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Quoted Micro 20 January 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has signed an agreement with Eastern Pacific Shipping, which will use the SulNOxEco additive on a minimum of 30 vessels for at least 18 months. The data from this evaluation could be used for marketing. Easten Pacific Shipping will introduce other potential shipping company clients, and it is subscribing for up to 11.7 million shares in tranches at 2p each. This will happen over the 18-month period. There will be a subscription of up to 4.72 million additional shares at 2p each, which will be over a three-year period. This could total up to 11.8% of the enlarged share capital.
Marula Mining (MARU) says that the Kinusi coper mine is selling a total of 1,000t to four commodity trading groups. The sales have been delayed but should be completed by the end of January. Metallurgical test work results are expected later in January. Management is seeking to secure offtake agreements and non-dilutive funding.
Kasei Digital Assets (KASH) is conducting a strategic review, which could include a departure from Aquis or return of cash to shareholders. Management believes that the outlook for the market for digital assets is positive. However, costs are negatively affecting performance. There is cash of £782,000 and digital assets of £4.26m.
Visum Technologies (VIS) has raised £100,000 from a convertible loan note issue. The conversion price is 0.5p/share. This will fund due diligence for potential acquisitions.
IntelliAM AI (INT) says David Richards is stepping down as chairman at the beginning of July.
Max Capital reduced its shareholding in WeCap (WCAP) from 8.09% to 7.94%. Brompton Asset Management has increased its stake in Global Connectivity (GCON) to 13.96%. RAJ Bailey bought 7,376 shares in Daniel Thwaites (THW) at 89p each.
AIM
Fortress Investment has raised its recommended bid for pubs and bars operators Loungers (LGRS) from 310p/share to 325p/share. Broker Singer did not believe that the original bid fully reflected the value of the business and argued that 375p/share would be a fairer value. Loungers at £338.3m was forecast to make a 2024-25 pre-tax profit of £18m, up from £13.9m last year, rising to £23.8m in 2025-26.
Fintech Fiinu (BANK) has signed heads of agreement for the first white-label deal for its Plugin Overdraft with a UK bank. It will provide a Banking-as-a-Service platform including Plugin Overdraft and requires regulatory approval and testing. The bank will have exclusivity in the UK for 12-months from launch, which could be in the fourth quarter of 2025. There will be royalty fees based on profit generated by the bank from the Plugin Overdraft.
Thor Explorations (THX) says that the Segilola mine in Nigeria produced 24,6000 ounces of gold, taking the total for 2024 to 85,000 ounces. Guidance for 2025 is 85,000 ounces-95,000 ounces. The all in sustaining costs are expected to be $808/ounce. Thor Explorations has moved into a net cash position. Exploration is focused on extending the life of the mine beyond 2028. Thee were positive results announced earlier in January. There should be news concerning the Nigerian federal authorities into the Osun state authorities allegations of underpayment of tax. The PFS for the Douta project in Senegal should be released in the first quarter of 2025.
Michael Ashcroft wants data and information publisher Merit Group (MRIT) to leave AIM. This follows his success in persuading Jaywing (JWNG) to back his AIM cancellation plan for the marketing services business. He owns 42% of Merit Group, so he has a high chance of success. A general meeting will be set within 21 days.
Deltex Medical Group (DEMG) also announced plans to leave AIM. This will save £200,000/year. Last year’s revenues from sales of heart monitoring systems improved from £1.8m to £2.1m and cash was £240,000 at the end of 2024. Andy Mears will be replaced as chief executive by Natalie Wettler.
Quantum Blockchain Technologies (QBT) has made a breakthrough for its Bitcoin Artificial Intelligence model mining tool. The Method C AI Oracle can skip calculations if it assesses that they will not be successful. This provides a 30% improved performance compared with other methods. The company is ready to demonstrate the technology and is seeking a chip manufacturing partner to produce a commercial product.
Gift wrap supplier IG Design (IGR) customers did not sell as much as expected over the Christmas period and this has hit orders. On top of the weak demand, there are US customers in financial difficulties. The fourth largest customer has re-entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and total provisions will be around $15m.The American business is predominantly behind the 10% slump in revenues, although the international business revenues were 1% lower. IG Design is only expected to breakeven in the year to March 2025, compared with forecast pre-tax profit of $32m, and forecasts have been withdrawn by Canaccord Genuity.
Security technology supplier Thruvision (THRU) announced a strategic review. Management believes that additional funding will be required to scale up the business. There is currently cash of £1.5m, which will last until May unless potential orders are secured. The cost base will be assessed. Alternatives include bringing in a partner or selling the business.
