looks like shell takeover still on, page-8

Pixie,

I, like you, likes to hold for a very long time with the view of ongoing fully franked dividends and capital appreciation of my shares.

There is no denial from me that I have bought and sold some shares here and there, but in the majority of cases, I buy and hold for the long term. If the share does not perform in a couple of years, then I reconsider my position taking in consideration though, the outside market forces. Making a quick decision based on outside market forces, IMHO, it means playing into the hands of the market forces itself and the ones that control that part of the bargain.

Like going to the Casino, if you think that you can beat the house all of the time, well let me tell you. You have a very big shock coming. Play your cards properly, bait you time, and the chance will come. Then reconsider your position again before you rush in for the next lot for the sake of greed.

It is quite a few years now that the CBA did the float and as for me I still do hold around 10,000 shares from that float at around the $5.20 mark or thereabout. Over the years I have gained tremendously on my original investment, let alone the ongoing fully franked dividends that returns me approximately 50% and even more on my original investment each year.

With that, don't get me wrong. I do not hold any grudge against the traders. Because the sharemarket is made of all the different types of investors and IMHO, there is room for all of us. To each his own. But, IMHO, the long term holders runs a better chance of success than the short term one. The chances he (long termer) has of succeeding, IMHO are greater than the one who wants to move in and out for a small profit.

As for AOE, the underground market forces are causing what is happening now, believe me. And it is all happening to destabilize the weak hands and pushing/swaying them into selling their holding to them, (once they lost their patience), whom are waiting on the sideline.

I also do happen to agree with what you wrote about our Management and Board. IMHO, they should bury their heads in shame. But I also do feel sure that chances are that the cows will come home first.

I will continue to hold my AOE shares. After all the price/offer is still on the table and with the current devaluation of the Aussie dollar, I feel quite sure that Shell know very well that, if they miss this chance now, they will miss it altogether like they originally did with WPL. As such, I do believe that they will not withdraw their offer. We couldn't be so lucky, and they know it.

I am also upset that my dreams of getting long term dividends from AOE are now looking very sleam as well. But one never know.

Good luck all,

Buddy