I bought 1,000 shares of this thing about a year back at 14. Buying decision was based on the fact that I didn't know the company apart from the fact that it shed the name Dunlop at some point. It was mysterious and alluring. Today,I still don't know it,so @mainat I can confidently say that there is no strategy.

On December 2 2008,in response to a thread relating to OCH's 1/2 yr results,I posted the following statements below,which I have copied below for ease of reference....

'I held this counter for quite a long time back from the days when the NSE was a sterling performer. I am afraid to say that this counter was and has been a major disapointment. I have not seen anything from the recent results to dispel this conclusion.

The commentary on results invariably starts with excuses for poor or below target performance. The results are invariably late (3 months for the most recent interim results) and are never published in the press. The second half of the year practically ALWAYS tends to be lower than the first half. That means any projections made from 1st half results turn out to be OVERLY OPTIMISTIC. They have also changed their Auditors at least 3 times in the last 5 years. All these issues smack of very poor corporate governance if not poor management!

In the prospectus for the rights issue they talked of deepening their investments in the whole spectrum of the building industry. They have now turned around and are presenting themselves as an investment company. This leads me to question how sure they are of their strategy or if they are just fumbling.

Note the company only managed to pay a dividend for the first time in a zillion years from the proceeds of the rights issue - and even then it was a paltry 20 cents. Further,their main new investments are in South Africa in a niche part of the residential real estate space. This part of the South African real estate sector has bombed. Their lastest Kenyan acquisition was in Mather & Platt - a company thet Centum divested from after years of loss making. With all these factors at play,and the counter trading at a forward PE of over 15 at a time when bargains are a plenty on the NSE,I am afraid that this is a counter that I would not touch with a 10 feet pole!'

IT SEEMS THAT THINGS HAVE ONLY GOTTEN WORSE EVER SINCE. HOWEVER,I DO HOPE IT IS NOT AS BAD AS LONGSLIPS HAS INDICATED,ALTHOUGH I AINT HOLDING MY BREATH.


Opportunity calls but few respond.

Natwood back trading today. No one answering

Plush phone in Jhb.

@longships Hats off. You called this. Reason 'Please note that the Exchange has Temporarily Halted trading in Olympia Capital Holding Ltd.This is in accordance with clause 9.4.2 (III) of the Trading Rules'
*** What is 9.4.2 (iii)

Greedy when others are fearful,Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase WB

Unusual trading? 57,400 shares is huge for Olympia

Greedy when others are fearful,Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase WB

Message to brokers from NSE regarding the suspension of trading but 57,400 shares had traded by then. Most firms release results/material information BEFORE trading opens (e.g. KQ did recently) while others AFTER trading closes. Some firms release material information DURING trading hours thus the confusion.

Greedy when others are fearful,Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase WB

I repeat again,get out when you still can. For those who beleive this company is going somewhere,I propose the following test,go to the sales office and ask for PVC floor tiles. Ask to see samples or a sample board,the prices etc and gauge the level of service.
Also compare the price you receive with the price of a ceramic tile and ask yourself why one would use a PVC tile when they can use a ceramic one.
The value of this share is in the real estate it sits on at that Enterprise Road,Dar es salaam road junction which in my view is factored on the current debts taken to finance acquisitions abroad. You need to explain to me where growth will come from or of loyal customer base.
Good luck. My bets fall on the longisland fellow.

All that matters is character

@mwanahisa...re Vitu/yourself clause 9.4.2(iii)...read...just like us the NSE is trying to get clarification from Olympia as per longships claims...hope their Nbi phones/fax are working...

Playing the stock market without insider info...is like buying a cow in the moonlight.

Granted,Olympia may be a poor performer but why the lies? I have scoured the Daily Nation,Standard & Business Daily for Vitu's allegation that Olympia was suspended from trading,there is no such story. I have also checked the NSE website and there is no announcement to that effect. I have also checked Kenyan blogs that discuss the NSE,there is no such story. Should we not have a code of ethics on SK?

I am in the same boat but my broker told me trading was suspended. See longships contributions below.

Greedy when others are fearful,Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase WB