Charles Jillings, CEO of Utilico, energized by strong economic momentum across Latin America. Watch the video here.
Comms is terrible. but stew200, where on Earth is your head.
Talking of "wrapping up" and "administration" is nonsense; they may be faltering (we really don't know) or excelling, irrespective they have a revenue generating business with saleable assets is the form of their customer base which IMO is worth multiples of the current market cap. .
Notwithstanding any of that the CEO confirmed that the company has the capital to execute their plans for the medium term - so as I've said previously we'll get to see if the where this is going in H1 - the company promised a turnaround by then.
I'm as p^ssed off as anyone with the BoD's performance but the SP does not necessarily reflect operational performance.
Poor Communication is certainly a problem, but even more problematic now is that it appears there is no interest in the company - no rush for the door as the SP slowly sinks because almost all active PI's have thrown in the towel and moved on already. I suspect most PI's left in have decided to just let it ride rather than precipitate heavy losses and have no interest in extending their holding, fundamentally have little or no confidence. So we have next to no buyers and fortunately only minor selling.
The BoD may want to blame this, that or the other for the demise of the company, but it's down to them and they should own it. Our CEO's should demonstrate they can turn this around or get out of the way - I'm afraid it all boils down a complete lack of trust in the CEO's who are showing no signs of getting to grips with the issues. Maybe they are making great strides but are simply not telling us, might be! And pigs might fly.
Like everyone else I want some explanation - this is not normal, at least for a healthy company with the support of shareholders. Currently I'm struggling to see when/how this turns around - the management of this company is dreadful, I can't believe they are getting away with drawing wages which now equate to a very significant proportion of the market cap.
There's no Accountability for CEO's who are bedded in like fleas on a dog, why are big shareholders protecting them?
Interestingly, 3 of the jobs on Linkedin as Loopup jobs appear to be also listed on am obscure jobs website as Mashme jobs. I assume they are the same jobs.
What caught my eye was that the job descriptions appear to have been written differently and the Mashme descriptions contain some very bullish performance statements:
"mashme.io ..... is revolutionizing the unified communication experience. We use leading technology to deliver simplified business communications, video conferencing, and always-on collaboration as the first credible alternative to an in-person meeting. We are a young and funny multinational team that are already blitzing our targets - and we show no sign of slowing down."
Wow - are they really doing that, revolutionizing the unified communication experience, blitzing our targets - and we show no sign of slowing down.
We should be making tons of money then; I really like the positive open approach from our new team , it's a massive contrast from the drab comms from the BoD - that's how to generate interest in a job vacancy.
Nearest thing to a positive RNS I've seen for an age.
https://dejobs.org/virtual-esp/webrtc-engineer/5B6EF7A2DADF47EDBEF8821055D2CDE8/job/?vs=23&utm_source=.JOBS%20XML%20Feed-DE&utm_medium=.JOBS%20Universe&utm_campaign=.JOBS%20XML%20Feed
I don't know what you are worrying about, it's only been 18 months. Do you want spoon feeding? lol
I'm sure they're busy achieving astounding feats in building a world beating communications company - one that can't communicate with stakeholders - no contradiction or reason to be concerned there mate, just relax and let them work their magic.
Watching the development of the staff requirements is IMO very useful, not so much any particular job but trends. Recruitment is very steady and cautious - no big bang full confidence approach with Loopup - more's the pity.
First they have gone from shedding staff as the company contracted (presumably by intent as business slowed) and it dawned on them they needed to reduce the overhead and change course - 20% down as I recall.
Then when they started recruiting, they targeted Sales and Marketing personnel - presumably to pursue and support the massive growth of leads.
Now (not sure if anyone else has noticed), all the jobs advertised are operational support or software development jobs! Hopefully they have a strong salesforce now and are chasing all leads with zeal. lol
Those current (IT) jobs are it appears much more difficult to fill, you can't just employ a smart graduate to develop software, it's all specialist stuff where it is very easy to waste money on shelfware that is just too embarrassing to even speak about. The trend could also be associated with the new IT boss taking control (I hope so) and hope they are developing marketable products not just supporting the current offering.
Steve gave a hint that they were diversifying when he said they intended to launch a Cisco offering this year in the same market space as MS Teams - perhaps explains why they have kept some Meeting Zone staff and website with Cisco focus.
