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Well I've uncrossed my fingers after my stop loss was hit for a loss of £271. I think the figures from Dixons spooked the market: Electrical retailer Dixons was lower after full-year sales rose 4% to £3.29bn in the first half. The company's figures reflected the European economic divide as sales grew in the North, but took a hit in Southern countries. I'm giving this share dealing up and going back to bed..!
Many thanks, sold out at £48 loss before it dropped further! Pity really because the statement looked good..
Seems strange that Optos should drop so suddenly, a tree shake by the market makers perhaps..?
Good lord.. you've waited since August for a response! I did read your question a while ago, went and tried to find out, couldn't establish an answer and promptly forgot to post on this blog! So I'm sorry I've not got back to you. Yes, I think it would be quite relevant in the current economical climate of cutbacks to know about military contracts, but because I have confidence Zotefoams are unique in their products and are nicely spread throughout many industries, that I hope that any military cutbacks will have little effect.. I am a long term shareholder of Zotefoams and enjoyed some nice dividends and a continued profit on my portfolio, I hope I don't come across as ramping the share but I do think the company has potential to be very big. I'm looking to top up after the profit takers leave and it hits 180p (ish!) I've had quite a bit of luck in the past e mailing companies directly with questions, and as Zotefoams have a direct investors e mailing address, why not send them an e mail? I've not tried writing to them myself, but I'm sure you'll receive a comprehensive answer! I've pasted and copied the e mail address from their website: investorinfo@zotefoams.com Good luck, and here's hoping you'll soon become part of the Zotefoam family!
I would really appreciate any views as to why Hardy has dropped so much. Is it because they seem to be more concerned about finding gas rather than oil? Are they just an unloved stock who have nothing to offer on the prospecting front..until 2013? Is it the middle east? Is it because they have decided to focus on India only? They have cash and appear quite stable. Also, they always talk about increasing shareholder value..but the stock has fallen from 800p (2008) to 100p (today)..what is going wrong? Any views or opinions?
Oh dear, I hope it ticks up again and you don't have to sell.! It's horrible banking a loss on the portfolio (I've done it so many times this year that it makes me want to weep..!) but I think it's about time for the market to make a turn for the better. The FTSE keeps bouncing back, people are tired of Europe, fiscal cliff's and the Middle East and just want to get back to good wholesome stocks who keep reporting good fundamental figures. It's shocking when just a hint of bad news and everyone hits the panic button, but when the stock performs..nothing happens! I have confidence in VLX and feel it's at a bargain price, it may drop a bit more but at some point and for no apparent reason I'm sure it will just rocket back to 250p.. Fingers crossed!!
Many thanks for the welcome..and very pleased to be a member of the TRI family! I did note that the offer price ticked down after I bought-in, despite the sea of blue we've been seeing over the days. It's difficult to understand why, after all, there just didn't seem to be any selling at all going on! Oh well, I'm going to blame those awful market makers! With a bit of positive manufacturing data coming through, I can see TRI being worth 100/150p next year..the management team have worked wonders in a difficult economic climate. I appreciate your candid posts across many stocks on the LSE, and in many cases it's a comfort to know you're a stock holder! Thanks again.
Well, I've just read my previous blog and it has fallen below 160p..so I've taken a leap of faith and purchased 2k @ a smidgen under 157p..funny thing is, it appeared on my screen as the 13th trade (oh no..bad luck or what !?). I still have concerns of course, but I've always admired the management (specifically Mike McTighe) who have already turned VLX around after the crash, and the knowledge that they have also purchased more shares (at 236p and 187p) gives me some assurance.. I think that when VLX starts to sell the shares will fly and the opportunity missed, this would really disappoint me, so I thought I'd buy in now before the panic. I don't mind if it drops a bit more just for the peace of mind that I'm in. So, like you Eco, I'm now the happy (for now) part-owner of VLX and everything crossed for a speedy recovery back to 250p..!
Flipping heck, you're right, buy's galore here on TRI! TRI has passed me by (that rhymes!) but better late than never..and with all the manufacturing data from Asia and UK looking more positive this looks like a great company. I bought in today at just under 46p so fingers crossed for a swift rise to the top..(oh please god give me some luck on my portfolio soon..)
After the IMS today you'd think BQE would shoot north..!
Oh dear..what's happened to Hardy..everything seems so promising.?!!
