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Quoted Micro 17 February 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Music management and event promotion company All Things Considered (ATC) more than doubled 2024 revenues to £50m and EBITDA was £1.5m. Growth is coming from adding managers and new clients, plus acquisitions. Further acquisitions are planned. An agreement has been reached to take the stake in livestreaming platform Driift from 32.5% to 100%. All Things Considered is assessing a move to an unspecified London Stock Exchange market.
Broker and investment manager Oberon Investments Group (OBE) has raised £2.5m in an oversubscribed placing at 4.5p/share. The cash will be used to accelerate growth, particularly in the broking business, which is expected to increase revenues by more than 50% in the current year. Mergers among larger broker provide potential to add to clients. There are also opportunities to add teams of investment and wealth managers. The Oberon AIM VCT (OVCT) is trying to raise a further £5m, plus over-allotment facility of £3.4m. Oberon Investments gets a fee based on the amount subscribed.
Cardiogeni (CGNI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the private office of Sheikh Al Qassimi for funding of clinical trials. A joint venture will be formed, and it will receive £20m over a period up to 2027 to complete research and clinical trials in the UAE. There will be an initial cash injection of £5m. The cash will fund phase 2b/3 clinical trials and commercialisation of Cardiogeni’s heart failure treatments. The deal could be signed by the end of March 2025.
In the year to January 2025, EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) NAV edged up to 328p/share. That includes cash of £11m. Trading was tough for all of the businesses in the portfolio. Investee company Whittard of Chelsea increased like-for-like sales by 6%. Pharmacy2U also grew organically and acquired a business in the pet care market.
ChallengerX (CXS) has entered into conditional agreements to acquire NYCE International for £1.6m, Virya VC for £280,000 and an instance of Reelsof AB’s remote gaming software and game aggregation platform for £160,000. These payments will be satisfied by the issue of 510 million shares at 0.4p each. There will also be a £600,000 fundraising. Virya founder Farzad Peyman will be appointed chief executive and NYCE founder Harmen Brenninkmeijer will become executive chairman.
Marula Mining (MARU) has signed the first copper sales agreement for the Kinusi copper mine with a European commodity trader. The initial delivery is 250 tonnes of copper concentrate based on 20% copper grade. The income is linked to the LME copper price with additional payments for gold and silver content. The first revenues should be received in this quarter. After successfully delivery, there will be more each month that will total up to 1,000 tonnes. There are three other potential offtake agreements. Kinui has reached a milestone, so $200,000 of shares have been issued to Takela Mining Tanzania at 6p each. Marula Mining has also paid the final consideration of £625,000 for Northern Cape Lithium and Tungsten in the form of 20.83 million shares at 6p each. Modifications to the plant at the Kilifi processing plant in Kenya should be completed in the second quarter. As part of the drawdown agreement, AUO Commercial Brokerage has subscribed for £500,000 worth of shares at 3.75p/share.
Valereum (VLRM) is not proceeding with the £2m option agreement with Blue Sky Ventures. Blue Sky was going to subscribe for shares at 10p each. It was previously announced that the option had been exercised. The proposed subscription may be taken on by another investor.
Inteliqo Ltd (IQO) wants to cancel the admission to the Aquis Stock Exchange. Inteliqo has been developing and marketing the Langaroo app for a client. It wants to save the costs of the quotation. Trading could end on 14 March if shareholders agree at the general meeting on 27 February.
Early-stage businesses investor MaxRets Ventures (MAX) is also seeking shareholder approval at a general meeting on 4 March to leave the Aquis Stock Exchange. There has been limited liquidity in the shares, and it can be difficult to trade. It has not been possible to raise additional cash.
Ormonde Mining (ORM) has secured three-year renewals for two gold exploration licences in Zamora Province in western Spain. Ormonde Mining plans to acquire the other 51.3% interest in the licences from AIM-quoted cyber security company Shearwater Group (SWG) for five million shares. That is a discount to the implied book value.
EDX Medical (EDX) has appointed Martin Walton as deputy chair. He has worked for other life sciences companies, including former AIM company ReNeuron.
One Heritage Property Development has reduced its stake in Zentra Group (ZNT) from 65.2% to 53.8% and Jason Upton, a director of the company, has raised his shareholding from 3.5% to 14.85%.
DXS International (DXSP) chairman Bob Sutcliffe bought 60,000 shares at 2.89p each, taking his stake to 2.08%. Gowin New Energy Group (GWIN) director Chen Chih-Lung has been transferred 9.73 million shares by Choice Only International Ent Co at a price of 0.00012894p each.
Investment Evolution Credit (IEC) has appointed Oberon as broker.
ASSET MATCH
The i-nexus Global (INX) auction has closed, and 49,220 shares were traded at 1.5p each.
AIM
Agricultural products supplier Wynnstay (WYN) reported a small dip in gross profit for the year to October 2024, but higher energy and labour costs meant that pre-tax profit reduced from £10.3m to £7.6m. Higher prices for milk and other agricultural products provide a more favourable background for this year. Even after a £600,000 National Insurance cost increase, pre-tax profit is expected to recover to £8.5m this year. A three-year programme called project Genesis will help to improve efficiency and there will be investment in additional feed capacity.
Cavendish has upgraded Filtronic (FTC) due to another contract from SpaceX. The 2024-25 pre-tax profit estimate has been raised from £11.5m to £11.9m, while the 2025-26 figure has been edged up from £8m to £8.3m. This £16.8m order is part of the framework agreement to supply technology for the Starlink Low Earth Orbit satellite network.
