Member Info for mdmckea

I see Elliott investment has taken a $4 billion stake in Pepsi. Perhaps he's comfortable with the shake-up he gave BP management.

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/elliott-investment-management-takes-stake-in-pepsi-sees-50-upside-for-the-stock-140502517.html

I've had him filtered for a while now. Blatant ramping.

I wonder if any Castrol sale is still under discussion....

If I were the Ayatollah I wouldn't authorise closing of the SoH until I'd sorted my market trades.... ;-)

£2 Billion UK Hydrogen Plant Cancelled (By Paul Homewood on June 17, 2025)....

"US-based Air Products has pulled the proposed green hydrogen project in Humberside over claims of government foot-dragging"

(https://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2025/06/17/2-billion-uk-hydrogen-plant-cancelled/)

I didn't invest too heavily in Sunda so, if all goes t*ts-up (unlikely) I'd only lose about £1k . And I made more than that this morning on my BP shares due to the Iran / Israel conflict.

However, looking at the claimed damage to Iran's energy facilities, along with Iran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, I'm assuming that demand for gas - specifically LNG - will be rising. I wonder how long it'll be before China approaches the East Timor government with 'an offer they can't refuse'....

I like to read the interesting and informative postings of many of the chat submissions on this board.

It's good to see that if a particular posting seems a little too effusive (or indeed too dismal) the content is often refuted with facts and clear opinions by other posters. Unfortunately, a few people immediately react with ad hominem attacks, so those I filter.

This does not alter the fact that although SNDA seems to be making progress, we still see the SP fall by a few percentage points each day.

I have no intention of selling my holding, and I'm fully aware that AIM is well-known as bandit territory. Having said that, SUNDA is not representing some fly-by-night crypto scam, but has a valuable asset in the ground. For this reason I'm prepared to wait with fingers crossed and see what happens.

All IMHO, and I wish good luck to all long term holders like me.

"...just have to collect your dividends & wait it out."

Yep, that's my plan. In fact if the SP is down again tomorrow I may just buy one more tranche.

@MeorYou: Great article. The line "brings the total tax rate to 75%, rising to 78% in November 2024" says a lot.

Although I'd hate to see BP and/or Shell move to the USA, I have to admit that it would make excellent business sense and, rather than dealing with ludicrous taxes and an uncertain future I'm sure both companies would thrive.

@Terraplane. I have him filtered so I only see the green boxes.

But it would seem his tedious rants continue.

"The Remuneration Committee (the "Committee") has made these Awards at 500% of base salary for the chief executive officer and 450% for the chief financial officer, in line with the Policy."

Murray will be chortling over his wine this evening.....

"BT today announced the signing of a multi-million-pound contract with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to deliver thousands of mobile connections to support real-time reporting of critical events, from flooding to farming disease outbreaks."

https://www.publicnow.com/view/6D66259DFD8A32DD05A3C15D35F60F134D5130F7/37161

Thanks for that very informative explanation GaG - it's cleared up a few misunderstandings I had re Treasury / cancelled shares pending a possible takeover.

Hypothetically, if I wanted to attract takeover bids for my company I'd want to show its profitability in a good light.

According to Investopedia:

"Generally speaking, the higher a company's 'Earnings Per Share'' (EPS), the more profitable it is considered to be".

EPS is calculated by dividing a company's net income by the total number of outstanding shares (those owned by shareholders).

So, if I can reduce the number of outstanding shares, then dividing my net income by that lower number should give a larger EPS.

If the shares I've taken out of circulation are held in the Treasury, they can be put back into circulation by the company's new owner. If they've been cancelled, they can't.

Thoughts?

Thanks, GaG.

I note that in the 'Yahoo attempted summary view' you linked is the statement:

"Asked about buybacks, a BP spokesperson referred to the February strategy update, when BP said it aimed to distribute 30-40% of operating cash flow via dividends, which it plans to raise by 4% a year, and buybacks.

BP has said that, in addition to its disposal programme, it is cutting its costs by $4-$5 billion a year, expects its refining business to improve and has projects starting up that will help its cash flow."

So are these share buybacks part of the 'disposal programme' do you think?

GLA.

As Warren Buffett says 'timing the market is difficult, but time IN the market is what counts'.

True, global stocks are getting a real shake-up, but many of us on here have purchased blocks of BP for reasonably good prices. I'm counting on the SP picking up again once calm is eventually restored.

There may well be more blood-letting this afternoon when the American market wakes up so I'm holding off for now.

I'll be happier when things have calmed down.

"The Company intends to transfer these shares into Treasury in accordance with the authority granted by its shareholders at the Company's 2024 Annual General Meeting."

I doubt such authority will be easily given by the shareholders at the this year's AGM

BP Chair Helge Lund to step down.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/bp-chair-step-down-2025-04-04/

I bought a few thou at Christmas at £1.31, so sitting with fingers crossed.