Previously writing on publishing group Quarto (QRT) in August, I concluded that a soft retail environment expected to continue and financial concerns saw me continue to avoid. The shares have recently risen to above 145p, but are now back towards 120p following a “Trading Update” announcement…

The one thing we all know about UK Oil & Gas (UKOG), the massively over-valued company run by Lyin's Steve Sanderson is that it has virtually zero cash left and thus needs to get a placing away ASAP. To that end one would expect a proven ramper like Lyin' Steve to be give us ramptastic news from Broadford Bridge on an almost daily basis. Instead...

On recently recommending shares in Ferrum Crescent (FCR) at a 0.07p offer price we noted the financial position represented a risk, but that we saw significantly further recovery potential. There has since been “Quarterly Activities and Cashflow Report” and “Placing and issue of Options” announcements…

There is no news of new distribution or partnership deals in this release but fear not they will come soon. Very soon. But none the less, the latest update from Optibiotix (OPTI) on progress at Slimbiome is very positive indeed and, yes, Tata, is mentioned.

US bear raider Kerrisdale has launched a savage attack on the largest holding in the Woodford Patient Capital Trust (WPCT) the closed end fund managed by Nomates. The nature of the WPCT means that if Kerrisdale is even half right, Nomates is in big trouble.

Shares in WANdisco (WAND) are currently further higher this week following an “OEM partnership with Virtustream” announcement - though the rise further above 800p compares with a sub 200p share price at the commencement of 2017…

Last week RhythmOne (RTHM) “note(d) the recent weakness in its share price and confirms that it is not aware of any developments since the release of its Trading Update on 17th October 2017 that would change the outlook contained in that statement”. The shares have since continued to fall and there is now a “RhythmOne announces brand consolidation” announcement…

Hello, Share Squeezers. As opposed to gold, silver and diamond mines, there’s something down to earth about iron ore. Gold is more glamorous, but it’s a very speculative area in which to dabble. Whereas iron gives a more secure feeling, somehow. Which brings me to an iron share suggested by this glorious website’s good friend, Wildrides.

Waseem has a few wise things to say and I note why I always listen to him even if he is being beastly about a stock I own. Do you really benefit from closing your ears to a contrary viewpoint from a guy who is more often right than wrong? No. Elsewhere I look at how gravity cannot be defied forever and Inspirit (INSP), Avanti Comms (AVN), I3 Energy (I3E). Then I answer a question on Falanx (FLX) where I am long and very happy as results loom, about Snoozebox (ZZZ) which has gone tits up (Sheriff 1, Cynical Bear 0) and finally what to make of the Persimmon (PSN) statement.

A “Trading Update & Notice of Results” announcement from Stadium Group (SDM) commences that “Significant progress continues to be made in transitioning Stadium from a purely electronic assemblies business to a design-led technology business. The company expects to report a year-on-year increase in revenues of 15% to £61m (2016: £53.1m)”. Sounds pretty good... “Whilst revenue growth and the development of the forward order book are in-line with expectations for the current year,”… Uh oh…

The most boring company in the FTSE-100 by far is in my opinion SSE plc (SSE, Scottish & Southern Energy). Admittedly utility companies are not meant to be sexy but SSE with its lack of growth and grinding up dividend payment (which encompasses pretty much all of its free cash flow) is the ultimate tortoise. Don't worry I know the hare and tortoise fable and my own investment style is hardly rabid but shoot me now if I make this one a top ten portfolio position at any time before the age of 85. However...

Two are mega ramps and their valuations are insane and Waseem Shakoor is (rightly) short. The other one is one he owns. Which do you think is the value play? Here's what Waseem tweets:

The old goat has turned over a new leaf and today really sticks it to Blancco Technology (BLTG) in which he admits he has a trivial holding. I doff my hat to Lawson for that and his comments on the ShareSoc blog are spot on. Personally this company's revenue recognition policies stink so much that I'd have to rate it as a sell.

Once again Tim Martin of JD Wetherspoon (JDW) is the hero of the day exposing the lies, for that is what they are, spouted by big business and the dishonest media on the subject of Brexit. Martin lets rip in his company's latest trading statement. A true hero writes:

This is not perfect. But it's not a disaster. Far from it. You really would have to expect a small placing from Concepta (CPT) though after this statement.

As an investor who has always been a big fan of oil and gas plays in general it is difficult not to focus on that particular sector at the moment, given the recovery that we have been seeing there. Some people may argue that the move has already happened and that oil prices might not go much above the $64 level that we have hit this week, and could well finish the year a fair bit lower – certainly somewhere in the high 50s wouldn’t surprise me, although a lot will revolve around the outcome of the OPEC meeting at the end of the month. Whilst that may be the case with the commodity itself, when it comes to equities many have lagged this commodity correction, and given the share price action of some of them, you could be forgiven for thinking that oil was still down in the doldrums and completely unloved.

The last time I wrote about Imperial Brands (IMB) HERE, there were a few overly excitable comments made. As noted last time, I have never smoked but have no moral hang-up to investing in the sector. If you do...then I guess you have stopped reading or I look forward to your comments. Anyhow, since my original piece the stock is slightly down but only by a percent or two and full year preliminary numbers highlight an improving second half of the year showing a touch of revenue and EPS growth.

Plastered all over the telly for the past couple of days have been revelations from the Paradise Papers, the stack of documents reviewed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists as a major follow-on to the Panama Papers.

A “Trading Update” announcement yesterday from attractions design, production and fit-out company Paragon Entertainment (PEL) included news of project delays and increased costs – and house broker finnCap (them again) has downgraded forecasts…

Hello, Share Throwers. They tell me that shopping centres are not in favour as much as they used to be. Perhaps it’s because we’re beginning to adopt the irritating American habit of calling them malls. But it’s more likely to be the advance of internet selling. However, the public will never abandon the strong British pastime of real shopping. And so I believe the present level of popularity will hold fast and may even improve. And it will if we ever, as a society, find ourselves with more leisure time. Technology hasn’t done the trick so far, but it might do.