Specialist staffing provider Gattaca (GATC) has offset a small decline in net fee income in the first half through cost control. This is a better performance than the sector. Interim net fee income is 3% lower at £18m following a 10% decline in permanent net fee income. There are signs of recovery in permanent net fee income. Interim pre-tax profit is likely to be flat at £800,000. The full year pre-tax profit forecast is £3m. The forecast dividend of 3.1p/share should be twice covered by earnings.
Distribution Finance Capital Holdings (DFCH) has received authorisation from the FCA to conduct consumer lending. The core business is providing finance to distributors and manufacturers. The new retail products should be launched by the end of the first half of 2025. They can be offered through dealers that already work with the company.
Lord Ashcroft is trying to remove another of his companies from AIM. A general meeting has been requisitioned at wine maker Gusbourne (GUS), where he owns 66.8%. Talks with potential acquirers have ended and the strategic review has been terminated. This follows Lord Ashcroft’s success in getting Merit Group and Jaywing to leave AIM.
Genetics company GENinCode (GENI) is raising £4m at 3.7p/share and a retail offer could raise up to £500,000 more. The retail offer closes on 17 February at 5pm. There will be £1.5m set aside for commercialising its diagnostic products in the US. The US regulatory and reimbursement programmes will be completed. There will also be cash spent on expansion in the UK and the EU. There could be other funding options, such as partnerships and distribution agreements. Lipid inCode and Cardio inCode are the two main products. Lipid inCode diagnoses family hypercholesterolemia, which has a low rate of diagnosis with four-fifths of sufferers estimated to be undiagnosed. Cardio inCode focuses on genetic risk.
Optimisation software provider Checkit (CKT) has agreed a merger with Crimson Tide (TIDE). Shareholders will receive six Checkit shares for each Crimson Tide share. This ratio is based on the relative annual recurring revenues of each company. Checkit has been interested in a merger for four years and an indicative offer was made and rejected. Following the decision of Ideagen last July not to make a cash bid for Crimson Tide the two companies commenced discussions. The deal will increase the scale of the workflow management business. The Checkit chief executive and finance directors will remain in their roles. Crimson Tide was valued at £6.5m (99p/share) at the Checkit closing price last Monday.
Healthcare services provider Totally (TLY) has lost the NHS 111 Resilience support contract. The 12-month contract was worth around £13m and it ends on 15 February. This is due to the ending of national services for excess demand. Totally is still expected to make a pre-tax profit of £700,000 for the year to March 2025, but Canaccord Genuity has cut its 2025-26 forecast from £1.6m to £700,000. The 10-year government plan for the NHS should be published in the spring.
Medical imaging technology developer IXICO (IXI) announced the completion of the analysis of more than 6,000 images within its Huntington’s disease patient MRI datasets. This puts IXIXO in a strong position to be selected as a contract research organisation on Huntingdon’s disease clinical trials. This is part of the Huntington’s Disease Imaging Harmonisation consortium. This data should identify imaging biomarkers. This will help with improving clinical trial design, patient selection and drug development. IXICO has 25 clinical trials in its order book and ten of them are for Huntington’s disease. They account for 50% of the order book that was worth £15.4m at the end of September 2024. Globally, there are a total of 58 active Huntington’ disease clinical trials.
Avingtrans (AVG) subsidiary Booth Industries has won a £4.5m contract to supply pressure rated fire doors to HS2. These doors provide access to railway tunnels in emergencies. Booth Industries already had a £36m contract with HS2 for cross-tunnel sliding doors that seal off passageways between tunnels. Production for the latest contract is not expected to start until the year to May 2027. Interim results are due to be published on 26 February.
Serinus Energy (SENX) has won a legal case against the Romanian tax authorities over VAT refunds. The company has been awarded a VAT refund of $1.73m for 2018 and 2019, as well as interest of $750,000. This has to be paid within 45 days. The Romanian operation is loss-making, but there are gas projects that could be developed. The 2024 results are due to be published in March and there should be news concerning how the money will be invested in the business.
Empire Metals (EEE) has achieved a 91% extraction rate of titanium dioxide at the Pitfield project in Western Australia. The test work results suggest that the processing method is straightforward. Development of the processing flowsheet is continuing, and further refining could increase recovery. The main titanium-bearing minerals are anatase and rutile.
Surveillance technology developer Thruvision (THRU) says potential contracts have been delayed. This means expected 2024-25 revenues will be between £5m and £6m. The previous expectation was £9m. Cash should last until May and talks have commenced with potential acquirers or providers of additional cash.
Surgical instruments manufacturer Surgical Innovations (SUN) has returned to profit in the second half of 2024, although the full year loss could still be £300,000. Trading was broadly in line with expectations. Net debt was £300,000 at the end of 2024. Brent Greetham has been appointed as finance director. The business restructuring of the business will benefit the 2025 figures.
Wound healing technology developer AOTI Inc (AOTI) says 2024 revenues will be in excess of $58.1m, up from $43.9m. The Veterans Association accounted for less than three-fifths of revenues as new markets are developed, and they will become increasingly important. However, payments are slower. The full figures will be published on 26 April. Growth is expected to be more than 30% in 2025.
Strategic Minerals (SML) has identified additional mineralisation at the Redmoor tungsten and copper project in Cornwall. This will add to a future update of the mineral resource estimate, which is six years old. The total inferred resource was 11.7 million tonnes at 0.82% tungsten equivalent. Further drill core from 2017 will be relogged to support the remodelling of the deposit.
