Home » Posts tagged 'men'
Tag Archives: men
Quoted Micro 1 April 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Incanthera (INC) has published an update on its distribution deal with Marionnaud. The first order for Skin + CELL products will generate revenues of £2m with 50,000 bottles of skin cream to be supplied for sale in Austria and Switzerland. A second order will be even bigger. The management projects revenues of £10m for the year to March 2025 and this would make it profitable. The range is being increased to five products and they are all part of the initial launch. Revenues could grow to £33m the following year. There is potential for licence deals in other countries.
Watchstone Group (WTG) says a subsidiary’s VAT appeal was dismissed even though it satisfied four out of five elements. A decision will be made on whether to appeal the judgement.
TruSpine Technologies (TSP) intends to issue a conversion notice to loan note holders. The conversion price is a 130% premium to the share price prior to the convertible loan note approval by the directors. A £200,000 debenture has been used to subscribe for convertible loan notes. Geoffrey Miller has increased his stake from 6.88% to 7.24%.
Quantum Exponential Group (QBIT) has announced a further adjournment of its a general meeting to gain shareholder approval for leaving Aquis. Investors have approached the quantum technology investment company and offered to make a substantial investment. Stuart Woods has stepped down from the board.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) investee company European Metals Holdings (EMH) says that the Cinovec project in the Czech Republic is in the process of completing a definitive feasibility study, but it will not be completed in the first quarter. There is potential to improve the lithium processing. Cadence Minerals has increased its stake in the Amapa iron ore project in Brazil to 34%. A study should reduce costs and improve productivity of the proposed mine.
S-Ventures (SVEN) increased interim revenues from £8.4m to £9.6m but reported a higher loss from continuing operations. The bakery business was profitable, but this did not offset losses and impairment costs for other businesses. There is no further news on the proposed sale of operations to AIM-quoted Riverfort Global Opportunities.
KR1 (KR1) had net assets of 134.6p/share at the end of February 2024. There was income generated of £1.63m.
Arbuthnot Banking Group (ARBB) increased its pre-tax profit from £20m to £47.1m and the total dividend was raised from 42p/share to 46p/share. Bad debts were lower than forecast. NAV is 1547p/share. The profit is likely to fall this year.
Global Connectivity (GCON) is amending the terms of warrants issued when it floated and extending them by two years to 20 April 2026. The exercise price is being reduced to 1.5p. Management is exploring potential investments.
Marula Mining (MARU) has commenced exploration at the Larisoro manganese mine in Kenya.
Valereum (LON: VLRM) has raised £300,000 at 6p/share from its chairman and is planning a larger fundraising in the third quarter of 2024.
Jenny Hanlon has been appointed as chief executive of brewer Adnams (ADB). She is currently finance director.
Tap Global Group (TAP) generated trading payment volumes of £181.6m in 2023. That generated revenues of £2.02m, but the loss was still £1.07m.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) had net assets of 324p/share at the end of January 2024. There was £15.3m in cash offset by £4m in loan notes repayable on 23 July.
Gunsynd (GUN) investee company Aberdeen Minerals is raising £3m at 8.5p/share from Central Asia Metals with a further £2m that could be raised from the exercise of warrants at 11p/share. This deal requires regulatory approval.
Lift Global Ventures (LFT) investee company Trans-Africa Energy has received funding of £12m from an African investor. The first energy infrastructure investment is in Ghana. Lift Global Ventures’ core investor relations business generated cash in the first half, although there was a cash outflow for the group as a whole.
Aiden Keegan has been appointed chief executive of Cooks Coffee Company (COOK).
Philip Blows reduced his stake in Supernova Digital Assets (SOL) from 10.6% to 7.98%. There was £68,000 in the bank and £1.95m in investments at the end of October 2023. NAV was £2.93m.
Daniel Thwaites (THW) director RAJ Bailey bought 15,000 shares at 71p each.
AIM
Marine technology developer Windward (WNWD) has cut its loss and is heading towards profitability. The 2023 revenues were $28.3m, up from $21.6m. Windward started 2023 with an annual contract value of $25.5m and that has risen to $34.5m, while the 2024 forecast revenues have been edged up from $34.5m to $35.1m. Requirements for tracking cargo and ensuring that sanctions are complied with are helping to increase demand, particularly from commercial clients. Commercial revenues increased to 30% of the total for 2023, but government revenues are also growing.
