Image Scan Share Discussion Threads

[paleje] 01/2/2018 08:35

It had been overbought at one point, sentiment runs both ways, the drop is stark but it's too far the other way now imo. I've bought a few.

[knownowt] 01/2/2018 08:29

Obviously, I live up to my name. However, I'm 'bloodied but unbowed'. I am not as sensitive to nuances in the statement as I should be, perhaps, but am still comfortable with my investment although disappointed with recent pride performance. The company is still forecasting profitability for the year which will be the third in a row - an improbable dream at the start of this decade.

[ali47fish] 01/2/2018 08:25

but nobody suggesting this might be a buy oppotunity

[paleje] 01/2/2018 08:22

Selling overdone? The order represents 20% of 2017 revenue, they're trying to negotiate cancellation charges, no equipment faults, says will remain profitable and the scanners will eventually be sold elsewhere. Inquiry levels apparently good.

The share price had already taken a big knock, the extra 40% this morning seems disproportionate.

[amt] 01/2/2018 08:20

It could be a one off I suppose.

[ali47fish] 01/2/2018 08:04

hammered- any saving grace left

[peterblok] 01/2/2018 07:59

Well, now we know why . . . Hopefully, this information has already been factored in and the share price will hold up.

[fillspectre] 09/1/2018 23:58

I still have to say though Knownowt I have been troubled by how far this share price has declined from the circa 12p recent high - given that the last statement wasn't really negative - the only claim made against it seems to be that it wasn't as ebullient as previous statements! FS

[knownowt] 05/1/2018 10:53

Exactly! I agree with everything that you have said. I came across a quote : 'Research turns money into knowledge; innovation turns knowledge into money', but it omits to mention that it requires commercialisation and management to do so.

[fillspectre] 05/1/2018 09:22

Knownowt - you are contrary to your epithet - but my comparison wasn't co-incidence as I knew of the common DNA when I chose to cite Kromek. My gut feeling after watching AIM for many years is that many of these Companies start off full of promise but not necessarily the right people even if the scientific ideas and products are sound. They last as long as they do because very often they get a bucketful of money at the IPO or later equity fund raises - and at that stage the commercial pressure isn't biting hard enough. You have to focus the Company onto specific markets with specific products which are pragmatic evolutions incorporating the original idea - and of course the pricing and realisable margins have to be right. Image Scan had to go through over a decade before a firm hand found itself on the tiller in the form of Bill Mawer - prior to that there seems to have been turmoil at various stages going back through the RNS announcements. My point was I suppose better a bird in the hand than two in the bush. With Image Scan they are selling products and making a profit - the market valuations is 10 million - with Kromek they are selling products but are currently loss making - valued 60 million but with more cash on the balance sheet (but with a higher cash burn). I've no doubt the science and technical know how in Kromek is excellent - but are they commercially savvy to convert this into a profit for shareholders - only time will tell. This is all my opinion of course - please DYOR - Fils.

[knownowt] 05/1/2018 09:03

'fillspectre' a very interesting comparison since both companies share a common DNA in the form of Professor Max Robinson who, whilst at Nottingham Trent University in 1996, spun out 3D X-Ray, the wholly-owned operating subsidiary of IGE;he resigned from the board May 2000. Then 2003, now at Durham University, spun out Kromek, formerly Durham Scientific Crystals.

[fillspectre] 04/1/2018 20:41

Knownowt good to see you on here as well as the Surface Transform board.
Like you I couldn't read anything negative in the December trading statement and do believe in the longer term prospects. We should get another statement with the results of the AGM in February - hopefully with news of an increased order book. I wonder if any of the bulletin board contributors have personal sector knowledge on how Image Scan's products compare on functionality and price with competitors'. I did look at the floor layout of the Paris exhibition centre they were at in November. Image Scan's stand looked fairly modest in floor layout and there seemed to be many competitor companies.
However, what I would say with regard to the current valuation is that Image Scan seems to operate in a busy market place and are at least profitable. Compare Image Scan's valuation with Kromek's which is currently loss making.

