Member Info for JohnLewis79

Yea, Evil knows the Directors well so knows the score but like many before he's been a buyer much higher up the food chain and will be 'doin' money if he's still in.

I was.... very stupidly bullish on RE some years ago and threw in the towel. I'm back in on a joint but 250 that looks a stretch given their unlikely to be making money at $980 given the Indonesian Govt propensity to use palm companies as their own piggbank

You may have read Virgin are flying to NY on 100 % sustainable veg oils

having got UK clearance. Given the obsession with carbon neutrals etc this should be good for palm oil in the years to come as REA have a direct route into local mrkts.

If you had bought MSi on Jan 3 last you would be up 140p some 21% should you still be holding. MSi trades on a racy p/e of c.30X which is more in line with US defence stocks numbers than your average UK valuation.

This being so there are brokers who say MSi is overvalued 'though i contend the company can cont to grow at above its 10% ROCE, has a manageable p/e which could drop to 15-20X this year end so no glaring red flags.

Don't forget MSi is debt free, has a pile of cash in the bank and a 10 year track record of dividend payments to shareholders, a very rare occurence in the Aim sector. If your a seeker of income and capital appreciation perhaps MSi fits your bill?

No doubt there are drawbacks. The 'succession' issue and being wholly reliant on one albeit huge defence sector to drive company revenues for the next 3 years. If your tolerance for risk is quite high MSi has the right ingredients.

Uncertainties over the pace of rate cuts and some dismal forecasts for Q4 have cast doubts on a year end rally now on the back burner despite historically the Q being positive. Wk 1 last year (33147) the Dow put on 217, the S&P 31 & the Nsdq added 200 points. You will note the Dow has added 1006 points (3%) ytd.

Markets remained subdued on Monday awaiting comments by Powell and other Fed policy makers this week. The Dow ended slightly better as did the 500 and Nsdq. Among the 11 S&P sectors energy led the falls tracking the 2% drop in crude prices now at 3 month lows. Gold despite ME tensions struggles to hold the $2000 level.

UBER ($50) the ride hailing company climbed above its IPO price gaining 4% despite missing profit targets. Other amusingly named cloud 'techies' instance Datadog ($102) surged 25% on guidance lift and earnings beats. Mongodb & Snowflake continuing the fun named theme put on 11% & 8% respectively on better than expected nos. For longterm holders of big tech FAANGs off c.10% from its mid year peak are giving investors some restless nights.

Declining stocks outpaced gainers for a 2•3:1 ratio on the NYSE on volume of 4•4bn traded.

DJ +57 (34,153)

SP +12 (4378)

NS +141 (15,296)

R2 -7 (1129)

WTI $77

10ytb 4•586%

MSCI(W) -2 (2887)

Gold Bugs -6 (219)

Latest :- Vix 15. Brent $82.

Gold $1968. Copper $3•684.

Palm $925. Silver $22•560.

$1•228. €1•148.

FF -25. DF -31.

Morning all.

Coming off its best week of the year the majority of stocks paused for breath. The Dow, S&P and Nsdq have risen for the last 6 and 7 straight sessions. The yield on the 10ytb rose to 4•64% which hurts stocks and other investments albeit most think this is temporary.

This week sees a slowdown in S&P companies reporting with 50 still to report earnings which include Disney, Uber, Lyft, Instacart and Robinhood. Two notable companies in the headlights were Berkshire Hathaway class 'B' ($346) who reported a Q loss largely due to its Apple holding (916m shares) falling 11%. Mr Buffet is sitting on a $157bn cash pile (2X the value of GlaxoSmithKline) our 8th largest co by value.

WeWork once the 'start up' darling of the Street saw its shares suspended on speculation over its financial health having fallen 98% this year to less than $1 and $9bn in debt the company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

On the NYSE declining issues outpaced advances by 2•3:1 posting 64 new highs and 43 new lows. Volume traded was 3•656bn.

DJ +35 (34,096)

SP +8 (4366)

NS +55 (15,155)

R2 -12 (1136)

WTI $80

10ytb 4•640%

MSCI(W) +6 (2889)

Gold Bugs -3 (225)

Latest :- Vix 15. Brent $84.

Gold $1972. Copper $3•692.

Palm $925. Silver $22•990.

$1•233. €1•151.

FF -22. DF -110.

Morning all.

The rally on Wall St last week set Asian mrkts on an upward path this morning. The 'soft' US jobs report helped investor sentiment. The USD held steady, Gold neared the $2000 level and oils ($86) ticked up as top exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia said curbs on supplying 1m bopd would continue through this year.

