Long Portfolio

3807 days ago

Good News from Avesco - still a buy

Avesco Group (AVS), the international provider of services to the corporate presentation, entertainment and broadcast markets, has announced results for the six months ended 31st March 2014 and that “full year results are likely to exceed the board's prior expectations”

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3853 days ago

Minoan – a few Thoughts from Greece

I have not written about AIM listed Minoan (MIN) for a few weeks but my recent Greek trip prompts me to make a couple of observations. Bullish ones for the record.

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4000 days ago

Trade Number 7 in my ETX Christmas trading challenge with Steve Moore – Range Resources shock

This is going to shock, horrify and stun you. My seventh trade in my Christmas ETX Trading Challenge with Steve Moore is to buy Aussie oil explorer Range Resources (RRL) at 1.28p at £60 a penny. “What the Castlemaine xxxx” I hear you say, are you not a mega bear?

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4027 days ago

Buy Fox Marble at a 17.5p offer price

Why are you guys not tipping a raft of bombed out mining stocks? Well we are not sure that things have bottomed out quite yet. There is no rush to fill the gold portfolio on our Nifty Fifty site ( although – amazingly) we are only 1% down over a year on gold stocks. Fox Marble (FOX) is classified as a mining stock on AIM but I’d view it as a building materials sector play. 

It produces marble – the price of which is far more predictable than, say, gold.  It is not a cash cow yet but it will be pretty soon. It is run by a sensible and successful businessman Chris Gilbert who is modestly paid but has a big equity stake and the 2015 yield could well be close to 100%. I am not joking. The stock is a buy at an offer price of 17.5p with a two year target price of 60p.

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4031 days ago

Amara Mining - Cute deal

Gold developer-producer in West Africa, Amara Mining (AMA) has announced that it has entered into a agreement to acquire $10 million cash, a drilling operation and three Liberian exploration licences for 51,846,782 new Amara shares (ostensibly $11 million).  It is a cute deal. 

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4039 days ago

Buy Advanced Computer Software at 89.125p – target 150p

Advanced Computer Software Group (ASW), the provider of healthcare and business management software and IT services, has announced results for its half year ended 31st August 2013, noting that it is “increasingly confident about delivering another good set of full year results in line with the board's expectations.”

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4054 days ago

Lombard Interims - H2 will be stronger: buy

AIM listed Lombard Risk Management (LRM) has, for its half year ended 30th September 2013, reported a 5% decline in revenue (to £7.26 million) compared to the corresponding 2012 period and a net cash outflow before financing activities of £1.98 million, though has “continued confidence in meeting the full year revenue forecasts in the market” (£19.4 million) and states “the second half of the financial year can be expected to be appreciably cash generative”

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4069 days ago

Straight Interims - Buy

AIM listed Environmental home and garden products focused Straight plc (STT) has announced results for the first half of the 2013 calendar year, affirming that it “is in a good place to build on its achievements this year.”  As you know, I am heavily into all this green shit but ignoring my eco-friendly nature the maths stacks up – the shares are a buy.

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4121 days ago

Reach 4 Entertainment – The Big Negative Removed

We knew a three weeks ago that AIM listed  Reach4Entertainment (R4E) was trading in line and was making further progress at tackling central costs by parting company with grossly overpaid FD Shirley Stapleton. I called the stock a recovery play at 3.75p then but with one caveat. That caveat has now gone and the stock at 4.75p is a clear buy as a share tip.

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4122 days ago

Stanley Gibbons Interims - Look Forward

Leading stamps and collectibles business Stanley Gibbons (SGI) has announced results for the first half of 2013. These show an adjusted pre-tax profit of £1.61 million on revenue 17.2% higher than in the corresponding 2012 period, at £17.24 million, generating earnings per share of 5.03p, down from 6.61p. The following explains what is going on…

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4129 days ago

Leyshon Resources: on track and cheap

AIM listed China oil and gas play Leyshon Resources (LRL) has released a report covering the second quarter of 2013 - which emphasises that it remains “well placed” to continue advancing its exploration and appraisal of the Zijinshan gas project in central China. So are the shares a buy? Yes.

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4140 days ago

Reach4Entertainment FD Goes (Great news) & Trading Statement (good news)

Reach4Entertainment (R4E) the company formerly known as Pivot and before that First Artist has served up two great pieces of news today. The best is the departure of the grossly overpaid finance director Shirley Stapleton, but it gets better.

Stapleton was a legacy of the ancien regime which was marked for a central cost base which even by the standards of the AIM cesspit was bloated. Her package in 2011 was a salary of £178,000. Last year as Reach reported a small profit she trousered £175,000 plus a pension contribution of £8,000.

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4153 days ago

Ariana at 1p worth 5.51p says Edison - you sure fellows?

Do not get me wrong – I like AIM listed gold mining stock Ariana (AAU) and think that the stock is cheap at 1p but the latest research from paid for researcher Edison is, er….complete crap.

The note from uber-posh analyst Charlie Gibson kicks off with the following statement:

Ariana has announced the outcome of its final Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Kiziltepe sector of its JV Red Rabbit project.

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4153 days ago

Lombard Risk Management Corporate Governance - That's the way to do it

No this is not a boring piece about corporate Governance and the number of meetings that an Audit Committee should hold each year. Read on. I am making a valid point about the corruption on AIM.  Bear with me.

Generally I do regard the subject of corporate governance like that of the Corporate & Social Responsibility (CSR) of a PLC as an excuse for tedious people in suits to pontificate and then submit a bill to the PLC concerned. It adds no value, it hurts the bottom line and thus it costs shareholders cash. But just occasionally there is a serious issue.

The biggest failing of AIM (and indeed the LSE) in this respect is that Non-executive directors are in so many cases not independent

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4156 days ago

Stanley Gibbons – The Funny Old world of The Stamp Industry Rumour Mill

An email arrived Friday from a reader in the Stamp Industry. The Stanley Gibbons (SGI) Flagship store on the Strand was shuttered up. The world on the street was that staff of this AIM listed company were being briefed about a shock boardroom departure. Cripes… er not cripes.

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4162 days ago

Free share tip - Symphony Environmental at 4.125p

http://www.shareprophets.com/views/855/speculative-recovery-penny-share-buy-tip-symphony-environmental-at-4125p

 

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4166 days ago

Scoop: Bob Morton backs Enables IT (formerly Nexus) in £900,000 fund raise - acquisition imminent

A reliable market source tells me that legendary small cap investor Bob Morton has invested a material (if non disclosable) sum in a £900,000 fund-raising by AIM listed  Enables IT (EIT), the software business formerly known as Nexus. I understand that the funding will be at 36p and is due to be announced by the weekend.

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4184 days ago

Goldplat - Profits Warning: Buy for Income

On Monday, Goldplat (GDP), the AIM-listed African gold producer, rather disappointingly warned that “EBITDA for FY2013 is likely to be materially lower than market expectations”. I am disappointed because I had tipped the stock at a higher level. But how many gold companies issue an alert and still seem set to maintain a bumper dividend? Not a lot. And that is why this is a buying opportunity for both income seekers and those wanting gold exposure.

Although the company notes

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4186 days ago

Exclusive; Nigel Wray ( Britain's Buffett) adding to Alliance Pharma holdings and why:

Alliance Pharma (APH) is in the news today as it has announced an $11.5 million (£7.5 million) acquisition of all existing rights to the ‘Syntometrine’ drug from industry major Novartis 

We can reveal that Nigel Wray – the man known as Britain’s Buffett – has on the back of this added to his material stake in the company. Wray argues

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4187 days ago

Enables IT - Something afoot?

Shares in AIM listed tech stock Enables IT (EIT) are ahead by 15% at 40p today prompting suggestions that something is afoot. That would come as something of a relief to shareholders in the company formerly known as Nexus which has been a serial disappointer.

My enquiries

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4197 days ago

EMED: Investors are bored but should they be scared?

AIM listed wannabee copper mining stock EMED (EMED) issued a rather wordy statement on Wednesday which is on balance good news. The market has not read it that way and the shares now languish at 6.875p. It took me a good while to read through the verbage which was rather like wading through treacle. But it is not frustration with a press release that has caused the stock to fall so sharply since the statement.

The statement reads:

 

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4199 days ago

1Spatial shares to double after transformational deal

AIM listed 1Spatial (SPA) is turning into rather a good share tip in my Nifty Fifty Recovery portfolio. It joined in November at a 4p offer price. The shares are now 7.625p after an £18 million placing at 6p with a blue-chip raft of institutions and news of a very exciting acquisition. This is a game changer.

Let’s start with the placing. It was not done at a huge discount. Indeed the stock was at 6p when the roadshow started. And there are no spivvy discount brokerages on board. Merely spivvy blue chip institutions. So yes they will flip but not at 8p. At 12p they will get tempted.

1Spatial also announced that it has signed up as its new non exec deputy chairman David Richards the founder of AIM poster boy tech play WANDisco (WAND). That is a PR coup.

Now to the deal.

 

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4204 days ago

Scoop: Vatakoula to announce 15p placing as Chinese prepare to take 29.9 per cent stake

ShareProphets can exclusively reveal that AIM listed gold miner Vatakoula (VGM) has negotiated a deal whereby a major Chinese mining group will invest £4.5 million at 15p per share – this compares to a Friday share price of 6.5p.

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4225 days ago

Share tip: Buy Entertainment One

I tipped this stock at 175p to buy the other day on my Nifty Fifty premium web site but now at 184p in the middle it is still cheap – target price at least 250p. My pal Mark Slater owns this one in his funds and he explained the merits of in his presentation at the UK Investor Show on April 13th. In case you missed his talk, the slides and a video of it can be found here. The stock in question is Entertainment One (ETO)

The shares traded at more than 200p into 2012

 

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4233 days ago

Lombard Risk Management - Burying Good News

It is funny how some companies bury good news. AIM listed tech stock Lombard Risk Management (LRM) issued an RNS on Friday headlined “notice of results.” I just assumed that it stated “Lombard will issue its results on such and such a date” and as such did not bother to read the actual release. Daft old me.


In fact the statement says more than that results for the year to March 31st will be released on May 14th. It adds:

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4236 days ago

1Spatial – at near Year Highs – still a buy?

AIM listed Tech stock 1Spatial (SPA) is on a share price roll. Those who followed my advice to buy the stock at 2p on 12th September owe me a tub of salted caramel ice cream as the shares are now at 8.875p valuing the company at a shade under £30 million. So what next?

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4248 days ago

Domino's Pizza - Cracking Trading Statement

Domino’s Pizza (DOM) has served up a truly cracking trading statement covering the 13 week period to 31st March. It looks as appetising as a large pepperoni passion with extra jalapeno peppers on its own but when compared to prior statements it looks truly outstanding. The company says that its start to the year has been “solid”. It understates the case.

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4250 days ago

Cairn Energy: Heavy Boardroom buying worth noting

I reviewed FTSE 250 oil and gas explorer and developer Cairn Energy (CNE) on 19th March when it released calendar 2012 results. The shares have subsequently drifted back slightly, to my surprise as I see real value here, but there has been some interesting recent boardroom interest in the shares which I take to mean that I am not alone in my analysis. Those who really should know agree.

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4251 days ago

Heritage Oil Farm in Deals – Interesting

Shares in FTSE-250 explorer and producer Heritage Oil (HOIL) have gained 50% in nine months having fallen below 120p in June 2012 to a current 180p, again nudging higher at the time of writing today on the back of an agreement to farm-in to two licences onshore Papua New Guinea. However, having traded above 200p earlier this year, the following reviews today’s announcement and whether there is still value on offer with Tony Buckingham’s company.

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4253 days ago

PR prude Kay Larsen does not want me writing this but shares in Advanced Computer Software are a strong buy

Kay Larsen is the PR bird at College Group PR who believes that she has a right to say how and where her client – AIM listed Advanced Computer Software Group (LSE:ASW) is covered. Furthermore she has accused me of hosting pornography on www.TomWinnifrith.com and claims ( falsely) that I accused a Welsh company of being sheep shaggers. Kay is a keen google user and does not like it that her clients (or presumably) her name now comes up next to images she finds innapropriate and now in the same google searches as pornography, sheep shagging etc. Kay does not want me writing about AIM listed Advanced Computer Software (LSE:ASW) at all as she would rather that only serious journalists who she approves of write about her clients in a way that she approves of. I describe the curious post lunch rantings of Kay and her vision of how she gets to dictate who writes about her clients and in what manner here.

But since Kay enjoys seeing on google what words come up when I mention College group PR, herself and Advanced Computer Software, I should make it clear that today I have not watched any live streaming teenage lesbian videos but that there is a lot of computer software that allows you to do that including many streaming feeds with college group scenes in them.

Happy Kay? I have tried to help google by getting all the key tag words from this piece in.

Now back to serious matters at hand. Advanced Computer Software is quite simply the best run tech stock on AIM.

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4255 days ago

Enables IT (formerly Nexus) Upbeat AGM statement sets the platform

Enables IT (LSE:EIT) the AIM listed provider of network and IT solutions, has served up a pre-Easter AGM statement which is confident and appears to show that this could well be a great recovery play for 2013-15. Noting that there have also been some very hefty director share purchases of late, it is not surprising that the shares have moved ahead to 33.5p valuing the business at £5.31 million

Enables IT was a private business that engineered a reverse takeover of Nexus (LSE:NXS) last autumn as I described at the time, asking the valid question as to Enables would be any less of a dog than Nexus?
It is clear that Enables is different

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4256 days ago

S&U Full Year Numbers – look at the dividend flows

Shares in fully-listed S&U plc (LSE:SUS), the niche home credit and motor finance provider in the UK was a stock that I tipped on my Nifty Fifty service at an offer price of 839.5p in November. Following the publication of results the other day they now trade at 975p-1020p. The spread is wide enough to drive one of mad Ken Livingstone’s bendy buses through but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. But at this price? Look at the dividends.

The chairman of S&U is Anthony Coombs a former Tory MP who is far too much of a real Conservative to have much to do with Call Me Dave’s hapless Government. And thus Coombs starts his comment on S&U’s results with the observation that

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4257 days ago

Silverdell – pure gold or fool’s gold?

Shares in specialist AIM listed environmental support services company Silverdell (LSE:SID) have fallen back since reaching above 20p in late February to a current 16.875p. These were shares I first recommended as a share tip at 12.75p last year so I am ahead but is the share price slide telling us something?

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4258 days ago

ASOS – Evil Knievil STILL Wrong to short the shares at 3,334p + College Group PR, sheep shagging and pornography

Some folks think that I am the lackey of bear raider Evil Knievil, writing to order to suit his needs. Au contraire. He does not work for me and vice versa and given how insufferable the old boy can be when he gets it right, I – like many – take a perverse pleasure when one of his short positions sees his financial toes roasted close to the fire. And online retail giant ASOS (LSE:ASC) has roasted Evil badly over the years. He has been short for much of its meteoric rise and he is still short with the shares at 3,334p – he will carry on getting burned.

