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Quoted Micro 27 January 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Cooks Coffee Company (COOK), which owns the Esquires coffee shops, increased group store sales by 26% to £25.5m in the nine months to December 2024. The growth was 32% in the latest quarter. The number of sies has risen from 71 to 87 over the past 12 months with all but three franchised. So far in this financial year, UK like-for-like sales are 2.8% higher and sales in Ireland are ahead by 5.1%. A further six stores are planned in the current quarter and there should be more than 100 stores by the end of 2025. The business is generating cash from operations.
Healthcare IT software provider DXS International (DXSP) grew interim revenues by 2% to £1.73m and the pre-tax loss was slashed from £258,000 to £59,000, helped by grant income of £170,000. There was a small post-tax profit after R&D tax credits. There was no capitalised development pending in the period and the cash position improved over six months to £96,000. Chairman Bob Sutcliffe bought 50,000 shares at 2p each and 37,037 shares at 2.7p each. He owns 1.93% of the company.
Cardiometabolic health products developer ProBiotix Health (PBX) reported 13% growth in net sales to £1.88m, while the order book for the first quarter is worth £620,000. The EBIDA loss fell from £709,000 to £568,000. There was cash of £1.65m at the end of 2024. The relationship with SEED Health in the enabled the launch of products in 2,000 Target stores, which drove growth in US sales. There are negotiations that could lead to ingredient sales in China. Management believes that the company can reach breakeven by early 2026.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has signed non-binding heads of terms for the acquisition of Evrensel Global Natural Resources, which has mining and trading activities in Africa. This would be a reverse takeover. Existing Wishbone Gold shareholders are likely to own 30% of the enlarged group. Wishbone Gold chairman Anthony Moore owns the Gibraltar-based target company. Some or all of the existing Australian mining assets are likely to be sold.
Brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) has launched a share buyback programme worth up to £500,000. The shares will be cancelled. This should enhance earnings. Like-for-like retail sales were 7.4% ahead over the Christmas and New Year period with particularly strong sales within the M25. First half like-for-like retail sales were 4.4% higher, while tenanted pub sales were slightly higher. Beer volumes slipped 12.6%. A change in logistics arrangements will add £1.5m to costs. Wage and National Insurance costs will rise by an annualised £2.6m. Management will try to offset these rises through price increases and improved efficiency.
ChallengerX (CXS) is in negotiations for the potential acquisitions of Nyce International and Virya VC. Hng Kong-based NYCE International helps to accelerate the sales and product distribution process for gaming companies. UK-based Virya provides executive and directorship services for the betting and gaming sector. As part of this proposed transaction ChallengerX will secure a perpetual licence for Reelsoft AB’s Vision RGS (Remote Gaming Server) and Game Aggregation Platform. ChallengerX had net liabilities of £187,000 at the end of June 2024.
Property investor Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) edged up rental by 1% to £2.75m in the first half. Higher interest costs and a £37,515 disposal loss meant that the loss increased from £5,000 to £243,000. NAV is £31.4m, while the market capitalisation is £33.7m. Net debt is £46.3m.
RentGuarrantor Holdings (RGG) increased fourth quarter revenues by 88% through a 73% rise in tenant contracts.
BWA Group (BWAP) says that initial mineral resources for the Dehane project in Cameroon are 4.2 million tonnes at a 3.5% cut0ff. That comprises 0.99% ilmenite, 0.13% rutile and 0.11% zircon. Results of the kyanite test work are expected in the second quarter. That could lead to an update to the mineral resources estimate.
Fintech and blockchain technology company Tap Global Group (TAP) has increased monthly revenues to £451,000 in December. Revenues for the six-month period rose from £1.29m to £1.8m and there should be a positive EBITDA for the period.
Eight Capital Partners (ECP) is planning a capital reorganisation and conversion of its 4.8% bond into shares. There will be a consolidation of 4,000 shares into one new share. The bond will be converted into 810,325 new shares, thereby reducing debt by £910,000. The record date is 29 January.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) had NAV of 82p/share at the end of August 2024, down from 87.9p/share at the end of May 2024. There was £1.24m in the bank. The tough economic conditions led to downgraded valuations of some earlier stage investments.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has generated £126,000 from the exercise of options at 36p each by a former director. It has also settled £36,330 of costs via issuing shares. SulNOx has secured a patent in Nigeria for its improved oil/water separation methodology.
At the end of 2024, EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) had an NAV of 292.78p/share.
Mark Horrocks has reduced his stake in WeCap (WCAP) from 5.03% to 4.8%. Premier Miton’s stake in Global Connectivity (GCON) has reduced from 5.21% to 3.69%. First Car International increased its Samarkand Group (SMK) shareholding from 17.6% to 21.6%. Jason Upton has increased his stake in Zentra Group (ZNT) to 3.53%.
Gowin New Energy Group (GWIN) director Chien Chih-Peng has bought 33.16 million shares a 1p each. This is a shareholding of 11.4%. Jia-Hong Guo’s stake has been reduced from 8.74% to under 3%. Chien Chih-Peng has also made a £37,000 loan available to Gowin New Energy.
AIM
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) offers civil engineering services, such as earthworks, drainage and foundations, to housebuilders. In the year to September 2024, revenues fell by 36% to £56.7m and it made a £700,000 underlying loss. However, it is already winning new business with housebuilders, such as Vistry and Taylor Wimpey. That has helped the order book grow to £51.6m at the end of September 2024. A further £15.9m of orders have been won since then. Water infrastructure services provider Coleman Construction and Utilities was acquired in October. Following this acquisition, the pro forma cash figure is just below £10m.
Payments technology company Bango (BGO) increased 2024 revenues by 16% to $53.4m. Annualised recurring revenues were 59% higher at $14m. A pre-tax profit of $3m is estimated for 2024, but that includes $2.2m of non-cash income. Net debt is $1.7m. Matt Wilson has replaced Matt Garner as finance director.
Yu Group (YU.) increased energy supplied by 78% in 2024 and margins are better than expected. Revenues did not grow as rapidly because of lower prices, but they are two-fifths higher at approaching £650m. That is lower than the Panmure Liberum estimate of £680m. Managing bad debts and the hedging policy means that the pre-tax profit has edged up from £46m to £48.3m.
Revolution Beauty (REVB) is having a poor fourth quarter to February 2025 with some retail launched delayed until the first quarter of 2025-26. This includes a launch in Walmart in the US. Online trading was also weaker than expected. Full year revenues are forecast to fall by one-quarter to £143.6m and a profit is no longer expected. A £1.6m loss is likely. The 2025-26 pre-tax profit forecast has been more than halved from £5m to £2.4m. Net debt is set to stay around £25m.
GENinCode (GENI) says that its heart disease risk assessment product CARDIO inCode is included in the US 2025 Clinical Lab Fee Schedule enabling reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid. The price varies from $450-$570. It is also being used to prevent heart disease in Catalonia.
There was a short-term trading improvement in December for Sanderson Design Group (SDG), but this has not continued, and profit expectations have been reduced. Band sales are 9% lower. Revenues are expected to decline from £108.6m to £101m, while pre-tax profit could slump from £12.2m to £4.2m – previously £7.2m was forecast. There has been less high margin work for the manufacturing division, which hit overall profitability.
Fuel additives developer Quadrise (QED) generated £4.5m via a placing at 3p/share, which was well above the minimum sought, and a retail offer could raise up to £1m more – although that figure could be increased. The money already raised will last well into 2026.
Shoe retailer Shoe Zone (SHOE) had already warned about the results for the year to September 2024. Pre-tax profit fell from £16.5m to £10m, which was slightly higher than forecast. There is no final dividend – the interim was 2.5p/share. Net cash is £3.6m. Several loss-making stores are being closed. The 2024-25 pre-tax profit is expected to halve to £5m.
Floorcoverings supplier Airea (AIEA) had a much better second half growing by 6% and full year revenues were 0.6% ahead at £21.2m. International sales were still lower in 2024 despite a 11.8% increase in the second half. Inventory levels have been reduced. There will be non-recurring costs. The equipment is expected to be installed in the new manufacturing facility during the second quarter. An investment property worth £4.1m is still up for sale. David and Monique Newlands increased their shareholding from 11.1% to 12.4%.
