Member Info for ManInGreen

Hi Scharnhorst, my figures are from the Share Buyback Programme RNS of the 28Nov23 where Mercia mentioned £5m and a maximum of 44,658,120 shares - though at a purchase price of 30p that would only be 16.7m shares bought....and a Happy New Year! MIG

Doh! Thanks Scharnhorst. Very basic mistake of mine - of course it's a possible 44m not 4.4m shares. Getting older, losing my decimal points, etc, etc, (read the RNS properly...). Appreciate your help mate. Merry Christmas.

Dear All, been keeping an eye on the purchases (own transactions) and to 12Dec23 it's 1,387,069. So as the future purchases indicated are roughly another 2.8m, had the nice rise recently anticipated this, or is there a little increase extra due over the ensuing period? Intelligent and knowledgeable comments would be much appreciated.

Either way I'm still in here for the long term as I've always liked the share, and it's one of my few keepers. Thanks in advance, and Merry Christmas. MIG

Have been building up gently since 2019, (actually no other option!) always liked everything to do with Mercia, especially their long term plans, analysis during 6-monthly updates, cash investments and cash held on the balance sheet as and when. They always seem to invest wisely, in the main, so they are one of the few companies I keep. When the dividends started I was happily surprised, even more to like. So for me it's carry on Mercia, as you are doing please. Regards all and a Merry Christmas, MIG

Thank goodness it's not just me! I've had the same message a few times with HL. They didn't help me avoid Woodford in the past, or make comment then or others since, and as it's my (currently shrinking) money I'll make my own mistakes thank you. I'm not in it for the short term, have made my own investigations and DMOR, and GGP is the biggie I'm convinced will help me and my family in years to come. Cheers all, MIG

Dip666, many thanks for this. A thoughtful and as positive a response as possible response from SD. I found it very encouraging. MIG

Checked HL and they only have 8m total volume today (I only see volume, not buys or sells) and +2.47%/+0.16p on the day. I think I remember comments from people who seem to understand the market that they are MM's transactions with each other (?) basically cancelling each other out. Would always appreciate more information if this is not correct. Regards, MIG

Just another thought - SD seems to have developed a really good BOD with expertise around him. I couldn't see him raising funds without an extremely good reason/reasons and the advice of the BOD. Why raise funds that either weaken GGP (if further loans, more liabilities on the balance sheet) or have extra cash on the balance sheet via a placing, only to get taken over straight after? It's a trust thing. And I trust SD and the BOD. I can't and won't lose trust in GGP now. Good luck all. MIG

Many thanks Hufc. Much of this was probably known by many of the regular contributors like PaddyGall, Bamps etc, but it helped my basic understanding. It also reinforced my view (coming up to 4 years now) that I luckily hit upon a share in GGP that I see as a wonderful long-term support for my family. Was always going to be quite long term (for me), and I hoped the rewards could go on for years! Yes, I'm well underwater, as I've added all the way along, as and when I could. Will continue to add small amounts as and when I can. Good luck and thanks to all, especially PaddyGall who has provided so much valuable information for (aged) learners like me. MIG

HL currently has this as 61.4m volume, +2.66%, +0.21p, remaining constant, previous was 36m so the big movement matches, though it doesn't say what the volume is (buy/sell). Price can be 15mins delayed though.

Dip, I'm so sorry for your loss, my sincere condolences. Too many close ones passing at the moment. There's a beautiful poem by Canon Scott Holland that starts: "Death is nothing at all...I have only slipped away into the next room." And ends with "Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere near, just around the corner. All is well". Times like this makes one take a breath, think of what is really important. Kindest regards at this sad and thoughtful time. MIG

Hi All, I also could have sold in the past at a good profit, and a lesser one now. However, they are one of the shares I have left as I am convinced over the next 2 years they will continue to prosper, and if the market recovers, will rise again. My family like the way they work, what they invest in, and it's for the long term. Small dividends also help. IMO it's a company to back, and I have hope for more companies they will bring to the markets as they have before. So no, I don't think it's a dud, but then that's what makes a market. All the best, MIG

