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Quoted Micro 11 November 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Cross border e-commerce technology company Samarkand Group (SMK) reported a dip in revenues of 22% to £6.3m, with owned brands increasing their contribution by 14% to £4.1m. The loss has been reduced even before the £1.08m gain on the disposal of a brand. Net debt is £2m. The switch to focusing on owned brands will continue.
Wind-based hydrogen production technology developer Hydrogen Future Industries (HFI) says turbine testing has been delayed because of a fault in the control unit. Replacement parts should arrive by the end of the month. Schneider Electric is providing software to help analyse data for the feasibility study at Whitehall in Montana. Concept testing of the electrolyser continues, and efficiency is more than 97%. Neil Ritson has become executive chairman.
Unicorn Asset Management has taken a 5.42% stake in Equipmake (EQIP).
Pitch Pit has changed its name to Meme Vault (MEME) and will become an investment company focused on cryptocurrency and Web3 technologies. A new subsidiary will be set up in UAE. Chandila Fernando and Judith Hough will no longer be joining the board. The planned £500,000 placing is not taking place, but there will be an alternative fundraising.
DXS International (DXSP) chairman Bob Sutcliffe bought 35,000 shares at 1.3p each and he owns 1.8% of the healthcare IT developer. Earlier in the week, Hybridan published updated research and said that “management is focused on cashflow control until new NHS sales resume, when there could be significant revenue growth”. It argues that this is not reflected in the current share price.
Mendell Helium (MDH) has an option to acquire M3 Helium, which has acquired 85% interests in three further wells on the western side of the Hugoton gas field in Kansas. Two of the wells are in production and the third could be used as a water disposal well, which will reduce costs. No consideration is payable. The wells are breaking even.
Fenikso (FNK) has doubled its convertible loan to AIM-quoted Coro Energy (CORO) to £500,000. Tom Richardson, chairman of Fenikso is also a director of Coro Energy.
Ormonde Mining (ORM) investee company TRU Precious Metals, where it owns 36.3%, has announced results of copper exploration at the Golden Rose project in Newfoundland. Copper grades were up to 3.7% and some samples included zinc.
Jack Keyes has decided not to join the board of Oscillate (MUSH) as technical director. He is still undertaking hydrogen exploration work for the company.
ProBiotix Health (PBX) company secretary Mark Collingbourne has acquired 80,000 shares at 5.5p each.
AIM
Fabless silicon chip designer and manufacturer EnSilica (ENSI) slipped into loss in the year to May 2024, but there are already contracts in place for a bounce back to profit this year. EnSilica generates cash from operations, but it spent £6.1m on capitalised development. Chip supply generated flat revenues of £2.9m out of group revenues of £25.3m, up from £20.5m in the previous year. Chip supply revenues should start to build up from this year and that will sharply boost profitability. It can take two years or more for chip supply to begin and then production is built up to its peak, so there is built in growth for many years. Singer forecasts a 2024-25 pre-tax profit of £2.7m, doubling to £5.5m next year.
Membrane free electrolyser developer Clean Power Hydrogen (CPH2) has entered into a licence agreement with Lisheen H2 Energy Park, trading as Hidrigin, for the rights to manufacture MFE220 electrolyser units for its own use up to 2GW. This could be worth multi-million Euros. Hidrigin owns the 122MW Lisheen solar park and has funding for other developments. The licence fee will be payable in stages. Separately, there is a sale of a 1MW MFE220 electrolyser unit.
This week there was good news from professional services firm DSW Capital (DSW) with its trading statement following the acquisition earlier this week of DR Solicitors for £6.1m in cash and shares, which will reduce dependence on M&A. DR Solicitors has a client base of doctors, consultants and primary care providers. The latest annual pre-tax profit was £1.2m. The deal should be hugely earnings enhancing. Trading has been gradually improving in the first half. First half profit will be slightly lower at £100,000, but the full year pre-tax profit is expected to recover from £500,000 to £1.4m. A further jump to £2.5m is forecast for 2025-26. The interims will be published on 27 November.