Bars operator The Revel Collective (TRC) had a good Christmas, but it faces higher costs because of the National Living Wage and National Insurance increases. Annualised costs will rise by £4m. This has led to forecasts of larger than expected losses. Like-for-like Christmas revenues were 1.6% higher. Net debt is expected to be £24m at the end of June 2025.
Managed services provider Tialis Essential IT (TIA) has made a good start to 2025 with preferred partner and contract extensions totalling £17.8m. Some of these are five-year contracts and are higher margin lifecycle management contracts. The 2024 pre-tax profit is expected to be flat at £1.1m, but earnings are forecast to treble to 3.6p/share.
Ariana Resources (AAU) produced 20,900 ounces of gold from its 23.5% owned Zenit mining operations in Turkey. Revenues were $54.7m. Mining is building up at the new Tavsan mine. A resource estimate is expected from Dokwe in Zimbabwe after further drilling analysis.
Quantum Blockchain Technologies (QBT) has raised £2m at 1.15p/share so that it can invest in its Bitcoin mining technology. Last week, it announced a breakthrough for its Bitcoin Artificial Intelligence model mining tool. The Method C AI Oracle provides a 30% improved performance compared with other methods. The company is seeking a chip manufacturing partner to produce a commercial product.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) has raised £540,000 at 0.02p/share. This is interim funding following the decision not to proceed with the fundraising at 0.0275p/share because the retail offer did not raise enough to reach a total raising of £3.5m. The company will require more cash and I talking to its offtake partner.
MAIN MARKET
LED lighting and wiring accessories supplier Luceco (LUCE) had a strong fourth quarter despite the tough market conditions for some parts of the business. Trading was better than forecast with a modest improvement in pre-tax profit to £21.9m expected. Net debt is expected to be £69m.
Dukemount Capital (DKE) had £28,000 in cash at the end of September 2024, while net assets were £59,000.
Neuchatel Investment is subscribing for 29.9% of Aseana Properties Ltd (ASPL). This is expected to raise $5.45m at $0.08 cents/share.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 4 November 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Rebel shareholders failed to win any of their three resolutions, including the removal of the chief executive, at the requisitioned general meeting of ProBiotix Health (PBX). Broker Peterhouse said that major shareholder OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) was not allowed to vote its shares at the meeting because of the relationship agreement from the flotation of the probiotics developer. OptiBiotix Health owns 53.5 million shares, and the votes were lost by less than 36 million shares.
Surgical treatments provider One Health Group (OHGR) interim revenues were more than one-fifth higher at £13.4m. New patients increased by 29%. The second half is likely to better than expected. That means that full year EBITDA should be higher than £1.9bn. There was cash of £4.9m at the end of September 2024. A move to AIM is being considered.
Aquis Exchange (AQX) and Cboe Europe are assessing a joint bid to provide an EU consolidated tape of stock trades. The European Commission has decided to create a single entity to operate a real-time, trade consolidated tape. The European Securities and Market Authority will select the business to take on the role. The plan is for the two companies to set up a joint venture called SimpliCT, which will be based in the Netherlands, to bid for the role of equity consolidated tape provider.
Luxury prize draw organiser Good Life Plus (GDLF) has achieved £330,000 in monthly recurring revenues. There are more than 40,000 subscribers and churn has been reduced. In the six months to July 2024, revenues were £1.69m. There was a £2.21m cash outflow from operating activities. There was a fundraising after the balance sheet date. Richard Johnston has been appointed as finance director.
Macaulay Capital (MCAP) investee company Vale Foods has repaid a £125,000 loan and this has been reinvested in shares in the latest fundraising of £430,000. A £100,000 loan has been made to another investee company.
Health IT provider DXS International (DXSP) has won its first NHS commercial contract for its AI ExpertCare Clinical Decision Support product. In the year to April 2024, revenues were 2% ahead at £3.31m, There was an impairment charge of £4.38m. Even without that write-down the company fell into loss. Chairman Bob Sutcliffe bought 50,000 shares at 1p each and 133,333 shares at 1.5p each. He owns 1.74% of the company.
KR1 (KR1) had net assets of 62.15p/share at the end of September 2024. The income from digital assets was £592,000 during September.
Social commerce platform investor WeCap (WCAP) says WeShop is considering a listing. If its convertible loans are converted into shares WeCap would own 16% of WeShop. The investment in Bio2pure of £100,000 has been written down to nil. At the end of April cash was £49,000 and net assets were £7.39m.
Rogue Baron (SHNJ) says Sinju Japanese Whisky will be available in the US in the third week of November. The latest shipment of 800 cases has been presold.
Marula Mining (MARU) is stockpiling ore at the Kinusi copper mine. Samples have been sent to South Africa for test work and the results will help to design the first phase of the processing facilities. Three trial shipments are about to be sold.
Fenikso (FNK) is launching a share buyback of up to 49.3 million shares. A further $404,000 has been received in loan repayments. The remaining loan is worth nearly $39m.
Chris Akers’ stake in Oscillate (MUSH) has been reduced from 5.94% to less than 3%. Peterhouse Capital has also reduced its stake below 3%. Jonathan Neame has bought 7,000 Shepherd Neame (SHEP) shares at 569.5p each.
Investment Evolution Credit (IEC) raised £475,000 at 1p each and there is a broker option to issue up to three million more shares.
Unigel Group (UNX) is paying an interim dividend of 1.5p/share on 22 November.
First Sentinel has resigned as corporate adviser of Vulcan Industries (VULC).
AIM
Energy supplier and energy efficiency services provider Good Energy (GOOD) received an unsolicited bid from Dubai-based Esyasoft Holding Ltd. Esyasoft offers a range of products. They include the Smart Grid Suite, which is a cloud-based integration platform that manages workflow and communications between utilities and meters and an energy mobility business.
Payments technology developer Eckoh (ECK) is recommending a 54p/share bid from funds managed by Bridgepoint Advisers II. The bid values Eckoh at £169.3m. The share price has not been at that level since the end of 2022, but it is the price indicated back in August. The bid values Eckoh at 20 times prospective 2025-26 earnings.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) is spending some of its cash pile on Coleman Construction & Utilities, which is involved in civil engineering for water and marine sectors. This diversifies the business away from housebuilding infrastructure. The purchase will cost up to £4.4m and be immediately earnings enhancing – EBITDA was £700,000 last year. Trading is in line with expectations and the loss should be halved to £2.4m in the year to September 2024. A small loss is still expected this year.
Emmerson (LON: EML) says it filed an appeal against the unfavourable recommendation for its ESIA application for the Moroccan potash project, but the regional authorities say that they cannot examine the ESIA submission again. Emmerson subsequently notified the Moroccan government of an investment dispute and argues that the government is violating an agreement between the UK and Morocco. The dispute can be submitted to the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes. Prior to this, the company is seeking cash compensation from the government. Emmerson is trying to reduce its cash burn, but that will mean that there will be no progress with the development of the project. Two non-executive directors are stepping down and the two remaining non-executives will take fees in shares, while the chief executives pay will be reduced by two-fifths.
Construction dispute and expert witness services provider Diales (DIAL) says that there will be a small improvement in revenues and profit in the year to September 2024. Pre-tax profit will be at least £1.1m, up from £1m. The cost base has been reduced. Net cash is £4.3m. Diales is pulling out of the US. It will still have a Canadian operation, and South America is handled from Spain.
MicroSalt (SALT) has received an initial purchase order for 50,000lbs of low-sodium salt from a major food and drink manufacturer for one of its product lines. Annualised volumes should be 200,000lbs and there could be orders for two other products. There is also a follow-on order from a B2B customer and the 63,860lbs will be delivered in January. Two other B2B orders have been won.