Major Far Eastern bourses took heart from Wall St, led by Tokyo after BOJ governor Ueda said he saw progress in achieving the 2% inflation target. At close the 225 had put on 760 points boosted by demand for 'blue' chips.

In HK and Shanghai stocks gained ahead of trade data and improving sentiment among properties. Chinese Premier Li Quang pledged to continue expanding access to mrkts and boost imports which have fallen this year. Among the major Eastern mrkts only HK and Shanghai are down this year (9% & 1%).

In a surprise move S.Korean

authorities re-imposed the ban on short selling through 2024. The KOSPI comp and KOSDAQ (NSDQ equivalent) climbed 4% & 7% in late afternoon trade. South Korea and Taiwan are the region's top performers up 11% and 18% this year.

Latest :- Vix 15. Brent $85.

Gold $1985. Copper $3•695.

Palm $880. Silver $23•270.

$1•238. €1•154.

FF +8. DF +50.

Morning all.

DJ +222 (34,061)

SP +41 (4358)

NS +180 (15,099)

R2 +31 (1148)

WTI $81

10ytb 4•520

MSCI(W) +31 (2284)

Gold Bugs +9 (227)

Close :- Vix 15. Brent $85.

Gold $1993. Copper $3•672.

Palm $880. Silver $23,335.

$1•238. €1•154.

Yen 149. Yuan 7•30.

FF +1. DF +31.

Buyers for MSi returned in force on vague rumours of a possible disposal which looks wishful thinking to me. Despite the resurgence of the share price which is following the line of least resistance, there's a lot more left in the tank for the committed long-term holder.

Vols and deals surged following the MOD 5yr contract yet to be confirmed by the company. Contracts for Ukraine and the US Navy has put the Co firmly on the defence map as creditable manufactuters and suppliers of military hardware.

Go back a year (7/12/'22) when we we're still going through the US Navy weapon approval procedures the share price was 385 and under the radar to many investors. MSi never one to blow their own trumpet have come a longway since then. The shares which struggled mid year are having a strong finish to 2023.

Wk 44

Shares 770-800p

T/trds 183

T/vols 101,800

Buys 71,100

Sells 30,700

Buys 70%

Buys 2•23:1

Av/trd 557

Av £ 1380

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

Ytd

MSi +18%

Aim -16%

Ftse -•5%

All -1%

250 -5%

---------

Morning all.

The crypto crook gets his come'uppance for swindling

investors in an age old ponzi type scam. Once having the best table at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel he will now be doing 'porridge' at his majesty's pleasure for decades to come.

That aside, It was a good day on US exchanges as stocks were chased higher on hopes rates are set on a downward path. A bunch of upbeat quarterly nos added to the bullish mood, Starbucks, Pay Pal and Qualcomm all outperforming. Apple the bell'wether of the sector posted a 4th consecutive Q loss, the stock fell $6 to $171 in extended trading. Apple being Apple is forgiven the occasional slip.

All 4 major indexes gained with 81% of the S&P beating market expectations. Standing out the often overlooked R2000 jumped nearly 3% as according to data provider (LSEG) the 'Street' is forecasting Q4 earnings growth of 7•2% with above beats in the small cap sector.

DJ +564 (33,839)

SP +80 (4318)

NS +255 (14,920)

R2 +29 (1118)

WTI $83

10ytb 4•663%

MSCI(W) +55 (2853)

Gold Bugs +2 (218)

Latest :- Vix 16. Brent $87.

Gold $1987. Copper $3•698.

Palm $877. Silver $22•805.

$1•220. €1•148.

FF +33. DF +50.

Morning all.

Today 19,467 MSi were traded buy volume outnumbered sell vols by 3•4:1 on the session. Shares fell 7•5p to 740-760. Any LRTs will be carried over to Friday.

I note various Directors and employees of the company have been awarded 'ordinary' share options under CSOP and a 'phantom' award to Roger Lane Smith non exec Director. Management doing a great job deserve credit in the good times for what's good for them must surely be good for me.

Evening all.

Like the deal loosening the strangle hold of debt which has crippled REA for far too many years. Its been a longtime comin' I just wonder it might be too late cpo prices being where they are.....whatever REA is on a much sounder footing even on significantly reduced acerage.

Apologies should read 'summed' up perfectly SheerClass.....

Summed up perfectly kitrash.

A stay as you were on rates (5•25%) propelled equities higher for the 3rd consecutive day as comments from Powell 'hinted' rate increases were done due to the surprising strength of the economy.

Falling bond yields boosted stocks & gold across the boards aided by the ME crisis. On the big board 19/30 companies gained led by Cat, Intel and Msoft, going south Disney, 3M and Nike. On the NYSE advances out numbered declining ones by 1•38:1.

