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Quoted Micro 15 April 2024
Voyager Life (VOY) has terminated its merger with Northern Leaf following a decline in its share price making it difficult to fund the transaction. The cannabis products supplier says that there are other potential partners. Additional finance is required to automate production.
Supernova Digital (SOL) says NAV was 0.36p/share on 3 April 2024. A tender offer is planned when there are additional liquid funds. Director Nicholas Lyth bought two million shares at 0.19p each.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) has sold shares in Computer Application Services for £257,000 and it retains a 28.9% stake.
Marula Mining (MARU) issued 2.8 million shares to pay for its stakes in the Nyoriinyori and NyoriGreen graphite projects The total consideration is £350,000. This follows assay results that confirm high-grade and broad graphite mineralisation on each of the projects. Marula Mining is also about to start supplying columbite-tantalite and feldspar from the Blesberg mine in South Africa to Fujax UK.
Substrate AI (SAI) is forecasting 2024 revenues of $20.6m and pre-tax profit of $1m. This is due to organic growth.
Business assurance provider Adsure Services (ADS) has announced a maiden dividend of 0.49p/share and the shares go ex-dividend on 18 April. Trading has been strong in the second half.
KR1 (KR1) has announced a general meeting on 29 April to seek authority to acquire up to 14.9% of its share capital.
Hydrogen Future Industries (HFI) has raised £60,000 at 5p/share. This is on top of the £552,000 raised earlier in the year. Inqo Investments (INQO) raised £1.3m at 70p/share. Dermatological technology developer Incanthera (INC) raised £174,000 from the exercise of warrants at 10p. Crushmetric (CUSH) placed shares raising £54,000 at 12.5p each.
Valereum (VLRM) has appointed Stanford Capital Partners as broker. Spirits company Rogue Baron (SHNJ) has appointed New York-based MD Global Partners as joint broker.
Rikki Devlin has increased his stake in Oscillate (MUSH) from 3.04% to 4.21%. Michael Prior sold 645 shares in brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) at 695p each.
AIM
Self-storage operator Lok’nStore (LOK) has agreed a 1,100p/share cash bid from Belgium-based Shurgard Self Storage. That values the company at £370m. The share price has risen above the level of the bid.
Churchill China (CHH) still managed to increase its profit in 2023 even though the third quarter trading was weak, and revenues fell. Europe was the bright spot, with growth in ceramics sales to hospitality customers in the main markets. The UK was flat, and the rest of the world sales were lower. The dividend has been raised from 31.5p/share to 36p/share. Capital investment will improve efficiency and margins. Investec forecasts flat 2024 pre-tax profit of £10.8m and that assumes an upturn in the UK.
There were no additional negatives in the Bango (BGO) 2023 figures following its disappointing trading statement earlier in the year. In fact, the previously announced foreign exchange loss was not taken through the income statement. Revenues grew from $28.5m to $46.1m with a full contribution from DOCOMO. The reported loss jumped from $4.8m to $10.2m. The NewDeep joint venture is being wound down so that stop the losses from it, while the technology can be used in the core business. Net debt is $3.9m. Capex continues at a high level and there is an unused overdraft facility of £3m that can be used. First quarter revenues are up by one-fifth and cost savings will help Bango achieve the anticipated move into profit this year. Annualised recurring revenues are $11m.
CleanTech Lithium (CTL) chief executive Aldo Boitano has resigned, although he will be a consultant, and Steve Kesler has taken over on an interim basis. This follows the revelation he entered into a loan agreement with his shareholding in the company as security in August 2023, but this was not revealed at the time. He transferred his 9.4 million shares to a custodian account nominated by the lender. It is unclear if any of the shares have been sold.
Cosmetics supplier Warpaint London (W7L) says trading continues to outperform expectations. First quarter sales are 28% higher at £23.5m. This has been achieved by adding stores and broadening the range and there has been no price rise since early 2022. Margins have also improved. Shore believes that its current pre-tax profit forecast of £19.1m for 2024 is likely to be 10% too low. The broker will not upgrade its forecast until the 2023 results are published on 24 April.
Coal miner Bens Creek (BEN) is laying off workers at its mine in West Verginia, which will be operated on a care and maintenance basis. There are 44 employees being laid off and that is described as “a substantial number” of the employees at the mine. Management is in discussions with largest shareholder and offtake partner Avani Resources to provide further finance. Earlier in the week, the company said it had secured a one-off sale of 20,000 tons of coal to Avani Resources for $1.2m, of which $1m has been received in advance of delivery. This is lower quality coal, and the deal is separate to the offtake agreement. This did not prove enough to alleviate the poor financial position of the US-based metallurgical coal miner.
European Green Transition (EGT) is seeking to build up a portfolio of mining and processing projects that can help to progress the move to cleaner energy in Europe. There is potential for grant income from the EU for European critical minerals assets, as well as looking at non-dilutive ways of raising money for individual projects. A placing and offer raised £6.46m at 10p/share. Trading commenced on 8 April. The share price ended the week at 12p. Pro forma net assets are £7.29m, which includes cash of £5.95m. The Olserum rare earth element project in Sweden is the core asset.
Fulcrum Metals (FMET) has acquired the Sylvanite gold tailings project in Ontario. This is a former producing mine, and it is near to the previous tailings investment the Teck-Hughes gold tailings project. There are plans to create a tailings hub. The historic tailings resource estimate at Sylvanite is 67,051 ounces.
First quarter revenues at carbon brake technology developer Surface Transforms (SCE) were £3m, which was lower than target. However, production yields improved in March when revenues were £1.5m. Revised delivery schedules have been agreed. Cavendish has raised its 2024 forecast loss to £3m because of higher scrappage costs and there are likely to be higher working capital requirements. There should still be net cash at the end of 2024.
Drug developer e-therapeutics (ETX) is raising £28.9m at 15p/share from M and G and Richard Griffiths. It is also the latest company to decide to leave AIM. In the future, a Nasdaq listing may be possible.
Active Energy Group (AEG) has been reviewing its operations and how to secure funding. It believes it cannot raise the cash it requires to construct a CoalSwitch biomass fuel plant and commence production. A buyer is being sought for the CoalSwitch assets. If that happens, then the company would become a shell.
Oracle Power (ORCP) has secured an option to acquire 100% of the Blue Rock Valley copper and silver project in Western Australia. The option cost £30,000 in shares. If the option is exercised there will be 913.2 million shares issued – valued at £200,000.
