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Quoted Micro 29 July 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Good Life Plus (GDLF) reported its figures for the 16 months to January 2024. This includes a full contribution from the core luxury prize draw business and a few months of the shell it reversed into. Revenues were £2.39m and the loss was £3.98m, although that included costs of the reversal. The underlying business is losing money as it builds up the subscriber base. The recent £2m fundraising was after the balance sheet date, so there is plenty of cash to continue to add players. The number exceeds 30,000 and continue to rise. There are potential deals with media partners that could reduce the costs of subscriber acquisition by providing access to new people and only paying if they sign up to the Good Life Plus prize draws.
Interim figures of Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) show a decline in interim profit as net interest rate margin was reduced from 6.1% to 5.2%. Pre-tax profit fell from £26.4m to £20.8m. Asset based lending profit did improve. Tangible NAV was 1396p/share.
Broker and investment manager Oberon Investments Group (OBE) increased revenues by 50% to £7.58m in the year to March 2024. There was still a loss of £2.88m, even after the £318,000 gain on a stake disposal. Additi9nal hires mean that overheads were much higher. NAV was £23.9m. Corporate finance income was slightly lower with the main growth coming from investment management. There has been a strong first quarter this year and signs of improving business. Like-for-like growth should be more than 30% this year.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) has opened its manufacturing facilities in Motherwell. This will increase capacity for its energy storage technology to more than 500Mwh/year.
Rathbones has a 5.59% stake in Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR).
Stephen Bamford has reduced his stake in SulNOx Group (SNOX) to less than 3%, following a transfer of shares to his children. Gunsynd (GUN) executive director Donald Strang bought one million shares at 0.1215p each.
AIM
FRP Advisory (FRP) is benefiting from strong restructuring services demand and its corporate finance operations are trading better than many of its peers. In the year to April 2024, revenues were 23% higher at £128.2m, while pre-tax profit improved from £24.1m to £33.7m. The dividend was raised to 5p/share. Net cash is £29.7m. Since the year end, two acquisitions have been made: Southampton-based finance provider Hilton-Baird and Cardiff-based Lexington Corporate Finance. Even so, net cash could improve to m£32m by April 2025.
Order intake has weakened at scientific instruments supplier Judges Scientific (JDG) and there is no sign of this changing in the near term. There have also been delays of some projects. Organic revenues declined 3% in the first half. Demand from China has been weak. Some delayed work will come through in the second half. Even so, the full year pre-tax profit forecast has been cut by 10% to £30.3m, down from £31.7m last year.
Prospex Energy (PXEN) has secured a ten-year extension of the licence concessions for the El Romeral project in Spain. It can be extended for another ten years to 2044. Prospex Energy is trying to gain permission to drill more wells to provide gas to El Romeral so its electricity production can increase by one-third.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) chief executive Greg Madison is stepping down and non-exec Anders Lundstrom will take over on an interim basis. Iron deficiency treatment ACCRUFeR generated revenues of $6.9m in the second quarter, which was 69% higher than the previous quarter. This is a combination of more prescriptions and higher selling prices. The interim revenues are $11m. Cash is still flowing out of the business.
Energy supplier Yu Group (YU.) increased revenues by 60% in the first half and cash has increased to £86.8m. Lower prices mean that monthly average bookings have declined by 9% and that will hit operating margins. These factors mean that SP Angel is keeping its full year pre-tax profit forecast at £44.5m even though interim revenues grew much faster than expected.
Inspiration Healthcare (IHC) has finally signed the £3.3m Middle East contract it has been waiting for. The equipment should be shipped in the period to year-end in January 2025. This covers the majority of the revenues needed to be gained to achieve the full year forecast revenues of £41m. Earlier in the week, BGF Investment Management increased its stake to more than 21%.
Hydrogen and fertiliser projects developer Atome (ATOM) has signed heads of terms for a fertiliser offtake agreement with Yara. This covers the Villeta project in Paraguay. This will help to achieve full financing of the project by the end of 2024. The Villeta facility could produce 260,000tpa of fertiliser. Yara is the largest fertiliser and ammonia trader and the fertiliser produced at Villeta should be sold at a premium price.
Zephyr Energy (ZPHR) has completed the initial phase of testing of the State 36-2R LNW-CC well in the Paradox Basin, US. Peak production rates were 1,350 barrels of equivalent/day even though the well was choked back and constrained. There is a higher condensate yield than nearby wells and this will be attractive to Utah refineries. There is little water production. However, the natural fracture network may be partially obstructed. Zephyr Energy will try to remove drilling mud emulsions that could be blocking the fracture and that will cost a few hundred thousand dollars.
Healthcare services provider Totally (TLY) made a small loss in the year to March 2024, but it is expected to return to profit this year even though revenues are set to continue to decline. Annualised cost savings of £3.5m have been made. There have been delays to tender activity around the General Election, but this is changing. The investigation into the NHS should report in September and this could provide opportunities.
Aptamer (APTA) is raising £2.83m at 0.2p/share, which was a large discount to the market price. The cash is required to get the full potential from its Optimer binder technology. There are relationships with the top ten pharma companies and there is potential for licensing the technology in the next few years. The fixed cost base will be reduced from £3.5m to £2.9m.
Brighton Pier (PIER) has been hampered by poor weather. There was a 29% decline in footfall on Brighton Pier itself so this year’s revenues will be lower than expected. The other three leisure businesses are trading in line with expectations. Cavendish expects a 2024 loss after tax of £700,000.
Architectural and construction software provider Eleco (ELCO) generated organic growth of 12% in the first half. Overall interim revenues were 21% higher at £16.3m. Annualised recurring revenues are £25.8m. Cavendish is maintaining its full year pre-tax profit forecast at £4.8m. Profit has been held back by the move to SaaS-based income, but as this process matures it should accelerate.
Braveheart Investments (BRH) has increased its stake in Image Scan (IGE) from 5.21% to 7.22%,
MAIN MARKET
Thalassa Holdings (THAL) has taken a 9.94% stake in Surgical Innovations (SUN) and the share price recovered 23.1% to 0.8p, which values the surgical instruments manufacturer at £7.5m. Earlier this year, Thalassa chairman Duncan Soukup made initial restitution payments due to a loss on an investment in Tappit Technologies and he will pay up to £1.5m more. This means that Thalassa has cash to invest. Thalassa had a book value of 116p/share at the end of 2023.
Financial management software developer Aptitude Software (LON: APTD) is going through a period of transition. The current core product is AccountancyHub, but the newest product is Fynapse. The plan is to transfer one-third of the AccountancyHub customers to Fynapse by 2027, while also adding new clients. There is less need for complicated implementation processes with Fynapse and much of that work is done by partners. That is why those revenues have declined in the latest period and total interim revenues fell from £37.5m to £35.3m. Annualised recurring revenues are £46.7m. There was a cash outflow in the first half, but net cash should recover to £25m by the end of 2024. Pre-tax profit improved from £1.75m to £2.5m.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 20 May 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Digital assets investor KR1 (KR1) reported a decline in 2023 revenues from £20.2m to £8.65m, but larger gains on digital assets mean that the reported profit was not down as much at £14.7m, from £19.5m. The introduction of the bitcoin ETF has helped the valuation of digital assets in the diversified portfolio. NAV was 132.05p/share at the end of March 2024, which is higher than the figure at the end of 2023. The company has been buying back shares at a discount to the NAV.
Aquaculture technology developer OTAQ (OTAQ) plans to raise up to £2m from a convertible loan note issue. The conversion price will be 3p/share. A reduced loss is expected for 2023, even after exceptional costs. The 2023 results should be announced by the end of June. First quarter revenues are 19% ahead. The live plankton analysis system has been launched.
Brewer Adnams (ADB) increased annual sales by 11% with growth in on-trade and off-trade business. Management is still exploring ways of funding growth.