Thanks jollyspeculator, much appreciated. Missed the obvious! Regards, MIG

Hi all, looking at the RNS it looks like Black Rock may have sold and Librae Holdings Ltd may have bought?
Though I don't know what this may mean, Mercia are still one of my favourites, have been and still will be. All the best, MIG

Just a few thoughts that I think might happen IMO;
1) Reduction of the top pension contribution to £30K a year with a possible top tax deduction of 30% from £40K and your top tax rate as the tax deduction. May help more people save to pensions.
2) Update the top pension fund to £1.2m (still not enough but may help NHS big hitters or extra "help")
3) Leave the ISA at £20K as current but fixed for several years - too sensitive to play with that too much for either party
4) State pension to remain as it is e.g. leave the current changes to those currently known about - again perhaps too sensitive to play with as pensioners, who like me, always vote
5) Election year - update the tax free amount to £13,200 (up 5% from current £12,570)
6) Leave the minimum tax rate at 20p in the pound but have point (5) instead
7) Inheritance Tax up a bit, perhaps letting people have £350K limit instead of £325K though house as current e.g. £500K

There's loads more, but these would seem to be reasonable, probably around election time.
All the best guys MIG

Hi All, just seen another re-hash of Motley Fool's "GGP rebound 2023?" article. General "could be, but don't touch" article as usual. May have affected some sellers. Not me, and I'm sure not long-standing holders. Still feel it's end 2023 and early 2024 before things really happen to the positive with Day and the board keeping GGP in good hands now and in the future. IMHO of course. All the best, MIG

Thanks once again Zoros for your wise and calm words. Like many I'm underwater, but this was always going to be at least a 4 year-journey for me. Could have sold in 30's but didn't (part greed, part because I really rate GGP) and when I read what SD did at Northern Star it was always going to be a volatile and bumpy/exciting journey. Really appreciate the team SD has arranged, especially the BOD and recent additions. The markets are doing badly for many obvious reasons, even the good stocks being sold in panic to keep cash, seen this many times over the years. So I'm really looking forward to the next 2 years, will grit my teeth and smile! Keep strong all, and thanks again Zoros. MIG

My hopeful (Bid) price forecasts;
14.5p end July
18p end August
25p end December
Obviously like all GGPers I'd appreciate better, but feel we would need a nice hit somewhere else or Newcrest to upgrade Hav to a decent level.
All the very best all, and thanks again for all the news and detail from the extremely knowledgeable people that give so freely on the forum. MIG

Sincere condolences Mattyboy and well done on being your Dad's carer. Having performed an executor's role 2 years ago for a very long-time friend, please get a good solicitor to help. This assumes you are one of the executors for his will, if he had one. The friend's family's solicitor was old school but very good even though it took over a year to resolve. Always tough when everyone grieving. So all the best to you, there will be friends/family that will help, IHT will be resolved, but as you say will need to be carefully monitored, but please use the solicitor to help and work out if there is any IHT to pay after all allowances. If your Dad's house goes to e.g. children, I think the allowance is £325K plus £175K = £500K (under £2m estate). There are other extra allowances depending on circumstances so please talk to your solicitor asap to help as they will be aware of the timescales to help and advise you. Hope all goes well for you at this sad time. All the very best MIG

Dear CJM, I had to have an AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) screening as for all over 65 in Sussex. The NHS care was fabulous. The screen gave the result straight away and was under the 3cm, so all fine for me. The supporting pamphlet and the staff went through it all in a way I could understand, very caring. The basic ranges were as follows; 3cm to 4.4cm (Small size) - scans every 12 months to see if getting bigger. 4.5cm to 5.4cm (Medium size) scans every 3 months to check on size. 5.5cm or bigger (Large size) only about 1 in 1,000 have this size - referred to a specialist team usually within a few weeks to discuss possible treatment, usually an operation for about 41 in 10,000 cases. They told me if this was my result the treatment was very successful, which took away a lot of the fear, for me. I totally understand how you feel about this. However, I always felt cared for and kept informed. So please try not to worry too much until you know, and have a happy and healthy New Year. With kind regards and wishes for a fabulous life ahead for you, MIG