Weak third quarter demand at castings company Chamberlin (CMH) hit profitability. Some new programmes were delayed, and other demand was lower than forecast. The renewable offshore energy sector remained strong. There has been some recovery in the fourth quarter and costs are being reduced. Prices increases have been made.
Harvest Minerals (HMI) has made a rare earth elements discovery at its Arapua fertiliser project in Brazil. Rock samples analysis shows rare earth elements and further work will be done to firm up the opportunity by assessing previous drilling. There has been a better start to the year for sales of fertiliser.
Contract research and infectious disease study services provider hVIVO (HVO) reported 2023 results broadly in line with the trading statement. The order book covers 90% of the forecast revenues of £62m, with a strong first half expected.
MAIN MARKET
Kitchenware retailer ProCook Group (PROC) reported fourth quarter trading showing 4.8% year-on-year growth in revenues to £13.2m with the decline in ecommerce revenues slowing. Like-for-like growth was 1.5% ahead. Full year revenues were flat at £62.6m, although retail revenues were 9% higher. Net debt is £700,000.
Critical Metals (CRTM) has issued £1.6m of convertible loan notes. This will help to finance the road to the Molulu copper cobalt project in the Democratic Republic of Congo and fund initial drilling to establish a JORC resource. Management is also near to securing an $11m loan guaranteed by the US government. This will fund construction of the mine and leave additional cash for investment in other projects. Production at Molulu could start before the end of this year. The plan is to produce 10,000 tonnes of copper each month.
Standard list shell Aura Renewable Acquisitions (ARA) had £661,000 in the bank at the end of 2023. It raised £1m in April 2022. The company is still seeking an acquisition in the renewable energy sector.
Narf Industries (NARF) has won a $500,000 cybersecurity contract with the US Department of Energy. This is part of a project to strengthen the resilience of energy infrastructure.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 26 February 2024
Music manager and promoter All Things Considered (ATC) has raised £2.3m at 105p/share. The company raised £4.15m at 153p/share when it joined Aquis in December 2021. The latest proceeds will be used to develop the artist representation and direct to consumer divisions, plus fund acquisitions. A potential artist management company acquisition has been identified. A new festival is being developed.
Trading was in line with expectations at Arbuthnot Banking Group (ARBB). Shore Capital believes the recovery in profitability due to higher interest charges has broadly already happened. Even so, the broker believes that the current valuation is undemanding.
Visum Technologies (VIS) is planning to acquire Socrates Imaging for Euro2m in cash and shares. Visum has exclusivity until the end of March 2024. Socrates Imaging has developed photo and video capture souvenirs. A final agreement needs to be made and shareholders have to agree to the purchase.
US focused lender Investment Evolution Credit (IEC) generated revenues of £441,000 and pre-tax profit of £268,000 in the six months to November 2023. Cash was £659,000. Consumer lending operations could start in the UK in 2025.
Hydro Hotel Eastbourne (HYDP) reported flat annual revenues of £4.4m, while pre-tax profit fell from £445,000 to £310,000 due to higher cost of sales. Cash is £1.63m. a lower dividend of 12p/share has been announced. Management is trying to secure more direct bookings.
Inteliqo (IQO) has launched the full Langaroo app on Google Play and the App store. Langaroo enables users to understand, speak, message and share information in 130 languages.
Coinsilium (COIN) will be providing global trade exchange platform LC Lite, which has been acquired by Incomlend. Coinsilium will advise on project token economics ahead of a launch later this year. Fees are paid in cryptocurrencies.
Valereum (VLRM) is getting near to completing a blockchain-based digital financial markets infrastructure and this should happen this year. After phase 1 is launched there will be further phases developing on-chain Centralised Securities Depositary. Investment company VLRM Capital will invest in principal trading of equities and cryptocurrencies, as well as staking digital assets. The first fund should be launched by the summer. Valereum chairman James Formoli will provide seed capital of £500,000 to the investment vehicle. Valereum itself wants to raise up to £4m and firm commitments have been received for £2.5m at 6p/share.
Phoenix Digital (PNIX) director Nicholas Lyth bought 1.26 million shares at 3.1p each.
TruSpine Technologies (TSP) has submitted additional documentation to the FDA for the 510(k) application for its Cervi-LOK medical device product. A shareholder requisition notice has been deemed to be invalid.
Hydrogen Future Industries (HFI) has raised £552,000 at 5p/share. The cash will further develop technology and fund a feasibility study for use in the mining sector. Rogue Baron (SHNJ) has issued 7.2 million shares to a service provider for services over a 12-month period.
PanGenomic Health (NARA) intends to withdraw from the Aquis Stock Exchange.
AIM
Safety and compliance services provider Marlowe (MRL) is selling part of its governance, risk and compliance software and service business to Inflexion for an enterprise value of £430m. That will pay off debt and enable £150m plus to be paid to shareholders. That could leave £60m of cash in the business. This could fund acquisitions in the remaining business areas of testing, inspection and certification, and occupational health. Marlowe chief executive Alex Dacre is leaving with the disposal.
Horizonte Minerals (HZM) estimates that it will cost $454m to complete construction and deliver first metal at the Araguaia nickel project. This means that the estimate of overall cost is currently 87% higher than before at $1bn. The company is in talks with shareholders and lenders to secure full funding in the second quarter of 2024. The increased investment requirement means that existing debt facilities will have to be restructured. Short-term funding will be required will the discussions continue. Heikon Investments slashed its shareholding from 7.99% to 0.33%.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) is making progress with Accrufer iron deficiency treatment sales, but a third party overstated the number of prescriptions in 2023. There would have been 90,500 on the previous methodology, which was lower than expected, but the revised figure is 77,000. Year-end cash was $13.9m. Costs are being controlled, but there is no guarantee that there is enough cash to reach breakeven. Shield Therapeutics expects to be cash flow positive in the second half of 2025 instead of later this year.
Electric drivetrain developer Saietta Group (SED) it needs more cash by the end of March, or it will have to find a bidder and that made it the top faller on AIM for the second week in a row. Cash payments have been delayed.
Retail and promotional business Spaceandpeople (SAL) did slightly better than expected in 2023 with revenue of £5.8m, up from £4.7m. The company has changed its revenue recognition policy in the UK and revenues will be recognised on a net rather than gross basis. Without the change the 2023 revenues would have been more than £6.5m. The German business is recovering, and its revenues will still be recognised on a gross basis. There is no change to pre-tax profit – £90,000 is forecast.