All Things Considered (ATC) has acquired 55% of music management company Raw Power, whose artists include The Damned, for £1.41m in cash. This takes the artists managed by the combined group to 80. The existing shareholders will retain the rest of the shares. Some of these were involved with Sanctuary Group, which was quoted two decades ago. In the year to February 2023, Raw Power made a pre-tax profit of £326,000 on revenues of £2.27m. Phantom Music Management holds loan notes in the acquired business and is subscribing £200,000 for shares in All Things Considered, which had net cash of £10m at the endo of 2023. Last year. All Things Considered increased revenues by 156% to £24.1m, but there was a swing from profit to loss, although there was a one-off profit in the previous year. There was also a larger loss from the minority interest in livestreaming company Driift.
Clarify Pharma (PSYC) reported a reduced loss in the year to November 2023. NAV fell from £1.41m to £597,000, including cash of £167,000. Investments were valued at £706,000.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) had net assets of 347.96p/share at the end of April 2024.
Res Privata has increased its stake in WeCap (WCAP) from 7.28% to 9.69%. Silverwood Brands (SLWD) director Andrew Gerrie invested £20,000 in shares at just over 26p each. Newbury Racecourse (NYR) director Dominic Burke has bought 1,125 shares at 5.449p each. Tap Global Group chief executive Arsen Torosian acquired 33.75 million shares at 0.681481p each.
Secured Property Developments has changed its name to Mollyroe (MOY).
AIM
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) reported a decline in revenues in the six months to March 2024, but the order book is improving. Revenues generated by the infrastructure services provider fell from £51m to £25.8m and the company slipped into loss. The interim dividend is maintained at 1p/share. There was a cash outflow, but cash is still £9.3m, which is not much less than the market capitalisation. The order book is worth £72m, but the recovery in revenues may not happen until next year.
B90 Holdings (B90) has refocused on business to business gaming operations. This will enable a reduction in costs and could move the company into profit in 2024. Net cash was Euro800,000 at the end of 2023 and the cash outflow should end in the second half. There is an experienced management team. In the medium-term the company should become a consolidator in the sector.
Cerillion (CER) continues to win significant orders and there was a major win following the end of the first half. Revenues grew 10% to £22.5m in the first half. The software company is on course to improve pre-tax profit from £16.8m to £17.3m in the year to September 2024. Net cash could rise to £30.4m.
Semiconductors designer Sondrel (SND) is raising £5.63m at 10p/share and plans to cancel the AIM quotation. ROX Equity Partners is subscribing for the shares and its loans will be converted into a further 28.7 million shares, taking its stake to 49.3%. This requires government and shareholder approval. Miles Woodhouse will be ROX Equity Partners’ representative on the board. A new chief executive is being sought. Sondrel recognises it needs to manage projects better.
Orchard Funding Group (ORCH) believes that it is not worth being quoted on AIM and the insurance premium finance provider intends to cease paying dividends. The cash can then be used to make a tender offer to shareholders when appropriate.
Active Energy Group (AEG) says that its audit may not be completed by June, which would lead to a suspension of trading in the shares. Cash is running out and management may have to consider liquidating the company. This depends on whether the CoalSwitch assets are sold. There is currently $500,000 in the bank. There is also a 4.1% stake in green technology investor Alpha Prospects, but whether this is really worth the £680,000 book value is questionable.
A trading update from professional services provider FRP Advisory (FRP) shows revenues 23% ahead at £128m and much higher than forecast EBITDA of £37m. Work on corporate administrations is rising, but all five of the divisions grew. Net cash was around £30m at the end of March 2024. Cavendish has raised its 2023-24 pre-tax forecast to £33m with a further improvement to £34.2m in 2024-25.
Phoenix Copper (PXC) says that it has conditionally raised $80m from a bond issue to fund the construction of the Empire copper-gold mine in Idaho. The cash will be drawn down in tranches. The arrangement fee is paid for by the issue of 33.9 million shares. NIU invest is acquiring the bond and it will have the right to subscribe for a 25% stake in Phoenix Copper over a five-year period.
Lower gold production meant that Anglo Asian Mining (AAZ) revenues fell from $84.7m to $45.9m, which meant that it swung from pre-tax profit of $7.5m to a loss of $32m. There were $18m of non-cash impairment charges of capitalised exploration costs and the value of the Libero Copper and Gold investment. All-in sustaining cost of gold production jumped from $1,064/ounce to $1,510/ounce. Total production was 31,821 ounces.
Retail software provider itim Group (ITIM) has secured a five-year contract renewal with Majestic Wine. This is a multi-million pounds contract. This follows the publication earlier in the week of 2023 figures showing revenues 15% higher at £16.1m. Annual recurring revenues were £13.2m. Revenues are expected to increase to £17m this year, but itim will still lose money before a potential move into profit in 2025.
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts has made a recommended bid of 480p/share for IQGeo (IQG), which values the geospatial software company at £333m. KKR believe it can accelerate the growth of IQGeo.
Revolution Bars (RBG) says that it has not received any takeover bid or offer for assets as a whole as part of the formal sale process. There are offers for certain assets, but none would result in any return to shareholders. A restructuring and fundraising plan is still possible, and the board is still open to other plans, possibly by Nightcap (NGHT).
E-commerce firm Huddled (HUD) reported a 2023 pre-tax profit of £13m, but that was due to gains on the disposals of Immotion and Uvisan. The underlying pre-tax loss was £2.29m. Cash of £12.7m was returned to shareholders out of the disposal proceeds, but there was still £4.27m in the bank at the end of 2023. The new core business Discount Dragon was acquired in October, so the figures do not provide a good indication of ongoing operations. Discount Dragon generated revenues of £2.1m in the first quarter of 2024.
Horizonte Minerals (HZM) has appointed FRP Advisory as administrator. The nominated adviser has resigned.
MAIN MARKET
Flavourings supplier Treatt (TET) reported a dip in interim revenues to £72.1m because of destocking, but underlying pre-tax profit improved from £7.3m to £7.6m. There is good momentum in the second half.
Standard list shell Sivota (SIV) has ended acquisition talks with an online technology platform in the travel sector.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 25 July 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
In the six months to March 2022, S-Ventures (SVEN) reported an increase in revenues from £1.5m to £4.1m, although it remains loss making. The full benefits of acquisitions and the consolidation of warehousing has yet to show through. Even so, VSA has cut its 2021-22 revenues forecast from £11m to £9.4m S-Ventures will continue to lose money.
Arbuthnot Banking Group (ARBB) improved interim underlying pre-tax profit from £6.5m to £10.7m. NAV is 1300p a share. The interim dividend is 17p a share. Customer loans increased by 5% to £2.1bn. Assets under management dipped to £1.3bn after the decline in stockmarkets. A West End long leasehold property has been sold at a value of £60m and a yield of 3.75%.
Shepherd Neame (SHEP) has acquired Bournemouth seaside bar and restaurant Urban Reef. This takes the total number of pubs owned by the Faversham-based brewer to 300.
Psych Capital (PSY) says that investee company Awakn Life Sciences has received C$2.5m of UK government funding for the phase III trial for a ketamine-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder. Awakn will finance the other C$1.25m cost of the trial.
Vulcan Industries (VULC) is selling Orca Doors for £1. That gets rid of net liabilities of £751,000 and continued cash outflows. The fire door supplier has been hit by lockdowns and requires additional investment.
Ananda Developments (ANA) subsidiary DJT Plants has successfully self-crossed the first generation of cannabis plants. This will continue for six generations. The performance of various cannabis cultivars is being assessed.
AQRU (AQRU) subsidiary Accru Finance is partnering with Quickbit, a Sweden-based fintech, which will offer the Accru yield generating products to its customers.
Black Sea Property (BSP) has completed the purchase of Star Mil EOOD for a total consideration of Euro5.15m. The company owns a Black Sea hotel complex. A loan of Euro4.2m helped to finance the purchase.