Tlou Energy (TLOU) is seeking shareholder approval at its AGM to leave AIM. The shares will still be traded on the ASX and the Botswana Stock Exchange. Interest in the company has dwindled and the departure will save money. UK shareholders are offered the chance to transfer their holding to the ASX depositary in exchange for ASX-listed shares at no cost. Tlou Energy released a first quarter update indicating progress with the Lesedi CBM gas-to-power project in Botswana. First electricity sales are expected in the middle of next year. There was an operating cash outflow of A$800,000, plus A$1.7m of capital investment in the period.
Cleaning services provider React (REAT) has made the earnings enhancing acquisition of 24hr Aquaflow Services for £5m plus contingent payments of up to £2.4m. It will still be enhancing after a £1.1m placing at 81p/share. 24hr Aquaflow Services is a drainage and plumbing services provider. This adds to group services.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) generated $7.2m from 43,500 ACCRUFeR prescriptions in the third quarter, which was slightly lower than forecast. The average net selling price is $167, and this could rise to $192 in the fourth quarter. Total nine-month revenues are $20m and the 2024 figure should hit $31.5m. Management admits that more cash will be required, and costs are being reduced. Sallyport is providing a $15m facility, up from $10m previously, and AOP Health has agreed to subscribe $10m for shares at 4p each.
Prospex Energy (PXEN) says third quarter gas production of its Italian interests, where it has a 37% stake, was 76,910scm/day. Prospex Energy’s net revenues for the quarter were €1m, which is a record. There should be a further increase in gas production in the fourth quarter.
Deltic Energy (DELT) says wireline logging and fluid sampling confirm the gas discovery at Selene in the North Sea, where it has a 25% working interest. The reservoir quality is better than expected, but it is deeper than anticipated which means that recoverable gas volumes of 131bcf are lower than previous estimates of 320bcf. This should still be economically viable. Further work is required, though.
Transport technology services provider Microlise Group (SAAS) has been hit by a cyber security incident. This has disrupted services, and they are currently inactive. Cyber security specialists have been appointed.
MAIN MARKET
Tin projects developer First Tin (1SN) has raised £8m at 6p/share. The cash will go towards the Taronga project in Australia and funding the enhancements highlighted in the definitive feasibility study. This could increase the project NPV to A$400m. The environmental impact statement will be completed so that initial project work can commence. There will also be cash to progress permitting at the Tellerhauser project in Germany.
Mears (MER) says trading is strong and margins are improving. The 2024 figures will be better than expected with revenues of £1.13bn and pre-tax profit of at least £60m.
A general meeting has been requisitioned at nanomaterials developer Nanoco (NANO) by Milwood Fund, which wants two of its employees to be given board seats. It appears Milkwood may want to sell assets and turn Nanoco into a shell.
Motor dealer Caffyns (CFYN) is selling its freehold premises in Lewis to Lidl for £4.65m, which is equal to book value. The pension fund will receive £2.4m and the rest will reduce debt. The Lotus dealership will be relocated.
Critical Minerals (CRTM) is making progress with the Molulu copper cobalt project in the DRC and is on course to start delivering ore. Two additional mineralised zones have been identified. Terms of a new offtake agreement have been secured with OM Metals following good copper grades from ore testing. Since the balance sheet there has been a £455,000 investment by NIU Invest.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 20 May 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Digital assets investor KR1 (KR1) reported a decline in 2023 revenues from £20.2m to £8.65m, but larger gains on digital assets mean that the reported profit was not down as much at £14.7m, from £19.5m. The introduction of the bitcoin ETF has helped the valuation of digital assets in the diversified portfolio. NAV was 132.05p/share at the end of March 2024, which is higher than the figure at the end of 2023. The company has been buying back shares at a discount to the NAV.
Aquaculture technology developer OTAQ (OTAQ) plans to raise up to £2m from a convertible loan note issue. The conversion price will be 3p/share. A reduced loss is expected for 2023, even after exceptional costs. The 2023 results should be announced by the end of June. First quarter revenues are 19% ahead. The live plankton analysis system has been launched.
Brewer Adnams (ADB) increased annual sales by 11% with growth in on-trade and off-trade business. Management is still exploring ways of funding growth.
All Things Considered (ATC) has acquired 55% of music management company Raw Power, whose artists include The Damned, for £1.41m in cash. This takes the artists managed by the combined group to 80. The existing shareholders will retain the rest of the shares. Some of these were involved with Sanctuary Group, which was quoted two decades ago. In the year to February 2023, Raw Power made a pre-tax profit of £326,000 on revenues of £2.27m. Phantom Music Management holds loan notes in the acquired business and is subscribing £200,000 for shares in All Things Considered, which had net cash of £10m at the endo of 2023. Last year. All Things Considered increased revenues by 156% to £24.1m, but there was a swing from profit to loss, although there was a one-off profit in the previous year. There was also a larger loss from the minority interest in livestreaming company Driift.
Clarify Pharma (PSYC) reported a reduced loss in the year to November 2023. NAV fell from £1.41m to £597,000, including cash of £167,000. Investments were valued at £706,000.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) had net assets of 347.96p/share at the end of April 2024.
Res Privata has increased its stake in WeCap (WCAP) from 7.28% to 9.69%. Silverwood Brands (SLWD) director Andrew Gerrie invested £20,000 in shares at just over 26p each. Newbury Racecourse (NYR) director Dominic Burke has bought 1,125 shares at 5.449p each. Tap Global Group chief executive Arsen Torosian acquired 33.75 million shares at 0.681481p each.
Secured Property Developments has changed its name to Mollyroe (MOY).
AIM
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) reported a decline in revenues in the six months to March 2024, but the order book is improving. Revenues generated by the infrastructure services provider fell from £51m to £25.8m and the company slipped into loss. The interim dividend is maintained at 1p/share. There was a cash outflow, but cash is still £9.3m, which is not much less than the market capitalisation. The order book is worth £72m, but the recovery in revenues may not happen until next year.
B90 Holdings (B90) has refocused on business to business gaming operations. This will enable a reduction in costs and could move the company into profit in 2024. Net cash was Euro800,000 at the end of 2023 and the cash outflow should end in the second half. There is an experienced management team. In the medium-term the company should become a consolidator in the sector.
Cerillion (CER) continues to win significant orders and there was a major win following the end of the first half. Revenues grew 10% to £22.5m in the first half. The software company is on course to improve pre-tax profit from £16.8m to £17.3m in the year to September 2024. Net cash could rise to £30.4m.
Semiconductors designer Sondrel (SND) is raising £5.63m at 10p/share and plans to cancel the AIM quotation. ROX Equity Partners is subscribing for the shares and its loans will be converted into a further 28.7 million shares, taking its stake to 49.3%. This requires government and shareholder approval. Miles Woodhouse will be ROX Equity Partners’ representative on the board. A new chief executive is being sought. Sondrel recognises it needs to manage projects better.
Orchard Funding Group (ORCH) believes that it is not worth being quoted on AIM and the insurance premium finance provider intends to cease paying dividends. The cash can then be used to make a tender offer to shareholders when appropriate.
Active Energy Group (AEG) says that its audit may not be completed by June, which would lead to a suspension of trading in the shares. Cash is running out and management may have to consider liquidating the company. This depends on whether the CoalSwitch assets are sold. There is currently $500,000 in the bank. There is also a 4.1% stake in green technology investor Alpha Prospects, but whether this is really worth the £680,000 book value is questionable.
A trading update from professional services provider FRP Advisory (FRP) shows revenues 23% ahead at £128m and much higher than forecast EBITDA of £37m. Work on corporate administrations is rising, but all five of the divisions grew. Net cash was around £30m at the end of March 2024. Cavendish has raised its 2023-24 pre-tax forecast to £33m with a further improvement to £34.2m in 2024-25.
Phoenix Copper (PXC) says that it has conditionally raised $80m from a bond issue to fund the construction of the Empire copper-gold mine in Idaho. The cash will be drawn down in tranches. The arrangement fee is paid for by the issue of 33.9 million shares. NIU invest is acquiring the bond and it will have the right to subscribe for a 25% stake in Phoenix Copper over a five-year period.
