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Quoted Micro 10 February 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Third quarter revenue from emissions reduction additives supplier SulNOx Group (SNOX) more than doubled to £208,000 compared to the same period last year. Volume growth was 88.7%. There was cash of £2.5m at the end of 2024. There are 44 shipping companies evaluating the additives and there are more set to sign up. Crystal is the first cruise operator to evaluate the additive, and it made an average fuel saving of 3.4%.
Rogue Baron (SHNJ) has decided to change its strategy from drinks, because of a lack of market support for the sector, to natural resources, particularly in North America. The spirits business will be sold. The disposal will turn Rogue Baron into an Enterprise Company on Aquis. An investment committee of Hamish Harris and Charlie Wood will consider potential investments base or precious metals. The company name will change to Richmond Hill Resources. Tomoya Daimon has resigned from the board. A placing raised £209,000 0.6p/share.
Oscillate (MUSH) says it has analysed early-stage data for hydrogen in the Animikie Basin in northern Minnesota. Soil gas sensing equipment has been deployed, and shallow soil gas sampling technology will evaluate hydrogen potential.
Marula Mining (MARU) says assay results of copper concentrate samples from the Kinusi copper mine in Tanzania provide further confirmation of high-grade copper content of the material stockpile.
Oberon Investments Group (OBE) is holding a general meeting to gain approval for a capital reduction to create distributable reserves.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) is rebranding its Nifty Labs subsidiary as Forza (Gibraltar) and it will focus on treasury management for the holding company. Coinsilium is assessing innovative opportunities in treasury management.
Trading in Hydrogen Future Industries (HFI) shares has been suspended because accounts for the year to July 2024 have not been published.
Barry Hersh has forfeited the 18.66 million unpaid shares in Global Connectivity (GCON).
Paul Mathieson’s stake in Investment Evolution Credit (IEC) has reduced from 38.9% to 35.4%. That was prior to a £35,650 subscription at 1p/share. Dr Richard Leaver doubled his shareholding to two million shares after the subscription and he has become chief executive. Dr Leaver is a former director of AIM companies Blue Star Capital (BLU), Image Scan (IGE) and Toumaz. He has experience with AI and the board believes this will help to grow the consumer credit business. John van Kuffeler will not become chairman.
Supernova Digital Assets (SOL) generated revenues of £114,000 in the 12 months to October 2024 according to unaudited management accounts. A £2.7m increase in the fair value of digital assets and tokens. The pre-tax profit was £2.41m. Net assets were £5.8m at the end of October 2024.
Ventura Finance, which is controlled by Mark Jackson, owns 3.93% of Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR).
DXS International (DXSP) chairman Bob Sutcliffe is continuing to buy shares adding another 20,000 at 3.5p each, taking his stake to 1.99%. Shepherd Neame (SHEP) has amended an earlier purchase by chairman Richard Oldfield (that was said to be 42,459 shares) to 1,500 shares at 519p each. He has also acquired 2,000 shares at 540p each. BWA Group (BWAP) managing director has bought 1.5 million shares at 0.15p each, taking his stake to 6.75%. Ananda Pharma (ANA) chief executive Melissa Sturgess bought 5 million shares at 0.43p each, taking her shareholding above 10%.
Time to ACT (TTA) has appointed VSA Capital as corporate adviser and broker.
Jim Williams has resigned from VVV Resources (VVV) and David Ajemain has been appointed as executive chairman. The company is reviewing potential projects.
ASSET MATCH
VP Fintech (VPF) joined the Asset Match private market on 5 February. It owns 56% of Canadian company Valens Pay, which has developed a fintech platform that offers directly or via third parties users services including payment, forex and investments. There is no limit on size of transaction. At the end of 2024, there were 21 partners using the platform. Co-founder James Holmes owns 46.1%, TP Finans ApS, which is owned by co-founder Torben Pedersen, 38.9% and Torben Pedersen’s own holding is 12.1%. The first share auction will be in March. At a share price of 100p, the market capitalisation is £25m.
Nightcap (NGHT) has acquired the 115 lease on the i360 Tower in Brighton. It is one of the world’s tallest moving observation towers with 20,000 square foot of hospitality space. The deal excludes any debt, which has been released by the local council.
Oil and gas explorer and producer SDX Energy (SDX) has left AIM and joined Asset Match on 3 February. The first auction will be in March.
Isle of Scilly Steamship (IOS) has appointed Jonathan Hinkles as managing director of airline Skybus. He has been an adviser for six months and his job is to return Skybus to sustainable profitability. Skybus flies from airports in Cornwall and Devon to St Mary’s and has seven aircraft.
Marshalls of Cambridge (MCH) has appointed David Mitchard as a non-executive director.
AIM
Engineering consultancy RC Fornax (RCFX) joined AIM on 5 February after raising £5.2m at 32.5p/share. Existing shareholders raised a further £1m. The share price ended the week at 35p. RC Fornax was set up in 2020 and is focused on the UK defence sector and it would like to move into new territories.
Building components manufacturer Alumasc (ALU) is maintaining margins and has managed to generate organic growth in a period where the construction market contracted. New product development and improving efficiency help to improve the figures. Interim revenues rose by one-fifth to £57.4m with organic growth of 8%. Pre-tax profit was 19% ahead at £7.5m. Exports grew 43% as demand from the Chek Lap Kok project in Hong Kong started to build. The interim dividend was raised by 1% to 3.5p/share.
Energy supplier and energy efficiency services provider Good Energy (GOOD) has reached agreement with Dubai-based Esyasoft and is recommending a 490p/share bid. That is higher than the share price had ever previously been and values Good Energy at £99.4m. Major shareholder and former potential bidder Ecotricity has committed to accepting the bid.
Digital tech services provider TPXimpact (TPX) says third quarter trading was in line with expectations, but contract starts have been delayed and slow to build up which will hit the fourth quarter. This is due to the UK government putting off spending decisions. The UK government comprehensive spending review should be completed in June and spending will hopefully return to expected levels after that. Dowgate has cut 2024-25 revenues from £84m to £76m, which has led to a pre-tax profit downgrade to £2.8m.
RA International (RAI) directors have decided to ask for shareholder permission to leave AIM. The remote services provider to global organisations says that disclosure requirements hamper the business by enabling rivals have a greater insight into its strategy. Also, confidentiality agreements mean that it is difficult to provide investors with the information they want. Liquidity is poor because Soraya Narfeldt and Lars Narfeldt own more than 80% of RA International. Contract mobilisation delays are hampering trading, and a loss is expected for 2024. Costs will be reduced this year and non-core business could be sold for up to $5m.
Lung cancer diagnostics developer Lung Life AI (LLAI) is planning to leave AIM with discussions continuing with one strategic partner to help to commercialise its lung cancer tests. However, there is unlikely to be an agreement in the short-term and cash, currently $1.31m, is only going to last until later in the second quarter. A public share issue is unlikely to be viable. If no source of funding can be found, then the company would be wound up.