Grocery distributor Kitwave Group (KITW) has made its latest acquisition, and this will be earnings enhancing. Total Foodservice Solutions is a food wholesaler with two depots based in the north of England. The customer base includes pubs, restaurants, universities and care homes. The gross cost is £21m and that is reduced to £17m when cash in the business is taken into account.
Strong growth at the Billi filtration systems helped Strix (KETL) have a better second half, but the limited recovery in kettle controls and lower consumer goods sales meant that pre-tax profit was slightly lower at £21.9m. There is no dividend. There should be an improvement in profit this year, but it will still be well down on the 2021 figure. Net debt was £83.7m and could fall below £79m by the end of 2024.
Good Energy (GOOD) had a strong performance in 2023 due to high energy prices, but 2024 will not get that benefit and energy supply profit will fall sharply. In 2023, pre-tax profit doubled to £5.7m, but the 2024 forecast has been downgraded from £8.4m to £6.7m. The energy services business, including solar and heat pump installation, is being built up and it will become a more significant profit contributor over the next couple of years making the group performance less volatile.
Floorcoverings manufacturer Airea (AEIA) increased sales of its Burmatex-branded product by 14% to £21.1m. Pre-tax profit was flat at £1.4m, although it included a small valuation gain in the latest year. Higher finance costs relate to the pension scheme and operating profit increased. The net asset value is £14.9m, including net cash of £3.4m. Strong cash generation can cover the £5m investment in new capacity and a 10% increase in the dividend to 0.55p/share. The new capacity should be ready in early 2025 and will enable Airea to take advantage of own brand opportunities for clients.
Revolution Bars Group (RBG) is assessing its options that include restructuring the business or selling all or part of the operations. There are currently no bidders. Luke Johnson is involved in talks concerning a fundraising.
Semiconductor designer CML Microsystems (CML) is being hampered by lower than expected shipments as clients reduce stocks and this is continuing into the new financial year. In the year to March 2024, revenues will be slightly lower than expectations at £23m and underlying EBITDA will be £6.4m, compared with a forecast £6.8m, due to more sales of lower margin products. Full year pre-tax profit will be just under £3m. The balance sheet remains strong with net cash of nearly £18m. The full benefits of the Microwave Technology acquisition, which has performed well, will show through over the next couple of years.
Horizonte Minerals (HZM) published the latest financing estimate for the Araguaia nickel project. The cost to complete is $454m, but the full funding required is $567m-$592m, including pre-production and transaction costs. Existing liabilities are $418, and they require restructuring. More cash will be required by mid-April. Interest payments are being deferred. Existing shareholders are not in a strong position.
A more positive trading statement from film and video translation services provider ZOO Digital (ZOO) as management believes that demand should recover following the disruption of recent strikes in Hollywood. Revenues of $40m are now expected for the year to March 2024. A new film and TV distribution client has been won and there is greater visibility of work. The company still might not move back into profit in 2024-25, though. There is potential disruption from a craft workers strike in Hollywood.
Boilers developer Inspirit Energy (INSP) is near to completing the four electronic updates for its waste heat recovery system. The team is relocating back to the UK. The cash outflow was stemmed in the six months to December 2023.
Infrastructure India (IIP) shares returned from suspension when the interims to September 2023 were published. The board is proposing a winding-up of the company as it disposes of its assets and the share quotation will be cancelled if the proposals are passed at the AGM. Net liabilities are £217.4m.
Drug discovery company C4X Discovery (C4XD) also plans to cancel its AIM quotation and re-register as a private limited company if it gains shareholder approval at a general meeting on 15 April. Shareholders owning 57% of the shares are in favour. Management believes that it will be easier to raise funds as a private company and it will save money. C4X Discovery has raised £63m on AIM. In August 2022, £5.7m was raised at 25p/share. There is still £20.8m in the bank. In the six months to January 2024, revenues were £24.6m, due to milestone payments, compared with £1.7m in the first half of the previous year. The company is generally loss-making without substantial milestone payments.
Oil and gas producer Molecular Energies (MEN) is cancelling its AIM quotation because it does not believe it is worth the cost. The company should save £500,000/year. Chairman Peter Levine, who owns 29.2%, suggests that he may offer to buy shares of some other investors in the future, but there are no immediate plans to offer an exit prior to the cancellation. Green House Capital will no longer be spun off on AIM.