Lower gold production meant that Anglo Asian Mining (AAZ) revenues fell from $84.7m to $45.9m, which meant that it swung from pre-tax profit of $7.5m to a loss of $32m. There were $18m of non-cash impairment charges of capitalised exploration costs and the value of the Libero Copper and Gold investment. All-in sustaining cost of gold production jumped from $1,064/ounce to $1,510/ounce. Total production was 31,821 ounces.
Retail software provider itim Group (ITIM) has secured a five-year contract renewal with Majestic Wine. This is a multi-million pounds contract. This follows the publication earlier in the week of 2023 figures showing revenues 15% higher at £16.1m. Annual recurring revenues were £13.2m. Revenues are expected to increase to £17m this year, but itim will still lose money before a potential move into profit in 2025.
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts has made a recommended bid of 480p/share for IQGeo (IQG), which values the geospatial software company at £333m. KKR believe it can accelerate the growth of IQGeo.
Revolution Bars (RBG) says that it has not received any takeover bid or offer for assets as a whole as part of the formal sale process. There are offers for certain assets, but none would result in any return to shareholders. A restructuring and fundraising plan is still possible, and the board is still open to other plans, possibly by Nightcap (NGHT).
E-commerce firm Huddled (HUD) reported a 2023 pre-tax profit of £13m, but that was due to gains on the disposals of Immotion and Uvisan. The underlying pre-tax loss was £2.29m. Cash of £12.7m was returned to shareholders out of the disposal proceeds, but there was still £4.27m in the bank at the end of 2023. The new core business Discount Dragon was acquired in October, so the figures do not provide a good indication of ongoing operations. Discount Dragon generated revenues of £2.1m in the first quarter of 2024.
Horizonte Minerals (HZM) has appointed FRP Advisory as administrator. The nominated adviser has resigned.
MAIN MARKET
Flavourings supplier Treatt (TET) reported a dip in interim revenues to £72.1m because of destocking, but underlying pre-tax profit improved from £7.3m to £7.6m. There is good momentum in the second half.
Standard list shell Sivota (SIV) has ended acquisition talks with an online technology platform in the travel sector.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 11 March 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Luxury prize draw operator Good Life Plus (GDLF) raised £2.03m via a subscription at 2.25p/share, which is a premium to the market price of 1.875p. The subscriber is Winforton Investments, which is associated with Sportingbet founder Mark Blandford, which will have a 17.9% stake. The cash will be spent on marketing to accelerate growth and subscription numbers. Options have been granted to management at the subscription price. The reverse takeover of Semper Fortis Esports was done at 2p/share.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) says the capital expenditure requirements for Amapa iron project have been reduced. Project financing talks continue with parties interested in taking a stake in the project. Cadence Minerals has invested $12.1m in Amapa and owns 32.6% of the project. The stake in Hastings Technology Metals has been sold. Cadence Minerals expects to leave the Aquis Stock Exchange on 5 April.
Food company Essentially Group (ESSN) is acquiring Best of Latin Foodstuff Trading for £1.95m. The company sources food from growers in Latin America and supplies hotels and restaurants in the UAE, where Essentially Group already supplies juices and other drinks. The deal will triple the revenues of Essentially Group. The former owner Catalina Onate will become an executive director of Essentially Group.
RentGuarantor Holdings (RGG) has raised £430,000 at 274p/share. The cash will finance the hiring of additional staff. Chief executive Paul Foy is converting £250,000 of convertible loan notes at 210p/share. He still has £250,000 of convertible loan notes.
Investment Evolution (IEC) is expanding into Spain, and it will grant subsidiary MRAL Spain non-exclusive recurring rights to the Mr Amazing Loans brand. Spanish company Investment Evolution Credit, not part of the group, will provide lending technology for a 49% stake in MRAL Spain.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) has raised £472,500 at 2.5p/share with executive directors subscribing £40,000. There have also been creditor payments of £83,900 in shares. Each new share comes with a warrant exercisable at 3.75p/share. The cash will be invested in Web3 and AI technology and provide working capital.
Marula Mining (MARU) has added to its team in Kenya. Gilbert Kibet is project geologist and Joy Chebet will be graduate geologist. Exploration work will commence on the Larisoro manganese mine in northern Kenya.
Flex Labs (FLEX) says Supernova Digital Assets (SOL), which is associated with its executive chairman, has sold 1.24 million shares and raised £81,425. These sales were between December and February. Supernova Digital Assets plans to return cash to shareholders via a tender offer after Phoenix Digital Assets (PNIX), in which it owns 30 million shares, completes its tender offer. There will have to be a capital reorganisation to enable the tender offer to happen and £242,000 has been raised at 0.1p/share for working capital while the capital changes are arranged.
Kasei Holdings has changed its name to Kasei Digital Assets (KASH). Non-executive director Bryan Coyne bought 75,000 shares at 9.75p each. Gunsynd (GUN) executive director Donald Strang bought three million shares at 0.148p/share.
AIM
Wealth management company Mattioli Woods (MTW) is recommending an 804p/share bid from a company owned by Pollen Street Capital. That values Mattioli Woods at £432m and shareholders will still receive the interim dividend of 9p/share. The 2203-24 prospective multiple at the bid price is less than 17, falling below 15 the following year. When it joined AIM in November 2015 at 132p/share Mattioli Woods was valued at £22.5m.
Challenger Energy (CEG) has secured a farm out deal for the OFF-1 exploration asset, offshore Uruguay with Chevron. Challenger Energy will retain a 40% interest. The oil and gas explorer will receive a cash payment of $12.5m on completion, plus a carry of up to $15m on 3D seismic and 50% of the cost of an exploration well up to a $20m share. However, a well could cost between $50m and $100m according to Zeus, so Challenger Energy could still have to make a cash contribution. Regulatory approvals will take months.
A large diagnostics company has made a bid approach to kidney disease diagnostics developer, Renalytix (RENX). This has sparked a formal sale process, so that the company can assess whether there are other potential bidders. It is also possible that there could be a decision to stay independent. Funding options are being reviewed. Costs have been reduced, but there is currently cash and securities of $3.7m and the cash outflows remain significant so this will only last until the end of April. A share issue and/or debt financing will be required.
Empire Metals (EEE) says study results for the Pitfield project in Western Australia show favourable mineralogy and metallurgy in the high-grade titanium samples. This should simplify processing. Around two-thirds of the contained titanium is titanite, which can be processed at low temperatures. The overall end product would be ideal for a titanium dioxide pigment producer.
Kinovo (KINO) estimates that the costs of the guarantees to complete work on projects taken on by ex-subsidiary DCB will be £2.9m higher than previously expected. Cash flow from the continuing operations will help to fund this but Kinovo will move into net debt by the end of March. This will not affect the pre-exceptional pre-tax profit forecast of £5.8m, up from £4.9m.
LungLife AI (LLAI) raised £1.8m at 35p/share. The lung cancer diagnostics developer is starting the commercialisation process for its diagnostic technology. The cash will fund the evidence generating activities, including an early access programme and clinical utility studies. There should be enough cash until April 2025.
Controlled environment agriculture technology developer Light Science Technologies (LST) has appointed former ITM Power (ITM) boss Dr Graham Cooley as non-executive chairman. He bought a 7.5% stake last year and has been awarded 6.66 million options exercisable at 5p each. Richard Mills, who is boss of the growing systems division of Haygrove and has helped to develop global partnerships, has also joined the board. Myles Halley and Robert Naylor have stepped down. The company has been broadening its activities into fire protection.
Performance nutrition products provider Science in Sport (SIS) is focusing on improving margins rather than growing revenues. This strategy change was in the fourth quarter of 2023, so there was not much time to affect trading. In 2023, revenue dipped from £63.8m to £62.8m due to lower online sales. The Science in Sport brand grew sales by 17%. Liberum trimmed its 2023 revenues estimate, but it also reduced the forecast loss to £4.8m. The 2024 forecast revenues have been cut, but the loss is still forecast to be £3.1m with a move to breakeven in 2025.
Duke Capital (DUKE) has exited another investment with a total return on invested capital of 2.1 times. Street lighting columns manufacturer Fabrikat has been acquired by Metalogalva. Duke Capital has already received £2.7m from Fabrikat and will receive a further £10m after the takeover. There is potential performance-related deferred consideration.