Fuels, food and feed distributor NWF (NWF) reported an improvement in underlying pre-tax profit from £3.4m to £3.6m. Higher contributions from fuels and feed offset a small dip in profit at food distribution, where the new site at Lymedale is taking longer than expected to fill up. There are £600,000 of exceptional costs relating to an investigation into a conflict of interest in contracting transport services and the investigation will be completed by May. Full year pre-tax profit expectations have been maintained at £8.6m.
Space and defence communications technology supplier Filtronic (FTC) trebled interim revenues and went from loss to a pre-tax profit, excluding the movement in the value of SpaceX warrants and share-based payments, of £7.8m. The momentum is not expected to continue in the second half, where the comparatives are much tougher anyway. Despite investment in new capacity and working capital requirements net cash is £5.1m and it should be much higher at the year-end. There have been two forecast upgrades in recent months, and it is not a surprise that the full year pre-tax profit forecast has been maintained at £11.5m, up £3.4m last year. There is potential for further contract wins, though.
APQ Global Ltd (APQ) says the US government’s slashing of international aid and foreign assistance has created a tough environment for its investee companies. Cash flow generation and refinancing debt should enable APQ Global to repay convertible loan holders by the end of March, but it is more uncertain than previously. The outstanding principle is £26.1m. Delphos is the main investment and two-thirds of its transaction advisory contracts have been cancelled, and they were worth $5m. The others are also likely to be cancelled. Cash inflows over December and January were expected to be $18.9m, but they were $1.1m. The estimate for February has been downgraded from $16.5m to $14.5m, although the March estimate has been raised from $4.3m to $11.1m. That still means a reduction $12m over the period. APQ Global had $3.2m in cash at the end of January.
Cosmetics supplier Warpaint London (W7L) warns that growth is slowing. Interim revenues were 25% higher in the first half and they grew 14% to £102m for the full year. Usually, the second half is much stronger. Margins continue to improve. So far this year, revenues are 15% ahead.
Ilika (IKA) has successfully demonstrated the scalability of its Goliath battery and it will produce prototypes for potential customers. The battery was produced using standard equipment. Ilika is working with Mpac (MPAC) on a 1.5MWh solid state battery production line to produce the Goliath prototype for automotive use. The Agratas factory built to supply Jaguar Land Rover is assessing it its ability to produce Goliath batteries.
Team Internet (TIG) revealed 2024 revenues fell 4% to £803m. Even three months ago growth was anticipated. Profit also declined. The original domain names business grew revenues by 7%, while the new comparison division grew 43%. The search division, which is the rest of the online marketing business, reports a 11% decline in revenues. This is the main profit contributor and gains elsewhere were more than offset by the lower profit here. Net debt was $97m at the end of 2024. It would have fallen without acquisition costs. The Shinez acquisition has not gone as well as expected and there will be a non-cash write-down, plus legal action against the sellers.
Online gaming marketing services provider B90 Holdings (B90) moved into profit in 2024 as overheads were slashed. Zeus forecasts a pre-tax profit of €600,000 on revenues two-thirds ahead at €5m. Net cash is €1.1m. Profit and net cash could double this year.
Gfinity (GFIN) has signed an exclusive licence agreement with 0M Technology Solutions to commercialise 0M’s AI technology Connected IQ (CIQ). Gfinity believes it combine its network and contacts in the advertising sector to help commercialise CIQ. The fee is 30% of net profit generated by the licence. It is unclear how quickly sales can be built up. Gfinity has the option to buy 0M for £2m after the first anniversary of the agreement and lasting until the end of third year. 0M is owned by Robert Keith, who owns 19.6%. Gfinity has raised £260,000 ay 0.0625p/share. The new shares come with warrants exercisable at 0.09p/share.
Sustainable laundry technology developer Xeros Technology (XSG) is progressing with tech verification from four global washing machine manufacturers and two of those could move to substantial paid-for joint development agreements. Timing is uncertain, though. Even so, Cavendish has reduced its 2024 and 2025 forecast revenues. The loss is estimated to decline from £4.8m to £4.5m in 2024. Net cash was £2.8m at the end of 2024 and it should be £800,000 at the end of 2025.
Nativo Resources (NTVO) announced a share consolidation of 1,500 existing shares into one new share. The board believes this will help to make the share price less volatile.
MAIN MARKET
Homeware products supplier Ultimate Products (ULTP) says recovery has been slower than expected as the consumer market remains weak. Higher freight costs and taxes will hit profit for the year to July 2025. Pre-tax profit is forecast to fall from £14.4m to £11m.
Codex Acquisitions (CODX) has entered into an acquisition agreement of Technologies New Energy, a Portugal-based renewable energy company, for £28m in shares at a notional price of 20p each. This would make the deal large enough for the company to be readmitted to the Main Market. Trading in the shares was suspended at 5.5p.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 14 October 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Cardio health probiotics products developer ProBiotix Health (PBX) increased sales by 39% to £1.53m and the gross profit margin is stable in the nine months to September 2024. This is due to a recent product launch on Amazon and in 2,000 Target stores. A commercial partnership with Mexico-based Raff should generate commercial sales of LP LDL as an ingredient in new products by late 2005/early 2006. There is no need for further funding. The company has appointed Frederik Bruhn-Petersen as a non-exec director. He represents the new 21% shareholder Holdingselskabet af 29. Juni 2010 Aps.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) is pleased with the UK government’s announcement of a cap and floor regime for investment in new large-scale, long-duration electricity stage projects. This includes vanadium flow batteries, and this is a large increase in the opportunity for the business. The minimum project size is 300MWh.
Café chain Cooks Coffee Company (COOK) increased store sales by 26% to £16.4m in the first half. The UK store sales were 36% ahead and Ireland is 7% ahead. Like-for-like sales are 5.1% higher. There are 83 stores, and ten further outlets are expected to open before the end of March 2025. Katherine Scott has been appointed finance director.
Ananda Developments (ANA) has signed a contract with contract research organisation Southern Star Research to carry out a phase 1 clinical trial in Australia for the pharmacokinetic profile, tolerability and safety of lead asset MRX1. There is an R and D tax incentive of up to 43.5% of eligible costs.
Bitcoin mining company Vinanz (BTC) has added five Bitmain Antminer S21 Pro 234 Terahash (TH/s) machines to its fleet in Nebraska, which has attractive power costs.
Unicorn AIM VCT has taken a 7.39% stake in Good Life Plus (GDLF) following the recent fundraising. Winforton Investments increased its stake from 20.6% to 21.1%.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) intends to buy back shares. It has acquired 48,000 shares at an average price of 150p each. The NAV was 316.09p/share at the end of September 2024.
Silverwood Brands (SLWD) executive director Andrew Gerrie bought 25,000 shares at 25p each. Newbury Racecourse (NYR) director Dominic Burke bought 16,000 shares at 540p/share, taking his stake to 7.03%. Marula Mining (MARU) director Jason Brewer has acquired one million shares, taking his stake to 8.78%. Kevin Hastings has a 3.375% stake.
