AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) says customer loan balances had increased by 4% in the quarter to March 2020. Customer deposits increased by 2%. There were net inflows to the investment management business despite the uncertainty in the markets.
Gunsynd (GUN) has extended the deadline for the Oyster Oil and Gas deal from 30 April to 30 October. If the conditions are not satisfied by October, then the sale of the Oyster shares can be terminated.
Inqo Investments (INQO) says that its February 2020 accounts may not be published until September because of delays to audits. The company’s investments have been affected by COVID-19. Kuzuko Lodge in South Africa was closed in early April and Inqo believes that it could take another two years to fully recover. Kentegra Biotechnology and South Lake Medical Centre in Kenya are both continuing to trade. Four One Financial Services could find trading difficult.
Eastinco Mining (EM.P) is completing the wash plant and starting operations at its tantalum mine in Rwanda. Cash is running out and management wants to raise cash through the exercise of warrants at 1.5p each. If 30% of warrants are exercised it will raise £700,000. If a shareholder exercises warrants, they will receive another warrant exercisable at 3p a share. The cash raised will finance capital investment and exploration.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has raised £151,000 at 5.75p a share. SulNOx Group (SNOX) has raised £230,000 at 40p a share. Each share comes with a warrant exercisable at 40p.
Belvedere Leisure (BELV) says that the COVID-19 lockdown has stopped it obtaining additional subscriptions. Phase one of the company’s development will be split into two parts. The first 50 self-catering lodges are due to open next February.
Veni Vidi Vici (VVV) had cash of £354,000 at the end of 2019. The company is committed to paying A$300,000 towards initial spending of the joint venture that holds the Shangri La gold, copper and silver project in Western Australia.
Two directors and a managing partner of EPE have bought shares in EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) at 160p each. The total amount invested is £44,259. Boston Trust Company has increased its stake from 2.9% to 4.3%.
AIM
Amryt Pharma (AMYT) has moved into a positive EBITDA position in the first quarter, which is earlier than expected. The orphan drugs provider is on course to generate revenues of $172m this year. An underlying EBITDA of $19.5m is forecast for 2020 and that move above $50m next year. Amryt has cash on the balance sheet that is more than enough for its current requirements, but there is also debt, including convertibles. Net debt is expected to increase to $160m by the end of 2020 before reducing the following year.
Acquisitions helped Focusrite (TUNE) to grow in the first half. There was a decline in the revenues of continuing operations, although trading was strong in the corresponding period. Overall revenues were 24% ahead at £49.9m. there were first time contributions from ADAM Audio and Martin Audio (two months). Lower margins and higher interest charges meant that pre-tax profit fell from £7.15m to £6.38m. Focusrite has moved into a net debt position due to the money spent on acquisitions. Martin is likely to be hardest hit by lockdowns around the world due to its event-based customers, whereas demand for other products is holding up as people make music at home.
Payments platform provider Bango (BGO) has signed a new deal that should be worth £1.5m over three years and there is potential for it to be worth even more. Bango could move into profit this year.
Appreciate (APPS) says that the first 11 months trading was in line with expectations, but March trading was hit by COVID-19. Corporate activity has declined by around two-thirds, while Christmas savings have fallen 10%. There was still free cash of £30m at the end of March 2020. This year’s figures will be much harder hit by COVID-19 and profit is likely to plummet. Achieving a profit will be dependent on an upturn in the second half. Cash is also likely to decline.
MAIN MARKET
Diversified Gas and Oil (DGOC) moves from AIM to a premium listing on 18 May. Diversified has raised £69.4m at 108p a share. This cash will go towards financing two potential oil and gas asset acquisitions. Trident Resources (TRR) will be going in the opposite direction on 2 June.
Andrew Hore