LAFDI market report - Friday 26th June

The Liberum AltFi Disruptors Index had a down week with almost a 1% underperformance versus the wider market. This poor performance was led by the UK stocks within the Index that had a noticeably worse time than their US peers over the week. 

* Returns are calculated for the week to local market close on Thursday.

The biggest loser of the week was Monitise PLC, the UK based mobile banking service provider which closed down 18%. Like last week, it once again headed the worst performers table along with Tungsten (see below). Monetise's share price is now more than 80% lower over the last 12 months. This week’s downward lurch coincided with the publishing of a research report by Jefferies Group, lowering their rating to a ‘hold’ rating and cutting their price target for the stock from 36p to 15p. Shares closed yesterday at 10.75p.

Also seeing a big share price drop this week was Tungsten PLC, the e-invoicing group. Like Monetise, Tungsten’s share price has fallen almost 80% in the past 12 months and down 75% since its 2013 IPO. The FT reported this week that “whispers are circulating the Square Mile” that the CEO, Edi Truell is planning to take the AIM-quoted company private. This would enable the serial entrepreneur to focus on the business rather than having to deal with the constant distraction that comes with having a poorly performing publicly quoted stock.

The biggest winner of the week was Newstar Financial Inc whose shares enjoyed an 8.84% rise on higher than normal volume for this time of year but no obvious newsflow. It is interesting to note that 60% of the shares in this company are held by insiders.

Lending Tree, the online US finance broker had another strong week as momentum around this company gathers. The stock is now at an all time high having gained 170% over the past 12 months.

Please note : The LAFDI is now available on Bloomberg.  Tickers:

LAFDITR Index <GO> for the Total Return Index

LAFDIPR Index <GO> for the Price Return Index