The first ASOS Challenge was successful in the sense that it taught us a few lessons on investment timing. Only three of 11 shares ended in profit and that included ASOS itself: congratulations to legend for BNH and bosley for SEO. Back to the drawing board for the rest of us (over the year the portfolio would have thrashed any opposition!).

Participants welcome for the second challenge. Primary objective is to find shares that will double in value by 1st July, beating ASC in the process; secondary to be most successful stock-picker in terms of the value of your 20K portfolio. Rules are:

1.Each participant has 20K which can go into 1,2,3 or 4 shares in units of 5K.
2.ASC has 20K and is team yardstick, not in individual portfolios.
3.Duplication between entrants OK with no upper limit for total for one share.
4.Start weekend of 21st Jan. Buy price half way between closing offer and mid.
5.Latest time of entry to be 8 pm on Sunday, 23rd Jan.
6.Challenge to close Friday, 1st July.
7.Entrants can switch up to a total of 10K; av. of Friday close bid and mid.
8.Progress reports to rank shares by performance but also participants (initial only to protect from the ridicule of outsiders!).

Participants welcome. Just post selection here or on ASC thread.

Eric

Thanks, moneyplus; great to hear from you and know that there are at elast two readers of this bb other than me! Will add DGM to the watchlist - suspect that, if its not expensive, then it is cheap! (if you see what I mean!) Do you se DGM increasing their share of the on-line advertising market?

Eric

Just discovered that CFP closed at 0.415p, not 0.41p, so it is now a dead-heat for third place between Markus and yours truly. Crumbs of comfort from under the rich man's (bos and seb) table!

Eric,
I have had problems with the computer as my windows 98 became corrupt and when I tried to update to win XP would not do it. Gave the box to an "expert" and she has wiped the hard discs clean with a reformat to put a sound win 98 on then update to XP, so I do not have your address anymore for another Trader mag which came last week so can you resend address please. Have been without the box for ten days now and am suffering withdrawal symtoms, will have to catch up today. SD

Eric -goldfinger did a good report on DGM thread and if the growth continues they should win some rewarding contracts, but GF will be able to give much more info. than me. I check in here every week but don't say much as I'm losing!! keep up the good work.

Thanks for the encouragement, money plus - you're not doing at all badly, gal!
Mag. appreciated, seadog - will send address. You mentioned johngtudor - haven't heard sight or sound of him for a while, so will drop him an e-mail too.
Frustrating things these computers: don't like win 98 as my compter is always crashing at inopportune moments - it can cost you in this trading game so I should probably splash out from the next profit (if and when it comes!).

Eric

Eric, All the pundits say Win 2000 is the best O S but I understand XP is 2000 with a few enhancements so for 90 quid I went for the home upgrade. Address not yet recieved, and hope you make a substantial profit soon !!!! SD

SECOND ASOS CHALLENGE PORTFOLIO

A tough week on the market. The portfolio is down 5.6% against the small-cap index down 3%, but still up overall by 7% against a loss on the small-cap of 3.1%.

