Member Info for Scampthedog

Firstly -- what a great start to the day!

Kretinsky did indeed, as I had suggested, pounce upon the "cheap shares"...compliments of the Shorts I have to add.

At this rate he will be sending them all a Christmas card.

No doubt we will be seeing a further reduction in the Short position very soon.

With rumours circulating about positive talks between union and employer, the s.p, in the short term at least, should move back up towards the £2.00 mark...a lot of course still depends upon that fast approaching update.

However, a double-edged sword cuts both ways.

If Kretinsky is in this for the short to medium term then we still might all end up getting egg all over our face; if he starts selling off at some point in big tranches the s.p will obviously take a battering.

Lets us hope not!

All we need now is the announcement of a "special dividend" to be paid -- and things could really ignite! Not beyond probability if Royal Mail has in fact had a good last couple of months. From what I see on the floor every night we are still busier than normal...excluding D2D that is.

Yes! things are finally looking up.

Let us hope for three things (although one does naturally follow on from the others)

1. Kretinsky is in it for the long haul (secure in the knowledge that, at some time in the future, the full dividend with be reinstated)
2. The union announces a working plan with the employer...a plan that can be fully costed-out to everyone's satisfaction (most importantly has all the analysts nodding their heads at it)
3. The Shorts start drastically reducing their positions due to over exposure.

A lot to ask for? Maybe. But it does feel as though we are now on the downward slope...fingers crossed that is.

So much for the shoddy old lugger then.

Still just tramping along...tramping along.

One day perhaps, our boat will come in...one day perhaps...one day.

You are quite right, JBTHISTLE -- I stand corrected!

I also agree with your comment: "I was also just trying to make the point that I hope he buys more rather than the smallish amount he owns and buys through the scheme".

It would certainly be a ringing endorsement of his expectations if he did indeed do just that.

Ask them about the old lugger...and those lathered-up, sweat-soaked, grime covered coolies.

Has it docked yet?

You are quite right about the £1,199.64 a year...my payslip shows a deduction before any tax of £23.07 per week.

As for ending when Royal Mail says it will end...fair enough; but five years from the start of the scheme to when you could sell all or any of the shares without incurring a tax demand.

I have the glossy brochure somewhere when first invited to join the scheme...will try to dig it out when I have time. There again...might just login onto my account and see what other info I can find. When I have some available time that is.

Again I am in agreement with the sentiment of your latest comments...all sounds reasonable to me.

But at the risk of belabouring the point, I have always, and continue to do so, made the contention that Royal Mail is more than just its pure fundamentals.

I might be wrong, quite often am, but I believe that just one cordial, satisfactory costed-out and mutually agreeable and beneficial deal between union and employer announced jointly in a progressive and forward projecting statement would be enough on its own to set this company firmly back on track.

Like I said, I may well be wrong. But time will tell of course..as always. And soon at that!

I am aware that Stuart Simpson holds shares in Royal Mail...the point I was making was I do not think he buys any through the monthly partnership scheme.

But if I am wrong I can quite happily concede this.

Like I mentioned just recently, It truly is amazing how your persona has changed from feminine to masculine ( clue: as FELINEFAN you were far less abrasive and confrontational. Rather, you would humorously scold as a mother might try to encourage or urge on a child...in effect, you would try to defuse the situation with feminine wit and charm); I no more believe you are a woman, as you formerly claimed as FELINEFAN, than believe that you yourself, as you also claimed, work for Royal Mail.

Mind you...you could just as much say that of me when I claim the very exact same.

Difference being that I DO work for Royal Mail...which lends itself nicely to your comment when addressing me: "lord you live and breathe Rmg".

Not surprising is it when I Do actually work for them as a postie...and a member of the CWU.

And as for reading the RNS thoroughly...might I suggest you do more of the same?

The only director that I am aware of that buys Royal Mail shares through the partnership scheme is Sally Ashford.

The maximum amount you can contribute per month via your wages is £92.28.

The maximum amount of free matching shares awarded each month is 2. Therefore, over the whole of the five years, a maximum of 120 free shares...add to this no trading fees and the fact that it is tax-efficient (costs approx £17.00 per week because the £23.0 is deducted from your gross amount not net amount) then it really is a decent little deal.

I estimated right at the onset that an amount of 1300 - 1350 shares was probably quite likely...I have upped that number now and would say anywhere from 1700 to 1800...all things proceeding well of course.

But I am more than happy to wait.

I suspect that the shares are bought at approx the same time each month...at about 11 0 clock; Or so it seems to work out when looking at the amount credited to your account each time.

It takes about 2 days to show the latest amount credited.