Shell company Selkirk Group (SELK) raised £7.5m at 2.4p/share ahead of joining AIM this morning. The focus is undervalued consumer, technology and digital media businesses. Executive chair Iain McDonald says: “We have chosen to IPO on AIM because, despite the prevailing negative narrative, AIM is still a very attractive market for small, fast-growing companies”.
Electronics and battery products supplier Solid State (SOLI) had a tough first half but it says trading is in line with expectations in the first half and the second half should be better. Interim pre-tax profit has slumped from £7.3m to £2.5m. The components market has returned to normal, and first half revenues declined. Political uncertainty has hampered defence system orders. Last year’s defence revenues were exceptionally strong due to early deliveries, and a decline was expected. That is why full year underlying pre-tax profit is set to fall from £15.6m to £10.1m.
Hummingbird Resources (HUM) has announced a debt restructuring and possible bid. Delays in ramping up production at Kouroussa have strained the balance sheet and $30m of debt repayments have been deferred. Net debt was $155m at the end of September 2024, while trade and other payables were $152m. Nioko Resources, which owns 41% of the gold miner, is proposing a partial debt-to-equity conversion at 2.6777p/share, which would take its stake to 71.8%, and potential bid and cancelation of the AIM quotation. Geoff Eyre has been appointed interim chief executive.
Feedback (FDBK) raised £6.1m at 20p/share, which was a massive discount to the previous market price, which fell to 19.5p. This includes £530,000 raised via a WRAP retail offer of up to £1m. The cash will finance the rolling out of the Bleepa medical imaging communications product and take advantage of a collaboration with a provider of primary care IT services that will use Bleepa to streamline referrals between primary care, Community Diagnostic Centres and community care. The nominal value of shares will be reduced to 1p.
Futura Medical (FUM) has completed two proof of concept studies on new products for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in men and women. Eroxon Intense is a range extension for the existing Eroxon topical product for erectile dysfunction. This provides a stronger sensation. A preferred formulation will be tested next year and regulatory approval is expected by the end of 2025. WSD4000 is a topical treatment for women that treats symptoms such as lack of desire and lubrication. The next stage is a home user study, and results are expected in the first quarter of 2025. A pre-submission meeting with the FDA has happened and there will be another to help design a clinical study. There are discussions with potential partners.
Broadband services provider Bigblu Broadband (BBB) admits that it is in discussions with alternative investment manager Salter Brothers on a possible sale of the SkyMesh subsidiary. The transaction is subject to final terms and financing. This would be the latest asset disposal for Bigblu Broadband.
CleanTech Lithium (CTL) says that the pre-feasibility study for the Laguna Verde project has been delayed until the first quarter of 2025. Additional engineering work is required due to the location of the carbonation plant in Copiapo. An option for onsite renewable power will also be included. Lithium carbonate should be produced from the pilot plant in November.
Digital media publisher Digitalbox (DBOX) has added to its portfolio of digital media brands by acquiring the entertainment business of GRV Media. The assets are CelebrityTidbit.com, RealityTidbit.com and TheFocus.news. They generated revenues of less than £800,000 and they fit with Entertainment Daily and The Tab.
Synergia Energy (SYN) has raised £632,500 at 0.05p/share. There has also been the conversion of £296,000 of loans and £83,000 of fees into shares. The shares come with a warrant exercisable at 0.1p each. This provides funding for the Medway Hub Camelot carbon capture and storage joint venture with Harbour Energy. Synergia Energy wants to farm out up to 25% of the project. There should be a significant increase in production at the Cambay PSC, where a farm out of a 50% interest to Selan Exploration has been completed, from the second quarter of next year.
Kodal Minerals (KOD) joint venture partner Hainan Mining says that the $15m owed to the Mali government should be paid by Kodal Minerals and not the joint venture that owns the Bougouni lithium project. Kodal Minerals disagrees.
Optimer binders developer Aptamer Group (APTA) continues to win new contracts and it has added contracts worth up to £471,000 in the third quarter. This is work from a number of clients and many are repeat customers. Some of the existing customers are reaching a point where they are considering long-term licences. Booked revenues have reached £1.2m for 2024-25. The potential pipeline has increased to £4m.
