II Editor
03 Nov 2017
NEW ARTICLE: Stockwatch: A share to profit from UK financial distress "Is AIM-listed insolvency services group LSE:BEG:Begbies Traynor poised for prosperity? The Bank of England's 0.25% interest rate rise to 0.5% merely pars monetary stimulus to its level before the EU referendum; yet a relentless build-up of debt ..."[link]
kittermaster
24 Oct 2017
SP Does anyone have explanation for sudden SP drop of 4%?
john222
25 Apr 2017
Re: Opinions I did exactly this thinking i was being prudent in 2007/8 it was a bad move, the shares were circa 80p and have never really got close to the entry price again. They also raised money just before that at 160p and the funds that backed that are seriously underwater. Yes they pay an ok dividend but liquidity is bad and they seem unable to move the earnings and therefore share price forward.In my view any downturn that may be around the corner will not be as bad as 2008/12 with the almost collapse of the financial system, so dont buy into the argument that they will rise when the **** hits the fan it did last time and they didn't budge.Yes ive collected ok divis to reduce the pain of capital loss but its one of the poorest performers in my portfolio, allbeit i am in at circa 80p not 50p.222
casabanker
30 Dec 2016
Re: Opinions Happy New Year, triceratops,I think you have a wise approach. BEG is a hedge against a downturn but that does not mean the sp will not fall. All boats fall and rise with the tide. I have already bought into a number of funds as shares and not directly into the fund so that I can manage them. Interestingly, I have received some information on a model portfolio aimed at protecting against a correction/financial collapse. You will be perhaps pleased to know that SEDY is one of the choices. Others include two bonds, IGSD and IBTL. These are to protect against deflation further down the line of the collapse. Others are BTEM; SMT;BGS;IAPD;GBSS;PHSP and SPGP. Two funds are also included; Trojan and Ruffer. Not having big amounts of cash available, I will substitute RICA for the funds. RICA is a Ruffer preference share and is very stable but boring giving protection in bad times with some dividend income. Nobody really knows what will happen in another financial collapse. Due to the indebtedness existing in the world, I guess that credit will be unavailable and bank accounts frozen. Governments will employ a bail in approach in a vain attempt to avoid default. It's not something to dwell on for too long but if it happens, it will be sudden. There will be no warning. However, we are all aware of the non-performing debt of the major Italian banks and the fact that Deutche Bank holds a lot of their debt. Deutche Bank is too big to fail, lol.I already hold GBSS and PHSP which are ETF's gold and silver which are backed by actual metal which is vital. I also hold FRES and PAF. I intend to pick up others on this list as money becomes available. Casa.
triceratops
14 Dec 2016
Re: Opinions Thanks Casa,I note Begbies announced solid interims yesterday. I am reluctant to lean to heavily on them as a downturn hedge given their small size but they do fit the bill pretty much perfectly. I am going to build up my position over the next few months in anticipation of a market downturn which surely must come at some point!?I've not really invested in active funds before but have been considering Majedie Tortoise fund to give some protection. The fees at 1.5% put me off though.I too have been adding to my emerging markets exposure the last 18 months. Mainly through ETF's such as VFEM, SEDY, CPJ1, (equities) and SEML (Bonds). Aim to have around 6-8% of my ISA in emerging markets going forward.Tops
casabanker
07 Dec 2016
Re: Opinions triceratops,A somewhat delayed response to your question but it still holds good. I have held this stock for some time for much the same reasons as you ie it is a rough hedge against a downturn and pays a good dividend. I cannot name any other stocks on the LSE that gives the same position other than precious metals and related ETF's. My attention has moved towards funds and particularly those that are invested in emerging markets. It's not without risk but that seems to be where growth is currently. Casa.
triceratops
05 Oct 2016
Opinions I've bought a small amount of BEG with the idea that should the economy start to struggle these should be a decent uncorrelated holding. In the meantime it pays a reasonable yield while we wait.I'm guessing that others who buy Begbies do so for similar reasons so my question is are there any holes in this argument? Also, are there any other companies out there who would actually see their earnings rise if the economy tanks. (aside from gold and silver miners)tops
casabanker
25 Apr 2016
Re: Eventually You must be aware that retail as a sector is suffering disruption from new technology. If a business such as BHS does not keep up with the latest developments of online ordering and click and collect let alone latest fashions particularly for ladies, then turnover suffers. There is also a surfeit of competition and increasing costs due to the minimum wage increases to be phased in from the 1st of April this year through to 2020. French Connection, Mothercare, Bonmarche have all issued profit warnings over the last 12 months. Many high street shops will close over the next 5 years. The steel industry cannot be profitable when a big country such as China produces steel more cheaply than we can. The added problem here is that China has over produced for its home market and needs to move the produce on. It does this by having a sale on the export markets. It's not a new phenomenon. There have been issues of "dumping" excess produce on international markets many times in the past. The US gets very shirty when this action threatens its own industries. The UK government will have to decide whether it can afford to subsidise the steel industry until the glut of produce falls and prices recover, sell on the steel works or close it down and pay unemployment benefits to thousands of steel workers and supporting network companies' staff. It's going to be expensive either way. Casa.
MacPithy
25 Apr 2016
Eventually Are BHS and Tata Steel the tip of an iceberg showing signs of melting?
casabanker
25 Apr 2016
Brexit and exporters BEG have done a red flag alert about British exporting companies suffering if the UK exits the EU. It may well be challenging for some companies if the UK exits the EU but as far as the country is concerned, it is no big deal. The UK exports account for around 30% of GDP. 12% of that goes to EU countries. Much of the 30% is due to services and not manufacturing. The pound has weakened already due to the "threat of Brexit" and also the lack of will by the B of E to increase interest rates. Much hope and expectation has been expressed by politicians since the 60's for increased exports by weakening the pound but it has never worked in a sustainable way. I put much more hope in an independant UK to forge new trade agreements without the suffocating over regulatory EU. Our exporting businesses, as service orientated, are geared up for the future. The future is robotics and there will be ample demand for repairs and maintenance. Casa.
MacPithy
12 Apr 2016
Anyone here? Anyone out there following this share.Being held to ransom due to the Banks protecting their loan books. But where can they go next with negative interest rates. Even when the FED are attempting to raise USA interest rates, but failing the Banks, are hanging on by the skin of their teeth!!!Any views!
southernstar
01 Oct 2015
Cannabilism Any broke business is business for BEG....even if it is a debt recovery business !!
john222
01 Oct 2015
Re: Acquisition of P&A Obviously not brisk enough they were bought out of administration so a recovery firm paid to help business recover didn't listen to its own mantra!!! 
southernstar
01 Oct 2015
Acquisition of P&A Could be a good deal....depends on how brisk business is in Yorkshire !
II Editor
02 Sep 2015
NEW ARTICLE: Trends and Targets for 2/09/2015 " BEGBIES TRAYNOR GROUP PLC (LSE:BEG) conforms to our usual criteria for interesting shares in the Support Services Sector of the market. No-one, effectively, talks about it yet the share price manages reasonable movements despite the absence ..."[link]