Fertiliser producer Harvest Minerals (LON: HMI) says 2023 orders totalled 34,880 tonnes and 28,707 tonnes were invoiced and cash received for 27,024 tonnes. The 2024 orders have reached 7,067 tonnes. Management believe that orders could reach 70,000 tonnes this year, even though the market remains difficult. There was $630,000 in the bank at the end of 2023.
Frasers Group has acquired a 8.9% stake in models and collectibles supplier Hornby (HRN).
Empire Metals (EEE) is focusing on the Pitfield titanium project and is not extending the Gindalbie tribute agreement.
Chamberlin (CMH) has sold its profitable Petrel business for £3m and an exceptional gain of £2m. The cash will be invested in its foundry and machining business. There is £250,00 deferred until repairs are undertaken for the facility that is being sub-let to the purchaser by Chamberlin.
RBG Holdings (RBGP) has raised £2.8m at 9p/share, compared with a market price of 9.25p. This will provide a more solid base from which to grow the remaining legal services and M&A business. New legal partners have been recruited to grow the core operations. There is a £24m HSBC facility, but there will be increased headroom after the cash call. There is enough cash for at least 12 months. It is possible that M&A adviser Convex Capital will be sold to its management.
MAIN MARKET
Aquila Services Group (AQSG) intends to leave the standard list. The housing consultancy business reversed into shell company General Industries in August 2015. The share price is well below the level it was at the time of that deal. Management says that it has missed out on chances to acquire businesses because of a lack of liquidity in the shares. Leaving will save £100,000/year.
Newtyn Management has reduced its stake in Pinewood Technologies (PINE) from 10% to 8.56%. Chief executive William Berman sold 1.46 million shares at 34.85p each.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 19 February 2024
Vehicle electrification technology developer Equipmake (EQIP) has raised £4m at 6p/share and a further £110,000 from a retail offer. This will fund research and development for the international market and finding opportunities in the US. There is also grant funding of up to £4.57m. The order book is valued at £13.1m and mainly relates to the bus market. The cash will last at least 12 months.
Coinsilium (COIN) says that the SalitaFinance AI-driven platform, where it has a 6.7% stake, has received investment from a top ten global infrastructure bank. Another investee company, crypto friendly payments company Greengage Global has secured an agreement with a new regulated partner and this will enable the earlier launch of Greengage’s US dollar currency accounts along with forex and SWIFT payments services for clients.
Investment Evolution Credit (IEC) has appointed Axis Capital Markets as corporate broker to help to raise up to £100m via the previously announced bond offering. The share price rose by 50% on the week to 60p. The December 2023 admission price was 4.5p.
RentGuarantor (RGG) has entered a three-year marketing deal with student letting company University Living. The rent guarantee service will be promoted to residential tenants. This will broaden access to the market.
Mortgage Chat (MCAI) has raised £105,000 at 0.05p each. The strategy is moving towards the development of an artificial intelligence platform called Mortgage Chat connecting borrowers and lenders.
Brewer Adnams (ADB) has asked advisers to explore options for funding growth plans.
Marula Mining (MARU) has published a shareholder circular to gain approval for a subscription by AUO Commercial Brokerage. The first subscription will raise £3.75m at 3.75p/share with further subscriptions potentially raising £4.78m at 10p/share. The general meeting is on 8 March.
BWA Group (BWAP) has come to a settlement with St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp, which will convert some loan notes into 146.2 million shares and cancel £1.42m of convertible notes. Connected parties will also be encouraged to rerun up to £1.8m of convertible notes.
TruSpine Technologies (TSP) has entered into a £50,000 loan note agreement with Martin Armstrong, a former chairman. This can be converted into shares at 2.5p each.
Lord Nicholas Monson has increased his stake in Lift Global Ventures (LFT) from 4.96% to 5.33%.
AIM
Katoro Gold (KAT) has raised £750,000 at 0.1p/share, along with warrants exercisable at 0.2p/share that could raise up to £1.5m, and it is planning board changes. Executive chairman Louis Coetzee is stepping down. Outstanding board fees of £91,000 have been reduced to £63,600. A new strategy will involve maximising value from existing interests and seeking new opportunities in critical metals, including uranium. Paul Johnson, who has previously run Power Metal Resources and Metal Tiger has been appointed strategic consultant. The company plans to change its name to Katoro Global Resources.
Good Energy (GOOD) is building on its energy efficiency services business through the acquisition of Maidstone-based JPS Renewable Energy, which is a solar and storage installation business. The initial consideration is £7m in cash and shares with deferred consideration of up to £6.75m over two years. The vendors placed 842,000 of the 1.32 million shares issued at 250p each. JPS generated revenues of £12.4m and pre-tax profit of £600,000 in the year to April 2023 and pre-tax profit could increase to £1.3m this year.
Neometals (NMT) says a review of the Spargos project in Western Australia indicates low potential for lithium-bearing pegmatites. Sampling did not produce any significant results. There will be field mapping to investigate two potassium anomalies and a strategic review of the project.
Gattaca (GATC) is still finding the permanent staffing market difficult, and first half net fee income is expected to decline 16% to £18.9m. This has led to downgrades for full year net fee income, but cost cutting has meant that the full year pre-tax profit forecast is maintained at £3m. The figures will be second half weighted.
Harvest Minerals (HMI) received fertiliser orders for 34,880 tonnes, of which 28,707 tonnes were invoiced in 2023. There have been 1,250 tonnes invoiced so far in 2024. Sales guidance is 70,000 tonnes for 2024. Cash was $630,000 at the end of 2023. Cost are being reduced.
Trading in Artemis Resources (ARV) shares has resumed on ASX. Trading was halted on 8 February although it continued on AIM. Artemis Resources published an update on the West Pilbara project exploration. This shows potential sub vertical orientation of pegmatites at Kobe and Osborne. The first drill hole potentially stopped short of the Osborne target. A drilling programme to test Osborne is planned for March to test near surface lithium rich zones.
M&A activity remains weak at professional services network operator DSW Capital (DSW) and that will hit this year’s profit. There appeared to be an improving trend, but January was poor and that hit network revenues. February is also set to be disappointing. The other activities are trading well. The 2023-24 pre-tax profit will be between £600,000 and £700,000. There was cash of £2.7m at the end of January 2024.
