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I agree with a lot of what you say here - your commercial comments are sound.
However, before you cut Verney to the quick and give him a patronising dressing down on your definition of a US Vice President, all you had to do was refer to the RNS last January.
In that RNS, ITX made a big fanfare in announcing Helen Cane as its new Vice President, Operations. The RNS continued to state: "Helen meets our need for a SENIOR EXECUTIVE to DIRECT our operations as we steadily add more business"
So ITX's definition of an VP clearly takes on a more much important role than your suggestion that the one being filled by Mona Manning is that of a "middle manager" and then offering your stereotype assumption of her being "a young profession lady with a family to support, earning a modest salary with commission" - really?? And where did that come from, may I ask?
And the reason why she was 'unfortunately' named, as you put it, was because that's what ITX do - they have a track record of announcing appointments of their VPs. For what purpose and for whose benefit? - who knows!
I have run a listed company in the UK. One thing I learned was never leave shareholders too long with a negative RNS. I am not so worried about JS's credentials for running a business, if it a private one and where as a major shareholder, he reaps all the rewards of what he sows.
What does concern me is that in ITX, he is one of hundreds of shareholders, who should ALL be treated as equals. Yes, he does retain privileged information by virtue of his fiduciary role, but he should still be able to keep shareholders informed on a regular basis. For example, a positive update on production getting back to normal (when it does) would be a start.
I reiterate, what on earth was the rationale in the November RNS regarding storm damage?
Firstly, it was announced as a temporary disruption to trading and secondly, any resultant losses were to be covered by consequential loss insurance - so I have concluded it is a non-event unworthy of an RNS.
All the RNS did was to make shareholders perplexed and some have voted with their feet and sold up. Who can blame them?
Finncap must surely recognise JS's shortcomings in shareholder liaison. Perhaps they can now start earning their money by providing the advice they were appointed to give.
GLA
Verney - I couldn't agree more. One thing you didn't mention was newly-appointed Finncap's role in all this? They have become an enigma.
But in essence, JS has no public persona and there is an unfortunate unconfident aura about him, when acting as the front man in recent investors' presentations
Let's hope there is a big surprise around the corner - a positive one, of course!
GLA
I've said it before on this BB. Great products with enormous potential.
Unfortunately, JS appears to be running this enterprise as his own private company with little, or no concern for keeping his fellow shareholders fully informed.
Frankly, I could not understand why he went to the trouble of announcing the temporary halt in production caused by storm damage to equipment. Especially as he then went to to inform shareholders that the delay was only for a few weeks and that:
"Itaconix expects to meet all customer orders on time from existing finished goods inventories except for its Itaconix® TSI™ 322 detergent polymer, leading to some impact on revenues over the coming weeks."
Apparently, all losses from this storm (including those relating to lost revenue from disrupted TSI322 sales?) are covered by insurance, so what was the point of releasing this RNS in the first place?
The SP has now dropped over 40 per cent since 23 Sept, after the announcement of uninspiring interim results and then followed by the negative RNS on 4 November.
Like many shareholders, I was delighted with the appointment of high profile FinnCap on 26 August as the Company's advisers and even more impressed when the SP reached 10.1p on 14 Sept. However, since then the SP has disappointingly more than halved on its watch. Perhaps I was being too greedy expecting a less of a roller coaster movement in the SP.
Shareholders deserve more updates (good, or bad) from its Board, or the SP will continue to drift aimlessly.
GLA
Eddie - your quote: "YES, but It will only take ONE NHS Trust to change policy and start to cancel contracts for the SP to be hit HARD overnight."
So here's another analogy for you to chew over and possibly comment on:
From your favourite investment, TRMR - when announcing its Q3 results on 11 November 21 (with TRMR's SP @ 800p), its CEO stated:
"
I'm pleased to report another record quarter, the strongest in Tremor's history," said Ofer Druker, Tremor's Chief Executive Officer.
"
Yet, by 15 November the SP had dropped alarmingly to 640p.