I write this totally objective comment on ASOS even though it uses as its PR form College Group which I appear to be having a bit of a battle with as of this afternoon. To read about Kay Larsen PR prude at College Group PR, Pornography, Cheryl Cole, sheep shagging and Advanced Computer Software click HERE

Moving on from the prude to the bear. Cawkwell (that is to say Evil Knievil) has always been of the view that ASOS shares trade on too high a PE because at some stage the earnings growth rate will slip. So far it has not happened and I guess it will have cost him several hundreds of thousands of pounds. It will cost him more.

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4259 days ago

Shanta – time to call it quits?

Shares in AIM listed Tanzania gold miner Shanta Gold (LSE:SHG) have not covered me in glory. It has not been a disastrous share tip but it would be a lie to say that the stock has flown. I did have hopes of lift off as the shares reached 24p in January but today they sit at 18.375p, a stock becalmed in a sector unloved. Does that mean that it is time to call it quits?

Steve Moore and I first recommended these shares at 21.5p in July 2011 back in our days on t1ps.com and the journey since has been far from smooth. My first post tips analysis was still a bullish one and much of what I said then still stands today – you can see that analysis here.

Admittedly

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4260 days ago

Chaarat Gold – On balance positive update but read the small print

AIM listed wannabee gold miner Chaarat Gold (LSE:CGH) has issued an update on its operations in the Kyrgyz Republic which is – on balance – very encouraging but hidden at the bottom of the text are a couple of minor blemishes. On balance it supports the very strong buy case but it is worth reading the whole statement.

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4264 days ago

Ariana could be worth 6.31p says Edison - shares now 1.425p

I have always had a soft spot for AIM listed Turkish explorer Ariana Resources (LSE:AAU). Its management team do not take the piss on salaries and battle on showing grim determination to deliver and perhaps things are starting to go the way of Kerim Sener and his team. The newsflow of late has been positive. I reprint below a research report from Edison. Okay, this is commissioned research but it stacks up.

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4265 days ago

Buy Cairn Energy - look at the asset backing

Cairn Energy (CNE) served up calendar 2012 results today and as oil and gas companies go this has to be the easiest stock going to analyse - it looks a nil brainer if dull share tip. What I refer to is the clear tangible net asset backing. At 279.4p the market capitalisation is £1.693 billion but have a look at the asset backing.

The 2012 numbers are pretty irrelevant. The highlight of the year was a return of $3.5 billion to shareholders following Cairn’s sell down of its stake in Cairn India, which is listed in India. For what it is worth the profit after tax was $73 million. This is all a far cry from my days as a graduate trainee oil analyst in the early nineties when the company’s house broker, for whom I then worked, put out a note on Cairn at 7p headlined “not bust yet.”

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4266 days ago

Buy Soco International at 399p

FTSE 250 listed oil Production Company Soco (SIA) operates in some pretty exotic locations – its production is in Vietnam and its exploration assets are in the sort of African hell holes you’d send your mother-in-law on holiday to. But the financial footing of the company is rock solid as calendar 2012 results published on 11th march make clear. Among the mid-cap oil explorers this shines out by dint of its cash backing and cash generation. This is not something discounted in a 399p share price and the shares should be bought as part of a balanced portfolio of oil producers. This is a safety first share tip but it is interesting.

Net income in 2012 came in a shade below forecast at $207 million – but that still represented a 34% increase on 2011. But cash is what I am looking at here and cashflow from operations was ahead of forecast at $335 million leaving year end cash at $259 million.

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4270 days ago

Anglesey Mining – Comment on Labrador Tata link up

Shares in fully listed mining group Anglesey (LSE:LIM) have bounced sharply to 9.375p, valuing it at £15 million, on the back of news that TSX listed Labrador Iron Mines in which it holds a 15% stake has signed a link up with Indian giant Tata. LIM’s shares have bounced on the move to 75 cents valuing the Anglesey holding at just over £9 million. So is this the start of a big rebound.

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4272 days ago

Chatting to Nigel Wray – Telecom Plus still a buy

Known as Britain’s Buffett, Nigel Wray is one of the UK’s most successful investors of the past three decades. I wrote last week about how he had sold £25 million shares in Domino’s Pizza (DOM) at 525p (share he paid 36p for). I am not sure that Wray was right to sell then but you cannot really argue with such a Master Investor. Wray’s only other holding in a FTSE 250 listed stock is Telecom Plus (TEP) – which, since my last article has published an in-line trading statement.

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4274 days ago

Cupid: Great Results and Massive Director Buy yet shares tank – what’s up (or down?)

Shares in Cupid (LSE:CUP), the AIM-listed online dating business have tanked since some unhelpful media coverage in January. But calendar 2012 results last week should have silenced the critics. They did not. Neither did the CEO splashing out c£1 million to buy 865,000 shares at 114p. This is bizarre. What is going on?

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4276 days ago

Minera IRL - is it worth hanging on for the bounce?

Shares in AIM, Canada and Peru listed Minera IRL (LSE:MIRL) commenced 2013 at more than 50p but currently trade down at 43p – capitalising this Latin America focused gold miner at just below £75 million. This has not been one of my greatest tip from my t1ps.com days (I tipped it at 69p) so what to do now.

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4277 days ago

Dominos Pizza - should you follow Nigel Wray and sell?

I wrote positively towards the end of last month on then just released 2012 results from Domino’s Pizza Group (DOM) – commenting that “as a core mid cap growth and income holding the company continues not to put a foot wrong and at 525p the shares remain undervalued”. However, a couple of days later the company announced significant share sales by non-executive Chairman, Stephen Hemsley, and non-executive director Nigel Wray. Despite this the shares are now 573p. So should you follow Hemsley and my old friend Wray and sell a few?

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4279 days ago

Orosur Mining – a speculative buy?

Orosur Mining (LSE:OMI), the AIM and Canada listed, South America focused gold producer and explorer much beloved by my fat friend Evil Knievil, last month announced the completion of a development that “will enable the company to access higher grade transverse stope ore at Arenal Deeps for the first time in the last quarter of the financial year ending 31 May 2013”. That seems like good news yet the shares now trade at lows not seen since 2010 – a current 32.125p share price capitalising the company at little more than £25 million.

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4281 days ago

Goldman Sachs: Northern Petroleum Upgraded to Conviction Buy at 56p – target price 121p

I just happen to have this broker report in my inbox. I agree with its conclusion. And so here goes mightly Goldman Sachs on tiny AIM listed oil stock Northern Petroleum (LSE:NOP).

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4283 days ago

Leyshon Resources: New Meeting with MD Paul Atherley

I met up with Paul Atherley, the CEO of AIM listed Leyshon Resources (LSE: LRL) for a brief chat on Wednesday. It came on the heels of a trading statement the other day and a few points came out of that chat.

Leyshon is a rare beast on AIM in that it lays out its plans, stocks to them and delivers. Well it has done so to date. And it has been a cracking share tip for me on my Nifty Fifty website.

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4284 days ago

IQE - Cheap as chips

In November I commented that shares in AIM-listed IQE plc (LSE: IQE) – a company headquartered in a land where no-one has ever, ever molested a sheep which provides products and services to the global semiconductor industry – remained a buy at a then 28.75p share price. By the middle of this month the shares were trading at 36.5p but they fell back significantly at the end of last week and currently trade at 28.25p. The following reviews the reasons why the shares were sold off and my stance here.

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4284 days ago

Medusa Mining Buy at 300p – target 400p

London and Australia-listed, Philippines-focused gold producer Medusa Mining (LSE: MML) is a top multi-bagging share tip from my past life at t1ps and I commented that I again thought the shares were cheap in an article last month. Following recent interim results, the following is my current take…

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4284 days ago

Reach4Entertainment Share Price to Double – First Columbus

Broker First Columbus has today initiated its coverage of theatre group Reach4Entertainment (LSE:R4E) with a buy stance at 4.9p and a target price of 10p. That may be on the cautious side. It is clear that Reach has stabilised and is out of the critical ward and on the recovery path something the broker note on this AIM listed company makes clear.

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4286 days ago

Domino's Pizza: Impressive 2012 results and growth on track

FTSE 250 listed Domino’s Pizza (DOM) has announced its results for the 53 weeks to 30th December 2012 and there were no great surprises – what news there was seemed to be positive. As a core mid cap growth and income holding the company continues not to put a foot wrong and at 525p the shares remain undervalued.

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4287 days ago

Buy Britvic at 425p - target 519p

It has been an eventful month for FTSE 250 listed Britvic (BVIC) the producer of soft and fizzy drinks. On the upside the company served up a pretty decent trading statement on the 13th February. On the downside, a day later, its proposed takeover of AG Barr was derailed by a reference to the Competition Commission. Amid all the drama and excitement around St Valentine’s day there sits at the centre a solid growth story which is undervalued by the market. There is a decent capital gain to be enjoyed here for the patient investor with the added attraction of a 4.2% yield. This looks a safe enough share tip.

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4290 days ago

Bovis – The Good News is More than Discounted – Sell

January was a good month for FTSE 250 listed housebuilder Bovis (BVS) – an upbeat trading statement on the 18th was followed by news on the 30th that it had extended its £150 million debt facility for three more years. Not that it needs to borrow as it has net cash. However the shares have enjoyed a terrific run, from 400p last June to 674.5p, which values the firm at £897 million and the good news is more than discounted.

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4291 days ago

Bellzone ..Good News but the shares are down? A problem?

Two months ago shares in Bellzone Mining (BZM) were steaming ahead as all iron ore stocks made stellar on hopes on a surge in Chinese demand and a consequent increase in iron ore prices during 2013. Some of that euphoria has now evaporated and with Bellzone itself serving up mixed news the shares have slipped by 2p to 14p since the start of the year. This still values the company at £102 million but to lose 12.5% of your market value in less than seven weeks is a little un-nerving. So is it time to cut and run?

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4292 days ago

Norseman Gold – Well It is not Over yet

There were those who wrote AIM and ASX listed gold miner Norseman Gold (LSE:NGL) off as an investment. That may still prove to be accurate. This has been a sorry tale and one which has made many of us, myself included, look like total prats. But we are not at write-off as yet as a statement from the gold mining stock of 20th February made clear.

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4292 days ago

Printing.com - Profits warning

I last wrote on AIM-listed printing company Printing.com (LSE: PDC) following its interim results in November. The shares then traded at 32p, but are currently down at 28.25p following the company announcing today that softer than anticipated European trading and increased marketing expenditure on new initiatives mean “that it is now likely that the company will be materially behind market expectations in the current year”. Oh dear. The following is my updated view…

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4292 days ago

Guest Post: Zak Mir on Avanti Communications - target 360p

I have no idea what the following gobbldeygook from my old friend Zak Mir means but I gather it is called Technical Analysis. But he seems to think that shares in Avanti are going up. I agree. But for the life of me I have no idea what Zak is on about. The great man writes…

It would appear that Avanti Communications is something of a Marmite company in the sense that traders seem to either love it or hate it – especially in terms of the fundamentals. This concept is represented quite well by the price action trace over the past year as it shows wild swings for the share price either side of the 200 day moving average currently at 340p. In fact, at either end of the range we have seen sharp bull and bear traps making any predictions regarding this stock fraught with danger.

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4293 days ago

EMED Mining: New technical report, target price cut and house broker flags that it will follow – shares still a buy

Landing on my desk on 18th February is a note on EMED (EMED) , the company planning to bring the Rio Tinto copper mine in Spain back to life, prepared by its house broker Fox Davies. The house or “shop” is meant to be closer than anyone to a quoted company and thus its take on a new technical report on Rio Tinto is interesting, if not entirely bullish.

The company announced that independent technical expert Behre Dolbear, has completed an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Company’s Rio Tinto Copper Project. That is in the public domain. The bad news from the report comes in three forms:

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4293 days ago

Guest Post Sam Bottell: Kryso Resources - Project Delay – Share price overreacts – a buying opportunity

I spent two years working along Sam Bottell as he worked with minesite.com and oilbarrel.com and he is a good, honest and clever chap. Now that he is starting his career freelance writing as well as an organiser of the UKInvestor Show I have no hesitation in helping him along via this blog as a guest contributor. As such I bring to your attention a share tip from TradingResearch Point on Kryso Resources. Having spoken to Kryso CEO Craig Brown yesterday I agree with Sam’s conclusion. Sam writes…

Shares in Kryso Resources (KYS) are off by 7% today after it announced that it would not complete the construction of its Pakrut gold mine in Tajikistan by March 2014 as previously scheduled and that a new completion date would be announced “in due course”. The company has spoken and the market has over-reacted.

The project has been delayed by a few months but work is now on track albeit a few months behind schedule. There is even the possibility of a catch up occurring if additional resources are brought in. The delay (which will be just a few months) does not create any cashflow issues for Kryso; and for a mine with a 14 year estimated life (and it could be longer) a delay of three or four months really does not make a jot of difference to any DCF valuation. The fact that Kryso operates in Tajikistan which some might consider a more exotic location might add to the way that investors have been un-nerved but I view this as a buying opportunity.

The maths are not complex

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4294 days ago

Advanced Computer Software – Does a £44 million placing make any sense?

Advanced Computer Software (ASW), arguably the best run buy and build software services group in London, has announced a £44 million placing at 80p. Post the completion of that placing Advanced will have (according to its house broker) net cash of £42 million and credit lines available to it of £74 million to make acquisitions. But in the absence of such deals on the table right now, the issue is dilutive so are investors buying a pig in a poke?

According to the house broker Arden Partners, if Advanced’s CEO Vin Murria makes no acquisitions the effect on earnings per share of this placing is to reduce the February 28th 2014 forecast from 4.9p to 4.5p and the 2015 forecast from 5.2p to 4.7p. Arden forecasts earnings of 4.5p this year ( up from 4.2p last). But to assume such numbers is to bet against Murria who, quite simply, has the best track record in buy and build in UK software services. She is a bird worth backing and following.

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4294 days ago

Shanta Gold – Shares down but look at shareholder list movements: value Unchanged

It makes no fundamental difference to the inherent value of a company who is, or is not, on the shareholder list. Companies huff and puff about “establishing a solid institutional following” but with few fund managers delivering exceptional returns , it should not normally concern you who is in or out. But just occasionally a buyer of note emerges. And followers of Shanta Gold (SHG) should note the latest addition to the Shanta list with some interest. It is good news.

