which still remain underwater for the year. Buyers and seller vols cancelled out on the week.

So, if past history is a guide it won't be until wk 21 we see a turnaround from the 442 low.

MSi data

Ytd

Sp 850

H 935

L 443

L/y 510

7/88 113

-------

Trades 50

T/vols 41,200

Buys 21,800

Sells 19,400

Buy% 53

Av trd 824

Av£trd 500

-----

Ytd

MSi -5%

Ftse +2%

All +3%

Aim -8%

250 u/c

---

Gold $ +13%

Palm $ +23%

Brent $ +18%

----

Evening all.

Morning Taverham that's a nice chunk to be getting on with! I feel sure come the F/Y report we will hear about contract wins not disclosed during the year for some reason. I thought anything material to the share price must be reported to the market immediately? Do defence companies get a waiver in this respect?

On Wall St stocks turned in a strong performance throughout much of the day but came under substantial pressure late on.

The major averages plummeted in the final two hours ending sharply lower nearly at their worst levels. Oils climbed on geo political tensions as Biden called for an immediate ceasefire under threat of cutting back on armaments to Israel. Defence stocks gained as the Cboe volatility index posted its highest close since Nov 1st.

Gold came off its best levels in early dealings after hitting another record high overnight at $2300 basis spot. The US military is expecting some form of retaliation from Iran adding to investor worries.

In addition there's some nervousness ahead of the jobs report today. Economists polled by Reuters expect non farm payrolls in March to fall to 200,000 from 275,000 in Feb while unemployment rate will likely remain at 3•9%.

Nyse data

Issues 2898

Advances 975

Declines 1836

U/c 87

NH 225

NL 16

T/vol(bn) 4•1

------------

DJ -530 (38,597)

SP -64 (5147)

NS -281 (17,879)

R2 -11 (1303)

WTI $87

10ytb 4•312%

-----------

MSCI(W) -23 (3386)

Gold Bugs -4 (257)

---------------

Latest :- Vix 16. Brent $91.

Gold $2280. Copper $4•187.

Palm $1150. Silver $26•665.

$1•263. €1•166.

FF -88. DF +41.

Morning all.

On Wall St stocks recovered from early losses spending most of the day in positive territory. The Dow failed to breach 40,000 as buying interest waned towards the close the major averages ending narrowly mixed.

There was little reaction from the mrkts to Powell indicating the Fed will stick to its wait-and-see approach to rate cuts. Dealers expect the next 25bp cut to be in June.

Nyse data

Issues 2897

Advances 1668

Declines 1143

U/c 86

NH 170

NL 36

T/vol(bn) 3•7

-------------

DJ -43 (39,127)

SP +6 (5211)

NS +38 (18,160)

R2 +7 (1315)

WTI $86

10ytb 4•367%

-----------

MSCI(W) +6 (3410)

Gold Bugs +6 (261)

---------------

Latest :- Vix 14. Brent $90.

Gold $2298. Copper $4•230.

Palm $1160. Silver $27•185.

$1•265. €1•167.

FF +10. DF +74.

Morning all.

The ftse 100 is up 2•6% ytd thanx to just 5 stocks providing 80% of the gains.

* GSK

* RR

* BP

* BAE

* RELX

The Euro stoxx 50 index is up 12% ytd.

The S&P fell 38 after hitting an all-time high last week. Other indexes did worse the Dow sank nearly 400 and the Nsdq fell 156 while the Russell small caps tumbled 2%. Stocks came off their lows in late trades.

Fed officials have said they need further confirmation inflation is heading sustainably downwards before acting on further cuts as a surprisingly strong report on US manufacturing showed a return to growth after 16 straight months of contraction hurt those expectations. Dealers now think at best 2 rate cuts this year due to the resilience of the economy.

Health Care stocks led the mrkts down on profit concerns after the Govt failed to boost payments for private Medicare plans as usual. Humana tumbled 13% to $304 and CVS off 7% to $74. Tesla ($166) dropped 5% after after posting a drop in sales and deliveries in Q1 (387,000) / (433,000) as competition from China and Western auto makers are into demand. Tesla stock on many broker 'sell lists' is off 33% ytd but still ranked in the top 20 global companies by mrkt capital at no 15 ($531bn).

Among the few gainers were oil and gas stocks, Exxon ($120) up 2% and Marathon Oil ($29) rose c.4% as crude jumped over $85 on news reports that the Iranian Consulate in Damascus was destroyed by an Israeli missile killing twelve including two generals and five officers.

Gold, being the only store of value in a deflating economy and a property meltdown, has seen Chinese buyers and Central Banks piling in pushing the price towards $2300 on safe haven demand and bullish chart action. In January gold traded at $2060.

-------

Nyse data

Issues 2901

Advances 704

Declines 2128

U/c 69

NH 103

NL 38

T/vol(bn) 3•9

------------

Latest :- Vix 15. Brent $89.

Gold $2284. Copper $4•097.

Palm $1105. Silver $26•430.

$1•258. €1•167.

FF -27. DF -65.

Morning all.

So what's new?