LET'S FILL SOME SPACE

LET'S FILL SOME SPACE

The start of the year is when the papers and mags print their "tips for the year ahead".

You have probably already read that nearly all their tips for 2011 were pretty awful. Despite the amazing ability they have to "buy" shares at the mid-price, most tips for 2011 recorded spectacular falls.

Remember one thing when you read the "tips" - they are written by journos whose job is to fill space, or (as Private Eye would have it) written by a guy called "Phil Space".

Also, you may ponder that the "tips" are written by people working for mags and newspapers who have been there for years earning modest amounts.

Do they really knew enough about the markets? If they did would be full-time traders and not jobbing journos.

Nothing wrong at all with being a journalist filling space, I was one myself. All I am saying is don't just buy these tips blindly on a good write up. Journos are good at putting a nice spin on something.

You could also ponder that it’s silly to buy a share for exactly a year and hold it. Shares are for buying and selling over time, not for a year.

I just have a current list of shares that interest me; the time of the year doesn't matter so much. I am always looking for a good entry point whether it is the beginning of the year or not.

So here are ten shares I am watching and plan to trade sometime in 2012 - probably. They are not tips; I am not a tipster nor do I have a desire to be one.

They are all shares that I think could do well at some point. Some I might only trade for a short time, some for medium term and if any prove really good, well I might still be holding them in 2013!

They are in no particular order of merit! Just to remind you my comments are my own opinion and I am not advising you to buy any of them. I could be and probably will be totally wrong on some of them! 

Always do your own research and make your own decisions based on your own experience of the markets.

However I think all the following have potential upside. All have either got some cash or debt is low. So while all have risk attached, I should think it is unlikely any will go bust. Timing is the most important thing.

Innovation Group (TIG): Quietly building this one, continues to win lots of new contracts and has a good balance sheet - looks cheap and could have a storming 2012.

Monitise (MONI): Tricky to value as it's not due to make a profit till 2013. However it is in the right area of the market, paying for everything using your mobile - it has created some giant partnerships, one with the mighty Visa.  A potential big player in the future, though some could argue though that it is a "jam tomorrow" share.

Carclo (CAR): Make or break year for this one. It's all down to whether its touchscreen technology takes off or not. If it does there are tons more upside. However, a failure would be punished. A gamble - but one that could pay off. Already doubled my money here so can afford to be patient, wait and see.

Vislink (VLK): - this company is transforming itself and concentrating more on defence - providing cameras for unmanned "drone" aircraft. If drones continue to take off this new angle could go well for the company and with plenty of cash looks little downside for now and potential good upside. One broker targets 36p. I've nipped a few.

Kentz (KENZ): - An overlooked oil services company that has bundles of cash - it's joined the FTSE250 and looks undervalued. Possibly that's because it has a lot of contracts in the volatile Middle East but that aside, there could be tremendous upside to this one in 2012 especially if it uses its cash wisely.

Iomart (IOM): Cloud computing is the new buzzword - if cloud computing continues to be the ‘next big thing’ then this looks the best company to be in. Obvious risk if it doesn't, but a potential doubler.

Computacentre (CCC): Looks oversold, management promises a successful end of year and it's got a massive cash pile. Also appears to be bottoming out.

Filtronic (FTC): Definitely a gamble this one but for small money only. Only valued at 17m and it has 4m cash - a load of directors bought shares in November which brings some confidence that its change of tack could bring in dividends. I would guess this one could either be double or half the price by the end of 2012!

Yule Catto (YULC): I wonder whether this could be a bid target next year. Given its massive recent slump could it go the way of Charter and get snapped up while cheap? I'll be considering tucking some away next year on a bad day and holding for the potential takeover, even without it begins to look cheap. Downside, of course, is if we have a terrible 2012.

Bayfield Energy (BAY): A high risk oil play but it is headed by Finian O'Sullivan, who took Burren Energy from 200p to 1230p - so obviously an excellent guy to have on board here. If he can pull off the same trick, this is the kind of share that could double or more in 2012.

Right, that's some space filled for ADVEN...time for a nice piece of toast…Happy New Year!

Oh, ps remember the new edition of my book Naked Trader 3 has recently been published, why not get it from the ADVFN bookstore by clicking here?

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