Hindsight is often of little use on the markets and consists of people kicking themselves about something which seems obvious after the event, usually a missed trade, but occasionally it can also be used to avoid making the same mistake again.

Software for customer marketing company Pelatro (PTRO) has issued an AGM Statement including that “contracts announced in the last month in both the telco and the non-telco space demonstrate our continuing success in building the group's recurring revenue base… we are confident of delivering a performance in line with expectations for 2022”. So what of a share price of 27.75p, down from above 40p last Autumn?...

Back in April I called the Imperial Leather, Cussons Baby, Cussons Kids, Carex, Original Source, Sanctuary Spa and St. Tropez seller PZ Cussons (PZC) a “bad day buy” below a 200 pence share price. I think we might have had a few of those year-to-date. But if you have bought some shares - like me - then you certainly have not made a fortune (yet) as the shares are basically 200p this morning. Still, it could be a lot worse…

AIM-listed Inspirit Energy (INSP) has announced the remarkable achievement of over 30kW from a first stage build test for its waste heat recovery system. Woopie-do! But is this all it is cracked up to be, with the shares up 49% on the news?

Versarien (VRS) admitted the need for a bailout placing within the next ten months (and probably much sooner), or it will go bust. With a quick google search, its latest RNS Reach spoof unravels in seconds.

Hello Share Trundlers. You might want to avoid shares in shops and stores in these inflationary times as people cut down on their shopping. But some retailers might do better than ever when money is tight. Take Costco (0I47) for instance.

I start with the garden, before explaining why I am driving all the way to Greece - my rational decision is a canary in the coal mine of global inflation. I defend Neil Woodford against a low-grade Sunday Times journalist, with reference to 4D Pharma (DDDD). Then, I look at bonkers house prices and when the tears will start.

Gold finished the week at $1827 – down a little from $1840 a week ago as the divergence from the general stock market continues. Of course, I view stock market strength as…..ahem……transitory, to coin a phrase, so if Gold is diverging that is good news for Gold Bulls. If only this final roll-over would hurry up!

How is your portfolio year-to-date?  It has not been the easiest six months, but I've seen worse. Carnival plc (CCL) - my smallest personal portfolio holding at, fortunately, way below 1% - has also been my most disastrous.  Perhaps, one day I will make it onto a cruise ship, but as a shareholding, I remain at a material loss.  What did it say in the quarterlies, and what shall I do about my small position?

Here are five long reads that have nothing to do with shares. Put the kettle on, find a comfy chair. You have the time, don’t you? 
 

This week is our special Private Eye Dumb Britain Edition. That column collects stupid answers from contestants on UK quiz shows. Our version is we ask the same question, giving the right answer, two wrong answers, and the Dumb Britain answer. Which is also a wrong answer. Grab your cuppa – and no Googling.
 

These are the most-read articles and most listened-to Bearcasts of the week. The most read non-Tom article is Naked Wines shareholders will probably need a drink! by Chris Bailey at number six or number 13 if you include Bearcasts.

Structural steel company, Severfield (SFR), has announced results for the year ended 26^th March 2022. Its growth strategy, the company claims, is delivering a record order book, with a broad diversity of sectors, geographies and clients, providing good earnings visibility through 2023 and beyond.

Ariana Resources (AAU) has announced significant progress across its projects, “most notably" the construction of Tavsan, with associated development activities being ramped up.

Julie “Lingerie on Expenses” Meyer reckons that, instead of paying £200,000 to one of 36 law firms - viz, the Queen’s lawyers, Farrar & Co, as ordered by the High Court - Farrar will be paying her cash. And, as for that contempt of Court ruling and six-month stretch in Holloway - where she was slated by another judge, as she lost her appeal - well, those Brits know nothing. In a private email to investors, Ms "Sex Toy on Expenses" writes:

At 6.22 PM yesterday evening, 4D Pharma announced the reason for its "temporary" share suspension. It wasn't a messy and discounted placing, as I suggested here, but administration. Shareholders will, I fear, lose everything. I discuss who is to blame, what can be done (nothing) and the read-across to a raft of other stocks that could go the same way, including Shield Therapeutics (STX), Cineworld (CINE), Petropavlovsk (POG), Verditek (VDTK) and more.

Hello Share Squeakers. This old punter is hunkering down in a new arts and crafts gaff soon. Fear Not there is an outlet of the Punter'sd Return chain near my new residence. But this means I’m having to sell a load of shares in an unseemly hurry to raise the cash. What a time to do it, eh, as we’ve had something of a bear market in the last few weeks? Never mind, it could have been worse. And here’s why.

In September 2020 Various Eateries (VARE) listed on AIM stating it “has successfully raised £25 million… at a price of 73 pence per ordinary share… The net proceeds will principally be used to advance the group's plans to roll out its Coppa Club and Tavolino brands and to fund future activities, possibly including acquisitions”, with founder director Hugh Osmond adding “I helped to build up PizzaExpress out of the UK recession of the early 1990s; we will build up Various Eateries out of the devastation caused by this current crisis”. So what of now-announced results for its half-year ended 3rd April 2022... and a current 48.5p share price?...

Describing itself as “a leading provider of specialist products using printed circuit technology”, Trackwise Designs (TWD) has issued a trading update including that it “expects to deliver FY22 adjusted operating profit, and adjusted profit before tax, in line with market expectations… Cash of £3.2m has been received this month relating to asset financing for capital equipment now on site and commissioned at Stonehouse… will significantly increase Trackwise's production capacity to meet expected demand for Improved Harness Technology across its target markets”. So why currently a more than 18% share price fall below a 50p share price?...

I start with a logistics issue, which may see Matthew and his dog suffer cold turkey on bearcasts for 3 or 4 days over the summer. I am working on it. Then, to 4D Pharma (DDDD), where young Gary is wrong in condemning the company; Lamprell (LAM); and Deepverge (DVRG), where I make reference to the earlier podcast special.