MAIN MARKET
Cybersecurity company Narf Industries (NARF) says 2024-25 revenues should be at least $5m and they could rise to $8m in the following year. In the 15 months to March 2024, revenues were $7.6m. The dip in revenues is due to a switch in focus to commercial sales rather than the dependence on government funded development, as well as delays in US funding. Thereby building recurring revenues.
Foams manufacturer Zotefoams (ZTF) revenues are accelerating with third quarter growth of 54% and year to date improvement of 23%. Footwear sales are fuelling this growth, helped by the Olympics boosting Nike demand, but other parts of the business are also growing. Operational efficiency is increasing margins.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 15 April 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Voyager Life (VOY) has terminated its merger with Northern Leaf following a decline in its share price making it difficult to fund the transaction. The cannabis products supplier says that there are other potential partners. Additional finance is required to automate production.
Supernova Digital (SOL) says NAV was 0.36p/share on 3 April 2024. A tender offer is planned when there are additional liquid funds. Director Nicholas Lyth bought two million shares at 0.19p each.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) has sold shares in Computer Application Services for £257,000 and it retains a 28.9% stake.
Marula Mining (MARU) issued 2.8 million shares to pay for its stakes in the Nyoriinyori and NyoriGreen graphite projects The total consideration is £350,000. This follows assay results that confirm high-grade and broad graphite mineralisation on each of the projects. Marula Mining is also about to start supplying columbite-tantalite and feldspar from the Blesberg mine in South Africa to Fujax UK.
Substrate AI (SAI) is forecasting 2024 revenues of $20.6m and pre-tax profit of $1m. This is due to organic growth.
Business assurance provider Adsure Services (ADS) has announced a maiden dividend of 0.49p/share and the shares go ex-dividend on 18 April. Trading has been strong in the second half.
KR1 (KR1) has announced a general meeting on 29 April to seek authority to acquire up to 14.9% of its share capital.
Hydrogen Future Industries (HFI) has raised £60,000 at 5p/share. This is on top of the £552,000 raised earlier in the year. Inqo Investments (INQO) raised £1.3m at 70p/share. Dermatological technology developer Incanthera (INC) raised £174,000 from the exercise of warrants at 10p. Crushmetric (CUSH) placed shares raising £54,000 at 12.5p each.
Valereum (VLRM) has appointed Stanford Capital Partners as broker. Spirits company Rogue Baron (SHNJ) has appointed New York-based MD Global Partners as joint broker.
Rikki Devlin has increased his stake in Oscillate (MUSH) from 3.04% to 4.21%. Michael Prior sold 645 shares in brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) at 695p each.
AIM
Self-storage operator Lok’nStore (LOK) has agreed a 1,100p/share cash bid from Belgium-based Shurgard Self Storage. That values the company at £370m. The share price has risen above the level of the bid.
Churchill China (CHH) still managed to increase its profit in 2023 even though the third quarter trading was weak, and revenues fell. Europe was the bright spot, with growth in ceramics sales to hospitality customers in the main markets. The UK was flat, and the rest of the world sales were lower. The dividend has been raised from 31.5p/share to 36p/share. Capital investment will improve efficiency and margins. Investec forecasts flat 2024 pre-tax profit of £10.8m and that assumes an upturn in the UK.
There were no additional negatives in the Bango (BGO) 2023 figures following its disappointing trading statement earlier in the year. In fact, the previously announced foreign exchange loss was not taken through the income statement. Revenues grew from $28.5m to $46.1m with a full contribution from DOCOMO. The reported loss jumped from $4.8m to $10.2m. The NewDeep joint venture is being wound down so that stop the losses from it, while the technology can be used in the core business. Net debt is $3.9m. Capex continues at a high level and there is an unused overdraft facility of £3m that can be used. First quarter revenues are up by one-fifth and cost savings will help Bango achieve the anticipated move into profit this year. Annualised recurring revenues are $11m.