Just took a look at an old interview with the CEO, so nothing new in it , but it was post drilling and prior to the announcement of the huge resources. What I think everyone should take note of is the closing comment from the CEO: "Our longer term shareholders are going to see a great lift out of this".IMO the KEY to this opportunity is being long term Those that took the hint when he said that and held their shares will already have made handsome returns and many near doubled their investment in the months since.Some of you guys should wise up with this, it's all about long term now as the story unfolds, those happy with a small % profit and sitting on the sell button thinking it's a bubble which will burst are severely short changing themselves.The CEO has commented several times about short term investors - he made his view clear to everyone it his latest RNS, he bought knowing he cant sell for months and has rushed to buy as many shares as he can pre-closed period - he hasn't done that in the expectations of a lower SP.Day trade this if you wish (all buyer are welcome IMO, even if it's only for a few minutes), but the way it's going, every time you trade you may miss out on a major increase. Many shares are being recycled day after day - but also every day that goes by the float will shrink.Even if someone sells a million they only have so many millions and IMO the buying is becoming an irresistible force.Make your choice but no moaning afterwards please.
As well as the vote of confidence in the company, apart from stating it explicitly you can't get a much clearer signal that the company's boss that there is no intent to raise capital, he couldn't buy if they intended it (insider information and potential fraud). Furthermore if development of the assets requires more capital the CEO is not going to want to undermine his own investment - so we can buy in assurance there will we no confidence sapping placing.
Great and unexpected RNS.
A couple of sessions ago I mentioned that a US listing was not suitable for COPL at then moment after some posters suggested it.
I couldn't remember the name of a company I had previously noticed having problems - I've now remembered and the link below explains their requirement and why COPL don't qualify or need the hassle. Interesting also if you consider other companies on foreign listings.
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/TGL/transglobe-receives-nasdaq-letter-re-bid-price-ss44nbq7vjbgu90.html
Too many PI's think if they hold longer than a week they are a long term shareholder. Many PI's demand instant results and move their money, often as a group before anything has a chance to mature - chasing the next big thing. The trend has been developing for years with patient investor scratching their head totally at a loss to explain the logic.
That action by so many makes it almost inevitable that shares that should retain gains and add lose their shine. It self fulfilling as as some have pointed out those speculators often miss out on the big wins - it hard to be too critical because the flighty nature of PI's also makes good profits for some.
But it is my opinion that the upward trajectory of COPL's SP has only just started, the hype cannot be maintained in the short term but with the oil price approaching $90/barrel, exceptional drilling success delivering huge potential reserves and operational success gathering pace there is no way I shall be getting itchy feet it doesn't need any hype. The quality of this will drive the SP eventually - though not just now.
I'm sure it's damned hard and will remain so until they reach critical mass (wherever that is).
But Steve made it clear in the Q&A after the investor presentation that they will take anything if a company wants to play ball, but will not push the sales area, however he also has said they expect partners to deliver those customers. That's why it's so disappointing there is only one partner so far.
There is an abundance of opportunities so the sales strategy is going to be critical.
I'm not convinced on the sales pods - the best sales professions are generally greedy, results oriented , not prone to making money for a team with underperformers getting a free ride.
Microsoft released their q2 yesterday and thy are having a great time with the cloud and Teams - new features constantly being added.
The announcement at the start of December that they are targeting small businesses with a cheap standalone teams offering that undercuts just about everyone and could be grim for the likes of Zoom.
It may provide new opportunities or threats for Loop, I really don't know , but as they are not targeting the small business market and it should increase the user base it shouldn't impact the new business strategy and may make their offering more desirable - but for Zoom I suspect it will be very painful as they are pushing that market
Loopup are geared to compliment MS teams and are targeting "Relatively Large, Relatively International companies" as Steve goes to pains to point out.
As I've said before Loop needs to chase the correct niche market and forget competing on all fronts.
https://www.protocol.com/workplace/microsoft-teams-standalone
This is no surprise with the perceived lack of clarity on 2021 performance and no indication of 2022 performance except vert broad brush claims it's going to be good.
The BoD communication strategy is pathetic - good or bad the news should be released. It always happens when there is uncertainty shareholders sell. We simply get hit harder by holding up news - directors who adopt that strategy invariably do it for themselves (to avoid scrutiny)
IMO there is no big seller and certainly no heavy selling, it's small scale selling from those throwing in the towel and crucially very few potential investors see a reason to buy so there is no balance.
It's all down to BoD incompetence, as a group they are relatively inexperienced in coping with AIM and I honestly think their advisers are the problem - they are big investor focused and don't give a hoot about PI's or recognise their role in IR
It sad but gives anyone with the nerve an opportunity.
I don't believe there is any possibility whatsoever of this going to zero - what most are missing is the value of the customer base, it is not reflected in the market cap and rightly so but it's value exists and to a competitor is likely more than the current market cap.
