Every now and then one can be seriously surprised. And just that occurred to me this morning with the announcement of an agreed bid from Bravo for DARKtrace at $7.75 or 620p per share.
Bravo have of course dabbled round this target some months ago. So what has caused them then to close talks only to revive the plan I can only guess. I suppose it must be the AI fever that has gripped capital markets in recent months.
Anyway I closed at 617p and have opened the gin bottle to nurse my wounded pride. I apologise to punters and readers who were persuaded to open a short by my persistent disbelief in the figures that were published.
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More bits have come in this last week concerning DCMS/Gambling Commission affordability checks. Believe it or not a few weeks ago Rich Ricci who made well over £100m when he worked at Barclays tried to put on a horserace bet of £500. He was turned down since the checks had not been carried out – he would have had to supply copies of bank statements which neither time nor self-respect could possibly have permitted. So he placed the bet elsewhere – presumably overseas where these absurd checks are not in force.
DCMS have advised me in writing (on 23rd April 2024) that they will not reply to my correspondence in which I criticise them since, as matters stand, there would be nothing new to consider.
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Finally, I have been reading Politics On The Edge by Rory Stewart. It is astonishing as to how badly politicians govern Britain. So many of them just guess and pose. The eye-popper so far has been the conduct of Liz Truss who is a very second rate poseur. Clearly, she should never have been promoted to ministerial office and, as for finding herself as prime minister, words fail me. I trust Rory Stewart’s account and judgement.