Rogue Baron (SHNJ) has made its first sales of Shinju Japanese whisky to Austria and Switzerland.
Lombard Odier has reduced its stake in Chapel Down Group (CDGP) from 9.97% to 4.99%. Mark Horrocks has increased his stake in Quetzal Capital (QTZ) from 5.3% to 6%. A company related to Marula Mining (MARU) chief executive Jason Brewer has acquired 100,000 shares at 2.75p each.
Oscillate (MUSH) has acquired 2.5 million warrants in fully listed Dev Clever (DEV) for £250,000. The warrants are exercisable at 1p each up until 21 January 2024. Dev Clever is currently undertaking a reverse takeover.
AIM
Business restructuring business Begbies Traynor (BEG) increased underlying pre-tax profit from £11.5m to £17.8m in the year to April 2022. This was a combination of acquisitions and organic growth. The dividend has been increased from 3p a share to 3.5p a share. Net cash improved from £3m to £4.7m. Insolvencies are increasing, although the higher margin administrations are still relatively low. This could change over the next year or so, making the outlook positive.
Credit provider Morses Club (MCL) says an increasing level of customer redress claims means that it is considering a scheme of arrangement. This could provide certainty about the potential total level of claims over a set period. Management is talking with the FCA. The scheme would have to be approved by the majority of claimants. There will be an additional provision of £45m in the 2021-22 accounts and underlying pre-tax profit could be below £3.5m. Tighter controls mean that sales are declining, and Morses Club won’t make a profit in 2022-23. Fewer competitors could help Morses Club recover in the following year.
Disinfection products supplier Tristel (TSTL) announced a special dividend of 3p a share on top of a final dividend of 3.93p a share. Full year revenues are 4% ahead at £28.4m and adjusted pre-tax profit is 12% higher at £4.5m. The second half was stronger as more patient procedures have been undertaken. FDA approval for the Duo ULT could be achieved next year.
Footwear supplier Unbound Group (UBG) announced a fundraising generating £3.3m at a heavily discounted 15p a share. An open offer, which closes on 8 August, could raise up to £1m more. The footwear supplier is launching an online platform to sell third party branded products to a database of 4.6 million individuals. The cash will help to finance the expansion.
Stanley Gibbons (SGI) intends to cancel its AIM quotation. Graham Shircore is stepping down as chief executive in September and he will be replaced by Tom Pickford. The largest shareholder Phoenix SG believes it is better to cancel the quotation considering the limited free float and additional costs. The 58% shareholder also says that it would reconsider its financial support if shareholders do not agree to the cancelation. Stanley Gibbons remains loss making.
In-content advertising company Mirriad Advertising (MIRI) expects flat revenues in 2022 because of weak market conditions in China. The Chinese operations will be closed next year and that will save annualised costs of £1m. That is on top of the £2.5m of annualised savings expected for the business as a whole. Interim revenues have halved, although US revenues increased. There is £17.7m in the bank and cash should be higher than previously expected at the end of 2022. Cash outflows are still significant, though.
Window fittings supplier Titon (TON) says that supply problems with raw materials and components exacerbated by cost inflation have led to a reduction in margins. There have also been problems with IT, so this year’s figures will be lower than expectations. South Korea sales are disappointing but there should be a small profit contribution.
Restructuring services provider FRP Advisory (FRP) increased revenues from £79m to £95.2m in the year to April 2022, with 11% organic growth. Pre-tax profit improved from £21.2m to £23.1m. There are signs that administrations are starting to increase and that will boost demand for services.
Cambridge Cognition (COG) directors are buying shares following yesterday’s trading update. Chief executive Matthew Stork and finance chief Stephen Symonds each bought 22.950 shares at 113p each. The latter did not previously own shares. The digital brain health products developer increased interim revenues by 31% to £5.9m. The order book is worth £18.6m. There was a small profit and £8.6m in the bank at the end of June 2022.
The merger between Tern (TERN) and Pires Investments (PIRI) is not going ahead because not enough of the latter’s shareholders voted for it. Tern wants to generate cash from exiting one or more of its investments as soon as it is feasible. There will not be any new investments until there is a realisation of an investment, although there are likely to be commitments to existing investments that may mean a fundraising will be required.
An independent decision means that Newcrest Mining can pay $60m to Greatland Gold (GGP) to take up an option to acquire a further 5% stake in the Havieron project. Given the progress that has been made on the project over the past year this is an attractive price, and it is likely to take up the option. The cash will pay off the $50m loan facility from Newcrest and leave money for further investment. Greatland Gold will still own 25% of Havieron.
MAIN MARKET
Palace Capital (PCA) is changing its strategy. It was originally going to reinvest the cash from the sale of its industrial property assets into new regional office investments. Shareholder feedback means that the potential £46.5m raised from the disposal of the industrial portfolio and other non-core assets, after repayment of related debt, will be distributed in dividends or paid back via a tender offer. Three non-exec directors have resigned.
Kin + Carta (KCT) says revenues grew 48% in the year to July 2022. Peel Hunt has upped its 2021-22 pre-tax profit forecast from £16.6m to £16.9m. Net debt is estimated at £2.5m. Kelly Manthey will be taking over as chief executive.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 4 September 2017
NEX EXCHANGE
Gowin New Energy Group Ltd (GWIN) is moving into the tea market, where its chief executive already has experience. Gowin intends to buy a 15% stake in a Cayman Islands-registered tea business and this new business will link up with experience of the industry that are based in Taiwan. The plan is to raise £5m from a preference share issue at 2p each, with an initial £2m raised, and use part of this cash as a loan to the new business. There will be a fixed annual preference dividend of 2%, while the loan will geerate 3% a year.
Walls & Futures REIT (WAFR) raised £1m when it joined the NEX Exchange Growth Market. There was £843,000 in the bank at the end of March 2017 and since then £475,000 has been spent on a building in Stroud that is being rented to a supported housing operator. The private rented housing portfolio, which is properties in the Wimbledon area, is worth £2.15m and the group NAV is £2.98m, equivalent to just over 90p a share. The focus is supported housing and there are plans to raise more cash from a placing and open offer in order to fund more property purchases.
Lombard Capital (LCAP) is close to finalising a 7.5% 2020 unsecured loan note series 2 issue to raise between £500,000 and £3m. This will be invested so that it provides a fixed income and capital return.
An impairment charge against the book value of the Royston Hill property meant that Etaireia (ETIP) lost £622,000 last year. The company expects to complete the purchase of properties at the Whitehouse Office Park having secured bridging finance. The current portfolio of properties should generate enough income to make the company profitable.
Block Energy (BLOK) has raised £250,000 at 0.85p a share and this cash will be used to finance the proposed move to AIM. Block has also issued 70 million shares to complete the acquisition of the 90% working interest in the Satskhenisi production sharing agreement in Gerogia. This means that Iskander Energy owns 13.3% of Block.
Healthcare recruitment company Positive Healthcare (DOC) reported revenues of £7.8m and a loss of £276,000 between November 2015 and March 2017. The two majority-owned subsidiaries were included for nine months.
Andrew Sparrow is replacing Malcolm Ball as chief executive of WMC Retail Partners (WELL). Crossword Cybersecurity (CCS) has appointed Rob Johnson, a former senior investment director at AIM-quoted Mercia Technologies, as chief operating officer.
Primorous Investments (PRIM) has made six investments in the past month and four of them are seeking to join AIM in 2018. Primorous has invested £400,000 in a £5.25m fundraising for software company Engage Technology Partners and £200,000 in online shopping and rewards firm WeShop. The other two potential AIM flotations are the investee companies Sport:80, where £100,000 was invested, and TruSpine Technologies, where £500,000 was invested to help TruSpine’s minimally invasive spine stabilisation devices to gain FDA clearance.
Doriemus (DOR) has filed a prospectus for an ASX listing. A 400-for-one share consolidation has been completed in advance of the listing. The new investing policy is focusing on oil and gas assets in Asia Pacific.