Baron Oil (BOIL) has raised £3m at 0.05p/share, while the retail offer generated £260,000. This will fund drilling preparations for the Chuditch-2 appraisal well south of Timor-Leste, which is planned for the fourth quarter. Shell discovered the Chuditch-1 gas field in the Chuditch production sharing contract in 1998. Timor-Leste authorities recently approved the farm-up agreement with TIMOR GAP Chuditch Unipessoal relating to the production sharing contract. Baron Oil’s subsidiary will retain 60% of the production sharing contract and the partner, which has increased its interest from 25% to 40%, will be responsible for 20% of all costs, including the Chuditch-2 appraisal well.
Beowulf Mining (BEM) is raising cash to invest in Kallak iron ore project in northern Sweden and the graphite anode materials plant in Finland. There will be a rights issue and a PrimaryBid retail offer in the UK raising up to £7.5m in total. A formal decision on the fundraising and pricing will be made on 7 March. A capital reorganisation will reduce the par value of the shares from 1p to 0.1p. The cash will be spent on the Kallak pre-feasibility study and environmental studies, which will enable the application for an environmental permit.
Bushveld Minerals (BMN) has received a $4m payment from Southern Point Resources, which will be repaid when the $12.5m subscription is finally received. This takes the interest free loans to $6m, which have been paid to a South African subsidiary. Southern Point Resources says that the subscription will be paid by 28 February. The financial position of the company is being managed so that vanadium production, which has restarted, can continue until the rest of the cash is received.
Coal miner MC Mining (MCM) advises shareholders not to accept the A$0.16/ share bid from a company controlled by the majority shareholders. One condition is the acceptance by 50.1% of the shares not owned by the bidder.
Crossword Cybersecurity (CCS) has entered a partnership agreement with IT distributor TD SYNNEX, which will sell Crossword’s Trillion threat intelligence platform.
MAIN MARKET
Pendragon has completed the sale of its motor distributor business and will focus on its motor dealer software. The name has changed to Pinewood Technologies (PINE).
Better contract news from data integrity and banking integration software provider Gresham Technologies (GHT), which has secured a $1.5m contract for its Claretti software. The customer is described as a cash management and retail digital services provider. The deal covers the US and is for five years.
HeiQ (HEIQ) is acquiring a manufacturing facility in Portugal to commercialise the AeoniQ synthetic filament yarns technology. Commercial production could start by 2026. Capacity will be 3,000 tons.
HeiQ wants to raise £2.44m. A placing raised £685,000 at 8.7p/share and there is a retail offer of up to £75,000 closing on 22 February. The rest of the cash will come from an issue of non-interest bearing convertible loan notes with a conversion price of 8.7p/share. Revenues were $41m in 2023, but EBITDA will be lower than expected. Net debt is $2m. The year end is being changed from December to June 2024.
XP Power (XPP) says that weak demand meant that 2023 figures will be well below expectations. The 2024 results will be second half weighted. Net debt was £112.7m at the end of 2023.
Carclo (CAR) is closing its Tucson facility and manufacturing will be moved to Pennsylvania.
BSF Enterprise (BSFA) is setting up a separate subsidiary to develop a cultivated leather business.
Dispensa (DISP), originally known as Zamaz, is calling a general meeting on 14 March to gain shareholder approval for the delisting from the standard list.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 25 September 2023
Aquis Stock Exchange owner Aquis Exchange (AQX) reported interims showing growth in all four divisions of the group and the Aquis Stock Exchange remains profitable. Group revenues improved from £7.85m to £9.34m, while pre-tax profit rose from £699,000 to £1.15m. Net cash is £13.9m.
Brewer Adnams (ADB) says trading improved in the second quarter and cost savings started to kick in. This partly offset the decline in revenues in the first quarter, but the interim revenues were still slightly lower at £30m. Operating costs and interest charges increased, and the loss trebled to £3.13m. Adnams is taking on new customers, but the average order size has reduced. Trading conditions are uncertain, but the new customer sand listings will help to boost the second half.
Africa-focused battery metals company Marula Mining (MARU) is considering moving to the standard list as an alternative to AIM. Management believes that this would not add any additional time to the process, and it believes that the proposed investment by Q Global Commodities will make Marula Mining large enough to be eligible for the standard list. It is also planning listings on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Warrants exercised at 4p/share raised £50,000. A shipment of 27.5 tonne high-grade material processed from stockpiles at the Blesberg lithium and tantalum mine in South Africa has been delayed. The offtake agreement with Southern Jade Resources has been terminated and an alternative agreement is being finalised. Additional drilling at Blesberg is progressing and initial assay results should be published in late October.
Apollon Formularies (APOL) has executed a binding letter of intent with Sproutly Canada Inc, who will acquire the assets of the cannabis-based drug discovery company. After completion of due diligence, the assets will be acquired in return for shares equivalent to 49% of Sproutly. The effective valuation is C$7m (£4.2m). Sproutly has to go through audits and other regulatory requirements to become active and trading on the Canadian Stock Exchange.
Fuel additives SulNOx Group (SNOX) says it requires new equity investment from existing and new investors in order to achieve faster and sustainable revenue growth. There would additional industry hires for the board and sales personnel. There will also be increases in stock levels and new products will be developed. The board is seeking shareholder authority to issue new shares. Mohanned Nawaz Haq does not agree with the new strategy and the board recommends voting against his appointment at the AGM on 26 September.
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) improved interim turnover by 3% to £8.03m, but the company fell into loss because gross margins slumped. The nursery increased its contribution, but there were lower attendances at races. An event in July had the highest attendance for four years. Next year will get the full benefits of the media rights deal.
Broker and wealth management company Oberon Investments (OBE) has raised £2.5m via a placing at 3.6p/share and a retail offer could raise a further £500,000. The share price dipped 2.78% to 3.5p. The cash will fund expansion, including the recruitment of revenue generating teams. The Winterflood Retail Access Platform offer has a minimum subscription of £50. Investors can apply for shares via their broker or intermediary and the closing date is 4.30pm on 25 September.
Silverwood Brands (SLWD) has been given an extension of the time to deliver its defence to the legal action by Lush and VSA resigning as corporate adviser and being replaced by Peterhouse. Lush is refusing to recognise the transfer of a 20% stake to Silverwood Brands. VSA Capital (VSA) owns 0.88% of Silverwood Brands and says that the share price slump will hit its interim results to September 2023. It will make the loss larger than expected.