Not that this is reflected in the share price. With gold having suffered a mini-sell off in recent weeks, few of the mid cap stocks have seen their shares move the right way. Shanta today trades at 20.75p to buy

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4297 days ago

Guest Post: Steve Moore on Wales based IQE

Steve Moore and I worked together at t1ps.com ever since he left University. He is a very talented young analyst and a man of utter principle which is why he quit t1ps. He is now working with my on my Nifty Fifty websital but also writing off his own bat and I am keen to support that. Apart from anything else he talks a lot of sense. As such I bring you a piece he has published on Wales based IQE – natch I agree with him Steve writes…

Shares in AIM-listed IQE plc (IQE), a manufacturer and supplier of bespoke semiconductor wafers to the major chip manufacturing companies, which then use them to make the chips which form the key components of high technology systems, were recommended on the Nifty Fifty website in December at a 28.5p offer price and I also wrote them up last month on the One Free ShareTip offering with the shares then at 34.25p. Now at 35.75p – 36p, meaning a market cap of more than £230 million, the following reviews the investment case here…

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4298 days ago

EMED: On the Cusp of Delivery

While many base metals stocks have pushed ahead sharply during the past few weeks on the back of hopes of a rebound in Chinese demand, AIM and TSX listed EMED (EMED) has made steady gains on the basis that its agonisingly protracted attempts to restart production and it Spanish Rio Tinto copper mine will finally get the requisite regulatory clearance. The most recent quarterly statement (on January 16th) indicated that all was on track and that has seen the shares move ahead to 12.75p, valuing the company at £164 million. However, I still expect the shares to treble from here on a two year view.

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4298 days ago

Guest Post: Sam Bottell - Pan African is a buy

I spent two years working along Sam Bottell as he worked with minesite.com and oilbarrel.com and he is a good, honest and clever chap. Now that he is starting his career freelance writing as well as an organiser of the UKInvestor Show I have no hesitation in helping him along via this blog as a guest contributor. As such I bring to your attention a share tip from TradingResearch Point on Pan African Resources. For what it is worth I agree with his conclusion!

South African gold miner Pan African Resources (PAF) has reported its results for the six months to 31 December 2012 and they are somewhat disappointing but do not affect the strong long term buy case. The shares have dipped to 18.75p on the numbers which makes for an attractive entry point.

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4299 days ago

London Capital – Saved by Bid Approaches ( flushed out by insider dealing): sell

London Capital (LSE:LCG) was not one of my more inspired share tip ideas of the Autumn. I rated them as a speculative buy on October 23rd at 52p. The company rewarded my faith and hot share tip with yet another profits warning pre Christmas. Worryingly net cash at the year-end was down to £20 million. Given that much of that is tied up as regulatory capital I can only contemplate what the actual free cash position is and despite cutting its costs, depressed market conditions mean that it is still losing money

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4300 days ago

ILX - Acquisition

In December I upgraded my stance on AIM-listed provider of e-learning software and business training ILX Group (LSE: ILX) to ‘speculative buy’ on the back of the moves being made by new executive chairman/interim CEO Wayne Bos. These continued yesterday with the announcement of a partnership with, and option to acquire, CareShield Ltd, described as “the UK’s leading provider of online learning specific to the health and social care sector”. The following updates my view on that share tip here…

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4300 days ago

Guest post: Zak Mir says EMED to jump from 13p to 20p

Of course all charting/ technical analysis is hogwash but now and again I humour my old pal Zak Mir by bringing you a snippet of his work. On EMED my target price is 38p but Zak seems to think the shares should race ahead to 20p. That would be a start. Here is his share tip – not from t1ps.com natch.

As can be seen from the daily chart of EMED Mining over the past couple of years, we have been treated very rough ride terms of the noisy price action. But the most painful part of the journey could be described as that seen this time last year when the stock jumped from below 8p up to 16p and then back again. It could be argued that for Bulls of the stock to have survived that kind of experience, really would underline their loyalty / blind faith as far as the company is concerned. At least on the back of the early 2012 white knuckle ride it is evident how since May last year despite all the volatility, a rising trendline has been put in place by the shares one that currently runs level with the key 200 day moving average at 10p.

Indeed, the most obvious thing to do is to draw a parallel trendline to this multi-tested 2011′s support line in order to discover what the likely upside here could be – a likely 2 to 3 month price target at 20p for the stock. Indeed, it may be achieved even sooner than this suggested timeframe as yesterday’s 13p low at former post-July resistance remains in place as the fresh support for the stock.

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4301 days ago

Guest Post: Steve Moore on Telecom Plus

Steve Moore and I worked together at t1ps.com ever since he left University. He is a very talented young analyst and a man of utter principle which is why he quit t1ps. He is now working with my on my Nifty Fifty websital but also writing off his own bat and I am keen to support that. Apart from anything else he talks a lot of sense. As such I bring you a piece he has published on Telecom PLus ( I agree with his conclusion, natch). Steve writes…

Telecom Plus (TEP), which trades as the Utility Warehouse and supplies a range of utility services (gas, electricity, fixed line telephony, mobile telephony and broadband internet) to both residential and business customers in the UK, has updated that a “continuing strong performance” means it remains “confident of reporting full year profits in line with current consensus market expectations”. The shares trade at 980p on the back of the announcement and are up from sub 300p on a three year view and from sub 650p on a one year view. With a market cap now of approaching £700 million, the following reviews whether there looks to remain value in the shares…

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4301 days ago

Cupid – Share Price Comment: Riposte to Aubrey Brocklebank

Shares in Cupid (LSE:CUP) have plunged in recent days. Belatedly the company issued a statement at noon on Friday which should have stopped the sell-off. It did not. Hmmm. The shares now trade at 135.25p valuing the business at £113 million.

The statement reads:

“Cupid plc notes the movement in its share price; the Company knows of no material reason for the movement. The Group confirms it is trading in line with expectations and that at the year end had approximately £14m cash on its balance sheet. As previously announced, the Group will be issuing its full year 2012 results on 5 March 2013.

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4303 days ago

Guest Post: Sam Bottell on Aquarius Platinum

I spent two years working along Sam Bottell as he worked with minesite.com and oilbarrel.com and he is a good, honest and clever chap. Now that he is starting his career freelance writing as well as an organiser of the UKInvestor Show I have no hesitation in helping him along via this blog as a guest contributor. As such I bring to your attention a share tip from TradingResearch Point on Aquarius Platinum I agree with his conclusion.

It is no surprise that results from Aquarius Platinum (AQP) for the six months to 31st December were poor. That was well flagged. The shares actually moved ahead on the numbers and that is down to the statement which contained a number of gems which indicate that the shares are materially undervalued.

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4304 days ago

WANdisco Product Launch – Use Euphoria to Top Slice

Shares in AIM listed big data provider WANdisco (WAND) have raced ahead by 62.5p today on the back of a new product launch. For those who followed my advice to have a nibble at 493p on the bacvk of the hot January 6th share tip the reward is pretty clear. That WANdisco is making progress is without doubt but are we all getting a bit ahead of ourselves?

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4304 days ago

Guest Post: Steve Moore on S&U

Steve Moore and I worked together at t1ps.com ever since he left University. He is a very talented young analyst and a man of utter principle which is why he quit t1ps. He is now working with my on my Nifty Fifty websital but also writing off his own bat and I am keen to support that. Apart from anything else he talks a lot of sense. As such I bring you a piece he published on S&U (provider of credit to council house dwelers) today. The Nifty Fifty editorial team feel pretty good about this share tip so far. Steve writes…

Shares in fully-listed S&U plc (SUS) were added to the Income portfolio of the Nifty Fifty offering at an 839.5p offer price in November. Following a positive year-end trading statement today, they currently trade up at 960p, capitalising this home credit and motor finance provider throughout England, Wales and Scotland at approaching £113 million. The following reviews today’s announcement and asks whether there remains value here…

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4311 days ago

Randall & Quilter Trading Statement - Buy for Income

I recommended shares in AIM-listed specialist non-life insurance investor, service provider and underwriting manager, Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings (RQIH) at 127.5p in July 2011 on t1ps, the website I founded and edited for more than 12 years, delivering an average gain per tip of 42.7%, before departing last September to set up the Nifty Fifty offering. These shares have yet to really perform – but having commenced 2013 at 106p, they currently trade at 119.5p following a trading update today. The following reviews this and offers my updated view…

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4311 days ago

Medusa Mining output guidance pared – a reason to sell?

I commented previously on London and Australia-listed, Philippines-focused gold producer Medusa Mining (MML) earlier this month. Earlier this week the shares suffered a bit of a setback on the company’s publication of its quarterly activity report (to end December 2012) which has spooked some investors into selling. On balance that is, in my view, a mistake.

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4312 days ago

Fox Davies: Buy Highland Gold at 112p with a 181p target

Fox Davies has published a broker research report this morning on yesterday’s H2 production numbers from AIM listed Russian gold miner Highland Gold (LSE:HGM), a stock I also favour. The note is upbeat and reads:

“Highland Gold has released its production figures for the 2H of 2012. Production for the half was 106,185oz of gold equivalent, taking production for the full year to 216,885oz of gold equivalent.

This was a good performance from Highland, beating guidance

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4313 days ago

Highland Gold Full Year Trading Statement: Buy at 114.5p target 200p

AIM-listed, Russia producing gold miner Highland Gold (HGM) has published a calendar 2012 trading update which reads very well. There was an 18% increase in group wide production to a record 216,885 ounces of gold and gold equivalents, exceeding guidance estimates of 200,000-215,000 ounces. The shares have ticked up to 114.5p on the news capitalising the company at £372.5 million. I wrote a buy share tip, at 91p, shortly before Christmas so I am already partially vindicated. But this re-rating has a lot further to go.

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4314 days ago

Plastics Capital Trading Statement: Buy

I commented positively on shares in AIM-listed niche plastics products manufacturer, Plastics Capital (PLA) in September at 66p and November at 72p. This was a big winner from my days at t1ps.com. Following a trading update today which reported that the company “continues to trade broadly in line with market expectations” and that “performance should be broadly in line with expectations over the final quarter and looking into the next financial year anticipate a year of significant progress”, the shares now trade at 79.5p. The following reviews today’s announcement and offers my remoulded take on the shares (that is a bad pun BTW)

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4314 days ago

Aquarius Platinum Quarterlies: Reiterate Buy at 62.5p target price 80p

On Christmas Eve I noted that there looked to be value in shares in main market listed Aquarius Platinum (AQP) at 55p. Earlier this month the shares hit more than 75p but currently trade at 62.25p, capitalising the company at £296 million, following the announcement today of production results for the quarter ended 31st December 2012. So is it time to bank gains and sell?

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4315 days ago

Reach4entertainment – cracking trading statement

AIM listed London and New York based theatre marketing group reach4entertainment (LSE:r4e) has today announced that a strong second half performance has seen a return to overall profit for the 2012 calendar year and that it is confident it “will continue to make progress throughout the course of the current financial year”. With the shares currently approaching 14% higher, at a 6.25p share price, on the back of the announcement the following reviews my stance here having previously suggested (at 4.75p) that there was a growing case for a small average-down speculative punt and most recently that I continued to believe it not too late to average down at 6.625p…

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4316 days ago

February SpreadBet Magazine now out with me on Port Erin Biopharma

The February issue of SpreadBet Magazine ( a free e-publication) is now out and contains – amongst other things – an article by myself on Jim Mellon’s AIM listed Port Erin Biopharma Investments (PEBI). You can download it for free by clicking on the image below.

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4318 days ago

Globo Trading Statement – Speculative Buy

AIM-listed provider of mobile, Software-as-a-Service and telecom software products and services Globo Plc (GBO) has today announced that it “has achieved a financial performance for 2012 ahead of market expectations” and that, having completed a “transformation into a truly international technology vendor in the hottest place in the technology market today”, it aims to continue doing so. With, on the back of the trading update, the shares currently more than 6% higher at 29.5p, capitalising the company at £100 million is it too late to get on board?

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4321 days ago

Cape – Dividend will be held: Buy at 228.5p for a 6.13% yield

Cape (CIU), the FTSE 250 constituent which provides essential, non-mechanical support services to the energy and mineral resources sectors had a pretty dreadful 2012. On 29th March its CEO Martin May stood down with immediate effect. Six months later we had a repeat announcement, this time it was the FD going. In between the company served up a dismal set of interim numbers, warned of a downturn in trading in Asia and took a £14 million write-off against current and estimated future losses on the Arzew LNG contract in Algeria. Frankly it could get worse. The company has already flagged that given declining margins in its Asian business it could take an enormous hit in terms of goodwill write-offs in the year end numbers as it issued a profits warning on November 12th. It all sounds pretty dreadful which is why the shares are trading at a near year low. As a contrarian investor and a value investor I see this as an opportunity.

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4322 days ago

Edison Increases Target Price on Pan African from 20.77p to 29.83p – the shares at 21p are a buy

Heck I know that this is commissioned research (i.e. paid for by the company) but analyst Charlie Gibson might be incredibly posh but he is no fool. He does know what he is talking about. And thus when I read his research I generally seem to think that his sums stack up. Today comes a note on Pan African Resources (LSE:PAF) in which Charlie increases his target price from 20.77p to 29.83p in light of the purchase of Evander. With the shares now at 21p, it is worth taking a look because Charlie also predicts a dividend of at least 0.34p per share for the year to June 30th 2013 – thus there is still upside of 43.66% on offer if he is right. And I do think he is right.

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4322 days ago

VSA: Buy Highland Gold at 106.75p – target price 175p

It is not often that I comment on broker’s notes as most are pretty worthless. Normally I post comment if I disagree violently or agree strongly. Which brings me to the VSA Resources note out today on Russian gold producer Highland Gold (LSE:HGM). The problem with gold is that it is usually found in dodgy places, Africa or Russia. Neither is exactly East Surrey in terms of political stability. VSA engaged in this debate. It writes:

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4322 days ago

Blinkx: DailyMotion deal - Buy with new 100p target

Another day and another upbeat announcement from AIM-listed blinkx plc (BLNX), which describes itself as “the world’s largest and most advanced video search engine.” Today’s news is of a partnership with Dailymotion. In itself that has not prompted analysts ( or me) to increase forecasts but it has given a greater degree of certainty on numbers currently in the market. And I sense that by the time of the prelims on May 13th we will see upgrades. The bull case is very much intact.

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4322 days ago

K3 Business Technology – Profits Warning: Reaction Overcooked?

Ahead of interim results expected in mid March, AIM listed K3 Business Technology (LSE:KBT) has, disappointingly, announced that “due to the deferral in signing certain significant retail deals, coupled with investment in the group’s Microsoft AX offering, K3 will generate pre-tax profits below current market forecasts”. This has seen the share price fall back to 112.5p. Is the reaction overcooked. I write as someone who recommended the shares at 148p before Christmas. Clearly my timing was not great.

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4322 days ago

Cupid: The scale of the buyback now becoming clear: New Forecasts and Upgrade

Online dating services group Cupid authorised a share buyback programme at its EGM on 19th December. The scale of the programme planned (and which was set to, and did, start on 7th January) was never made clear but it is now clear that it is surprisingly large. It will continue right the way through to results in March and effectively underpins the share price which remains hugely undervalued anyway. That is why the shares should be bought now as I shall explain below – I have increased my 2013 forecasts, formally introduced 2014 numbers and discuss two new target price scenarios accordingly.

As it happens I made this a share tip here at 166p the day before that EGM and so with the shares at 195p I am already looking pretty smart.

