I have been investing on AIM for the last 12 months. It has been an incredible roller coaster, a steep learning curve and hugely enjoyable journey.

Below is a brief synopsis of that journey, my winners and losers and my key take always. Everyone has their own approach to

Investing, so this isn't meant to be in any way prescriptive!

On 1 May 2020, I decided to shift 25% of my investments from UK equity income & bond funds ( JO Hambro UK Eq Inc) to AIM and Nasdaq small cap growth companies in the hope that the ensuing 12 months would see a strong

Rebound on the back of global liquidity flows - a reinflation trade!

I came across Leon Boros via a PI world online investment forum in April. His top picks: BOTB, WEY, ARCT,NDOY, BVTX

I then jumped on the Cov19 bandwagon, investing in GDR ( bought and sold for a 200% profit

In 2 days!). I followed up by investing in ODX, NCYT and AVCT ( having read Myles McNulty's research).

I noticed an old acquaintance (Richard Sneller) was heavily invested in ODX and discovered he was a major shareholder in a number of other AIM cos (MXCT, RENX,SCE,TKY,TWD,TXP)

Which I researched and invested in.

I then invested in a number of green stocks including VDTK (!) & EQT.

The "final stage" in the journey was coming across Jim Mellon (billionaire investor) and investigating his investments in meta themes - ANIC, FFWD & $PRTG (immuno-oncology)

There has been quite a lot of trading in and out of the above stocks during the past 12 months and I have now closed out most of my AIM positions and rotated back into cash, leaving my investment in PRTG in place.

My key take always are:

1. Follow the money not the market

2. Be humble - learn from experienced and successful investors: Richard Sneller/Leon Boros/Jim Mellon have a 30 year track record of investment success.

3. Bounce ideas off. a handful of trusted Fintwit contacts.

4. Ride conviction buys

5. Cut losers ruthlessly (VDTK!)

6. Never fully trust management projections (VDTK!)

7. Constantly question your investment thesis, never get emotionally attached to a stock.

8. Remain humble and learn from your mistakes

I've analysed 12 month returns from 2 baskets of 14 stocks:

A. Follow the money: Richard Sneller, Leon Boros, Jim Mellon

B. 14 FinTwit thematic stocks - Cov19 & Green Energy

The results are:

Follow the money basket + 188%

Fintwit Cov19 & Green plays + 94%

Follow the money basket:

Richard Sneller: MXCT, RENX, SCE, TLY, TWD, TXP

Leon Boros: ARCT, BOTB. BVNTX,NDOY,WEY

Jim Mellon: ANIC, FFWD, PRTG

Fintwit basket:

AEG,AVCT,EQT,FAB,GDR,HEMO,NCYT,ODX,ORPH,PHE, SNG,SAE,VDTK,VLS

We have had the mother of all liquidity driven rallies over the last 12 months.

I suspect the next 12 months are going to be a lot more challenging! 100-200% annual returns on AIM are exceptional imo.

GLA!

Loads of people on Fintwit have been fantastically helpful over the last 12 months!

Particular thanks to Hardy AIM, Sajyboy, Shrey, Nicholas Monteith, Quint, Donald Pond, GLR, Little Boy Blue,, and Older & Wiser for sharing their wisdom and insights!