Member Info for kidwin

the European parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a law banning illegal timber from entering the European Union by 2012. Illegally harvested timber represents 20 to 40 percent of global production of industrial wood, or 350 million to 650 million cubic metres (460 million to 850 million cubic yards), according to the UN. The EU is a huge market for timber, the world's largest in fact, so this law will have a significant impact on the global timber trade. Under the new EU rules, all companies will be required to establish a traceability system for wood products, and offenders could be fined. Traders such as furniture sellers must then make sure that the origin of the wood used to make their products is traceable. This will strengthen the market for sustainably harvested timber, especially ultra-high performance hard wood replacement, Accoya Wood, IMO. http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/parliament-warming.5gw

Not great news, but a good price to top up if you have confidence in this technology and the management. Added another 20k to my portfolio. James Lewis is taking over from Peter Toms as chief executive on 1 August. Toms will become vice chairman for a transitional period and will focus on Asia. Lewis is a non-executive director of NXT and he founded Oxford Semiconductor, a privately funded chip start-up which grew to a global business with 150 employees, before exiting via a sale to a NASDAQ-listed business. NXT will be split into audio and displays divisions. Lewis is "enthused" about what the company's technology can do and is keen to drive the ultra-efficient, low-power amplifier chip business Audium, acquired in March for its synergy with NXT's Balanced Mode Radiator technology (BMR). This side of the business provides more immediate revenues. One of his first jobs will be to tackle a short-term cash flow problem, caused by a slowdown in licensing activity that's going to result in a loss after tax for the current year. Revenue in the second half was better than in the first six months, but total revenue for the year is "significantly" down on last year in the absence of a deal as big as the Nissha agreement in 2008/09. "The slow licensing activity has impacted the financial position of NXT, flowing through to a loss after tax, and also creating some pressure on short-term cash flow," the firm admitted. Full year figures will be released in September. It will now prioritize spending to control costs but ensure that any spending delay doesn't hinder revenue generation. The new chief's experience in both Britain and America should also prove useful in promoting NXT's early-stage haptic technology, which adds a physical sense of touch to touchscreen devices. Thoms says NXT's technology is "on the cusp" of really taking off. Lewis will have to make sure it does.

Is this an all time low? Topped up @ 58p and its still falling, WTF. This should do well, strong financials and backing from major players in the energy business. Less risk now than in 2008, when I easily doubled my money and kept some "free shares". Dyor and GL

Self-managed investment trust Caledonia Investments saw a decline in its diluted net asset value (NAV) per share in the second quarter though it comfortably outperformed the FTSE All Share. Diluted NAV per share at the end of June fell 8.84% to 1854p, down from 2034p at the end of March. Over the same period the FTSE All Share index fell 12.6%, a level of decline which the company applied to its unquoted investments in the absence of any genuine market price for those assets. The value of net assets dipped to £1,078m at the end of June from £1,182m at the end of the first quarter. Investments and realisations during the second quarter totalled £14.4m and £9.8m respectively. The company, which seeks to deliver both a long term shareholder return in excess of the FTSE All-Share Total Return and a positive total return over rolling five year periods, had £3.8m of net liquidity at the end of the second quarter, compared to £8.3m at 31 March 2010.

Thanks for the link. I have reduced my holdings, but will top back up on weakness. Hoodless Brennan newsflash, 2/7/10; "Although the delay in sales is material we see the market liking the confirmation of progress and the fact the group’s cash burn is on track with £40m remaining. SPECULATIVE BUY" http://www.hbmarkets.com/stock-research-prices/small-cap-flash/read/

http://www.bfnnews.com/display/?id=3893849&sectionId=standardNews Ceres Power expects to end its financial year in a robust financial position with net cash and short-term investments of not less than £40m. The firm has issued an update on the British Gas CHP programme and announced a product demonstration at its HQ in September in conjunction with its preliminary results for the year to the end of June. It says since the interim results it have achieved the following: * CHP product demonstrations conducted for British Gas Directors *CHP boiler assemblies now being produced by Daalderop in volume manufacturing plant * Sheltered field trials operated under 'real-life' conditions in unoccupied homes *CHP product remote data collection, diagnostics and operation demonstrated * Major process improvements to increase capacity and yield in the manufacture of fuel cells * Expanded CHP product testing capability at Horsham and Crawley sites Chief executive Peter Bance said: "We are working hard to complete the re-engineering work ahead of installing CHP field trial units in consumers' homes later this year. "British Gas is exploring opportunities with Ceres Power to accelerate the volume sales of our CHP product in the UK."