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4324 days ago

Telecom Plus: I was wrong to bank gains: Buy

Telecom Plus (TEP), now a FTSE-250 constituent, is a very successful past share tip from myself. I recommended the shares at a share price of 187.25p in January 2008 on t1ps.com, the site I founded in 2000 and ran until September when I left and set up the Nifty Fifty website. Prematurely, I banked gains at 691p in July 2011. The shares dipped below 600p that August but have since risen again, to currently trade at 975.5p, capitalising the company at more than £687 million. The following details my current view…

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4325 days ago

ASOS Trading Statement: Evil Knievil and the Bears will carry on getting burned

AIM-listed international online fashion retailer ASOS (ASC) has published a positive update on December trading – sending the share price up to £26.60, which capitalises it at more than £2.19 billion. The following reviews the trading announcement and current investment proposition from this company that great bear Evil Knievil has consistently shorted and consistently got wrong…

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4325 days ago

WANdisco Trading Statement: Good News continues but 2014 PE now 120

On 15th January AIM listed super IPO of 2012 WANdisco (LSE:WAND) served up what was a very upbeat and impressive trading statement prompting modest upgrades from its paid for research lackeys at Edison and GE&CR and sending the shares soaring ahead to a 577.5p share price. The 2014 PE ratio is now in the region of 120. On 6th January I explained why this stock was actually, a plausibly, cheap share tip at 493p although it could hardly be described as a traditional Warren Buffett style value investment.

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4326 days ago

Chaarat Gold – New Tax Regime & Hot Money going in as China investment Rumours Swirl

On 17th January AIM listed Chaarat Gold (LSE:GCH) announced that the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic had implemented a new tax code effective as of 1st January. The new system is clearer than the old offering more transparency and as it happens will benefit Chaarat when it starts producing around Christmas. Please note Call Me Dave – lower tax rates and simpler systems encourages investment and creates jobs and so creates more tax revenue. It is not hard – they get it in the Kyrgyz Republic if not in SW1. The shares were up yesterday but that has nothing to do with the tax situation out on Borat’s homeland.

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4327 days ago

Symphony Environmental Profits Warning – Ouch but discounted?

AIM-listed advanced plastics technologies company Symphony Environmental (LSE:SYM) has today announced that “revenues for the month of December were significantly less than anticipated on 5 December and as such the trading loss for the year will be materially higher than £1.1 million (previously expected)”. Unusually, the shares are currently trading slightly higher, at 3.5p, on the back of today’s announcement – though this represents a sharp decline from the 20.875p share price hit in April 2011. The following reviews today’s statement…

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4328 days ago

Shanta Gold – Getting There: Buy at 23p

It was not a good Autumn for AIM listed Shanta Gold (SHG) but the last two RNS statements from the company demonstrate that it is both soundly financed and that, at last, it is delivering operationally. The shares have always had clear latent value it is just that investors have had a number of (utterly valid) reasons for not believing. But the times they are a changing.

Four days ago came news that Shanta had tidied up its financing issues with the signing and drawdown of a $30 million loan from FBN Bank which pays interest at LIBOR plus 8% with a 2% arrangement fee. That allows Shanta to clear existing debts of $15.3 million plus cover all costs as its flagship New Luika mine ramps up production. The loan is repayable over two years with a 6 month repayment holiday and monthly instalments thereafter.

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4329 days ago

Three reasons to buy shares in Cupid Today

I have tipped shares online dating websites group Cupid (LSE:CUP) a couple of times in recent months at prices ranging from 166p to 186p – the share price is now 196.75p but there is a good reason to buy the AIM listed shares even today. In fact there are three good reasons to buy right now both deriving from the share buyback underway. Timing matters and I sense that there is some urgency here and this is why.

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4332 days ago

Goldplat – Market Over-reacts to mild profits warning – buy for bumper (safe) yield

Shares in AIM Listed gold miner Goldplat (LSE:GDP) have been hit hard by a profits warning. It is a minor profits warning and the market has over-reacted sending the shares down by 9.71% to 11.625p. At this price I believe you would be buying for a June 2013 yield of 6.9% rising to 8.6% for the year that starts in less than six months time. The market has over-reacted given how profitable Goldplat is and how much cash it has. This is a buying opportunity. The trading statement was clearly not helpful but looks at the bigger picture.

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4332 days ago

IQE: Placing, Trading Statement and Aquisition all look very good

On January 10th IQE, the Wales based supplier of advanced semiconductor wafer products and services IQE announced a $75 million ($60 million on completion and $15 million payable on the third anniversary of completion) acquisition, a £16.5 million placing of new shares with institutional investors at 29p each and a 2012 trading statement. Having tipped the stock at a 28.75p share price on this very website on November 19th -I am feeling rather smug as the spread is now 36.25-36.75p. Indeed I also tipped this stock at 24.5p in my days round at t1ps so I am feeling doubly smug. But there is more to come.

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4332 days ago

Lombard Risk – Good News is Bloody Annoying for Investors but share price still offers c60% upside

Software group Lombard Risk Management (LSE:LRM) announced on January 10th that it had won a new contract to supply its REPORTER product to “one of the UK’s leading building societies” as a “consolidated regulatory and MIS reporting system”. Clearly winning a new contract with a firm which must have some size is good news rather than bad news. But….after all the blather about how the client looked long and hard and referenced REPORTER with other users, blah, blah, blah Lombard does not actually name the customer or the value of the contract.

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4333 days ago

Pace Micro: Upbeat Trading statement but shares still cheap

FTSE-250 constituent Pace plc (PIC), a developer of technologies and products for PayTV and broadband, has today announced that, following a strong second half year performance, its “full year results are anticipated to be ahead of the board’s previous guidance”. The shares have responded by trading approaching 5% higher at a 202p share price, capitalising the company at £625 million. The following reviews the investment proposition here…is it a good share to tip?

The announcement noted that the company achieved record Q4 revenue, largely driven by demand for next-generation media server products in North America, with media server demand expected to continue a positive trend into the current year. The company is also widening from its hardware position into software and services – achieving a number of key wins and deployments across this area, including with BSkyB in the UK and Foxtel, the largest PayTV operator in Australia. It added it has “a strong (software and services) pipeline into next year”.

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4334 days ago

Guest Post: Sam Bottell on Petroceltic - a buy?

I spent two years working along Sam Bottell as he worked with minesite.com and oilbarrel.com and he is a good, honest and clever chap. Now that he is starting his career freelance writing as well as an organiser of the UKInvestor Show I have no hesitation in helping him along via this blog as a guest contributor. As such I bring to your attention a share tip from him from TradingResearch Point…

In 2012 the focus of Ireland based AIM listed oil explorer and producer Petroceltic (PCI) was corporate – the merger with Melrose Resources. In 2013 the focus is on growing the business by exploration. Exploration is inherently risky but there are enough, fully funded, diverse projects to offer material upside for the shares which trade today at 7.55p, valuing the business at £177 million. 2013 will be interesting.

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4335 days ago

Domino’s Pizza – Serving up a Tasty Trading Statement

Domino’s Pizza (DOM), now a FTSE-250 constituent, has been a stellar recommendation from me historically during my 12 years at t1ps.com, but I am currently nervous about the UK economy and consumer spending outlook. Does that dim my faith? Ahead of a 25th February scheduled results statement, the company has today released a trading update for its 14 and 53 weeks ended 30th December 2012. This reports that it “will deliver full year 2012 profits in line with market expectations” – but with the shares currently at 515p, capitalising the company at approaching £843 million, is this still an investable proposition? The following reviews the case…

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4335 days ago

Blinx: KoldCast TV deal announced – Speculative Buy

M-listed blinkx plc (BLNX), which describes itself as “the world’s largest and most advanced video search engine” , has today announced a further partnership deal – this with KoldCast TV, an international television network of original entertainment programming. This will give blinkx users access to premium internet television series, short films and documentaries – with KoldCast’s shows spanning every genre from family-friendly to sci-fi among 225+ original series. Leveraging its unique platform, blinkx will place contextually relevant advertising against these videos and share resulting revenue with KoldCast. This represents a further step in blinkx’s strategy to serve the most relevant advertisement, at the optimum time, with the highest monetisation rate, to the widest audience but, at a present 65p share price, capitalising the company at more than £235 million, is there currently value in the shares? The following reviews this…

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4337 days ago

Wandisco – a 2014 PE of 103 but might still be cheap

Normally I would consider that a company that will be loss making unto, calendar 2014 but which at a 493p share price trades on a 2014 PE ratio of 103 would be a slam dunk sell. Wandisco (WAND) is just that company and it cannot be described as a tradition Benjamin Graham style value investment. But before Lucien Miers thinks about shorting the stock, I suggest that he reads on. This is not as simple as it sounds.

Wandisco sounds like a seedy night club in Corfu. I fact I think I have been there. But in fact it stands for Wide Area Network Distributed Computing. Based in the US since its conception in 2005 its patented software allows developers in different locations to work simultaneously, creating a seamless global network. Users at every site where Wandisco is installed have local access to the same data at all times, which means that they can make changes locally and see each other’s changes immediately.

The four key points about this technology are that

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4339 days ago

Is Xcite Energy a speculative buy?

Shares in AIM and Canada-listed Xcite Energy (XEL) hit 395p in January 2011 as it reported on a successful “transformational well” drill on its flagship Bentley oil field in the UK Northern North Sea, 160 kilometres east of the Shetland Isles. However, market disappointment at a 10th May 2011 reserves report on Bentley saw the shares fall from 316.5p to close at 110p just seven weeks later. They hit a low of 67.5p in July 2012 and currently trade at 92.75p – capitalising the company at approaching £270 million. The stock is a darling of the Bulletin Boards. But is it good value?

The company was somewhat bemused by the market reaction to the May 2011 reserves report but the announced resource base was somewhat smaller than many had been expecting and the company’s shares had risen on significant hype in the lead up to the January well announcement

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4339 days ago

Guest Post Sam Bottell: Kenmare Own Goals compounded in an unloved sector but is the sell off overdone?

I spent two years working along Sam Bottell as he worked with minesite and oilbarrel and he is a good, honest and clever chap. Now that he is starting his career freelance writing as well as an organiser of the UKInvestor Show I have no hesitation in helping him along via this blog as a guest contributor. As such I bring to your attention a share tip from him from TradingResearch Point…

As it happens I agree with his conclusion.

Like most mid cap mining stocks, Kenmare Resources (KMR) had a fairly rough 2012, its share price diving from 60p in the spring to 35p today. In part this is a cork on the wave effect: if a sector is thoroughly unloved as mining stocks were last year then it is hard to buck that trend. However, Kenmare was also hit by falling prices of the titanium it produces in Mozambique and by a continuation of its habit of scoring own goals. 2013 should see the start of a mammoth ramp up in output and cashflow generated and so is now a good time to back this Ireland based company?

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4340 days ago

Bellzone Mining – Bell Ends?

Sometimes you do wonder about some of the folks running AIM listed companies. Is there some sort of secret sweepstake CEO’s hold each year to see who can act like the biggest knob with a press release that sends investors the wrong way. If so, AIM listed Bellzone Mining (LSE: BZM) put in a strong late run with its announcement of 27th December in which it boasted of its first shipment of iron ore from Guinea. It stated that it was “delighted to announce that the first shipment of iron ore from the 50:50 Forecariah joint venture operation in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa was despatched on 26 December 2012. The Company will issue a more detailed statement on January 3, 2013.” And today? Er……

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4341 days ago

Bellzone Mining: Good News & Hot sector but are the shares ahead of themselves?

Suddenly the price of Iron ore has picked up, spurred by a recovery in Chinese Demand. Iron ore stocks have responded with a number showing sharp gains in the past month. Among the winners is Anglesey Mining (AYM) but also Bellzone (BZM) which has assisted its cause with news on both of its projects in the West African country of Guinea. The Bellzone share price has pushed ahead by 3p to 16p over the past month valuing the company at £117 million but some brokers reckon that it could still double from mere. There is a bear case as well as a bull case.

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4350 days ago

Aurcana: Second Mine Now Operating Makes This A Strong Silver Play For 2013

2012 was not a good year for precious metals stocks and with a number of commentators calling gold lower, December was another poor month. However TSX and OTC listed Aurcana Corporation (AUNFF.PK) announced on 14th December that its second major silver mine, in Shafter, Texas, was now in operation and that has propelled it into the ranks of the mid-tier producers, something not recognized in a share price of US$0.94. As production ramps up during 2013 this stock is one that should enjoy a material re-rating. My target share price is US$1.89 per share.

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4353 days ago

Silverdell - a good share tip gets better

Shares in AIM-listed specialist remediation, decommissioning and consulting services group Silverdell (LSE SID) were recommended on t1ps at 12.75p in August, the month before I departed after more than 12 years editing that website to set up the Nifty Fifty offering. I subsequently updated you all in November, with the shares at 13.25p, concluding that they remained worth buying ahead of the announcement of results for the company’s year ended 30th September 2012. With these announced earlier this month, the share price is now 14.625p – capitalising the company at £45.8 million, and the following reviews the results and what they mean for the investment case…

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4354 days ago

Domino’s Pizza – a buy ahead of results?

During my twelve years at t1ps.com I tipped fully listed Domino’s Pizza twice. The first time was in June 2001 at 62p – I advised selling at 693p in 2007 (a gain of 1018%). The next time I tipped the shares at 193p in July 2008. The share price is now 494p. Not a bad return for share tip given that there is a decent dividend stream on top. But now we face not only a Christmas trading statement * due out January 8th) but also full year numbers (for the 53 weeks to December 30th) which will be out on 25th February. I am a bit nervous about soft consumer spending, fearing that on the high street at least Christmas will be a washout. So what should one do with Domino’s which is today capitalised at £810 million.

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4355 days ago

Universe – the recovery continues

Shares in AIM-listed payment and on-line loyalty systems company, Universe Group (LSE:UNG) are an award winning disappointment of a share tip from my 12 years founding and running t1ps.com. Once again I can only apologise. However, I updated readers of this website in October – with the share price then at 2.75p – suggesting that, having already recovered from lows at the start of the year of 1.25p, there could be further recovery ahead and it was time to average down. Now at 3.75p, the following updates my view following a trading update released yesterday…

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4355 days ago

Buy Impellam after Trading Update

AIM-listed staffing and outsourced support services company, Impellam (IPEL) is a big success from my time at t1ps – the website I founded in 2000 and edited until September of this year when I departed to launch the Nifty Fifty offering. I recommended the shares on t1ps at a share price of 40p in September 2009. Today the stock trades at 315p valuing the company at £141 million after a trading update yesterday. This is still a great long term buy.

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4356 days ago

Anglesey Mining – Labrador Update: Speculative Buy

I previously commented on fully-listed Anglesey Mining (LSE: AYM) late last month – concluding that the shares, at just over 7p, were not for the risk-averse, but that the upside potential was sufficient for me to rate them a ‘speculative buy’. They had previously soared from the 11.75p at which I recommended them in October 2009 on t1ps – the website I founded in 2000 and edited until leaving this September to set up the Nifty Fifty offering – but fell all of the way back to sub 7p as the company’s current key value driver, Canada-listed Labrador Iron Mines, was heavily impacted by very significant falls in the iron ore price. Now with an 8.5p share price and following news today that Labrador has, in 2012, successfully completed its largest ever exploration programme, the following takes a renewed look at the Anglesey Mining investment proposition…

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4356 days ago

Welcome Back free share tip – Buy Cupid at 166p

I have been enjoying a three week break from this website and to celebrate my return I offer a free share tip in the form of AIM listed online dating group Cupid (CUP) which holds an EGM tomorrow to authorise share buybacks. Oddly the stock has dipped ahead of that EGM which will be a formality and that presents a buying opportunity.