Digital healthcare platform developer Trellus Health (TRLS) has entered an agreement with Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc for a US pilot programme for Trellus Elevate to support severe inflammatory bowel disease. Trellus Health will receive an upfront licence fee and a monthly fee. Net cash was $8m at the end of June 2024 and the additional income could help to extend the cash runway nearer to the end of 2025.
Pawnbroker Ramsdens (RFX) says improved performances from all divisions helped group revenues improve from £83.8m to £95.6m, while pre-tax profit rose from £10.1m to £11.4m. The dividend was raised from 10.4p/share to 11.2p/share. This year has started well. and management has decided to slow the new store opening programme. There will be more focus on the website.
Packaging equipment and automation provider Mpac Group (MPAC) confirms 2024 trading is in line with expectations. Pre-tax profit should recover from £7.1m to £10.5m. Net debt was £37m at the end of 2024. The order book is worth £111m and covers 53% of forecast 2025 revenues.
Telecoms infrastructure products developer Filtronic (FTC) has appointed David Marshall as director of programmes to ensure their efficient delivery. Sarah Shaw becomes General Counsel to manage commercial contracts and other legal affairs. This follows a positive trading statement that led to Cavendish upgrading its 2024-25 pre-tax profit forecast from £9.6m to £11.5m.
Construction recruitment services provider Hercules Site Services (HERC) has decided to sell its suction excavators business to focus on recruitment. The suction excavators were losing money and holding back performance. The disposal will also reduce borrowings. Labour supply revenues increased from £63.8m to £84.1m. Continuing pre-tax profit improved from £1.6m to £2.6m and further improvement to £3.4m is expected for this year.
Bars and leisure operator XP Factory (XPF) grew like-for-like revenues by 8.5% in the third quarter, which is well above the rate for the rest of the year. The figure for the year so far is 5.5%. Immersive escape rooms operator Escape Hunt was 14% ahead and Boom Battle Bars 17% higher over the Christmas period.
Cross-border payment services provider Finseta (FIN) says 2024 EBITDA will be £2m compared to a forecast of £1.9m. There was £2.2m of cash generated from operating activities. The benefits from investment in the business and new products will show through in 2025.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) has raised £1.2m from a placing at 0.0275p/share. A retail offer could raise up to £2.3m more. The cash will be invested in the Zulu project in Zimbabwe and to pay suppliers. The retail offer closes on 20 January. Some creditors may take shares for the money owed. If the cash raised in the placing and offer plus the capitalisation of debts does not get near to £3.5m the placing and offer will not proceed.
Cambridge Nutritional Sciences (CNSL) has settled its dispute with the UK DHSC with no admission of liability. The DHSC will not seek reimbursement of pre-production payments for Covid tests and Cambridge Nutritional Sciences will not claim for losses for failure to replace orders. The company will have legal costs of £200,000, but it will also release £2.5m from deferred income as exceptional income.
Cannabis-based medicines developer Celadon Pharmaceuticals (CEL) says that the strategic collaboration with Valeos Pharma is contributing to its business. This will enable the acceleration of supply of pharmaceutical grade EU-GMP cannabis active pharmaceutical ingredient products. Valeos Pharma will provide up to three tonnes of annual cultivation capacity, which is equivalent to £8.7m of income/year.
Gaming machines hardware and displays supplier Nexteq (NXQ) had net cash of $29.1m at the end of 2024, which is more than 50% of market capitalisation. Trading problems had already been flagged and there was no additional surprise. There was destocking and delayed product launches by customers. Revenues were 24% lower at $86.7m, which was slightly better than forecast. The results will be published on 19 March.
Supercapacitors developer Cap-XX (LON: CPX) has made its first shipment of co-branded products to electronic components distributor SCHURTER’S warehouse in Switzerland. On delivery, an invoice will be raised.
Construction and property asset management software supplier Eleco (ELCO) has acquired maintenance and management software provider PEMAC for €6m in cash with up to €2.4m payable based on achieving performance targets. Clients include Coca Cola and Heineken. This fits well with the existing ShireSysem product.
Argo Group Ltd (ARGO) is making a tender offer at 5p/share as part of its plan to leave AIM. Shareholders owning 71.2% of the company will not tender shares, so everyone else can have their shares acquired in the tender. The tender closes on 14 February.
MAIN MARKET
Packaging manufacturer and distributor Macfarlane Group (MACF) has acquired protective packaging manufacturer Pitreavie for £18m, with a net initial payable after debt movements of £10.6m. Pitreavie made a 2024 pre-tax profit of £1.3m. There should be cost savings from integrating the business.