AIM
IT healthcare software and services provider EMIS (EMIS) reported a 1% increase in interim revenues to £79.2m even though the healthcare market is tough, particularly when it comes to hospital services. EMIS’s recurring revenues were 84% of the total. Profit was slightly lower. There could be a small fall in full year profit but the 10% increase in interim dividend to 12.9p a share indicates the strength of cash flow and the longer-term potential. Net cash was £10.5m at the end of June 2017. The newly created patient division is a growth area and the patient.info website is still being developed so that ecommerce revenues can be earned.
Digital TV software provider Mirada (MIRA) has secured a SaaS-based contract with ATN International and four of its cable networks in the Caribbean. In the past Mirada has been paid every time a viewer signs up for the service but this contract is based on recurring subscriber fees. There will still be an initial upfront payment for implementation services but the rest of the revenues will be generated on a monthly basis. Mirada is expected to release its 2016-17 annual report before the end of September so trading in the shares should not have to be suspended. Mirada will require additional working capital facilities and these are being negotiated.
MP Evans (MPE) is acquiring a 10,000 hectare estate in Indonesia for $108m, including the assumption of $20m of debt. This will be funded by the sale of the company’s minority stake in another estate. Infrastructure spending will cost a further $30m over five years. The estate is just starting to build up production and it will become more significant in a couple of years time. NAV is £11 a share and Peel Hunt expects this to rise by more than 5% a year as group production increases.
South America-focused gold miner Orosur Mining Inc (OMI) generated $9.7m from operations in the year to May 2017 thanks to lower operating costs and a higher gold price. There was net cash of $3m at the end of May 2017. Since the year end, Orosur has raised £3.2m at 14.7p a share and two new institutions invested in the placing. This will help to finance drilling at the Anza gold project in Colombia.
The administrator of Fairpoint Group (FRP) is selling off parts of the group but there is no chance that shareholders will get anything. Consumer claims business IVA Assurance is being sold for £450,000 plus cash balances on completion. Allixium, another consumer claims company, has been sold for £53,000. The original Debt Free Direct business has been sold to Aperture Debt Solutions for £1.34m but unlike the rest of the proceeds this cash will pay Debt Free Direct creditors rather than the creditors of the holding company. Legal subsidiary Simpson Millar has sold Simpson Millar Financial Services to its boss for £271,000 plus up to £250,000 over five years. This cash will go back into Simpson Millar.
Stockbroker Share (SHRE) will be paid £900,000 for work carried out relating to a potential partner that is not going ahead with a deal. Trading continues to be strong.
Pawnbroker and foreign currency services provider Ramsdens Holdings (RFX) says that its pre-tax profit will be higher than expected this year. This is thanks to strong foreign exchange trading results and a higher gold price.
Samuel Heath & Co (HSM) has appointed former Zeus Capital director Ross Andrews as a non-executive director.
Real Good Food (RGD) says that EBITDA will be half its previous, already downgraded, expectations at £1m. The company is in discussions with its bankers to change the conditions of its bank facility.
Educational services provider Wey Education (WEY) says revenues will increase from £1.5m to at least £2.4m and this will enable it to make a maiden pre-tax profit. There is still £909,000 in the bank. The figures for the year to August 2017 will be published in October. David Massie has taken his £33,000 annual salary in shares at 3.88p each.
Conroy Gold & Natural Resources (CGNR) has appointed Dr Karl Keegan and Brendan McMorrow as non-executive directors. Another general meeting has been requisitioned by Patrick O’Sullivan, who owns 28% of Conroy, and it will take place on 6 October. He had asked for assurances that new directors would not be appointed. The previous general meeting successfully removed six directors but Conroy said the proposed appointments of Patrick O’Sullivan, Paul Johnson and Gervaise Heddle did not comply with the company’s constitution and they are being proposed as directors again. A hearing will be held at the High Court in Dublin on 14 September and that could affect whether the three people are upheld as directors prior to the new general meeting. The plan is also to remove Professor Richard Conroy and Maureen Jones from the board.
Galileo Resources (GLR) has raised £1.09m at 2p a share to finance a joint venture with BMR Group (BMR) to develop the Star Zinc project in Lusaka, Zambia and also to finance exploration of the gold property in Nevada and the Glenover phosphate project in South Africa. Galileo had £1.1m in the bank at the end of March 2017. Galileo will lend $592,000 to BMR, which will be received once there is a settlement agreement with Bushbuck Resources for the acquisition of Star Zinc. This loan will eventually be swapped for 51% of the joint venture and $100,000 will be placed in escrow. Galileo can then increase that stake to 85% by funding $250,000 of work on the project.
Back office optimisation software provider eg solutions (EGS) has signed a five year master supply agreement that will be worth at least £8.12m. This will kick-in next year and increases the order book of recurring revenues to £22.9m. In the year to July 2017 revenues were at least £10.5m.
Cyber security software provider Defenx (DFX) has raised £1.25m from a convertible bond issue to add to the £1.74m raised from a share issue at 160p each. Defenx was trying to raise up to £2m via a bond auction carried out by UK Bond Network.
Robin Williams has taken over as chairman of FIH Group (FIH) and the company continues to seek acquisitions. There was £15.25m in the bank at the end of August 2017. Trading is expected to be flat this year with modest growth in the UK but quiet trading in the Falkland Islands with additional retail competition. The low oil price is too low to prompt development of oilfields around the islands.
Trading technology provider TechFinancials Inc (TECH) reported a dip in interim revenues from $9.86m to $6.97m mainly due to lower software licencing income. Pre-tax profit fell from $1.33m to $282,000. There was cash of $5.81m in bank at the end of June 2017.
MAIN MARKET
BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) is beginning to reap the benefits from past investment and the second half should show even more progress. Revenues have started to grow even though the corresponding first half included more significant sales of older networking products. Overall group interim revenues were 10% ahead at $49.8m with both divisions increasing their revenues. There was a 17% increase in R&D spending to $4m. There was an interim loss but Shore Capital still believes that BATM can break even this year.
Ross Group (RGP) continues to seek an acquisition that would provide a more significant business for the company. In the six months to June 2017, revenues grew 51% to £93,000, while the pre-tax profit was one-fifth higher at £17,000. The balance sheet is weak with net debt of £6m but the major shareholder is supportive. That level of debt might put off some potential acquisition targets.
Standard list shell Stranger Holdings (STHP) has signed non-binding heads of terms with Irish sustainable utility company Alchemy Utilities. This acquisition would be a reverse takeover. Alchemy is involved in waste to gas production, renewable energy and using waste energy to remove salt from water to produce drinking water (www.alchemyutilities.ie). Trading in the shares was suspended at 1.38p.
Standard list shell Derriston Capital (DERR) had £2.2m left in the bank at the end of June 2017. Derriston has changed its investing strategy from a focus on medtech to technology and high growth sectors.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 7 August 2017
NEX EXCHANGE
Valiant Investments (VALP) has raised a further £52,500 at 0.1p a share and its 84.7%-owned subsidiary Flamethrower has acquired FootballTipsFC.com for £40,000. Subscriptions generate £50,000 a year in revenues for the website which provides football betting tips.
Asia Wealth Group Holdings (AWLP) reported a lower loss in the year to February 2017. Revenues improved from $1.2m to $1.53m, while the loss reduced from $150,000 to $110,000. The main business, Meyer Asset Management, made an improved contribution. The auditor has highlighted that no impairment assessment has been made on the investment in Ray Alliance. There is still $869,000 in the bank, following the acquisition of an investment property for $388,000. Management is assessing acquisitions in the fintech sector.