Whatever your views on social networking, the fact is that the shifting of social interactions is moving further and further online across the globe. Cupid is successfully tapping into this and whilst, on a superficial basis, the current price-earnings multiple may not look overly attractive, further investigation reveals that within a couple of years the current share price seems likely to be looked back on as a great opportunity. Having risen from a 60p listing price to highs of 250p just over a year ago, the share price is now 166p valuing the firm at £140 million.

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4356 days ago

Guest Post: Zak Mir says EMED on a Rising Price Channel

Although it can be seen on the daily chart of EMED Mining that the shares have been in a volatile state at best over the past couple of years, the dominant charting feature still remains in place in the form of a rising May 2011 price channel. This nominally has its floor level with the 9.5p zone, something which suggests that we can assume further upside is on it way.

It is also implied that any weakness toward the uptrend line of last year should be regarded as a buying opportunity. Indeed, the attraction from a technical perspective is that while last year’s support feature remains in place the upside here could be substantial, if only in percentage terms. This is said on the basis of a 2011 resistance line projection heading towards 18p plus, a feature that can be regarded as the 3-4 month target. What can be said currently

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4360 days ago

Alexander Mining: Coming Good – Speculative Buy at 4.75p

AIM Listed Alexander Mining (LSE:AXM) has not been one of my better tips from my 12 years at t1ps. Recommended at 6.625p in June 2008 the shares are now 4.75p. I was urged by some former colleagues to dump the stock at a 2p share price in the summer but (unlike them) I bothered to speak to the management. The company is now starting to deliver ( at last) and there is now a growing case for rating the shares as a buy.

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4361 days ago

Northern Petroleum: unlocking value in 2013?

Some companies are loved by one and all and so trade at a clear premium to underlying value – Next & ARM for example. For others, the reverse is true. Northern Petroleum is in the latter camp. That is an endless source of frustration as evidenced by the stream of adverse comments on Bulletin Boards, mostly directed, rightly or wrongly, against the company’s boss Derek Musgrove.

To be fair to Musgrove – who I should say is a friend with whom I have watched West Ham for many years – when he arrived at Northern the share price was sub 10p (adjusting for consolidation) and the asset backing was more or less nothing. That was just over twelve years ago. Today the share price is 53.25p ( Musgrove having just bought 25,000 shares yesterday) and the company is sitting on £20 million of net cash and a raft of assets. Overall that is not a bad recovery – a share price gain of 450% over 12 years is, after all, better than Warren Buffett.

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4363 days ago

Gable: More than 100% ahead and still a winner

Shares in Gable Holdings (LSE:GAH), the AIM-listed non-life insurance company underwriting a range of specialist commercial sector policies across Europe, have continued to make progress since I previously updated on the company towards the end of last month. This follows some positive December news flow, which I review in the following piece. I first recommended shares in this company in 12 years at t1ps – in this case in July 2006 when they traded at 18.5p. Since departing t1ps in September, I have updated in October (shares at 31.5p) and then last month (shares at 39p) – noting on both occasions that the share price looked to have a good way to go. Now with the share price at 41.5p ( so not a bad share tip), the following summarises my current thoughts…

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4364 days ago

Vin Murria's Advanced Computer Software buys again - good deal?

AIM-listed healthcare and business management software and services provider, Advanced Computer Software (LSE ASW) has today announced a continuation of its buy-and-build strategy with an agreement to acquire Serco Learning, a leading UK education software provider, for £7.25 million in cash. This follows Advanced’s shares closing at an all-time high of 67.5p on Friday – capitalising the company at just over £251 million. The share price compares to 34p when I recommended the shares in September 2010 on t1ps, the website I founded in 2000 but departed in September. The following reviews today’s announcement from Advanced and the investment proposition at current share price levels…

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4367 days ago

Symphony Environmental – Profits Warning and CEO Chat

Symphony Environmental Technologies (LSE:SYM), an AIM-listed specialist in advanced plastics technologies including controlled life, anti-microbial, anti-counterfeiting and recycling, is a share tip from t1ps.com that has not covered me in glory thus far – as I noted in a September piece here on ADVFN. Although, at a current 4p share price, the stock trades a bit ahead of the 3.625p they were at when I penned that article, they fell back on a profit warning a couple of days ago though have since recovered on the back of some director share buying. Having managed a chat with the company’s Chief Executive, Michael Laurier, today the following reviews the recent developments…

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4367 days ago

Buy Amara Mining at 65p – worth 99p to 124p says top broker Ocean Equities

Top broker Ocean Securities has published a buy note on Amara Mining (LSE:AMA) in which it suggests that investors buy the shares at 65p with a target price of 99p. I long followed Amara, formerly known as Cluff Gold on t1ps.com and I also regard the shares as very cheap. As I shall explain below.

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4368 days ago

ILX – The Bos is making moves: Upgrade to Speculative Buy

I noted in an update here yesterday on ILX Group (LSE:ILX), the AIM-listed provider of e-learning software and business training, that new executive chairman/interim CEO, Wayne Bos, had overseen the identification of a small number of acquisition opportunities, with the first of these under consideration. Bos has wasted little time concluding this – with ILX announcing it has acquired Obrar Ltd, a consulting and project management services company. The following takes a look at the details of the acquisition and its likely impact for the ILX share price.

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4368 days ago

First Property Interims & CEO Chat

AIM listed property investment group First Property (LSE:FPO) has not exactly been a stellar share tip from my twelve years running t1ps.com. I tipped the stock at 19.25p in May 2008 and after publishing results for the six months to 30th September yesterday the shares trade at 18.75p. We have, to be fair, enjoyed 4.82p in dividends, so it is no disaster either. But where next? I chatted at length to the rather posh CEO Ben Habib yesterday and this is very interesting – the market capitalisation is £20.82 million.

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4369 days ago

K3 Business Technology – AGM statement buying opportunity

I initially recommended shares in K3 Business Technology (KBT), an AIM-listed provider of software, hosting and managed services to the supply chain industry, at 145p in August 2007 on t1ps, the website I founded in 2000 but departed from in September of this year. The shares hit 236.5p in 2011 and again traded above 200p earlier this year before falling back to the initial tip price on news on 18th September of this year that the company was to terminate a formal sale process as the board did not believe that takeover proposals received were at a level that it would be able to recommend to shareholders. With the share price at 147.5p following an AGM trading update today, the following reviews this and the current investment case here…

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4370 days ago

Sell Wessex Exploration – Buy Northern Petroleum

Shares in both AIM listed oil stocks have slumped today. Northern (LSE:NOP) is off by c14% at 54.75p, Wessex (LSE:WSX) by 21% at 4.8p. Not a good day for either. The reason is that the Zaedyus-2 well in Guyane does not appear to have found commercial oil although we will not get full data for another ten days or so – logging starts tomorrow. Though I am a Northern bull I am in a sense vindicated as well ahead of drilling I argued that folks should take a pair trade: buy Northern at 67p and sell Wessex at a share price of 8.375p. If you followed that pair trade you would be a net 24% ahead. That is smart investing.

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4370 days ago

Northern Petroleum – Probably Duff Well, Company chat and market over-reaction – Wessex it is different

I published most of this share tip article earlier on my Nifty Fifty website – where I shall publish a new share tip later today: The Zeadyus-2 well in Guyane has not found commercial oil and has been abandoned. The share price of Northern Petroleum (LSE:NOP) has duly slumped by 14% to 54.75p. This is a total market over-reaction. I have discussed this at length with exploration manager Graham Heard and CEO Derek Musgrove and here’s the score. The shares remain a buy. The same cannot be said for Wessex Exploration (LSE:WSX) which like Northern also has a 1.25% stake in this field.

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4370 days ago

Access Intelligence: Shoot the dog or follow the bird in charge?

Shares in AIM-listed governance, risk and compliance software provider Access Intelligence (LSE:ACC) have yet to really spark since I recommended them on t1ps, the website I founded in 2000 and edited until September of this year, in November 2010 at 4.25p. They have traded briefly above 5p since but fell to lows of 2.25p a year ago. They have subsequently recovered somewhat and a material director share purchase announced today sees the shares currently trading more than 11% ahead on the day at a 3.75p share price. The following reviews this further and takes a look at the current investment case…

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4370 days ago

IQE – A world leader from Wales (there has to be one)

Like a capitalist-supporting article in the Guardian or a Gordon Brown appearance in Parliament, AIM-listed IQE plc (LSE:IQE) is a rarest of things – in its case a Welsh world leader in an economic space. The company is a leading global supplier of advanced ‘wafer’ products and services to the semiconductor industry – which then utilises them in the chips which comprise the key components of high-technology systems. Having taken a healthy profit on the shares in August 2010, I re-recommended them at 24.75p in February of this year on t1ps, the website I departed in September having edited it for the 12 years since its launch in 2000. Following a contract announcement today the share price is 27p and the following reviews this announcement and the investment case from here…

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4371 days ago

Pan African Resources Evander purchase update

AIM-listed, South Africa-focussed precious metals miner Pan African Resources (LSE:PAF) has today updated investors on the ongoing process for its prospective Rand1.5 billion (circa. £110 million) acquisition of Evander Gold Mines Ltd. At a current 20.75p share price, capitalising the company at just over £300 million (£378 million adjusting for a prospective rights issue), Pan African remains a big winner from my time at t1ps – the website I founded but departed in September – where I first recommended the shares in November 2005 at a share price of 2.6875p. Surely even barking mad Bulletin Board loon Bob Burnard accepts that was a good share tip? The following reviews the current position here…

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4371 days ago

Minera Drilling News – A Golden Prospect?

AIM, Canada and Peru-listed Latin American gold miner, Minera (LSE MIRL) has followed last week’s publication of a feasibility study on its Ollachea project in Peru with an announcement that it has awarded a contract to begin drilling extensions of the Ollachea ore bodies from underground. This is a company I followed for a couple of years on t1ps – the website I founded but departed in September – and initiated coverage post-t1ps last month, suggesting, with the shares then at 50.25p, it not a bad move to add a few shares in the company to a gold portfolio at those levels. With the share price now 54.5p, the following reviews today’s announcement…

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4374 days ago

Creston: Not a good share tip so far – do results herald recovery?

Shares in fully-listed marketing services group Creston (LSE:CRE) have not been a good share tip from me so far. They were recommended on t1ps – the website I founded in 2000 and departed in September of this year – at a share price of 107.5p in May 2011 and hit a subsequent high of 121p the following month. However, they then slumped to a low of 47p by the end of January this year as macroeconomic conditions took their toll. The shares have since recovered to a current 77.5p and a couple of days ago the company announced its results for the six months to 30th September. The following reviews these and the insight they offer on the current valuation…

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4374 days ago

Minera: Good news from Peru – cheap but are there cheaper gold plays?

AIM, Canada and Peru-listed gold mining stock Minera IRL (LSE: MIRL) has today announced the results of a feasibility study on its Ollachea project in Peru. This is a company I have followed for a couple of years on t1ps.com and more recently on my own blog and which I have recently written about in a modestly bullish way twice – with the share price lower than it is today. The following reviews the feasibility study announcement and its implication on the current investment case…is it still a good share tip?

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4375 days ago

Guest Post: Zak Mir on Avanti Communications

My pal Zak Mir asks me to plug this article. It is all TA (Technical Analysis) gobbledygook to me so I have no idea what it means but it is about Avanti Communications (AVN).

Avanti has served up a roller coaster ride of price action so far in 2012 that apart from being excellent fodder for a whole books worth of technical analysis, has although given traders / investors the most painful of journeys. But at least after an accelerating decline from an initial August bull trap retreat it would appear that the bulls have a “final” opportunity to go long on an non catching a falling knife basis, or even worse, a leap of faith.

This is said on the basis of a falling line of support from August last year on the daily chart currently running through the 211p level.

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4375 days ago

Advanced Computer Software- I am 96% ahead but still a bull

I published an pre-results note last week on AIM-listed, UK-focussed healthcare and business management software and services company Advanced Computer Software (LSE: ASW) ahead of the company’s results for the six months ended 31st August announced yesterday. As expected, the results were strong and the share price has moved ahead to hit a high of 66.5p – capitalising the company at £246.3 million and providing not a bad return since I recommended them as a share tip on t1ps, the website I founded in 2000 and wrote for until September, at 34p in September 2010. The following reviews the results and current investment proposition…

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4375 days ago

Avanti Communications: Director Buying & Cenkos Note with 900p target: Buy

The share price of AIM listed satellite group Avanti Communications (LSE: AVN) was marked down by 10% yesterday. Oh no! Is bear raider Evil Knievil right after all? Is there an institution bailing? The emails flooded in. Evil is not correct. A director has bought shares this morning and there is also an upbeat broker research note out from Cenkos this morning. If there was something amiss then Avanti would have had to declare it at its recent AGM. It did not.

My own support for Avanti is well known. The stock was a share tip from me at 116p on t1ps.com but I continue to value it at a multiple of today’s 223p – a market cap of £251 million.

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4376 days ago

First Property – A Pre Results buy?

Shares in AIM listed UK and Central Europe commercial property fund manager First Property (LSE: FPO) were recommended on t1ps, the website I founded in 2000 and edited until I left in September to set up the Nifty Fifty, at 19.25p in May 2008. They presently trade at 19p and thus, though the company has paid out 4.82p per share in dividends since the initial share tip, this has not been a stellar recommendation – but far from disastrous either. Ahead of results from the company for the six months ended 30th September 2012 – due a week today (on 5th December) – the following takes a look at the current position here…

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4376 days ago

Leyshon Drilling News – It is good but Unclear

Leyshon Resources (LSE:LRL) shares have been unsuspended (at 25p) and have duly plunged back to 20.25p in the middle after the release of drilling news from China. I sense that a lot of Bulletin Board loons had got a little bit carried away last week pre-suspension and are now banking gains or just panicking as they do not really understand a statement which is, on balance, good. Some loons are even expressing disappointment that it is a gas discovery not oil which is odd as Leyshon always said it was drilling for gas in a gas rich region.