MAIN MARKET
Fintech Asia has completed the reverse takeover of Mongolia-based ICFG and changed its name to ICFG Ltd (ICFG). The payment was 177.84 million shares at a valuation of 64p each, which was higher than the market price. The main subsidiary InvestCore NBFI is listed on the Mongolian Stock Exchange, but ICFG owns more than 80%. This subsidiary has operations in Mongolia and Kyrgystan and is opening additional operations in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. There are plans to open up in other countries in Asia. Investment in software and AI helps ICFG to be competitive. Other operations include investment banking and property investment. Trading in the shares resumed and the share price ended the week at 50.5p.
ACG Metals (ACG) is planning a cash tender offer for 30% of warrants in issue. The offer is 50 cents for each warrant. It already announced an offer for the other 70% of warrants of 0.1 of a share for each warrant. Both tenders close on 28 February. The Gediktepe mine increased gold equivalent production by 49% to 57,000 ounces. Costs fell 2% to less than $1,150/ounce.
Shares in royalty company Cloudbreak Discovery (CDL) returned from suspension following publication of the accounts for the year to June 2024.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 19 August 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
ProBiotix Health (PBX) has secured a commercial agreement for InstaMelt with DanCare Health. InstaMelt is a food supplement dosage format that offers innovative features for health brands. DanCare will launch the supplement in China in the fourth quarter under its own brand.
Samarkand (SMK) reported a dip in full year revenues from £17.5m to £16.9m and the loss was slightly higher at £4.88m, but that was after a £2.1m impairment charge after the ending of development of Nomad Checkout technology. Net debt was £600,000 at the end of March 2024. The weak Chinese ecommerce market hampered progress. Revenues from own-brands grew, while sales of third-party brands declined. The audit report in the accounts includes a material uncertainty in respect of going concern. Costs are being reduced and the focus is on core activities. Guild Financial Advisory has been appointed as corporate adviser.
Fenikso (FNK) has invested up to $250,000 in a six-month secured convertible loan note issued by AIM-quoted Coro Energy (CORO). This loan provides an annualised coupon of 40%. The loan is secured on the shares of Coro Asia Renewables, which owns renewable assets in the Philippines. Fenikso has more than $5m in cash left in the bank.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) had net assets of 87.87p/share at the end of May 2024, which is a small increase over the previous quarter. This was after paying a 2p/share dividend during the period.
Phoenix Digital Assets (PNIX) is buying back up to 140 million shares and it can spend up to £7.5m. The programme lasts until 23 July. So far, nearly £10,000 has been spent on 500,000 shares.
Valereum (VLRM) is using Fireblocks’ technology as part of its infrastructure. It will enable secure sending and storing of digital assets. The Fireblocks advanced wallet security technology will be integrated in the platform. A subsidiary has been set up in El Salvador.
Coinsilium Group (COIN) chief executive Eddy Travia bought 300,000 shares at 1.6p each and executive chairman Malcolm Palle has acquired 300,000 shares at 1.62p each.
Mark Horrocks has increased his stake in Lift Global Ventures (LFT) from 17.6% to 19.96%.
Mortgage Chat (MCAI) has changed corporate adviser to Alfred Henry Corporate Finance. JEAMP Hold Co has sold its 18.1% stake.
AIM
Global Petroleum (GBP) is setting up a joint venture with Callum Baxter, former chief technical officer of Greatland Gold (GGP), to diversify into mineral exploration in Western Australia. Global Petroleum will pay £200,000 for 70% of the joint venture and Callum Baxter will retain the other 30%, although this can be increased to 80% for an additional £50,000. Global Petroleum will spend a minimum of £750,000 over 12 months and fund 100% of spending until a decision to mine. Global Petroleum is raising £600,000 at 0.065p/share and existing shareholders can participate in a retail offer. This cash will finance the purchase of 80% of the exploration licence. Under a consultancy agreement Callum Baxter will receive 200 million Global Petroleum shares and 10% of the total number of new shares issued in the fundraising. The retail offer to existing shareholders via CMC closes on 16 August.
Artemis Resources (ARV) reports high grade gold in veins at the Titan prospect. As well as significant grades of copper. A 10.4 ounce gold bar has been produced from metal extracted from the Titan prospect. A tenement review of the Carlow project area has led to mapping of further gold veins. These are parts of the Karratha gold project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. This could be a large scale regional discovery.
Cannabis-based medicines developer Celadon Pharmaceuticals (CEL) continues to make progress, but it has not received all the cash from the fundraising earlier this year. An investor that was going to subscribe £1m in four tranches and it has only paid £600,000 so far. This leaves the company short of funds. The expiry date of the £7m committed credit facility provided by a high net worth investor has been extended to 30 November 2025, but an initial attempt to drawdown £1m has led to £100,000 being received and £900,000 being delayed until a property has been sold. Celadon Pharmaceuticals is in talks with other potential lenders. The company has £49,000 in cash.
Bluejay Mining (JAY) is the latest minerals explorer to evaluate possible deposits of hydrogen and helium. Historical drilling within the Outokumpu belt revealed substantial concentrations of hydrogen and helium. There are also signs of lithium. There will be sampling and testing.
Biome Technologies (BIOM) is raising £950,000 at 5p/share and offering retail shareholders the opportunity to invest up to £80,000 more. The same share price will be used for the conversion of £1.28m of convertible loan notes. The cash is required for short-term working capital for the RF division, plus the financing of additional stock for Bioplastics. Allenby expects revenues to improve from £6.98m to £7.82m in 2024, mainly due to Bioplastics, and a reduced loss of £862,000, from £1.2m.