Gold ($1986) has been a star performer this year up 22% on a 52wk basis spearheaded by Central Bank global purchases of c.800 tonnes up 14% y-o-y. China has bought c.181 tons c.4% of its reserves followed by Poland (57t) & Turkey (39t).

Surging consumer prices and depreciating currencies in many mrkts has triggered a rush to gold as a safestore of value enabling them to lessen their dependency on the USD. Strategists at the WGC expect annual total of 'official' purchases of gold to exceed last year's 1081 tonnes.

DJ +222 (33,275)

SP +44 (4238)

NS +255 (14,665)

R2 +5 (1089)

WTI $81

10ytb 4•729%

Latest :- Vix 17. Brent $85.

Gold $1986. Copper $3•662.

Palm $865. Silver $23•085.

$1•218. €1•149.

FF +33. DF +9.

Morning all.

Didn't even warrant an RNS.....hmm?

A watch the tape day on Wall as investors wait the latest Fed rates news (2•30 pm ET) widely expected to remain unchanged.

Since late July they have become worried that the possibility of a hard landing has increased and have been cutting exposure to high priced tech counters. For instance Tesla fell 20% last month and noticeably among big tech and the fad of Ai sellers have the upper hand.

Yesterday on the NYSE advances outpaced decliners 2•25:1. On the S&P 78% of companies have topped estimates and earnings growth is expected to be 4•9% in Q3.

DJ +124 (33,053)

SP +27 (4194)

NS +74 (14,410)

R2 +9 (1084)

WTI $81

10 y/tb 4•921%

MCSI(W) +11 (2769)

Gold Bugs -5 (218)

Latest :- Vix 18. Brent $85.

Gold $1981. Copper $3•644.

Palm $867. Silver $22•745.

$1•213. €1•148.

FF +33. DF -15.

Morning all.

The major averages pulled back off session highs but held on to strong gains partly off'setting steep losses of last week. This week promises to be a hectic wk of 3Q earnings nos now at the half way stage where 251 of the 500 have topped estimates.

The Fed have their monthly 2 day meet and investors price in a no change stance on rates at 5•25%. The BOE and BOJ also report on rate decisions.

A slew of high profile companies report 3Q nos, APPLE, CAT, PFIZER & STARBUCKS. All 11 S&P sectors gained and on the NYSE advances out paced decliners by 2•15:1 on 10•67bn traded.

DJ +511 (32,929)

SP +49 (4167)

NS +155 (14,336)

R2 +7 (1076)

WTI $83

10ytb 4•887%

MSCI(W) +26 (2758)

Gold Bugs -3 (226)

Latest :- Vix 20. Brent $87.

Gold $1994. Copper $3•644.

Palm $867. Silver $23•235.

$1•124. €1•146.

FF +7. DF +4.

Morning all.

Hi Pollack. My main holding and interest is now in MSi Holdings a mini conglomerate with the defence division as the main driver of revenues and profits. Been here about 18 months and in for the long haul. I still retain an interest in PAT and Gama Aviation which has just sold their Jet East business for $131m.

Asia Pacifica bourses opened modestly lower as investors concentrate on the ME situation and brace for more economic data this week and meetings at the Fed Reserve. Israel expanded operations into Gaza over the weekend in response to Hezhbolla saying they had 'downed' a drone. The US has warned Lebanon to stay out of the conflict.

On the mrkts the USD inched higher and Gold hovered around the $2000 line after hitting $2017 as Brent ($88) slipped back. Shanghai recovered early losses awaiting manufacturing data and in HK Evergrande was granted a final reprieve to come up with a restructuring plan by Dec 4th or face liquidation. The stock fell 20% to an all-time low of 19 cents in HK.

Japan's Nikkei fell 460 in early dealings as a new poll showed dwindling support for PM Kishida despite tax rebates and handouts to the poor. In Australia strong September retail sales nos failed to stop the ASX closing 54 lower at 6773 off 4% for the year.

Latest :- Vix 21. Brent $88.

Gold $1997. Copper $3•655.

Palm $877. Silver $23•270.

$1•211. €1•147.

FF +18. DF +108.

Morning all.

Pk73 my daily mrkt update is over on the MSi board.

DJ -367 (32,418)

SP -20 (4117)

NS +70 (14,180)

R2 -11 (1069)

WTI $85

10 y/tb 4•841%

MSCI(W) -9 (2732)

Gold Bugs +5 (226)

Close :- Vix 21. Brent $89.

Gold $2007. Copper $3•643.

Palm $880. Silver $23•240.

Yen 149. Yuan 7•32

FF-26. DF-33.

Morning all.