Member Info for lordloadsoflolly

SEA -

1. As stated previously I AM still invested here. You may think otherwise or call my posts transparent, but I think I know better than you whether I still hold. As to you choosing to believe this or not, that's up to you.

I do see some potential in Tek still - and indeed in Microsalt. The fact Micro doesn't contain potassium chloride may be a plus in some consumers'/manufacturers' eyes. Given its current retail price to end consumers, manufacturing costs would appear higher than its low sodium potassium chloride containing rivals. Either that or it's targeting a high margin, which will likely limit its traction somewhat. Presumably unit costs will drop as it uses IPO funds to streamline manufacturing & improve economies of scale.

My main concerns with Microsalt are:

a) it's likely to need way more than this current raise to become an established B2B & B2C player IMHO. which may well mean dilution down the line for existing holders - Tek included. Tek has a consistent track record of this happening, which is why - as I've said from the outset - holding onto its full stakes at IPO stage makes zero sense.

b) How many large scale companies will feel a price premium is justified versus cheaper potassium chloride containing alternatives from Saxa and the like?

& c) Why did Tate & Lyle's Soda-Lo fail (it was also a microcrystal salt - albeit with a larger particle size - and it too didn't contain any potassium chloride)? I don't know the answer, but it IS a worry, given Tate & Lyle's resources & long-standing expertise in the ingredients industry.

One other thing, I didn't say you'd changed your tune. I simply drew your attention to the overwhelmingly positive consumer reviews of low sodium, potassium choride containing salt alternatives. I note you continue to ignore these facts, preferring to stick to your misplaced belief that every competitor's product tastes vastly inferior.

PIKEMAN- The food industry has evolved beyond recognition over the past 20 years, especially in terms of healthier living. So to assume nothing has changed in the low sodium market these past two decades is a mistake. I agree it's encouraging a few large food producers have shown interest in Microsalt. But my reservations - as detailed above - remain for now.

Lemon investor?

Sea & aspers - I haven’t sold. No idea why you think otherwise. But you continue labouring under that misconception if it makes you feel better. I really couldn’t care less either way.

Most consumer reviews of cheaper existing low sodium salt DON’T refer to any metallic taste & they’re overwhelmingly positive. It really doesn’t require much effort to check this out for yourselves. Just Google “low sodium salt”, read the reviews & the average score ratings then tell me how I’m wrong. Just ‘cos I’m reporting facts you happen not to like doesn’t make them any less true you know.

Telling how many tech sector layoffs there've been in the past year or so.

In 2023, big hitters with the job jitters included Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, SAP, Meta, Oracle, Qualcomm, IBM & Cisco amongst others.

And already this year, there's been that shrinking feeling at: Alphabet & its Google subsidiary (again), Microsoft (again), Ebay, SAP (again) & Snap (Snapchat's operator).

I guess you could read this several ways.

EITHER - tech firms are belatedly realising the pandemic gave them a one-off turbo boost. And it ain't coming back, so they need to cut their cloth accordingly via a leaner, meaner workforce.

OR - tech firms are uncertain how the global economy is going to fare over the next year or two, so are shedding staff now to get ahead of a potentially downward curve.

Possibly it's a bit of both. And who could blame them for finding the economic future unusually hard to read right now?

Either way, it suggests the tech sector - & other areas SMT majors in - could remain volatile for a while yet, even if global inflation continues to trend down. Ever-lower inflation isn't a given anyway - many "experts" are predicting it picking up slightly over the summer, though to nothing like the levels seen over the past 18 months.

I remain positive about SMT's long term prospects. And by long term I'm talking a shorter than normal 2-3 year timeframe (given the 2+ years of decline already experienced). But it could still be rocky out there. And of course, the forthcoming US & UK elections - not to mention the possibility of another warmongering crank popping up - might just shake things up even more than expected.

Interesting times ahead!

Katstrangler - time will tell whether Microsalt has many USPs (other than high price which isn't a great differentiator really) to make it stand out from all those other low sodium products manufacturers can already choose from. Alternatives which consumers generally say taste great.

Dallo - in recent years, no Director buys have been anything like big enough to suggest the slightest degree of confidence.

Most have been at or around the £20,000 mark. For IMM's Directors - based on the salaries they receive (note receive, not earn), £20,000 - even £60,000 - would be peanuts. Hardly a vote of confidence.

Nothing speaks louder than Directors refusing to back their own company. Even after a major drop in the share price.

Adastra - and don't you think it might just be telling that NONE of the Directors is buying in?

Bazaaman - I take it you didn’t follow any of ST’s buy recommendations on TEK then.

Barno61 - you do realise JD's been back in charge for some time already. And the turnaround's yet to make any great impact.....

Anyone who followed Simon Thompson's buy recommendation on TEK would have lost a fortune so far.

Just saying.

He frequently gets it wrong, despite his arguments often sounding quite logical & sensible.

Littlened - That percentage doesn't look right.

And in any case, 6 months is an even less relevant timeframe by which to judge SMT, IMHO.

Littlened - possibly, but you make one very big assumption there. Namely that past performance is a guide to the future.

Which, as we all know, is something every investment tells you not to assume.

I remain cautiously optimistic about SMT. But not, primarily, as a result of its performance over the last decade.

Gotrader - a) the share price ISN'T holding at 20p & b) nobody cares about Citigroup or any other institutional holder.

They care about IQE's sales & profits. Which at the moment aren't anything like forthcoming enough.

Sea - odd how the "rubbish tasting alternativers" you refer to get overwhelmingly positive customer reviews.

Just Google "low sodium salt", then point to all the reviews which say they're rubbish tasting.

Talk about never letting the facts get in the way of your unfounded rant.

Gotrader - nobody cares.

N1shares - sure, but Next is consistently making money. And growing.

Superdry? Not so much.

Lambo222 - who said anything about a 1p placing (other than you)?

You really are SO transparent it's a joke.

Go on sell your holding & give us a rest.

Martinu - yes it IS too early to say what you said.

Things are moving in the right direction. But they're moving slowly. Whilst Stephen could open his sweetshop shutters today, he'd have no customers waiting outside yet.

Let's see if that changes by the end of 2024.

N1shares - Sure, but Superdry's PERMANENTLY doing markdowns.

It holds frequent sales on its own website and a constant one via its ebay outlet store.

More tightly managed fashion retailers (like Next) aren't always having to mark stuff down.

The basic stock issue - in my eyes - is that they offer far too many similar styles within each product range. So whilst a few might take off, the rest languish until they eventually have to be marked down tpo make way for new lines. They must know by now which colours / combination of colours sell best year in, year out. And the proportions by size. Yet still they nearly always seem to be left with S & XL and the whackier colours in menswear.

Less is more with Superdry right now. Perhaps counter-intuitively, fewer stores, fewer staff (sadly) & less choice might well equal more profit.