It's always good if you have someone 'in-the-know' who works close to the company, so thanks for the nod and the wink, including GKP.! Although with all the talk of "Fiscal Cliff" and "negative GDP in Europe" this is bound to effect commodities such as oil and mining and I'm still licking my wounds with HOIL.! So I may keep my powder dry for the next few weeks..but oh dear me, what has happened with AGA this morning..pre-result nerves perhaps.?? Yes, the dollies are quite nice thank you..ha ha ha, a bit hairy here and there, and the knees are a bit knobbly, but I do have pulsating Quads, all due to running marathons and bike riding! Strangely, I seem to have lost the hair on my lower shins which I understand is hereditary..but other than that, a pair of very nice dollies..!
Yes, it's strange to see some big buys on the order books but no movement in the sp! I think maybe the MM's let the buys (and sells) accumulate, then on a given day, put them all through at once in order to panic or encourage buying and selling. After all, it's not in their interest to make it easy for us to know what's really happening..!
Yes, in normal maket conditions good news like this would usually send the stock into orbit, pity really because I keep getting caught out! I got caught out with HOIL buying in at 190p just before it took a dive..very frustrating! And KENZ looks like it's all set to hit support around 350/360p again after buying in at 396p and I bought my second buy on ZTF at 216, just before it started to fall.!! Ha ha I just don't seem to be able to get it right..but some good news on FENR today which has just come back into profit after my buy last week at 359, so fingers crossed for more gains soon..crazy times we live in.!!
Just wanted to say thank you for your detailed and comprehensive reply! The pensions look a bit of a problem for AGA but as you say, it's the huge potential of them expanding into China that has drawn my attention (and no doubt other investors too!). I've noticed a few big buys coming in on the order books so, and also as a result of your knowledgeable replies, I will take the plunge..so fingers crossed!
Ha! Sorry Stoddman, I'm male..(but I think I do have great legs!) Really pleased with the IMS today, it just about sums up all the positive things previously said about KENZ. Furthermore, if they can perform like this when other companies are posting profit warnings then the future looks very promising, it's just a pity the IMS hasn't moved the sp north today.!
I'm thinking about buying in on AGA, but just one line in their half yearly statement is putting me off ! Please can anyone put my mind at rest.? Basically my problem is this: in AGA's half yearly report (24/08/12) they say: "The continued challenges in the economy and lack of activity in the property market have clearly had an impact on demand in the first half as customers delay purchasing big ticket items." Then Balfour (BBY) issue a profit warning in their Interim on the 8/11/12, which seems to confirm the continued slow down by specifically sighting the poor construction in the USA and UK. So in my mind this ties in together: people are not buying houses, so therefore they won't be buying Aga's products..and this looks set to continue into 2013!! Am I right in thinking this way or should I just take the plunge and get in at a good price?
Thanks Monkey-Puzzle and Stoddman, and well said! The facts and figures that you have both posted are a welcome reminder of the strength of Kentz . So from now on I will just be adding to my holdings..they have the makings of a £10 share, so frustrating..!
Many thanks for the reply! Yes, you're right; crazy swings up and down at the moment which is so frustrating as I watch my investment slip away.. I thought once they had moved to the FTSE250 all the funds would buy in. They have loads of cash and are a potential buy out target..and I thought a great defensive stock too..ha ha famous last words! The other thing that sold me was they said that they exect their full year figures to come in ahead of expectations, which usually sends the stock into orbit..instead, down it goes! Oh well, maybe a bit of time is all thats needed before people realise the huge potential here. I will be adding to my holdings in the dips, so I still keep the faith! Anyhow, fingers crossed for a zoom upwards soon..
Kentz awarded a nice contract..great company, great news, yet the share price goes down..why? Kentz awarded US$45m EPC Solar Power Project in South Africa London, 9 November 2012, Kentz Corporation Limited (LSE:KENZ), the holding company of the Kentz engineering and construction group, through its operating unit Kentz Pty (Ltd), is pleased to announce the award of a US$45 million, Engineering, Procurement and Construction ("EPC") contract for the 75MWp Kalkbult Solar Photovoltaic ("PV") Project in the Northern Cape area of South Africa. The EPC contract was awarded to Kentz by Scatec Solar, which is developing the Kalkbult Solar PV Project. The project, scheduled for completion in January 2014, is a key component of Phase 1 of the South African Department of Energy's 3,725MW Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Program. Kentz will execute all in-country EPC activities associated with the facility. The engineering and procurement activities will be executed from the Company's engineering center in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg. Christian Brown, Chief Executive of Kentz Group, commented: "We continue to develop our EPC capabilities in the African region and this prestigious project for Scatec Solar demonstrates our ability to secure a wide range of EPC contracts. Additionally, the award of such a key project for South African renewable energy will position us to contribute to the development of further renewable energy projects across the continent and beyond."