The latest Investing Matters Podcast with Jean Roche, Co-Manager of Schroder UK Mid Cap Investment Trust has just been released. Listen here.
As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a guy who invested in a Company that would make me rich and help solve the problem of global warming.
The set up was perfect. Jimmy two shoes hit the air France terminal at JFK and cleared 200 big ones. Anytime we needed money we hit the airport. It was better than an unlimited cashpoint at Citibank for us. Of course there were many wiseguys involved in that. Even Tommy the bass player down the dog and gangster got a piece of it. Trouble was this job attracted every fed from the neighbourhood. Jimmy had to protect himself. That meant whacking everybody who could rat on Jimmy.
So, while Jimmy was doing that he got Meir the Player to invest the cash. BMN my boy - he said. Vanadium Shanadium. We buy shares and I will arrange the catering!!
Naturally Jimmy had him whacked, but he kept the investment.
VRFB's said Tony two times. VRFB's. Yeah, he said it again.
Tommy 'benefit of the doubt' wasn't so sure. So you think I'm a clown? You think I'm here to entertain you? He asked Jimmy.
Tommy, Tommy, I don't think that for a second. Get the f**k out of here!!
Okay says Tommy. I give you the benefit of the doubt. - These names don't make themselves up for Christ sake.
Marie had to poke her nose in. Sooooo... you think think this Vanadium thing is going to make the tomato sauce do you?
Marie, Marie (this wasn't Tony two times, this was just emphasis) shut the f**k up up. Jesus, don't you know what a VRFB and electrolyte factory is worth?
Marie says, (not that Marie, a different one) you're a cheating b*s*a*d. Not that he was, it's just what wiseguys girls called Marie say.
So Tony three putts says get out of here!! We're talking vanadium for Christ sake!!
And Marie (not that Marie or the other Marie, another Marie) says you're killing me!! (In a Brooklyn accent)
So Tony four wan ks says heyyyyyy. What you gonna do about it?
Anyway, I gave up the life and became a service assistant at a plumbing supplier. Is that metric or imperial?
Oh yeah. The old RNS ay? I used to think it was Ronnies No sh*t but apparently it isn't. Some news thing. So they say.
Loads of comments about it. It means this, it means that, it means the other.
Plenty of people got plenty to say about it.
I prefer to make my own mind up. All these keyboard 'experts.'
Would you let them influence YOUR investment? No. Neither would I. Which isn't to to say I don't listen to what some of them have to say. That Big bite Now geezer. Seems to have a good handle on things as I think I may have said before.
So here's how I read it.
Production at Vamecto up and increasing. Also shorter down time for maintenance.
Production costs down.
Vanchem production our first but only going one way. Only one kiln out of three running currently on existing feed stock which will increase substantialy when supplied by Mokopane, which will be soon. Also the lessons and expertise garnered in Vametco will increase production and push us to 10,000 mt within a couple of years.
The OEM ownership will promote VRFB takeup and therefore our profitability.
Our agreed electrolyte offtake agreements with Enerox, Avalon/Redt + more to follow will make us a profitable forward thinking business regardless of Vanadium price.
The electrolyte production facility in East London will add to our revenue base.
But what do I know?
Yeah we got a few quid in the bank and some tenders and batteries on trial with Eskom. Oh, Lemur of course. Some Companies could make a living out of Lemur alone and likely as not have a bigger valuation than ours.
So all in all. It's all good and I'm happy.
I had one of them electric cars once. Not very roomy. Hardly fit a family of 3.
20p only got you about 4 minutes. And when you gave the geezer a nicker, although he showed you 60p in the palm of his hand, when you counted if afterwards it was only ever 40p. How does that work?
Weren't that great on extras either. No AC or cruise or parking sensors. Not even a radio or an 8 track.
I could have put up with all that in the name of saving the slug or whatever it is we are currently supposed to be saving but there were 2 issues that put the kaibosh on it it for me.
1) Everybody kept bumping into me.
2) that bloody great pole up the back connected to to the roof.
The trouble is they are just so dumb! Kryton shook his head ruefully and took a swig of WD40. I mean really, who would invest in Sirius?