I tipped this stock at 11.5p (offer) in late October on the Nifty Fifty website

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4377 days ago

Plastics Capital: Results Comment Boring is still sexy

AIM-listed manufacturer of niche plastics products for global markets, Plastics Capital (LSE:PLA) has today announced its results for the six months ended 30th September 2012. This is a company whose shares I first recommended on t1ps – the website I founded in 2000 and left in September this year to set up the Nifty Fifty – at 40.5p in November 2009. I again commented positively here in September, offering a free share tip with the shares then at 66p, and the share price is now 72p on the back of today’s release. The following reviews the results and the outlook from here…

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4377 days ago

Gable: New business announcement – starting to sparkle

AIM-listed non-life insurance company, Gable Holdings (GAH), has been something of a star share price performer recently – the shares having commenced 2012 trading at 22.125p and now at a year high of 39p. I first recommended these shares on t1ps.com, the website I founded in 2000 and edited until this September when I left to start the Nifty Fifty, at 18.5p in July 2006 – so this has been something of a slow burner which is now sparking into life as a red hot penny share. This is particularly gratifying as I gave an updated view on the company last month, with the shares then at 31.5p, concluding that “the shares would not be particularly expensive at double current levels and believe there materially more gains to come for shareholders here. Still a buy at up to 37p in my view with a target of 60p”. The following reviews a new business announcement from the company today and the outlook from here…

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4378 days ago

Farewell Nexus – Hello Enables IT: Will it be any less of a dog?

It has today been announced that the reverse takeover of long-term disappointment, IT managed services provider, Nexus Management has been completed and that the enlarged company has been readmitted to AIM as Enables IT Group (EIT). I need no reminding of what an appalling tip Nexus was for me. During my 12 year stint at t1ps.com MY average gain per tip was 42.7%. Nexus pulled down that average badly. So do we stick with the new group?

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4378 days ago

Fox Davies: Minera share price set to more than double on news of resource upgrade?

On 21st November AM and TSX listed gold miner Minera IRL (MIRL) announced a material upgrade to its resource estimate for the Don Nicolas project in Argentina. The Measured and Indicated Resources have been increased by 23% to 468,000 ounces of gold. The economic effect of this is to increase the life of the mine estimate, something assisted by a 14% increased in the inferred resource estimate, to 165,000 ounces of gold. This has prompted broker Fox Davies to set a target price for the shares (56p today) of 116p.I do not entirely disagree with its analysis and here is why.

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4378 days ago

Reach4 Entertainment – Meaningful Director Buying

The directors of media and entertainment company, Reach4Entertainment (LSE:R4E) have made good on their previous stated intention “to subscribe for new ordinary shares at the prevailing mid-market price but not less than the placing price, as soon as these (Spot & Co earn-out payment) discussions conclude”. The following reviews today’s announcement from the company on this and the investment proposition from here. This was a very bad share tip by me at 81p on t1ps.com. But anyone who averaged down as I advised at 3.5p should on balance now be showing gains. I know some were panicked by others into selling at the bottom. I am sorry if you took that duff advice. The question is where to go from here.

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4378 days ago

Anglesey Mining - Recovery Play or Dog to Shoot?

I recommended shares in fully-listed Anglesey Mining (AYM) on t1ps.com, the site I founded in 2000 and edited until leaving this September to set up the Nifty Fifty. That share tip was at 11.75p in October 2009. They subsequently raced ahead and I am kicking myself for, particularly in 2011, not banking a very significant profit. Today the shares trade down at just over 7p as the company’s current key value driver, Canada-listed Labrador Iron Mines in which Anglesey holds 19.73% of the shares, has been heavily impacted by very significant late Summer falls in the price of iron ore.

Having dropped 33% to below $90 per tonne (on a 62% Fe cost & freight China basis) in early September, this price has recovered to around $120 per tonne and, with Anglesey having today announced results for the six months ended 30th September 2012, the following takes a look at the outlook from here…

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4381 days ago

Minoan: Acquisitions, Trading Update and Company Chat. Recovery play 2013?

AIM listed travel leisure and property group has not been one of my better share tips from my days at t1ps but news out this week points the way to it being, potentially, a great recovery play for 2013. At 8.375p the company is now valued at £12.6 million. That does look far too low for me and this is why.

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4381 days ago

Pan African: Rights Issue News - can we build on a 644% gain?

AIM-listed, South Africa-focussed gold miner Pan African Resources (PAF) is a big winner from my days at t1ps.com – the website I departed in September after twelve years. I recommended the shares there at 2.6875p in November 2005 and they currently trade at 20p a gain of 644%. The following reviews an announcement the company has made today about a c£50 million right issue and whether there remains more share price upside to come…

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4381 days ago

EMED: Broker Fox-Davies thinks shares will treble & Slovak approval

Regulatory approval for EMED (EMED): Great news we have been waiting so long for this news. But sadly this is not the final Spanish permits needed to get the giant Rio Tinto copper mine underway but news from Slovakia. Meanwhile broker Fox Davies reckons that the shares could treble from 10.625p to 32p. I think it is correct about this stock I first covered on t1ps.com. But to Slovakia first.

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4382 days ago

Ortac – Gold Site Visit in Slovak Republic: Value Play?

Ortac Resources (OTC), the AIM listed developer of a gold mine in the Slovak Republic is today hosting an analysts jolly and has announced as much via RNS. Is it worth the trip? Is there value there?

The company’s shares have like most gold juniors not exactly prospered over the past year. Back in September I reported that speculation in the Daily Telegraph about a bid approach was just wide of the mark but I hinted that there might be value at 0.58p.

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4382 days ago

Interquest Trading Update: Buy, sell or hold?

My July 2006 recommendation on t1ps.com (the site I founded in 2000 and edited until this September) of shares in specialist IT recruitment group, InterQuest (ITQ) is not one which has covered me in glory. Having tipped the shares at 67.5p, they traded above 80p until economic conditions darkened in the second quarter of 2008. A low of 30.5p was hit in February 2009 and the shares again traded at sub 35p in August of this year. Having recovered a bit, to a current 49p, the company has served up a trading statement today so do you buy sell or hold?

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4383 days ago

Jubilee Platinum Concentrator announcement: enough to halt the share slump?

Jubilee Platinum (JLP) is a recommendation from my t1ps.com days which has far from covered me in glory – the shares currently trading barely above 2009 lows of 7.125p. An announcement today though has sent them currently more than 3% higher to 7.875p and the following reviews this…

The company has announced it has entered into an agreement to utilise the concentrator at Platinum Australia’s Smokey Hills project in South Africa – with it committed the full capacity of the concentrator for a minimum of 8 months and the parties having commenced formalising a toll processing agreement.

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4383 days ago

Lombard Risk Management New product launch and company chat

Lombard Risk Management (LRM) is an AIM-listed financial services industry focussed software company whose clients include more than 30 of the world’s ‘top 50’ financial institutions and almost half of the banks operating in the UK. I first recommended the shares on t1ps.com – the website I founded but departed from in September of this year to launch the Nifty Fifty – at 9.625p in 2005. They currently trade at 10p so this has been far from a red hot recommendation so far. However, I have taken some encouragement from recent operational pronouncements and see today that the company has announced the launch of a new compliance and audit application. Following a chat with the main man – founder, CEO and main shareholder John Wisbey – I offer the following thoughts…

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4383 days ago

Minera: Don Nicolas update – worth a nibble

AIM-listed, Latin America-focussed gold miner Minera IRL (MIRL) has today announced a resource update for its Don Nicolas project in the mining-friendly Santa Cruz province of Argentina. These are shares I previously recommended on t1ps.com ( the site I founded in 2000 and edited until September this year before leaving to establish the new Nifty Fifty site) and I updated on them at 50.25p a couple of weeks ago – urging readers to buy a few. With the shares now at 56.25p, the following scribbling reviews today’s announcement from the company…

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4384 days ago

Advanced Computer Software – Almost 100% ahead: what next?

Shares in UK-focussed healthcare and business management software and services company Advanced Computer Software (ASW) were recommended on t1ps.com (the website I founded and edited until September of this year when I left to set up The Nifty Fifty) at 34p in September 2010. They have risen consistently since to currently trade at 62.75p – not far off recent highs of 63.75p. Ahead of results for the six months ended 31st August 2012 expected next Wednesday (28th November), the following previews what we can expect…

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4384 days ago

Accumuli: Results Today still a buy ( 80% upside)

Accumuli plc (ACM) is a UK-based IT security software and services provider – shares in which were recommended as a hot share tip in May at 11.125p on t1ps.com, the website I founded in 2000 and worked for until September when I left to set up the Nifty Fifty website. The company has today announced results for the six months ended 30th September 2012 and the following reviews these and the current investment case with the shares now at 10.5p.

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4384 days ago

Amara Mining (Cluff Gold) Baomahun Results Analysis

I tipped Cluff Gold (CLF) in September 2011 at 96p on t1ps.com, the website I founded in 2000 and left three months ago to set up the Nifty Fifty
. Like most AIM listed gold shares Cluff has taken a beating but the shares have rallied in recent days and are now at 63.25p following the release of a new resource estimate for the Baomahun project. Those who nibbled at 58.5p the other day after I published a detailed analysis here will be feeling reasonably happy.

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4384 days ago

InternetQ – another tech buy?

Shares in InternetQ (INTQ), a provider of mobile marketing and digital entertainment for mobile network operators and brands, were a February 2012 recommendation on t1ps.com – the website I departed in September, 12 years after found it, in order to set up the Nifty Fifty. Having fallen back in the second half of this year, the shares are, at 182.5p, now little changed on the initial t1p price. The following takes a look at the outlook from here…

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4385 days ago

Densitron - Getting Interesting

I published an update on AIM-listed electronic displays designer and developer Densitron Technologies (DSN) last week – concluding that a low earnings multiple and its balance sheet backing were sufficient to make me believe the shares were worth sticking with. Since my original tip on t1ps.com, the site I founded and edited for 12 years before leaving in September to set up the Nifty Fifty, my followers are 21% ahead.

The company has today announced what it describes as a “significant move forward” in its long-term strategy to create intellectual property and provide additional services that enable it to meet a fuller range of product requirements.

The following takes a look at the announcement…

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4385 days ago

IQE – a safe tech wonder stock?

I recommended shares in AIM-listed IQE plc (IQE) at 24.75p in February of this year on t1ps.com – the site I founded in 2000 and left in September of this year. Shares in this leading global supplier of advanced wafer products and services to the semiconductor industry (which uses them to make the chips which form the key components of high-technology systems) now trade at 28.75p – so we are already a bit ahead here but could this be a red hot penny share? In the following I take a look at the outlook for the company from here…

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4385 days ago

Chaarat Gold – Double Win News from China – a six bagger?

AIM listed Chaarat Gold (CGH) has today announced two very good pieces of news concerning possible link ups with two of the three largest gold companies in China. This is incredibly encouraging and makes the shares a pretty compelling buy. I had flagged this stock up as one to own at 21.5p on 9th October arguing then that the shares were potentially worth up to 120p. The news today should lead to both the closing of Chaarat’s small financing issue and also to a dramatic reduction in its operating costs.

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4388 days ago

Caza Oil & Gas Q3 numbers – house broker sees shares going from 16.5p to 30p

AIM and TSX listed Caza Oil & Gas (CAZA) served up its Q3 numbers earlier this week and that has prompted house broker Cenkos to publish a buy note with a 30p target price – the stock is now 16.5p. I know that the house broker is never independent as it is paid a retainer but I reckon that on this occasion there is a good case.

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4389 days ago

Reach4Entertainment – It was a recovery play, I was right

PrintReach4Entertajnment (LSE:R4E) was a disastrous tip by me during my 12 years at t1ps.com – I first recommended it at 81p. Back on September 21st those now running t1ps advised their readers to sell at 3.5p, not having bothered to speak to the company first. I did and called it as a recovery buy. I hope folks followed my advice and averaged down as the shares are now 7.5p following two pieces of news today. Are they still cheap? I think so and here is why.

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4389 days ago

Densitron: 21 Per Cent gains so far what next?

Shares in AIM-listed electronic displays company Densitron Technologies (DSN) were recommended on t1ps.com – the website I founded and from which I departed in September – at 11.75p in December 2010. In May 2011 a 5p per share special distribution was made to shareholders and since the t1p 1p per share has been paid out in ordinary dividends. With the shares currently trading at 8.25p we are thus 21% ahead here and the following reviews what to do now.

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4390 days ago

Amara Mining (formerly Cluff Gold) Q3 Results – On Track: shares very cheap -

I tipped Cluff Gold (CLF) in September 2011 at 96p on t1ps.com, the website I founded in 2000 and left three months ago. Like most AIM listed gold shares Cluff has taken a beating and the stock closed at 58.5p today after the release of third quarter numbers. To reflect a change of leadership the company has now changed its name to Amara Mining (AMA). That seems like a bit of wasteful corporate PR willy-waving to me but, ignoring that, it seems to me that the fundamentals look increasingly attractive for Cluff, sorry Amara, and that this is not reflected in the stock price. Here is why.

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4390 days ago

Kryso Resources: 134% ahead – time to sell?

I initially recommended shares in AIM-listed Kryso Resources (KYS) at 13.25p in December 2007 on t1ps.com the site I founded 12 years ago and edited until this September. Today shares in the company – which is currently developing its Pakrut gold project in Tajikistan towards production – trade at 31p so we are 134% ahead. Not bad. With exploration work continuing at Pakrut and other nearby targets, is it time to bank a gain?

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4390 days ago

EMED Mining $50 million financing secured – Very Good News Indeed

EMED (EMED) the AIM and TSX listed developer of a large copper mine in Spain has today announced that it has secured a $50 million financing and an offtake deal from commodities giant Red Kite. This is a monumental step forward for EMED and really is very good news indeed. Those of you who bought the shares on October 4th after I wrote this can thank me later: “EMED has been on the point of starting to build a huge copper mine in Spain for ages. But getting the consents needed seems harder than finding a 17 year old virgin in Romford. And EMED is still not there. Hence, having tipped the shares at 14.75p back in July 2007 and with the stock at 9.625p today I look like a bit of a schmucko. Apologies for that. However, I had a long chat with CEO Harry Adams this week and I sense that we are almost there and that now would be a good time to buy.“ I hope you did, the shares are now 11.625p. But they will go much higher and here is why.

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4390 days ago

Interquest – Director’s Dealing why bother?

I happen to think that shares in AIM listed IT recruitment business Interquest (LSE:ITQ) are cheap but today’s announcement on director dealing is one of those ones which asks the question? Why? What are you trying to say?

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4391 days ago

Ariana Resources: Drilling Update Good but not Good enough

I recommended AIM listed Turkey based gold mine developer Ariana Resources (AAU) on t1ps.com in August 2011 at 4.5p. The shares are now 1.425p and so clearly I have not exactly covered myself in glory. The company announced a detailed exploration update yesterday which was good but does not answer the question of whether this is a storming recovery play or just a dog to shoot. Here is why.

The exploration took place on Ariana’s Kepez West and Karakavak prospects, located along the Sindirgi Gold Corridor which also contains the Kiziltepe Sector of the Red Rabbit Gold Project.

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4391 days ago

Adept Telecom: Up on my share tip but still cheap?

Shares in AdEPT Telecom (ADT), a leading independent provider of telecommunications voice and data services in the UK, were recommended on t1ps.com at 46p earlier this year, before my departure 12 years after founding the website. The shares currently trade at 53.5p – up 0.5p today following the announcement of results for the six months ended 30th September 2012. The following reviews the results and the investment case…

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4391 days ago

Orosur Mining: Bank a 66% gain or double up?