Predatory companies would only pounce in the belief that they could extract far more value from the customer base and get a bargain (so not in our interest whilst there is a chance of a turnaround) - essentially moving forward in the believe our CEO's are crap so not a great leap of faith there. lol
Any management team that could turn this to significant growth will generate massive returns - isn't that what our BoD are promising and others will feel they are better equipped to do it. It will look attractive to someone.
If this goes much lower I wouldn't be surprised to see corporate activity which sees new leadership and all of us looking for a new investment.
I'm sure the SP of a company on the US stock market must have a price of at least $1 - I recall a UK joint listed oil company having a problem with trying to avoid being kill out, I can't recall the company name.
IMO the last thing COPL needs is another complication (listing) - the dual list now seems to be creating caution as one market fears the other will trash the SP - if fact it's been the UK that has been putting the brakes on for days now.
Just have some patience - it's not a horse race.
A change of subject before we decide to string the CEO's up - tomorrow is the Microsoft Q2 of their financial year (last 3 months of 2021) release and we should get some figures on Teams growth and trends.
Maybe our directors want to see that before releasing ours.
Last time I think they said : Teams has 138 customers, with more than 100,000 users of Teams and more than 3,000 clients with over 10,000 users at the end of fiscal first quarter.
I think it a great sign Loopup have something very marketable to sell that they have just announced the recruitment of Brian J. Rappé as Senior Director, US Sales.
I've criticised the lack of evidence that they are achieving at a high enough level - so it's a great hire IMO and recruiting an experienced operator doesn't suggest there is no potential - they've got a job for him to do!
You made multiple statements that are clear deramping and not factual and you know it.
I asked you not to be stupid because I believe you know what you are doing ( not a stupid guy), you're someone with an agenda - keep it honest and I'll debate with you.
No one is trying to suggest everything is rosy - but the company is not finished yet and you know it, it recently enjoyed support of major shareholders, clearly they believe in the proposition.
You said:
...The core issue for Loop is that it's product is just garbage. - not true or no one would buy it
...Doesn't solve a market problem - not true or no one would buy or give praise
...any stock options they have will be forever worthless - may turn out that way, but not true
...This stock is going to 0. - you don't know
The above are statements are either wrong or your opinion, you could write it about any company, but you present them as fact not opinion.
If they are your opinion fine, qualify them as such - but you're smarter than that.
I'm not that disenchanted that I think is a scam, but it sure is a mess and I don't trust the directors to do the decent thing - it's a lifestyle business for them and about self preservation, they appear to be in the mould of Boris Johnson - no integrity .
If we take the current market cap of approx £15.9m and take off the recent capital raise and the value of the new company bought it paints a very sad picture of what the market values the previous Loopup business and cloud business at just a few million.
I really pray they don't buy anything else as they appear only capable of destroying shareholder value in the process, each company purchase has been a disaster for shareholders.
How have they got away with that without at least one of the CEO's losing their job, it's dreadful. Having had capital from the listing and raised 10s of millions from placing and bought meeting zone then failed to integrate in properly - I'm not sure they are worthy of being given a mop and bucket to clean the office.
lemonade311 - don't be stupid
stew200 - we know the historical problems are of the directors making - they are not cutting it.
They admitted the problems (didn't address accountability unfortunately) and highlighted 2022 as the breakthrough year - so IMO there is a case for giving them until we see a clear picture of progress . I guess 6 months in should seal it - so far they appear to be running exactly like 2021, looking after themselves be keeping their heads down, no RNS so we fear the worst when the CEO promised he wouldn't do it again. Leopards can't change their spots.
They may as well get news out of the way good or bad just publish, because if not we simply take a double hit - they seem hopelessly out of their depth in managing stakeholders - ignoring everyone except the biggest shareholders is not a solution.
Nevertheless, this year could see a turnaround as business wins start to deliver significant revenue, at the current market cap even the customer base is undervalued.
Noob67 your comment "The price isn't choppy though is it. It's stable very stable and boring."
I don't know what you usually invest in but I'm glad I don't (I could stand the stress), if you think 10 to 20% daily SP swings are not choppy - I would suggest your comment means you don't own any share for long - if you find this share boring there isn't much I can think of that will please you except maybe a scratch card. I'm very enthused and pleased with steady progress - patience is rewarded in this game. PI's are renowned for missing out on the big gains institutions enjoy as they stick to their shares and don't lose patience.
Anyway lets hope we both make a killing on this when it get a head of steam behind it - could be next week as we approach CUDA decision day.