epic cost___ shares_ price_ value gain% wk12 wk13 wk14
SEO_ 7.19___ 456900_ 20.75_ 94807 188.6 3.8_ 11.1 -7.8 BBSSUUW(137)
BGC_ 84.8___ 5900___ 140.0_ 8260_ 65.1_ 1.3_ 18.2 1.3_ K(137)
CFP_ 0.28___ 3570000 0.415_ 14816 48.2_ -4.8 2.5_ 1.2_ WY(137)
HCEG 63_____ 7935___ 87.0__ 6903_ 38.1_ -1.0 -4.3 -12.6 O(151)
AGL_ 128.25_ 3900___ 164.5_ 6416_ 28.3_ 1.5_ 0.0_ -1.2 B(137)
DGM_ 18.19__ 110000_ 23.25_ 25575 27.8_ -5.7 17.1 -3.1 BEMS(137)
NLR_ 394.5__ 5080___ 491.5_ 24968 24.6_ -8.1 -3.3 -15.3 CDMM(137)
BAG_ 811____ 615____ 960.0_ 5904_ 18.4_ 3.1_ 2.0_ -4.2_ P(151)
IDS_ 212.5__ 4700___ 248.5_ 11680 16.9_ 0.2_ 1.7_ 3.5_ GH(151)
BGT_ 130.5__ 7660___ 148.0_ 11337 13.4_ 1.6_ -5.8 -3.6 JJ(137)
CRDA 327.375 1525___ 370.0_ 5643_ 13.0_ -1.6 -1.3 -3.2 P(151)
ITR_ 7.81___ 110000_ 8.5___ 9350_ 8.8__ 1.9_ 1.8_ 21.4 HH
DFD_ 136____ 3675___ 146___ 5366_ 7.4__ -1.9 -4.5 -2.7 A(151)
CEY_ 12.625_ 39600__ 13.5__ 5346_ 6.9__ -6.7 12.5 -14.3 I(137)
KCOM 62_____ 16100__ 65.5__ 10546 5.6__ -10.5 3.9 -1.5 OO(151)
RSG_ 466.25_ 1070___ 490.0_ 5243_ 5.1__ 0.0__ 0.0 -8.0 P(151)
TRT_ 87_____ 5750___ 91.0__ 5233_ 4.6__ -2.9_ -7.4 -2.9 K(151)
MOB_ 230.75_ 2165___ 229___ 4958_ -0.8_ -5.2_ -2.9 -7.3 C(151)
CIU_ 162.25_ 3080___ 160.5_ 4943_ -1.1_ 2.1__ -4.1 -1.2 G(173)
ACE_ 258.25_ 1935___ 249.0_ 4818_ -3.6_ -0.8_ -2.2 -0.4 G(151)
GWP_ 120.25_ 8315___ 115.5_ 9604_ -4.0_ 6.1__ 7.0_ -10.8 EE(151)
TND_ 22.5___ 111000_ 21.5__ 23865 -4.4_ -4.5_ 11.9 -8.5 LLLLR(173)
PAY_ 255.75_ 1955___ 242.5_ 4741_ -5.2_ -1.2_ -0.4 -2.4 M(173)
PCI_ 10.625_ 47000__ 10.0__ 4700_ -5.9_ -8.0_ -10.9 -2.4 T(151)
GHH_ 191.5__ 2610___ 179.5_ 4685_ -6.3_ -5.4_ -0.5_ -5.8 G(151)
IDOX 11.75__ 42500__ 11.0__ 4675_ -6.4_ -2.4_ 5.0__ 4.8 V(173)
WNN_ 268.5__ 1790___ 244.0_ 4368_ -9.1_ -10.8 0.0__ -1.4 C
BPG_ 667.625 1500___ 603___ 9045_ -9.7_ 2.3__ -1.3_ -3.2 DP(151)
AEN_ 697.5__ 717____ 620.0_ 4445_ -11.1 -6.3_ -3.1_ -13.3 J
THUS 15.19__ 32900__ 13.25_ 4359_ -12.8 -5.0_ -7.0_ 0.0_ O(151)
AUG_ 256.25_ 3900___ 222.5_ 8678_ -13.2 1.7__ 0.0__ -6.3 DE(173)
CASH 142.25_ 3515___ 121.5_ 4271_ -14.6 5.6__ 4.5__ -12.6 C(173)
SLV_ 11.625_ 40450__ 9.75__ 3944_ -16.1 0.0__ 0.0__ 0.0_ D
EPD_ 51_____ 9805___ 41.5__ 4069_ -18.6 -10.6 4.8__ -5.7 I(173)
MDW_ 9.09___ 247500_ 7.25__ 17944 -20.2 -3.2_ -3.3_ 0.0_ JSVV(137)
NML_ 5.31___ 85750__ 4.125_ 3537_ -22.3 -12.2 -8.3_ 0.0_ W
FTO_ 8.69___ 57500__ 6.75__ 3881_ -22.3 -5.0_ -1.8_ -3.6 Y(173)
BNH_ 125.25_ 15970__ 92.5__ 14772 -26.1 -7.7_ -10.7 1.1_ AIRR(173)
PDX_ 231____ 2165___ 169.5_ 3670_ -26.6 -6.5_ -3.9_ -8.9 A(177)
GMC_ 19.125_ 52700__ 14.0__ 7378_ -26.8 -10.0 9.3__ -5.1 TW
SPS_ 50.5___ 39600__ 33.5__ 13266 -33.7 -6.4_ -1.3_ -15.2 AIKK(173)
KYS_ 15.875_ 63000__ 10.25_ 6458_ -35.4 -4.4_ -2.3_ -2.4 UU(173)
PMD_ 0.875__ 571400_ 0.55__ 3143_ -37.1 0.0__ -8.0_ -4.3 Y(173)
TAD_ 9.375__ 53300__ 5.875_ 3131_ -37.3 -4.4_ 0.8__ -11.3 Y(177)
ASC_ 78.5___ 25480__ 48.5__ 12358 -38.2 2.0__ -1.0_ -3.0 ZZZZ(177)
XEN_ 7.44___ 67200__ 4.3___ 2890_ -42.2 11.5_ -6.0_ -0.6 V(173)
BPRG 67.25__ 14870__ 36.5__ 5428_ -45.7 -35.4 21.2_ -12.0 TT(137)
DES_ 62.25__ 8030___ 33____ 2650_ -47.0 -8.8_ -3.6_ -17.5 H(177)
PET_ 53.75__ 9300___ 27.5__ 2558_ -48.8 -6.0_ -5.1_ -26.7 R(177)
totals__________________ 470619.2 7.0__ -2.7_ 3.0__ -5.6 small-cap___ 2891.87______ 2802.8 -3.1_ -0.7_ -0.8_ -3.0

