I’m not sure it’s entirely fair to tell readers not to discuss politics and then a moment later proffer the outrageously provocative opinion that Israel launching a massive assault on Iran is good for world peace.
Sorry no, there is no objective truth to what you’re saying at all and I am not ignorant for disagreeing with you.
-What are the odds Israeli strikes don’t destroy a nuclear program dispersed across a country 1.5m sq km?
-Why on Thursday did Trump say they were close to a good agreement, why were high-level meetings set for Sunday in Oman? Was it just using high-level diplomacy as cover for an Israeli ambush? Where does that leave diplomacy in future?
-How do you balance the risks of Iran having nukes with those more immediate of a major conflagration between Israel, Iran, US, Pakistan, China, Russia?
-Mearsheimer, one of the most prominent IR professors, is on the news saying a nuclear-armed Iran will likely bring more stability to the ME. I guess, he too should defer to your expertise.
-Why don’t you, given your passionate and sincere interest in denuclearisation, advocate the US or our govt to push toward an agreement for denuclearisation of the Middle East, including Israel - a rogue state currently bombing and occupying several neighbouring countries with cabinet ministers previously active in proscribed terrorist groups?
Hi Paul, I increased my holding in MPE yesterday afternoon, but kicking myself I didn't do it before the AGM. You are right, it is a quality company. I watched the previous AGM and also 2 episodes of The Desert Island Investor with Mark Atkinson. He has been a shareholder for quiteca few years I believe. As you mention, good Di divis paid, circa 5%. Strong balance sheet etc. I was sceptical about buying in to a palm oil company, but having watched both episodes of The D I Investor, I realised that their green/sustainable ethos was the impetus I needed. I would thoroughly recommend listening to both episodes. Here are the 2 linkshttps://t.co/cZsvnhlKG4
Also reversed my decision to wait and see. Bought back Treatt and GMS that looked irrationally treated by the market yesterday funded by selling Bowl for a small loss, can’t argue with market and its relentless UT trades and took decent profits on Stvg and Saa. GMS is a global business, servicing over 20 international companies, and hardly the only operator in the Gulf. Seems to be its name that spooked the market. I thought I’d right messed up selling Tet when it hit £2.85. So £2.67 seems a bit of an olive branch. Certainly Lord Lee hinted people in the know about the prospects in the company. So no new money added to my portfolio. Just a shuffle. Quite a storm! Not seen lightening quite like last nights show coming up the channel.
I wonder if there might be some read across from MP Evans to REA Holdings, another palm oil producer that is possibly even better value than MP Evans (PE 2, some debt issues….)
Hi Nyamen, yes, REA may also benefit from the MPE update, although I feel more comfortable with MPE and their green/sustainable initiatives. Good luck though with your investment in REA.
I believe the rise on CTG was driven by Lord Lee giving the company the nod on a podcast. He has held it for a good while though, apparently buying under a quid. Totally agree with your summary: very erratic. A former colleague worked in the now defunct stocktaking division, and had very little positive to say about the company.
Oxford Instruments plc (OXIG) - Paul seemed a little uncertain about if the 8% or 9% figure for R&D spend was based on revenue. I checked the preliminary full-year results 2024/25, for the year ended 31 March 2025.
From the income statement,
Revenue £500.6m
Research and development £41.1m
41.1/500.6 = 0.08210 approx. 8.2%
so yes, the figure is based on revenue. You can add in a little from the cash flow statement,
Capitalised development expenditure £1.5m
1.5/500.6 = 0.00299 approx. 0.3%
so a total of 8.5% of revenue went into R&D (from 8.2% + 0.3%).
For 2023/24 I get 8.3% of revenue was expensed as R&D, and 0.1% was capitalised, for a total of 8.4% of revenue going into R&D. That's only a sample size of 2 but I wouldn't be surprised if the figure was fairly constant, between 8% and 9% or not going much beyond that range.
Very pleased with the current stability in SPSY. On the day it went ex div it actually recovered strongly on Brazilian new note news its involved with. Perhaps equally as interesting are the companies it is collaborating with . Again this morning looked wobbly and finished strongly ahead.
Oxford Instruments - There is also a very interesting discussion on an Investors Chronicle podcast on 13 June.
AVAP has been trading -50% to NAV for many years!
I’m not sure it’s entirely fair to tell readers not to discuss politics and then a moment later proffer the outrageously provocative opinion that Israel launching a massive assault on Iran is good for world peace.
Sorry no, there is no objective truth to what you’re saying at all and I am not ignorant for disagreeing with you.
