Tag Archives: fina

AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE

ProBiotix Health (PBX) has secured a new commercial partner in Asia Pacific. Nutraceutical business Nutraconnect will develop and implement strategies for ProBiotix Health ingredients in Asia Pacific.

IamFire (FIRE) says investee company WeShop Holdings had 23,000 user downloads by the end of August. Transactions increased from 2,633 in July to 5,981 in August. Average spend per transaction has increased to £81. A US launch is planned.

Gunsynd (GUN) is making a further conditional investment of £100,000 in ASX-listed Rincon Resources. The investment is dependent on Rincon Resources shareholder approval.

Fintech investment company Eight Capital Partners (ECP) has generated £1m in fees from Zamaz (ZAMZ), which joined the standard list a fortnight ago. Zamaz believes that its technology platform can help to efficiently build direct to consumer brands via e-commerce. Other Eight Capital Partners revenue have been modest.

Evrima (EVA) says investee company Premium Nickel Resources has created a new metals division.

Spirits brand Rogue Baron (SHNJ) says that a third party has been contacting investor saying it is raising cash for the company, which is not true. Rogue Baron is considering ways of raising further funds.

SulNOx Group (SNOX) has won a new order from Ghana for SulNOxEco fuel conditioner. There is enough to treat six million litres of diesel, which is a larger order than the previous one. New agreements are being discussed in other African countries.

Site works have commenced at the Blesberg lithium and tantalum project in South Africa. Marula Mining (MARU) says mining permits have been applied for.

A company associated with Asimilar Group (ASLR) non-exec director Mark Horrocks has acquired 750,000 shares at 4.1p each, which takes his share interest to 5.27%.

Engineering company Vulcan Industries (VULC) has raised £132,000 at 0.92p a share. Superseed Capital Ltd (WWW) has issued £1m of convertible loan notes to SuperSeed Venture LLP, which is its investment manager. The conversion price is 130p a share.

Barry Hersh is a 9.98% shareholder in Rural Broadband Solutions (RBBS). PEU SA has a 7.56% stake in Eastinco Mining and Exploration (EM.P).

AIM

Churchill China (CHH) had an extremely strong first half in 2022 because of demand for hospitality products. Sales of plates and other products to restaurants and hotels were behind the 73% growth in revenues to £41.4m. Sales of retail products declined as production focused on hospitality products. Churchill China is gaining market share in the UK and internationally. The interim dividend is 57% ahead at 10.5p a share. A full year pre-tax profit of £8.8m is forecast.

New admission Aurrigo International (AURR) has risen a further 9.52% to 57.5p. The transport technology products supplier raised £8m at 48p a share when it joined AIM. The cash will be invested in the aviation technology division and to develop new products.

Broker and administrator Jarvis Securities (JIM) has appointed Ocreus to review systems and controls at its main subsidiary after it ran into trouble with the FCA. This will take between three and six months. Jarvis has voluntarily agreed not to take on new clients from certain existing Model B corporate clients until the systems have been reviewed. The restrictions should not hamper forecast revenues and profit, although the costs of the review could hamper shareholder dividends from Jarvis Securities. This news was announced late on Friday and the share price nearly halved.

Retail brand Joules (JOUL) has ended its talks with retailer NEXT (NEXT) about a cash injection, leaving it with the need to find another source of funding. That is likely to require a share issue.

Baby products retailer Mothercare (MTC) reported revenues falling from £85.8m to £82.8m, but it returned to profit. The figures were at the top end of expectations and the company was cash generative. finnCap forecasts a fall in pre-tax profit from £8m to £1.9m this year. The pension deficit is declining.

TV and film production services provider Facilities by ADF (ADF) had tough comparisons for its interim figures and reported pre-tax profit was lower. Revenues improved from £11.5m to £12.6m, but the lack of large productions and higher overheads since flotation mean that profit was lower. There will be more, and higher value, productions in the second half, so some of the profit shortfall should be offset. Flotation funds are being used to increase the size of the vehicle fleet.

Artisanal Spirits Company (ART) increased membership by 24% in the first half of 2022. This growth was international, and the current membership is around 36,000. Full year revenues are expected to increase from £18.2m to £21.6m. The value of the casks of whisky in stock has increased from £430m to £455m in the latest six month period.

Cyber security services provider Corero Network Security (CNS) improved sales in the first half and growth could accelerate in the second half. Full year revenues are forecast to increase by one-third to $27.9m. Demand for cyber security continues to increase. Corero should breakeven this year.

Strong growth in first half revenues at plant-based polymers developer Itaconix (ITX) means that it is set to double full year revenues to $5.2m. Revenues trebled from cleaning applications. There was $900,000 of net cash at the end of June 2022.

The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) increased interim revenues by 18% to £13.1m and pre-tax profit was 9% higher at £3.8m. The interim dividend was increased by 11% to 4.2p a share. Trading remains strong even though house buying incentives were ended last year.

Building and architecture software supplier Eleco (ELCO) did not surprise the market with the 3% decline in interim revenues to £13.4m, although recurring revenues were 9% higher at £8.2m. This reflects the change to a SaaS model. Pre-tax profit was 23% down at £2.1m due to higher costs.

Ncondezi Energy Ltd (NCCL) has replaced a working capital facility with a convertible loan and more cash is being made available. The shareholder loan repayment cannot be demanded before 30 November 2023.

Shell company Advance Energy (ADV) raised £425,000 at 0.085p a share. There are warrants attached to each new share that are exercisable at 0.13p a share. The cash will enable management to investigate a suitable reverse takeover candidate and fund due diligence. Management is in talks with the majority owner of a European oil and gas company and trading in the shares is suspended. Any deal will be funded with shares and via an earn-out based on production. The suspension will continue until a prospectus is published or the deal does not happen.

Tertiary Minerals (TYM) has signed a technical co-operation agreement with First Quantum Minerals for two copper projects in Zambia – Mukai and Mushima North. Mukai is next door to First Quantum’s Trident project. First Quantum also has interests in the same region as Mushima North. First Quantum will supply historical exploration date for the areas. First Quantum does not have first right of refusal over the projects.

MAIN MARKET

Fintech Asia Ltd (FINA) is seeking fintech acquisitions. This includes mobile banking, digital payments and blockchain. It raised £1.46m at 50p a share, before expenses of £613,000. The cash should finance the operating of the company and investigating potential acquisitions for more than one year. Further share issues will be required when any targets are identified, and deals secured. There were no trades reported on the first two days. The current share price is 55.5p (53p/57p).

Ikigai Ventures Ltd (IKIV) is looking to acquire businesses with a positive social impact strategy, particularly those based in Asia. It has a similar shareholder base to Fintech Asia. Ikigai Ventures raised £2.09m at 50p a share, before expenses of £714,000. That cash should last more than one year. There were no trades reported on the first two days. The current share price is 55.5p (53p/57p).

Innovative materials developer HeiQ (HEIQ) increased interim revenues by 17% to $30.3m and it is making progress with newer products, such as AeoniQ and GrapheneX. Hygiene products generated 43% of total revenues. Service and licence revenues more than trebled. There was $9.5m in the bank at the end of June 2022. Cenkos expects revenues to grow from $57.9m to $69.4m in the full year and grow by a further 10% next year. The 2022 pre-tax profit is expected to be $4.8m.

Andrew Hore