[kazoom] 04/1/2018 14:49

Knownowt (great name) I agree, in isolation the outlook given is quite positive(& on the back of an excellent year)but compared with previous updates it reads a little more cautiously. There is (imho) a bit of a hint in there that the orderbook for the CURRENT year may be a little soft.

I think the market reaction reflects this and I think there is the possibility for short term disappointment.

I don't disagree that the current share price probably represents a good long term opportunity, but I think there may be just as good if not better opportunities to come.

In the past I have been "right" about opportunities like this, but spent much too long waiting for the market to agree with me, hence my stance here.

Of course I run the risk of this "getting away from me" , but there are I hope many more fish in the sea.

So personally I'll review at the next positive news, but good luck with your position - hopefully we can both win!

[knownowt] 03/1/2018 22:24

I have read, and re-read the outlook statement of 4 weeks ago and I have yet to see anything less than positive. As I read it, the company is looking to increase its recurring revenue against the background of a 'robust order-book' and to achieve that is considering expanding the sales division.

At 8p the historic multiple is less than 18 times and I would expect the prospective to be not much more than 14x and that is definitely not expensive.

And yes, I have seen this as an opportunity to buy further for the LONG-TERM gain.

[trident5] 03/1/2018 18:30

It reported 4 weeks ago - they cant drum up some reportable news every month (the only company I can think of with that ambition was Quindell). Your expectations seem daft and desperate.

Let's not forget that after this recent price pull back it's still about 20x earnings to buy and that's not cheap.

If you see a company where you think the share price is too cheap - it's an opportunity not a reason to moan and whinge.

[monty68] 03/1/2018 18:08

Trident
Some of us have been in this for a long time, and have along way to go to break even, let alone make a profit,and it is disapointing to see the share price progress reversed for no apparent good reason.
I am not interested in day trading the shares, and dont see what is stupid about wanting to see if there is any news which could help the situation, or are you just interested in an "opportunity" for short term gain.

[trident5] 03/1/2018 17:49

Prudent, if the company is not doing what you want it to do contact the directors with your stupid suggestions. They last reported to us less than a month ago.

If you feel there's a disconnect between the share price and the company's performance it presents you with an opportunity - take it and stop belly aching.

[kazoom] 03/1/2018 14:48

So your mind is closed to the possibility that they might have a challenge to meet the growth expectations that would support a higher share price?

I noted a few posts back that the outlook with the results statement was less bullish than previously. In fact though you can trace back the "destruction in shareholder value" to the TU at the end of October, when they described the order book as "good" an unusual word in the context and damned by faint praise it would seem to me.

I had a very small initial position here that I've just sold for a small loss. Now is not the time IMHO.

So thanks for causing me to engage brain, sometimes it helps to read what is written, not what we hoped for.

I would expect this to come good in time, but for my money there are better opportunities about at the moment.

GLA - I'll still be watching and may well be back.

[monty68] 03/1/2018 10:28

My point precisely. Needs correcting if possible IMHO

[pru dent] 03/1/2018 08:45

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit Trident! The fact remains there has been a near 50% destruction of the shareprice over the last few weeks brought about by poorly handled corporate actions of major holders .This fall has (apparently) no reflection on the trading performsnce of the company but the company has made no comment. So fair point Monty!

[trident5] 02/1/2018 23:10

What sort of news did you have in mind Monty?
Maybe you could write to the CEO and suggest some stories - perhaps something salacious.

[monty68] 02/1/2018 22:58

Proactive with a bit of news, perhaps

[trident5] 02/1/2018 17:37

What exactly should the company be doing about it?

[monty68] 02/1/2018 16:24

Looks like sharer price ever downwards for no good reason, and the company does not seem to be doing anything about it, which is strange