-What are the odds Israeli strikes don’t destroy a nuclear program dispersed across a country 1.5m sq km?
-Why on Thursday did Trump say they were close to a good agreement, why were high-level meetings set for Sunday in Oman? Was it just using high-level diplomacy as cover for an Israeli ambush? Where does that leave diplomacy in future?
-How do you balance the risks of Iran having nukes with those more immediate of a major conflagration between Israel, Iran, US, Pakistan, China, Russia?
-Mearsheimer, one of the most prominent IR professors, is on the news saying a nuclear-armed Iran will likely bring more stability to the ME. I guess, he too should defer to your expertise.
-Why don’t you, given your passionate and sincere interest in denuclearisation, advocate the US or our govt to push toward an agreement for denuclearisation of the Middle East, including Israel - a rogue state currently bombing and occupying several neighbouring countries with cabinet ministers previously active in proscribed terrorist groups?
I made it very clear that nuclear proliferation is the biggest threat to humankind, as a degree in International Relations taught me.
"Outrageously provocative" shows that you know nothing about nuclear proliferation.
Paul and team, you are doing an amazing work and I love Alun's AI generated cartoon. Thanks for everything.
Hi Paul, I increased my holding in MPE yesterday afternoon, but kicking myself I didn't do it before the AGM. You are right, it is a quality company. I watched the previous AGM and also 2 episodes of The Desert Island Investor with Mark Atkinson. He has been a shareholder for quiteca few years I believe. As you mention, good Di divis paid, circa 5%. Strong balance sheet etc. I was sceptical about buying in to a palm oil company, but having watched both episodes of The D I Investor, I realised that their green/sustainable ethos was the impetus I needed. I would thoroughly recommend listening to both episodes. Here are the 2 linkshttps://t.co/cZsvnhlKG4
https://share.transistor.fm/s/81641c7f
It's also worth listening to the AGM recording from yesterday.
I also hold Avation and increased position yesterday. Looking forward to a share price re-rate soon.
Great podcast as always.
Regards,
Rob.
Also reversed my decision to wait and see. Bought back Treatt and GMS that looked irrationally treated by the market yesterday funded by selling Bowl for a small loss, can’t argue with market and its relentless UT trades and took decent profits on Stvg and Saa. GMS is a global business, servicing over 20 international companies, and hardly the only operator in the Gulf. Seems to be its name that spooked the market. I thought I’d right messed up selling Tet when it hit £2.85. So £2.67 seems a bit of an olive branch. Certainly Lord Lee hinted people in the know about the prospects in the company. So no new money added to my portfolio. Just a shuffle. Quite a storm! Not seen lightening quite like last nights show coming up the channel.
I wonder if there might be some read across from MP Evans to REA Holdings, another palm oil producer that is possibly even better value than MP Evans (PE 2, some debt issues….)
Hi Nyamen, yes, REA may also benefit from the MPE update, although I feel more comfortable with MPE and their green/sustainable initiatives. Good luck though with your investment in REA.
Regards, Rob.
I believe the rise on CTG was driven by Lord Lee giving the company the nod on a podcast. He has held it for a good while though, apparently buying under a quid. Totally agree with your summary: very erratic. A former colleague worked in the now defunct stocktaking division, and had very little positive to say about the company.
Oxford Instruments plc (OXIG) - Paul seemed a little uncertain about if the 8% or 9% figure for R&D spend was based on revenue. I checked the preliminary full-year results 2024/25, for the year ended 31 March 2025.
From the income statement,
Revenue £500.6m
Research and development £41.1m
41.1/500.6 = 0.08210 approx. 8.2%
so yes, the figure is based on revenue. You can add in a little from the cash flow statement,
Capitalised development expenditure £1.5m
1.5/500.6 = 0.00299 approx. 0.3%
so a total of 8.5% of revenue went into R&D (from 8.2% + 0.3%).
For 2023/24 I get 8.3% of revenue was expensed as R&D, and 0.1% was capitalised, for a total of 8.4% of revenue going into R&D. That's only a sample size of 2 but I wouldn't be surprised if the figure was fairly constant, between 8% and 9% or not going much beyond that range.
Awesome, thanks Hoenir, thanks for confirming!
Very pleased with the current stability in SPSY. On the day it went ex div it actually recovered strongly on Brazilian new note news its involved with. Perhaps equally as interesting are the companies it is collaborating with . Again this morning looked wobbly and finished strongly ahead.
Is the podcast picture from the latest Frontier Developments game?😆😆😆😆
Almost! It's our interpretation of it ;-)