SEO has lost 7.8% on the week but HCEG and NLR, early challengers, are down further. BGC and CFP (both discussed in recent posts) are second and third on the list having hel steady on the week. There are 11 double digit fallers, %-wise, the chief of which being PET, presumably suffering from the lack of clear-cut government in Iraq.

The one major gainer in the week has been Interregnum (ITR). Dawsinho has been plying a lone furrow with the ITR bb but it is worth a visit. Appears to be a financial services company with a future and is spinning off part of teh company in a separate AIM flotation which could be profitable for investors. (it would be good to have a brief introductory pst here, dawsinho).

B 108.4 E 1.7__ I -15.9
S_ 96.2 G 1.4__ A -17.6
W_ 48.7 C -0.8_ V -22.3
U_ 45.5 J -1.2_ R -26.4
M_ 18.1 L -4.5_ T -34.2
O_ 9.0 D -4.8_ Z -38.2
P_ 6.6 H -10.8
K_ 4.6 Y -12.2

Dawsinho is the only % gainer in the list. The four SEO holders are stretching further clear of the field, which is still led gamely by moneyplus. Yours truly has edged in front of Markus again in third place but bos and seb are no closer.

If you haven't entered the MoneyAM Champion Investor, visit the bb and have a go. Not too late to enter and could be an advantage as there are only some 9 investors in positive country. Think it is our own Dil in second place. He had a super trade today in NLR, whilst I showed my desperation by switching half my holdings into NLR gaining 5K on the day (but still not in the top 300!). One particularly interesting fact is that bears are easily leading the bulls. Looking at our own portfolio, the last four, PET, DES, BPRG and XEN would have been 2nd to 5th in the list as Shorts!

Enjoy the weekend and heres to a much better trading week next week.

cheers Eric.

hI, sorry not posted much on bgc, but it was all a speculative punt on their main prospect 'Varisolve' getting american approval for trials. It has been rejected once but chances are it will get a second opportunity once the concerns are ironed out.

I prefer the long term opportunities on my other punt trt (transense technologies). Areoplanes have been completely electronic for a long time now and road going vehicles are going the same way. Cars, lorries, coaches and buses driven and controlled (including the steering) by electronics, scary but true.

yep. still there! (i so wish this was the moneyam challenge!!)

Eric, Thanks for the all the effort on keeping the asos challenge going, very informative. So my asos challenge portfolio has got a kick up the backside hey. Watch out Bosley, well maybe... lol

ITR - Loads of info on the bb, in a nutshell Interregnum are a Technology merchant bank who advise/invest in technology companies, they also have a number of subsidiary companys as well. All sounds very boring, but if you dig a little deeper you'll see Interregnum is ideally positioned to take advantage of the slight upturn in the technology market.

Business seems to be going very well since the turn of the year and their has already been a positive impact from seven advisers who we're employed just before the turn of the year. Interregnums ace card is its agreement with Destiny USA which is expected to generate significant undisclosed advisory revenues, whilst working with some of the largest and most innovative technology companies in the world

This week Interregnum agreed to merge its subsidiary companies, Wireless Holdings and Cellular Design Services, with Red-M (Communications), with the intention of floating the combined business on AIM in the first half of 2005.

Hope this helps.

ITR is, in my view, worth a closer look. The share was at 1 in the dot-com boom but has reinvented itself as merchant bank. The Destiny arrangement does look very significant and there could be a substantial one-off profit from the AIM floatation. Wirth a visit to dawsinho's bb - thanks for the psot here, d.