Online travel hostel agency Hostelworld (HSW) says strong demand for Asian hostels helped 2024 net bookings rise 6% to 6.9 million, although there was a dip in average booking value. That meant that revenues were 1% lower at €92m. Lower marketing spend meant that margins improved. More bookings were made through the company’s app. Pre-tax profit is expected to jump to €17m. Net cash is €2m. There will be an update on strategy in the second quarter.
Bitcoin miner Vinanz (BTC) switched from Aquis to the Main Market on 13 January. The share price opened at 16.5p and rose to 22.5p before falling back to 16.5p at the end of the week.
Argo Blockchain (ARB) has been told it has until 15 July to regain compliance on Nasdaq with the minimum price requirement of $1 for its ADSs.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 16 September 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Exchange services provider Aquis Exchange (AQX), which is also quoted on the Aquis Stock Exchange, has already warned that the loss of a software contract will hit revenues this year. Net interim revenues were still 4% ahead at £10m. Pre-tax profit was 8% lower at £1.1m. There was a small dip in revenues of the core exchange division. Net cash was £14.5m at the end of June 2024. There are plans to increase investment in technology to increase the addressable market, so year-end cash will be slightly lower than expected at £15.1m.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) increased revenues from £203,000 to £544,000, but the loss was still around £1.9m. Cash was £2.15m at the end of June 2024. A generator-based study for the SulNOxEco fuel additive shows fuel savings of 15%.
Ananda Developments (ANA) has raised up to £2.1m via a placing and offer at 0.3p/share and more than £2m has come from Charles Morgan, the company chairman. Charles Morgan and Melissa Sturgess have agreed to capitalised debt owed to them. The cash will fund the manufacture of MRX1 for CIPN and Endometriosis phase II studies, as well as a pharmacokinetic study for MRX1 in Australia.
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) improved interim revenues 16% to £9.28m, while the cost base rose 11%. The loss was reduced from £649,000 to £352,000. The remainder of the year is expected to be difficult.
The increase in the value of the 15% stake held by Global Connectivity (GCON) lead to the July 2024 rising from £7.8m to £17.2m in a six-month period. That is 4.25p/share.
Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR) reported a 4.5% decrease in NAV to 85p/share, although investment property value rose 2.4%. The was reduced to £44,000. The company is finding it difficult to raise additional funds.
Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) maintained revenues at £5.6m. There is 96% occupancy of the group properties. NAV fell from £34.4m to £31.7m at the end of April 2024.
Voyager Life (VOY) says that M3 Helium’s preparations for bringing the Rost1-26 well into production are advanced. Voyager Life has an option to acquire M3 Helium.
Cooks Coffee Company (COOK) increased sales by 23% to £13.8m in the 22 weeks to 1 September. The main growth was in the UK stores. Ten further outlets ae expected to open by the end of the financial year.
Investment company EPE Special Opportunities Ltd (EO.P) reported a reduced loss because there was a gain on fair value movements on investments compared with a loss last time. There was cash of £18.4m at the end of July 2024. NAV was 319p/share at the end of July, and it fell back to 314p/share by the end of August.
Warrants held by lupus treatment developer ImmuPharma (IMM) to subscribe for shares in Incanthera (INC) at 9.5p each have been extended to the end of March 2025 in return for a £75,0000 payment by ImmuPharma.
BWA Group (BWAP) chairman Jonathan Wearing has subscribed for 50 million shares at 0.5p each.
Jonathan Adnams has stepped down as chairman of Adnams (ADB) because of ill health. Simon Townsend will be interim chairman.
AIM
Greatland Gold (GGP) shares returned from suspension after announcing the purchase of Newmont Corporation’s 70% stake in the Havieron gold-copper project, as well as 100% ownership of the Telfer gold-copper mine and other assets in the Paterson region. The total cost is $475m in cash and shares. A placing raised £248.6m ($325m) at 4.8p each, which is a 30% discount to the market price. Wyloo is subscribing up to $100m and Newmont Corporation will own more than 20% of the gold explorer. A retail offer raised £6.7m.
Marlowe (MRL) is demerging the occupational health division as an independent AIM company called Optima Health by the end of September. Shareholders will receive one share for each Marlowe share held. Marlowe will focus on testing, inspection and certification operations. So far, £41m of the £75m share buy back has been spent. Marlowe continuing revenues are forecast to be £306m and pre-tax profit £13m.
Energy optimisation services provider Inspired (INSE) interim revenues edged up from £44.6m to £45m and pre-tax profit dipped from £6.2m to £5.7m. That was lower than forecast. Optimisation revenues declined, but product mix meant that margins were better. Cross-selling is helping to grow the ESG division and other parts of the business. Net debt is £57.6m. There is only £2.2m of contingent consideration due to be paid. Debt should start to decline over the next few years.
