Okay, let’s make this clear, I have nothing against prostitutes and no particular beef against what’s sometimes called the world’s oldest profession. That those who practise the trade tend to be women and even if they’re not, that the vast majority of clients are men is also beside the point. Also in the sidebar is the way that most prostitutes don’t enjoy the luxury, high-class high living ideal (or get picked up and then married to Richard Gere, or kindly help out then fall in love with a guy who later corners the market in frozen concentrated orange juice in a movie) but usually suffer a hard life and come from a difficult family background.
No, what we’re talking about here is the financial hooker, the business prostitute, the analyst whore who pretends to be something he (or she, but oddly this sub-sector tends to be male) is not. Take for example Rockstone Research, an outfit that writes up Canadian junior companies in both English and German for audiences in North America and Europe, plus its lead analyst Stephan Bogner. Bogner, along with other names connected to Rockstone such as John P. Barry, pretend to offer up sound investment ideas and carefully researched company fundies. Sadly, it’s not the case because these people aren’t just common whores but much worse than that, they’re sneaky fakes who are in the pocket of those flaming rip-off Vancouver scam merchants, Zimtu Capital.
Evidence: If we check on the top core holdings of Zimtu (i.e. the companies they set up and own using other people’s money, most of which also pay heavily to the owners of Zimtu) we get this list:
According to the Zimtu website Voltaic Minerals (VLT.v) is its top holding. This company happens to be covered by Rockstone Research and its coverage is paid for by Zimtu Capital.Next comes Commerce Resources (CCE.v). Somewhat by coincidence this company is also covered by Rockstone Research with coverage paid for by Zimtu Capital.Number three on its list of top holdings is Equitas Resources (EQT.v). And shock! Covered by Rockstone Research, coverage paid for by Zimtu Capital.Then ALS Uranium (AL.v): Covered by Rockstone Research, coverage paid for by Zimtu Capital.Then Electra Stone (ELT.v): Covered by Rockstone Research, coverage paid for by Zimtu Capital.Then Arctic Star (ADD.v): Covered by Rockstone Research, coverage paid for by Zimtu Capital.Then MGX Minerals (XMG.cse): Covered by Rockstone Research, coverage paid for by Zimtu Capital.Then 92 Resources (NTY.v): Covered by Rockstone Research, coverage paid for by Zimtu Capital.Then True Leaf Medicine (MJ.cse): Covered by Rockstone Research, coverage paid for by Zimtu Capital.
And the list goes on. Now, is this purely coincidence, or is Rockstone Research a pumphouse bullshit merchant that is trying to sell complete crap to naive greenhorn investors in exchange for cash from the companies it’s pumping? You be the judge.