In my prior analysis of Versarien’s (VRS) track record I looked at the Plastics and Graphene segment and demonstrated that Graphene sales were trivial and the Graphene businesses were hugely loss making.  In this note I have had a look at the other trading segment namely the Hard Wear and Metallic Products segment.

This really is today's bearcast despite my introduction. Thanks for the kind messages about the flooding, the waters are now recedng fast. In today's podcast I look at China and the Coronavirus and ask WHEN IQE (OQE) will warn and if that will force a discounted placing. Methinks it will. I then look at the rioles of brokers (does research mean anything)? and Nomads (rules on quitting) in general and specifically in relation to Versarien (FRAUD). Then I discussa crazed TW hater and Optibiotix (OPTI) and how ultimately all comment on a company cannot determine its real value. In that vein I also look at Novacyt (NCYT) before finally looking at the worthless joke that is Conroy Gold and Natural Resources (CGNR). And I announce a fifth rogue blogger, Praise the Lord. Please donate something to the Woodlarks appeal HERE

Having previously updated in December including “we continue to face political and economic uncertainties which have contributed to a challenging first two months of the fiscal year”, though with “our business model is robust”, now an “AGM Statement” from ventilation systems and window and door hardware company Titon Holdings (TON) – and the shares currently at 87.5p, more than 20% lower…

I had been wondering what was going on at AIM-listed Conroy Gold and Natural Resources (CGNR). At the turn of the year the shares were languishing at just over 5p and raced ahead to around 15p until last Wednesday when the shares staring slipping. Of course there is no insider dealing – this is AIM after all – and surprise surprise this morning we learn of a placing and subscription to raise a poxy amount of cash to feed the electricity meter.

Subsea protection systems group Tekmar (TGP) has updated including that it “now expects that the group's earnings in FY20 will be broadly in line with those achieved in FY19”. That is with it having announced half-year adjusted earnings per share of 2.2p, comparing to -4p for the first half of the prior year and 6.2p for that full-year – and the shares are currently responding back to around 120p, more than 20% lower…

Volex (VLX) has released a “Statement Regarding Current Situation in China” – it having four manufacturing plants in China…

As tempting as it is to delve into a bit more banking sector geek maths looking at the big cost-cutting news from HSBC (HSBA) or having another go at Amigo (AMGO), which claims that a number of entities have expressed interest in buying some or all of its assets (good luck with that!), instead let us talk again about InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)…

Ariana Resources (AAU) “is pleased to announce the receipt of due diligence drilling results by Proccea Construction Co. and the proposed partner on the Salinbas gold project in Turkey” – this is in relation to a potentially exciting deal to partially monetise Salinbas and the Red Rabbit project…

Hello, Share Diggers. Recently, I suggested three shares which I thought might stand a better chance than most. One of the golden trio was City of London Investment Group (CLIG). Its latest half-year results are out, and are encouraging. The shares are up a bit as I write, but I’m not sure the penny’s still dropped yet...

A “Quarterly Update” has sparked shares in gold recovery and projects company Goldplat (GDP) – and they currently retain upwards momentum…

hey what better way to mark International Women's day than to hear an overpaid BBC nobody interview someone who  says she is " A self-confessed believer in the human spirit, she is ‘ridiculously and overwhelmingly happy with the opportunities that she has to develop and how she can play into the amazing world that we live in." Yup, you know who is back. Elsewhere in this podcast I discuss Versarien (VRS), whose Nomad DID resign, ValiRx (VAL), Sound Energy (SOU), Petra Diamonds (PDL), Novacyt (NCYT), Nostra Terra (NTOG) and Laura Ashley (ALY). I also ask you to be generous and give to a great cause today HERE

Previously writing on castings and engineering group Chamberlin (CMH), in December I questioned do contract awards justify the current approaching 90% share price rise? – concluding, with the shares at more than 40p, I’ll monitor for some sustained improved trading momentum but the financials at this juncture see me certainly continue to avoid. There’s now followed attempted no-one watching o’clock “Trading Statement”, research update and “Holding(s) in Company” announcements…

Of course it is! Muddy Waters may be laughing all the way to the bank with reference to NMC Health (NMC), but it must be kicking itself in San Francisco for having missed out on fellow good Dr Shetty outfit Finablr (FIN). The last we heard from Finablr was a week ago when the company announced that, like NMC – which has now ‘fessed up at least in part – The Company has very recently been made aware of purported arrangements between Dr BR Shetty, His Excellency Saeed Mohamed Butti Mohamed Al Qebaisi and Khaleefa Butti Omair Yousif Al Muhairi which may be relevant to their respective interests in the Company's shares. With at least 56% of the company’s shares pledged and perhaps more if similar undisclosed arrangements to the ones at NMC have been made, there is surely an urgency for the board of Finablr to get to the bottom of this.

Previously writing on homeware and fashion retailer Laura Ashley (ALY), on its latest results in August I concluded there looks much to correct – and then there is of course the current general retail climate. As such, I’m not surprised to see the shares respond currently further lower. Still presently on the bargepole list. The shares had jumped over Christmas and the New Year but are currently back below 2p on a “Response to press speculation”…

Muddy Waters must be laughing all the way to the bank right now – or it would be if Carson Block and his team were not in bed. Fully-listed NMC Health (NMC) – and a member of our elite FTSE100 (at least for now) – has announced the departure of its co-chairman and founder, the good Dr Shetty, along with two placemen appointed by principal shareholders Dr Shetty, His Excellency Mr Saeed Mohamed Butti Mohamed Khalfan Al Qebaisi and Mr Khaleefa Butti Omair Yousif Ahmed Al Muhairi. This is in addition to the departure last Friday (again with immediate effect) of the abovementioned Mr Khalifa Butti Omeir Bin Yousef as the scandal of undisclosed share pledges, sales and transfers has become marginally (but only marginally) less murky.

Today we have the shock news that Versarien (VRS) has a new Nomad. Not a better Nomad, SP Angel is clearly massively inferior to Canaccord and this begs the question whether Versarien lied to investors on February 10. I have thus written to the Oxymorons at AIM Regulation and to the FCA with a question so simple that even they should be able to answer it.

I have been kicking around the fund and wealth management industry for more than a couple of decades now and have seen plenty of business launches, deals and consolidation. The big trend at the moment - and frankly of the last little while - has been consolidation. Call it driven by cost-cutting potential, distribution realities, Mifid-II influences or the impact of the rise of passive/robo investments on the level of fees that can be charged. Anyhow, what strikes me as insightful is the price these deals are being struck at…

Yet again Versarien (VRS) has announced a change of Nomad. This cannot be interpreted as anything other than bad news.

Hello, Share Farmers. The big British banks have share prices stuck in the mud on roads which should be taking them north, but are not. And yet the compo paid out in PPI cases is nearly over. The deadline was on August 31st, 2019. Yes, that sparked off a huge number of last-minute claims, but many of those will be spurious anyway and the rest will soon be mopped up...

Looking at the chart for Pharos Energy (PHAR) I wouldn’t blame you for coming to the conclusion that it is best avoided as it has been on a steady downwards trajectory for several years and with little sign of any relief.