Member Info for Laughton

Bring back The Spice Girls:- "Zig-a-zig-ah"

Questor: Hold on to embattled pop music investment fund as bid battle hots up

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/investing/stocks-shares/questor-hold-on-pop-music-investment-fund-bid-hots-up/

Things are warming up.

https://news.sky.com/story/kylie-music-label-bmg-in-rival-approach-for-hipgnosis-13120881

Covered by Sky too. They usually have their fingers on the pulse.

https://news.sky.com/story/blackstone-tunes-up-1-2bn-bid-for-blondie-music-owner-hipgnosis-13119025

Am I right in thinking that MM and Co have some kind of "matching bid" rights?

In any event, I'm sure we haven't heard the last of him unfortunately.

"As a result of a substantial positive swing in PBT from H1 (£1.3m loss) to an expected profit of £1.1m in H2, FY24 will be broadly in line with market expectations* with a marginal loss of £0.2m expected to be reported for the year overall"

So that's a miss then.

One day, maybe, they'll deliver what they promise and long suffering holders will be rewarded - but I guess we'll have to wait a bit longer.

It got the Thumbs Down from API holders.

Further to its announcements of 14 March 2024 and 20 March 2024, the API Board will now take steps to implement a Managed Wind-Down subject to the approval of API Shareholders at a general meeting. More information on this process will be set out in due course.

Still a chance to pick up the bonds @ 94p if you're feeling confident, for a YTM in excess of 20% (assuming my calculator is working properly). Yes, only 5 months but it beats cash in the bank.

This from the NEXT today:-

Wolfson added that Next had been able to sell more of its pricier, better-quality items as “there appears to be something of a shift back to investment dressing with customers buying somewhat fewer, slightly more expensive items.”

Should be good news for SOS shareholders??

Anyone care to do a deep dive into the minutiae of today's TA? :-))

Outstanding debt on UK credit cards jumped nearly 10 per cent last year, according to new data, as households turned to borrowing amid inflationary pressures and the cost-of-living crisis.

Credit card debt rose 9.7 per cent in the 12 months to December last year, figures from banking trade body UK Finance showed.

Surely a positive for H&T.

A case of 2 plus 2 equals 5 (or six, or seven).

Long suffering holder.

Https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/investing/questors-worst-ever-share-tip-regional-reit-profit/

Retail bond price seems pretty relaxed about today's announcement.

Just Google - Argentina’s neighbours come to its defence in fight over $16bn US judgment

BOD take note.

Https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/API/statement-regarding-proposal-vkpvogbatx5tncx.html

Given the Custodian SP response to our offer maybe we should hope theirs is better and API accept it.

Https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/feb/13/will-hydrogen-overtake-batteries-in-the-race-for-zero-emission-cars

Https://www.cityam.com/hipgnosis-independent-valuer-exits-amid-catalogue-dispute/

Only a cut? Passing it would save almost £6.2M so surely BOD must be thinking about it with an eye to that bond repayment coming up on the horizon.

£32M cash balance plus 3 passed dividends would pay off the bond and restore balance sheet somewhat. No?