Fiction Writing FoolsAu,
I think you are much too modest. As they say truth is stranger than fiction, and nowhere is that more evident than in following the history of ISM, Its management, and some of the hangers on - whether they be voluntary providers of services and recipients of benefits, or unwitting victims.
It is a noteworthy that the appearance of mr belly and the fortunate one, coincides with a share price recovery that appears unwarranted and accompanied by rather strange trading activity. However, I think mr belly's appearance was more of a moth being attracted to a sputtering flame, than anything else. The flame burnt him badly before, but after a two year absence, the flare up got the most of his curiosity. The fortunate one is another story, I usually sell short anyone that suggests technical analysis is of any value in a company like the three in question. This forum used to have a pumper that analysed ISM as a flaming buy all the way from $6+ to near obscurity. Its hard to know whether the foolishness of technical analysis on companies like these, is a cover for a pumping effort or just poor judgement. When a price movement agrees with the reading of tea leaves, one does wonder if the reader helped write the story, or it was just a blind squirrel tripping over a fallen nut.
The NZZ withdrawn PP resulted in a Press Release that is reminiscent of some released by the parent company. The reason given seems to be more related to fiction than reality. The classic ISM release was the first explanation [subsequently replaced by a new set of "facts"] when ISM bought the Net Smelter Royalty. NZZ had stated they needed the funds, now they say market conditions warrant a reversal of plans. Market conditions haven't changed that much - which I think is the whole problem. No one wanted the paper then, and no one wants it now. My guess is that the parent might come to the rescue - a process that is prevalent both in corporate and other families. The months during which there was hope of fanning some NZZ paper does make a good time period for reviewing some of the odd trading activity. A suspicious person might conclude that some of the strange activity was similar to a loss leader at the fish market.
I hadn't paid regular attention to the trading activity in PEB. However had I noticed a Global Maxfin trade, it would likely have got the same reaction you note. This house seems to have some of the same habits in NZZ as it was having in ISM. I know IIROC has been asked to look at some of the activity in ISM and NZZ; maybe they should add PEB to the list..
The FBI ad is interesting. Unfortunately, like in Canada, the stated grasp, always seems to exceed the reach. I'm not overly impressed with the efforts of the regulatory agencies, nor their priorities. Right now their efforts and the publicity is aimed at adherence to IFRS disclosure, when I think the protection of the public could be better served in other ways.
I hope you continue with your "fiction" writing, I think you've chosen interesting subjects.
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