Drug discovery company BiVictriX Therapeutics (BVX) believes leaving AIM is the best way of progressing the business. Management believes that the current valuation undervalues the company due to lack of liquidity and becoming a private company will help access to further funding. The share price is hampering partnership discussions. There are plans to appoint JP Jenkins to provide a matched bargains facility. This comes almost exactly three years since the company joined AIM and raised £7.5m at 20p/share. There were 2.72 million options granted to management at 13p each.
Energy services provider Inspired (INSE) is on course to meet full year forecasts, but it will need to win significant optimisation contracts. The timing of the contracts is uncertain and there should be more information about the progress when the interims are published. There will be no more deferred consideration payable by the end of the year. The ESG and software businesses continue to grow.
Jag Grewal has resigned as chief executive of Cambridge Nutritional Sciences (CNSL), which makes diagnostic tests for food sensitivity and other personalised health requirements, and James Cooper becomes interim chief executive. This follows the recent full year figures showing a reduced loss. In the year to March 2024, continuing operations generated revenues of £9.8m, up from £7.5m. However, this was affected by the timing of orders and this year’s revenues could be lower.
Lung cancer diagnostics developer LungLife AI (LLAI) says that the finalised Local Coverage Determination issued by the Medicare Administrative Contractor Noridian Healthcare Solutions, which has jurisdiction over the company’s California laboratory, enables it to apply for coverage to receive payment. A price of $2,030 has been fixed for each LungLB test. The next step is obtaining coverage from public and private payers.
Commercial property services provider Fletcher King (FLK) increased full year revenues from £3.08m to £3.83m, while pre-tax profit more than trebled to £504,000. The final dividend is trebled to 2.25p/share. There was £3.8m in cash at the end of April 2024. Working on rating appeals helped income to improve. Management says that there are signs of recovery in the commercial property market, particularly at the higher quality end.
Medical imaging technology developer IXICO (IXI) says figures for the year to September 2024 will be ahead of expectations. Revenues will be between £5.5m to £5.9m, compared with expectations of £5.2m. Cash levels will improve. A new contract has been won to provide imaging biomarker services for phase 1 / 2 clinical trial for patients with Huntington’s Disease.
Zephyr Energy (ZPHR) says production from the Williston Basin assets increased by around 10% to 1,226 barrels of oil equivalent/day in the second quarter. First half production was 1,189boepd. Last year’s average was 1,040boepd and it should average between 1,100boepd and 1,300boepd in 2024.
Recently floated medical technology company AOTI Inc (AOTI) says second quarter trading was strong. Interim revenues should grow by more than one-quarter to $26.3m. Full year revenues are expected to rise by at least 30%.
MAIN MARKET
S and U (SUS) says the trends of the first quarter continued in the second quarter. The motor finance provider is suffering from lower collection rates due to uncertainties around the FCA review outcome. The Aspen property finance business is doing well, and receivables grew by 13%. Edison is maintaining its 2024-25 pre-tax profit forecast at £29m, down from £33.6m. The total dividend should be unchanged at 120p/share. Berenberg cut its share price target from 2180p to 2100p.
Renewables-focused investment company JLEN Environmental Assets Group Ltd (JLEN) has launched a share buyback of up to £20m following the sale of assets. There is already authority to buy back up to 15% of the share capital. JLEN is selling a 51% interest in a portfolio of six gas-to-grid anaerobic digestion facilities for £68.1m, which is the June 2024 valuation. JLEN retains the other 49%. The buyer is Future Biogas, which has been the operator of the assets. The rest of the cash will reduce debt.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 30 May 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Silverwood Brands (SLWD) has secured a deal to buy Balmonds Skincare, which manufactures products for people with skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. The total cost of the acquisition will be up to £8m, all in shares, depending on achievement of performance criteria. A shareholder loan will also be acquired by Silverwood Brands for 1.4 million shares. Last year, Balmonds Skincare revenues were £1.41m and the loss was £297,000 after an R&D tax credit of £35,000. The current manufacturing facility could quadruple capacity, although it would require additional storage facilities.
Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) maintained assets under management at £1.35bn at the end of April 2022, while loan balances were 3% higher than the end of 2021 at £2.06bn. Interest rate rises will improve income.
CBD products supplier and diagnostics testing company Goodbody Health Inc (GDBY) increased first quarter revenues by 276% to £5.2m, although it was still loss making due to foreign exchange movements. Net cash was £5.5m at the end of March 2022. A small profit is still expected for the full year, although that is a sharp downgrade from previous expectations as Covid testing levels reduce.
St Marks Homes (SMAP) made another loss last year. In 2021, revenues increased from £216,000 to £259,000 and the loss reduced from £170,000 to £106,000 even though there was a loss from joint ventures. Cash in the bank fell from £709,000 to £131,000. Net assets are £5.23m and the shares are trading at a discount to this figure.
Hydrogen Future Industries (HFI) subsidiary company HFI Energy Systems has advanced a wind-based hydrogen production system combined with electrolyser technology. The aim is to generate hydrogen at $2/kilo, which is a lower cost than existing technologies. The hydrogen can be generated from waste water or saline. The group intends to invest $1m on development and it will own 51% of an IP developed with the rest owned by inventor Timothy Blake.
British Honey Company (BHC) has terminated its joint venture with Tusmore Park Farms, which was going to set up a new whisky distillery. British Honey will get back £450,000 of its original £750,000 investment.
