Member Info for lordloadsoflolly

DorsetLSE - SMT has been around since 17 March 1909, so their fund managers have certainly been in it for the long term. Of course, they've had periods of huge underperformance as well as outperformance over these 114 years. So timing will have played a huge influence in how well investors have done here. If you mostly bought pre-pandemic, you'll have done OK. In fact, you'll have probably done very well. Any later than this and you won't have done yet. And no-one can tell whether you'll eventually win out.

aspex - Yes. But unless the majority of consumers care more about the ingredients list than taste, it may not be such an issue.

AquaeSulis01 - to me, your link doesn't suggest Coca Cola's zero sugar formula is wrong. Just that its marketing needs more work.

nbe22 - you may be right about SMT's Tesla holding. But don't forget the % will fluctuate with Tesla's share price and potentially any Forex movement. Year to date (i.e. in less than 2 months), Tesla's SP has risen from around $108 to $190. So at constant currency, SMT's holding % will have increased almost 80% over that period.

maidit308 - You say "Tim sound(s) like a guy that is still fully in charge with feet on the ground". Given his performance to date with IMM & his previous track record elsewhere, may I suggest a hearing (& sanity) test?!

FriedmanSowell - that would certainly be nice. But of course, it's equally possible that Kraft & Coca Cola are working on alternative in-house solutions which don't breach any of Opti's patents.

ilovemycombover - Good luck! I too have a decent holding here, though I mainly built it up a couple of years ago when the FCA investigation was ongoing, buying in at between £2 & £3. HAT is certainly in a good sector right now, though this is already known, so largely priced in. That said, I still expect the share price to test the £5.00 to £5.50 level at some stage over the next 12 months, as I anticipate another year of excellent results. At which point I'd personally be looking to reduce, as the good times never last for ever!

MaverickID - No

AquaeSulis01 - you're right. SOH did mention the possibility of transferring from Aquis to Aim. Which suggests he always knew Aquis was a big risk. Problem is, he's mentioned a lot of things over time, including some lofty sales forecasts which he's spectacularly failed to hit. So as far as I'm concerned, nothing much can be read into anything he says any more. Which is a shame, as I used to think he was one of the more principled CEOs on Aim (particularly as he had a lot of skin in the game). Now, I'm not so sure.

Hi nick1978 - Unless Stephen or his team ever got back to you, that response from Walbrook smacks of "your concerns are duly noted & have been filed in the shredder."

CaptainPicard - Yup - unless the price falls further of course. Let's face it, the whole stockmarket's a lottery right now.

Thanks all. You're right. Halifax has since advised:

"Please note that all trading in ProBiotix shares is on the Aquis Stock Exchange, and as a result we are unable to facilitate trading in ProBiotix shares via our share dealing facility. If you wish to trade in ProBiotix shares you will need to establish an arrangement with an alternative broker. Should you wish to do this please contact the receiving broker who will arrange the transfer with us."

Halifax told me they could also transfer out in the form of a paper certificate to the named account holder. They also said they'd waive the normal fee associated with this, given they don't offer Aquis trading. But it's likely to be costlier then to trade the paper certificate via another broker. And given they're currently only worth 5p a pop, I can see most of my proceeds going straight into the broker's till. Kerching!

I wonder if SOH was told all this (or better still, thought to ask) before signing up to this bargain basement - but illiquid hence fairly useless - exchange?

The fact it traded fairly consistently throughout the lock in period around the 20p mark, yet since lock in rapidly tumbled to 5p currently to sell 8p to buy (a ridiculous spread) tells you all you need to know about this Mickey Mouse exchange.

I think SOH's credibility is following a similar trajectory to the PBX share price.

Sadly I think you'll be proved wrong there, CaptainPicard.

malco - you're doing better than me. They've just been listed on my Halifax ISA too. But with no value shown against them at all!

Gotrader - so some have increased whilst others reduced. Not sure this really tells us anything?

RedDragonInsider - all very positive in theory. But unfortunately, this is the UK Government we're talking about. So I really wouldn't expect anything much.

tambo210 - prepare to be surprised then - SMT traded lower this morning. All of which is irrelevant if held long term as the managers always say it should be.

maidit308 - maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe never, maybe you haven't a clue.

Given the low volumes they're selling, it really shouldn't be this hard to keep stuff in stock. And in code.

nimrod - recent performance has undoubtedly been poor. But longer term holders really can’t complain. And SMT should always be viewed as a long term investment, which much of your comments seem to ignore.