Infection protection technology developer Byotrol (BYOT) has been quoted for nearly 19 years and it has decided to leave AIM. Revenues from continuing products could improve from £3.7m to £3.9m this year. No further IP revenues are expected this year. Some IP was sold to Tristel (TSTL) and along with an early termination of another licence generated cash of £800,000, but minimum guaranteed royalties will be written down by £550,000 in the balance sheet. Even before that, there will be a higher loss in 2023-24. The business needs to be restructured and reduce costs and believes there will be more flexibility as a private company.
MAIN MARKET
Quantum dots developer Nanoco (NANO) generated interim revenues of £4m, including the recognition of £3m of Samsung licence income, up from £1.6m. Net cash was £54.5m at the end of January 2024. Second half non-Samsung revenues should be higher.
First Tin (1SN) had a cash outflow from operations of more than £2m in 2023. There was also £6.4m spent on exploration activities. There is £4.66m left in the bank.
Cizzle Biotechnology (CIZ) has raised £620,000 via a placing at 2p/share. This will fund the first proposed commercial test for its lung cancer test. The £500,000 loan facility with E3 Fund will be terminated.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 11 September 2023
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Ormonde Mining (ORM) has switched from AIM to the Access segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange. Ormonde Mining owns 36.2% of gold and copper explorer. TRU Precious Metals Corp and 20% of battery metals explorer Peak Nickel.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) increased revenues from £34,000 to £203,000 in 2022-23, while the loss was slightly lower at £1.91m. The net cash outflow was £1.2m. Note 3 of the accounts points out the financial position, but management believes that sales will come through to generate cash to fund the business after a reduction in costs. If not, a share issue will be the alternative way of obtaining the cash required. Stephen Bamford and Constantine Logothetis have increased their stakes to 8% and 22.5% respectively.
Aquis Stock Exchange owner Aquis Exchange (AQX) has appointed Investec as nominated adviser and joint broker alongside Canaccord Genuity. It replaces Liberum. The company, which is also quoted on AIM, will report interims on 21 September.
Ananda Developments (ANA) has issued £600,000 of convertibles at 100p each. Two existing shareholders have invested a total of £300,000 and Charles Morgan has converted £300,000 of debt. Unsecured debt will fall to £709,000 and Charles Morgan has agreed not to task for repayment until the end of January 2025. The interest rate is 15% and the conversion price is the lower of a 20% discount to the share price of the next capital raising of at least £1m of 0.4p/share, with a minimum of 0.2p/share. The loans will automatically be converted on 30 November 2025 or earlier.
Pharma C investments (PCIL) will hold the requisitioned general meeting on 27 September. The proposals are to remove Gavin Hilary Sathianathan and appoint Paul Ryan and Noel Lyons to the board.
Investment company Macaulay Capital (MCAP) has seven investments in its portfolio. The NAV dipped from £1.44m to £1.33m at the end of June 2023. There is £368,000.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) has received the second tranche of the disposal proceeds of investee company The Homebuilding Centre, which provides homebuilding advice. Successful trading means that the second tranche is £108,000 rather than the expected £50,000.
Cannabis-based products supplier Voyager Life (VOY) improved revenues from £178,000 to £284,000. There was cash of £990,000.
AIM
Controlled environmental agriculture technology developer Light Science Technologies (LST) is acquiring Tomtech for £500,000 with an initial cash payment of £75,000. Tomtech, which supplies and installs monitoring and control systems for greenhouses, has £284,000 in cash and there could be additional cash payments if it is above £185,000 on completion. This deal is immediately earnings enhancing – Tomtech reported a pre-tax profit of £79,000 on revenues of £680,000. There is a complementary product range and cross selling opportunities to Tomtech’s 160 customers.
AMTE Power (AMTE) is raising £2.1m at 1.7p/share at 1.7p/share, plus an additional retail offer to raise £250,000. The share price slumped 78.4% to 2.05p. The battery technology developer is raising the cash to keep going until the proposed cash injection of £2.5m is completed. Due diligence by the potential investor could continue until the end of October and it believes that it can introduce potential offtake customers to AMTE.