Block Energy (BLOK) has acquired a producing oil field in Georgia. The 90% working interest in the Satskhenisi production sharing agreement will be acquired for 70 million shares (14.35% of Block), which will be owned by Iksander . The field is near the Norio field where Block already has an interest. The permit runs until 2025 with a potential five year extension. Operating costs are up to $25/barrel and the current production from three wells is 10 barrels a day. The sale price is Brent minus $9/barrel. Block will retain 75% of revenues until more than $10m of capital costs are recovered. The purchase includes $500,000 worth of equipment, which can be used in other fields where Block has an interest.
Via Developments (VIA1) has raised a further £100,000 from a placing of 7% debenture stock 2020. Via has completed the Canal Street development in Manchester and the realised gross development value is £2.28m.
Hellenic Capital (HECP) has acquired an office premises in Leeds for £200,000. This was after the latest interims to June 2017. This is part of the new investing strategy. Net assets fell from £81,000 to £59,000 at the end of June 2017, including cash of £28,000.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) has invested an additional £150,000 in portfolio company Computer Application Services. Capital for Colleagues initially invested £150,000 in the Edinburgh-based software company at the beginning of 2016 and the latest investment will double the number of A shares it owns to 300,000.
Ecovista (EVTP) has raised £350,000 at 0.035p a share. This takes the stake owned by Hubwise to 12.45% and Elite CAM Balanced Discretionary Fund to 9.34%
AIM
Asset management performance software provider StatPro (SOG) reported a 23% rise in interim revenues to £21.6m, while underlying earnings per share improved from 1.1p to 1.8p. The interim dividend is unchanged at 0.85p a share. There was an initial two month contribution from the UBS Delta business and the annualised recurring revenues are running at £53.2m, which is before the latest three year contract in Australia. The acquired technology will be integrated with StatPro Revolution.
Telecoms infrastructure equipment supplier Filtronic (FTC) reported a jump in full year revenues from £13.6m to £35.4m thanks to a large order for antennas. There was a swing from a £7m loss to a £2.2m profit. The balance sheet is strong with net cash of £2.6m. Future investment in 5G telecoms infrastructure augurs well for Filtronic. Hargreave Hale has increased its stake from £6.16% to 11.3%.
Real Good Food (RGD) says that its forecast for the year to March 2017 was wrong because two anticipated claims have not materialised and it had incorrectly capitalised certain costs. This will knock £2m off expected profit. This revelation comes a few weeks after Downing invested £2.75m at 35p a share and the share price has subsequently slumped to 20.75p. Payments to Pieter Totte and Peter Salter over a three year period were not separately disclosed. Salter has left the Real Good Food board but Totte continues to survive as executive chairman.
Fairpoint Group (FRP) says it intends to appoint an administrator because of the cost of the lease on its head office costing £1m a year for four years. The IVA and related businesses are still being sold.
AdEPT Telecom (ADT) has acquired IT services provider Atomwide, which provides services to schools and local authorities, for an initial £12m. This adds 4% to this year’s earnings and 9% to next year’s. It was partly funded by £7.3m convertible loan from Business Growth Fund, which is convertible at 393p a share.
GetBusy (GETB) joined AIM last week and the share price rose to 34.5p. Cloud-based document management software provider GetBusy was spun out of ASX-listed software company Reckon and raised £3m from a rights issue. The two existing software products, SmartVault and Virtual Cabinet, generated revenues of £8m in 2016 – 82% of which is recurring – up from £6.8m the previous year. Accounting firms generate the majority of revenues and GetBusy is trying to expand in other sectors. Next generation software SCIM is being developed in order to make it easier for businesses to interact with customers and become more organised and productive.
Botswana Diamonds (BOD) has raised £543,000 at 1.25p a share and warrants have been exercised at 0.85p a share raising a further £265,000. The cash will finance exploration in Botswana and to assess an inferred resource for Frischgewaagt.
Ascent Resources (AST) has installed the infrastructure at the Petisovci project in Slovenia to enable the gas to be exported.
TechFinancials Inc (TECH) says that 51%-owned DragonFinancials is paying a dividend of $2m and TechFinancials will receive £1.02m. The payment date is 20 August.
Kestrel Partners has slashed its stake in home improvement products supplier entu (UK) (ENTU) from 21.1% to 7.33%. This investment appears a rare mistake for Kestrel which has a good record of building up stakes in technology businesses. Kestrel was still building up its entu stake in the first quarter of this year. The entu share price is around its all-time low so Kestrel will have made a significant loss on this investment. Meanwhile, entu is trying to secure a refinancing but this is likely to mean that the existing shareholders will be left with little in terms of value. The group continues to lose money.
Thor Mining (THR) is acquiring an interest in Kapunda copper deposit in South Australia. Thor is investing up to A$1.8m in convertible loan notes in a company earning a 75% stake in Kapunda. The initial investment is A$200,000. Conversion of the loan notes could give Thor up to 60% of this company. Due diligence on the US lithium assets has gone well and additional mineralisation has been identified. Director Paul Johnson acquired 500,000 Thor shares at 085p each.
A disposal deal for the interiors division of Stanley Gibbons (SGI) has fallen through because the buyer could not come up with the money. There is a termination fee payable and Stanley Gibbons believes that there are other buyers.
MayAir Group (MAYA) has won a $13.6m order to supply filtration and clean room equipment to a Chinese LCD panel manufacturer and most of the revenue will be recognised in 2017.
Empyrean Energy (EME) has raised £1m at 8.5p a share. Drilling has commenced on the Dempsey 1-15 onshore well in California.
Billington Holdings (BILN) says that its structural steel business has won two contracts worth £14m. One is for a London university and the other is for a distribution warehouse in south west England and some of the work will carry over into 2018.
MAIN MARKET
Diesel engines and parts supplier Associated British Engineering (ABSE) reported a higher loss in 2016-17 and there was also a sharp drop in NAV. The weak oil and gas market continues to hold back the group and revenues fell from £1.77m to £1.04m. The loss increased from £621,000 to £962,000, after a large increase in pension costs. The total cash outflow was just over £1mm similar to the previous year. Cash and financial assets total £968,000. There is a 2.3% stake in AIM-quoted SalvaRx. The initial stake was taken when the company was 3legs Resources. The NAV fell from 73p a share to 50p a share. This is despite a decrease in the pension deficit from £1.93m to £1.38m. There are £3.1m of trading losses and £8.5m of capital losses available but there is no deferred tax asset in the balance sheet.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 3 July 2017
NEX EXCHANGE
A 40%-owned subsidiary of food and logistics company AfriAg Global (AFRI) has signed a deal with LGC Capital, which is quoted on TSX and acquired former NEX-quoted Leni Gas Cuba but it is no longer purely focused on Cuba, to create a 50/50 joint venture to grow and distribute medical and recreational cannabis products in southern Africa. David Lenigas is a director of both companies.
MetalNRG (MNRG) has obtained the right to acquire 100% of exploration licence applications, which are known as the Palomino cobalt project in Western Australia, in return for A$15,000 and one million MetalNRG shares at 1.5p each. Once the licences are granted a further two million MetalNRG shares will be issued. MetalNRG has formed a cobalt business. The cobalt price has moved from $24,000/t to $59,000/t in the past year.
Kryptonite1 (KR1) has invested £384,000 in 73,272,717 FunFair tokens. FunFair enables anyone to launch a blockchain casino. The company has also invested £83,416 in 46,860 Bancor tokens. Instead of an intermediary matching trades, Bancor tokens use automatically executed rules to do the matching.
Block Energy (BLOK) has successfully acquired up to 75% working interest in permit XIf, West Rustavi 12km from Tiblisi in Georgia, from Gerogia Oil and Gas. A $100,000 cash payment will be made for a 5% interest with a further 20% interest costing $500,000 in cash and $1m in shares and it is dependent on a move to AIM. Once the AIM flotation happens, a further $1m payable in three tranches will pay for a further 25% interest. The remaining 25% will be earned by a commitment to a side-track in two specified wells. Further bonus payments totalling $1.25m in cash or shares are payable depending on the achievement of milestones. Block is raising £90,000 at 0.85p a share and £210,000 via a convertible loan and this will finance a competent persons report on the Rustavi block.