Eric

SECOND ASOS CHALLENGE PORTFOLIO

Actually, not a bad week with 0.1% drop in portfolio value given the continued weakness of the AIM market.

epic cost___ shares_ price_ value gain% wk13 wk14 wk15

SEO_ 7.19___ 456900_ 20.75_ 94807 188.6 11.1 -7.8 0.0_ BBSSUUW(137)
BGC_ 84.8___ 5900___ 136.5_ 8054_ 61.0_ 18.2 1.3_ -2.5 K(137)
HCEG 63_____ 7935___ 93.0__ 7380_ 47.6_ -4.3 -12.6 6.9 O(151)
NLR_ 394.5__ 5080___ 531.5_ 27000 34.7_ -3.3 -15.3 8.1 CDMM(137)
AGL_ 128.25_ 3900___ 164.5_ 6416_ 28.3_ 0.0_ -1.2 0.0_ B(137)
DGM_ 18.19__ 110000_ 22.75_ 25025 25.1_ 17.1 -3.1 -2.2 BEMS(137)
CFP_ 0.28___ 3570000 0.35__ 12495 25.0_ 2.5_ 1.2_ -15.7 WY(137)
BAG_ 811____ 615____ 941.5_ 5790_ 16.1_ 2.0_ -4.2 -1.9 P(151)
CRDA 327.375 1525___ 380.0_ 5795_ 16.1_ -1.3 -3.2 2.7_ P(151)
ITR_ 7.81___ 110000_ 9.0___ 9900_ 15.2_ 1.8_ 21.4 5.9_ HH
IDS_ 212.5__ 4700___ 242.5_ 11398 14.1_ 1.7_ 3.5_ -2.4 GH(151)
BGT_ 130.5__ 7660___ 146.5_ 11222 12.3_ -5.8 -3.6 -1.0 JJ(137)
DFD_ 136____ 3675___ 152.5_ 5604_ 12.1_ -4.5 -2.7 4.5_ A(151)
KCOM 62_____ 16100__ 65.0__ 10465 4.8__ 3.9_ -1.5 -0.8 OO(151)
RSG_ 466.25_ 1070___ 485.0_ 5190_ 4.0__ 0.0_ -8.0 -1.0 P(151)
CEY_ 12.625_ 39600__ 12.75_ 5049_ 1.0__ 12.5 -14.3 -5.6 I(137)
GWP_ 120.25_ 8315___ 120.0_ 9978_ -0.2_ 7.0_ -10.8 3.9 EE(151)
TRT_ 87_____ 5750___ 86.0__ 4945_ -1.1_ -7.4 -2.9 -5.5 K(151)
ACE_ 258.25_ 1935___ 254.0_ 4915_ -1.6_ -2.2 -0.4 2.0_ G(151)
MOB_ 230.75_ 2165___ 223.5_ 4839_ -3.1_ -2.9 -7.3 -2.4 C(151)
TND_ 22.5___ 111000_ 21.75_ 24143 -3.3_ 11.9 -8.5 1.2_ LLLLR(173)
PCI_ 10.625_ 47000__ 10.25_ 4818_ -3.5_ -10.9 -2.4 2.5 T(151)
GHH_ 191.5__ 2610___ 180.5_ 4711_ -5.7_ -0.5 -5.8 0.6_ G(151)
CIU_ 162.25_ 3080___ 151.0_ 4651_ -6.9_ -4.1 -1.2 -5.9 G(173)
IDOX 11.75__ 42500__ 10.75_ 4569_ -8.5_ 5.0_ 4.8_ -2.3 V(173)
PAY_ 255.75_ 1955___ 230.5_ 4506_ -9.9_ -0.4 -2.4 -4.9 M(173)
WNN_ 268.5__ 1790___ 241.5_ 4323_ -10.1 0.0_ -1.4 -1.0 C
AEN_ 697.5__ 717____ 625.0_ 4481_ -10.4 -3.1 -13.3 0.8 J
BPG_ 667.625 1500___ 592___ 8880_ -11.3 -1.3 -3.2 -1.8 DP(151)
AUG_ 256.25_ 3900___ 222.5_ 8678_ -13.2 0.0_ -6.3 0.0_ DE(173)
CASH 142.25_ 3515___ 122.5_ 4306_ -13.9 4.5_ -12.6 0.8 C(173)
THUS 15.19__ 32900__ 13.0__ 4277_ -14.4 -7.0 0.0_ -1.9 O(151)
PET_ 53.75__ 9300___ 45.5__ 4232_ -15.3 -5.1 -26.7 65.5 R(177)
SLV_ 11.625_ 40450__ 9.75__ 3944_ -16.1 0.0_ 0.0_ 0.0_ D
BNH_ 125.25_ 15970__ 97.5__ 15571 -22.2 -10.7 1.1 5.4_ AIRR(173)
NML_ 5.31___ 85750__ 4.125_ 3537_ -22.3 -8.3 0.0_ 0.0_ W
PDX_ 231____ 2165___ 175.5_ 3800_ -24.0 -3.9 -8.9 3.5_ A(177)
SPS_ 50.5___ 39600__ 38.0__ 15048 -24.8 -1.3 -15.2 13.4 AIKK(173)
EPD_ 51_____ 9805___ 38.0__ 3726_ -25.5 4.8_ -5.7 -8.4 I(173)
GMC_ 19.125_ 52700__ 13.75_ 7246_ -28.1 9.3_ -5.1 -1.8 TW
MDW_ 9.09___ 247500_ 6.5___ 16088 -28.5 -3.3 0.0_ -10.3 JSVV(137)
PMD_ 0.875__ 571400_ 0.625_ 3571_ -28.6 -8.0 -4.3 13.6 Y(173)
FTO_ 8.69___ 57500__ 6.125_ 3522_ -29.5 -1.8 -3.6 -9.3 Y(173)
TAD_ 9.375__ 53300__ 6.175_ 3291_ -34.1 0.8_ -11.3 5.1 Y(177)
KYS_ 15.875_ 63000__ 10.25_ 6458_ -35.4 -2.3 -2.4 0.0_ UU(173)
DES_ 62.25__ 8030___ 37.0__ 2971_ -40.6 -3.6 -17.5 12.1 H(177)
XEN_ 7.44___ 67200__ 4.3___ 2890_ -42.2 -6.0 -0.6 0.0_ V(173)
ASC_ 78.5___ 25480__ 43.0__ 10956 -45.2 -1.0 -3.0 -11.3 ZZZZ(177)
BPRG 67.25__ 14870__ 31.25_ 4647_ -53.5 21.2 -12.0 -14.4 TT(137)

