Member Info for simon1367

Shorts creeping upwards (to 6.39%) prior to the results next week; partly thanks to their mates at Shore Capital whose sell note is premised on general information already out there and, as usual by them, is nothing but guesswork and is of little substance. Their suggestion is a possible reaction to maybe £2.80. Perhaps it could go there but I'm hoping much of the gloomy outlook is already built into the present price.

MA has generally won most of his bets over the last year or so. At the last expiry of a selling put, he more than likely lost, as he usually did deals when the SP was around £3.60- £3.90. On most expiries, the SP was above that. This time it was below, meaning he was obliged to increase his physical holding.

My main concern is obviously debt, not least the abysmal loan they raised at a high rate with, in my view, dodgy lenders.

I'm also hoping there are no surprises re 'stale stock', given the high inventory level, or an intimation of another cash raise. If the latter happens, Calamonte should be out immediately. If the promised savings are being achieved, he may stand a chance of survival, but if he isn't prepared to put his money where his mouth is ( into acquiring shares), then I don't think I'll add either!

I'm still crossing my fingers that there is a glimmer of light starting to appear. However, Shore Capital are certainly right that the likes of Shein will continue to chip away at sales. Only the strongest will survive. I hope for an approach this year.

Massey,,,see my comment of 26th March. I believe HL's basic 1yr, 2yr, 3yr and 5yr figures etc, are misleading. As far as I can see they are based purely on your original purchases, but do not include reinvested dividends. The best way to check the shares' performance is to see how much you paid for your major purchases and note the number of shares obtained. Then check the number of shares you have now, after the divs have been reinvested. Check the total value against what you paid for your lump investment.

I have long regarded HL research as pretty useless and therefore adds nothing to what we already know. What surprises me even more is little or no mention of Shein who is rumoured to enter the London Stock Exchnage after being rebuffed by NY. Despite what people might think, Shein are only just starting in their pursuit for dominance (unless the UK regulatory authorities intervene) and will, following flotation, hit the UK market agressively. The percenatage share for Shein in the UK online clothing market is already quickly rising and predicted to be the 6th largest apparel retailer in the next 3 years. Add the competition from the quality companies, and you end up wishing (indeed praying) that Asos merges or gets taken over by someone who really knows what they're doing. Calamonte doesn't cut it for me despite his commendable efforts to turn around issues that were partly his fault in the first place, given he was promoted from within.

Get Rich Quick / Spades / Zac .......My apology to all of you for the stupid comment I made, back in November 2023. I now realise I was misled by an HL advisor who said the share performance figures on their website over 1 to 5 years, includes Divs reinvested. On that basis I thought the performance for CTY was terrible. The performance figures actually shown do NOT include the divs reinvested, and merely the original sum invested.

Thank you all for clarifying it to me.

It was pleasing to see they managed to keep within guidance.

It was a brief update, lacking in detail, clearly designed to send a message to the market not to expect any shocks come April when the full figures emerge.

The usual positive slant the CEO gave came as no surprise. Post the results in April, if he doesn't commit to buying shares, then it doesn't give a good message.

I guess a fair bit of cash is being generated from the sale old stock at low margins. Fair enough, but what a big mistake in the first place. They are expecting the inventory to be down to £600m by the end of the year, which poses the question, what is it at the moment? Will there be further write downs?

Overall, I found these brief details underwhelming. The turnaround, as usual, is just around the corner. I do not see the shorts rushing to the exit doors quite yet. After the initial positive excitement, the SP could end up neutral over the next few days after profit taking and we'll be back to the usual £3.50 to £4.00 range. The shorts will have breathing space to slowly unwind if they see the wind changing.

I'm hoping one or more of the three major players may enact on this update to get the shares moving, otherwise it's going to be a bit of a slog.

