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Quoted Micro 23 December 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Surgical procedures provider One Health Group (OHGR) increased revenues 22% to £13.3m, while pre-tax profit improved from £560,000 to £845,000. The interim dividend was raised 2% to 2.07p/share. Cash in the bank was £4.89m at the end of September 2024. There have been record referrals by the NHS since the end of the period and it wants the company to increase its capacity. A retrospective increase in the NHS tariff should boost profit by £250,000 this year. A planning application will be submitted for a surgical hub.
Business assurance provider Adsure Services (ADS) increased revenues 19% to £5.06m and it moved from a loss of £30,000 to a pre-tax profit of £330,000. The latest dividend is 0.786p/share.
Marula Mining (MARU) is planning a strategic partnership with the Mining Engineers Society of Kenya, which will provide expertise to the company. Marula Mining will provide annual financial support. Gathoni Muchai Investments bought 250,000 shares at 4.65p each and 500,000 shares at 4.56p each, taking the stake to 8.85%.
Skincare technology developer Incanthera (INC) reported a flat interim loss of £620,000. There was cash of £1.06m at the end of September 2024. There is no additional news on the litigation that prevented the launch of the Skin + CELL skincare product range. There is £1.24m of inventory and work in progress in the balance sheet that was built up for the launch.
Valereum (VLRM) has signed non-binding heads of terms for raising £13m at 10p/share with DMC Markets Inc. Valereum has also signed a binding option with an investor for raising £2m at 10p/share. This investor is building its own digital asset ecosystem, which could fit with Valereum’s interests. The additional cash will help to accelerate growth.
Healthcare IT provider DXS International (DXSP) wants to expand into a new territory in the EU or elsewhere in 2025. There are 22% of NHS Integrated Care Boards using the new Aios SMART Referrals software and more will be converted. The first commercial sale of ExpertCare therapeutic management software was in October.
Broking and wealth management business Oberon Investments (OBE) grew revenues by 74% to £4.8m in the six months to September 2024. The loss was reduced from £1.59m to £1.24m. There was £2.26m in the bank at the end of September 2024. Corporate broking increased revenues by 124% to £1.54m. There are 21 retained clients and there are private capital fundraisings expected in 2025. The launch of the Oberon AIM VCT is expected in the summer of 2025.There are also plans to take on more experience staff.
In the year to June 2024, fintech company Tap Global Group (TAP) grew revenues 31% to £2.65m, although the core business was not part of the group for the whole of the previous year. Those revenues were 6% ahead. In the first five months of the new financial year revenues were 24% with the latest month 77% ahead. The company introduced its XTP token locking feature for UK customers. Tokens can be locked for 12 months.
Investment Evolution Credit (IEC) is appointing John van Kuffeler, who founded Non-Standard Finance, as executive chairman. Marc Howells will be appointed chief executive. Dr Richard Leaver is becoming a non-exec, and he will provide AI expertise. Investment Evolution Credit is assessing potential acquisitions that could provide it with a UK lending licence, as well as loan book purchases. There are plans to expand in the US and internationally. The 15% IEC bond is no longer being offered to investors and the focus will be institutional debt funding.
BWA Group (BWAP) recently completed exploration drilling at the Dehane 2 rutile sands permit in Cameroon. Total heavy minerals raw sample grades are up to 20.4% over two metres thickness. This has increased the confidence of management that there could be a commercial project. Geological modelling is planned.
Oscillate (MUSH) has started fieldwork on its Minnesota hydrogen interests, while land access permitting ongoing. There will be a detailed review of regional surface geology.
Igraine (KING) investee company Fixit Medical, where it owns 20%, has confirmed that it plans to pursue FDA approval and CE marking for its Cingo product, which prevents catheters from twisting. It is also launching three new medical device products. Two IP grants have been received.
EDX Medical (EDX) has launched a range of test for determining hereditary risk of cancer and heart disease. Revenues remain minimal and the interim loss rose from £1.34m to £1.7m. There was cash of £2.31m at the end of September 2024.