I recommended shares in AIM and Canada listed Orosur Mining (OMI) – which operates the only producing gold mine in Uruguay (San Gregorio) and has additional exploration acreage in Uruguay and Chile – in May 2010 at 24.25p on t1ps.com, the website I left in September 12 years after I founded it . The shares currently trade at 40.5p, though the current levels compare to highs of 91.5p hit in early 2011. Last month the company announced results for its first fiscal 2013 quarter (to 31st August 2012) and, noting that recently “the patience and confidence of shareholders with the company has been tried”, a statement on its forward strategy. In the following I review these announcements and the Orosur investment case from here.

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4392 days ago

InterQuest - More positive News

I wrote a bullish update last week on specialist IT recruitment group, InterQuest (ITQ) with the shares at 44p. It is thus pleasing to see them currently 3.4% ahead today at 45.5p following an announcement of an out of court settlement with the vendors of Contract Connections Ltd, which InterQuest acquired in June 2011 for £4 million. The following explains the situation and why shares in InterQuest continue to look to represent a decent long-term play.

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4392 days ago

Printing.com Results: Buy for 8% yield?

I originally recommended shares in AIM-listed printing company Printing.com (PDC) in February 2008 at 42p on t1ps.com, the website I founded 12 years ago and left this September. It has subsequently paid out 16p per share in dividends ( with another 1.05p pending) but with its key markets in the UK, Ireland and continental Europe facing difficult economic times, the shares currently trade at 32p. Overall we are thus just under 15% ahead on this one after four and a half years. Not great but no disgrace. The company has today released results for the six months ended 30th September 2012 and in the following I review these and what they say about the current investment case.

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4395 days ago

Vatukoula Completes Placing – It hurts but the shares are cheap

Vatukoula Gold Mines (LSE:VGM) has today announced that it has completed its botched replacement placing to raise £6.6 million gross from Chinese investor Zhongrun International Mining Co. Ltd at 33p a pop. The shares are now 32.5p. I can understand why folks are giving up on this one. Numerous placings – including this rather botched one ( Zhongrun came into replace another Chinese outfit which did not stump up its promised shekels in a 51p placing) – and numerous project delays. But I would not give up. This was a bad share tip from my t1ps.com days (I am 35% down) but I’d buy more and here is why.

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4395 days ago

Northern Petroleum Board Upgrade – A Step in the Right Direction

I tipped oil and gas producer and explorer Northern Petroleum on t1ps.com, the site I founded in 2000 and edited until this September at 13.75p. The shares raced ahead to almost 150p but have since declined to just 64.75p. But news out today suggests that the company is making a step in addressing one issue it has, next up we await drilling news from Guyane.

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4396 days ago

Minera IRL: a gold stock to buy or sell? -

I first recommended shares in AIM listed Latin America gold miner Minera IRL (MIRL) at 69p in May 2010 on t1ps.com, the site I founded in 2000 and left this September. Despite having the safety net of current production, the shares have unfortunately not escaped the negative sentiment towards the sector in recent times – and traded at 41p as recently as early September this year. They have recovered somewhat to currently trade at 50.25p but is there more to come? Earlier this week the company released results for its third quarter ended 30th September and here I take a look at those and assess the current investment case…

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4397 days ago

Interquest: Dog or Recovery Play?

My July 2006 recommendation on t1ps.com (the site I founded in 2000 and edited until this September) of shares in specialist IT recruitment group, InterQuest (LSE: ITQ) is not one which has covered me in glory. Having tipped the shares at 67.5p, they traded above 80p until economic conditions darkened in the second quarter of 2008. A low of 30.5p was hit in February 2009 and the shares again traded at sub 35p in August of this year. Having recovered a bit, to a current 44p, since I take a look here at the company’s results for the first half of 2012 and their implications on the current investment case…

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4397 days ago

Greggs: buy or sell

I recommended shares in the UK’s leading bakery retailer, fully listed Greggs (GRG) at 508p on t1ps.com the website I founded in 2000. The share tip came out just two months before my departure in September of this year. The shares traded above 520p as recently as 8th October but, following an 11th October trading update, currently trade at 470p. The following takes a look at that trading update from John Prescott’s favourite shop and what it means for the investment case.

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4398 days ago

Caza Oil & Gas: Share spike on drill success but buy or sell?

Shares in AIM and TSX listed Caza Oil & Gas (CAZA) have spiked 28.6% higher today to 18p valuing the company at £29.61 million. Supporters of this Texan oil play, urge me to look at Caza claiming that it will hit 25p before Christmas. But I am always nervous about oil companies operating in the US but listed here. So buy as a red hot penny share or sell as the good news is already discounted – which is it? I had a long chat with the company this afternoon and came to a conclusion. What would JR Ewing say?

The news today came from the company’s Caza Ridge horizontal Bone Spring well on its Copperline Prospect in Lea County, New Mexico. The company states:

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4399 days ago

Shanta Gold – Company Reaffirms Production Targets: Buy

Good news today from AIM Listed gold miner Shanta Gold (SHG) – it confirms that it is on track to hit production targets both for the fourth quarter of calendar 2012 but, far more importantly, for calendar 2013 and that will make it a hugely undervalued cash cow. At 18.875p the shares could, in my view, easily double over the next year – even without a surge in the gold price, which I still expect, and here is why.

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4400 days ago

Ariana Resources – Catch Up Lunch with CEO Kerim Sener

I recommended AIM listed Turkey based gold mine developer Ariana Resources (LSE:AAU) on t1ps.com in August 2011 at 4.5p. The shares are now 1.6p and so clearly I have not exactly covered myself in glory. I met up for lunch with CEO Kerim Sener last week for a catch up. Is this a busted flush or could it be a great recovery play for 2013. It is an interesting case study. There are three problems but three assets, let me explain

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4402 days ago

Silverdell – Still a buy?

AIM-listed Silverdell (SID), a provider of decommissioning and remediation services to high hazard and regulated environments, was recommended on t1ps.com at 12.75p in August, just before I departed t1ps in the following month more than 12 years after founding the site. After a ‘trading and strategic update’ last month, Silverdell shares currently trade at 13.25p. The following reviews that update and the investment proposition here…

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4403 days ago

1Spatial Interims – Wading Through the Spaghetti the shares are cheap

The month of October ended with AIM listed business technology company 1Spatial (LSE:SPA) releasing its numbers for the six months to 31st July which – as has become the norm here – are mangled by all sorts of one offs. Having urged people to buy the shares at 2p on September 12th, am I still rating the stock as a buy at 3.75p post the numbers? Can you see the wood for the trees?

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4403 days ago

Vatukoula – New China Placing: is it time to junk?

Another day and another placing from AIM listed gold miner Vatukoula (VGM). The shares are down to 35p and given the convoluted circumstances of this placing I can understand why some are tempted to sell and move on. Having recommended the shares at 46.5p on t1ps.com, the site I founded 12 years ago and edited until September I am not best pleased. However I would not be selling, I’d be buying and here is why.

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4405 days ago

Archipelago Resources: Q3 results in line: buy at 62p – target price 95p plus

I first recommended AIM listed gold producer, Archipelago Resources (LSE:AR.) back in December 2004 at 27.5p on t1ps.com, the website I founded in my bedroom 12 years ago and edited until September this year. At 62p today it has not been a bad share tip. However third quarter ( to September 30th) numbers out today show that the company is very much on track for its planned ramp up in production at its flagship 95% owned Toka Tindung mine in Indonesia and I reckon that the shares are worth at least 95p. Here is why.

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4405 days ago

Nexus – Reverse Takeover: Hope at last?

AIM listed IT services group Nexus (NXS) has been one of my most disastrous tips of all time. I recommended the shares at 0.89p in December 2006 and many times since on t1ps.com the site I founded and edited for 12 years until September 2012. My average gain per tip over 12 years and 240 tips would have been more than 42.7% had it not been for this shocker. The shares are now at 0.105p following news today of a Reverse Takeover and thus the lifting of a suspension on the shares. I can only apologise for what was a piss-poor tip. In my defence, one of my last acts as a piss poor fund manager was to force out the old management team. I am now more convinced than ever that had I not done this, the company would today be bust. But where now? Could this be a red hot penny share for recovery or is it still a dog?

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4405 days ago

Skywest Bid from Virgin – What next?

Australian and South East Asia regional airline Skywest (LSE:SKYW) has announced that ASX-listed Virgin Australia has proposed, subject to conditions including regulatory and Skywest shareholder approval, an Australian$0.4688 (AUD$0.225 cash and 0.53 Virgin Australia shares) per Skywest share takeover offer. Those who followed my original share tip on this one from t1ps.com the website I edited for 12 years (but left in September) have thus more than doubled their money. But what to do now?

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4411 days ago

Lombard Risk Management Interims – Still a buy at 10.5p (+ CEO Chat)

A long chat with Lombard Risk Management (LRM) CEO John Wisbey has finally come to an end. Interims today were as expected. The issue that I find hard is the company’s policy of capitalising R&D Spend. I shall discuss that in some detail below. I wonder if others quizzing him today on the site I ran for 12 years – t1ps.com – have focussed on this or have pulled their punches?

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4412 days ago

Goldplat – An Omission from my 5 Gold stocks to buy? Why?

Yesterday I listed 5 gold stocks that you really should buy if, like myself and Malcolm Burne, you were bullish on the gold price. I warned that there were dozens to sell as they would be toast within a year. This sector is a binary play. I am asked why was Goldplat (GDP), a stock I first flagged in the 12 years when I ran t1ps.com, not listed on the buy list? Is it a sell? Let me explain.

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4412 days ago

London Capital Group – High Risk Buy or One to Dodge?

AIM listed financial spread betting group London Capital Group (LCG) has issued a profits warning today and its shares have duly tanked by 10p to 52p, valuing the company at £27.6 million. Declaring an interest first, London Capital (like several other sensible enterprises) advertises on TomWinnifrith.com, I wonder if the market has over-reacted a tad. Net cash is, after all, £21.5 million (or was at 30th September). So is this a high risky buy? Or perhaps not.

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4412 days ago

Staffline: 210 Per Cent gain so far but there is more to come

I first recommended shares in AIM listed Staffline Group (LSE: STAF), a provider and manager of industrial workforces which operates from more than 190 locations in the UK, at 77.5p in March 2010 on t1ps.com . The payment of a 3.1p per share interim dividend on 9th November – as declared in the company’s results for the first half of calendar 2012 released last month – will take dividends received since the initial recommendation to 18.1p per share and the shares currently trade at 225.5p. So clearly this is no disaster – it has been a bit of a red hot penny share for me with a total gain of 210% so far. But what to do now?

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4413 days ago

Golden Prospect Precious Metals – one of 5 gold stocks to buy, with dozens to sell: Malcolm Burne dissected

Golden Prospect Precious Metals (GPPM) is an investment company which invests in gold and silver stocks. Its chairman is the industry guru Malcolm Burne and his statement with today’s interims is a must read for anyone interested in gold and gold stocks. The financials themselves are interesting but it is the statement from chairman Burne that is of most note. It gives you a clear steer on which gold stocks to buy and which to sell as the sector splits in two over the coming year. Let me explain

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4416 days ago

Jubilee Platinum – Time to Give Up? Or Double up?

I tipped Jubilee Platinum (JLP) at 17.75p back in 2003. It zoomed ahead to 60p plus. It is now 8.75p valuing it at c£28 million. Is it worth hanging on? One can build a credible bull case but also a bear case as I consider below. I interrupted the holiday of chairman Colin Bird to discuss this and my conclusion follows at the end.

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4416 days ago

Gable Holdings: Up, up and still more up to come!

I first recommended shares in Gable Holdings (LSE: GAH), a European non-life insurance company underwriting a range of specialist commercial sector policies, in July 2006 when the shares traded at 18.5p. This has been something of a slow burner – the shares having commenced 2012 trading at just above 22p. However, they have moved sharply higher since early summer to currently trade at 31.5p – a near high since my original recommendation. Now sitting on some meaningful gains here, the following takes a renewed look at the investment case.

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4416 days ago

Avanti Communications: Bull vs Bear

The communications policy of AIM listed satellite group Avanti Communications (AVN) is a shambles. That does not assist those of us who still believe in this company. Right now my old friend Lucian Miers, the Bard of the Boleyn, and my (struck off) accountant Simon Cawkwell (aka Evil Knievil) are short of the stock. Having first tipped the shares yonks ago at 116p I think that, at 279.5p the shares are remarkably cheap. But the bear case is worth examining. As such here goes…

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4417 days ago

Wessex Exploration vs Northern Petroleum – madness

Shares in both Wessex Exploration (WSX) and Northern Petroleum (NOP) have moved ahead sharply in recent days. We all know why these AIM listed oil explorers are in demand. Drilling is underway of the Zaedyus well in Guyane. This might well be a monster and both companies have a 1.25% stake in it. But the respective valuations are now insane.

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4417 days ago

Impellam – 750% ahead and more to come?

Today I give my moronic bulletin board critics – notably mad and bad Bob Burnard – the opportunity to comment on my September 2009 recommendation of shares in AIM listed staffing and outsourced support services company Impellam Group (LSE:IPEL). I first recommended shares in the company, which primarily operates in the UK and North America (although it has smaller operations in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and mainland Europe), at 40p (a level they have not traded below since) – and they currently trade not too far off the highs since, at 340p. This represents a 750% capital gain in little more than three years – not too much of a disgrace I would argue. Now though the question is what to do from here? In the following I take a renewed look at the investment proposition…

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4417 days ago

Shanta Gold – Placing Complete, PI screwing all done – Now we Plebs can and should buy

And so the screwing of Private Investors in AIM listed gold miner Shanta Gold (LSE:SHG) is completed. The company has today announced that it has raised $35 million (£21.8 million) in its bookbuild placing announced yesterday at 17p. The new investors will own 38% of the equity. We plebs have been rogered, we feel sore but an objective look at the investment case still leaves the shares as a buy. Here is why.

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4418 days ago

Minoan: Godawful tip starting to come right big time

I need little reminding that I tipped AIM listed Minoan (MIN) at 87p back in January 2007. The shares are now 10.5p (even after some interesting news today). This has been a stinker but is now starting to come right and the shares really are very cheap indeed. And here is why.

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4418 days ago

Empresaria: average down?

I timed my original (June 2007) recommendation of shares in international recruitment group Empresaria (LSE:EMR) badly. This tip, at 169p has been an unmitigated failure and for that I apologise. The macro economic backdrop has not helped but there have also been clear company specific issues. The shares have recovered somewhat from late 2011 lows of 17.5p to currently trade at 23p – capitalising the company at £10.25 million. Last month the company announced results for the first six months of calender2012. Is it time to call it a day? I think not and here is why.

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4418 days ago

1Spatial new contract almost won - share price can double again

AIM listed tech stock 1Spatial (SPA) has been a bit of a star recovery play over the past couple of months and an announcement of a potential new contract win today has lifted the stock ( 2p just a month or so ago) to 4.125p, valuing the business at £14.45 million. But there is far more to go for – my target price remains at least 8p and here is why.