Watchstone Group (WTG) still had £13m in the bank at the end of 2021. That was after a £3.67m cash outflow from operations. Net asset are 29p a share. There is a £63m plus interest and costs claim against PwC and another claim against former auditor KPMG. Watchstone is appealing against a recent VAT decision by the courts in favour of HMRC.
Eight Capital Partners (ECP) is satisfying a loan of €5m via the issued of the same amount of 7% fixed rate bonds, which are traded in Vienna and mature on 26 July 2022. Major shareholder IWEP will be converting its €20m of loans into shares. There could be a fundraising after this happens.
Evrima (EVA) has decided to maintain its interest in Kalahari Key and not accept the Power Metal Resources (POW) offer, which means that the latter could own 87.7%. Kalahari Key owns the Molopo Farms complex project, which has nickel, copper and platinum group metals deposits.
Shareholders of Lekoil Ltd (LEK) have voted in favour of the appointment of Bright Grahame Murray as auditor and to authorise the directors to set the remuneration.
Altona Rare Earths (ANR) has adjourned a general meeting that was seeking shareholder approval to reprice warrants exercisable at 20p a share. The new plan is to offer to swap them for warrants exercisable exercisable at 12p a share.
AIM
EnSilica (LON: ENSI) raised £6m at 50p a share when it joined aim on 24 May. The share price ended the week at 50.5p. EnSilica designs application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), which are in increasing demand in areas, such as Internet of Things, satellite communications, wearable health devices and 5G. EnSilica has successfully managed the current shortage in semiconductors because it has managed to pass on price rises. The cash raised will help to fund growth and could finance suitable acquisitions and the quotation will raise the profile of the company. The ASICs market is expected to be worth $27.6bn in 2026.
Scientifics instruments manufacturer Judges Scientific (JDG) is making its largest ever acquisition, which is expected to be sharply earnings enhancing. Judges Scientific is paying an initial £45m in cash for Geotek, a developer and manufacturer of instruments used to measure and log characteristics of geological cores and related services. There could be further payments of up to £35m (50% cash and 50% shares). A minimum operating profit of £6.4m needs to be achieved in 2022 to spark any payment. The maximum payment will be made if operating profit of £11.4m is achieved. WH Ireland believes that the deal will enhance earnings by 17% this year – with a 7-month contribution from Geotek – and by 30% next year. Pre-tax profit is set to improve from £18.1m to £22.4m in 2022, and then rise further to £25.5m in 2023.
The FDA has given approval for the Parsortix liquid biopsy test developed by ANGLE (AGL) for its use with metastatic breast cancer patients. Parsortix is the first system that harvests circulating cancer cells from a blood sample for analysis that has been approved. By obtaining the approval for breast cancer diagnostics, this provides a route map for gaining approvals for other cancers.
Credit hire and legal services company Anexo Group (ANX) could receive a significant income boost after the out of court settlement by VW because of its manipulation of air pollution tests. VW has agreed to pay £193m plus costs to more than 91,000 claimants in England and Wales. That is just over £2,000 each. This is a separate case to that being put forward by Anexo for its 13,000 claimants, although a similar settlement can be anticipated. House broker Arden Partners believes that the company will receive 50% of the compensation plus legal costs. Both Arden and WH Ireland are suggesting a pre-tax profit contribution of £20m-£25m after some additional costs. The timing of this is uncertain. Net debt is expected to be more than £70m by the end of this year, some of which is litigation funding related to the VW cases, and that would be much lower if the VW cash is received.
Demand for vehicles and equipment from television programmes and films means that Facilities by ADF (ADF) is benefitting from high utilisation rates. There were 39 productions serviced in 2021. TV series tend to book well ahead of the start of production, so visibility is good for the current year. The company is already investing in new trailers, although there could be delays in their arrival. Utilisation rates are expected to be around 85% this year.
Floorcoverings distributor Likewise (LIKE) reported full year figures in line with previous indications and it continues to gain market share. Acquisitions and organic growth in double digits are expected to enable Likewise to grow revenues from £60.5m to £114.9m in 2022, while underlying pre-tax profit is forecast to jump from £1.6m to £4.2m. New distribution capacity has been added and a distribution centre is on course to open in the first quarter of 2023.
Pennant International (PEN) continued to lose money in 2021, but the software and training company is already on course for a return to profit this year. Recurring revenues are running at £9m a year, helped by additional software contracts. The total order book is worth more than £32m with more potential orders in the pipeline. WH Ireland forecasts a 2022 pre-tax profit of £600,000 with most of the expected revenues of £17m covered by the order book.
Belvoir Group (BLV) has acquired TIME Group, another appointed representative of the Mortgage Advice Bureau predominantly based in northern England and the Midlands for an initial £3.7m. This is earnings enhancing. In the year to July 2021, TIME generated revenues of £4.2m and pre-tax profit of £600,000. Belvoir revenues are in the line with expectations in the four months to April 2022. Higher lettings income offset a decline in property sales income.
MTI Wireless Edge (MWE) First quarter revenues were 12% ahead at $11.2m, helped by a strong performance by the distribution business and a contribution from recent acquisition PSK Wind Technologies. There was a 3% decline in antenna revenues because customers could not get their hands on other components. The orders are there for antenna, particularly for 5G. The acquisition and dividends led to a fall in net cash to $6.5m, but it should improve by the end of 2022.
Tortilla Mexican Grill (MEX) is acquiring rival fast-casual Mexican restaurants operator Chilango. Investment firm RDCP currently owns Chilango. Tortilla Mexican Grill will pay up to £2.75m for the restaurant chain. In 2021, Chilango generated revenues of £7.3m and made a small loss. Chilango has eight sites in the London and Manchester.