Crypto investor Kasei Digital Assets (KASH) realised £220,000 profit in the year to July 2024. NAV increased from £2.31m to £3.42m. There are investments in a range of Crypto currencies and tokens, including Bitcoin.
A person associated with IntelliAM AI (INT) chief executive Tom Clayton bought 8,660 shares at 80.763p each and 2,280 shares at 87.5p each. He owns 24.8% of the AI company. Chris Wragg, divisional head of lubrication and applied sciences, bought 1,668 shares at 87.5p and he owns 4.38% of the company.
Shepherd Neame (SHEP) has appointed Marion Sears and Meg Lustman as non-executive directors.
WeCap (WCAP) has raised £172,000 at 0.85p/share. Global Prime Partners increased it stake from 9.69% to 11.3%. Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) raised £60,000 at 0.4p/share. A stake has been built up in Oscillate and there is a potential digital payments investment.
Ananda Developments has changed its name to Ananda Pharma (LON: ANA).
AIM
AIM newcomer Amcomri Group (AMCO) ended the week at 57.5p, having raised £12m at 55p/share. That valued the engineering business at £39.5m. Amcomri was set up to undertake a buy, improve, build strategy in the engineering and industrial sectors.
Retailer Shoe Zone (SHOE) says the recent National Insurance increase have increased costs, and it is closing stores are not considered viable. Consumer confidence is weak. The focus is bigger, more profitable stores. The company has halved its 2024-25 pre-tax profit guidance to net less than £5m. Although profit estimates for the year to September 2024 are unchanged at £9.5m there will be no final dividend.
Cavendish is raising its forecasts for Filtronic (FTC) following its latest trading update. Space and defence demand are propelling growth. Filtronic is providing E-band power amplifiers for ground stations to SpaceX and first half demand was particularly strong. The UK defence review could generate opportunities later in 2025. The 2024-25 pre-tax profit forecast has been raised from £7.7m to £9.6m.
Active Energy Group (AEG) shares returned from suspension following publication of interims and the potential for a resurrection of the business. Shareholders previously voted against liquidating the company and Zen Ventures provided a loan of £200,000 to enable the publication of 2023 accounts earlier in December and the subsequent interims have been released. Zen Ventures will appoint two directors. The plan is to commercialise the CoalSwitch technology.
Energy optimisation and assurance services provider Inspired (INSE) is improving its balance sheet via a placing raising £21.25m at 40p/share and a retail offer raised £410,000. There is also an issue of £5m of 12% convertible loan notes, which are convertible at 80p/share. The shares come with warrants exercisable at 80p each.
Surgical Science Sweden is bidding 13p/share to Intelligent Ultrasound (IUG), which values the ultrasound simulation company at £45.2m. The bid is recommended by the board. Intelligent Ultrasound will benefit from becoming part of a larger group and it enables the bidder to obtain a UK operation. Intelligent Ultrasound was going to return cash to shareholders following the sale of its clinical AI business. There was cash of £39.6m in November, which covers most of the bid value.
Tribe Technology (LTRYB) revealed that its accounts will be delayed, and it plans to leave AIM. The autonomous mining equipment developer is in talks with potential provider of finance, and it believes that leaving AIM will make it easier to raise money. Trading in the shares will be suspended on 2 January. Neometals (NMT) is cancelling its AIM quotation and concentrating on the ASX listing. It joined AIM in 2022, but it has been difficult to raise funds. Trading volumes on AIM have been low. The cancellation will be on 3 February. Retailer Quiz (QUIZ) is also planning to leave AIM. Shareholders approved plans for Webis (WEB) to lave AIM and this will happen on 3 January.
Synairgen (SNG) wants to raise up to £19m at 2p/share to fund a phase II study for respiratory drug treatment SNG001. The largest shareholder TFG Asset Management has conditionally underwritten £18m of this. However, there is a placing and open offer to raise £6m and the TFG subscription will be reduced by the amount raised over £1m. However, if the placing and open offer does not raise at least £2.9m the AIM quotation will be cancelled.