Green Compliance has completed the takeover of Pure Group Management, which trades as Water Pure Systems. Pure was acquired for an initial consideration of £5.0m - £4.075m in cash; 52,000,000 new ordinary shares and £275,000 of loan notes. The cash component will be financed from existing cash resources and £0.5m from bank debt increasing the amount drawn down from the existing facility with HSBC to £2.1m. The loan notes are repayable in 3, 6, 9 and 12 months from completion, in tranches of £90,000, £90,000, £47,500 and £47,500 respectively. Interest will be payable on the loan notes commencing three months from completion at a rate of 3% per annum on the outstanding balance. A deferred cash consideration will become payable if Pure achieves specified profit targets for the year to 30 April 2011. Green Compliance chief executive John Prowse said: "The acquisition of Pure, which has a long established track record and solid client base within the sector, is a further valuable addition to the group. "The directors believe that, along with the existing water treatment and hygiene businesses already within the company, the acquisition expands our geographical reach and positions Green Compliance as one of the largest operators within the sector in the UK."

Sounds like a winner..."spend a few days with a capacitive touch device and moving back to resistive can feel a bit... clumsy. Quanta and 3M are saying they have created a new type of touch sensitive screen that could make capacitive feel relatively just as vague, what they're calling dispersive signal technology. DST is a layer of "specially-designed glass" that detects the pressure of a finger or a stylus (or, probably, other things too) with high precision, all without making the display thicker." http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/quanta-and-3ms-dst-touchscreens-like-styli-and-fingers-too/ The touchscreen market is ready to explode and DST technology is in the right place lead the way, in terms of price and performance, from what I here. GL and Dyor.

DST-equipped computers are expected to launch by the end of 2010. DST is in commercial production with 3M Touch Systems. NXT expects to receive royalty income from the agreement. DST can also detect both stylus and finger inputs with high precision, and allows for slimmer tablets than other optical touch screen technologies. NXT CEO Peter Thoms said, "This is a significant endorsement of DST and its first application for netbooks and notebooks. 3M is a major customer with whom we have a relationship dating back seven years." http://www.siliconfenbusiness.com/articles/3M-Quanta-Computer-showcase-NXTs-Dispersive-Signal-Technology-for-notebooks-netbooks/822

I welcome your comments. MCR is an interesting share and one I am happy to hold, but will not increase my holdings, as I failed to apply rule 2 below. Controling losses is more important than harvesting profits, so have updated my own Investment Rules ...... 1. Buy low, sell half when sp doubles = easy profits! 2. Set a stop loss to sell half of your holdings at 10% to 15% of buy price. 3. If sp halves and fundamentals remain sound, buy more to triple your holdings! As a contrarian investor, I find Timing is the hardest thing to get right. So by selling only half my holdings I still benefit from any market correction, and if it continues to fall, I still have funds to buy more. This is a good time to get in axs, as the sp is in euro's and it well gain from it's US and Chinese partners stronger currences. Expect steady, not spectacular growth. Good luck in your investments.

Grab 2.5% sure profit in a few days.

New management in place, seem to be doing the right things, but give them time to transform this share! I am taking a two year view on this. Growing interest in EU, USA & China, for sustainable/premium products, will boost demand and raise profile. The great product and business model will provide ample reward for those investing at this level. Top tip: buy low, sell half when sp doubles = easy profits! If sp halves, check if business is still sound, and buy more = Confidence! Works for me. I have profited from this system in ACTA, BLINX, CWR & PXS. Still waiting for CYAN, MCR, SYNC & TRT to double, so aware of the importance of luck and timing! lol Dyor, but remember, past performance is no indicator of future results.