Netcall (NET) continues to build its annual contract values and they have reached £30m. Recurring revenues were three-quarters of the interim revenues. There is rapid growth in cloud business and the cash in the balance sheet enables consistent investment in research and development. Full year pre-tax profit will edge up to £6.7m.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) has focused on its Tamdown civil engineering business and the remaining cash from disposals has come in handy in a tough time for the housebuilding sector. Revenues fell from £98.4m to £88.7m. There is still £14.6m in cash. The final dividend is 2p/share. The order book is recovering and was £57.2m at the end of January 2024. There should be a recovery in the housebuilding sector over the next year, but the timing is uncertain.
Strategic Minerals (SML) sold 4,898 tons from the Cobre magnetite stockpile during February. That is the highest monthly figure since March 2021. Quarterly sales should be around 13,000 tons and annual revenues from Cobre should be around $3.5m.
Floor levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises (SOM) reported a 10% dip in revenues to $120.7m because of the weak North American market. Europe and Australia performed better. Pre-tax profit fell from $42.3m to $34.5m and the dividend was reduced from 35.5p/share to 30.6p/share. This year’s revenues are likely to be flat, but additional investment in a new facility in Belgium means that there will be a further decline in pre-tax profit.
Saietta Group (SED) has appointed administrators and following the resignation of Canaccord Genuity as nominated adviser the AIM quotation will be cancelled at the beginning of April. The electric drivetrain technology developer company has failed to secure additional cash and although there is interest in the business no firm buyer has been found.
MAIN MARKET
Ground engineering and piling business Keller (KLR) reported flat revenues of £2.97bn, but operating profit was two-thirds higher at £180.9m – £150m was expected before the recent trading statement. Pre-tax profit jumped from £93.5m to £153.4m. Net debt was one-third lower at £146.2m. The dividend is one-fifth ahead at 45.2p/share. Non-core businesses are being exited. The year-end order book was worth £1.5bn.
Standard list shell Spiritus Mundi (SPMU) has entered into heads of terms for the purchase of InReste, which has developed clinical diagnostic tests and operates a laboratory in Singapore. Spiritus Mundi chairman Zaccheus Peh is the controlling shareholder of InReste and will be the controlling shareholder of the holding company after the acquisition.
IT services provider Triad Group (TRD) is winning new business and it returned to profit in November. There will be initial costs of contracts in the fourth quarter. That means that there will be a greater benefit in the first quarter of the next financial year.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 2 January 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) says that 2023 revenues will be better than expected because of the order inflow in recent months and delayed contracts. The 2023 forecast was raised from £20.6m to £23.7 in September. The battery storage technology developer will still make a significant loss even with higher revenues.
Oberon Investments Group (OBE) reported a decline in interim revenues from £3.45m to £2.64m. Corporate broking revenues fell by one-third to £1.03m, although the number of clients increased from 15 to 22. Funds under management rose above £1bn, although investment management revenues also declined. The group moved from profit to a £1.7m loss as additional staff were taken on in corporate broking and investment management. There was net cash of £2.3m at the end of September 2022. The launch of an EIS fund and other new products should boost longer-term revenues.
Supported housing operator Walls & Futures REIT (WAFR) interim loss fell from £201,000 to £37,000, although there was a small increase if exceptional charges are excluded. NAV was 0.5% lower at 97.5p a share at the end of September 2022. There was cash of £829,000. The weaker residential market is helping with the search for suitable sites.
Looking Glass Labs Ltd (NFTX), which operates Web3 platforms for immersive metaverse environments and blockchain, has progressed with the development of its Pocket Dimension metaverse offering. Carl Chow has stepped down from the board and Lucas Russell has replaced him.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) reported an increased loss of £311,000 in the year to June 2022, while there was a £270,000 cash outflow from operating activities. There was £403,000 in the bank at the end of June 2022, with net cash of £232,000.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) has completed the pre-feasibility study for the Amapa Iron Ore and an announcement is expected in early 2023. Investee company Evergreen Lithium is awaiting final regulatory approval to join the ASX.
AQRU (AQRU) has invested £2.3m in Streaks Gaming, which is planning to join the standard list on 5 January. Streaks Gaming is creating a global conversational gaming platform.
IamFire (FIRE) has subscribed for a further £500,000 of WeShop convertible loan notes. The conversion price is 200p a share.
Gowin New Energy (GWIN) has borrowed £50,000 from its chief executive.
Geremy Thomas is no longer an executive at Goodbody Health Ltd (GBDY), although he remains as chairman. Anne Tew is stepping down as finance boss, although she will cover the role until a replacement is appointed.
AIM
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) is selling its utility connections and charging infrastructure businesses to FitzWalter Capital for £77.7m. That is more than the market capitalisation before the announcement. This is the highest it has been since June. TriConnex and eSmart Networks were the parts of the group with the best growth prospects and Nexus Infrastructure is left with civil engineering business Tamdown, where margins are recovering. In 2021-22, revenues were £98.4m and the operating profit was £2.3m. There will be £10m of disposal proceeds retained for working capital and the £65m left after costs will be distributed to shareholders.
Trading in digital media company Catenae Innovation (CTEA) shares has recommenced after it published its 2020-21 accounts and interims to March 2022. There was a £993,000 cash outflow from operations last year and that was reduced to £283,000 in the latest interims. There was cash of £337,000 and no debt at the end of March 2022. A £250,000 interest-free loan facility has been secured from Sanderson Capital and £125,000 has been drawn down. Shares and warrants will be issued to Sanderson Capital at 0.235p each.
NetScientific (NSCI) investee company PDS Biotech (NASDAQ: PDSB) has revealed median overall survival of 21 months in a phase II study for a PDS0101-based triple combination therapy for advanced HPV+ cancer patients. This is a better outcome than for current treatments. The PDS share price rose on the news and even though it has fallen back it has still risen by around one-third this week. NetScientific’s 4.7% stake is worth around £13.8m.
Catalyst Media Group (CMX) trebled its net assets after unwinding a previous write-down. A 20.5% shareholding in horseracing broadcaster Sports Information Services (SIS) is the only significant asset that Catalyst Media has, and it is valued at £35.4m. That is after a write-back of a previous impairment charge of £23.4m. NAV is £35.5m, or 168.9p a share. Catalyst Media has announced a 3.3p a share dividend.
Cannabis-based medicines developer Celadon Pharmaceuticals (CEL) says its pain clinic subsidiary LVL Health has completed the feasibility study of its non-cancer chronic pain clinical trial. The results are described as positive. The results have been submitted to the research ethics committee, which will make a decision on a larger clinical trial involving up to 5,000 patients. A trial has already been conditionally approved by the MHRA.
Barkby Group (BARK) has increased the debt facility provided by Tarncourt Properties, a company controlled by the family of Barkby chairman Charles Dickson, from £5m to £12m and it expires at the end of June 2024. Net debt was £7.7m on 2 July 2022. There is effectively £7m of cash available at the end of 2022. Net liabilities are £7.7m. Non-core assets are up for sale. The focus will be property and pubs.
Tekcapital (TEK) investee company Innovative Eyewear has signed a global licensing agreement for the outdoor brand Eddie Bauer for smart eyewear.
Allergy Therapeutics (AGY) says that its accounts will not be published by the end of 2022, so trading in the shares will be suspended on 3 January. The audit has been delayed, but there is no indication of any material problem. Management is still assessing funding options. Annual results for Kazera Global (KZG) will not be published until February, so trading in the shares will also be suspended on 3 January.
MAIN MARKET
Gresham Technologies (GHT) software Clareti Connect has won a new $1.3m contract over five years with an existing banking client. The software will replace FIX processing infrastructure and there will be additional recurring usage fees.
