Victor Meldrew

3498 days ago

Cupid – Dismal Interims

Interim results from Cupid (CUP) were predictably disastrous and show why it had to see its dodgy Ukrainian dating businesses. In part that was because, despite the KPMG whitewash they were clearly engaged in unethical practises. But Cupid also needed the cash.

What remains are some fairly dull UK websites where customers are leaving on drives and not coming back. I sense that the model that works for dating now is free to access and advertising based. Subscription websites like those of Cupid are a busted model. Hence ales from the ongoing operations slumped from £9.4 million to £7.2 million in the half calendar year. The company may witter on about new site launches but that’s a Victor Meldrew for me…I just don’t believe it.

3577 days ago

Avanti Communications – The “Trading Update” and Expectations – Sell

Avanti Communications (AVN) is now officially my Victor Meldrew stock: “I just do not believe it!” Last week it served up a “contract win” announcement that was utterly incredible. Now for this, drowning in debt, needs to raise equity Company we turn to the mystery of the full year trading statement.

Back in 2013 the statement covering the 12 months to 30^th June came out on 12^th July and generally well run companies follow a fairly similar year in year out routine. But this is not a well-run company it is Avanti. So there was no trading statement.

3577 days ago

Avanti Communications: Ramp, ramp, pump ramp – er Moody downgrade & when is the placing boyo?

Another day and another “contract win” announced by Avanti Communications (AVN) – natch the value is undisclosed. Friday’s Victor Meldrew “contract win” was – as I explained HERE – very peculiar indeed. And the directors are all making small share purchases. Its ramp ramp ramp time because Avanti desperately needs to do a placing.

Let’s start with the director share purchases so proudly trumpeted by arch bombast and uber-Welsh CEO David Williams. Well so what boyo? What about Caledonia? Caledonia who you say?

3650 days ago

Iofina: "I don't believe it"

Iofina (IOF) makes me think of the actor Richard Wilson, aka Victor Meldrew. Firstly it permanently has one foot in the grave. And secondly I just don't believe it! Its RNS statements are the biggest joke on the AIM Cesspit, a point I shall be making to AIM regulation and the FCA again this afternoon. As a reminder