Property investor Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) increased net assets by 1% to £34.4m at the end of April 2023. Disposals meant that full year revenues fell 2.5% to £5.56m. There is £6.23m in cash available for investment. No final dividend is declared, partly due to the lack of distributable reserves.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) investee company Evergreen Lithium has completed the final analysis of its EXOSPHERE BY FLEET Ambient Noise Tomography geophysics survey at Bynoe. Nine pegmatite targets have been identified. Approvals are required for drilling.
Watchstone Group (WTG) had net assets of £7.6m at the end of June 2023, including cash of £8.3m. By 19 September, cash had fallen to £7.6m. The claim against PwC was dismissed by the High Court and Watchstone had to settle legal costs. Canadian legal action continues.
Helium Ventures (HEV) has raised £250,000 at 4p/share. There are plans to move to AIM rather than the standard list, while maintaining the Aquis quotation. It hopes to do this by the end of this year. The potential acquisition of tracking technology company Trackimo is progressing, and Mark Notton has been appointed as its chief executive.
MBH Corporation (M8H) has acquired caravan and motorhome retailers Lincoln Leisure Vehicles and Golden Castle Caravans for an initial £400,000 in cash and £2.58m in loan notes. There will also be share issues totalling £2.24m over the next two years. The companies made an operating profit of £660,000 last year. These businesses will be integrated with the existing caravan and motorhomes operations.
Pharma C investments (PCIL) says that the general meeting scheduled for 27 September will not go ahead because the requisition has been withdrawn. The proposals were to remove Gavin Hilary Sathianathan and appoint Paul Ryan and Noel Lyons to the board.
Medical device developer TruSpine Technologies (TSP) has appointed Victoria Sena and Samuel Ogunsalu to the board. The company is not appealing the disciplinary notice from the Aquis Stock Exchange and the new appointments will improve corporate governance.
SuperSeed Capital (WWW) says that the SuperSeed II LP has sold Garvis, a SaaS company offering language model technology and AI-native demand forecasting. The original investment was in September last year. There was a triple digit IRR on the investment.
Lift Global Ventures (LFT) subsidiary Miriad has been appointed as corporate communications agency to Imperial Diagnostix Laboratories, which plans to float next year. Imperial Diagnostix Laboratories provides point of care testing products and has been granted access to the NHS supply chain.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) says drilling has started at the Red Setter project in Western Australia. Initial targets are at a shallow depth and the company is seeking broad spreads of mineralisation. Drilling at the Cottesloe prospect reinforces previous findings. Additional drilling will be 50% funded by the Western Australian government’s EIS scheme up to a total of A$220,000.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) says that Canadian company Elemental Energy has commenced operation of the company’s 8.4MWh Invinity VS3 vanadium flow battery. This is the largest operation so far.
Majestic Corporation (MCJ) reported flat revenues of $13m, while pre-tax profit dipped from $980,000 to $862,000. There was $680,000 generated from operating activities. The metals recycler has $1m in the bank. Rising interest rates have had a negative impact on commodity prices.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) directors and the managing partner of EPIC Investment Partners bought a total of 16,837 shares at 160p each.
Kasei Holdings (KASH) has switched its corporate adviser to VSA.
AIM
International retailer Mothercare (LON: MTC) reported a decline in full year revenues from £82.5m to £73.1m. A fall in admin expenses and interest costs, partly offset this decline, but underlying pre-tax profit still slumped from £8m to £3.4m before restructuring costs. The lack of contribution from Russia was a factor in the lower revenues – this is part of the Alshaya franchise area. Middle East demand remains subdued since Covid. Net debt rose from £9.9m to £12.4m. The loan facility is being renegotiated. The current interest rate is 19.2%. Since the year end, a reduction in pension contributions has been agreed. In the ten years to March 2033 the total contributions will be £34.9m, down from £73.7m in the previous ten years. The revaluation of the pension fund shows a deficit of £35m.
Finsbury Food (FIF) is recommending a 110p/share bid by a company backed by DBAY Advisors valuing the cake maker at £143.4m. There is a non-voting share alternative to the cash bid for eligible investors. The bid is less than ten times prospective earnings. The share price has not been at this level since early 2019.
Renewable electricity supplier Good Energy (GOOD) had a strong first half due to higher tariffs and lower supply costs, but the second half will be tougher. Interim revenues were 46% ahead at £156.1m and the company swung from a loss to a pre-tax profit of £13.1m. The energy services business is losing money as it is being built up. The interim dividend has been raised by one-third to 1p/share. Tariff reductions are happening ahead of falls in supply costs for the company and that will lead to a second half loss, but Good Energy will still be profitable for the full year.
Orcadian Energy (ORCA) announced that it has entered non-binding heads of agreement with a North Sea operator to farm out the Pilot project for a full carry until first oil. Orcadian Energy would retain a 18.75% working interest. The agreement includes the drilling of five subsea wells. Orcadian Energy will receive $100,000 when the agreement is completed, plus $100,000 if it is awarded an additional licence. Field development plan approval would trigger a payment of $3m.
Trading has deteriorated since August at replacement windows supplier Safestyle (SFE) and it is expected to lose £10m in 2023. Order levels are falling short of budget. Net debt could reach £6m at the end of 2023 – the credit facility is £7.5m. Management wants to strengthen the balance sheet.
Harvest Minerals (HMI) reported interims showing a near-doubled loss as demand for fertiliser fell and pricing was lower in the period. The second half sales are normally much greater than in the first half, but they continue to be disappointing. Low crop prices mean that farmers are not investing to boost production. Cash has declined and the company has moved into net debt of £1.4m, partly due to a jump in inventories.
Eqtec (EQT) announced that the Billingham waste-to-energy project is not going ahead. Potential customers have closed facilities and the project is behind schedule. So far, £4m has been invested. There is a possibility of getting some of this cash back. Eqtec is also taking legal action against its partner in the Deeside project, seeking repayment of £4m of loans. The focus is other European markets. Forecast 2023 revenues have been slashed by more than three-quarters.
Scancell (SCLP) reports that early data from the phase II SCOPE study of SCIB1 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors as a treatment for advanced melanoma are positive. Tumour reduction at 13 weeks is 31-94%. This is for a relatively small number of patients, but it does indicate that there is strong potential for the treatment. The second stage of the study has a strong probability of success. This data will be available in the first half of 2024. Potential partners are likely to be interested.