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4418 days ago

Shanta Gold – Private Investors Screwed Again But It is still a buy

AIM listed gold producer Shanta Gold (SHG) has announced that it will today raise a minimum $30 million (£18.6 million) via an institutional placing. An accelerated book build will take place today so we do not know the price but I reckon that it will be in the range of17-18p. Yes private investors are being screwed and the share price movement in the days leading up to today stinks like a mackerel’s rectum but the shares, at 17.125p valuing Shanta at £54 million) are still very attractive for the long term investor. Here is why

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4419 days ago

S and U – You have almost Doubled your money so far but more to come: buy at 910p – target £12

I first recommended door to door and auto credit provider S&U (LSE:SUS) at 582.5p. Following half year results announced on 26th September, the shares now trade at 910p but along the way the company has also paid out dividends of 207p making a total return to date of 92%: those who follow me have almost doubled their money. But there is more to come and I reckon that this stock is worth holding up to £12 and here is why.

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4420 days ago

Archipelago Resources: 129% ahead so far but still a buy at 63p – target (at least) 95p

I first recommended AIM listed gold producer, Archipelago Resources (AR.) back in December 2004 at 27.5p on a website that I do not mention and few read anymore. After publishing some pretty impressive drill results today which indicate real upside possibilities at its 95% owned flagship Toka Tindung mine in Indonesia the shares are 63p. But I reckon that they are worth at least 95p (probably more) and here is why.

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4423 days ago

Reach4Entertainment – Bad Dog is Getting Better Daily: Speculative Buy?

On 21st September I wrote: Theatrical agency Reach4Entertainment (R4E) has been one of my worst tips ever. 81p in 2007 – when the company was called First Artist has become 3.5p today. My former colleagues at a site I shall not mention decided to shoot the dog after interims on 12th September. Unlike them I have spoken to chairman David Stoller and I think they are wrong. News out today very much starts to vindicate the writer who could be bothered to speak to the company and having had a quick pizza again with Stoller 10 days ago I am more convinced than ever ( with the shares now at 4.75p) that this may be a speculative buy. Here’s why.

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4425 days ago

Universe Group – Speculative Recovery Buy?

Universe Group (LSE: UNG), a developer and supplier of payment and on-line loyalty systems, is a long-running, and long-running disappointment of a, recommendation from my past. I apologise to those who have lost money in the shares over the years due to me. Management cocked up and I should have bailed years ago, having tipped the shares at 41p in 2001. I got it wrong and am sorry for that. However, the shares have recovered from lows of 1.25p at the start of this year to a current 2.75p (capitalising the company at £5.2 million). Could there be further recovery ahead? An analysis of the company’s results and statement for the first half of 2012, released last month, suggests there could be and this is why…

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4425 days ago

Avanti Communications – A Day to Buy as Results Go Down Badly (Evil Knievil wrong)

Shares in AIM listed satellite operator Avanti Communications (AVN) have slumped today by 62.75p to 286p after results for the year to June 30th 2012 were announced and were received poorly. Adding to Avanti’s misery bear raider Evil Knievil announced that he had gone short at 295p. He is wrong and this is a buying opportunity. I say this as someone who tipped the shares first at 116p in August 2004 and who has continually rated them as a buy at anything up to an all time high of almost £8. I still believe that the shares will in due course move sharply higher and my target price is £16.81. Here is why.

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4426 days ago

Chaarat Gold – Great Grades, Share Price All Wrong

I have not covered myself in glory with AIM listed gold soon to be producer Chaarat Gold ( CGH). I first tipped the shares at 45p in May 2010 and indeed gave them another bullish write up at 24.375p just a couple of weeks ago.

The shares are just 21.5p today valuing Chaarat at a mere £53.8 million. That is despite the company today releasing an incredibly encouraging set of drill results from its Tulkubash gold project in the Kyrgyz Republic. The shares are worth at least 48p and here is why.

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4426 days ago

Bond International – Sell

I recommended Bond International Software (LSE: BDI) on a website I now do not name at 73.5p in July 2009 in a belief that modest economic recovery would see sales and margins rebound from their then levels. The shares hit highs of nearly 90p later that year but subsequently suffered as economic recovery failed to emerge as originally hoped – hitting a low of 32.75p in January of this year. They have now recovered somewhat – to a current 52.5p – though I am unimpressed by recent results for the first half of 2012. I apologise for having called this one wrong. There are better homes for you cash than this provider of software for the international recruitment and human resources. I’d sell now and this is why…

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4431 days ago

Lombard Risk Management – Trading Ahead of Forecasts: Buy

AIM listed compliance and banking software group Lombard Risk Management (LSE:LRM) has this morning served up a pretty upbeat trading statement saying that first half ( to September 30th) numbers will be slightly ahead of expectations, that it has just won a major contract and has a strong pipeline. That is what we see. There is more to come. And here is why…

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4432 days ago

Northern Petroleum/Wessex – short delay on Guyane News ( and Tullow note)

Followers of AIM listed oil stocks Northern Petroleum (LSE:NOP) and Wessex Exploration (LSE:WSX) might have been expecting news from the second well to be drilled in Guyane in early November. I should warn them that it now looks likely to be late November. It does not change the story for Wessex or Northern much of an iota as I shall explain below, but update your calendars.

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4432 days ago

1Spatial – Mega Contract win – shares have doubled in 3 weeks ( will double again)

Today comes news from AIM listed tech stock 1Spatial (SPA) that it has secured a major new contract win and the shares have raced ahead to 4p on the news. But the gains are not over yet and here is why.

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4432 days ago

Norseman Gold – A total Disaster But NOT a write off although Administrator in (at subsidiary level)

AIM and ASX listed gold Miner Norseman Gold ( NGL) has been a truly disastrous tip from me (37p in July 2009). The shares are now suspended and will remain suspended for a good while as it has just put its operating unit into administration. It sounds as if it is end game but it is not. I cannot say it is good news ( it is bad news) but do not give up the ghost yet. This is why.

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4434 days ago

Goldplat: 46 Per Cent ahead but more to come at 16.75p

I tipped AIM listed gold producer Goldplat (LSE:GDP) at 11.5p in October 2011 and after the publication today of results for the year to 30th June I am now 56% ahead with the shares at 16.75p. Not bad. But there is far more to come. I have just come off the phone with the company’s Nominated Adviser and that has helped clarify my thoughts and I reckon that the shares should, within a year, be trading at 30p plus. And here is why…

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4436 days ago

Symphony Environmental: 65% down but it will bounce back

I have not covered myself in glory, in tipping AIM listed Symphony Environmental (LSE:SYM) at 10.25p in may 2010 as the shares are 65% down at 3.625p. Half calendar year numbers yesterday went down badly. But there are two reasons why this stock is potentially very cheap and should, in due course, race back well past 10.25p and beyond and this is why.

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4436 days ago

The Weekly Video - Edition 8

Hooray. Not headless and filmed in good light. I am getting the hang of this video malarkey. Filmed at Real man Pizza Company with the waiters looking on wondering what I am babbling on about, this is fun.

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4438 days ago

Chaarat Gold – Down but downright cheap

I tipped AIM listed gold mine developer Chaarat Gold (LSE:CGH) at 45p in May 2010. Standing at 24.375p after the publication today on half calendar year results I do not look too clever. Yet. But I had a long chat with the company today, notably with its Finance director Linda Naylor and these shares are very cheap indeed. Quite seriously they could well be worth £1 a share or more. And this is why.

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4438 days ago

Pan African Resources – 570 Per Cent ahead on this tip so far – more to come

I tipped AIM listed gold stock Pan African Resources (LSE:PAF) at 2.6785p back in November 2005. Long term investing pays off. Ignoring dividends, those who bought then are 570% ahead with the shares at 18p. That values Pan African at £260 million but having just had a long chat with CEO Jan Nelson I am convinced that there is more to come. And here’s why.

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4439 days ago

Vatukoula Gold Mines – Down but far from out

AIM listed Vatukoula Gold Mines (VGM) is not a tip that has covered me in glory. Yet. I tipped it at 46.5p in November 2008 and although it zoomed ahead thereafter, the shares now trade at 41p valuing it at £40 million. All gold juniors have taken a hammering in the past 18 months but Vatukoula has also failed to hit production targets and so has taken a stock specific hammering as well. But it has cash, is profitable and the current valuation is just crazy. This is a stock that could well double within a year and still be cheap. And this is why.

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4439 days ago

Continental Precious Minerals: Uranium play trading at discount to cash

Continental Precious Minerals (TSX: CZQ) is listed on the TSX market and at 22 cents it is valued at C$12.48 million – yet sits on net cash of C$13.8 million. It also happens to own a potentially enormous Uranium prospect in Sweden. In two years time, Continental will either have farmed out its prospect to a major so meaning that it sits on a royalty stream (but has no capital commitments) or it will be a cash shell – its projected expenditure over the next two years is less than $3 million. On a risk reward basis that looks pretty attractive to me.

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4441 days ago

Ortac Resources – Attractive Risk Reward Gold Junior

Like all gold juniors Ortac Resources (OTC) has had a fairly miserable year in share price terms. But that does not reflect what has happened on the ground. I tipped this stock at 0.775p in September 2010 and at 0.605p today the company is valued at just £14 million. For reasons I shall explain below that presents an attractive entry point on a risk reward basis.

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4444 days ago

Reach4Entertainment: Bad Dog or Good Dog?

Theatrical agency Reach4Entertainment (R4E) has been one of my worst tips ever. 81p in 2007 – when the company was called First Artist has become 3.5p today. My former colleagues at a site I shall not mention decided to shoot the dog after interims on 12th September. Unlike them I have spoken to chairman David Stoller and I think they are wrong. And here’s why.

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4445 days ago

Plastics Capital – Boring is Sexy: 56% upside

AIM listed Plastics Capital (PLA) cannot be described as a sexy stock. But it is a true value investment. I first tipped it at 40.5p in November 2010 (and was kicking myself for not tipping it earlier). Today the shares are at 66p valuing the company at £18.2 million. I would have thought that a fair 12 month target price is around 103p. Let me explain…

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4445 days ago

K3 Business Technology - FinnCap sees 48% upside

A couple of days ago I suggested to you that K3 Business Technology (KBT) was something of a nil brainer buy at 148.5p. I am pleased to receive a note from broker FinnCap this morning which suggests that my forecasts are pretty sensible. It rates the shares as a buy at 149p with a 220p target price – my own target price is 212p. Sorry to be so prudent.

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4446 days ago

Rethink Profits warning - buy

AIM listed recruitment group Rethink (RTG) has not covered me in glory to date. I tipped the shares at 9.125p in May 2011 and today, after a profits warning, they stand at 7p valuing the company at £6.7 million. Okay there have been a few dividends along the way but this is a valid chance for my cross-dressing critics to have a pop at me. But I have just had a quick drink with CEO Jon Butterfield (Floreat Floreat Schola Warwicensis) and I believe that the market has over-reacted and the shares are dirt cheap – this could be an excellent recovery play among the penny shares.

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4447 days ago

K3 Business Technology: Bid talks off - buying opportunity

Shares in AIM listed tech stock K3 Business Technology ( LSE:KBT ) are off sharply today on news that talks with potential bidders are finally – after what seems like an eternity – off. Results for the year to June 30th are also out today and are pretty damn impressive and thus, at 148.5p (valuing the company at £42.15 million) the shares are

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4448 days ago

Shanta Gold – Low Risk Very Cheap Gold Play

I first tipped AIM listed gold explorer and producer Shanta Gold (SHG) at 21.5p in July 2011 on the site I ran for 12 years until this September – t1ps.com. In my most recent performance stats (august 31st) it is in there at 20.5p but the shares are today trading at 29.25p and are still, very cheap. The Tanzanian based company is valued at £93 million, has cash and is now producing gold and material cashflows from its lead asset at Luika. I reckon that the stock is hugely undervalued. It really is a Red Hot Penny Share!

So what does Shanta own and what is it really worth?

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4448 days ago

Intandem - Catch up with Gary Smith

Back in the last century there was a CEO who appeared on Show Me the Money and sat next to me. It was Gary Smith who now runs AIM listed film producer Intandem Films (IFM). Large numbers of viewers phoned in to ask if he was my big brother? There was a bit of a likeness. A million years later he is still not my brother. He still travels the country supporting Blackburn Rovers (hell is not being the CEO of an AIM company suffering enough?) and he is not only the CEO but a material shareholder in Intandem.

Gary and I do have quite a bit in common. Dashing good looks, taste in women, supporting piss poor soccer teams and conversation is always free flowing. Intandem is an AIM tiddler – at 1.875p the market cap is just £2.4 million. Given that Gary and his key staff own 30% I would be sorely tempted to take this private if I was him. Intandem has cash and does not need to raise any more. But Gary is a public markets man so he will stick it out.

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4449 days ago

Skywest – Share Price Virgin on the very cheap indeed

The UK market has never really warmed to SkyWest (SKYW) – something for which there are understandable reasons. It is a stock that I have followed on a website whose name I do not mention (tipping it at 12.25p in December 2006). And so with the shares at 19.25p ( and having ponied up some decent dividends along the years) this has been no disaster. But it is not exactly a superstar. However, a tie up with Virgin will change all of that.

SkyWest currently has two main businesses. One is providing charter services for mining companies ferrying men and supplies out to mines in the middle of nowhere. The second is a near monopoly on certain small West Coast of Australia coastal passenger routes. The game changer is a deal with Virgin whereby SkyWest will build up its fleet to take onsell traffic from Virgin. That will be a game changer.

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4453 days ago

1Spatial – CEO Chat & Assessment

I met up with Marcus Hanke the CEO of red hot penny share tech stock 1Spatial (SPA) yesterday for a detailed catch up. This company – formerly known as Avisen – has been a tale of woe for investors. Not because it has screwed up operationally but because in share price terms the stock has not performed. I will address both issues in turn but at 2p, valuing the company at £7 million, the shares are a compelling buy.

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4544 days ago

Cairn bid for Nautical – what next?

Cairn Energy (CNE) has today announced an agreed 450p a share cash bid for Nautical Petroleum (NPE). This is a 51% premium to the share price pre-talks but a discount to where some folks value Nautical (Westhouse reckons it is worth 550p and that a higher offer may emerge). What does this tell us about AIM listed oil stocks and also where to hunt for value.

Well firstly, even at $86 oil the bigger producers are chucking off a lot of cash. Exploration is high risk (even with modern technology) and so with AIM small-mid caps pretty bombed out it is probably safer to bulk up reserves by “drilling in the City.” Hence the recent Shell bid for Cove and Dragon’s move on Bowleven and Premier’s bid for Encore. Remember also the Total bid for Wessex which its board ( for reasons I simply cannot fathom) rejected. There will be more bids.

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4544 days ago

Goodbye Port Erin – No fallout with Jim Mellon

Another day, another non job junked – I have quit the board of AIM listed Port Erin Biopharma Investments (PEBI). Why? I hope that I have made clear that going forward I shall only work a) with people I like and respect, b) where I earn a decent wedge and c) where I enjoy what i am doing. Port Erin fails 2 of the 3 tests.

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