Member Info for LWHL

Well, sometimes the simplest reasons/motives are also the correct ones.

Again - not saying this applies in this country - but in some places....newly created local jobs, recurring tax state revenues, new infrastructure....does not come into consideration. Only personal enrichment.

IMO, the Malawi government will send a clear message as to how investible they are as a country, by how this plays out.

And quite frankly, will dispel (or otherwise) some of the above opinions that some may have, by their actions too.

Having never done any business there myself, I am not in a position to comment.

But I am sure they will eventually reach a deal with our company that shows they are a credible country to do business in. And by doing so, profit immeasurably more than they will otherwise do, should they choose the path of the basket case failed states.

I would rather we just left the existing listing alone for now. It might be something to consider in future. When we are (hopefully) a much bigger company.

That RNS is certainly welcome reading though, and hopefully it will have a positive impact on the 'lead weight' in question. It certainly cannot hurt. And it would be good to see us (UK) show we still have some clout - and fight - in us, during these increasingly interesting geopolitical times.

I see Songwe as a mini battle ground right now, to be brutally honest.

Separate to the exciting, and important, HyProMag matter. And I want us to win on all fronts :)

That scenario also crossed my mind some time ago. As did the fact that some countries do business a little differently outside of the West and that this potentially might be a handicap for us too.

Some of the legislation our lot (albeit US-driven IMO) implemented a few years ago has really harmed some aspects and reduced some business opportunities for us in some parts of the world, I think it is fair to say.

Still, perhaps it gives some people a warm feeling. Others might think such outcomes were entirely predictable, lacking common sense and pragmatism.

Not saying this applies in the case of this nation. We simply do not know either way. As a wider point, I think the concept is quite compelling though. But it is what it is.

And so the wait continues and with it, further declines in the SP.

On the plus side, if the BOD actually do manage to deliver Songwe, the reversal in SP fortunes should be far more pronounced.

But I totally understand why some have bailed/have started to bail. Opportunity cost if nothing else. GLA.

Extremely common outlook in many African nations. Looks like this one might be the same.

Very little commercial acumen. High levels of corruption, greed and short-term thinking.

Which may, or may not, apply in this case.

But I did suggest quite a while ago now that in a game of brinkmanship we were unlikely to win.

The question I posed then, and which annoyingly remains unanswered, is what is our Plan B, in the event we do not cede to their demands?

Another presentation, which addresses this scenario, would indeed be welcome.

Especially as the last raise was fundamentally to get the MDA over the line and the BOD needs to make this happen.

Even if it requires agreeing to a smaller profit than we might reasonably expect to obtain in an advanced country.

And I would like to see some of the other Directors buy a decent chunk of shares on the open market at the earliest opportunity too.

Yep. I agree with you.

You are not going to get a gap fill at 3.02p from here without positive news, Kingalf. Certainly not in this type of market.

But then IMO positive news that means you do get your target price, will also likely see a SP higher than that still.

Which would be no thanks to the BOD here, quite frankly. GLA.

Not sure that good times are around the corner just yet, but I bought back a small amount of those that I sold last time.

Any technicians here? Just trying to work out what the next support level might be if 132.80p goes at any point.

Subject to the obvious caveats, I am happy to hold these for the long term, so reasonably relaxed even if my bearish macro take plays out.

Would be more than happy if indeed this was the bottom and we returned to much higher levels sooner than I anticipate, just to be clear :)

Your last sentence is the only thing we need, Xenor.

AIM or another index, it will not matter at that point.

I remain convinced that once that is achieved, you can look forward to being surprised :)

Much better timing than my entry, Monty!

Even allowing for the H2 projected loss, I still thought those results merited at least a test of the year high.

And I am disappointed with the lack of inside buying, which I do not think is an unreasonable expectation, all things considered. Not least to try and persuade holders to stick with them, rather than take up a future offer, should one arise again at some point.

All that said, and even though I am currently underwater here, I am willing to be patient, subject to the obvious caveats. GLA.

They attended the conference but due to the commercially sensitive data, decided not to guest speak.

As the conference was not mentioned in an RNS, they did not deem it necessary to RNS this decision.

I did not receive any sensitive information...but I am satisfied to continue to hold at the time of print.

Not advice etc and GLA.

Wow. I did not expect such a response from you, anon3.

I thought we were simply sharing opinions and ideas in a mature fashion.

I think some of my points were clearly relevant to tobacco actually, but equally interlinked to other stocks and a wider macro picture. All of which IMO should not be dismissed so easily.

I appreciate that you have chosen to flounce off now, having told me what opinions I hold on a variety of other topics too. You are right when it comes to my general thoughts on the WEF. Perhaps you should do a little research into that organisation and see if you feel similarly?

Pro Trump? Nope. I cheer lead for no politician, which should have been rather obvious by now.

Anti climate change? Nope again. I am appalled at the levels of pollution created by needless plastic; the state of our rivers and oceans and many other things related to how we treat our environment.

But I have a fairly good understanding of what meeting 'net zero' would actually mean for the UK. Even if the real global polluters were to play along (which they are not and will not). Do you?