Standard list shell Stranger Holdings (STHP) had net debt of £761,000 at the end of September 2022. Due diligence continues on the potential acquisition of mineral rights in Africa.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 13 June 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Psych Capital (PSY) floated on Aquis so that it can take advantage of the opportunities in the fast-growing psychedelic medicines sector. Management is seeking to invest in early-stage companies, where it can obtain a significant minority stake. Psych Capital raised £810,000 at 5p a share. Pro forma net assets are £2m. Psych Capital has cash of £872,000 following the flotation. There is an investment in Awakn Life Sciences Corp that was valued at £584,563 at the end of June 2021. The share price is declining, and it has reached C$0.96, valuing the stake at around £260,000 at the current exchange rate. The share price fell to 4p on 9 June before recovering to 4.75p (3.5p/6p). There is limited liquidity in the shares with a free float of around 11%. Fellow Aquis company Oscillate (MUSH) holds a 16.15% shareholding in Psych Capital. Chris Akers has increased his stake in Oscillate from 9.02% to 11.4%. He also has a 4.96% stake in Psych Capital.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) improved interim revenues from £198,000 to £216,000, while recognised fair value gains declined from £1.04m to £297,000. There were 14 investments at the end of the period and net assets were 68.38p a share at the end of February 2022.
Rural Broadband Solutions (RBBS) had 2,851 monthly fee-paying clients by mid-May. There was net cash of £1.2m at the end of 2021 and infrastructure funding is being negotiated.
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) reopened its hotel in January and more than 105,000 racegoers have visited the racecourse so far this year. There have benefits from the catering deal with Compass and new media rights arrangement start at the beginning of 2024, which will benefit that financial year. More will be spent on prize money. Newbury is debt free, and a special dividend has been paid out of proceeds from the sale of land for housebuilding. Annual dividends may recommence next year.
Quantum technology investment company Quantum Exponential (QBIT) has made three investments at a total cost of £1.16m since it floated. There are discussions with more potential investments. There has been further progress towards setting up a fund. Anthony Lyall has been appointed as investment manager and Anna Spandl as investment analyst.
Altona Rare Earths (ANR) says that it is on track for a maiden JORC resource statement for the Monte Muambe rare earths project in Mozambique. Four new drilling targets have been identified.
Ananda Developments (ANA) had net liabilities of £288,000 at the end of January 2022. There should be further news concerning the purchase of the other 50% of DJT Plants.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) expects to deploy drill rigs in Queensland in the next few weeks following the rainy season.
RentGuarantor Holdings (RGG) has raised £1m from a 6% unsecured loan note issue, with chief executive Paul Foy subscribing for 50% of the issue. The cash will be spent on hiring staff and marketing.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has commenced drilling at the Wishbone II gold copper project in Northern Queensland.
Chapel Down Group (CDGP) non-exec Jamie Brooke has bought 327,000 shares at 30.48p each. Jonathan Neame has sold 2,000 shares in Shepherd Neame (SHEP) at 806p each.
Oberon Investments has increased its stake in TruSpine Technologies (TSP) from 7.93% to 10.9%.
EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) had a NAV of 307.13p a share at the end of May 2022.
Former Aquis-quoted proton beam therapy provider Rutherford Health is being placed in liquidation. There are Rutherford Cancer Centres in Newport, Reading, Liverpool and Northumberland, plus a community diagnostics centre in Somerset. It is unclear whether there will be any buyers interested in these assets. Schroder UK Public Private Trust (SUPP) bought the remaining Woodford stake at the end of 2019. It was valued in the books at £22.8m, which will be written off. That will reduce NAV by 2p a share.
AIM
Like-for-like sales growth at City Pub Group (CPC) was 5% in May and 20% ahead over the Jubilee Bank Holiday. Management took a decision to minimise price rises so that food and drink is still relatively affordable. Two new sites have been opened with two more opening over the next few weeks.
Learning and development products and services provider Mind Gym (MIND) fell into loss in the year to March 2022. Revenues were 24% ahead at £48.7m with US revenues growing even faster. Repeat revenues from customers that have bought products and services in the past three years were 86% of the total. Overheads are higher as management anticipates future growth in demand. There were also £500,000 of non-recuring costs. The investment in digital products and services will pay off in future years when profit is expected to grow sharply.
Greater demand for foreign exchange helped Ramsdens (RFX) to move back into profit in the first half. Jewellery retail and precious metals buying also grew revenues significantly. There was modest growth in pawnbroking revenues although the growth in the loan book means that there will be a higher rate of increase in the second half. Overall revenues were £29.3m, up from £19.3m, and there was a pre-tax profit of £2.2m.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) improved interim revenues from £63.7m to £80.3m and the order book is 7% higher at £306.7m. Civil engineer Tamdown’s revenues were more than one-quarter higher while utilities connections business TriConnect reported a small increase in revenues. The biggest increase came from the eSmart Networks business, but that is still less than 11% of group revenues. Nexus is on course to improve full year pre-tax profit from £2.5m to £5.7m.
Open Orphan (ORPH) has an order book worth £64.25m at the end of May 2022. Open Orphan secured a £14.7m contract for an influenza characterisation study and a follow-on human challenge study. The second half is expected to be stronger than the first and the clinical trials services provider should move into profit this year.
Electrical goods retailer Marks Electrical (MRK) reported its first full year results since flotation last November. In the year to March 2022, revenues increased 44% to £80.5m. Underlying earnings were 5.01p a share and the maiden final dividend is 0.67p a share. The company is gaining market share in the domestic appliance and televisions markets and revenues have grown by one-fifth in the first couple of months of this financial year. Brand recognition is improving, but the overall market is likely to be tough. Expanding the product range is helping growth.
Interims from Hercules Site Services (HERC) reflect a period of consolidation for the staffing business. In the six months to March 2022, revenues improved from £14m to £20m, while pre-tax profit slumped from £954,000 to £31,000. Overheads were £2m higher in anticipation of growth in the coming years. The large staff supply contract for HS2 started later in the reporting period and demand will continue to grow. More suction excavators are being delivered and utilisation rates are high.
Greenland-focused AEX Gold Inc (AEXG) has signed non-binding terms for the creation of a joint venture with ACAM that will hold the group’s strategic mineral assets. ACAM will invest £18m for a 49% stake and AEX Gold will inject the non-gold assets and cover site support, logistics and overhead costs. There is an agreement to inject a further £10m on a pro rata basis as long as certain milestones are achieved. AEX Gold’s core asset is the 100% interest in the Nalunaq project, which includes a former producing gold mine.
Plant-based polymers developer Itaconix (LSE: ITX) had already warned that due to destocking 2021 revenues would fall from $3.29m to $2.6m, which is still double the 2019 figure. Itaconix remains lossmaking, but revenues should be much higher in 2022 due to the increased number of products using its ingredients. Revenues are expected to jump back to $4.7m and the loss could halve to $1m.
Rockwood Strategic (RKW) has acquired a 8.75% stake in window ventilators and parts manufacturer Titon Holdings (TON).
Northbridge Industrial Services (NBI), which is set to change its name to Crestchic, says that trading at the core power reliability business is better than the recently upgraded expectations. Previously full year earnings of 12.1p a share were forecast and this was raised to 13.4p a share.
STM (STM) pre-tax profit halved to £1.2m in 2021 and it is expected to recover to £2.9m this year. This will be helped by the completion of investment in IT that brings the personal pension businesses onto one platform. A flow of new SIPP business is anticipated.
Coral Products (CRU) has announced a final dividend of 0.2p a share, taking the total for the year to 1.1p a share. At 17.5p, the yield is 6.3%.
Eve Sleep (EVE) is outperforming a market that has fallen by 29% in the UK in the first four months of 2022 and by 37% in France. More funding is required even though Eve Sleep and a US-based investor was interested in bidding for the mattress supplier. Talks have ended but management is considering its options.
MAIN MARKET
Citius Resources (CRES) has an initial agreement for the potential acquisition of AUC Mining, which has the Kamalenge gold project in Uganda. The proposed £2m cost would be paid in shares at 4.625p each. More cash would have to be raised at the same time. Trading in the shares was suspended at 3p.
Standard list shell GS Chain (GSC) shares have reached a new high of 6.55p, having risen steadily since flotation on 13 May via an introduction at 1p a share. Net assets were less than 0.18p a share, so the share price is at a substantial premium.