Management believes that social media and consumer games apps developer Ganapati (GANP) could move into profit in two years. Ganapati improved revenues from £2.3m to £3.27m in the year to January 2017. The loss increased from £7.47m to £8.73m because of higher costs and interest charges. There was £2.38m in the bank at the end of January 2017.
Via Developments (VIA1) plans to issue up to $4m of 7% debenture stock 2020 with the first tranche expected to be £100,000.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has appointed Bedford Row Capital Advisers to raise up to £25m through an asset-backed bond. The cash will be used to refinance existing borrowings and to refurbish plant and equipment to enable production at its mine in Australia.
AIM
Robotic software supplier Blue Prism (PRSM) continues to outstrip growth expectations. In the six months to April 2017, revenues increased by 133% to £9.3m but the loss jumped from £1.94m to £3.11m as Blue Prism invests in growing the business. The current run-rate of revenues is £1.72m/month. There was still £10.6m in the bank.
Jangada Mines (JAN) has one of South America’s largest potential platinum group metals projects and it has floated on AIM. There is the prospect of a low cost open pit mine. Previous explorers have already invested more than $35m in developing the potential mine. An updated resource inventory is expected before the end of the year.
Phoenix Global Mining Ltd (PGM) has joined AIM and raised £4.6m at 1p a share, which doubles the shares in issue. British Virgin Islands-based Phoenix (www.pgmining.com) has an option to acquire 80% of the ExGen Resources Inc subsidiary Konnex, which holds the leases to the Empire mine project in Idaho. The plan is to mine 7,000 tonnes of copper a year from an opencast pit with a downstream plant extracting gold and silver. Pre-feasibility study work is already underway.
Bricks maker Michelmersh Brick (MBH) is acquiring Barnsley-based Carlton Main Brickworks for £31.2m. This will increase Michelmersh’s output by 40% to 100 million bricks a year. The acquisition will be significantly earnings enhancing this year. The Dunton brickworks is being sold for £2.68m.
TLA Worldwide (TLA) timewatch: TLA announced that trading its shares was suspended at 2pm on Thursday 29 June. TLA, which is best known for publishing a profit warning at 6.26pm on 23 December 2016, has not been able to complete the auditing and publishing of its accounts by the end of June.
Kromek Group (KMK) has already got the vast majority of its forecast revenues in its existing order book and it is set to reduce its loss this year. Revenues from medical, nuclear and security markets are forecast to grow from £9m to £12.5m and the loss should fall from £3.8m to £2.9m. There is plenty of cash in the bank to cover losses as Kromek moves towards profit.
Niche pharmaceuticals supplier Quantum Pharma (QP.) has sold its non-core biodose services for an initial £1.75m. More importantly this means that the low margin medical adherence division no longer exits and Quantum can focus on the core operations.
Strategic Minerals (SML) says that its Central Australian Rare Earths (CARE) subsidiary plans a three stage exploration programme with stage one including 40-50 drill holes totalling 2,000 metres. This will focus on cobalt and nickel laterites. The second phase will focus on deeper nickel sulphide deposits. Stage three is the sampling of soil for signs of rare earths. This is all fully funded from existing cash and cash to be generated from the tailings operation in the US.
Zoo Digital (ZOO) grew revenues from $11.6m to $16.5m in the year to March 2017. There was an unusually strong second half and Zoo almost broke even compared with a loss of $1.6m the previous year. Demand for localisation services from the likes of Netflix is expanding Zoo’s market and making it less dependent on its main customer. The recent fundraising and loan conversion has significantly reduced debt and net debt is forecast to be less than $1m at the end of March 2018. A small profit is expected this year.
Savannah Resources (SAV) says that metallurgical test work at its lithium project in Portugal demonstrates that a high-grade, low iron spodumene concentrate can be produced. This would be suitable for lithium batteries.
Fairpoint (FRP) says that it will not be able to publish its accounts before the end of June and trading in the shares has been suspended.
MAIN MARKET
Hipgnosis Songs Fund Ltd says that an institutional investor has agreed to subscribe for 20% of the fund which intends to invest in songs and music rights. The offer closes on 5 July. The fund has been set up by Merck Mercuriadis, who has decades of experience in the music industry, particularly managing parts of Sanctuary Group. Former AIM-quoted Sanctuary ran into problems with its accounts when it was quoted and was eventually taken over.
Nanoco Group (NANO) has received its first commercial order for the supply of CFQD resin to Wah Hong Industrial, which manufactures optical films and sheets for displays. The resin will be used to supply films to a manufacturer of TV and monitor products.
Aircraft leasing company Avation (AVAP) has declared an interim dividend of 6 cents a share, up from 3.25 cents a share. The ex-dividend date is 20 July. Revenues for the year to June 2017 are expected to be $94m.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 3 April 2017
NEX EXCHANGE
Hearing equipment supplier DHAIS (DHAP) has reduced the number of stores it operates and that is why its interim revenues fell by 18% to £4.16m but it did move back into profit before notional interest charges. The company continues to reduce its exposure to the mobility sector and concentrate on the supply of hearing aids.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) says that its NAV fell to £4.19m (43.5p a share) at the end of February 2016. The company plans to raise £2m at 42p a share.
Black Sea Property (BSP) has pulled out of the deal to acquire development land in Varna because it would not offer a suitable return even though the seller offered amended terms.
Etaireia Investments (ETIP) has completed the acquisition of the company that owns 89 Dalrymple Street, Girvan. The property was valued at £60,000 and the purchase price has been satisfied by £35,000 in cash and 25 million shares at 0.1p each. The cash payment is deferred for 12 months. A new tenant has signed a ten year lease at an initial rent of £12,000 a year.
Trading in the consolidated shares of Ace Liberty & Stone (ALSP) commences on 3 April. Twenty five shares have been consolidated into one new share.
Barney Battles has withdrawn his request for a general meeting at Milamber Ventures (MLVP).
AIM
Staunton Holdings says that it has no intention of increasing its 300p a share offer for FIH (FIH). Rival suitor Dolphin Fund says that it may be willing to offer 333.3p a share in cash but it still wants to discuss its plans with the independent directors.
Fairpoint (FRP) managed to make a small profit in the second half and full year profit was £4.9m, down from £10.5m in 2015. That is before £11.8m of restructuring charges and write-downs. Net debt was £19.9m at the end of 2016 and since then a medico-legal business has been sold for £1.2m. Bank facilities last until May 2019. There will be no dividend. Legal services revenues are expected to fall by 15% in 2017 and then start to recover in 2018. There will be £5m of annual cost savings showing through in the second half of 2017.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) successfully raised £2m at 0.5p a share via PrimaryBid.com. Premier directors Michael Foster and John Stalker have converted £30,000 of fees into six million shares at 0.5p each.
Connemara Mining Company (CON) has acquired five new prospecting licences in Ireland and two of the licences are in areas known for zinc-lead mineralisation – Tonduff and Derrykean. The licences are all north east of the Galmoy and Lisheen mines.
CloudCall (CALL) had 16,200 users by the end of 2016 and they are generating £31/month each. Revenues grew 48% to £3.3m but the operating loss increased from £3.7m to £4.5m. Recurring revenues continue to grow and February was the best ever month. There was £3.2m in the bank at the end of 2016.
Patient monitoring equipment supplier LiDCo (LID) reported full year figures in line with expectations but the next two financial years will provide indications of how well the company’s new strategy is working. The plan is to add high usage accounts in North America following the launch of a new monitor. There will be a significant increase in sales and marketing costs this year and the benefits will not show through until later in the year. This is why LiDCo is expected to slip back into loss before moving into profit in 2018-19.
Evgen Pharma (EVG) has been granted another patent relating to SFX-01. The patent “covers a method of isolation and stabilisation of sulforaphane from a natural source” and lasts until May 2033.