Wrong also about my opinion on the existence of Covid, although anyone who still thinks the political decisions were proportionate since the very first six week lock down (where IMO it was more understandable at that point in time)...well, I have no answer to that.

I do not know enough about the 15 minute city initiatives to comment.

The tin hat comment is simply lazy and does you a disservice.

But I am able to tolerate different opinions and to take criticism, even when it is in the form of a personal attack, rather than contesting those opinions that people may disagree with.

So I will not respond in kind and filter you. I do not like to live in an echo chamber and I appreciate those who take the time to share their thoughts. Whether I agree or otherwise. GLA. Including you, anon3.

I agree that when the VIX hits those high levels is the time to start buying heavily. IMO right now is the time for cautious trading, not going in heavily.

I also agree that there is plenty of money sitting on the sides right now. And buy back season has plenty left in the tank.

Time will tell if I have been too bearish on the strength of the US market/economy. But those inverted yield curves are ugly, among a bunch of other indicators that support the bearish narrative.

Furthermore, the pace of debt growth is frankly alarming to my mind. I simply cannot see how that is not going to have an ugly ending - but when exactly - that is the ultimate piece of string question.

Michael Burry was right about the US housing market, but almost blew his fund up because he was too early. That is why I still have plenty of risk equities in my p/f, because you can miss a lot of boats waiting for the wheels to fall off. Still recommend keeping plenty of dry powder to hand though. GLA.

A result of the Plunge Protection Team springing into action, perhaps?

Anyway, as you say, the next potential market moving event is likely to be the US CPI print next week.

Meanwhile, the VIX is back below 18 at the time of print.

It is a funny old world right now :) GLA.

All entirely valid opinions.

But I still think creating a parallel legal system, which that touted policy will essentially involve, if it comes to pass, is a real can of worms.

And as I alluded to before, where do we draw the line?

What legal measures will safeguard against future governments abusing the 'protecting young people' angle?

Have you seen the Online Safety Bill? Trojan Horse if ever there was one. IMO it will also fail to achieve what it has set out to do anyway, but the public either do not know about this imminent attack on their privacy, or are gullible enough to fall for the headline pitch.

Or perhaps one for the near future, such as restricting air travel, cos climate change?

While the Davos class continue to enjoy all the trappings. They do have some front and indeed a sense of humour too (see all the climate change conferences they jet around for).

Then we have the pending CBDC's to consider.

No, I am sorry, but the collateral damage that freedom of choice sometimes costs is an acceptable price to pay to avoid a de facto social credit system IMO.

Which is something that the West is already moving towards (there are many examples, not just said online safety bill).

Slowly and with stealth, but make no mistake: our politicians (all of them pretty much) look enviously to the East and how they control their population.

Hardly a unique aspiration for the ruling classes. Always the same in every civilization since the year dot. Does not mean we should meekly accept it though, IMO.

Anyway, hope you are all having a nice weekend and making the most of this weather while it lasts! GLA.

I certainly hope so!

This one was meant to be one that I bought and ignored, while I focused my efforts on some individual stocks.

Best laid plans etc :)

Indeed. It genuinely surprises me when fully grown adults support a government - any of them, whatever the rosette they sport - cheering ever greater restrictions on their lives and their freedom of choice.

It would be understandable in a child, where a desire for guidance and clear rules is both craved and needed, but for those in adulthood? Simply baffling.

Just to add: what else would you ban? Booze? Not everyone can control their liquor. A far greater cost to the NHS and wider society. Cars? Aeroplanes? Restrictions on social media usage?

Perhaps it is my age, but I simply do not trust any government to regulate anything consistently or proportionately. Therefore IMO the solution to all problems is less government, not more government :)

I never said smoking was 'good' for people. But let us take your numbers: 2.5 billion quid a year NHS costs. Remind me how much tax revenue tobacco generates?

Then you have the 'savings' from not needing to treat the many non smokers who cost the NHS billions each year for a variety of conditions that pretty much nobody can avoid when they become aged. However well they have looked after themselves throughout their lives.

Like I said before: individual responsibility. Individual discipline. Individual choice.

By the way, show me a listed company that is not nasty and ruthless in business. You might struggle to find one that is successful, especially if they do not have the soft support of national governments. Even if they do.

Smoking is a choice. Like any other manner of hobbies.

What restricts the progress of humanity is a lack of freedom.

But if you want to buy into a narrative that poorer countries alone are somehow hostages to the nasty ruthless companies, then go ahead. Perhaps if you had spent some time in some of these types of countries...perhaps if you had met some of the decision-makers of some of these countries, you might feel differently. At the very least, it might give you pause for thought.

Or maybe not, who knows?

We have the luxury of being able to debate such things from the comfort of our homes, and can afford such principles and sentiments. Maybe we should revisit the concept of exploitation another time.

I have a nice glass of red that needs topping up and I really fancy popping to the shops now to support my holding here :) GLA.

Looks to me like a load of part time, seasonal new jobs, as well as growth in government non-jobs. Not clear evidence of a strong economy at all, IMO.

But OK, let's see if they raise rates again. Heck, go straight to 7%. That will prove one way or the other if the US economy is strong :)

Welcome. These chat boards, at their best, are for sharing ideas but also for helping one another when we can, IMO.