Member Info for lordloadsoflolly

Adyan9200 - I take your point about unlocking value. And at first glance this scheme seems a better approach than SBTX's spin off (since which, Opti's share price has generally only moved one way - DOWN). But if it's such a cunning plan, why has the market reacted so negatively, marking Opti down over 7% at the time of writing?

This seems an unnecessarily complex & opaque scheme, dreamt up by a broker whose main focus is on the fat fee they'll receive. SOH says "ProBiotix now wants to accelerate commercial progress by securing funding". It could have done that whilst remaining within Opti, simply by selling down a bit more of the SBTX holding. If the main intention of this scheme was to enhance shareholder value, how does SOH explain the 7.25% DROP in Opti's share price since this morning's RNS?

Yup, we certainly all hope for that. But you're a braver man than me adding at this stage. I won't be adding to my holding, however low IQE's price sinks. My only aim now is to try to exit at a profit. And we're a fair way from that still.

I guess that holds unless you believe inflation will be really long term (i.e. 5 years+). In which case, growth stocks might struggle to stand still in real terms, whilst value shares flourish. I don't foresee that scenario playing out. But there again, nothing's impossible. After all, 3 years ago, who predicted a pandemic? Or 12 months ago, war in Europe?

Sure - and I agree with your broad sentiment BTW. Though I personally think both here & in the US there's been far too much dithering & caution over interest rate rises. I know it causes pain for borrowers (& that includes governments). But by putting off the inevitable, you have to do even more later to get things back on track. Inflation is NOT going to be transitory, as the BOE Governor & others first assumed. Admittedly Putin hasn't helped. And few would have predicted his actions last autumn. But other inflationary pressures have been obvious for well over six months. By allowing price rises to become rampant & entrenched, these so-called experts just created a bigger problem.

Walp - think you mean "if the rise is 0.25%". 2.5% and we'd REALLY be in trouble.

alwaysone - I guess that's progress in itself. IQE generally used to drop disproportionately when markets retreated, yet rarely bounced back when markets recovered (or its sector was buoyant). Which is partly why the share price remains FOUR TIMES lower now than it was under five years ago in November 2017. Things can only get better. Wait a minute, wasn't that Labour's anthem back in 1997? And look what happened there - "Oh Jeremy Corbyn" - thank you, goodnight & please turn the lights out behind you.

Yes, according to CNBC, "The bulk of the gains Wednesday came after a Chinese state media report signaled support for Chinese stocks. U.S. and Chinese regulators are progressing toward a cooperation plan on U.S.-listed Chinese stocks, citing a financial stability meeting Wednesday chaired by Vice Premier Liu He. The report said Beijing supported Chinese stock listings overseas, and would work towards stability in Hong Kong’s financial market as well as the struggling real estate sector." As a result, Tencent & Alibaba are both up over 20% IN JUST ONE DAY! Volatility rules right now, as they've been down massively on previous days. These latest noises certainly sound more positive. Now we just have to hope there isn't a prolonged upsurge in Chinese Covid infections. And even more crucially for Ukraines - & all humanity - that there's some form of de-escalation in the Russian war. Whilst it must stick in his throat, Zelensky's recent concession not to join Nato (for now at least) suggests compromise might be on the table. Especially if Russia agreed to a temporary ceasefire &/or part-withdrawal. I fear we're still some way from that though.

Thanks oleric. Things may have gone wrong with SweetBiotix commercialisation. But to be fair to Opti & SOH, perhaps the timescale to launch was always going to be lengthy? The agreement announced on 15 Sept 20 stated "OptiBiotix will receive a modest six-figure payment from the Company on signing the agreement and at 12 monthly intervals until product launch". To me, that implies they always knew it would take longer than 12 months. And so far, we're "only" 18 months in. Whilst probably only chicken feed for the US partner, its commitment to modest annual six figure payments pre-launch suggests at least a modicum of commitment & confidence. Otherwise, surely they'd have insisted on editing this clause out. To concentrate the US partner's mind, it might have been preferable for Opti to negotiate RISING annual payments - say £100K year 1, £250K year 2, £500K year 3, £1M year 4, £2M year 5 & beyond. But they didn't, so we are where we are.