Chain and transmission equipment Renold (RNO) has made another earnings enhancing acquisition. Canada-based MAC Chain Company is being bought for $31.4m. This fits well with the CVC business and enables expansion into the forestry market. Last year’s pre-tax profit was $3.5m.
Optimisation software provider Checkit (CKT) reported a flat loss of £2.3m on the back of a 16% increase in interim revenues to £6.7m. However, the full year figure is set to fall from £4.2m to £3.9m. Annualised recurring revenues are £13.8m and that underpins the full year revenues forecast of £14.2m. Net cash was £7m at the end of July 2024 and higher R&D spending means that year-end cash is likely to be slightly lower than previously expected at around £5m. Chairman Keith Daley bought 135,000 shares at 21p each.
Cross-border currency payments services provider Finseta (FIN) reported a sharp increase in first half profit, although investment in growing the business will hold back profit in the short-term. There was a £100,000 contribution from the final payment relating to the licencing agreement with Avila House. The loss of that income, a higher depreciation charge and additional overheads for new operations such as a corporate Mastercard and a Canadian office means that full year pre-tax profit could dip from £1.4m to £1.3m. The benefits of the investment will be seen next year with an expected jump in pre-tax profit to £2.5m.
Contract research and infectious disease study services provider hVIVO (HVO) reported 2024 revenues 31% ahead at £35.6m, while pre-tax profit improved from £4.18m to £7.15m. The new Canary Wharf site has opened and provides additional capacity. Cash was slightly lower than anticipated at £37.1m.
Gaming machines hardware and displays supplier Nexteq (NXQ) was hit by destocking in both of its divisions. Interim revenues and profit were expected to fall. Interim revenues were 14% lower at $48.2m. Net cash reached $36.9m. The full year revenues forecast is being maintained at $93.9m to £114.3m.
Packaging equipment and automation provider Mpac Group (MPAC) reports a strong improvement in first half figures, although the comparatives were weak. Revenues improved from £52.8m to £60m, while pre-tax profit rebounded from £1.9m to £4m. The closing order book is £71.4m. Net debt is £4.9m and should be lower at the year end.
Trading in Eurasia Mining (EUA) shares has resumed following the publication of 2023 accounts late on Friday. Net cash was £1.1m at the end of 2023. The company has also agreed a one year working capital facility for up to £2.5m. The loan lasts until next August and is convertible at 2.7p/share. There are five tranches with around £1m of the loan dependent on a term sheet to sell the Russian asset. The lender will receive a payment of 12.5% of the facility, plus 5% of any draw downs, in shares at 2.3p each.
Shore Capital upgraded animal feed additives supplier Anpario (ANP) after it reported an 11% increase in interim revenues of £17m on the back of a much greater rise in volumes and slightly lower pricing. Raw material costs have stabilised. Full year revenues expectations have been raised from £33m to £34m, while the pre-tax profit estimate is increased from £3.9m to £4.4m, up from £3.5m in 2023.
Fulcrum Metals (FMET) is raising £643,500 at 8p/share and directors will subscribe for an additional £114,500 once the interims are published. The cash will be invested in the Teck-Hughes and Sylvanite gold tailings projects in Canada. This should enable nearer-term revenues Management will also review opportunities for exploration drilling on the Tully and Big Bear prospects and a potential technology testing facility in Ontario.
MAIN MARKET
LED lighting and wiring accessories supplier Luceco (LUCE) interim revenues improved 8% to £109.6m and underlying pre-tax profit rebounded from £9.4m to £11.2m. Like-for-like growth was 3.6%. The interim dividend was improved from 1.6p/share to 1.7p/share. LED lighting revenues declined, while portable power and wiring accessories revenues improved. Panmure Liberum forecasts a full year pre-tax profit improvement from £21.2m to £23m.
Hostmore (MORE) has terminated the proposed acquisition of the TGI Friday’s master franchise owner. The sale of corporate stores has reached an advanced stage. However, the proceeds may be lower than the value of related borrowings so there will be no return for the company. Once the sale is complete the holding company will be wound up.
Critical Metals (CRTM) has raised £50,000 from NIU Invest and has entered into a term sheet for a cash injection of up to £2.5m. NIU has already invested £1.1m in convertible loan notes as is the latest investment. The conversion price is 2p/share. NIU is also receiving warrants exercisable at 0.5p/share.
Shell company Ikigai Ventures (IKIV) has been moved to the new, temporary shell category. This provides one year to comply with additional requirements and a further two years to make an acquisition.
Andrew Hore