Firering Strategic Minerals (FRG) raised £756,000 at 6.5p/share. This cash will be used to define identified pegmatite targets through a drilling campaign at the Atex lithium-tantalum project in Cote d’Ivoire. Firering Strategic Minerals holds 90% of the company that owns the Atex project. Firering Strategic Minerals also owns 75% of Bri Coltan, which owns the coltan rights for the Atex area. Coltan is composed of tantalum, niobium, iron and manganese. Nine target areas have been identified, including the six newer ones. The latest drilling is planned for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Alien Metals (UFO) says the latest drilling results from the 90% owned Hancock Iron Ore project in Western Australia indicate the potential for the project. There is high-grade mineralisation. The resource estimate will be upgraded.
Digital coupons and loyalty technology provider Eagle Eye (EYE) reported organic growth of 29% last year. International revenues grew strongly as new retailers were added to the service and when they sign up retailers tend to stay with the company. This year, pre-tax profit could improve from £4.3m to £6.2m. The cash pile reached £9.3m at the end of June 2023.
Cosmetics supplier Warpaint London (W7L) is bucking the trend of the consumer sector, where many other companies selling to the public are performing poorly. That is down to the fact that Warpaint London is in the value end of the cosmetics market. It is also adding retailers and benefiting from the international spread of the business. UK interim revenues were 28% ahead, while group revenues were 46% higher.
Structural steel supplier Billington (BILN) significantly improved margins in the first half and it still has a strong order book despite the contraction of the construction sector. This reflects the broad spread of projects being supplied. Revenues were 30% higher at £60.1m and pre-tax profit jumped from £1.3m to £4.59m.
There is not going to be a bid for Kinovo (KINO), which was not going to recommend the 56p/share offer and there was no increase tabled.
MAIN MARKET
Motor dealer Pendragon (PDG) plans to sell its entire core business to North American automotive retailer Lithia Motors for £250m. This would turn Pendragon into a software business and there could be a £240m payout to shareholders, equivalent to 16.5p/share. Lithia Motors would also subscribe £30m for 279.4 million shares and will roll out Pendragon’s Pinewood dealer management software to its existing 50 UK sites. However, there has been a bid approach for the whole company from Sweden-based Hedin Mobile and US transportation company PAG International. The initial 28p/share offer was turned down, but a higher bid of 32p/share is being considered.
First Tin (1SN) still has cash of £7.9m and that is enough to fund the DFS for the Taronga tin project in Australia. The cost of the project could be reduced by using solar power and more efficient processing. The mineral resource estimate has been increased by more than 240% to 133 million tonnes. The Tellerhauser project in Germany hopes to gain a mine permit in the third quarter of 2024.
Shipbroker Braemar (BMS) has reaffirmed that it will make an underlying pre-tax profit of at least £20m for the delayed results for the year to February 2023. The investigation into transactions between 2006 and 2013 is nearing completion. There may be adjustments to previous accounts.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 20 February 2023
EDX Medical Group (EDX) acquired Torax Biosciences for the issue of 1.67 million shares at a notional 6p each. Torax provides development and pilot scale fabrication of immunochemistry-based assays and diagnostic testing services. The experienced team at Torax was an attraction.
Marula Mining (MARU) signed a co-development and relationship agreement with a subsidiary of South African mining and investment company Q Global Commodities, which had already agreed to subscribe £3.75m for shares. Q Global chief executive will become Marula Mining chairman, subject to regulatory approval and admission to AIM. Marula Mining is expanding its graphite interests through the proposed purchase of a 75% stake in ten licences comprising the Nyorinyori graphite project in Tanzania.
Electric vehicle drivetrains developer Equipmake (EQIP) reported more than halved interim revenues from £2.32m to £1.05m and the loss increased to £2.76m. There was cash of £7.44m at the end of November 2022. The contracted order book is worth £9.1m. That includes 100% of second half expected revenues as well. There have been delays in delivering vehicles to First Group, so these will be in the 2023-24 figures.
Energy supplier Good Energy (GOOD) has launched a new smart export product for Feed-in Tariff for FiT customers, which could help them to earn more from electricity they generate. There are plans for a new domestic export tariff for households in the next few months.
AQRU (AQRU) has incorporated the London Carbon Exchange and it has a wating list of investors interested in using the platform when it is launched later this year. The platform allows trading in the voluntary carbon market.
RentGuarantor Holdings (RGG) has entered a three-year agreement with X1 Property Management, a residential and student letting company, which hopes to generate secure tenants.
Digital asset investor Kasei Holdings (KASH) raised £500,000 at 12p a share from Aalto Capital. This is a 12.5% stake. ChallengerX (LON: CXS) raised £250,000 through a share issue to Aalto Capital at 0.45p a share. An equal number of warrants exercisable at 0.45p each were also issued.
Spirits company Rogue Baron (SHNJ) non-exec Charlie Wood acquired an initial 600,000 shares at 0.846p each. He also has an interest in the 1.1 million shares owned by Orana Corporate, where he owns 25%.
Hikmat El Rousstom has resigned as non-exec director of Ace Liberty & Stone (ALSP), while at British Honey Company (BHC) Sophie Guifang Luo stepped down from the board to pursue other interests.
Love Hemp (LIFE) has withdrawn from trading on the Aquis Stock Exchange as of 14 February. Trading in Pioneer Media Holdings Inc (PNER) will end on the Aquis Stock Exchange on 9 March.
AIM
Purplebricks (PURP) is launching a strategic review because the board believes the company is undervalued. The share price slumped to 7.86p, which is a new low. Changes to the estate agency business have disrupted the third quarter performance. Instruction numbers were lower than expected. Management has identified an additional £4m of annualised cost savings. There will be £1.2m of one-off costs in the second half. The full year adjusted EBITDA loss will be between £15m and £20m. It was previously expected to be around £10m.
Semiconductors designer EnSilica (ENSI) moved into operating profit in the first half and momentum has continued in the second half. A €5m contract has been won to develop a chip for the satellite communications market, which will start generating revenues in 2023-24. Interim revenues are nearly one-quarter higher at £8.59m. The growth came from design and supply. There was a pre-tax loss of £202,000, but R&D tax credits meant that there was a £322,000 profit after tax. A small full year pre-tax loss is forecast for the full year with a £844,000 post-tax profit.
Semiconductors designer Sondrel Holdings (SND) says the project design for a customer in the automotive sector has been delayed because project design will not be completed until the first quarter of this year. The payment for the first milestone was in January and the second will not be until May. The 2022 loss is higher than forecast and there will still be a small loss in 2023.