Premium listed Ross Group (RGP) shares jumped from 1.45p to 1.7p following a placing raising £163,000 at 1.79p a share, which is still a premium to the higher market price. The previous placing in October was at 2.8p a share. Ross Group is effectively a shell that has an investment in an aquaculture business and is trying to develop its supply chain management business.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 13 December 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gibraltar-based RentGuarantor (RGG) provides a rent guarantee service to tenants in the private rental sector. It has joined the Access segment having raised £125,000 at 200p a share. Chief executive Paul Foy has agreed to lend the company £200,000. The business is currently loss-making and has to grow much bigger to get to the point where it is breaking even. The share price ended the week at 210p, although there were no reported trades.
Incathera (INC) continues discussions with two global cosmetics companies about the commercialisation of the Sol skin cancer treatment and started talks with two more. There was £627,000 in the bank at the end of £627,000 and this should last well into next year.
Capital For Colleagues (CFCP) has raised £1.95m at 64p a share and all the directors are participating in the placing. This will provide additional cash for investment. The company had £1.91m in the bank at the end of August 2021. NAV was 69.71p a share at the end of August 2021. A final dividend of 1.5p a share is payable on 3 March.
Lombard Capital (LCAP) lost £228,000 in the quarter to September 2021. The company requires cash, and the Gaskell House waste and recycling property is up for sales. Those proceeds will not be enough to pay off the bonds when payment is due at the end of January 2022. The plan is to try to extend the redemption date.
TECC Capital (TEC) had £1.1m in the bank at the end of September 2021, which is the same as the NAV. Acquisitions are being evaluated.
Clean Invest Africa (CIA) more than halved its interim loss to £553,000. Net liabilities have increased to £3.22m. More cash is required to get the most from the CoalTech technology.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) says investee company Greengage is withdrawing the application for a Gibraltar banking licence. The plan is to pursue an e-money licence and then apply for a UK bank licence.
KR1 (KR1) has paid the performance fee of £4.15m to Reflexivity Research, which is owned by the executives of KR1. There will be £830,000 paid in cash and the rest in shares. KR1 contributed 350,000 Poldadot in the Astar, formerly Plasm, crowdloan.
Sativa Wellness Inc (SWEL) generated record revenues in one week and that takes revenues for the eleven months to November 2021 to £13.8m. The growth is coming from the testing clinics.
Kevin Soltani has stepped down as chieve executive of Semper Fortis Esports (SEMP) and Keith Harris will be interim executive chairman.
Chris Akers has raised his stake in Quetzal Capital (QTZ) to 17.2%. Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi increased his stake in Gledhow Investments (GDH) to 8.26%. Scwiar Capital has raised its shareholding in Helium Ventures (HEV) to 10.9%.
EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) had net assets of 511.93p a share at the end of November 2021. Share buybacks are planned and 150,000 shares were acquired at 350p each.
Pioneer Media Inc (PNER) has raised a further C$400,000 at C$1 a unit (one share and one warrant). This takes the total raised to C$1.5m. Vulcan Industries (VULC) has raised £383,000 via placings at 1.6p a share and 1.5p a share.
NFT Investments (NFT) is applying to list on the NEO Exchange in Canada.
AIM
Cloud video editing platform developer Blackbird (BIRD) is raising £8m at 28p a share with chief executive Ian McDonough investing £380,000. This will finance further technology development and add to the technical staff. There will also be cash for market testing advancements and new products. The potential market is enormous, and Blackbird has only just started to exploit new areas.
Windward Ltd (WNWD) has developed AI-based software that enables real-time information about seafaring vessels to be transmitted to their owners. Israel-based Windward raised £26.3m at 155p a share and it ended the week at 204p. The market capitalisation of £166.5m is high considering the progress made. In the six months to June 2021, revenues improved from $7.11m to $8.09m, while the loss jumped from $1.53m to $4.04m. Annual contract value is $19.7m with 99% of revenues from subscriptions.
Ondine Biomedical Inc (OBI) has returned to AIM and raised £22.3m at 53.41p a share. The share price ended the week at 58.5p. Canada-based Ondine develops photodisinfection-based therapies for drug resistant infections. The light-based technology can reduce inflammation and eliminate pathogens. It originally floated on AIM on 9 August 2004, then focused on dental treatments, and left in 2011. In the six months to June 2021, revenues increased from C$213,000 to C$1.98m, while the loss fell from C$7.48m to C$4.58m.
Redx Pharma (REDX) has received another $10m milestone payment from Jazz Pharmaceuticals as the research collaboration reaches the two year mark.
Antimicrobial technology developer Byotrol (LSE: BYOT) fell back into loss following the Covid-19 boosted revenues in the corresponding interim period. Revenues more than halved from £6.7m to £3.2m. There was £1.9m of cash at the end of September 2021.
4GLOBAL (4GBL) provides sports consultancy services to governments and other organisations, as well as subscription data products. It raised £4m at 91p when it joined AIM.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) returned to profit last year as revenues improved from £125.7m to £137m. Civil engineering services provider Tamdown continued to lose money but the eSmart Networks EV charging installation division moved into profit. Management is considering floating eSmart Networks on AIM or bringing in a strategic investor. The money that Nexus would raise can then be used to acquire a business to broaden the range of services offered by the TriConnex utilities connection division.
MAIN MARKET
Sivota (SIV) has found a potential reverse takeover candidate in the form of Israel-based Apester, which has an interactive digital platform. The plan is to pay $12m for a 53.9% stake in Apester. Sivota wants to raise £11m.
Urban Logistics REIT (SHED) has moved from AIM to the Main Market following a £250m fundraising.
MENA Land (MENA) has lost its listing, trading having been suspended since 2 November 2020.
Argo Blockchain (ARB) has resolved its litigation with Celsius by terminating the lease agreement and paying $6.32m to Celsius, which is handing over title to equipment and paying bitcoin to Argo. November revenues were £8.29m with Argo mining 185 bitcoin.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 24 May 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
British Virgin Islands-based Boanerges (BNRG) is a SPAC seeking to acquire technology companies involved in big data, machine learning, telematics and internet of things. Boanerges floated on 17 May 2021 when it raised £500,000 at 20p a share. In April, an initial £51,500 was raised at 0.1p a share and a further £75,000 was raised at 10p a share. That means that pro forma cash is equivalent to 1p a share. The shares are trading at 24.5p (23p/26p).
Bid expenses could cost Walls & Futures REIT (WAFR) up to £210,000. The 50p a share bid is rejected by the company’s board, which says that it represents a 51% discount to NAV and a 62% discount to the market value of its properties, after cash is deducted. Management is offering shareholders the opportunity to vote on a winding up of the company if the bid does not become unconditional. This would require 75% of the votes to be carried.
Brewer Adnams (ADB) continued to be hit by lockdowns in the six months to March 2021. Online demand for the beer brands remained strong and management says that bookings for pubs are building up since the lockdown was eased. There is even hope that people holidaying in the UK will boost its hotels.
Early Equity (EEQP) is acquiring Farina Investments, which provides services to the insolvency sector, for £1.9m in shares at 0.5p each. This is effectively a business that is involved in the acquisition and disposal of distressed assets. The deal will increase Early Equity’s stake in Lotto Studios, which is launching a social casino game with ITV Studios, to 20%. The deal also brings a 10% stake in life sciences company Pure Sea Nutrients. A further £90,000 has been raised in a placing at 0.5p a share.
The AGM has been postponed and there were some irregularities in the voting process.
Incanthera (INC) is continuing with discussions with two global cosmetic companies for its Sol skin cancer technology. The idea is to use Sol as a skin cream to protect sun damaged skin. Net cash was £960,000 at the end of March 2021. Incanthera recently raised £1.14m at 12p a share. There is enough cash to get into the second half of 2022. There could be an upfront payment from a deal, but the big money will take longer to be generated. More cash will be required to push ahead with other products.
Apollon Formularies (APOL) says that joint testing with Aion Therapeutic reveals that their combined formulations are effective in killing HER2+ breast cancer cells grown in 3D cell culture. HER2+ accounts for one-fifth of breast cancer. Apollon’s Jamaican medicinal cannabis formulations were particularly good at killing living HER2+ cancer cells directly.