Savannah Resources (SAV) expects to start mining at its Oman copper projects before the end of this year. Ministerial approvals are still required to get a mining licence. Savannah has also established a resource of 4.4bt at a grade of 3.9% total heavy minerals at the Mutamba project in Mozambique.
MAIN MARKET
Path Investments (PATH) is the new name for former AIM company Niche Group. Path joined the standard list on 30 March and it raised £1.4m at 1p a share. The strategy is to acquire production and near-production assets in the oil and gas sector.
Bluebird Merchant Ventures (BMV) has turned its attention to South Korea. Southern Gold Australia has a number of tenements which have abandoned mines on them and there is scope to reopen them. Bluebird intends to earn 50% stakes in individual mines in return for the investment of $500,000. Two former mines have already been chosen – Taechang and Gubong. The plan is to prove resources and then move the mines towards production. Bluebird’s existing assets in the Philippines have been put on hold until the market is more favourable.
Dukemount Capital (DKE) joined the standard list on 29 March. The share price ended the week at 0.45p (0.4p/0.5p), which values the company at £1.5m. A dividend should be paid within two years and the target yield is 10%. Dukemount plans to do this by acquiring, developing and managing property assets. Dukemount will then create long-dated inflation-linked assets which will be attractive to institutional investors.
Stewart & Wight (STE) has bought a retail property in Middlesbrough for £620,000. A ten year lease was signed by HK Foods last September providing annual rent of £45,000. An upward only rent review is due after five years.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 2 January 2017
ISDX/NEX
Business incubator Milamber Ventures (MLVP) is acquiring The League of Angels, an angel network set up by Barney Battles, a Milamber director. There is a subsidiary called The China 68 Club that offers access to Chinese family offices. The business made a small profit last year and since April it has referred work to Milamber worth £200,000. Milamber is paying £150,000 in shares at 15p each. Battles will own 21.6% of Milamber. In the six months to September 2016, Milamber increased its revenues from £34,000 to £224,000, while the loss rose from £54,000 to £196,000.
Residential property developer Via Developments (VIA1) has found buyers for all eight apartments in its Canal Street development in Manchester and non-refundable deposits of £375,000 have been received. The apartments should be completed in the second quarter of 2017. The gross development value of the project is £2.2m. Revised plans have been submitted for the Plymouth Grove development in Manchester and planning applications for the Napier Street site in Luton, the place in the UK where house prices have been strongest over the past year, should be determined in the next few months.
African Potash (AFPO) has revised its bridge loan agreement with Katrina Clayton, the wife of the company‘s finance director. This agreement provided finance of £150,000 and this will be increased to £900,000, in return for a fee of £7,500, because it failed to raise additional cash through share issues. If the shares cease to be traded on ISDX/NEX or a regulated market then African Potash will be in default. The lender can also appoint a director to the company. There was a $2m cash outflow from operating activities in the year to June 2016, plus $873,000 of capital investment. There were limited revenues from fertiliser trading. Net debt was $706,000 at the end of June 2016.
Globe Capital Ltd (GCAP) had £5,000 left in the bank at the end of September 2016. There was a cash outflow of £91,000 over the previous nine months, while £100,000 was raised from issuing shares. The only investment is a 25% stake in online menswear retailer Sterling Craig.
AIM
It is not just TLA Worldwide (TLA) that has used the Christmas and New Year period to put out bad news, although none was quite as blatant and late in the day as TLA. Legal and debt management services provider Fairpoint (FRP) used the period between Christmas and New Year to report the departure of chief executive Chris Moat, although he will continue to assist in the closure of the debt management business. The share price has fallen by two-thirds since its profit warning on 9 December. Hargreave Hale has been trimming its stake from above 14% to 12.2%. 1Spatial (SPA) has parted company with its chief executive Marcus Hanke. This follows the disposal of the Avisen and Storage Fusion businesses. 1Spatial had warned that contracts were going to fall into 2017 and therefore it will make a 2016 loss.
Intercede (IGP) is raising around £5m from the issue of £4.5m of convertible loan notes and a £500,000 subscription at 57p a share – although this requires shareholder approval – compared with a market price of 57.5p. The identity and digital security services provider is not generating enough cash to make the required investment in its products and a move into the consumer market. Full year revenues will be less than the £11m reported for 2015-16. Interim revenues halved to £2.8m and the pre-tax loss soared from £432,000 to £3.67m. The cash pile fell from £5.29m to £1.38m in the six months to September 2016 so most of this cash has probably already gone. The convertibles last for five years and have an annual interest charge of 8%. The conversion price is just over 68.8p a share.
B2B gaming services provider Nektan (NKTN) has raised £2.275m at 27.5p a share and is offering shareholders the chance to subscribe for £500,000 at the same share price. That was a 15% discount to the market price but it has since fallen to 27p – compared with the November 2014 flotation price of 236p. In the year to June 2016, revenues jumped from £528,000 to £5.78m but the loss still increased from £8.12m to £10.5m. The cash outflow, before a rise in trade payables, was £6.18m. Conversion of loans means that Nektan’s stake in US business ReSpin has been raised from 50% to 85%.
It has not just been bad news between Christmas and New Year. Windar Photonics (WPHO) has revealed a number of new orders for its LiDAR wind sensors for use on wind turbines. An Indian power producer and the Indian National Institute of Wind Energy have ordered sensors, with the power producer ordering an initial five units with an option for a further 35 units. On top of this there are orders for seven units from Canada – a repeat order – and South Korea – the first order in that country. Windar has already said that its 2016 revenues will be between €1.5m and €2m – slightly below expectations. Before Christmas, Windar raised £491,000 at 94p a share. The share price has since fallen back to 77p.
Commercial property investor Summit Germany Ltd (SMTG) is paying a third interim dividend of 1.02 cents a share – the same as the previous quarterly dividend. The ex-dividend date is 5 January and forms to receive the dividend in pence need to be completed by 4 January. The exchange rate for the previous quarterly dividend was 0.8815p to one Euro, so the current exchange rate suggests that the sterling equivalent will be lower in this quarter. Summit has sold an empty office building in Hamburg for €14m.
Facilities management and security services provider Mortice Ltd (MORT) is generating more than three-quarters of its revenues from repeat business. In the six months to September 2016, revenues were 79% ahead at $91.1m. Much of that growth comes from a full contribution from the UK operations but the Indian business grew 22% and still accounts for 63% of revenues. Underlying pre-tax profit has jumped from $300,000 to $2/6m. Net debt was $14.6m but since then £2.3m has been raised at 75p a share. Trading continues to be strong.
Kodal Minerals (KOD) says that the latest samples at the Bougouni lithium project show high grade lithium mineralization of up to 2.03% lithium oxide. A total of 18 holes have been drilled and the results of analysis are expected by the end of January.
Stanley Gibbons (SGB) lost £6.18m in the first half, compared with a £1.11m profit in the comparative period after revenues slumped from £29.4m to £20.2m. Net debt was £16.5m at the end of September 2016. The US-based ecommerce business has been closed after an investment of £10m. A new coin joint venture has been set up by Baldwin with coin auctioneer St James’s, following a number of management departures.
Redcentric (RCN) has issued options to finance director Peter Brotherton and chief operating officer Mo Siddiqi. Brotherton has 161,905 options at nil cost and Siddiqi has 257,143 options at no cost, while Siddiqi has 250,000 at 84p each. These options are dependent on diluted earnings per share growth between March 2016 and March 2019. The compound annual growth rate required is not specified but the figures for the year to March 2016 have already been restated downwards. Siddiqi also has 250,000 options at 84p each that have no performance criteria. The current share price is 91p.
Grapheme NanoChem (GRPH) has gained its first commercial order for PlatDrill synthetic-based drilling mud in China. The initial order of 4,000 barrels of PlatDrill will be used for two shale gas wells in south west China and will generate revenues of $360,000. There could be more than 300 wells drilled in China each year over a five year period.