Esports company Gfinity (GFIN) raised £2m at 0.15p a share, having originally sought £1.5m. The cash should last for 12 months. Technology platform Athlos still requires a strategic partner and there is enough funding for this for around four months. If not, then it could affect the restructuring and other plans for the rest of the business. At 0.1575p, down 33%, the current share capital is valued at Gfinity at £2.1m. Each placing share comes with a warrant to subscribe for one share at 0.15p and these warrants are exercisable between six and 18 months after the placing shares are admitted to AIM.
Fertiliser producer Harvest Minerals (HMI) had cash of A$2.72m at the end of 2022. Sales of KPFertil are growing and that has enabled the repayment of A$1.2m of debt. A court ruling requires Agrocerrado to pay $463,000, because it failed to acquire the minimum tonnes of KPFertil required by the agreement between the companies.
Medical devices developer Creo Medical (CREO) raised £28.5m from the placing at 20p a share, which was more than the £25m initially targeted. The cash will be used for further development and commercialisation of Creo Medical’s minimally invasive electrosurgical devices. With up to £5.2m more to come from the open offer, Cenkos believe that this is enough cash to fully commercialise the current product portfolio. Revenues of £100m are forecast by 2027.
Clontarf Energy (CLON) is forming a joint venture with US-based NEXT-ChemX Corporation, which covers the deployment and marketing of the latter’s direct lithium ion extraction technology in Bolivia. There is limited water and energy consumption with this technology. The share price soared by 129% to 0.172p. Pilot testing and extraction starts in March. Clontarf Energy will contribute $500,000 towards the pilot plant for exclusive use of the technology. There will also be share issues to NEXT-ChemX.
Promotional goods supplier software platform provider Altitude (ALT) says results for the year to March 2023 will be much better than expected. Zeus has upgraded its pre-tax profit forecast from £500,000 to £800,000 and that is the second upgrade in three months.
Deferral of contracts by clients has led to forecast downgrades for Jaywing (JWNG) and 2022-23 pre-tax profit expectations have been more than halved to £1m, while next year’s forecast has been slashed from £3.7m to £2m. The digital marketing services provider won an Australian online education services contract which will help to offset some of the decline in forecast revenues in 2023-24.
Mkango Resources (MKA) raised £3.5m at 12.5p and this will fund further development of the Songwe Hill rare earths project. Talks with potential funders for the project continue. Mkango Resources will also provide a €2.5m loan facility in HyProMag, which is developing a rare earth recycling production facility in Baden-Wurttemberg. The company’s stake in HyProMag could increase to 66.8%. Chief executive William Dawes acquired 400,000 shares at 12.95p each and 400,000 shares at 12.75p each. He owns 4.42%
WH Ireland has reduced its forecasts for SaaS-based retail software provider itim Group (ITIM) because of contract delays. Revenues for 2022 will be slightly below previous forecasts and that increases the loss by £200,000 to £1.1m. The 2023 loss is expected to be the same. Annualised recurring revenues are £13m, which is lower than expected. Net cash is £3.9m.
Mark Horrocks has increased his stake in cloud-based international payments services provider Cornerstone FS (CSFS) from 8.66% to 13.4%.
Dekel Agri-Vision (DKL) achieved record local process for its crude palm oil in January and there were strong extraction rates from the fruit bunches. However, there were disappointing volumes because of aggressive rival bidding for fruit bunches, although this has eased this month. There no changes to 2023 expectations of a sharp rise in profit.
MAIN MARKET
The ignominious life of Hawkwing (HNG) as a quoted company appears to be coming to an end. Kroll Advisory has been appointed administrator to the company. Hanover Investment Management demanded repayment of £2.2m relating to a convertible loan note. Hawkwing is owed £13.7m plus interest and add-ons by IFG (SPP), where liquidators have been appointed. This is secured on two subsidiaries and their assets, but it is uncertain how much can be clawed back. The cash shell was formerly sports representation and marketing company TLA Worldwide, a past AIM embarrassment which released a profit warning after the market had closed for Christmas.
Zamaz (ZAMZ) has acquired Dallatte Italia, a manufacturer of dairy products. This fits with the Bella Dispensa subsidiary and its Made in Italy ecommerce service. Management wants to change the terms of its bonds by extending their life and increasing the interest rate.
Trading in Net Zero Infrastructure (NZI) shares recommenced last week following publication of accounts and interim figures. The share price fell from 2.2p to 1.55p.
RC365 Holding (RCGH) intends to issue 18 million shares to Hatcher Group Ltd and in return it will receive 38.64 million shares in Hatcher Group. The two firms will collaborate in research and development of smart algorithm technology and other fintech services.
Andrew Hore
Summer and the Markets – Alan Green talks to Doc Holliday
Alan Green catches up again with investor and market trader Doc Holliday. We discuss the poor sentiment and the lack of momentum and liquidity in the markets, and Doc gives his view on what investors should be doing at this time – in particular don’t sit and be a victim of the market! We then look at stocks and sectors where Doc feels the damage has already been done, and where opportunities may lie. In no particular order, these include:
- Renewable Energy / ESG / Energy – Amte Power #AMTE, Coro Energy #CORO
- Coal / metallurgical coal for infrastructure – Bens Creek #BEN, Contango Holdings #CGO
- Gold – ECR Minerals #ECR
- Fertiliser – Harvest Minerals #HMI
Quoted Micro 14 March 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Aquis Exchange (AQX) has announced that it will be joining the Aquis Apex segment with VSA as its corporate adviser. Aquis Exchange will retain its AIM quotation. This follows Invinity Energy Systems (IES), which joined the Aquis Apex segment on 9 March. This includes the ordinary shares that are quoted on AIM, as well as quotations for short-term warrants and long-term warrants that are not traded on any other markets. VSA also plans to create an index that includes all the companies on the Aquis Apex segment called the VSA Capital AQSE Apex Index.
Majestic Corporation (MCJ) is a recycler of electronic waste with a focus on extracting the precious metals from the equipment and it was introduced to the Aquis access segment on Thursday. The share price opened at 30p and then fell back to the introduction price of 25p (20p/30p). The reason for the flotation is to gain access to potential funding via share issues. Gold, silver, copper and other metals can be extracted from the electronic waste. Most of the materials that the company recycles are sent to Japan for processing and re-use in manufacturing. In the six months to June 2021, revenues increased from $14.4m to $15.5m, while pre-tax profit improved from $312,000 to $766,000. There was $1.89m in the bank at the end of June 2021 and an additional $233,000 owed by the chief executive. There are also import loans of $2.11m.
