Member Info for olliebear

If the profits have already been priced in, and unless the figures rapidly exceed expectations, I can see no other outcome than further stagnation. Sorry to be so down about this, I am invested heavily too, but these things start rolling downhill all too quickly. We've all seen it many times before. I hope I'm wrong, but I can't see it reaching �5.00.

Hopefully that's the bad news out of the way before Tuesday.

"Shell's shares fell after it reported weakening cash flow in the fourth quarter, damping hopes of dividend increases after Shell's decision in November to scrap its scrip dividend, which paid investors in shares. Cash flow from operating activities in the fourth quarter was $7.3bn compared with $35.7bn for the full year. The shares were down 1.1% at �24.35.5p at 08:46 GMT. Steve Clayton, a fund manager at Hargreaves Lansdown's HL Select UK Income Shares fund, said: "Cash flow was strong for the year, demonstrating Shell's better capital discipline. But Q4 bucked the trend, with a weaker than expected cash inflow ... This is holding the shares back in early trading."

**SP down FIVE PER CENT since Monday** Anyone predict that?

Difficult one to gauge, as usual. The uncertainty surrounding the merger doesn't help. Oh for that crystal ball. Maybe we could borrow Opium's. He always seems to buy at the bottom of the market and sell at the top.

They've changed the dates - 'Next milestone: Provisional findings due early/mid November 2017' No wonder the price is plunging. Recipe for uncertainty. Good opportunity to buy, though.

Dealing with an idiot does bring the worst out in me, I have to admit.

**Late October 2017 Notify provisional findings and consider possible remedies**

It wasn't really necessary to copy and paste the admin timetable. We all know where to find it.

Looks like the deadline is set to be broken. The CMA must have had a real headache with this one - but they have to get it right. In other words, they'll try to appease both sides and come up with a nice slice of fudge. None of the businesses involved will be fully satisfied, and if Tesco have to sell off their jewel in the crown, the Expresses, they'll ditch the whole thing.

It's actually 7p since Friday. Quite a drop. Who knows how the market reacts to these things. They might see the Booker deal negatively if the CMA demand blood to see it through. Still, there's always an opportunity, no matter the movement.

The CMA will give a cautious green light, but the strings attached might sink the whole thing. Tesco are in a mess, much of it their own making. They've reached the limit of their market share and the only way is down. Terry Leahy knew their growth was unsustainable, which is why he abandoned ship when he did. He always was one step ahead of everyone else - including Tesco.

Price is tanking, so the market must know something we don't. Maybe a good time to buy short term.

Oilybear - very good. Now one for you. Jonjoke. Very apt, no?

Still no news on the provisional findings re Booker merger. It states 'late October 2017' on the government website. They've got until Tuesday, so they're cutting it mighty fine.

I was amused to see he also thought you could just buy SAYE shares at a heavily discounted price then sell them immediately for market value.

jonjo, he talks far more sense than you ever have.

Ah right, that well known source of credibility and accuracy, Twitter.

Anyone know when the Booker's takeover interim report gets released? Roughly end of this month is all I have seen so far.

Price is doing what it usually does just before figures are released (the figures are heavily trailed anyway) - a little bump, then it will settle back down again. Apparently sales are up but profits are down. Tesco has to turn over 30 billion quid to make 500 million proft. 1.7%. It wouldn't take much to see that dwindle down even further. Why don't they flog the massive land bank they have to developers? That would make a sizeable hole in Tesco's increasing debt mountain (currently 18 billion). A sinking ship (or shop) with plasters on the numerous holes below the waterline is still a sinking ship. Tesco is a busted flush.