To placate shareholders (and to minimise damage limitation, presumably), TRMR then gave an investors' presentation on 16 November.
Alas, all to no avail, as by 26 November, the SP was down (yet again) @ 560p.
The lesson to be learnt here is that often, there's no rationale as to why a share price moves - just put it down to market manipulation by the MMs - it certainly has little, or nothing to do with the intrinsic performance of the company, itself.
Frankly, given the choice, I'd rather be invested in TLY, despite being on an eye-watering PE of 177, but yielding a 1.5% divi, than in TRMR with an even more eye -watering PE of 477 and NO dividend.
GLA
Eddie - NHS - "One Single Customer"? That is where you are completely misinformed. The NHS is comprised of separate NHS trusts, all run independently within the umbrella of the NHS system. Each Trust is responsible for setting its own financial budget and has the ability and authority to contract with third parties.
I agree that if the NHS was TLY's sole customer, it could affect the SP - but fortunately, that is simply not the case.
Tricky - either wake up, or move on....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59030945
PS: TRMR -down again, 568p
Wacca - agree with your sentiments entirely.
The Board has a poor, almost non-informative relationship with us investors.
Having read and re-read several times the RNS dated 4 November, I would hope that sometime during the month of December, we get answers (in a follow-up RNS) with some reassuring information including:
1. Confirmation when production is finally back in full flow.
2. If (as was implied) the loss of revenue is due to a shortage of TSI322, what percentage of TOTAL company revenue is contributed by TSI322 sales?
3. Was the storm damage completely responsible for the TSI322 stock shortage and if so, confirmation that the resultant financial losses will be FULLY recovered from its insurers?
Still a great company..
GLA
Eddie/trcky - I was thinking more about your obvious annoyance in not taking the opportunity to sell TRMR on 10 November - you must be kicking yourselves! Instead, you've decided to show your frustration by kicking others, although I do cherish the thought of both of you doing self harm . Cheers!
and to Tricky (who appears to be Eddie's mate, or they simply one and the same person), you too, have a beer on me.
Eddie - We know you're upset with TRMR (your only other BB) dropping 25 per cent in 10 business day (11 Nov @ £8 and today @ £6). That compares quite unfavourably with TLY's SP down in the same period from 33.7p to 32.5p.
Rather than bringing your grumpiness to this BB, why not drown your sorrows with a couple of beers? Now THAT's an exciting debate!!!!
Unless I am completely misunderstanding the current situation, there appears to be no rationale why the CEO would go to the trouble of making a presentation to shareholders simply to ‘apologise’ for a set of poor first half-year results.
Logic suggests that we should expect the presentation to confirm that significant progress has been made in the first half of the current year and that this progress is continuing in the second half. IMHO.
The assumed 'sale' of 250,000 shares @ 6.50 pence timed at 08.52.41 this morning could only be a purchase, in line with the SP of other purchases made around that time.
On Radio 4 Breakfast Show this morning - Alok Sharma (Minister of State at the Cabinet Office) has suggested that, if people have not been contacted by the NHS after 6 months and one week following their second jab, they should phone 111 to book their booster jabs. Apparently, despite there being no shortage of vaccine, the NHS as yet, hasn't got the mechanism in place to be able to contact all those entitled to get the booster.
GLA
Thanks all for the reassurance on raw mats.
As an LTH, I am as optimistic as the rest of us for the long-term future. However, no-one appears to have mentioned the global problem currently affecting most industries with massively higher shipping costs and longer delivery times.
As we know, ITX depends primarily on China for the bulk of its raw materials, so we should be aware that the Company will not be immune from such supply problems. I regret not raising this point at the last presentation.
I hope that my concern is just that and it does not become a reality, when the 2021 revenue figures are announced.
GLA
An article published in July 2008, even more relevant in today's world:
https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?142561/Why-wont-all-manufacturers-of-detergents-phase-out-phosphates-to-save-the-Baltic-Sea
GLA
Doug - yes. I agree. We're both on the same side here. Onwards & upwards.