Member Info for johnmcclean

the trend in both Sunderland and Newcastle does not fully agree with the exit poll. The conservative vote could be slightly better than predicted and that slight difference might give blue a nose in front.

88p

Looks like May is over and not just the month.

Its interesting to watch 2 former world powers struggle with finding a new spot in a fast changing world. In both the US and the UK the old order seem to think that by turning back the clock to past glorious times they can become great again. Sadly for them history shows that once your time is done its done. The answer is to embrace the change and look to the future for success. To me it looks like China, Germany and France have the right idea.

Done deal a couple of weeks ago. Michael's retirement present. It was likely to happen now anyway for a number of reasons. This will be over in a month and we might see then what games have been afoot.

trigger to be pulled on Wednesday.

I mentioned this cashless thing earlier but had a further thought on it. As a small business owner I am fairly strict on keeping everything accounted for properly. however I did a small job for a local guy today and for his own reasons he paid in cash. as it happens I had a guy doing a bit of maintenance for me so half my cash went to him. everyone happy except the tax man and the bank. In a cashless society the 3 transactions would have had a cost that all 3 of us would have paid for. Convince will carry a high price with government and fintec (banks) being the big winners. For any one that thinks this is pie in the sky sit down and google Cashless India and Biometric ID India. Acouple of links below to get started with . The future is already here. https://www.infowars.com/cashless-society-india-implements-first-biometric-id-program-for-all-of-its-1-2-billion-residents/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2016/11/27/modis-less-cash-society-is-a-good-idea-india-as-a-cashless-society-would-not-be/#7b087ec1182c

I think this lady is going to be a huge positive for boi. Definitely a modernizing force that will change many things about a bank that has lagged the market as regards tech especially. Branches will inevitably close but to be honest there are fewer reasons for many of them these days anyway. We are fast heading for a cashless society and fintech is the future for banking. This new ceo is a bold choice but the right one just at this time. fair play to the powers that be in the bank for avoiding the obvious in house choices and going for someone that is sure to ruffle a few feathers when she takes up the job in October.

"The Market Can Remain Irrational Longer Than You Can Remain Solvent" If ever there was a quote that fitted BKIR this is the one. Its bad enough looking at BOI struggling to cross 25c but watching AIB with just .01% of shares in issue heading for a 100% annual gain..well its just "irrational". Question is what to do about it. BKIR is by far the worst preforming share I own and considering its 40% of my holding... not good. Luckily I didn't borrow to buy and I don't need to liquidate but the cash tied up over the last few years could have been invested more profitable else where. I'm posting in frustration today as this share that rationally should be moving higher continues to stagnate while a company I have watched for a year moves off a very opportunistic buying price. nothing to do but suck it up I suppose. I'm in here so long I cant risk pulling out now. I have previously set end of march 2018 as decision time so in until then. At least the sun is shining..out side.

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ecb-starts-to-plot-course-for-interest-rate-rise-from-june-35734987.html

www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/noonan-may-press-aib-flotation-button-as-early-as-next-week-1.3087768?mode=amp If true this might explain a lot. Bkir down to force a better deal and lower aib price for the big guys. Aib up to tempt Noonan to show his hand and I wonder is there going to be a special offer for present aib share holders. There could be a bit of buy now to get an advantage in the long run. Obviously the guys on the inside know more than us lemons.

Neither make sense...why would anyone buy an obviously crazy priced expensive Irish bank when there is another crazy priced cheap irish bank to be bought.

Why is Aib up 15% today? That makes no sense. Who could think that's a good idea ??

Aib sale or even bkir 14% deleted at least a month now that Noonan is to be replaced

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/14/angela-merkel-christian-democrats-beat-social-democrats-schulz-germany-state-election

I had a long drive on today so just used the phone to search for something interesting to listen to. Ended up listening to this..https://gimletmedia.com/show/startup/all/season-1/page/2/ . I didn't realize it was a bit dated and that I have 5 seasons to go through yet. I found it very interesting though considering my interest in boom. Apologies if its well known to you guys on here but if not its an intereting insight into the pod-casting business.

We talked about SKG last october bob when we were at sub €20. If I remember you booked a buy around 19 that you didnt fill? if you had bought at the 19.5 you would be up 30% now . Not a bad 6 month return...

Replied in SKG.

Bob this is the kind of share you buy and sit on for years in the knowledge that you money is in a safe place. If you follow Buffet, this is his type of company. SKG tends to lag peers for a time and then gain momentum, break resistance and keep going. I bought in 2010 at €7 and waited 2 years for take off. still here and +300%. Good businesses are hard to find so when you find and buy one thats cheap it should be held for years. I learned that lesson with Glanbia. Bought at €2 sold at €8, now its €18. SKG has stalled for the last couple of years but a good dividend makes it an easy hold. The Venezuela business had a big impact on the stall but that has been discounted at this stage. The cycle SKG works in is about to change. China is starting to suck up excess stock just as demand in Europe is growing. OK costs have jumped quicker that prices increases can be implemented but this year will sort that out. €60 a ton hikes on some lines are working through the system already with more to come. By year end SKG will be re-rated, so by this time next year we could be in the mid 30's. Not telling you what to do but IMO hold and hold.

I wouldn't bet on her been there next time around. The NF might realize that the LePen name might just be a hindrance rather than a help. That debate last week did her no flavors. I see a bit online been made out of Macron using Ode to Joy as the back ground music for his victory speech. Its also the anthem of the EU.