I suspect results will be slightly below lower end forecasts, but with the usual positive spin and bs thrown in. My prediction (given the shorts are still well dug in), is a drop of 5%-10%, but recovering later in the week, on the basis there may be cost savings evidenced and the slightest glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I'm crossing fingers there's no over-reaction to poor sales figures.

Regarding a previous discussion this afternoon, brokers cannot lend your shares without a written agreement allowing it. unfortunately, some online trading companies like 212 seem to have a default position whereby when you sign up, you agree they can do this. It is then up to the account holder to disable this function. Most don't read the small print and so are unaware. However, it doesn't affect your ability to trade as usual. 212 do this because they have to find ways of making money (rather than charging dealing fees).

Samba69 One cannot believe a word Murray or his father-in-law says. An example was 'Matches' that Frasers bought in December as a long term strategic hold according to Murray, but was put into Administration within three months!

Minty87 Yes, it's interesting. As you say, if the price stays low, he will be called upon to take up a small amount in April and June (of 0.24% each). However it is not until August that he has another deal expiring worth 4.20%. I suspect he's betting the price will be above about £4.00 by then, thereby not being obliged to buy the shares. MA loves a bet.

Let's be realistic about this. For the major declared shorts today reaching 6.48%, it is a very ominous sign. It looks like they expect poor figures, or at least information that is unpalatable. With the SP still slowly drifting downwards, there is the off-chance the shorts could be trying to make a very quick buck prior to the update. However, on balance, I think they are here to make a lot from a price drop next week.

As for Barker, he's playing long and has positioned himself strategically. I imagine, like MA, he's not too concerned about short/medium term struggles, so long as he's in the right position when either the shares take off, or indeed if things go pear shaped!

From todays RNS, it looks like MA may have been obliged to take up physical shares on expiry of one of his 'sell puts' options. For months he has been selling put options for a premium. Most of his previous options have not been called upon by the buyer on expiry, as the SP had been above the strike price of I guess about £3.80. This time, I suspect he has been called upon to buy physical shares at the strike price of about £3.80/£3.90. This next update will be crucial.

I've pledged never to invest in an AIM stock again. Generally too volatile. This company appears well run, but in today's climate, and the prospect of a labour government, not to mention Gove's meddling in a complex market he doesn't understand, the risks are too high for me. On that basis, as Theo would say 'I'm out and won't be investing' !

I was tempted this time last year to dip my toes in the water with a small investment, particularly given the yield and relative safety of the propositions put forward by various analysts. I'm glad I didn't. With a reinvested dividend of about 11%, I would still be down 37%. These type of investments remind me ethical funds, most of which are failures. They're hopeless. Unless you see Gore as a charity and the right thing 'for the sake of saving the world' to invest in, I would avoid. Even over 5 years it's down 32%. There's more rewarding ways to invest.

100notout: Barker is a non-executive director, a 'friend' of the board. He wouldn't touch MA with a bargepole. Polsven is a cool dude worth a fortune and is also a very patient individual. He too is firmly on the side of the board. MA is totally unpredictable. He is presently content selling puts and getting an onging premium and waits to pounce in the event of bad news. I cant see MA putting in a bid. That's not how he normally operates. He often delights in seeing distressed companies and picks up the pieces through pre-pack administations. With ASOS, he is covered if they weaken and he benefits if they turn the corner. Happy days for MA.

I sold at nearly £5 yesterday on the basis it was inevitable there would be some more profit taking today. I will buy in again if it drifts down again. So many analysts are useless. I really do wonder how they come up with their assessments sometimes. It was only a few weeks ago they were trashing the Terminex aquisition stating it was too expensive and would be a drain. Now the results show a far more positive story. This share a pretty safe growth stock in my view, but there's more opportunity to buy on weakness and do the same again.

The closed period means that no directors or key employed personnel can trade in the shares. Officially there is nothing to stop a trading update during this period, especially if there has been a material change in trading. Having said that, the closed period from 3rd March means the results are due in early April and will be announced shortly thereafter. So Barkley was buying while he could.