CleanTech Lithium (CTL) chief executive Aldo Boitano has resigned, although he will be a consultant, and Steve Kesler has taken over on an interim basis. This follows the revelation he entered into a loan agreement with his shareholding in the company as security in August 2023, but this was not revealed at the time. He transferred his 9.4 million shares to a custodian account nominated by the lender. It is unclear if any of the shares have been sold.
Cosmetics supplier Warpaint London (W7L) says trading continues to outperform expectations. First quarter sales are 28% higher at £23.5m. This has been achieved by adding stores and broadening the range and there has been no price rise since early 2022. Margins have also improved. Shore believes that its current pre-tax profit forecast of £19.1m for 2024 is likely to be 10% too low. The broker will not upgrade its forecast until the 2023 results are published on 24 April.
Coal miner Bens Creek (BEN) is laying off workers at its mine in West Verginia, which will be operated on a care and maintenance basis. There are 44 employees being laid off and that is described as “a substantial number” of the employees at the mine. Management is in discussions with largest shareholder and offtake partner Avani Resources to provide further finance. Earlier in the week, the company said it had secured a one-off sale of 20,000 tons of coal to Avani Resources for $1.2m, of which $1m has been received in advance of delivery. This is lower quality coal, and the deal is separate to the offtake agreement. This did not prove enough to alleviate the poor financial position of the US-based metallurgical coal miner.
European Green Transition (EGT) is seeking to build up a portfolio of mining and processing projects that can help to progress the move to cleaner energy in Europe. There is potential for grant income from the EU for European critical minerals assets, as well as looking at non-dilutive ways of raising money for individual projects. A placing and offer raised £6.46m at 10p/share. Trading commenced on 8 April. The share price ended the week at 12p. Pro forma net assets are £7.29m, which includes cash of £5.95m. The Olserum rare earth element project in Sweden is the core asset.
Fulcrum Metals (FMET) has acquired the Sylvanite gold tailings project in Ontario. This is a former producing mine, and it is near to the previous tailings investment the Teck-Hughes gold tailings project. There are plans to create a tailings hub. The historic tailings resource estimate at Sylvanite is 67,051 ounces.
First quarter revenues at carbon brake technology developer Surface Transforms (SCE) were £3m, which was lower than target. However, production yields improved in March when revenues were £1.5m. Revised delivery schedules have been agreed. Cavendish has raised its 2024 forecast loss to £3m because of higher scrappage costs and there are likely to be higher working capital requirements. There should still be net cash at the end of 2024.
Drug developer e-therapeutics (ETX) is raising £28.9m at 15p/share from M and G and Richard Griffiths. It is also the latest company to decide to leave AIM. In the future, a Nasdaq listing may be possible.
Active Energy Group (AEG) has been reviewing its operations and how to secure funding. It believes it cannot raise the cash it requires to construct a CoalSwitch biomass fuel plant and commence production. A buyer is being sought for the CoalSwitch assets. If that happens, then the company would become a shell.
Oracle Power (ORCP) has secured an option to acquire 100% of the Blue Rock Valley copper and silver project in Western Australia. The option cost £30,000 in shares. If the option is exercised there will be 913.2 million shares issued – valued at £200,000.
Weak third quarter demand at castings company Chamberlin (CMH) hit profitability. Some new programmes were delayed, and other demand was lower than forecast. The renewable offshore energy sector remained strong. There has been some recovery in the fourth quarter and costs are being reduced. Prices increases have been made.
Harvest Minerals (HMI) has made a rare earth elements discovery at its Arapua fertiliser project in Brazil. Rock samples analysis shows rare earth elements and further work will be done to firm up the opportunity by assessing previous drilling. There has been a better start to the year for sales of fertiliser.
Contract research and infectious disease study services provider hVIVO (HVO) reported 2023 results broadly in line with the trading statement. The order book covers 90% of the forecast revenues of £62m, with a strong first half expected.
MAIN MARKET
Kitchenware retailer ProCook Group (PROC) reported fourth quarter trading showing 4.8% year-on-year growth in revenues to £13.2m with the decline in ecommerce revenues slowing. Like-for-like growth was 1.5% ahead. Full year revenues were flat at £62.6m, although retail revenues were 9% higher. Net debt is £700,000.