Medical imaging technology provider IXICO (LON: IXI) reported interim revenues fell from £4.9m to £3.9m. That was not a surprise because it was flagged that there would be a decline this year, which was exacerbated by the early closing of a study. Pre-tax profit fell from £635,000 to £201,000. The order book was worth £12.6m at the end of March 2022, including £3.8m secured in the period. At least one more contract has been added since then.
Trinidad-focused Trinity Exploration and Production (TRIN) revenues improved from £44.1m to £66.3m in 2021 even though oil and gas production was lower. A new drilling programme will start in the second half of 2022, and this will help to increase production. A deeper appraisal well, with an estimated probability of success of 55%, could substantially increase reserves.
Purplebricks (PURP) has admitted that it made a higher than expected loss in the year to April 2022. There was still £43.2m in the bank.
MAIN MARKET
Motor vehicle lender S and U (SUS) is trading ahead of expectations. Group net receivables have increased by more than 5% since the beginning of the financial year. The fastest growth was at property lender Aspen where net receivables were 12.5% higher. The much larger Advantage car lending business grew its receivables by 3.5%, while credit quality has been maintained. Defaults remain low. The forecast yield is 5.8%.
Associated British Engineering (ASBE) kept its overheads to a minimum in the six months to March 2022 and still had £470,000 in cash and available for sale financial assets of £154,000. Net assets are £610,000, which is double the current market capitalisation.
Publisher National World (NWOR) says revenues are 4% ahead so far this year, although the rate of growth has slowed. Digital revenues are 38% higher year on year, while print revenues have declined due to lower circulation.
Zotefoams (ZTF) has made a good start to the year with revenues 13% ahead. Prices have been increased to offset higher costs. Polyolefin foams sales were 20% ahead with 5% relating to volume increases. Full year pre-tax profit could recover from £7.2m to £8.7m this year with a much bigger improvement expected next year.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 28 December 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
TruSpine Technologies (TSP) has delayed the application for FDA approval of its Cervi-LOK spinal device for up to three months. This is due to a lack of testing time because of Covid-19. Computer modelling has enabled the company to make minor modifications, which widens the market for the device. A £250,000 cash injection is expected by 5 January.
Daniel Thwaites (THW) reopened its pubs in early July and up until the end of September sales were running at three-quarters of the previous year. Due to the lockdown in the first three months of the period, the interim revenues were 59% lower at £21.8m and the business moved into loss. Net debt was £66.6m at the end of September 2020. There are total borrowing facilities of £90m.
KR1 (KR1) has made two more investments. There is a $200,000 investment in Tidal Finance in return for 222,222,222.22 Tidal tokens. A further $200,000 is invested in HydraDX and the number of tokens has not been determined as yet.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) has more than £1m of cryptocurrency and tokens with a further $127,000 of RIF tokens due to vest over 23 months.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) has drilled 11 holes at the Specimen Hill prospect in Queensland. Gold/ copper/silver mineralisation was intersected in the first three holes. The other eight holes have similar characteristics.
Belvedere Leisure (BELV) has entered into an exclusivity agreement to purchase the 160 acre site known as Barnsoul Park in Dumfries and Galloway for £1.4m. The deal is subject to due diligence and 12 weeks after completion there are plans to install at least 28 lodges as part of an upgrade of the park. Bookings will be taken for June 2021 onwards if the deal goes ahead. In two years, there should be more than 150 lodges.
Upper Thames Holdings (UPPT) has non-binding heads of agreement for the purchase of a 10% stake in Sweden-based Ridercam, which supplies mobile camera systems for theme park rides.
Gunsynd (GUN) says that Angold Resources has completed the acquisition of Federal Gold Corp and trading in Angold shares will begin on the TSX Venture Exchange on 31 December. Gunsynd owns 712,500 shares.
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) has appointed Allenby Capital as its corporate adviser.
AIM
Applegreen (APGN) is recommending a €5.75 a share bid from the company’s founders, which values the company at €718.1m. The roadside convenience retailer floated on AIM in 2015 at 277p a share. Applegreen has 559 sites.
Coral Products (CRU) its core mouldings business at Haydock and Interpack to One51 ES Plastics for £7.9m. That is nearly as much as the current market capitalisation, while pro forma net cash is expected to be £6.6m. One51 acquired Straight in 2014. Coral will still own the Haydock freehold and the annual rent will be £300,000. The deal required shareholder approval because it is deemed to constitute a change of business. The remaining subsidiaries are Tatra Rotalac, which produces plastic extrusions and mouldings, and Global One Pak, which supplies lotion pumps and trigger sprays. They generated full year revenues of £5.4m and are profitable prior to central costs. Pro forma NAV is £13.6m.
Equatorial Palm Oil (PAL) has agreed to acquire Capital Metals for £15.8m. The company is raising £2.09m at 12p a share (following a 20-for-one consolidation). Capital has an interest in the Eastern Minerals project in Sri Lanka. There is a JORC resource of 17.2Mt with an average grade of 17.6% total heavy minerals. The Environmental Impact Assessment should be published soon. First production could be in 2022.
Hargreaves Services (HSP) has sold its remaining speciality coal stocks to its German joint venture company for £24m. Hargreaves will market the coal on the joint venture’s behalf for commission. There will be a £3m goodwill write-off, but the profit impact should be neutral.