California Two Pizza Ventures Inc has taken a 23.9% in Pitch Pit (PICH).
Trading in the shares of Mydecine Innovations Group (MYIG) has been suspended.
Majestic Corporation (MCJ) has appointed Oberon Capital as broker.
AIM
After the close on Friday, retailer and brand owner Frasers Group (FRAS) announced a revised proposed bid for Mulberry (MUL) of 150p/share in cash. This is well above the original proposal of 130p/share and the 100p subscription price.
Energy and water efficiency services provider Eneraqua Technologies (ETP) reported a rise in interim revenues from £26m to £29.9m. However, there is a greater proportion of lower margin energy services work, and the loss increased from £400,000 to £3.8m. The General Election delayed decisions on contracts, but the decisions are beginning to be made. The order book has improved to £114m. Two-fifths of this order book should be delivered in the second half and that would return the business to profit. Singer forecasts a pre-tax profit of £2.4m for the year to January 2025 and Eneraqua Technologies should move into a net cash position.
Cloud computing and connectivity infrastructure-as-a-service company Beeks Financial Cloud (BKS) reported figures in line with expectations and profit growth is set to accelerate this year. In the year to June 2024, revenues were 27% higher at £28.4m and annualised recurring revenues were 18% ahead at £28m. Underlying pre-tax profit improved from £2.3m to £3.9m. Net cash is £6.6m. Recurring revenues cover more than two-thirds of the 2024-25 forecast revenues. Canaccord Genuity has edged up its pre-tax profit forecast from £6m to £6.1m on revenues of £39.6m.
Smart sensing software developer Oxford Metrics (OMG) is acquiring The Sempre Group, a measurement technology business for up to £5.5m. Gloucester-based Sempre helps clients to improve productivity and efficiency through high precision metrology. This fits with the previous acquisition of Industrial Vision Systems, which will help geographic expansion, and provides further diversification from the entertainment and health sectors. In 2023, Sempre made a pre-tax profit of £700,000 on revenues of £6.5m and the performance is improving this year. The deal should be earnings enhancing. Following the post-trading statement slump in the share price, OMG is spending up to £6m on share buy backs.
Marine tracking technology developer Windward (WNWD) has won two new customers outside the US with a combined annual contract value of $1.9m. Renewals are as expected. Existing customers are taking up the AI technology when they are renewing. This year there should be 30% subscription/sales growth and Windward is heading towards breakeven.
Blue Star Capital (BLU) is continuing the strategy to seek an exit of its investments. The launch of the de-fi project to Pendulum and Nabla that is called Vortex is the key to the valuation of the SatoshiPay investment and the sale has been suspended. The funding of Vortex is not yet in place. Around 90% of the NAV is based on the 27.9% SatoshiPay stake and this valuation depends on the launch of Vortex and if SatoshiPay raises additional funds then this stake will be diluted.
Novacyt (NCYT) is closing its loss-making IT-IS International, which was acquired to produce Covid tests. This should add £1m to annual EBITDA. The restructuring charge will be £700,000. The IP infringement dispute with Roche Diagnostics will continue.
SkinBioTherapeutics (SBTX) is acquiring Bio-Tech Solutions for £1.25m. Bio-Tech is a manufacturer of personal care products. This will enable the group to manufacture its own products. The acquired business should generate £3m in 2024-25, up from £2.1m, and EBITDA could be £900,000. SkinBioTherapeutics should have enough cash to last until the summer of 2026.
Data analytics software provider Rosslyn Data Technologies (RDT) is raising £1.64m via placing at 5p/share and £250,000 from a retail offer that closes on 10 October. A convertible loan note will raise a further £1.2m and existing convertibles will be converted at 5p/share. This will fund growth and the development of technology. Rosslyn Data Technologies is trading ahead of previous expectations.
Cambria Africa (CMB) shares recommenced trading after 2022-23 accounts and subsequent interims were published. Early buying has flushed out some sellers later in the morning. The shares will be suspended again on Monday because there will be no nominated advisers. Shareholders have voted to cancel the AIM admission on 22 October.
John Gunn has acquired a 12.1% stake in SEEEN (SEEN). This makes him the second largest shareholder in the video sharing platform developer behind Gresham House.
Inspirit Energy (INSP) is returning to its previous existence as a shell (it was previously Kleenair Systems International) because the lead engineer of its subsidiary has to stop working for the company to care for a relative. This has put waste heat recovery engine development on hold. The company will preserve cash and become a shell and seek takeover opportunities.
Investment company Seed Innovations (SEED) says investee company Clean Food Group has partnered with cosmetics products developer THG LABS. The initial focus is developing a high-performance oil for use in beauty and personal care products. The sustainable oils and fats developer uses yeast strains and food waste as the source of its sustainable oils. Seed Innovations has a 4.76% stake.
MAIN MARKET
Fairview International (FIL) was set up to buy two international schools in Malaysia and it is seeking more acquisitions in Asia and the UK. New schools could also be developed. The global higher education market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 12%. Fairview raised £2.65m gross at 10p/share. The share price started at 11p and kept at this level for the whole of the first day of trading when 10,000 shares were traded. Pro forma net assets are £4.11m. Agodeus, whose shareholders include executive chairman Daniel Chian and his family, owns 89.9% of the company.
Online retailer ASOS (ASC) has completed its partnership with Heartland that will leave ASOS with 25% of Topshop and Topman brands.
Imaging technology company IQ-AI (IQAI) says Braveheart Investment (BRH) has acquired a 29.5% stake in the company for £720,000. IQ-AI chief executive and Braveheart Investment chief executive Trevor Brown sold the shares.
Shell company Milton Capital (MII) has a non-binding term sheet for the acquisition of certain subsidiaries of Horizon Energy Global Corporation, which wishes to separate European and North American assets. Trading in the shares is suspended.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 25 March 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
S-Ventures (SVEN) has agreed to sell its food and snacks business in return for shares in AIM-quoted RiverFort Global Opportunities worth £3.5m. That would leave S-Ventures as an investment company with shares in the acquirer. Sales for the 12 months to September 2023 were £17.4m, rising to the £21.6m in the 15 months to the end of 2023. Net debt was £7.1m at the end of September 2023. An additional £3m of loans have been agreed, including £1m from RiverFort Global Opportunities.
Marula Mining (MARU) has signed a long-term offtake agreement with Fujax UK for the Blesberg lithium and tantalum mine in South Africa. This an agreement for 100% of production until the end of 2026, with a minimum of 50,000 tonnes at a grade of 6% lithium. There is an option for a further three years. A mining right has been received from the authorities for the plans to expand the stockpile reprocessing operations.
Brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) improved like-for-like retail sales by 6.2%, although beer volumes fell 10.5% with own beer volumes down 16.7%. Overall, interim revenues grew 4% to £89m and underlying pre-tax profit was 10% ahead at £3.8m. The brewing division returned to profit. The interim dividend was 5% ahead at 4.2p/share. Beer volumes continue to decline, while the retail sales growth rate has slowed.
