Pull your stocks up Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Beach_hut: We're going to retire this one. Thanks to all who came to look for it.

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Hidden : 7/29/2012
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

The cache is not located at the published co-ordinates but is within two miles.

Inspired by alflavor's "flavor cache" we though we'd hide our own cache based on Mr and Mrs Beach_hut's former careers in the Stockbroking industry. Before anyone says it, the reason these are our former careers aren't because we caused the credit crunch (which we didn't!) or fixed any interest rates!

You are looking for a camo-ed bison tube hidden on a public footpath. Not wheelchair accessible and buggy users will find it hard going in places. Please only look for this cache during daylight hours. Bring your own pen.

There are no secret codes to solve for this puzzle, just a bit of number-crunching. If you're not familiar with the industry-standard terms used in this listing, do a few internet searches and you should find what you need.

Barry Chutt (or Mr B Chutt as he was more formally known, say to his accountant) decided to dabble in the stock market and purchased shares in TravBug plc, the fastest-growing (and most fictitious) company in the sector. In January 2011, he purchased a total of 720 shares at 60p each.



In real life, trades would be subject to broker fees, tax etc, but for the purposes of this puzzle you can assume these do not apply.

In February 2011, the company underwent a rights issue, and Barry was allocated one right for every three existing shares he held, such that each right enabled him to purchase a new share in TravBug plc at a cost of 48p each. Having no ready cash at this point, Barry decided to sell just enough of his rights on the open market (for which he received 15p per right), to raise just enough cash, such that he could take up the remainder of the rights he was allocated. This process is called tail-swallowing. This left Barry with a small cash surplus of A pence.

In April 2011, TravBug plc offered its shareholders the chance to receive new shares in a scrip dividend, in lieu of a cash dividend, on the basis of one new share for every 37 held. He took this up and duly received BC additional shares in the company. (ignore any decimal)

In May 2011, Barry decided to speculate on the future share price of TravBug plc and decided to purchase 200 call options to trade shares in the company (at a strike price of 72p), which cost him a premium of 18p. Hedging his bets somewhat, he decided to purchase 200 put options for a premium of 24p, which carried a strike price of 40p) Barry retained these options to take up at a future date.



In August 2011, TravBug plc carried out an open offer to its shareholders, entitling them to purchase one new share in the company for every 6 they held, at a cost of 54p each. (This only applies to ordinary shares, not options), Barry took this offer up partly, buying half the shares he was entitled to under the offer. (ignore any decimal)

In November 2011, TravBug plc paid a cash dividend of CB pence per ordinary share. (again, this does not apply to options)

In January 2012, Barry decided to take advantage of the rising share price and took up half of his call options. He decided to keep the other half, believing the price would rise further.

In March 2012, Travbug plc issued its shareholders with warrants (one warrant per existing share held - once more, this only applies to his ordinary shares, not his options) to subscribe for ordinary shares at a cost of 70p each. Barry immediately took up three quarters of the warrants he had received, leaving the remainder to lapse.

In May 2012, a sudden shortage in travel bug codes meant the share price of TravBug plc fell sharply, and Barry immediately took up all his put options. He allowed the remaining call options to lapse, losing the premium he had previously spent.

In July 2012, Travbug plc offered to buy back shares in the company from its shareholders in a tender offer at a strike price of 35p each. Barry took this offer up and sold half of his shares back to the company under the offer. (rounded up where necessary)



OK then...

At the end of all of this, how many shares did Barry have left? Call this number DEF.

In cash terms, what was the sum total Barry invested? (the cost of all the ordinary shares he bought, along with derivatives etc, less any cash dividends and sale proceeds) Call this amount £GHJ.KL

The cache is located at:

N 52° FA.G(E+K)(B*F) W 000° BC.(H-L)J(D-J)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Tebhaq yriry

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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