Duke Royalty Ltd (DUKE) has exited its investment in IT firm Welltel (Ireland) for £15.4m. This represents an IRR of 27%. There have been follow-on investments in two other royalty companies. Duke has invested £3.1m in recreational vehicle parts wholesaler MRDB, which will use the cash to help buy vendor loan notes for £4.9m. Duke will own 30% of MRDB. Monthly payments will be £147,000. A further £1m has been invested in Irish insurance brokerage company BHPC.
IXICO (IXI) has secured a £3.4m contract to provide data analytics services for rare neurodegenerative condition, SCA3 (Machado-Joseph disease). This will last more than four years.
Driver Group (DRV) chairman Steven Norris has bought 46,000 shares at 53.5p each. He owns 293,062 shares.
Sutton Harbour (SUH) has purchased a 1.5 acre site to the east of Sutton Harbour. Two residential developments totalling 200 units are planned for the site. A planning application has been submitted for another residential and commercial development at Sugar Quay. The company has also gained permission for event pontoons in the harbour.
Microsaic Systems (MSYS) has not received a definitive offer and the board has decided to end bid talks. It has also failed to secure the cash it requires and KRE Corporate Recovery has been appointed to advise on alternatives, such as selling assets. There is a possibility that an administrator may be appointed.
TMT Investments (TMT) received $40.9m for its stake in CRM company Pipedrive Inc and this increases its cash to $42m. It will repay the shareholder loan of $3m.
MAIN MARKET
Residential developer One Heritage Group (OHG) has raised £930,000 at 10p a share when it joined the standard list. This valued the company at £3m. The shares ended the week at 11p. The initial focus is north west England and One Heritage redevelops and refurbishes buildings and has a lettings operation. The company has a marketing network in Hong Kong and also sells developments to institutional investors.
Standard list shell Pineapple Power Corporation (PNPL) raised £1.3m at 3p a share. The focus is renewable and clean energy. The share price increased to 3.25p.
Construction and water infrastructure company nmcn (NMCN) says that its full year loss will be £16.5m. That includes £5.3m of prior year adjustments. There should be a small cash outflow. The one bright area is telecoms, where capital investment by clients increased. The order book is valued at £200m. Shore Capital has been appointed broker.
Andrew Hore
Alan Green talks Mirriad #MIRI, Ixico #IXI, Conroy Gold #CGNR & Keras Resources #KRS on Vox Markets podcast
Alan Green discusses Mirriad #MIRI, Ixico #IXI, Conroy Gold #CGNR & Keras Resources #KRS on Vox Markets podcast. Interview is 9 minutes in.
UK Investor Magazine Webinar – Zak Mir and Alan Green present a number of stock selections
Zak Mir and Alan Green join the UK Investor Magazine Virtual Conference to present a number of their stock selections. Stocks include #ECR, #IXI, #OTMP, #AMC, #KIBO, #ORCP, #SLE, #TERN & #XTR
Alan Green talks Ixico #IXI, AB Dynamics #ABDP & San Leon Energy #SLE on the Vox Markets Podcast
Alan Green discusses Ixico #IXI, AB Dynamics #ABDP & San Leon Energy #SLE with Justin Waite on the Vox Markets podcast. Interview is 15 minutes 41 seconds in.
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 25 May 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Daniel Thwaites (THW) closed its pubs and hotels on 20 May and it will not pay a final dividend for 2019-20. Net debt was £65.4m at the end of March 2020 and there are £16.6m of spare bank facilities. Trading had been strong, and the predominance of freehold properties means that rent payments is not as big a concern as it is for some pub operators.
Housebuilder St Mark Homes (SMAP) had a NAV of 127p a share at the end of 2019. The share price is 87.5p. There is cash of £4.8m and the company intends to pay off its bond, which has a 6% coupon. In 2019, pre-tax profit dipped from £117,000 to £114,000.
KR1 (KR1) has raised $353,000 from the sale of RPL tokens, relating to the Rocket Pool, which is developing a proof-of-stake infrastructure service using Ethereum 2.0. The tokens were acquired for $0.21 each and sold at $1.67 each. The majority of the RPL tokens acquired are still held by KR1 even though there was a buyer for all of them. The takeover of digital asset custodian Volt Ltd has generated a further $244,000.
Rutherford Health (RUTH) has signed a framework agreement that will enable it to provide cancer treatment services to NHS trusts. The deal lasts an initial period of two years.
Altona Energy (ANR) has cancelled its open offer because the minimum amount was not raised. Instead, management is in discussions with three companies that could reverse into Altona. Cash will be required to cover the costs of a reverse takeover.
Trading has resumed in Lombard Capital (LCAP) shares. Lombard’s waste and recycling subsidiary is acquiring land in Preston for £1.08m. Lombard needs to issue more bonds in order to fully fund the purchase. Existing bond holders are swapping £507,000 worth into shares at 25p each and £320,000 has been raised from the exercise of warrants at 10p each. The current share price is 27.5p and it is more than five times the level it was two months ago. The site was previously used for recycling and Lombard will reapply for an environmental licence. It will be used for a waste to energy project and a plastic recovering plant.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) has been appointed as adviser to Kesholabs, a Kenya-based blockchain technology developer. Kesholabs is developing three applications that could be launched within 12 months.
Clean Invest Africa (CIA) says that CASA is set to resume limited operations after the lockdown in South Africa. CASA will produce test work and production of anthracite samples.
Ananda Developments (ANA) subsidiary DJT plants has met with the MHRA to discuss its plans to grow strains of cannabis. This is part of the licence application to grow medicinal cannabis. There will be further consultation with the UK authorities.