Molecular Energies (MEN) plans to sell its Argentinian oil and gas business for up to $40m to its chairman Peter Levine. Argentina is economically and politically volatile and exchange controls mean that the business is hampered. There is a lack of investor interest and there are capital investment requirements that need to be funded. There will be an initial payment of $2m plus repayment of $13m of debt. The rest of the purchase price is based on up to 20% of net free cash flow over the next five years. The Paraguay oil and gas assets and other operations are not included in the sale.
Software supplier GetBusy (GETB) made a slightly lower underlying loss in the first half as it continues to invest in sales and product development. Annual recurring revenues grew 14% to £20.1m. and there is £1.7m in the bank. finnCap maintains its expectation of a small 2023 loss.
Satellite communications equipment supplier Global Invacom (GINV) is seeking shareholder approval to leave AIM and maintain the listing on the Mainboard of the Singapore stock market. There is a lack of liquidity on AIM, and this makes it difficult to raise cash. There is also the cost and management time taken up with being on AIM and another market. A subsidiary signed a multi-year contract with Eutelsat Communications. The July 2014 placing price was 19.75p. The shares have been trading below that price for more than eight years.
Video editing technology developer Blackbird (BIRD) reported a 36% dip in interim revenues to £985,000 after the loss of a contract with A+E and additional development fees in the previous period. The cash outflow was £1.92m, but there is still £8.18m in the bank. Even so, investors want to see progress with the new product for creators and other new business to replace what has been lost.
Capital equipment supplier 600 Group (SIXH) has reconvened its AGM for 29 September. However, the audit for the accounts for the year to March 2023 will not be completed by the end of September. Trading in the shares will be suspended on 2 October. Trading conditions continue to be difficult and there will be a further interim loss. That will lead to impairment adjustments in the 2022-23 accounts. Debt facilities expire at the end of November 2023. Peter Gyllenhammar increased his stake from 9.88% to 10.2%.
Capital equipment manufacturer Mpac (MPAC) increased interim revenues by 4% to £52.8m and pre-tax recovered from £1.1m to £1.9m. Order intake soared in the period. Services generated one-third of revenues in the first half, but the mix will change as recent order wins are satisfied in the second quarter. The order book has risen 15% to £77.5m since the end of 2022 and includes higher margin healthcare machinery. This helps to underpin forecasts of a better second half. The battery cell assembly plant business remains a significant longer-term opportunity. Net cash is £2.2m. Shore forecasts a near doubling of underlying pre-tax profit to £6.9m in 2023.
Builders’ merchant Lords Group Trading (LORD) is outperforming its rivals. But trading is getting tougher because of higher interest rates and lower construction activity. Interim revenues improved 4% to £222.6m, helped by acquisitions, but pre-tax profit fell from £8.4m to £7.7m. The interim dividend is maintained at 0.67p/share. Cenkos has reduced its 2023 pre-tax profit forecast from £17.8m to £13.2m.
Infrastructure India (IIP) announced the conditional sale of the 99.99% stake in transportation company Distribution Logistics Infrastructure to Pristine Malwa Logistics Park, which is part of logistics group Pristine. The consideration will be $10m in cash and 33% of Pristine Malwa the purchaser. There are conditions that are required to be satisfied before the deal can go ahead and it will be subject to adjustment. The transaction could close before the end of the year. Infrastructure India is expected to exit the investment within three years. At the end of September 2022, net liabilities were £85.7m. It is difficult to assess how much of the Infrastructure India borrowings will go with the disposal.
STM Group (LON: STM) has reached agreement with PSF Capital GP II over a 67p a share cash bid for the pensions and financial services provider. The bidder is securing a new credit facility to fund the bid. Originally, it was stated the offer could be as high as 70p/share, but the share price shows that investors were not counting on it being that high. This is conditional on STM boss Alan Kentish acquiring the UK SIPP business and those related to the Master Trust.
Property bridging loans provider Vector Capital (VCAP) reported a decline in interim revenues and profit. The loan book has fallen from £53.2m to £48.8m over six months as management is cautious about new lending. The bad provision has been raised by £167,000 to £367,000, but it is still relatively low. Pre-tax profit fell 18% to £1.3m, partly due to the higher provision.
MAIN MARKET
Round Hill Music Royalty Fund (RHMP) is being acquired by Alchemy Copyrights for $1.15/share, which values the company at $468.8m. That was a premium of 67% to the previous market price. Shareholders will still receive the quarterly dividend of 1.125 cents/share and a special dividend of 0.5 cents/share.
Andrew Hore