Critical Metals (CRTM) has issued £1.6m of convertible loan notes. This will help to finance the road to the Molulu copper cobalt project in the Democratic Republic of Congo and fund initial drilling to establish a JORC resource. Management is also near to securing an $11m loan guaranteed by the US government. This will fund construction of the mine and leave additional cash for investment in other projects. Production at Molulu could start before the end of this year. The plan is to produce 10,000 tonnes of copper each month.
Standard list shell Aura Renewable Acquisitions (ARA) had £661,000 in the bank at the end of 2023. It raised £1m in April 2022. The company is still seeking an acquisition in the renewable energy sector.
Narf Industries (NARF) has won a $500,000 cybersecurity contract with the US Department of Energy. This is part of a project to strengthen the resilience of energy infrastructure.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 27 February 2023
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
National Milk Records (NMRP) increased interim revenues by 5% to £12m, while pre-tax profit improved from £750,000 to £790,000. A tax credit meant that earnings increased by a higher percentage. Net debt is £900,000. The main growth was in the core milk testing services, although genomics revenues rose from £173,000 to £336,000. Price increases will help margins in the second half. Full year pre-tax profit is expected to decline from £2.4m to £1.9m. Managing director Andy Warne is taking leave due to illness and the finance director is assuming operational control.
There are problems with the acquisition of a 19.8% stake in skincare products supplier Lush by Silverwood Brands (SLWD) because Lush is refusing to register the change of ownership of the shares. Silverwood Brands is paying £216.8m for the stake and no reason was given for the refusal to record the transfer of the shares.
Samarkand (SMK) has benefitted from the easing of Covid restrictions in China. Although there was a short-term rise in infections, consumer confidence is improving since Chinese New Year. The Chinese government is keen to boost consumption. Partner brands using the company’s Nomad software platform are planning for growth this year and more premium beauty brands have been added to the platform. Samarkand could be profitable in the next financial year.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) raised £21.5m at 32p a share with up for £4m more to come from a two-for-19 open offer. Taiwan-based Everbrite Technology is investing £2.5m in the placing. The cash will be used for working capital, which is expected to last until the middle of 2024. At that time the next generation Mistral grid scale vanadium battery will be ready for launch. The company will not need to draw down the $10m convertible loan facility.
In the year to October 2022, Hydro Hotel Eastbourne (HYDP) turnover improved from £2.79m to £4.4m, but pre-tax profit dipped from £457,000 to £445,000 because of the lack of government assistance. Trading remains tough. Cash improved to £1.59m.
Shore has upgraded its forecasts for Arbuthnot Banking Group (ARBB) with 2022 earnings increased by 11%. This reflects the benefits of higher interest rates with deposit rates lagging base rates. The 2022 pre-tax profit forecast is £29.5m and the 2023 forecast has been increased £28.5m to £40m. Estimated tangible NAV is 1194p a share.
Shareholders in Walls & Futures REIT (WAFR) have voted in favour of the resolutions enabling strategic investor Vengrove to raise cash for the company through a share issue. The number of shares in issue will be ten times as many as currently in issue. This will help Walls and Futures REIT scale up. Investments will be made in affordable rental housing, education property, service stations and car parks and community buildings. Pax Homes will be sold to Joseph McTaggart, so the group will no longer be a developer. The company’s name will be changed to Social Infrastructure REIT.
In the six months to November 2022, installation and engineering group Field Systems Designs Holdings (FSD) increased revenues from £2.6m to £6.7m and returned to profit in the period. Cash declined from £3.71m to £3.15m. Water companies are accelerating their spending under the current five-year programme and this provides a positive outlook for the business.
Marula Mining (MARU) has increased its stake in the Kinusi copper project in Tanzania from 49% to 75% for up to $550.000. The initial payment is $150,000 in cash and shares. There is high-grade copper mineralisation at the project.
Guanajuato Silver Company Ltd (GSVR) announced drilling results from the San Ignacio mine. There are some high-grade silver intersections plus gold. A new area of thick mineralisation may have been found. This should lead to a significant increase in resources.
