Patterns
37 patterns. One register.
Every Fulcrums signal is a named pattern with a precise definition, a public example, and a per-pattern monthly trend. No black box.
Distress
8 patternsImminent insolvency
Composite signal indicating very short runway.
Read definitionBalance-sheet insolvency
Liabilities exceed assets in latest filed accounts.
Read definitionNegative working capital
Current liabilities exceed current assets.
Read definitionHigh gearing
Debt-to-equity ratio exceeds sector norms.
Read definitionMargin collapse
Operating margin drops 50%+ year-on-year.
Read definitionRevenue collapse
Turnover drops 30%+ year-on-year.
Read definitionSector-leading distress
Worse on every metric than sector peers.
Read definitionStrike-off defence
Active objection to compulsory strike-off.
Read definitionGovernance
13 patternsCoordinated board exit
Multiple directors resign within a short window.
Read definitionAuditor resignation
Auditor steps down ahead of cycle.
Read definitionPSC rapid change
Persons with significant control change suddenly.
Read definitionName change cluster
Repeated company-name changes.
Read definitionRegistered office flux
Registered office address changes repeatedly.
Read definitionCFO / FD resignation
Finance leadership departs.
Read definitionCEO resignation
Chief executive departs.
Read definitionSingle-day multi-resignation
Multiple board members resign on one day.
Read definitionPSC change to foreign entity
Controlling interest moves overseas.
Read definitionPSC removal without replacement
Persons with significant control entry removed.
Read definitionAudit firm change
Auditor changes between filings.
Read definitionSIC code change
Reported business activity changes.
Read definitionCapital restructure
Significant share-capital reorganisation.
Read definitionLending
5 patternsALL ASSETS charge stack
Multiple all-assets charges to senior lenders.
Read definitionMass charge satisfaction
Multiple charges satisfied at once.
Read definitionLender rotation
Senior lender replaced.
Read definitionFirst-ever charge
First registered charge in company history.
Read definitionSmall-company first charge
Sub-£1M turnover company registers all-assets charge.
Read definitionFiling
4 patternsLate accounts
Statutory accounts are overdue.
Read definitionGoing-concern note added
Auditor adds going-concern qualifier.
Read definitionFiling pattern: dormant
Company filing dormant accounts repeatedly.
Read definitionConfirmation statement late
Confirmation statement overdue.
Read definitionGrowth
3 patternsComposite
4 patternsSpike-day events
Days with abnormally high event volume.
Read definitionDormant revival
Dormant company resumes trading.
Read definitionPhoenix pattern
New entity replaces a recently failed one.
Read definitionPost-acquisition charge spike
Multiple charges immediately after PSC change.
Read definition