RE: TWO for nowt!26 Apr 2025 11:04
"Having said that, it is probably better to do your own research. For me in particular, it is easy to be persuaded by people who have more knowledge of investing and / or business/scientific knowledge than me."
martinu, no-one is being forced to do research or to read someone else's views but surely all novice investors could benefit from the knowledge of a cross-section of experienced investors before making their mind up?
As always, caution is needed because some knowledgeable sources are talking their own book, ie they benefit if they can persuade others to buy the shares which they have invested in. But they usually disclose this fact so the novice knows that the opinions offered are not impartial. Down among the smallcaps, there is almost no impartial advice to be had, which is why it's important for novices to also read the negative views expressed by others before making their mind up. Such negativity may come from shorters who have a vested interest in persuading you to sell your shares so treat them with caution too. But ignoring them all is not wise imho as experienced investors can see things that novices don't notice or understand.
I don't know anyone here but FWIW, my impression is that Nick1978 is not a novice investor and chooses to ignore some people's views, as is everyone's right.
I don't know Elrico either but he writes well – infinitely more coherently than he speaks but perhaps he delegates the writing – and he seems to be more of an activist investor than a ramper since he investigates and tries to remedy the negatives in the stocks he discusses. That does benefit other investors as well as non-investors.
And he seems to have the ear of our CEO which sometimes means that he can usefully clarify some of the vague or confusing messages emanating from HQ. Unfortunately, timely access to such clarifications is restricted to those who grease Elrico's palm with silver which is regrettable imho. But I blame our CEO for that, not Elrico.
Speaking for myself only, I tend to agree with Stuart1978's comments here apart from the ones which perpetuate petty disputes; and I agree with some of Elrico's SBTX analysis while disagreeing with some of it. The sources of the "rumours" he likes to debate aren't disclosed so I assume that he is the source. And he seems to take juvenile pleasure in poking sticks at Stuart1978 which, for me, devalues his work.
But overall, until such time as our CEO communicates properly with all his retail shareholders, we are better off with Elrico than without him. That doesn't mean, as some suggest, that we should all be expressing gratitude to him for talking up his portfolio and providing a paid-for service, even if it sometimes (belatedly) passively benefits non-subscribers. He has every right to charge subscribers of course; but the occasions when he (belatedly) gives everyone access could be construed as self-serving since we are potentially all lemmings who might be persuaded to boost his portfo
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