Mobile financial services provider Vipera (VIP) is increasing its stake in Codd & Date, which deploys Vipera’s technology services with customers, from 51% to 80.7%. In fact, the part of the business that focuses on Vipera’s Motif software will be split out and become a wholly-owned business. The enlarged group will move into larger premises in Milan More Info. Vipera is issuing 21.4 million shares and six million warrants exercisable at 5p each to pay for the additional stake.
CPP Group (CPP) is paying SSP £2.5m for terminating the contract to build an IT platform.
Fire and emergency services resource manager AssetCo (ASTO) is still attempting to renew its main contract in Abu Dhabi, which was due for renewal on 17 November. The contract will continue on existing terms until the new one is agreed. There should be further news concerning a one year extension at the end of January. Trading is in line with expectations.
Positive news from Providence Resources (PANR) concerning its VOBM4 well. Drilling of the Wilcox sandstone suggests that there is a potentially highly productive hydrocarbon zone at shallower depths.
Igas Energy (IGAS) is still trying to negotiate a capital restructuring and a strategic investor is interested in injecting funds into the business. There is around $32m left in the bank but net debt is significant enough for IGas to be on the verge of breaking its leverage covenant.
Circle Oil (COP) has lost its AIM quotation because trading in the shares had been suspended for six months and management says that the shares are unlikely to have any value. The International Finance Corporation and associates have waived debt repayments and deferred interest payments until 26 January.
MAIN MARKET
Derriston Capital (DERR) joined the standard list on 29 September. Medical products and devices are the proposed areas where an acquisition is likely to come from. Derriston (www.derristoncapital.co.uk), whose investors include Nigel Wray, former Domino’s Pizza boss Stephen Hemsley and Primary Health Properties boss Harry Hyman, raised £2.275m at 10p a share to go with the £56,000 previously raised. Derriston was valued at £2.5m when it floated. The standard list shell more than doubled in value in the first couple of days of trading but ended the week at 17.5p.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 12 December 2016
ISDX
IMC Exploration (IMCP) and its partner Koza Ltd have started work on a mapping and rock sampling programme at the Goldmines River licence in County Wicklow and a licence in County Wexford. This work will help to prepare for the next phase of drilling.
African Potash (AFPO), which has lost its AIM quotation because of the resignation of its nominated adviser, has moved to ISDX, where Peterhouse is its corporate adviser. Dealings on ISDX commenced on 7 December. African Potash is attempting to build up a vertically integrated fertiliser mining, production and distribution business in the Republic of Congo.
Ashley House (ASH), which develops health and community care properties, is refinancing its loan from Rockpool through a £1.5m facility provided by Invescare Ltd, where Ashley non-executive deputy chairman Stephen Minion is one of the shareholders. The facility lasts until June 2018 and is secured against individual assets of the company.
Geologist Gareth Northam has been appointed to the board of Goldcrest Resources (GCRP). Goldcrest has raised £70,000 by issuing convertible loan notes to natural resources investor Pelamis Investments. The loan note is convertible into 28 million shares at 0.25p each – a price relating to after a planned 50:1 capital reorganisation.
Valiant Investments (VALP) has raised £40,000 at 0.1p a share in order to provide finance for 84.7%-owned apps developer Flamethrower. Kryptonite 1 (KR1) has raised £155,000 at 0.05p a share, while Imperial Minerals (IMPP) raised £35,000 at 2p a share.
AIM (Latest AIM Journal available)
Fairpoint (FRP) made a profit warning just prior to the close on Friday but there was still time for the share price to halve. Dividend payments have been suspended. The legal services business has not been trading as well as hoped in November and December. The closure of the debt services business is on course to be completed in early 2017 but overheads are still higher than the management planned that they would be.
MP Evans (MPE) has sold its Malaysian joint venture and intends to pay a special dividend of 10p a share. The disposal will raise $100m and the deal valued the plantations at $13,000/hectare. That is more than the remaining assets are being valued at by the current bid. Kuala Lumpur Kepong has received 12.9% acceptances for its 740p a share bid. The disposal means that one-third of the cost of this bid will be covered by cash.
Expect more shares to come on to the market following the announcement that a further £1.15m of loan notes in CloudTag Inc (CTAG) have been converted into shares by L1 Capital. The conversion price is 6p but the market price has risen to more than twice that level. There are £50,000 of loan notes left.
AB Dynamics (ABDP) is raising additional cash to give it a larger buffer as it invests in its new facility. The automotive testing equipment manufacturer already had cash in the bank but it has raised £5.4m at 475p a share and it is offering shareholders the chance to subscribe up to £1m at the same share price.
Northacre (NTA) has been on AIM for 19 years but it has decided to end its association with the junior market. This is not a surprise because the main shareholder owns 94.3% of the company. That shareholder is offering to buy any shares at 100p each – a 35% premium to the previous market price.
Formation Group (FRM) has also decided to leave AIM but it is switching to ISDX. A general meeting will be held on 4 January and the property developer could join ISDX as early as 12 January of shareholders agree to the AIM cancellation.
Clean room equipment manufacturer MayAir (MAYA) says that it generated revenues of $52.4m in the ten months to October 2016 and there is an order book worth $20.4m most which should be recognised this year. This provides some comfort that MayAir can achieve full year expectations. Management still hopes to be moving into a new factory before the end of 2017.
Vianet (VNET) reported lower interim revenues but stripping out discontinued fuel-related activities revenues grew slightly thanks to the vending division. The core operations grew their profit contribution but higher losses from the technology business held back overall profit growth. In the six months to September 2016, pre-tax profit improved by 9% to £1.13m. The US loss in the leisure division was halved and the number of sites continues to grow, unlike the UK where the number of sites continue to decline. The vending division offers good potential for profit growth now that it is covering its costs and more of the additional revenues drop through to profit. The uses of the technology for the Internet of Things should help to boost growth. Net cash is £1.98m and the interim dividend is unchanged at 1.7p a share. A full year profit of £2.4m is forecast.
Gas and electrical services provider Bilby (BILB) is restating last year’s results. This will reduce reported pre-tax profit from £1.37m to £718,000. This is due to additional costs and disputed revenues. The share price is less than one-third of the level it peaked at less than 12 months ago. The interim figures will be published later this month.
Share (SHRE) has sold 20,000 shares in London Stock Exchange for £540,000. Share retains 100,000 shares in London Stock Exchange.
TV technology developer Mirada (MIRA) says the roll-out of its technology by izzi Telecom will be slower than expected and demand in Mexico is uncertain. This means revenues, particularly higher margin licence sales, will be delayed. This year the expected underlying loss is likely to be around £1.4m higher at £1.8m. Capitalised development spending is rising so there will be a significant cash outflow even when amortisation is taken into account. A pre-tax profit is not expected until 2018-19.
Armadale Capital (ACP) has announced a JORC compliant resource of 40.9 million tonnes @9.41% graphite content for the Mahenge Liandu project in Tanzania. This is a particularly high grade and it should be easy to extract – and that could be confirmed early next year. There will be additional drilling and a further upgrade could happen in the first half of 2017.
Evgen Pharma (EVG) reported interim figures in line with expectations and there is £5.5m left in the bank. This is enough to push ahead with two phase II clinical trials for SFX-01 and to investigate other potential uses. The results of the trials should be available in the first half of 2018. The US Food and Drug Administration has given orphan drug status to the treatment for subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) has decided not to increase its stake in Casa Mining from 4.5% to 30%.
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Project engineering consultancy Waterman Group (WTM) says that its performance has been in line with expectations in the first four months of this financial year. Exchange rates have helped to ensure a small increase in revenues in the period. This suggests that dividend growth will continue. Waterman has won work for the MoD, Brent Cross shopping centre and UK roads. The interim figures will be published in February. Michael Strong has been appointed as a non-executive director.
Andrew Hore