Tiger Royalties and Investments (TIR) is changing strategy to become a technology incubator. It is acquiring Bixby Technology Inc, which is run by Jonathan Bixby, for £325,000. A fundraising at 0.1p/share will raise £3m. New shareholders include Premier Miton, Zeus and Jupiter. Toro is subscribing £325,000 worth of shares. The company is retaining its core resources investments, and it will consider other natural resources investments.
There was a reassuring update from Feedback (FDBK) concerning first half trading, but more was generated by the Bleepa medical imaging communications product. There are talks with Integrated Care Boards about further contracts. Net cash was £7.3m at the end of November 2024 and there were £500,000 of retail offer proceeds to be received. That compares with a market capitalisation of £7.3m.
Duke Capital (DUKE) increased recurring interim revenues by 4% to £12.7m. Fewer exit premia meant that total revenues dipped to £13.5m, from £14.1m. There have been £15m of follow-on investments in the period. Despite the £3.5m fundraising at 27.5p/share, the debt level is still significant with £69.1m forecast for the end of March 2024. Duke Capital provides important financial backing for small businesses through a combination of debt and equity and generates a steady income stream from those investments with longer-term upside.
Electronic and electro-mechanical components supplier LPA Group (LPA) has won three major contracts worth £4m. They are with French rail operator SNCF Voyageurs for interior LED lighting, Siemens Mobility, also for LED lighting, and seating manufacturer Grammer for eat electronics and lighting for trains in France. The SNCF contract last five years while the others are deliverable in 2025 and 2026.
Provexis (PXS) is purchasing a further batch of Fruitflow heart-health functional food ingredient inventory from dsm-firmnech to satisfy increasing demand for Fruitflow. The royalty based on gross profit will be paid to dsm-firmnech in shares. The total payment for inventory and royalty is 82.95 million shares at 0.68p each. DSM Venturing owns 10.9%.
Scholium Group (SCHO) managed to gain enough shareholder support for the plan to leave AIM. It required 75% of votes and it got 79.3%.
Digital media publisher Digitalbox (DBOX) has bought EastEnders for £50,000. It has 475,000 followers on the associated Walford East Facebook page. This adds to the recently launched Emmerdale Insider.
Nioko Resources is making a recommended offer of 2.68p/share for Hummingbird Resources (HUM). This is the same as the price of the debt-to-equity swap previously announced.
MAIN MARKET
Rockpool Acquisitions (ROC) revealed the potential acquisition of European Lingerie. The exclusivity period lasts until the end of June 2025.
Media Concierge has launched a recommended bid for National World (LON: NWOR). The 23p/share offer values the company at £65.1m.
London Finance and Investment Group (LFI) plans to wind itself up and return cash to shareholders. This could be 70p/share.
Acceler8 Ventures (AC8) is planning to acquire Verifyyed Inc, which has developed a royalty platform providing rights holders with greater transparency to drive revenues. California-based Verifyyed Inc has operations in Europe, and it will cost £96.8m in shares. A placing to raise up to £20m is anticipated.
The 79th GRP plans to invest £2.18m in First Class Metals (FCM) in two stages. It will end up with 51.2% of the enlarged share capital. The cash will be invested in projects in Ontario and there are potential synergies for project acquisitions.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 25 March 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
S-Ventures (SVEN) has agreed to sell its food and snacks business in return for shares in AIM-quoted RiverFort Global Opportunities worth £3.5m. That would leave S-Ventures as an investment company with shares in the acquirer. Sales for the 12 months to September 2023 were £17.4m, rising to the £21.6m in the 15 months to the end of 2023. Net debt was £7.1m at the end of September 2023. An additional £3m of loans have been agreed, including £1m from RiverFort Global Opportunities.