Nate D....I take a lot of notice of the shorters. I read more into their rise than I do Camelot's (Barker) recent share purchases. When looking at the top ten (declared) shorted companies, there is always a reason why their SPs are subdued with little prospect of a sudden significant rise. All are subject to various negative woes. Meanwhile, Barker's purchases are purely strategic. He was invited onto the board as a ''non-executive'' director; in my view an obvious defensive measure against other predators like MA. Like Povlsen, Barker is seen as an 'ally' of the company. He often trades long and is a smart operator. Nevertheless, he is a 'hedge' fund so will do what is best for him and his partner investors. In the short term he can withstand the vagaries of the markets so long as he sees 'eventual' light at the end of the tunnel with a big upside. But in the ''short term'' it all looks ominous to me. The longer Asos waits to give an update, the more they hope they can announce things are starting to turn around. Present online retail sales indicate otherwise. I assume we will get an update in the next few weeks, prior to official results in April. My prediction, probably bottom end of expectations or possibly a bit worse......plus of course the usual promises of jam tomorrow. Meanwhile MA is still waiting there, content to play the long game but equally ready to pounce if the opportunity arises.

Bfdinvestor........''ASOS is a far weaker business than Boo''. That's debateable! In my view they both have similar challenges, and each have their own different issues. Both are in dire need of a kick up the backside. Retail online is going to be in the doldrums for some time yet. A few days sunshine is going to do very little to stimulate two businesses who are ripe for takeover / merger, largely as a result of bad decisions at the top.

Macros, I agree. The BritBox sale sale helps the company focus on better things. The buyback will enhance divs for shareholders over the long term. Whether the proceeds could have been used to better effect is debateable.

Profit taking today was inevitable. This is still a very disappointing share and I have been in loss for quite some time. I live in hope it will be taken over.

The SP alignment here with Asos is telling. The difference between the two companies is that one has made many erroneous decisions over the last few years, whilst the other has found it difficult to extricate itself from dodgy background operations. On top of that, both have suffered one of the most difficult online retail times ever.

In my opinion, Boohoo is ripe for a takeover or merger. It needs to be rid of the founder executives, otherwise ir will remain at this depressed level.

Quite right Knowbody. I have invested far more than I had originally intended AI4X. About a third of my present holding was bought at just under £55 in October 2020. Eight further purchases down the line (falling knife and all that) ranging from £8.74 in June 2022 to £3.56 in June 2023 has left me at an average of precisely £7.38 which equates to a more comfortable 50% loss to date, but which nevertheless, I hope is realistically recoverable in due course. I did promise myself I would not average down further having reached my stop limit in one company. I'm tempted though, one more time.....but I said that last time!

Despite rumours to the contrary, I am not a 'de-ramper,' and actually I have no other motive than to recover my painful investment in this company. Unlike many, I am a realist and therefore have somewhat lower expectations than some other board members here. I and others have had to endure about three years of continuous disappointment; originally buying in at about £55 (yes, that's right, £55 not £5.50!) and averaging down to about £7.50, at huge cost. So, when I see, almost continuously on a daily basis, someone comment that this share is going to shoot up to some silly level, then it becomes frustrating. I think I'm entitled to have made the comments I have to cool things down. I have been largely correct on Asos over the last couple of years. From the things I read yesterday, anyone would think I had contained the SP at between £3.50 and £4.00 all on my own. Some feat that would have been!

Onto recent purchases Barker. He's been sweeping up available shares for about three days in a row. A show of confidence,and there's clearly a strategy in place either long term (unlikely in his case I think) or to influence a nearer situation happening (takeover or merger). The USA particularly, sees the UK market as dirt cheap as can be seen by various takeover approaches for other companies. Asos' capitalisation is a ridiculously cheap £450m. Despite Barker's significant 'buys', the market has hardly reacted, which in my view shows just how much this share is being manipulated by other unknown interested parties.