That's the kiss of death then. Remember how they also promoted Neil Woodford as the next big thing.

Look, SOH isn't the most inspiring presenter. Nor is he the worst, by any means. I think what most frustrates long term investors is that we've already been "promised" big things for several years already. Instead, we've got steady, but unexciting growth (for what is still valued as a growth business). Sure, building a business from scratch to one generating £2.1M sales (hardly multi million revenues!) is no mean feat, especially with limited resources. And I'm still fairly confident there's a lot more to come. But SOH needs to stop over-promising, stop his nudge & wink communications through specially selected individuals & start delivering the revenue levels he led us all to believe we'd be enjoying well before now. You know, when he grouped all those newly acquired partners into anticipated revenue bands - with many falling into the £500K category each. Oh, and he should perhaps also try not to hide behind non disclosure agreements all the time, as it's beginning to look like an excuse for lack of any real progress. Personally, it makes no difference to me whether elrico stays invested or continues his research into Opti. I doubt the company/SOH is that bothered either, as most people do their own analysis and reach their own conclusions.

To be honest, I'm less bothered by appearances than the channels SOH uses to communicate sometimes. A new mike certainly wouldn't go amiss though, so you could actually hear his interviews properly. And yes, budget permitting, spring cleaning his office & wardrobe definitely wouldn't harm! That said, amongst other things it was Opti's pared down operation on a shoestring that encouraged me to invest in the first place. Too many start ups splash the cash they really haven't got . Only to find out - often too late - they really hadn't got it.

Hopefully SOH takes this as his cue to ditch "special ones" & communicate more professionally, even-handedly & simultaneously with ALL investors. Shan't be holding my breath though.

Whilst Hargeaves Lansdown's ISA service has an annual fee cap of £45 on Investment Trusts like SMT, their platform charges are extremely high on Funds (0.45% on first £250K, thereafter 0.25% up to £1M)). They may rebate some of this with a discount when you first purchase, but IMHO, over time there's only one winner from this high, opaque charging stucture, especially on 6/7 digit portfolio values. And guess what folks, it ain't the private investor.

Agreed - and I doubt their provision will be too far out from what they've said. Equally importantly, it sounds as though the FCA is nearing the end of its investigation. There's nothing investors like less than uncertainty. So drawing a line under this episode should help improve sentiment.

Creightons hasn't been immune to wider market trends either. Closed at 75p on 21 Feb 2022. Currently 53.5p.

CaptainPicard - I agree, though I can see both sides of the argument. It's hard to hold - & even harder to add - when you're already sitting on a sudden, unforeseen paper loss (potentially of 40% or more, depending on when you bought). And if you need the capital now or imminently, you may have no choice. The main problem with selling is knowing when to buy back in (unless you've given up on SMT &/or any other investment for good). It's human nature to hold off after crystallising a big loss, believing things are just going from bad to worse. So any rise is seen as temporary (until eventually it's proved not to be). By which time you've missed out on the buying opportunity. I guess what I'm saying is that unless you buy back into something at some point, you've zero chance of making back that 40% loss. The hardest part is knowing when. Or deciding not to sell in the first place & accepting some short term pain as you ride out the storm. Let's face it, there are infinitely greater pains being experienced in parts of Europe right now.

NAV of 348.9p per share at 31 12 21 versus a closing share price on the same date of 295p. So trading at a discount of over 15% (though that may be the norm for a business like this?). Results greeted positively (for now at least), with today's share price up 4.5% as I write.

Still digesting these results, but they look OK to me. The proposed 12p full year dividend should provide a level of confidence & support. Ditto comments on the FCA review, suggesting it's FINALLY nearing an end and that a £2.1M provision should suffice.

notaflipper - I like your glass half full take on this. IMM's share price was around 8p in mid Jan 2022,. So it has - like most shares - taken quite a hit over the past few weeks. Less than some since war broke out. But more than most earlier this year.