Totals__________________ 470102.4 6.8__ 3.0_ -5.6_ -0.1
small-cap__ 2891.87_______ 2802.8 -3.1_ -0.8 -3.0_ 0.0

SEO is unchanged during the week but an announcement formalising the ASDA deal is likely in the forthcoming week and could lead to a breakthrough the current resistance level. As recoimmended this week in Shares one that should be in each of our portfolios.

HCEG and NLR have recovered somewhat. However, the main mover of the week is PET. An RNS denied any knowledge for the reason for a move following a rumour in the FT that PET had won a contract in southern Iraq. Certainly, the settling down of the Iraq situation is a prerequisite of progress. Not for the faint-hearted or those who have suffered in the past!

ITR has strengthened further. I wrote of its merits last week. Its worth adding that it is now clear that the flotation value of its holding in Cellular Design Services (CDS) is likely to be more than the current cap., implying a likely doubling in the price by end June.

ASC has reached a new nadir in its fortunes. Yours truly has bought back in, reckoning the current prospective pe to be derisory. Two strong broker buy signals. When will it turn round. I have a sneaking feeling that it will be this week - based on the end of the "mid-season sale on Monday" and the likelihood that that marks the completion of the new warehouse operation. Anyone joining me? I'll put out the light if I find no-one else there.

B 107.7 K 2.6_ R -15.7
S_ 93.5 C 1.1_ Y -16.8
U_ 45.5 G -0.1 I -17.9
W_ 42.5 D -2.6 V -27.0
M_ 21.3 L -3.4 T -37.8
O_ 10.6 J -3.6 Z -45.2
P_ 6.1 H -7.2
E_ 2.9 A -14.7

The investor table is thoroughly boring, for all except bos, seb and markus, who has climbed back to third. Now, I believe I will be challenging before the end of the competition (CFP and NML, plus possibly GMC) and am also backing dawsinho with his ITR holding. Anyone else who reckons that their portfolio will bring them into contention?

Eric

Not me but my time will come!! At the moment I'm afraid to look.
Have a good weekend all and here's to a better market next week. MP

I would definately fancy my chances, Eric, if the deadline was end of 2005. But sadly may run out of time as the Competition nears its Summer-end. Still confident of consolidating the bronze medal position though!

still there, totl, but i'm very surprised that agl hasn't moved at all. two good pieces of news and nothing happened. confusing!!

Now its a shame that we don't have a prize for the winner. My suggestion is that bos donates the prize. He is extremely confident at winning so it wouldn't cost him anything. It would do his reputation (and popularity) a great deal of good. So, how about it, bos?

Eric

I agree with Eric, here..... prizes down to 3rd position - OK, 4th as Eric is there at the moment and we are contesting the bronze medal!

How about everybody gets a prize, Bos should be loaded after investing in seo, so he can buy........ hmmm don't think he'll agree to that :-)
Anyone who looking to spice up their holdings should take a look vml (vane minerals) Got lots on the go and released great news regarding Uranium deals this week, lots more to come this week me feels.

no problem. i will donate the prize for the winner!!!! :)