Marula Mining (MARU) has signed a long-term offtake agreement with Fujax UK for the Blesberg lithium and tantalum mine in South Africa. This an agreement for 100% of production until the end of 2026, with a minimum of 50,000 tonnes at a grade of 6% lithium. There is an option for a further three years. A mining right has been received from the authorities for the plans to expand the stockpile reprocessing operations.
Brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) improved like-for-like retail sales by 6.2%, although beer volumes fell 10.5% with own beer volumes down 16.7%. Overall, interim revenues grew 4% to £89m and underlying pre-tax profit was 10% ahead at £3.8m. The brewing division returned to profit. The interim dividend was 5% ahead at 4.2p/share. Beer volumes continue to decline, while the retail sales growth rate has slowed.
Gunsynd (GUN) shares rose 17.9% to 0.165p on the back of an institutional investor investing $1m ($750,000 in cash and $250,000 in support services) in the US spirits subsidiary of Rogue Baron (SHNJ), where it currently has a 17.45% stake. Rogue Baron has also raised £20,000 at 0.5p/share.
Aquis Stock Exchange owner Aquis Exchange (AQX) increased revenues from £19.9m to £23.7m, while pre-tax profit rose from £4.5m to £5.2m. The Aquis Stock Exchange revenues improved from £1.6m to £1.8m. The main growth came from technologies and data. Panmure Gordon forecasts 2024 pre-tax profit of £6.2m.
Macaulay Capital (MCAP) reported a fall in net assets from £1.44m to £1.36m at the end of 2023. There was an exit from the investment in Qualification Check which reduced the reported loss. There are seven portfolio companies. There is a pipeline of potential transactions.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) says that the capital spending optimisation programme has been completed at the Amapa iron ore project. Savings of $63.2m have been identified and production could be 5% higher at 5.5 Mtpa of iron ore concentrate.
Supernova Digital Assets (SOL) has completed the acquisition of Hyperslot PTE for £225,000 in shares at 0.15p each. Andrew Offit increased his shareholding from 14.1% to 15.2%.
Arsen Torosian has replaced David Carr as chief executive of Tap Global Group (TAP). He is the largest shareholder and was previously chief strategy director. Steven Borg will become finance director.
KR1 (KR1) has invested $600,000 in Moondance Labs, which is building Tanssi, which helps appchain deployment.
Substrate Artificial Intelligence (SAI) has signed up FINRA-registered California-based bank GT Securities to identify potential partners for its Subgen AI subsidiary, which has launched Serenity Star, an ecosystem for scaling generative AI. The company has raised Euro500,000 from a convertible bond issue.
Secured Property Developments (SPD) is changing its name to Mollyroe and it is adopting s new investment strategy focused on the technology sector. There will also be a 20-for-one share consolidation.
Steve Hutchinson has taken his Oscillate (MUSH) stake above 3%. TruSpine Technologies (TSP) chairman Geoffrey Miller has increased his shareholding to 7.24%, while Oberon Investments raised its stake to 12.6%.
Good Life Plus (GDLF) has appointed Tennyson Securities as corporate broker.
AIM
Capital equipment manufacturer Mpac (MPAC) had a stronger second half and revenues improved from £98m to £114m, while pre-tax profit recovered from £3.5m to £7.1m. There was growth in parts and services revenues. The order book was worth £72.5m at the end of the year. The customer base is being broadened. There should be further recovery this year.
Educational software and services provider Tribal Group (TRB) is still hampered by its dispute with NTU, which is currently in mediation. The failed bid for the company also held back sales to potential clients. Even so, annualised recurring revenues grew 13% to £15.1m. Full year revenues moved from £83.6m to £85.8m, while pre-tax profit recovered from £3.7m to £10.7m.
Roadside Real Estate (ROAD) shares soared 129% to 8p after it sold part of its stake in Cambridge Sleep Sciences to CGV Ventures 1 for £6m. The total stake cost £2.7m and Roadside Real Estate still owns 65%, having sold a 10% stake, so it still has to be consolidated. Management is considering selling the rest or demerging the company so that it can concentrate on its core property interests.