Peterhouse has resigned as corporate adviser to Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) and terms are being agreed with a replacement.
Harry Hyman increased his stake in Oberon Investments (OBE) from 3.75% to 4.23%.
Pharma C Investments (PCIL) has appointed broker Jeremy Woodgate to its board.
AIM
Cancer treatments developer Redx Pharma (REDX) is merging with Jounce Therapeutics and the AIM company’s shareholders will own 63% of the enlarged group. They will receive 0.2105 of a Jounce share for each Redx share. Jounce will be renamed Redx Inc and retain its Nasdaq listing.
Cleantech Lithium (CTL) plans a listing on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). Canaccord Genuity (Australia) and Fox Davies are joint lead managers to the listing, which is expected to happen in the third quarter of 2023. The Chile-focused lithium projects developer has 31% of its shareholders linked to Australia while other potential shareholders are not able to invest in other markets. The AIM quotation will be retained.
Medical disinfection products supplier Tristel (TSTL) is back to past growth rates, helped by price increases. The UK was the fastest growing market. In the six months to December 2022, revenues were 15% ahead at £17.5m and the growth rate was greater if discontinued products are excluded. Pre-tax profit improved from £2.13m to £3.08m. The tax charge is higher, so earnings growth was slower. The interim dividend is maintained at 2.62p a share. Net cash is £8.42m. Progress is being made with the FDA approval for medical device decontamination product DUO ULT. Tristel is spending £3m on FDA approval. To reflect that it has renegotiated the US distribution agreement with Parker Labs.
Engineering business Avingtrans (AVG) increased revenues from £44.5m to £50m in the six months to November 2022 and profit improved. The engineering operations have been hit by supply problems, but there is growth in nuclear and North Sea demand. There is 90% cover for the full year revenues forecast. The medical division is progressing towards the launch of a new imaging product by the end of 2023.
ZOO Digital (ZOO) has signed up a second major Hollywood studio to its cloud-based ZOOstudio ERP service offering subtitling, dubbing and other video services. ZOOstudio will be embedded in the client’s own internal technology platform. Tougher markets in the US mean that film studios and streaming platforms are seeking to grow in international markets, thereby increasing demand for the services offered by ZOO Digital.
Digital services provider Made Tech Group (MTEC) increased interim revenues by 76% to £20.6m, but pre-tax profit fell from £1m to £300,000. Singer still expects full year pre-tax profit to improve from £2.3m to £3.4m. Fewer contractors are being used and margins should rise in the second half. More than £60m of additional bookings have been gained so far in 2022-23.
Circle Property (CRC) has conditionally disposed of Concorde Park in Maidenhead for £12.3m. Somerset House in Birmingham is being sold for £15.2m and Victory House in Northampton is being sold for £2.75m That leaves one property to sell. There is already £32.6m in the bank prior to these disposals. B share issues are planned March and April to return cash to shareholders. The AIM quotation is likely to be cancelled in May.
ECR Minerals (ECR) has published drilling data from the Blue Moon prospect at Bailieston, Victoria with one of the holes at 84.9 metres depth reporting a composite grade of 6.35 metres at 4.56g/t. The rig is moving to the Brewery Lane property at Creswick.
Conroy Gold & Natural Resources (CGNR) made a high-grade gold discovery in a new area of the Longford-Down Massif. Visible gold is present. The grades are between 12.8g/t and 123g/t at the Mines Royal option area in Northern Ireland. Exploration is being carried out with joint venture partner Demir Export.
Snowfall has hit production at the Pakrut gold mine operated by China Nonferrous Gold (CNG). The Tajikistan mine has been hit by avalanches and landslides that have damaged power supply. Operations will be suspended for at least one month.
MAIN MARKET
Roquefort Therapeutics (ROQ) has signed an exclusive licence and royalty agreement with Randox Laboratories for its Midkine antibody portfolio. The ten-year licence excludes Japan and enables Randox to use the Midkine portfolio for medical diagnostics. The two firms will collaborate on potential cancer uses. Roquefort could generate more than £5m over the length of the agreement.