Gunsynd (GUN) shares rose 17.9% to 0.165p on the back of an institutional investor investing $1m ($750,000 in cash and $250,000 in support services) in the US spirits subsidiary of Rogue Baron (SHNJ), where it currently has a 17.45% stake. Rogue Baron has also raised £20,000 at 0.5p/share.
Aquis Stock Exchange owner Aquis Exchange (AQX) increased revenues from £19.9m to £23.7m, while pre-tax profit rose from £4.5m to £5.2m. The Aquis Stock Exchange revenues improved from £1.6m to £1.8m. The main growth came from technologies and data. Panmure Gordon forecasts 2024 pre-tax profit of £6.2m.
Macaulay Capital (MCAP) reported a fall in net assets from £1.44m to £1.36m at the end of 2023. There was an exit from the investment in Qualification Check which reduced the reported loss. There are seven portfolio companies. There is a pipeline of potential transactions.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) says that the capital spending optimisation programme has been completed at the Amapa iron ore project. Savings of $63.2m have been identified and production could be 5% higher at 5.5 Mtpa of iron ore concentrate.
Supernova Digital Assets (SOL) has completed the acquisition of Hyperslot PTE for £225,000 in shares at 0.15p each. Andrew Offit increased his shareholding from 14.1% to 15.2%.
Arsen Torosian has replaced David Carr as chief executive of Tap Global Group (TAP). He is the largest shareholder and was previously chief strategy director. Steven Borg will become finance director.
KR1 (KR1) has invested $600,000 in Moondance Labs, which is building Tanssi, which helps appchain deployment.
Substrate Artificial Intelligence (SAI) has signed up FINRA-registered California-based bank GT Securities to identify potential partners for its Subgen AI subsidiary, which has launched Serenity Star, an ecosystem for scaling generative AI. The company has raised Euro500,000 from a convertible bond issue.
Secured Property Developments (SPD) is changing its name to Mollyroe and it is adopting s new investment strategy focused on the technology sector. There will also be a 20-for-one share consolidation.
Steve Hutchinson has taken his Oscillate (MUSH) stake above 3%. TruSpine Technologies (TSP) chairman Geoffrey Miller has increased his shareholding to 7.24%, while Oberon Investments raised its stake to 12.6%.
Good Life Plus (GDLF) has appointed Tennyson Securities as corporate broker.
AIM
Capital equipment manufacturer Mpac (MPAC) had a stronger second half and revenues improved from £98m to £114m, while pre-tax profit recovered from £3.5m to £7.1m. There was growth in parts and services revenues. The order book was worth £72.5m at the end of the year. The customer base is being broadened. There should be further recovery this year.
Educational software and services provider Tribal Group (TRB) is still hampered by its dispute with NTU, which is currently in mediation. The failed bid for the company also held back sales to potential clients. Even so, annualised recurring revenues grew 13% to £15.1m. Full year revenues moved from £83.6m to £85.8m, while pre-tax profit recovered from £3.7m to £10.7m.
Roadside Real Estate (ROAD) shares soared 129% to 8p after it sold part of its stake in Cambridge Sleep Sciences to CGV Ventures 1 for £6m. The total stake cost £2.7m and Roadside Real Estate still owns 65%, having sold a 10% stake, so it still has to be consolidated. Management is considering selling the rest or demerging the company so that it can concentrate on its core property interests.
Digital media company XLMedia (XLM) is selling European and Canadian gaming assets to Gambling.com for an initial $37.5m with potential deferred consideration of $5m. Some of this cash may be paid out to shareholders. These assets generated 2023 revenues $21.4m and underlying EBITDA of $6.6m out of estimated group 2023 revenues of $50m and EBITDA of $12m. Pro forma net cash is likely to be around $35m, after taking account of deferred consideration of $4m payable for past acquisitions. Cavendish estimates that XL Media is worth £48m, including the cash.
Biodegradable and antimicrobial plastic additives developer Symphony Environmental Technologies (SYM) has raised £1.4m at 3.5p/share and will raise up to £500,000 more through a PrimaryBid retail offer. The issue price was well above the market price. Chief executive Michael Laurier is subscribing £105,000. Net debt was £740,000 at the end of February. The additional cash will fund the scale-up of the business and provide working capital during trials by potential customers.
Blue Star Capital (BLU) reported a slump in NAV from £11.4m to £5.33m at the end of 2023. That includes cash of £63,000. Writing down the valuations of Dynasty Media & Gaming and Sthaler were a large part of the decline in NAV. Another investee company, SatoshiPay, is undertaking a formal sales process. This stake is valued at £4.65m.
Live Company Group (LVCG) returned from suspension following the announcement of a planned refinancing and sale of majority interest in StartArt. Creditors are being settled in shares and a £1.77m convertible loan provided by the chairman, as well as converting some of his loan notes. A placing raised £352,000 at 1p/share. There could be more cash to come from strategic investors.
Digital payments business Boku (BOKU) increased 2023 revenues by 30% to $82.7m and they are expected to increase to $95m this year. The wallets business grew 153%, albeit from a lower base. The local payments network is being built up and will be a major factor in growth, especially as margins are better. The direct carrier billings business continues to grow and remains the main generator revenues for the time being. The company has more than $70m in cash.
Employee benefits and insurance provider Personal Group Holdings (PGH) reported slightly better 2023 figures than expected with revenues of £49.7m and pre-tax profit recovering to £5.9m. The dividend was raised from 10.6p/share to 11.7p/share. That is well covered by cash generation. Cash was £20.1m at the end of 2023. The insurance business did particularly well.
Three rail clients delaying orders has hit prospects for LPA Group (LPA) and it is unlikely to do any better than breakeven this year – a pre-tax profit of £800,000 was previously forecast on a 6% reduction in forecast revenues.
Light Science Technologies (LST) has received a grant worth £188,000 for a project involving the company’s SensorGROW technology.
Saturn Resources has increased its bid for Shanta Gold (SHG) to 14.85p/share, up from 13.5p/share, valuing the miner at £156.1m. Eligible shareholders will receive a dividend of 0.15p/share on 26 April.
Stem cell-based treatments developer ReNeuron (RENE) has failed to come to an agreement with creditors and the financial uncertain means that it has appointed administrators from Cork Gully. Negotiations continue with creditors and potential providers of finance.
MAIN MARKET
Higher losses from the ReZorce recyclable packaging business masked progress at foams manufacturer Zotefoams (ZTF), where pre-tax profit moved up from £12.5m to £13.1m on flat revenues. That included an operating loss of £4.36m, up from £1.89m, from the MuCell Extrusion division that includes ReZorce. The total dividend is 7.18p/share.
Property investor Town Centre Securities (LSE: TOWN) managed to edge up its net tangible asset value to 286p/share at the end of 2023, due to the 150p/share tender offer last year. There was a 4% decline in property values. Loan to value has risen to 50.3%. The interim dividend is maintained at 2.5p/share.