Marvin sighed. Don't talk to me about Sirius. Who do you think built me? Sirius cybernetics corporation no less. Cursed me with an IQ of 8,000. I know everything. Literally everything. If they listened to me they couldn't go wrong. BMN I said. Seriously, they can't go wrong but do they listen? Where do you think they would be now if only they listened?
Buzz gave a chuckle. To infinity and beyond would be my guess.
Kryton slammed his glass down. Just what do we do with them? What do you think Dalek?
Exterminate, Exterminate, EXTERMINATE.
Well there's a suprise Marvin said. And Johnny5. Your veiw?
No disassemble number 5.
Oh dear Intel!! Marvin and Kryton both said simultaneously.
I mean what is it they don't understand? Kryton was getting agitated. Terminator, I thought you were going out for micro chips?
The terminator turned in a wooden sort of way. Yes. I will take the K9 as well. KITT will drive us. What is the K9 doing here anyway?
Oh him, I'm looking after him for the doctor whilst he's away in andromeda or somewhen. Now you are not going to go out terminating and forget about us again are you?
No. I'll be back.
Holly piped up. I don't want to worry you but there's a solar storm heading our way. We might want to go to red alert.
Are you sure Holly, asked Kryton. It will mean changing the light bulb?
Robbies head lit up and he started waving his arms. Danger, danger Will Robinson!
Marvin sighed again. Tell me Kryton. I know you were built as ostensibly a toilet cleaner but do you have any Vanadium in you?
Kryton chuckled. Indeed I do Mr Marvin sir. My skin was built to last. And to be flexible. And to resist curry vomit. If only they would listen to me all their investment would be in vanadium mining and VRFB production. They just don't listen. They are sme......... sme........ sme.........
Marvin finished it for him. Smeg heads?
Well I have had the operation and the Crow didn't get me. In pain but not as much as I had been led to believe. Should know if it will work by 6 weeks. Meantime I am laid up so I will probably inflict some nonsense on you at some point. Sorry in advance.
As I commented after the Vanchem deal was announced. We all get frustrated about the lack of news and express that here from time to time. But, they are too busy walking the walk to waste time talking the talk. Don't expect any fluff or speculation from our board. Hard facts and achievements to build the Company are all you will get and only when the deal is done. Very refreshing, especially from an AIM Company.
Basilbrush. Thank you for that. I don't think your condition is too similar to mine to be honest as this is not a silver bullet operation. If a success it could be a very long time before I feel any benefit. Nerves grow about an inch a month so neck to hand won't be quick.
Also, they are going through the back which is more painful but doesn't risk the voice etc.
Also, I am not in any pain. I was, for a long time and ironically there is a much better chance of success if you are still in pain because the nerve is still functioning to a higher degree.
I did pay for my own scans in order to hurry things up (amazing the change in attitude towards me when I did that) but we are where are now.
If it wasn't for the Crow I wouldn't be bothered. I have utmost respect for and faith in the surgeon. He is at the top of his game and an old hand so I believe. Thanks for sharing that though. I appreciate it.
I asked him if I could play the piano after the operation and he thought I would be able to. That's good because I have never been able to play it before. That's a joke obviously.
Thank you all for your thoughts and words of wisdom. I am going to do it. I have never been particularly religious or superstitious (touch wood) but I might have to have word with that Shiva geezer. A few points. Bassguy, thank you but my particular skill at guitar playing has, in all honesty, brought pleasure to nobody other than me.
Reteps. Appreciate that and agree entirely. Hence why I am doing it.
Dubmask, thanks for an honest opinion. Though be careful what you wish for as I will be laid up for a while with nothing better to do than watch reruns of dads army and write my usual nonsense on here.
Brad. Nobody likes you.
Knuts, I am going for it (seriously I was thinking of selling the clubs) and would be delighted to get my handicap down to 72.
Everybody else. Thanks for your kind thoughts.
My misses, a dumbass if ever you met one, has promised faithfully not to sell the shares should it all go Pete Tong. I made her promise.