Trifast (TRI) chief executive Mark Belton has resigned after a disappointing trading statement. The fasteners supplier has been hit by Asian destocking. The forecast earnings for 2022-23 have been reduced by 38% to 5.1p a share.
Providence Equity is interested in making a 105p a share offer for Hyve Group (HYVE), which is a small fraction of the flotation share price.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 21 March 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
AIM-quoted OptiBiotix Health (LON: OPTI) plans to float its ProBiotix Health subsidiary on the Aquis Stock Exchange and distribute 35%-37% of the shares to its shareholders. ProBiotix, which develops probiotics for treating cardiovascular disease, is expected to have a pre-money valuation of £22.5m and will join the market on 31 March. There are plans to raise £2.5m. OptiBiotix will retain just under 50% of ProBiotix. Peterhouse is corporate adviser.
Oberon Investments (OBE) says revenues will be at least £6.4m in the year to March 2022. Funds under management have grown to more than £1bn and that has been wholly organic growth. Oberon is launching an EIS fund and an IHT service.
Natural food and snack products supplier S-Ventures (SVEN) has been making acquisitions since it floated. This means that the figures for the year to September 2021 are not a good indication of the group as it is currently made up. They show revenues of £1.53m and loss of £1m. Additional warehousing has been secured so that all the group’s requirements can be fulfilled by this site. Two centres have been closed.
National Milk Records (NMRP) has secured an exclusive licence for the exploitation of GenoCells technology in the US. The test can detect mastitis and is being piloted in the UK. The roll out of the test should start at the beginning of 2023.
SuperSeed Capital (WWW) says that SuperSeed Fund II raised £31m. There is a strong pipeline of investment opportunities.
Altona Rare Elements (ANR) is proceeding with phase 2 of the development of the Monte Muambe real earths project with resource drilling that will last for 12 months. This will produce a maiden mineral resource estimate and will cost £1.2m.
Semper Fortis Esports (SEMP) has set up a blockchain-based paly-to-earn gaming division called SMPR Guild. The subsidiary will buy in-game items in the form of NFTs, and active game players can access these items on a revenue share basis. Game-based token rewards are won during playing and they are split between the player and the company.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) has completed the acquisition of a further 7% of Pedra Branca Alliance, which gives it a 27% interest in the Amapa iron ore project.
Clean Invest Africa (CIA) has raised £100,000 at 0.5p a share and for every two shares an investor receives a warrant exercisable at 1.5p. If these warrants are exercised, then another warrant will be issued that is exercisable at 3p a share.
Chris Akers has increased his stake in Quetzal Capital (QTZ) from 18.3% to 19.1%.
AIM
CleanTech Lithium (CTL) raised £5.6m at 30p a share when it joined AIM. The share price ended the week at 35.5p. The company has potential lithium projects in existing mining areas of Chile. This means that there is nearby infrastructure. CleanTech Lithium has an extraction process that is more environmentally friendly than alternatives. Owning 100% of each of the projects (there is currently an option over part of the Laguna Verde area) provides additional flexibility for financing. There should be updated resource figures during the summer and that will enable a pre-feasibility study to be conducted.
Ceramics and fragrance products manufacturer Portmeirion (PMP) returned to profit in 2021. Group revenues increased from £87.9m to £106m, while underlying pre-tax profit jumped from £1.4m to £7.2m. There was a rebound in revenues in South Korea. Total dividends were 13p a share. Long-term energy contracts have been secured to offset higher gas prices this year. Further profit improvement is expected this year. Healthcare had a strong year helped by Covid, but management believes that spending will
Recruitment firm Empresaria (EMR) bounced back in 2021 even though the aviation recruitment business remained in the doldrums. This shows the benefits of the wide spread of activities both in terms of sector and internationally. Revenues recovered from £54m to £59.5m, while underlying pre-tax profit jumped from £5.2m to £8.6m. This reflects the benefits of investment in group management and resources and there is more to come. Further roll out of IT will also help. Revenues and profit are well below the peak in 2018. The offshore recruitment services division is moving into the Philippines market. There has been a strong start to 2022.