TheWorks.co.uk (WRKS) is moving from the Main Market to AIM. The plan is to gain shareholder approval to move on 3 May. This should help to reduce costs.
Esken Ltd (ESKN) has appointed administrators from AlixPartners because its restructuring plan was no longer commercially viable. The restructuring of London Southend Airport will continue.
First Tin (1SN) says regional exploration confirmed upside potential at Pound Flat and Battery Hill prospects in the Taronga tin project.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 20 November 2023
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Marula Mining (MARU) has completed the phase 1 drilling programme at the Blesberg lithium and tantalum mine. The 21 holes were finished ahead of schedule and assay results are awaited. Phase 2 drilling has started and 15 out of 21 holes have been completed. Financial forecasts for the planned open pit hard rock mining plan.
Valereum (VLRM) says that the Gibraltar Stock Exchange is surrendering its licence and closing its markets. Valereum still wants to acquire the Gibraltar Stock Exchange and holds a fixed charge over a 50% stake. The plan would be to apply for a new licence. Alan Gravitz has left the board.
Ananda Developments (ANA) subsidiary MRX Medical has signed a drug supply agreement with the University of Edinburgh and the Lothian Health Board. The MRX1 cannabidiol oil formulation will be used in a trial for the treatment of chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain.
Gunsynd (GUN) has paid the first tranche of £250,000 for a farm-in agreement with Metals One. Gunsynd will hold Finnaust Mining Northern. Gunsynd has sold 1.24 million shares in Charger Metals for £257,000. It retains 1.3 million shares.
Vinanz Ltd (BTC) has already spent some of the money raised at the beginning of November to acquire 171 bitcoin miners in North America. The plan is to buy a total of 250 bitcoin miners. Vinanz currently holds 9.1 bitcoin.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) says its subsidiary has issued a request for consultations and negotiations to the Mexican government concerning the possible revocation of the mining concessions for the Sonora lithium project. These concessions are held by joint venture companies, where Cadence Minerals has 30% stakes.
Quantum Exponential (QBIT) has converted its £450,000 investment in Universal Quantum in exchange for 84 million shares at 5319.47p each. A one-for-1,000 share split will happen after the share issue. This means that the subsequent 84,000 shares will be 0.51% of buildable quantum computers developer Universal Quantum.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) says initial mineralised results from the first half of the Cottesloe project in Western Australia. The company expects full results during next January.
Oberon Investments (OBE) has switched from the Access to Apex segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange.
SuperSeed Capital (WWW) has adjusted its NAV figure for the end of June 2023. It has been reduced from 1.184p/share to 1.121p/share.
Wheelsure Holdings has received potential financing and acquisition approaches, but nothing has been finalised and it is running short of cash. The shares have been suspended and the quotation cancelled on 15 November. Talks continue.
Tunch Kashif reduced his stake in ChallengerX (CXS) from 21.6% to 17.9%. Mark Horrocks has increased his shareholding in Lift Global Ventures (LFT) from 13.3% to 14.99%.
AIM
Hotel Chocolat (HOTC) is recommending a 375p/share bid from Mars, which values the chocolate company at £534m. Mars is keen to help Hotel Chocolat expand into new regions. The track record of the current management when it comes to international expansion has been mixed and it will help to have a larger company with greater resources backing the expansion. Shareholders can accept an alternative offer of one rollover share in the bid vehicle for each share. The value of these shares will be dependent on the performance of the business, and this would be taking a risk.
Verici Dx (VRCI) has entered into an exclusive licence agreement with Thermo Fisher for its pre-transplant prognostics. This will generate staged payments of $5m over the next 12 months, plus future royalties of per test. That means that Verici Dx will have enough cash until the end of 2024. Thermo Fisher has the commercial expertise to roll out the technology and it will further develop the product.
City Pub Group (CPC) is also the subject of an agreed bid. Young & Co’s Brewery (LON: YNGA) is offering 108.75p in cash and 0.032658 of an A share for each City Pub Group share, valuing it at 145p/share or £162m. The share price jumped 52.5% to 136.5p. Young’s has been seeking to grow its managed pubs business and believes it is rare to have the opportunity to acquire such an attractive portfolio of pubs. The deal will increase the number of pubs owned by 50 to 279. A significant amount of City Pub Group’s central overheads of £5.6m could be saved by the combined group and there could be other savings. Young’s shares rose 1.86% to 1095p.
AMTE Power (AMTE) has secured a short-term financing. The battery technology developer will receive £2.5m from a subscription by Pinnacle International Venture Capital at 1.7p/share and it is also providing a £200,000 convertible loan facility. A placing will raise a further £400,000 at 0.5p/share. A general meeting is required to approve the subscription.
Jarvis Securities (JIM) has confirmed it is not paying a fourth quarter dividend. The FCA is planning a further review into the company’s operations, including the approach to uninvested cash and interest retention. This report has to be delivered by the end of February 2024.The voluntary restrictions on the business are continuing and another review is required before they can be lifted. The reviews have cost more than £1.3m this year.
AFC Energy (AFC) is purchasing Octopus Hydrogen’s UK mobile hydrogen storage and distribution assets. These assets can be used to provide a hydrogen fuelling service for H-Power generator units rented by new partner Speedy Hydrogen Solutions and other future users of hydrogen powered equipment.
Celadon Pharmaceuticals (CEL) has secured a new sales contract with a European medicinal cannabis company that could generate up to £26m over a three-year period. The first delivery will be in the second half of 2024. The cannabis grower and drug developer will supply pharmaceutical-grade cannabis. There are other interested buyers.
Autonomous vehicles developer Aurrigo International (AURR) has launched a placing to raise at least £3.5m at 100p/share and there will also be a retail offer at the same price. Coventry-based Aurrigo International won the best newcomer title at the 2023 AIM awards, having floated AIM on 15 September 2022 at 48p/share. Aurrigo International had cash of £2.8m at the end of June 2023 after a £1.9m outflow from operations in the first half. There will be £1.5m spent on customer roll out and £400,000 for additional staff.
Chain and transmission equipment Renold (RNO) reported strong interims with revenues 8% ahead at £125.3m and pre-tax profit 55% higher at £11.3m. The revenues and margins of the transmission business have jumped as the new MoD contract builds up. The chain division also grew revenues and margins. Order intake has slowed, but that is at least partly down to there being more confidence in the supply chain.
Freight and parcel delivery company DX (DX.) is recommending a 47.5p/share bid from HIG European Capital Partners, which values the company at £315m. The shares have gone ex-dividend, and the final dividend of 1p/share will be paid on 7 December. That reduced the level of the bid.
DP Poland (DPP) says third quarter like-for-like sales in Poland were 14.1% higher and they were 34.8% ahead in October. The Croatian business is growing even faster. Singer believes the pizza retailer could move into profit in 2024.