‘Gold’ standard product under an eco certification scheme. Searching for more news and found this of interest.... A recent independent cradle to gate report by environmental consultancy Camco demonstrated that Accoya wood’s carbon footprint is lower than many traditional building materials such as PVC, aluminium and unsustainably sourced tropical hardwood. Accsys has found a way to successfully adapt the acetylation technology for use in wood ‘elements’, such as chip, fibre and particles, which it claims will revolutionise the wood composites industry and is billed as one of the first true innovations in the wood composites industry in more than 30 years. Accsys joined forces with Medite Europe Ltd, Europe’s leading manufacturer of MDF (medium-density fibreboard) to launch Medite Tricoya, an MDF panel made from acetylated wood fibres. The two companies first signed a joint development agreement last year. Medite Tricoya suitable for use in everything from cladding to bathrooms and outdoor play frames. Michel Maes, global manager Panel Products, Accsys, said Medite Tricoya had the scope to “revolutionise” the way board panels could be used and created an opportunity for manufacturers to develop products that were “stable, durable and environmentally sound”. http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/green-wood-technology-could-revolutionise-use-of-mdf-1203.aspx

I see mm moving this down sharpish. Got to wonder why? All good news to report, so hold tight for now. http://www.accsysplc.com/admin/Newletters/Docs/Accoya%20newsletter%20june08%20web.pdf

Futuragene PLC has announced the terms of a recommended cash acquisition by Suzano Trading Ltd (Suzano) for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Futuragene, by way of a Scheme of Arrangement, on the following basis: 90 pence in cash for each Futuragene share held. The Scheme is subject to shareholder approval at a Court Meeting and a General Meeting both to be held on 21st June 2010. The Scheme is also subject to Court approval at a Court Hearing scheduled to take place on 8th July 2010. Subject to receiving Court approval the Scheme is expected to become effective on 13th July 2010. Cash entitlements in respect of the Scheme Proceeds are expected to be credited to your account on or after 27th July 2010. Should you wish to find more information about the Scheme of Arrangement, please visit the Futuragene website at www.futuragene.com

Diamond Wood's exclusive licence allows it to manufacture Accoya® Wood from Its first factory in Nanjing, capable of more than 360,000 m³ of Accoya® wood per year, expected to be fully operational in 2011, making it the largest single timber supplier in Asia (a small part of the growing 24 million m3 per year market for performance wood in China). Can't see the sp staying this low for long. Note sp is quoted in Euro. Interesting read @ http://www.diamondwoodchina.com/English/aboutdiamondwood/CompanyProfile/

Moving up on news: Fresnillo’s chairman Alberto Baillères is confident of a successful year for the Mexican silver and gold miner after a strong start to the year, underpinned by higher than expected precious metal prices. ‘Gold production in the first quarter exceeded our expectations, due to the better than expected initial operating results at Soledad-Dipolos,’ he was due to say at the company’s annual meeting today. ‘Silver production has also increased.’ The rise in precious metal prices is ‘in part due to the ongoing global financial crisis and the concern over the fiscal position of many countries,’ his statement reads. ‘But while the markets on which we depend have been favourable so far, this has been partially offset by rising energy costs and the strengthening of the Mexican peso which increases our costs when they are translated into dollars.’

Solar panels will be sold like double glazing was in the 80's, boosting demand and efficiencies and making huge profits for everyone involved. Solar panel efficiency is improving all the time and will soon be cost effective without any state support.

Feed-in tariffs came into being last month, and were introduced by Labour to encourage householders to install solar panels or wind turbines, paying them a tax-free, index-linked income for the energy they produce. The coalition agreement drawn up by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats promised to honour “the full establishment of feed-in tariff systems in electricity”. The tariffs pay up to 41.3p for every kWh of electricity produced using solar panels and an extra 3p per unit on top for any surplus electricity sold back to the grid. When you cannot generate enough energy for your needs, you buy electricity from your utility company at normal rates, but you will buy less, making significant savings on utility bills. Given that the income is tax-free, the return on a £14,000 investment is equivalent to 12.9% for a 50% taxpayer and 10.3% for a 40% taxpayer, with the investment recouped in as little as seven years. As the payments are linked to RPI, this equates to a real return of 18.2% and 15.6% respectively at today’s RPI rate of 5.3% http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/savings/article7133583.ece

My guess is money is going into MONI