Not disputing any of your comments, Carrington, (you have always made a lot of sensible and valid comments to my way of thinking) regarding general macro-economics...but just one affordable, positive and upbeat joint statement here released by both union and company, and macro-economics or no -- this s.p will shoot up 40 plus points!!

It was reported several weeks ago, or so I am under the impression, that the CWU announced that it intended, or rather both the company and union intended, to release a joint statement when hopefully going forward...although, admittedly, that optimism has now been tempered somewhat when Dave Ward was last interviewed; but this was under impromptu circumstances at the time it has to be said.

I believe he concluded that things were not looking particularly bright at that moment.

But as we all know, relations here, between both parties -- can change in a heartbeat!

If this doesn't move back up above 1.73 we might well see a further slide here.

Don't bet against a second wave; all the conditions are right now being assembled together again for the very same thing to happen once more...it is almost inevitable.

Let us all hope that a vaccine, or something that gives people more than just a fighting chance to combat and hopefully recover from this terrible pathogen, is developed in the very near future.

It might be the only way for any sort of "normality" to return within the next five years or so.

Your input is welcomed of course...but I think what you are reporting is in fact old news; it actually looks like a reference to the 2016 "Four Pillars Agreement".

The "Four Pillars Agreement", or rather the refusal by the company to fully implement all the agreed conditions, is the main cause of all the present discontent.

The biggest stumbling block, apart from the pension, being the further reduction, by one hour, in the "Shorter Working Week".

However, please feel free to contribute whenever you wish...all differing opinions are taken onboard by most here. Most -- but not all that is! To name no names.

Acknowledging the fact that you obviously know a lot more than me about the Markets and their workings, I still believe (as you yourself concede...albeit to some lesser degree, when remarking "and here on a lesser scale") that Royal Mail is, at present, not so much effected by Market-Makers and general Stock Market influences but rather by its well documented problems with both union and re-structuring...the outside influences, which, undoubtedly, effect any stock, are not, at this moment in time, of paramount importance when discussing RMG's immediate future.

Fruitster used to engage in long tirades about discounting any possible Industrial action and restructuring costs: "all priced in" was how he put it.

Big mistake!!

He learnt, and at a massive personal cost I might say, that Royal Mail is far more than just basic fundamentals, restructuring costs and a "Five Year Plan". It is something that is almost unique...as should be expected of an ex-governmental quango with an almost limitless supply of money available to it on demand.

Not only do the figures have to add up here...but, also, just as important, the workforce has to be agreeable to it all.

And anyone who discounts that is nothing but deluded at the very best.

Says who?

One pertinent thing about the good "Doctor"...he is never about (on the other board that is) when the s.p goes to Hell.

Why is that do you wonder?

Just curious thats all.

P.s its an age thing I believe...some people call it cynicism.

£2.00 for the s.p? Under present circumstances I find that hard to believe to be perfectly frank with you.

Would it not need positive news both on the industrial relations front and the forthcoming financial update for this to happen?

Great if it did rise up to £2.00 a share of course....but unless a detailed and clearly costed out agreement with the CWU coupled with a clear and concise view of exactly how RMG hopes to achieve all its objectives over the next several years or so is announced...then, I don't really see how this stock can keep rising.

Unless the unpredictable Kretinsky intervenes once more...then, once again, takeover rumours might encourage the value upwards; not forgetting RMG's intrinsic land value and the 2 billion that GLS is reportedly worth.

A newly appointed CEO with a proven track record when dealing with both unions and restructuring of ailing companies might also go a long way to sorting out this stalemate I should add.

Well, ismalia, seems you were right about a few sells before another rise; my prediction of 2.6 - 2.65 was'nt far off either...hopefully I am right about all the way back to 3p very soon also. Hopefully that is.

Nothing could please me more to be completely wrong about the direction the s.p might be travelling in; or indeed, anything other than the reasons you have mentioned that might be being brought to bear against it.

Just two things.

1. The chart clearly indicates that support at the present level is 1.65...on Friday the s.p briefly returned to this level.
2. The short position at nearly 9% cannot be discounted or ignored...it is uncomfortably high.

Let us hope that when the stock fell back into the mid sixities range on Friday, that the spike back up was due to some of the Shorts reducing their positions...let us just hope.

Or better still -- Kretinsky increasing his holding!

In brief, I would be highly delighted, as most others would, if the Shorts were totally crushed on this occasion. But I just cannot see it myself...unfortunately I might add.

"Just get a life, you boring fool".

My goodness me! Very unlike FELINEFAN's persona.

You have just gone from femmine-like to masuline-like in one little sentence.

Are you in fact a bloke by any chance?