Initial results from drilling at the Wedding Bell and Radium Mountain owned by Thor Energy (THR) confirm the potential of the US uranium projects. More than 50% of the 25-hole drill programme has been completed. The initial results come from downhole gamma logs and handheld pXRF devices to determine anomalous levels of uranium and these will be sent to laboratories for final analysis.
Blue Star Capital (BLU) investee company SatoshiPay has appointed Benchmark International to value the business and seek potential acquirers. Blue Star Capital owns 27.9% of SatoshiPay.
Saietta Group (SED) says that its 49.5% owned Indian joint venture has secured an order for complete eDrives from its main client for a second of its light commercial vehicles. The initial order is worth £106,000 over three months and the first full year of production could generate £12.7m. This is the first significant order for the new radial flux technology.
MAIN MARKET
Data integrity and banking integration software provider Gresham Technologies (GHT) is losing business with ANZ its biggest customer. The company will no longer provide sub-contracting services, but ANZ will still use its Clareti software. This was lower margin work, and the focus is on software.
J Smart (Contractors) (SMJ) reported a higher loss on contracting and did not have any disposal gains in its investment activities. That meant that pre-tax profit fell £8/19m to £105,000. There was an operating loss offset by interest income. A 2.27p/share dividend is payable on 29 January.
Andrew Hore
Alan Green talks banks and markets, plus Mode Group #MODE, British Honey Co #BHC & Blue Star Capital #BLU on UK Investor Magazine podcast
Alan Green talks banks and markets, plus Mode Group #MODE, British Honey Co #BHC & Blue Star Capital #BLU with Jonathan Roy on the UK Investor Magazine podcast
Alan Green presents the investment case for Blue Star Capital #BLU and Gfinity #GFIN on his weekly Stockbox Media Research talk
Alan Green presents the investment case for Blue Star Capital #BLU and Gfinity #GFIN on his weekly Stockbox Media Research talk
Andrew Hore Quoted Micro 21 October 2019
NEX EXCHANGE
Third quarter trading at Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) shows a one-third increase in loans to £1.6bn, while deposits are 17% ahead at £2bn. Impairments are rising, though. The private bank is adding 40 new clients each month.
Although Vox Markets has called off merger discussions with PCG Entertainment (PCGE) the latter’s shareholders will have preferential rights to participate in the flotation of Vox. Shareholders have to be on the register on 11 October to benefit. PCG has released any claims it may have against Vox, although Vox has the right to sue Align Research, the third party in the merger plans. PCG says nothing negative was found about Align in due diligence. First Sentinel has resigned as corporate adviser to PCG and trading in the shares has been suspended.
Good Energy (GOOD) has launched One Point to offer electric vehicle charging. The company has also been awarded he green classification and mark.
The Home Office has awarded Sativa Group (SATI) a controlled drug licence to grow medicinal cannabis. This covers cannabis with a THC content of greater than 0.2%. Sativa already has a low-THC industrial hemp licence.
AfriAg Global (AFRI) says that its investee company Apollon Formularies has received its third medical cannabis licence in Jamaica. This is for experimental research and development.
World Health Life (LIFE) has completed the acquisition of Love Hemp and a £2m convertible debenture fundraising. A second tranche of debentures should be issued in the next few weeks. Love Hemp has product distribution agreements with supermarkets and health food stores.
Triple Point Investment Management is providing a £20m loan facility for Rutherford Health (RUTH) and this will be drawn down in phases. The loan terms improve as patient numbers increase at the three proton beam therapy centres.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) has received the first quarterly interest payment from Silverstream. The 12-month note matures in August 2020.
Primorus Investments (PRIM) will consolidate 20 shares into one new share and trading will commence on 22 October.
Secured Property Development (SPD) had £537,000 in the bank at the end of June 2019, but it is finding it difficult to find a suitable acquisition.
AIM
Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings (IDH) is as consistent as ever. It has published a trading statement related to its interims at 4.35pm on Friday. The 2018-19 trading update was published at 4.35pm on Thursday 18 April – the last day before a long weekend. There was no particular reason to hide the latest statement. First half revenues were flat compared with a first quarter decline of 2%. Cash fell £300,000 to £28.1m over a three-month period.
Murgitroyd (MUR) is recommending a 675p a share bid from a company set up by Sovereign Capital Partners LLP. This values the patent and trademark attorney at £62.8m. Murgitroyd joined AIM 18 years ago at 121p a share and has been a consistent dividend payer.
Fully listed logistic services provider Wincanton (WIN) is considering a bid for Eddie Stobart Logistics (ESL) and DBAY Advisers is also still assessing whether to bid.
Disinfection products supplier Tristel (TSTL) plans to grow its revenues by up to 15% a year in each of the next three years. This follows an 18% increase to £26m in the year to June 2019, while pre-tax profit grew by one-fifth to £5.6m. The dividend was 21% higher at 5.54p a share. International markets account for 55% of revenues. Tristel is waiting for a response from the FDA, which should be forthcoming by the end of 2019.
Power projects developer Kibo Mining (KIBO) has raised £1.99m at 0.45p a share. This will be used to fund the development of power generation projects in Africa. The portfolio includes 1,055MW of power generation capacity with 355MW having heads of terms power purchase agreements. Each new share comes with a warrant exercisable at 0.8p a share.
Filtronic (FTC) has agreed to pay a warranty claim of $2m (£1.6m) and change a faulty component in antennas supplied in 2016-17. The fault relates to certain bandwidths in hot countries. The cash is payable in four instalments up until December 2020. On 23 October, Filtronic is set to report sales from continuing activities of £15.9m, down from £21.6m, and a small positive EBITDA. Filtronic has already received more than £10m of orders for its 5G backhaul transceivers due for delivery in 2019-20.
Woodford Investment Management has cut its stake in GYG (GYG) from 19.98% to less than 5%. That appears to have been a relief to the market because the share price of yacht painting services provider has recovered since the disposal. UBS has taken a 11.2% stake.
Kestrel Partners continues to build its stake in Pebble Beach Systems (PEB), taking its stake from 25% to 26.1%. Kestrel owns 23 million shares in Brady (BRY) and, even if it makes a loss, it will be having a cash inflow. Hanover Acquisitions is offering 10p a share for the risk management software company, which values it at £8.3m.
Construction consultancy services provider Driver (DRV) says it will report underlying pre-tax profit of £3m for the full year, after £400,000 of rationalisation costs. That represents a strong performance in the second half. Net cash was £5m at the year-end, after share buy backs.
Frontier IP (FIPP) has taken a 43% stake in Elute Intelligence Holdings, which is developing software to search complex documents and detect plagiarism. Frontier IP is providing some of its own IP to an existing business to form Elute with the rest of the stake coming from providing services to the company.
Blue Star Capital (BLU) is raising £900,000 at 0.1p a share and the cash will be equally split between six investments in esports companies.
Power transmission products manufacturer Renold (RNO) says that cost savings are offsetting a downturn in trading. It is still on track to report an underlying full year pre-tax profit improving from £10.1m to £10.4m. Order intake remains weak.
