Venture Life Share Discussion Threads

[hydrus] 18/9/2016 08:43

APAD out of interest do you ever speak to management, customers, competitors, visit premises etc for your holdings?

[apad] 18/9/2016 08:38


Marlborough UK Micro
-
Cap Growth
(Class A Acc [GBP])
June 2016
Top 10 Holdings
Name
% Weight
Country
Sector
1
Next Fifteen Communications
1.7
United Kingdom
Consumer Services
2
Accesso Technology Group
1.5
United Kingdom
Technology
3
Fevertree Drinks
1.5
United Kingdom
Consumer Goods
4
FDM Group Holdings
1.4
United Kingdom
Technology
5
Johnson Service Group
1.3
United Kingdom
Industrials
6
Energy Assets Group
1.3
United Kingdom
Industrials
7
Eckoh
1.3
United Kingdom
Technology
8
GB Group
1.2
United Kingdom
Technology
9
Acal
1.2
United Kingdom
Industrials
10
Finsbury Food Group
1.1
United Kingdom
Consumer Goods

[apad] 18/9/2016 08:30

Lauders.

Came across this - you might be interested.

henryatkin 17 Sep '16 - 15:55 - 8400 of 8409 1 0
Over 50% of all AIM companies go bust/de-list. Thats a fact. If you don't appreciate that, you shouldn't be investing? Marlborough UK Microcap Growth Fund invests almost entirely in AIM and is probably the best performing fund out there. Its up 390% since 2009 and up 170% since the market topped in 2007. Leave it to the experts if you can't cut it but don't whinge about it being unfair. edit, Fund managers have access to the CEO's &CFO's, we don't.

apad

[apad] 18/9/2016 08:23

I'm not at all sure about the 'watch carefully' mantra, H.
I now have three shares that have grown above my previous 10% notional limit. In principle I would subscribe to a 5% limit as being most sensible.

The trouble is that a limit is in opposition to my 'don't punish winners' mantra.

I do analyse my larger holdings as carefully as I am able, but then one is at the mercy of new news. I have companies (e.g. TRCS & TSTL) that are waiting on important news. If that news is positive or negative the price will react faster than I can trade. So, it doesn't matter how carefully I am watching.

It would be interesting to see your list of shares if you are willing to share it, H.

apad

ps
L, I'm not sure MF has the influence it used to - most of the comment I see is negative. I've also stopped bothering with IC. I think the constant demand for new copy has made them both next to useless.
I'd be interested in folks' view of commentators who do well researched pieces - I've mentioned my favourites a number of times.

pps
Here is my list of holdings above 1%, in order:

FEVR
ABC
BOO
RSW
TRCS
SOU
SPX
PRV
HLMA
TSTL
AMS
ROR
WEIR
DOTD
GDWN
BVXP
QTX
VCT

[lauders] 18/9/2016 05:59

You will no doubt like this APAD:

This year has been remarkable for both Hurricane Energy (LSE: HUR) and Sound Energy (LSE: SOU). Positive well results and strong buying of stock have sent the shares up 250% and 445% respectively since January.

Not really a fan of TMF but I am sure it will add fuel to the fire and your recent top-up will no doubt do well.

[lauders] 18/9/2016 01:38

Take your point on FFWD APAD. It is not a large holding, hence the roulette wheel tag, but it isn't usually boring and I like the risk on it. If it can double my money from here and I sell my initial stake and just hold the initial funds to see how things go it would do me just fine.

Will try to be sensible with the profit, if it ever comes to pass, and invest it in something more dependable.

[hydrus] 17/9/2016 21:13

Yes not quite that much Mod. It was circa 9% of portfolio. Thanks for the discretion though appreciate it. Happy to discuss losses, as you may recall I hold mainly concentrated positions which means large losses and gains can have a significant impact on the portfolio. Also means my portfolio has massive swings each way. One problem with this approach is you need to watch your companies very closely. I've been busy personally and professionally for months and probably haven't been researching my existing positions the way I should.

[modform] 17/9/2016 21:00

Hydrus, yes well spotted. I deliberately kept it discrete in case you didn't want to disclose your position. The problem is if you had 30% of your PF in there, then it would have been very painful.

[hydrus] 17/9/2016 19:54

Modform by H were you referring to me? I don't post here that often so not sure. Regardless I was holding Craw and it's been a little painful, although a 4% portfolio loss isn't horrendous overall I suppose. As always with a loss, time to try learn lessons, if indeed there are any. Sometimes one has to accept this is a risky business and even 'confidence' picks can go wrong. I'm in self reflection mode this weekend.

[apad] 17/9/2016 19:30

I could wish TSTL was more advanced in its US submission, MJ.

