About six weeks ago I chatted about the future prospects for Essentra (ESNT), which is shifting from being a diversified Filters, Packaging and Components operator to “a unique business model, combining manufacturing and distribution, operating in a highly fragmented market” in just the Components area. And its ambition is “to be the world’s leading responsible hassle-free supplier of essential industrial components” and “to double revenue and triple operating profit”. It all sounds good, but does it mean the stock is still a buy or not?

Fungai Ndoro who runs Aquis listed Oscillate (MUSH) is not a bad girl but any company that invests its shareholders cash in Dev Clever (DEV) warrants must – for reasons explained HERE – be run by someone who is smoking something.  Today Oscillate has announced an RTO which makes no sense at all.

Aeorema Communications (AEO) has announced results for its year ended 30^th June 2022, noting “record revenue and profits” and that it is confident in its strengthened market position with a pipeline of event activity that sees it “solidly into 2023”.

Oh dear, oh dear. My old friend the champagne socialist Fleet Street Legend Brian Basham is a director of Net Zero Infrastructure (NZI) and was so hopeful when it listed on the (sub) Standard list at 3p last September 15^th. I warned him... and now a year later almost two thirds of the money has gone….

We’ve recently noted we’re looking for depressed precious and related metals sector sentiment to turn as the production returns still being generated at current prices become clearer and US dollar strength and interest rate hikes expectations prospectively ease. Meanwhile, Anglo Asian Mining (AAZ) recently announced “production figures remain robust, with total production of 14,309 gold equivalent ounces in the quarter” and that it “is making excellent progress on the development of its future new mines”. We see significant further recovery potential, more than 33%, from a current 88p offer price.

This is shocking, the big crypto blow up is just a fraud from top to bottom with young folks who espoused all that ESG bullshit that Malcolm and our political leaders love so much, either stealing the cash or blowing it through incompetence.  Enjoy. This will not be the last such scandal in this industry but it may be the biggest and most comical.

Imperial Brands (IMB) has announced results for its year ended 30^th September 2022 and that it is “well placed to build on our track record of delivery over the next three years, improving returns and creating sustainable growth in shareholder value”.

Previously writing on UK manufacturer of cake, bread and morning goods for both retail and foodservice Finsbury Food Group (FIF), in July I concluded that the shares were on the watchlist. So what now following an AGM trading statement?

Even Pete Brailey the most staunchest of Tory members you could ever meet says he has given up on the party after today's budget. I go through two lies Jeremy Hunt told and consider how he has screwed the poor, those of us running SMEs and is protecting super rich folks with sons at Eton with another lie.  Like Peter I shall not vote Tory next time.  Then onto a man who is not a liar, Optibiotix (OPTI) boss Steve O'Hara and the presentation he gave today which is below. I mention Skinbiotherapeutics (SBTX) and an email exchange today at this point. Then a few words on Kefi Gold & Copper (KEFI) follow then on to Argo Blockchain (ARB) which I expect to go bust next week and Ceres Power (CWR) whose valuation is still bonkers despite the shares slumping by 80% since peak ramp. 

Tekmar (TGP) has announced that a “proposal being considered represents a strategic investment from a global institutional investor in the energy sector, which would provide funding for the company to follow an ambitious plan for growth, both organically and by acquisition”. Sounds good, so what of a currently little changed circa 9.25p share price?

One of the few serious financial podcasters who swears more than me is Chris Irons, aka Quoth the raven. His latest soundings on gold and shitcoins are music to my ears.

Oh dear, oh dear, more bad news from the green pipedreams, slurp the jam tomorrow and forget about the bonkers valuation sector. Today it is Ceres Power (CWR) an AIM listed company repeatedly recommended by our own in-house Guardian reading eco-Warrior Malcolm Stacey but red flagged by  myself and Peter Brailey. Its shares are down by 65% year to date and by c80% since February 2021, the peak of the green bubble madness.

Even though I have held shares in Burberry (BRBY) for a while now, I must admit it is not as if I have many of its trench coats, leather accessories and footwear products in my wardrobes. In fact, I have none at all. Historically that was because I failed to be enough of a chav earlier this century (and stylistically I was naturally a bit more stuck in the C&A 1980s). However, you live and learn as you get a bit older. So, was it good news to hear the new(ish) CEO observe today that his big plan was to focus on being a “modern British luxury” company?

Describing itself as “a pioneer in solid-state battery technology”, Ilika plc (IKA) has issued an update following its half-year ended 31st October 2022 including that “M300 product qualification is now expected to complete in Q2 calendar year 2023… ramp-up is now expected to take five years to reach capacity of the UK manufacturing facility”. What does it mean financially?

So far this year 4 NEDS and the FD have departed from Guild E-Sports (GILD). Now one of the NEDs who came onboard on March 31 as others left has walked and the CEO has replaced the chump who floated this crock just over two tears ago. What next for a company now running on vapours?

Once again blame those chaps in Texas – as well as Darren – for the delay. Put the kettle on, write your score in the comments, there are no prizes, and most important of all – no Googling! 

Horizonte Minerals (HZM) has issued a quarterly update and results, including emphasising “Araguaia construction running in line with project execution schedule” and “Feasibility Study contract awarded to Wood plc for Vermelho nickel-cobalt project”. It sounds like good progress here then.

There is a film in which my Great Aunt starred where there is singing in Welsh. She is the lady on the right in the first scene below. Anyhow I start today's podcast singing to you in Welsh for reasons I explain. Then it is onto Carson Block and Pantheon Resources (PANR), Carnival (CCL), BSF Enterprise (BSFA), Tern (TERN), nanosynth (NNN), Versarien (VRS) and the comedy at Deliveroo (ROO) which still has to be a short does it not?

Describing itself as “a leading developer of radiation and bio-detection technology solutions for the advanced imaging and CBRN detection segments”, Kromek Group (KMK) has announced “Award of £5m bio-threat contract by UK Government”. It emphasises that it is “delighted to have been awarded this contract… Governments throughout the world are reviewing their strategies to update their defence against such threats. We believe technologies that can provide information about emerging threats in near real time will be a critical component of such strategies”, but what of a share price currently above 9p in response, approaching 12% higher?

Well I guess it is not quite so funny if you are a shareholder but this acquisition – now – rreversed – has destroyed Ince Group (INCE) as a credible investment. I was urged by the company’s PR to tip the stock but, according to some folks, that really would have been a kiss of death and anyhow it was self-destroying – as I predicted – without my endorsement.