Good Energy (GOOD) investee company Zap-Map has linked up with the RAC so that it can be better placed to help electric vehicle drivers. Zap-Map will be used by 1,600 RAC patrols. The 2021 figures will be published on 29 March.
Goodbody Health Inc (GDBY) says 2021 revenues are expected to be around £17m, helped by PCR testing. That will drop off, but the revenues in the first two months of 2020 were £3.8m. There is likely to be a dip in interim revenues, but new products and services will help growth in the second half. Blood testing services have been launched in the clinic network.
Ananda Developments (ANA) says five seeds of each of 13 strains of cannabis have been planted by DJT Plants. Nine cuttings will be taken from each plant and then replanted. The shareholder circular for the acquisition of the 50% of DJT that is not owned by Ananda should soon be completed.
BWA Group (BWAP) has raised up to £500,000 at 0.6p a share. The cash will be used for exploration programmes at the Nkoteng and Dehane heavy mineral sands areas in Cameroon. This should produce initial mineral resources.
KR1 (KR1) is participating in the Interlay crowdloan and Polkadot (DOT) parachain auction. Interlay is building interBTC a Bitcoin-backed asset that enables interoperability between multiple blockchains while being resistant to censorship. KR1 contributed 250,000 DOT and this will be returned after 96 days. INTR tokens will then be issued. KR1 has also invested $509,224 in Interlay Seed-2 shares. It already owns 1,060 Seed-1 shares.
Altona Rare Earths (ANR) is not going ahead with the Malawi-based Chambre rare earths project joint venture and the potential partner’s representative on the Altona board Hilton Banda has resigned.
Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR) has launched Pax Homes, which provides homes for people with autism and their families.
AIM
Destiny Pharma (DEST) has raised £6m, with a possible £1m more to come from an open offer, at 50p a share. The companies c.diff prevention treatment NTCD-M3 addresses a market worth more than $1bn. There is a good chance that a partner can be secured this year. There is more than one pharma company that is interested. The XF-73 treatment for the prevention of post-surgical infections requires further feedback from the FDA for its phase 3 trial in the US.
MTI Wireless Edge (MWE) is closing its Russian business and that will slow progress this year, but profit should still grow. In 2021, revenues increased 6% to $43.2m, while higher transport costs and exchange rate movements meant that pre-tax profit was flat at $4.04m. Russia accounted for 6% of revenues and 5% of profit. In 2022, pre-tax profit is expected to be $4.55m.
Delivered ready meals company Parsley Box (MEAL) is raising raised £5.9m at 20p a share – 90% of the original placing price less than one year ago. An open offer could raise up to £1.1m. Revenues are expected to be flat this year, but if the cash is invested successfully then growth could accelerate.
Restaurants and bars operator Various Eateries (VARE) says trading continues to follow an improving trend following lockdowns in the past two years. In the year to 3 October 2021, revenues were 36% ahead at £22.3m and the total loss was £3.7m. That was after £2.5m of insurance proceeds. One consequence of the Covid lockdowns is that there are more potential sites available at lower rents than in the past. Coppa Clubs are hybrids that offer a bar, restaurant, event space and, on some sites, hotel rooms and more sites are being opened. As yet, Italian restaurants brand Tavolino has not opened any more sites. A new pasta restaurant concept called Noci is being launched in Islington and the prospects will be assessed.
Harvest Minerals (HMI) says that it had fertiliser orders totalling 30,161 tonnes by the end of February 2022. That is one-fifth of the sales target for the whole of 2022. There are plans to increase capacity to 200,000 tonnes a year.
Managed IT services provider CloudCoCo (CLCO) reported flat revenues of £8.1m in the year to September 2021 and reduced the loss. Contributions from recent acquisitions and organic growth will help the figures to improve this year. Monthly profitability is targeted by the end of the current financial year. A contract worth £3m over three years has been secured. Further acquisitions should supplement growth.
ThinkSmart (TSL) reported a small underlying profit in 2021. Net cash is £7m, although the main asset is 618,750 shares in Block Inc following its takeover of Afterpay. The legacy lending business is being wound down and there is still income from operating a call centre for Afterpay. Net assets were equal to 75p a share, but in recent months the Block share price has been in decline, so the NAV is lower.
Concrete levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises Inc (SOM) reported profit in line with expectations. Revenues increased from $88.6m to $133.3m with strong growth in North America. The supplemental dividend is 22 cents a share and the total dividend for the year is 50.7 cents a share. Growth is likely to slow this year.
NWF (NWF) is benefiting from the volatility of the oil price and additional demand for the fuels division. There have been no supply problems. Feeds price rises are covering cost increases and raw materials have been forward purchased, while the food distribution business is performing as planned. Full year figures will be significantly ahead of expectations.
MAIN MARKET
Gresham Technologies (GHT) increased full year revenues from £24.8m to £37m in 2021, including a £5.6m contribution from last year’s acquisition Electra. Underlying pre-tax profit improved from £1.8m to £4m. The final dividend was maintained at 0.75p a share. There is cash of £9.1m. The core Clareti financial control and data integrity software generated organic growth of 28%. New customers and existing clients spending more is combining to enable strong increases in Clareti revenues. Contracted revenues for 2022 have already reached £37m compared with a full year forecast of £42m. A 2022 pre-tax profit of £5.1m is forecast.
Codex Acquisitions (CODX) did not get off to a good start when it joined the standard list on Wednesday because its website was not working. Codex raised £850,000 at 10p a share. The share price did go to a premium, but the bid/offer spread was 10p/20p. It appears that there were 50 shares traded during the week. The cash shell has effectively been set up by Codex Capital and most of the shares are owned by eight shareholders, including one of the non-exec directors. The NAV is 8.2p a share. The focus of the cash shell is clean and renewable energy assets, particularly infrastructure assets.
Online furniture and housewares retailer Made.com (MADE) increased full year gross revenues by 38% but it still lost money. A 2022-23 pre-tax profit of £8.3m is forecast, even though revenues growth is likely to be slower than previously thought.
Cloudbreak Discovery (CDL) has secured an option on the Icefall project in British Columbia with 1311516 BC Ltd, which will spend C$700,000 over three years to secure a 75% interest in the project. It will also pay Cloudbreak a total of C$120,000 in cash and issue two million shares.
Fragrant Prosperity Holdings (FPP) is not going ahead with the proposed acquisition of cannabis company CiiTECH.
Andrew Hore