Member Info for ParanoiaBlue

"On the bid front, SABMiller is wanted on rumours that it has been in bid talks with Mexican brewer Femsa, although Dutch brewer Heineken is also said to be in the running to win control of the brewer of Sol and Dos Equis lagers."

That is one of the reasons that I maintain my short with a reasonably tight stop. The Market has been turning in my favour. However, if shorting is part of ones strategy, then I just would beware of the potential of some upward spikes. Things are still very fickle, and there a lot of misguided bulls out there, who will jump on the slightest scrap of “good news.” The bear will growl for a long time, but I’m still very wary that it has not yet shaken off all the remaining vestiges of its extended hibernation. :)

I would think so - certainly if the Markets continue to tank.

A US mutual fund holding 6,720 Cadbury shares has filed a legal complaint in the US alleging that the confectionery company’s board breached its fiduciary duties by rejecting Kraft’s £10.2bn takeover approach. Lawyers for Steward International Enhanced Value Index Fund, which invests according to biblical and Christian principles, are arguing that Cadbury’s board failed to “properly consider” Kraft’s indicative offer for the company, the FT reports.

How's things? "Sort of holding" if you know what I mean :)

Hold at 88p (this week 94p), says W H Ireland. An update from the tile retailer resulted in tough but stabilising trading, notes the broker. Like-for-like store sales for the period fell 13.5pc, which highlights stabilisation compared with a year-to-date decline of 15.4pc, says the broker. Stores have been cut from 342 to 320, with management confident full-year profit estimates will be met. Allowing for recent share appreciation and the current valuation, the investment stance has been downgraded from buy to hold.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=200910011709191031A

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=200910011119150506A

There are many negative aspects to consider, once this false dawn is realised for what it exactly consists. We have massive amounts of large commercial properties, in my area, which were built with the aid of “government goodies” – they have never been let, even in the good times. Heaps of retail malls are really struggling – especially with CVA terms screwing the landlords, pubs, garages, small industrial…. the list goes on and on. I have a mate who has been keep on, for another year or so, with one of the “big four” banks. His sole task is to get rid of about 1/3 of their property holdings – this is NOT the exception! I’m sure that I could come up with heaps more, but I’m getting depressed already!! It is not a pretty sight, and it going to get a lot worse, before it gets any better. ATB

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hershey-isnt-likely-to-bid-for-cadbury-journal-2009-10-01

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=200910010700060090A

Well I suppose that reticence is better than “nowt.” Just to let you know I made a “few coppers” this afternoon. In fact I still am, as I always deal, until the Wall St. closes PS I didn’t have a position with BLND, however my other 3 real estate positions made a stonking return – along with most of my other open positions – so trailing profit stops in place. ATB PPS Much more to come, exactly when, I don't know.

I’ll be the first to admit that it’s been a nightmare since March with this “suckers’ rally,” for that aspect of my investment. But I don’t just short, per se; I have had a lot of very successful long positions, over this period. However shorting money can still be made from silly upwards blips. My “investment window” has been over a 30 year period! Just recently, the last 3 months of last year, and the first 3 of this, I made an absolute fortune, shorting. Also dealing in gold has netted me a king’s ransom. Mark my words – ALL property has still a long way to drop mainly due to affordability. Thus, along with other very obvious sectors, there is a great deal of money to be made again, fairly soon, through shorting. In conclusion, I am actually, a very honest person, who calls a spade a spade. In fact, I’m even known to be rather out-spoken at times. If I had denigrated an individual’s character, in error, I’d be the very first to apologize. However I don’t suppose that I will get the deserved reciprocal response. ATB

I must still have been half-asleep earlier on. Yes, I have a whole watch-list of real estate which I often short, on any upward blips. I still think that there is a big correction to come in this sector. Although, the big slide, may be delayed until next year. ATB NB Especially if it is on the back of any joker, sorry, broker and broker, recommendation.

Kraft told to 'put up or shut up' over Cadbury Kraft Foods has been told by the City's Takeover Panel to make a formal offer for Cadbury by November 9 or walk away http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/6246094/Kraft-told-to-put-up-or-shut-up-over-Cadbury.html

Yes, I guess so. However it is not a lot of margin. I’m a stubborn Scotsman – you may have noticed – and it gives me something to moan about. :) I'll have a look at your suggestion. ATB

Hi I’m just letting mine sit with a reasonably tight stop. If the bid progresses, I’ll take a small hit. If everything falls through, then I’d expect a good return. We will see what happens. ATB NB Struggling like crazy to keep my eyes open. :)

TUI Travel (TT.), Europe's largest travel operator, said it is on course to meet full-year forecasts and is raising about 440 million pounds of funds to refinance its shareholder loan with parent company TUI AG. TUI intends to offer 300 million pounds of senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2014 to institutional investors, while its banks will provide additional revolving credit facilities of 140 million pounds, maturing in June 2012. The firm's 900 million pound shareholder loan from TUI AG, which owns 52% of the London listed group, had been due for repayment on 15 January 2011. "The financing measures announced today allow us to commence repayment of our shareholder loan in a pro-active manner and will also allow us to continue to take advantage of attractive M&A opportunities and to build on our successful track record of creating value through our acquisition strategy," commented CEO Peter Long. In a separate statement, the company said trading is in line with expectations and it remains 'satisfied' with business across all open seasons. TUI shares finished unchanged at 266p.

http://www.investegate.co.uk/Article.aspx?id=200909291740599017Z

....with tight stop! [NB description of my financial position, just in case there is any misunderstanding]