Digital media company XLMedia (XLM) is selling European and Canadian gaming assets to Gambling.com for an initial $37.5m with potential deferred consideration of $5m. Some of this cash may be paid out to shareholders. These assets generated 2023 revenues $21.4m and underlying EBITDA of $6.6m out of estimated group 2023 revenues of $50m and EBITDA of $12m. Pro forma net cash is likely to be around $35m, after taking account of deferred consideration of $4m payable for past acquisitions. Cavendish estimates that XL Media is worth £48m, including the cash.
Biodegradable and antimicrobial plastic additives developer Symphony Environmental Technologies (SYM) has raised £1.4m at 3.5p/share and will raise up to £500,000 more through a PrimaryBid retail offer. The issue price was well above the market price. Chief executive Michael Laurier is subscribing £105,000. Net debt was £740,000 at the end of February. The additional cash will fund the scale-up of the business and provide working capital during trials by potential customers.
Blue Star Capital (BLU) reported a slump in NAV from £11.4m to £5.33m at the end of 2023. That includes cash of £63,000. Writing down the valuations of Dynasty Media & Gaming and Sthaler were a large part of the decline in NAV. Another investee company, SatoshiPay, is undertaking a formal sales process. This stake is valued at £4.65m.
Live Company Group (LVCG) returned from suspension following the announcement of a planned refinancing and sale of majority interest in StartArt. Creditors are being settled in shares and a £1.77m convertible loan provided by the chairman, as well as converting some of his loan notes. A placing raised £352,000 at 1p/share. There could be more cash to come from strategic investors.
Digital payments business Boku (BOKU) increased 2023 revenues by 30% to $82.7m and they are expected to increase to $95m this year. The wallets business grew 153%, albeit from a lower base. The local payments network is being built up and will be a major factor in growth, especially as margins are better. The direct carrier billings business continues to grow and remains the main generator revenues for the time being. The company has more than $70m in cash.
Employee benefits and insurance provider Personal Group Holdings (PGH) reported slightly better 2023 figures than expected with revenues of £49.7m and pre-tax profit recovering to £5.9m. The dividend was raised from 10.6p/share to 11.7p/share. That is well covered by cash generation. Cash was £20.1m at the end of 2023. The insurance business did particularly well.
Three rail clients delaying orders has hit prospects for LPA Group (LPA) and it is unlikely to do any better than breakeven this year – a pre-tax profit of £800,000 was previously forecast on a 6% reduction in forecast revenues.
Light Science Technologies (LST) has received a grant worth £188,000 for a project involving the company’s SensorGROW technology.
Saturn Resources has increased its bid for Shanta Gold (SHG) to 14.85p/share, up from 13.5p/share, valuing the miner at £156.1m. Eligible shareholders will receive a dividend of 0.15p/share on 26 April.
Stem cell-based treatments developer ReNeuron (RENE) has failed to come to an agreement with creditors and the financial uncertain means that it has appointed administrators from Cork Gully. Negotiations continue with creditors and potential providers of finance.
MAIN MARKET
Higher losses from the ReZorce recyclable packaging business masked progress at foams manufacturer Zotefoams (ZTF), where pre-tax profit moved up from £12.5m to £13.1m on flat revenues. That included an operating loss of £4.36m, up from £1.89m, from the MuCell Extrusion division that includes ReZorce. The total dividend is 7.18p/share.
Property investor Town Centre Securities (LSE: TOWN) managed to edge up its net tangible asset value to 286p/share at the end of 2023, due to the 150p/share tender offer last year. There was a 4% decline in property values. Loan to value has risen to 50.3%. The interim dividend is maintained at 2.5p/share.
TheWorks.co.uk (WRKS) is moving from the Main Market to AIM. The plan is to gain shareholder approval to move on 3 May. This should help to reduce costs.
Esken Ltd (ESKN) has appointed administrators from AlixPartners because its restructuring plan was no longer commercially viable. The restructuring of London Southend Airport will continue.