Rose Petroleum (ROSE) has announced a restructuring of the Paradox project. This will enable the oil and gas company to focus on the most prospective acreage.
MAIN MARKET
Quantum dots developer Nanoco (NANO) still has a cash buffer so that it can find a new manufacturing partner to replace the US one that has withdrawn from an agreement. There could still be net cash of £1.5m at the end of July 2020.
Zenith Energy (ZEN) is planning to raise cash at NOK0.35/share in Norway. That is equivalent to 2.95p/share, compared with a market price of 3.5p. The Azerbaijan-focused oil and gas company has a drilling rig that will be mobilised before the end of the month and well M-247 has been identified as a target. It was previously in production. Zenith has identified wells in the Muradkhani oilfield in which perforations of untapped intervals can generate additional production. This will happen in the next fortnight.
OTHER MARKETS
Former AIM company Getmapping has launched a strategic review and a formal sales process. Management of the believes that the geospatial services provider could grow faster with additional investment. A company taking a minority stake is another alternative. The process should be completed by the end of 2019. The shares are traded on the Britdaq matched bargains market.
Vienna-listed Fashion On Screen is moving into theatre by acquiring musicals producer Shaftesbury Avenue. The all-share purchase is valued at £2.5m. Fashion On Screen believes that some of the musicals could become film productions.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 10 July 2017
NEX EXCHANGE
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) has sold its remaining stake in nanopayments software and blockchain company SatoshiPay to AIM-quoted Blue Star Capital (BLU) for €725,000 (£650,000), which has been raised through a placing at 0.2p a share. Blue Star Capital owns 31.1% of SatoshiPay. Blue Star Capital has granted Coinsilium 85 million warrants, of which 42.5 million are exercisable at 0.6p and 42.5 million at 0.8p. Coinsilium has made a gain of 362.6% on its initial SatoshiPay investment in less than two years, even before any longer-term upside from the warrants.
Via Developments (VIA1) has secured an exclusivity agreement to acquire land in Luton, Bedfordshire for £8.25m. The residential development site has planning permission for 200 apartments. A non-refundable deposit of £50,000 has been paid.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) has invested £400,000 in Employee Owners Group Ltd, whose main business is timber frame buildings supplier Carpenter Oak, in return for a 30% stake. The cash will be used to grow the business which currently supplies around 90 frames a year.
First Sentinel (FSEN) has raised £700,000 at 11p a share and made three investments, including £35,000 at 7p a share in fellow NEX-quoted company Milamber Ventures (MLVP). The two firms are already working on an investor event at the Century Club, Shaftesbury Avenue in London on 11 July. First Sentinel plans to sell the Milamber shares in the market. First Sentinel has also invested $300,000 in a 13%, one year loan note for Red Rock Resources (RRR) with two year warrants exercisable at 2.2p a share, compared with a market price of 0.75p. The third investment is in newly floated AIM copper mining company Phoenix Global Mining (PGM), where First Sentinel invested £81,000 at the placing price of 4p a share.
Blockchain investments company Kryptonite 1 (KR1) has raised £750,000 at 2p a share. Chinese medicines firm MiLOC Group Ltd (ML.P) has raised £99,000 at 28.5p a share.
AIM
Premier Technical Services Group (PTSG) is acquiring Brooke Edge Industrial Chimneys Ltd for an initial £14m, plus £1m in acquisition costs, and the building services provider has raised £15m in a placing at 120p a share. There is deferred consideration of £6m payable in three yearly instalments, which fits with the owners staying on with the business for at least three years. The acquisition made a profit of £2.1m on revenues of £10.6m last year. This consolidates Premier’s position in lightning protection services, while specialist earthing and surge protection will be added to the group’s range of services. Although the acquired business has similar margins to Premier, it has lower margins than the same businesses already owned by Premier. This means that continued growth in revenues could be complemented by improvements in margins providing even faster profit growth. According to Numis, he acquisition will enhance earnings per share by 5% to 8.7p in 2017 and 12% to 9.2p in 2018.
Blur Group (BLUR) has managed to raise £1.7m at 1.75p a share in an oversubscribed placing that more than trebles the number of shares in issue. There is one warrant for every four shares with an exercise price of 3.5p. Robert Keith has increased his stake to 25% following the placing. The need for the cash is reflected in the low issue price, which is more than 40% below the all time low market price.
Superyacht painting and maintenance services provider GYG (GYG) joined AIM on 5 July and the share price has already risen from 100p to 120p. GYG raised £6.9m before expenses.
Thor Mining (THR) will start a drill programme for the Pilot Mountain tungsten project in August. Thor expects the results in the near future from a 50 hole drilling programme on the Dundas gold project in Western Australia. Further opportunities are being assessed.
Portmeirion Group (PMP) says that its sales were 16% higher in the first half of 2017 but excluding home fragrance products manufacturer Wax Lyrical, which was acquired in May 2016, the sales are 3% higher due to a boost from sterling weakness. Churchill China (CHH) continues to grow it exports and this has been helped by weaker sterling comparatives in the first half of 2017.
Walker Greenbank (WGB) has received its final insurance payment of £2.4m relating to the flood of its fabric printing factory at the end of 2015. This takes the total payment to £19.3m.
Home improvement products supplier entu (UK) (ENTU) is undertaking a strategic review. There are already plans to cut costs and improve efficiency but entu needs to secure long-term financing to improve the balance sheet. There could also be disposals of businesses.
Sula Iron & Gold (SULA) has completed six holes of the phase 3 drilling at Sanama Hill at the Ferensola gold project in Sierra Leone. So far, 2,000 metres out of a total of 5,000 metres of drilling has been completed. Part of the drilling will include further exploration of the new southern target. The assay results will be available at the end of July.
Veltyco Group (VLTY) says that first half trading is significantly ahead of market expectations. This is not the first time that Veltyco has beaten expectations and even before this the full year pre-tax profit was expected to jump from €1.74m to €4.62m.
TechFinancials Inc (TECH) expects to make a first half loss. Senior management has taken a 20% pay cut. There is still $5.8m in the bank.
Safestay (SSTY) has acquired second hostel in Barcelona for €2m. Safestay has eleven hostels and acquisitions have gathered pace following a £12.6m sale and leaseback deal.
MAIN MARKET
Share trading will commence on 12 July in standard list shell Rockpool Acquisitions, which is seeking to acquire a Northern Ireland-based company. Rockpool is raising £1.085m at 10p a share, having previously issued 1.875 million shares at 8p each.
RockRose Energy (RRE) has raised £8m at 150p a share and it continues to progress the acquisition of oil and gas assets.
Gresham Technologies (GHT) says that revenues will be 26% higher in the first half of 2017. Eight new Clareti Transaction Control software clients have been signed up in the first half. Net cash is £7.7m.
