If only...
PCI-PAL (Aim: PCIP) develops software that allows call centres to process credit and debit-card payments securely. Its most recent results showed a 27% rise in turnover in the year to 30 June, with a profit of just over £21,000, compared with a loss of £258,000 in the previous year.
It recently sold two related call-centre divisions to concentrate on its payments business. Since then shares have shot up, and have risen by more than 170% in the last year.
Be glad you didn't
In August 2015, investment firm Iafyds plc completed a reverse takeover of 365 Agile Limited, renaming itself 365Agile Group (Aim: 365). 365 Agile creates apps that let staff access back office systems remotely, with a subsidiary, Wireless Things, developing software for the "internet of things". The management concluded the original business model required improvements, which included the CEO's departure, closure of the Wireless Things subsidiary, and a near-90% slump in the share price.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
-
Families suffer £20,000 lost income growth – are you feeling the pinch?Average incomes for working age families have increased by just 7% in the past two decades, research suggests
-
How to achieve a secure retirement, as more retirees admit to struggling with debtTwenty-six percent of retirees now have unsecured debt – a sharp rise compared to two years ago – with many underestimating how much a typical retirement costs