World High Life (LIFE) says that subsidiary Love Hemp has increased capacity for its LH Botanicals business.
IWEP is swapping part of its loan to Eight Capital Partners (ECP) into a 29.8% stake at 0.025p a share. Shares have also been issued to creditors to satisfy money owed.
First Sentinel (FSEN) has invested £270,000 in Stabiltech Biopharma as part of a £6m fundraising. The corporate finance subsidiary is advising the investee company on further fundraisings. The vaccine developer is developing a potential vaccine for COVID-19. Clinical trials should start in June.
Secured Property Developments (SPD) is still seeking property investments. There is £514,000 in the bank and net assets of £470,000.
All Star Minerals (ASMO0 has raised £80,000 at 0.02p a share and a further £170,000 is being sought. Ian Harebottle and Richard Lloyd, who both have mining experience, are joining the board.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has raised £189,500 in placings at 7p a share and 7.5p a share. NQ has raised £340,000 in the past fortnight.
Shareholders have passed the resolution to consolidate 100 existing Wheelsure Holdings (WHLP) shares into one new share.
Sport Capital Group (SCG) has appointed Peterhouse as joint broker.
Engineering businesses consolidator Vulcan Industries is seeking admittance to the Aquis Stock Exchange. The focus is profitable metal fabrication and precision engineering businesses. First Sentinel is corporate adviser. The expected admission date is 1 June.
AIM
Renalytix AI (RENX) plans to gain a Nasdaq listing. The renal diagnostics company has not decided how much money it wants to raise. Renalytix AI has launched a joint venture to develop and produce COVID-19 antibody test kits.
STM (STM) subsidiary Carey has won a court case brought by a client. Adams v Carey related to a non-advisory SIPP taken out by Adams and an investment that he asked to be put in the SIPP. The investment performed poorly, and Adams claimed for loss of value. This case has been going on for more than two years.
Employee background checks provider ClearStar (CLSU) has launched a COVID-19 testing service that will help employers with back to work planning. That could attract additional clients for ClearStar’s services.
Imaging services provider IXICO (IXI) increased interim revenues from £3.43m to £4.56m and that helped to more than double profit from £215,000 to £475,000. There was cash of £6.66m at the end of March 2020. The order book is strong. It was £15.3m at the end of the interim period and more has been added since then. Data analysis from existing trials is continuing during the lockdown.
Tiziana Life Science (TILS) intends to demerge its genomics-based personalised medicine businesses into a separate quoted vehicle. This will enable the business to raise cash to develop the StemPrintER technology for the prediction of disease recurrence in breast cancer patients.
Tissue products developer Tissue Regenix (TRX) raised £14.6m at a share price of 0.25p. This was much-needed cash because existing funds were about to run out.
A share placing by Open Orphan (ORPH) at 11p a share raised £12m after expenses. This will help to finance services for COVID-19 vaccines and tests, as well as more laboratory facilities.
Digital TV technology provider Mirada (MIRA) has extended the term for its revolving credit facility by 12 months to the end of November 2021. Earlier this month, Mirada launched a lower cost version of its technology. Iris in Swift Mode is a pre-packaged platform.
Eddie Stobart Logistics (ESL) has acquired the Eddie Stobart brand from Stobart Group (STOB), which will have to change its name, for £10m. An annual fee of £3m was payable for the brand. This will be saved from now on. There have been some reductions in activity due to COVID-19, but grocery and e-commerce demand remain strong.
Cash shell Summerway Capital (SWC) has £5.55m in the bank as it continues to seek an acquisition.
MAIN MARKET
Contango Holdings (CGO) has published a prospectus relating to the acquisition of the Lubu coal project. The potential deal was announced more than one year ago. A £1.4m placing at 5p a share in January will finance costs and initial investment in the Lubu project. Readmission is expected on 18 June.
The Takeover Panel Executive has denied Moss Bros (MOSB) bidder Brigadier’s attempt to lapse its offer. Brigadier has asked for the ruling to be reviewed.
Pure Gold Mining Inc (PUR) has secured a $15m investment at $1.52 a share. This will be invested in the Red Lake Mine.
Loans to Shefa Gems (SEFA) totalling £1.25m have been converted at a premium to the market price. The shares issued account for 14.5% of the enlarged share capital.
Andrew Hore
Alan Green discusses Open Orphan #ORPH, Mirriad Advertising #MIRI and IXICO #IXI on Vox Markets podcast
Alan Green discusses Open Orphan #ORPH, Mirriad Advertising #MIRI and IXICO #IXI with Justin Waite on the Vox Markets podcast.
Nanoco Goes For Technology Breakthrough
Nanoco NANO has entered into a collaboration and joint development agreement with Massachusets based Kyulux. Both companies are global leaders in their respective fields and the agreement will enable the technologies of the two companies to be combined, allowing the creation of superior products in the display market which will be both cost effective for manufacturers and highly energy efficient for consumers. Kyulux claims that the co-operation will create a technological breakthrough which will produce a vast improvement in display technology.
Cerillion plc CER is increasing its interim dividend by 8% for the half year to 31st March, after a 31% rise in adjusted profit before tax and a 25% rise in adjusted earnings per share. Revenue was up by 10% and recurring revenue now accounts for 29% of the total. New orders rose by 37% and further progress is expected in the second half.
IXICO IXI produced a strong increase in revenue, leading to reduced losses for the half year to the end of March. Revenue rose by 31% and operating losses fell from £1.1m to £0.8m whilst the loss per share fell from 4.6p to 2.6p. Growth is expected to accelerate in the second half.