Shares in Avanti (AVN) peaked at c50p following the reports in the FT that Inmarsat (ISAT) might have considered a 140p bid, a claim that seems ludicrous given the fact that Avanti is drowning in debt and needs a refinancing within weeks or it is tits up time. The shares have now drifted back to 37.375p today. Folks are starting to panic...perhaps they have looked at the bonds.

The recent low oil prices have not only affected companies producing the commodity, but also others which rely on prices being high in order for their own products to be competitive. AIM-listed Quadrise Fuels (QFI) offers a good alternative investment for anyone who is confident that oil prices will ultimately recover, but who is looking for something a bit different to the traditional earlier-stage oil and gas investments around.

Hello Share Touchers. The medical world is going to keep on expanding as new cures and treatments come on the market in the wake of huge scientific advances these days. I once wrote articles for a big global company on efforts to defeat the common cold. I also wrote a popular book on the subject, called Attishoo.

A trading update for the six months ended 31st July 2016 from Card Factory (CARD) notes “we remain as convinced as ever of the strong growth prospects for the business”, though describes a trading performance “lower than our normal levels”. Hmmm...

It’s been three months since I covered Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Corporation (CCH), the Greek-International bottling company with a monopoly on selling Coke in Eastern Europe, the Eastern Med, Russia and Nigeria.

Marketing services group, St Ives (SIV) has made a “Trading Statement” announcement including that results for its year ended 29th July 2016 “are expected to be in line with current market expectations” - and the shares are currently approaching 24.5% higher, at 122.25p, in response. Hmmm…

Firstly I have a problem with my box set of "The Omen" and ask for your help. I then discuss in light of today's three legal scoops with documents falling into my paws ( Strat Aero - HERE, Iofina - HERE and Golden Saint Resources - HERE) the 3Xs who help investigative journalists do their job and my encounters with all three on Quindell and other cases. At a company level I look at: Card factory (CARD), Iofina (IOF), Noricum Gold (NMG), Avanti Communications (AVN) and xCite Energy (XEL) and i also discuss why Cloudtag (CTAG) shareholders are like a swarm of wasps and what that means.  

Is this the reason that Cyril d'Silva quit as boss of AIM POS Golden Saint Resources (GSR) on 10 February 2016 - a court judgement against him in Singapore for £1.6 million plus interest from 27 January 2016.

I previously concluded on John Lewis of Hungerford plc (JLH) that it was not a surprise, considering the track record and earnings performance and balance sheet position the latest results show, that the shares were further lower at 0.95p. The following updates with them now at 0.92p on the back of a “Showroom closures” announcement, but can investors now be more optimistic here?

AIM Rule 11 states that listed companies must notify investors via an RNS of material developments. But it seems that cash munching, drowning in debt, piece of Turkish Iofina (IOF) does not think the rules apply to it. No doubt it is aware that the Oxymorons at AIM Regulation won't enforce anything so it has opted NOT to tell you about a US legal setback on Monday.

Oh dear. Oh dear. AIM Casino bad boy Strat Aero (AERO) does not like seeing emails which show clear evidence of industrial scale fraud and market abuse appearing in public. That is the emails you can see HERE in the $20 million legal claim filed against by proud Texan Hulsey Smith. And so on Monday it went to court to stop the flow of information and to get existing articles pulled.

Hello Share Twirlers. I’m indulging myself lately by featuring a few of my picks that are doing rather well at the moment. The last one we looked at was IQE, the electronics pioneer, which has been rattling ahead after a rather poor period, when I’m glad to say, I managed to hold my nerve. Now the share seems pretty perky. Today’s success story is Avacta (AVCT).

I previously wrote on Grafenia plc (GRA) on the back of a February profit warning – noting that I hope readers heeded my previous calls to sell or avoid at much higher prices than the then 8.5p and, whilst wishing new CEO Peter Gunning the best of luck, I retained that stance on the shares - see HERE. They subsequently recovered to more than 16p, but are now back at 9.5p following a recent AGM Statement...

Heading back into the drinks business, this morning saw interim results from Central and Eastern European spirits producer Stock Spirits (STCK). This can be interpreted as another recent “busted IPO”, with the share price halving since its 2013 flotation.

Having last month requisitioned a General Meeting to seek the removal from the board of Speedy Hire (SDY) of Executive Chairman Jan Astrand and appointment of David Shearer, the largest shareholder in the company has now further hit out...

This is my fifth attempt to record a bearcast. I am plagued by idle thieving scousers and that included Doc Holiday today and by a delivery man - is that the Omen Box set or something the Mrs has ordered? I discuss the poisonous legacy of debt Mark Carney leaves everywhere then Nyota (NYO), Trafalgar New Homes (TRAF), Billing Services (BILL) - tough luck my old pal Jim Mellon another debacle - Strat Aero (AER) and XCite Energy (XEL) and than a useless factoid on "The Omen." 

Time and time again this year Cloudtag (CTAG) has been able to raise funds at a small premium to the prevailing mid. It did so again today raising £580,000 at 5.8p, a 5.45% premium to the closing price yesterday of 5.5p. Questions, questions, questions.

Noting a highly suspicious share price rise from sub 200p to more than 216.5p yesterday (or as the announcement puts it “the recent movement in the company's share price”), Entertainment One (ETO) has announced “that it has received a preliminary proposal with respect to a possible offer”, later confirming that this was from ITV. The proposal put to it has been “unanimously rejected” by the board and ITV has now also responded…

A strange exchange of emails with a Glenwick (GWIK) shareholder yesterday begs a question or two since this fellow thinks he is close to what is going on. The fellow refers to the new NED appointed yesterday, Japp Poll. I am told:

Okay the amount (just over £10,000) is not that big but why is Dr Andrew Tunks of Armadale Capital (ACP) getting a pay off at all?