Quarto Group Inc (QRT) has sold its New Zealand business, which was the last non-publishing business owned by the group. Quarto will receive $600,000 over two years plus 50% of debtor receipts for the next year. Quarto is also entitled to 15% of pre-interest profit for three years.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 23 January 2017
NEX / ISDX
Clinical decision support systems supplier DXS International (DXSP) increased its interim revenues by 17% to £1.78m and it has moved into profit. DXS has moved from a loss of £39,000 to a pre-tax profit of £64,000. DXS has won the tender for London Partnership Procurement, which has 100 members and is expected to spend £1.5bn over the four year contract period, and a new version of its software has been launched. There was £361,000 in the bank at the end of October 2016.
Based on the latest fundraising price, the value of the Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) stake in nano payments company SatoshiPay Ltd has grown in value from €200,000, mostly invested one year ago, to €725,220. Fellow NEX-quoted company Kryptonite 1 (KR1) has invested just over €59,000 as part of the €1m fundraising giving it 1% of SatoshiPay. AIM-quoted Blue Star Capital (BLU) is investing a further €640,000 at €340 a share and it is raising £700,000 from a share placing at 0.15p a share in order to finance the investment. AIM-quoted FastForward Innovations Ltd (FFWD) is another investor in SatoshiPay and the value of its investment has, since the original investment in September 2015, increased by 212.5% to €500,140.
Early Equity (EEQP) has increased its NAV from £209,000 to £706,000 at the end of August 2016 mainly thanks to the £607,500 raised at 0.45p a share last year. The full year loss was slightly lower at £110,000. Early Equity invested £450,000 in a 32.1% stake in Yicom Global, a healthcare products supplier primarily focused on China. This business started trading in February 2015 and is already profitable with revenues building up each month. Early Equity has received a dividend of nearly £26,000.
AIM
Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas plans to raise up to £3m ahead of its admission to AIM. Eco is already quoted on TSX-Venture market but it believes that the London market will take more account of the prospects for its exploration interests. Eco has offshore exploration interests in Guyana and Namibia. The Orinduik block in Guyana, where Eco has a working interest of 37.1%, is near to the Liza discovery by ExxonMobil and Eco’s partner is Tullow Oil. Part of the cash raised will go towards funding seismic exploration of the block. This will help to identify where the exploration well should be drilled next year. There are applications for other blocks in Guyana. Eco has stakes in four blocks in Namibia but the initial focus is Cooper (32.5% working interest) where an economic impact assessment needs to be carried out before any drilling.
Strategic Minerals (SML) moved into profit in 2016 thanks to strong sales of magnetite from the Cobre mine in New Mexico and it has enough cash to push ahead with the development of its other interests. Strategic Minerals has the rights to sell the magnetite which is a by-product of the mining. The rights to sell the stockpile of magnetite are coming up for renewal. They could be renewed for a further 12 months or even possibly for a number of years, which would provide more certainty about future revenues. Last year, there was a 24% increase in sales, taking revenues to $1.55m. The company has also received a $400,000 compensation settlement from the rail provider to the mine. This cash will go towards exercising the option to take a 50% stake in the Redmoor tin/tungsten project in Cornwall. The cash will fund the 2017 drilling programme for the joint venture. Strategic Minerals is also interested in the CARE nickel project in Australia.
Vislink (VLK) is still selling its hardware division to xG Technology Inc (XGTI) but surprise, surprise Vislink is not getting the full disposal proceeds of $16m upfront. This means that Vislink shareholders have to shoulder the costs of another general meeting to agree to the revised disposal already having agreed to the original terms at a previous general meeting on 9 January. Vislink is still likely to receive $16m for the business but only $6.5m of this is payable initially. On completion, secured loan notes of $9.5m will be issued and should be redeemed within 45 days. Vislink also retains the right to cash received from an outstanding debt up to a maximum of $2m. It is not clear if there is any chance of the debt being paid. The xG share price has bounced back since Christmas and a ten-for-one consolidation means that the share price complies with regulatory requirements for the Nasdaq Capital Market. The loss-making company raised $10m gross at the end of 2016.
Global Energy Development Ltd (GED) proposes to acquire subsea surface vessel businesses and change its name to Nautilus Marine Services. The deal covers 11 offshore subsea service vessels and one barge vessel, which provide services in the Gulf of Mexico. A convertible loan note issue is planned to raise $10.5m – the coupon is 8% and the conversion price 50p a share. The current share price is 16.25p. The loan note cash, plus the issue of two other loan notes valued at $6.1m and $15m and convertible at 160p a share and 225p a share respectively, will finance one transaction and the other transaction will be financed by forgiving $8m out of $12m of existing loan notes. Issued by the seller
Premier Technical Services Group (PTSG) has bought lightning protection and earthing systems installer Nimbus for £1m. This business made a pre-tax profit of £300,000 in 2015. Premier says that last year’s trading was in line with expectations.
First Property Group (FPO) has won a new investment mandate from three colleges in Oxford and Cambridge totalling £14.5m. A new fund has been set up called Fprop UK Special Opportunities LP and First Property is investing £725,000. Including debt, the fund can invest £30m. Fees will be dependent on the value of the properties under management. At the end of 2016, First Property had invested 95% of the funds it manages for the Shipbuilding Industries Pension Scheme.
Gold miner Orosur Mining Inc (OMI) reported a first half profit of $3.7m and generated cash of $7m from operations. The commencement of underground production from San Gregorio west in November will boosted the second half. Cash operating costs were $914/ounce but this figure should fall below $900/ounce for the full year. There was $5.4m in the bank at the end of November despite the heavy capital expenditure in the period. There will be more drilling at the Anza gold project in Colombia in order to define the potential mineralisation and provide a maiden resource figure.
Independent Oil & Gas (IOG) plans to acquire a gas pipeline in the southern North Sea. This unused pipeline, which has a capacity of 300,000mmcfd, could be used to transport gas from the Blythe hub and Vulcan satellite fields. There will be a lot of technical work required to get the pipeline up and running. Drilling at the Skipper field indicates that the oil is heavy making it difficult to produce.
SQS Software Quality Systems (SQS) continues to increase its higher margin managed services business and 2016 profit was in line with expectations despite the negative effect of currency movements (SQS reports in €). Net debt was €12m at the end of 2016. Significant new business continues to be won.
Arria NLG (NLG) has left AIM although it has not finalised its admission to ASX and the New Zealand Stock Exchange. Arria hopes to complete a $25m fundraise in the first quarter of 2017.
MAIN MARKET
Standard list cash shell Stranger Holdings (STHP) has raised a further £110,000 at 1p a share. Trading in the shares commenced on 13 January, following a £848,000 (£675,000 after costs) placing at 1p a share. The initial 50 million shares were issued at 0.1p each. The current share price is 1.25p (1p/1.5p). There is no guidance concerning a specific sector focus for any acquisition. The two directors are also directors of Plutus PowerGen and standard list shell Papillion Holdings. They were also directors of former AIM company BioProgress.
Hair and skin care products supplier InnovaDerma (IDP) says that its first half revenues are more than 80% ahead at £3m. The revenues have been boosted by UK sales of skin tan brand Skinny Tan, which tans and reduces the visibility of cellulite.
Andrew Hore