"The company hopes to submit an application to the FDA by June 2016, to launch two ClO2 foam based products
Summer 2017 FDA approval. 2016 submission."

"Two products have been selected for our approach to the US market, and we are in dialogue with the FDA in preparation for a full regulatory approval submission during 2016."

"I look forward to the Group continuing its expansion in the years ahead and to providing further detail with regards to the United States regulatory project in October." (Oct 17 FY results.)

apad

[melton john] 17/9/2016 19:16

APAD, Crawshaw quality didn't impress when I looked in my local shop, Australian frozen lamb and badly butchered steaks.
TSTL I like a lot, bought a pile but at more than 90p sadly. Was a while before I convinced myself of the value.

[apad] 17/9/2016 17:43

I remember the glitterati commentators explaining why SPL was an exception and it was sensible to invest in an indian company on AIM. Yeah right!
Wouldn't be surprised if KOOV is on the same pathway.
Don't know about GAH.
Don't buy australian or US companies on AIM as well.
Wouldn't be surprised if RedT is on the same pathway - at least they will get mad taxpayer subsidies, which is why I suppose they are here.
apad

[modform] 17/9/2016 11:25

Apad, I have FIPP as one of my long term hold which gives me access to the young companies that I can not invest in.2 more shocking AIM companies this week GAH and SPL, all the warning signs were there for a long time to get out, Sorry for the holders but they must learn to invest with some strategy.

[apad] 17/9/2016 11:00

KWS quite a find, mod. Totally off my radar.
I have BNZL clocked as one of the under-the-radar greats, thanks to you.
I could never understand why CRAW got all that positive press. Seemed a decent business, but not stellar. At the end of the day 'it's a shop' :-)
Can't ever imagine buying shares in a butcher shop - mind you, I never could imagine buying shares in a frock shop!
Got rid of FIPP yet?
apad

[modform] 17/9/2016 10:36

Well done apad, I had to sell half of SOU based on valuation, it's been a good rideMy top holdingsABC, heading towards 17% of PFHLMABNZLAMSBOOKWSPlus some small caps and USA holdings. Sorry for anyone who was holding SEPU or CRAW. H, I hope you're not holding CRAW, as I recall when I questioned it's valuation and business model on the CR thread, you defended it so I presume you were the holder.

[apad] 17/9/2016 09:42

Got it up to No. 16 so far, v. The encouraging rns came out and it's drifting back glacially slowly.
It's top of my (sensible) increase list, but I am not in a hurry (perhaps misguidedly).
apad

[valustar1] 17/9/2016 09:31

I thought BVXP would be in your top ten

[apad] 17/9/2016 09:04

ps
Bloody funny mix of companies :-)

[apad] 17/9/2016 09:04

Top Ten (in order):
FEVR
ABC
BOO
RSW
TRCS
SOU
SPX
PRV
HLMA
TSTL

6 on AIM.
TRCS has come back on (small) US contract news.
ABC has sprinted ahead of BOO snapping at its heels.
I still find it difficult to understand why I could increase TSTL at 90p such a short time ago.
SOU - well, blimey!
RSW's ex div didn't affect the price.
apad

[apad] 17/9/2016 08:55

L,
FFWD
1. Judge an opinion by the arguments, not by the arguer. We find this difficult, but I subscribe to Picasso's position that a piece of art should stand on its own, without any history. I haven't followed TW on FFWD.
2. The list of companies that FFWD owns are all selling dreams (rns 22 Aug.)
3. The AGM report (rns 16 Sept.) had nothing to say, which is surprising for a publicity hungry company.

FWIW, FFWD is a company I wouldn't touch whilst wearing surgical gloves. As I opined earlier, I can buy my own dreams, why would I want characters in suits to do it for me.
apad

[lauders] 17/9/2016 04:48

BOO is doing nicely. The only company I have in common with APAD I believe. If the #&$! hits the fan soon as many predict I am hoping cheap clothes & fast service will only add to the company's popularity as demand for their products gain greater traction!

My main PM play will hopefully also come into play! Having jitters about my roulette wheel company FFWD after reading more Tom what's his name's musings. Perhaps he is talking sense, but can't stand the guy so hope he is way off the mark like he has been before.

Probably should switch into some of those safe companies discussed here that pay a dividend or at least ones like PVG or TSTL that look like they are buy and holds!

[redartbmud] 16/9/2016 21:59

Gdwn trades ibn a very tight market so just a few transactions can have a big effect on the share price. There may be somebody out there who is happy to add once the price hits a level.
I should not have been so stingy on my pricing. Hindsight is a wonderful thing that stops me from becoming a millionaire.

red

[apad] 16/9/2016 17:18

ps
Couldn't resist increasing SOU. I wonder if there is a cure - or perhaps some tablets, an injection, a poultice.....