First Tin (1SN) says regional exploration confirmed upside potential at Pound Flat and Battery Hill prospects in the Taronga tin project.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 8 January 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Coinsilium (COIN) was the biggest riser on the week with a 55.3% improvement to 2.95p. This is the highest the share price has been since August 2022. The increased trading levels at the end of December continued into early January. The vast majority of the trades were buys with limited selling.
Professor Trevor Jones bought 150,000 shares in EDX Medical Group (EDX) at 6.25p each and 139,074 shares at 7.35p each. These are his first share purchases, and he owns 0.096% of EDX Medical. The share price is at the highest level since just after the flotation in June 2021
NFT Investments (NFT) reported a 54% increase in NAV to £43.8m at the end of September. Crypto assets rose by 67% and there are plans to liquidate these holdings after April. There will then be a tender offer to shareholders. NAV is 4.67p/share. The share price edged is 2.7p.
All Things Considered (ATC) has opened a new office in Los Angeles, which increases capacity by 30%. There is a ten-year lease.
Founder Paul Ryan reduced his stake in Pharma C Investments (PCIL) from 8.52% to 3.9%, while James Formolli took a 8.05% shareholding.
Ventura Finance has increased its stake in Secured Property Developments (SPD) from 3.66% to 4.28%.
AIM
Cancer diagnostics firm Angle (AGL) reported breakthrough results from DNA molecular analysis of cancer patient blood samples, and this covers many types of cancer. This proves the effectiveness of the Parsortix system combined with DNA analysis. Angle believes that using CTC-DNA testing of living cancer cells alongside ctDNA (DNA fragments released from dead cancer cells into the blood) will improve the way cancer is treated. It may enable doctors to track the clonal evolution of a patient’s cancer. Earlier in the week, a $250,000 pilot study to assess breast cancer patients was secured.
An $11m preclinical milestone payment to C4X Discovery (C4XD) has been triggered by the preclinical progress of C4XD’s NRF2 Activator programme. AstraZeneca is using the programme to develop an oral therapy for treating inflammatory and respiratory diseases. At the end of July 2023, C4XD had £4.22m in the bank after a £6m cash outflow from operating activities.
Plexus Holdings (POS) agreed an IP licence agreement with SLB, which replaces a previous surface production wellhead licence agreement with a subsidiary of SLB. For $5.2m in cash, SLB gets a licence in perpetuity to use POS-GRIP technology in specific markets. The 2023-24 revenues forecast has been upgraded to £14m and pre-tax profit raised by 467% to £1.7m. However, this is a one-off, so Plexus could fall back into loss next year. Plexus was the best AIM performer in 2023.
Real-time oil condition analysis company Tan Delta Systems (TAND) says that progress has been slower than hoped since floating in August. Full year revenues will decline from £1.6m to £1.44m, which is lower than expected. Customer trials have been delayed, but there has been greater interest in the technology. The loss will be in line with expectations at £400,000. Cash was £4.5m at the end of the year.
LungLife AI Inc (LLAI) has successfully validated its LungLB early lung cancer detection test. The positive predictive value was 81% in distinguishing cancer nodules smaller than 15mm. The current standard is 60%. There will be an early access programme offered in the first quarter of 2024. The test will be optimised for additional uses.
Floorcoverings distributor Likewise (LIKE) grew 2023 revenues by 13% to £139.5m, which is better than expected. The overall market declined. Pre-tax profit is forecast to slip from £2.6m to £2.5m. The profit is expected to rise to £3.4m in 2024 because of the operational gearing of the business.
Revolution Bars (RBG) like-for-like sales were 9% ahead in December. However, most of that growth came from Revolucion de Cuba and Peach Pubs with Revolution barely growing even though the previous December’s train strikes meant that comparatives were weak. Eight bars have been closed. That leaves 58 bars and 22 pubs. Net debt is £18.3m. There will be another trading update on 24 January.