Restore (REST) improved its pre-tax profit by 64% to £38.1m with demand for all parts of the business returning last year. Acquisitions did help the technology business to grow sharply but there was also 5% underlying organic growth for the group as a whole. There are spare bank facilities to fund more acquisitions this year as Restore moves towards its goal of £450m-£500m, which is double the 2021 level.
Packaging and automation equipment supplier Mpac (MPAC) did better than expected in 2021. The 13% improvement in revenues to £94.3m was mainly down to the acquisition of Switchback. Pre-tax profit grew from £6.3m to £8.6m. net cash was maintained at £7.6m. The focus on the healthcare and food sectors has helped Mpac to prosper and the international spread of business is another positive. There is a 26% like-for-like increase in the order book, which was £78.4m at the end of the year.
Tracsis (TRCS) is paying £10.9m, plus up to £2.1m deferred, for rail technology software provider RailComm, which generates revenues of £4.6m. Tracsis had already won a remote condition monitoring equipment contract in the US and the focus will be gaining further contracts for this technology, as well as for software.
Energy efficiency as a service provider eEnergy Group (LSE: EAAS) increased interim revenues by 42% to £9.6m, partly due to energy management acquisitions. Energy efficiency revenues fell during the first half because the corresponding period included work that had moved into that period due to lockdowns. Solar is a sector where management is keen to expand exposure.
Gfinity (GFIN) is raising more cash to cover its losses, but they be near to coming to an end. The esports business is raising a further £2.7m at 1.25p a share, having regularly raised money since joining AIM in 2014. A loss is expected this year, but a reduction in admin costs should help Gfinity to make a profit in 2022-23.
Corporation Financiere Europeenne has increased its bid for CIP Merchant Capital (CIP) from 55p a share to 60p a share. This is still a significant discount to NAV and the bid has been rejected, but the bidder already owns 35.2% and has acceptances of 1.3% of the share capital. Castellain Capital has doubled its stake in CIP to 11.1%.
MAIN MARKET
New Energy One Acquisition Corporation (NEOA) is a cash shell seeking to acquire a business involved in the energy transition sector. It raised £175m at £10 a share. The only real asset is the cash raised in the flotation. The current share price is 989.5p.
Cash shell CYBA CYBA) has acquired its first cyber security business Narf Industries for $25.6m in cash and shares. Narf provides vulnerability research and security protocol design, as well as developing its own cyber security software. A placing raised £6m to help finance the purchase. The placing price of 2p was above the market price, but by the end of the week the price was 2.3p. CYBA may also acquire Polyswarm, although the exclusivity period has ended. CYBA director Steve Bassi is the principal shareholder of the Polyswarm businesses. The estimated cash balance is currently £2.79m. The company is licensing SRI International’s IP that is used in the Narf developed threat intelligence for grid recovery product. SRI will take a stake in CYBA.
Housebuilder One Heritage Group (OHG) has issued £1.5m worth of unsecured corporate bonds and has obtained a standard listing for them. The bond has an annual coupon of 8% and matures in March 2024. The cash will be used to repay loans outstanding from One Heritage SPC, which have an annual interest rate of 12%. There will be a £1.2m loan left that expires in August 2023.
Property investor Town Centre Securities (TOWN) improved underlying net assets to 305p a share, from 284p a share – a 2.4% increase in portfolio value plus help from share buy backs. Three property sales generated £22.5m in the six months to December 2021. There have been subsequent deals. The current loan to value is 47.7%. A 2.5p a share interim dividend is being paid.
Raven Russia (RAV) intends to sell its Russian property assets but retain outstanding loans. Trading in the shares has been suspended and the listing will be cancelled so that the option to sell the assets can be triggered.
Path Investments (PATH) has published the prospectus for the reverse takeover of DG Innovate, which is developing drive and battery technology. The initial consideration is £32.4m in shares at 0.6p each. There is conditional deferred consideration of up to £5.4m depending on the signing of additional customers. Path has raised £2.55m at 0.5p each and warrants exercised at 0.25p each to raise a further £2.08m.
Andrew Hore