Vianet Group (VNET) has announced a partnership which it states sees its “innovative contactless payment solution hardware join forces with Suresite's market-leading acquiring services”, with Chairman & CEO (hmmm) James Dickson “delighted to partner with Suresite in this innovative collaboration proving, once again, Vianet's ability not only to drive new technological initiatives but also to establish new markets for our products”. So what of a share price currently up to 56.75p in response?

On 1 August 2022, having failed to raise $30 million in an equity markets fundraise - as I warred here to hoots of derision from BBMs sitting in their underpants in their parent's basement - , Shield Therapeutics (STX) took out a $10 million loan from 13% shareholder AOP Orphan International AG. Now the clock is ticking on that loan.

The legover reference is HERE. I am still very much under the weather with all the symptoms of covid. I am feeling a bit better but not well enough to do more than a few hours work today. Thanks to Steve for taking care of things. In the podcast I discuss Devro  (DVO) - who said young Steve and I could not tip a waiter? Then FinnCap (FCAP) then finally the dire sentiment towards mining stocks. Is it really that bad out there?

Previously writing on LED lighting, electronic and electro-mechanical systems group LPA (LPA), last year I noted, having written trading warning, argues “victims of our own success”. Really? in March with the shares at 75.5p, that I continued to avoid with they down from 70p. What now, with they above that level following a trading update announcement?

Reader Ouzo man is brave enough to be short of Versarien (VRS) historically this has been a wise move but the shares have surged in the past couple of weeks to 21.5p from a low of c13p.

According to City AM the owners of AIM listed POS bars chain Nightcap (NGHT) are Sarah Willingham and Michael Toxvaerd. Funny, I thought that it was long suffering shareholders who owned this financial abomination where every single person who has ever bought a share and held is now out of the money with the shares trading at just 8p-9p.

On the interweb I came across a recently published front page by MoneyWeek which discussed a story, “Buy Britain…UK stocks are a Black Friday bargain”. I don’t massively disagree, even if it amuses me that 99% of prices were cheaper for any purchasers six or eight weeks ago.

There are folks who think that inflation can be cured without pain. Those are the same folks who urged record money printing during the scamdemic. That is what caused inflation not, as they claim, President Putin. Writer Jesse Felder puts them straight.

Managed IT services, cyber security and cloud hosting company SysGroup (SYS) has announced results for its half-year ended 30^th September 2022 and that “trading for the second half has continued with positive momentum and the board is therefore confident in meeting its full year expectations”. So what’s the detail here?

Describing itself as “a leading provider of technology and services for the global offshore energy markets”, Tekmar Group (TGP) has announced “extension of banking facility… completes the renewal of the group's existing facility and financing arrangements”. So what of a share price currently down to 8.75p?

On developer of “compounds to tackle obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes”, OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) we’ve previously noted ‘some delays in delivery but a sales recovery Buy’ – including with “product launches by Apollo Pharmacies in India and restocking by some partners with sales normalising… as in previous years, there was no contribution in this period from licence or royalty payments which tend to be received in the second half”. We’ve since again spoken to CEO Steve O'Hara.

Describing itself as “a leading international developer and manufacturer of high quality, rapid diagnostic tests”, Abingdon Health (ABDX) has announced results for its year ended 30th June 2022 with CEO Chris Yates arguing “as a knowledge leader in lateral flow, and with our comprehensive contract service offering, we believe we are well-placed to support customers in bringing their products to market and grow our business”. So why are the shares currently 12.5% lower today to 5.25p?

I have been in bed since 7 PM last night and feel wretched. After this short podcast discussing my relief that it is probably Covid it is back to bed. I discuss Deepmatter (DMTR) and other companies trying to persuade ius that delisting is good news. Look at the shareholders behind it. 

Bluebird Merchant Ventures (BMV) has issued an update after a management trip to South Korea and having also further progressed local partner negotiations in the Philippines.

Agricultural supplies group Wynnstay (WYN) has announced an acquisition for an initial £1.4 million and up to £1.5 million, which it emphasises fulfills “multiple” criteria.

Footwear brand Dr. Martens (DOCS) CEO Kenny Wilson reckons that he is “pleased to report another strong set of results… Underlying revenue growth was 18% and the EBITDA margin was in line with our guidance”. So why are the shares currently 22.5% lower on the back of the results announcement to 222p?

Previously writing on “digital chemistry data and software” group DeepMatter (DMTR), last month as the shares soared on a “delighted to announce” new agreement, I asked when’s the next attempted bailout fundraising?. Now the group has stated that it “anticipates it will seek to raise c.£1m from its major shareholders”, but there is also much else.

Whilst the Americans eat turkey and talk to their friends and family about how much they have lost in their investments since the last Thanksgiving day, a couple of UK stocks grab my attention this morning.

Back in July I covered Pets at Home Group (PETS) as a buy based on my opinion that I expected the business to continue performing strongly, as we are a nation of pet-lovers and spending on them would be one of the last things that many people would cut back on. Since then the share price has seen some ups and downs, broadly in line with wider market sentiment, but yesterday it took a bit of a kicking and closed down over 5% at 289p, on a day where the FTSE actually performed reasonably well, after it released its results for H1 2023, up until October 13 2022 and covering a 28 week period. Having looked at the results I can’t really see what the market didn’t like, as they are in line with guidance in terms of full year pre-tax profit expectations on £131 million, with a range of £121-136 million.

 My pal Fraser has a new report out today savaging Home REIT (HOME). I bring it to you in full. Enjoy.