Oriole Resources (ORR) has signed a definitive earn-in agreement with BCM International for the Bibemi gold exploration project in Cameroon. That triggers a payment of $450,000. BCM will then spend $4m on exploration to earn 50% of the project. Drilling should start in the first quarter. The Mbe project agreement should be agreed by the end of the month.
LPA Group (LPA) is acquiring Red Box, which enhances the position in ground power products for the aviation sector and reduces dependence on the rail sector. The total cost will be £1.1m. In 2022, Red Box made an operating profit of £81,000 and the deal should be earnings enhancing in 2025.
MAIN MARKET
Hydrogen Utopia International (HUI) is acquiring 49% of medicinal cannabis grower Ohrid Organics and this will generate cash for the group this year. This will help to finance the core waste plastic to hydrogen projects, including a proposed plant in County Longford, Ireland.
Andrew Hore
Alan Green talks Armadale Capital #ACP, Destiny Pharma #DEST & LPA Group #LPA on Vox Markets podcast
Alan Green discusses Armadale Capital #ACP, Destiny Pharma #DEST & LPA Group #LPA with Justin Waite on the Vox Markets podcast. We also talk about Maddi’s Butterflies Children’s Cancer Charity Caravan appeal.
To donate to Maddi’s Butterflies Children’s Cancer Charity Caravan Appeal, click here.
Ian Pollard: LPA – A Blockbuster Of A Gallop; Record Output; Record Orders & A Bonanza
LPA Group plc LPA reports that he last financial year was exceptionally strong and something of a blockbuster which it finished at a gallop with record output. The new financial year then started with a record order book and a major contract win the award of the contract for the upgrade of the lighting on London’s Central and Waterloo & City lines rolling stock. The contract is worth 4m. to 2023 and also has an ongoing through-life support contract to 2043. The rail market remains very buoyant, with huge commitments by Government attracting massive inward investment which potentially promises a bonanza. Despite 2018’s strong performance the current financial year is expected to see a return to more regular levels of activity.
Hiscox plc HSX has enjoyed strong growth during the 9 months to the 30th September with gross written premiums rising by 14.3%. As markets remain challenging however, this is expected to moderate over the remainder of the year. The results were impacted by catastrophes in the US and the Far East as well as by a number of larger individual claims. Plans for Brexit are well advanced and have always assumed a worst-case scenario ‘hard Brexit’ and for that the company is prepared, irrespective of the outcome of the government’s negotiations. So much for the relevance of politicians.
Totally plc TLY The first half of the current year has been a transformational period for the group with interim results showing turnover rising to over 40,000,000 from 3,530,000 last year. In excess of £10m new business and renewed contracts have been announced since the previous results announcement on the10 July. The Chancellor’s announcement of an increase in NHS funding of £20.5 billion over a 5 year period will no doubt help the transformation continue.
WANdisco WAND has secured a contract with the leading information and communications technology provider in China. The contract is valued at $1 million part of which will be recurring. The company says that the Chinese market represents a significant untapped opportunity.
Versarien VRS Yesterday signed a Framework Agreement with the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Commerce in Shandong Province, China, covering cooperation between the parties in the fields of graphene research, development and industrialisation. Qingdao, is a major city in Shandong Province, China, with a population of over nine million people and is one of the major areas of graphite production in China.
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Buy LPA Group #LPA says VectorVest. This relatively anonymous co might just be one of the big stock market successes in 2018
Suffolk-based LPA Group Plc (LPA.L) specialises in the design and assembly of LED based lighting and electronic systems and is one of the leading electromechanical systems manufacturers across the globe. The Company has a strong reputation for innovation winning several awards including the Rail Business Award for Environmental Innovation for its LED based LumiPanel® lighting product. LPA employs around 200 people at four locations in the UK and exports to nearly fifty countries.
Examine this trading opportunity and a host of other similar stocks. A single payment of £5.95 gives access to the VectorVest Risk Free 30-day trial. More here
On January 23rd 2018, LPA announced record results for the year ended 30 Sept 2017 and a strong start to the new financial year. Sales rose by 4.9% to £22.48m, generating a 26.3% hike in PBT to £1.91m. Basic EPS rose by 17.1% to 14.40p, gearing fell to 25.7% (2016: 29.2%) while the order book rose by 20% to £21.6m. The final dividend increased 10% to 1.65p, totaling 2.70p for the year (2016: 2.50p). CEO Peter Pollock said the 2016 financial year “marked a step change in the performance of the Group, and these record results for the 2017 financial year are confirmation that we are now established at this substantially increased level of activity. “ He added; “We look forward to continuing progress this year and for the future.”
The record numbers revealed in the FY results triggered alerts across VectorVest metrics as far back as November 2017. Today, the VST (VST-Vector) indicator, (the master indicator for ranking every stock in the VectorVest database), rates LPA at 1.26, which is very good on a scale of 0.00 to 2.00. Added to this, the GRT (forecasted Earnings Growth Rate) for LPA logs at 16.00%, which again is considered a very good rating on the VectorVest stock analysis and portfolio management system. GRT reflects a company’s one to three year forecasted earnings growth rate in percent per year. VectorVest logs a current value of 219p per share for LPA, so at the current 171p the stock can be considered as undervalued.
The chart of LPA.L is shown above in my usual format. Earnings per share (EPS is growing strongly and the share is on a BUY recommendation on VectorVest. Technicians will have noted the cup and handle formation. This is a highly reliable bullish pattern which gave a buying signal above a price of 165p.
Summary: The never-ending VectorVest quest to identify ‘under the radar’ quality growth companies may just have come up trumps again with LPA. Trifast (TRI.L) was identified as a highly cash generative, albeit relatively anonymous growth play as far back as mid 2016. LPA exhibits many of the same qualities, in terms of earnings and dividend growth, but somewhat surprisingly the current market cap is less than the turnover for the last financial year. This relatively anonymous lighting and electrical group sells to an enviable blue chip client list, has won many prestigious awards and might just be one of the big stock market successes in 2018. Buy.
Dr David Paul
January 24 2018
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Brand CEO Alan Green talks URA Holdings #URA, Tertiary Minerals #TYM & LPA Group #LPA on VOX Markets podcast.
Brand CEO Alan Green discusses URA Holdings #URA, Tertiary Minerals #TYM and LPA Group #LPA with Justin Waite on the VOX Markets podcast. The interview is 21 minutes in.
Bilby – Largest Gas Contractor in South East, Doubles Revenue
Bilby plc BILB With revenue doubling in the year to 31st March and gross profit rising from £6m. to £11.02m., Bilby has established itself as the largest gas contractor in London and the South East. However after various non underlying items, profit before tax fell from a restated £0.72m in 2016 to this years £0.06m. On an adjusted basis last years basic earnings per share of 5.34p has increased to 7.66p. The annual dividend is to be 2.2p per share compared to a restated 2.75p. per share for 2016.
Advanced Oncotherapy AVO announces another year of significant progress and development in the commercialisation of its next-generation technology in the treatment of cancer – LIGHT. Despite some challenges and obstacles during the year to the end of December, these have been overcome and the company looks forward to successfully executing the timelines that were outlined in March 2017. Since the year end, management has been strengthened and significant technical milestones have been reached. New finance has also been agreed and secured.
LPA Group LPA claims that the excellent levels of orders and sales announced at the AGM, has continued through the half year to 31st March. Profit before tax has risen from £782,000 to £976,000 on revenue up by 3.1% Diluted earnings per share are up from 5.34p to 6.81p per share. The interim dividend is to be raised by 5% to 1.05p per share.However despite those claims about the excellence of the order book, it stands at £22m., exactly where it was at half time, a year ago.
Quantum Pharma plc QP. announces the disposal of its homecare and dispensary business enabling it to focus on its Niche and Specials divisions and eliminate low margin turnover.The Niche & Specials divisions have been trading ahead of plan in the early months of the year and the outperformance here is expected to offset the majority of the loss from the division which is being disposed of.