Ananda Developments (ANA) says that its 50%-owned subsidiary DJT Plants has been granted a licence to grow >0.2% THC cannabis for research activities by the UK government. Building of the research facility will commence immediately. There will be 65 strains grown at the facility and plans to extract distil and isolate cannabis products. The business had previously grown cannabis for GW Pharma. The focus will be neuropathic pain, Parkinson’s Disease and epilepsy. Directors Charles Morgan and Melissa Sturgess have each been issued with 100 million shares as contingent consideration following the grant of the licence.
Gledhow Investments (GDH) had net assets of £2.35m at the end of March 2021, up from £907,000 12 months earlier. That includes £374,000 in cash.
Vulcan Industries (VULC) subsidiary M+G Olympic has won more than £500,000 of orders for swimming pools.
All Star Minerals (ASMO) is negotiating the acquisitions of a company with gemstone assets and another company with diamond assets. This is an area where the management team has experience. Further cash will need to be raised to complete due diligence.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has raised a further £224,000 at 7p a share. Chief executive Walter Doyle has left the company. Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has raised £1.4m at 10p a share and each share has one-half of a warrant exercisable at 20p a share. Wishbone will refine the locations of drill targets at the Red Setter projects and then use the cash to finance the drilling. Sativa Wellness Inc (SWEL) has completed a placing raising $4.61m at 7.875 cents per unit. A unit comprises one share and one-half of a warrant exercisable at 10.5 cents a share. Love Hemp (LIFE) has raised £348,000 via the exercise of warrants at 1p each.
AIM
Compliance and energy saving services provider Sureserve (SUR) reported an underlying interim pre-tax profit was 31% higher at £4.4m. Energy saving’s profit contribution fell by three-fifths, but higher margins for the much larger compliance division meant a much higher profit. A full year pre-tax profit of £12.9m is forecast.
Tracsis (LSE: TRCS) should get additional opportunities from the Williams report on the rail industry. The report was in line with expectations. Great British Railways will take up the overall responsibility for the integrated rail network. The reforms are due in 2023, although there could be delays. Things like digital tickets, simplified fares and season ticket flexibility provide opportunities for Tracsis.
Accrol (ACRL) says that adjusted earnings for 2020-21 will be in line with expectations even though sales will be lower than expected due to a decline in the market. Accrol has 16% of the toilet tissue market and it should return to growth when the comparatives do not include the Covid-19 related panic buying. There are plans to increase capacity at the main Leyland plant.
Surgical devices developer Creo Medical (CREO) says trading was ahead of expectations in the first quarter of 201. This has led to a 10% increase in forecast revenues to £22.1m. There will still be a loss of £30m. The recovery in elective surgery is increasing demand for surgical devices.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) is building up its electric vehicle infrastructure business and it could move into profit in the next year. The TriConnex utility connections business is also growing revenues, although profit was flat. However, group revenues were one-quarter lower at £64m, because civil engineering business Tamdown continues to report lower revenues and profit. Nexus did make an overall operating profit. The 2020-21 pre-tax profit has been upgraded to £3.6m and it could reach £6m next year.
PerkinElmer has made a 382p a share bid for Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings (IDH).The bid is at one-third of the share price high around one decade ago. The share price has not been at this level for nearly seven years.
MAIN MARKET
Dukemount Capital (DKE) has secured a joint venture with flexible power company HSKB, which will be renamed DKE Energy. The 50%-owned business will develop two gas peaking facilities which will produce 10MW of power. These will cost £6.25m and the intention is to secure a 15-year, inflation linked contract. Dukemount director Paul Gazzard founded HSKB.
One Heritage Group (OHG) has signed a construction finance facility with Lyell Trading. The facility is for £3.5m and lasts 18 months at a nominal interest rate of 9.6%. The facility will be used to finance Oscar House, a development of 27 apartments in central Manchester. The development should be completed in the first quarter of 2022.
Mast Energy Developments (MAST) says that the Brodesley reserve power project has reached construction ready status.
Lee Marks has been appointed chief executive of NMCN (NMCN) and interim chief executive Robert Moyle is retiring from the board after a transition period.
Kanabo Group (KNB) has signed an agreement with Pure Origin, which will manufacture and package Kanabo’s CBD wellness products from its facility in Wales. There will be a dedicated production line for VapePod products. This deal will lead to a full international product launch.
BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) has started to deliver two Covid-19 diagnostic tests. The saliva-based test will be used by the Italian team at the Olympic Games in Japan.
S&U (SUS) says monthly motor finance collections are above budget and the number of customers on payment holidays has fallen to 1,200. The Aspen bridging loan division is lending more for each deal and profit is reaching record levels.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 17 December 2018
NEX EXCHANGE
Ecommerce software provider Netalogue Technologies (NTLP) moved into profit in the first half and had £648,000 in the bank at the end of September 2018. Revenues increased by £168,000 to £647,000, even though subscription-based pricing is reducing the initial revenues from B2B clients. A loss of £60,000 became a pre-tax profit of £142,000, helped by lower operating expenses.
Veni Vidi Vici Ltd (VVV) is acquiring a 51% stake in a licence in the Shangri La gold, silver and copper project in Western Australia for A$220,000, which is payable to Goldfields Consolidated in the form of 190,000 shares and A$20,000 in cash. The shares cannot be sold for three months. VVV will spend an initial A$300,000 over three years and Goldfields will receive a 10% management fee.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) has raised £367,000 at 4p a share and each new share comes with a two-year warrant exercisable at 7.5p a share. If the share price averages more than 15p for five consecutive days, then the company can require the warrants to be exercised.
Gastropubs operator Barkby Group (BARK) has signed heads of terms to acquire Northamptonshire-based upmarket car dealer Centurian Automotive Ltd. The most recent accounts were for a dormant company and shows £200 in the bank.
Quetzal Securities Ltd sold 6.75 million shares in Pelican House Mining (PHM) for 0.5p each and Eight Capital Partners (ECP) acquired 8.25 million shares at 0.491p each. Quetzal subsequently sold a further 6.75 million shares in Pelican shares, leaving a 13.2% stake, to Eight Capital at 0.5p a share, taking its stake to 15.3%.
Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne (HYDP) has declared an unchanged total dividend of 21p a share for the year to October 2018. An interim of 7p a share will be paid in January (ex-dividend 20 December) and a final dividend of 14p a share paid in May (ex-dividend 18 April).
Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) has appointed Northland as broker.
EPE Special Opportunities Ltd (EL.P) had a NAV of 200.95p a share at the end of November 2018. The shares are trading at 160p.
Construction consultancy Driver Group (DRV) reported a 2017-18 pre-tax profit of £3.8m, up from £2.5m, and it is returning to paying dividends with a 0.5p a share payment. Net cash is £6.9m, helped by a property disposal, and this could reach more than £10m by September 2019 even after dividend payments. The Diales expert witness business is becoming an increasingly important revenue generator and overall utilisation levels have improved. There has also been a focus on better margin work in the Middle East.
SigmaRoc (SRC) is in the process of acquiring precast concrete products supplier CPP Building Products for £15.2m, although the deal requires shareholder approval for share issues, so it will not happen until early January. CPP is based in north west England and fits well with the existing precast concrete business. In the year to August 2018, revenues were £20.9m and EBITDA was £2.6m. This year’s trading is in line with expectations. There are plans to refinance the convertible loan notes.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) had already warned about delays to its utility connection contracts with housebuilders and the 2017-18 figures were slightly better than expected with flat pre-tax profit of £9.2m. Nexus has a strong order book and could increase its 2018-19 pre-tax profit to £10.4m. The new electric vehicle charging points division will take time to build up.
Advanced coatings provider Hardide (HDD) has benefited from an upturn in demand from the oil and gas sector. It is also getting nearer to obtaining its first aerospace orders. Hardide remains loss-making and this will still be the case next year as it continues to invest in increasing capacity in the UK and US as demand grows.
Curtis Banks (CBP) has purchased around 600 SIPPS with assets of £180m from Hargreaves Hale, which will continue to manage the assets. Curtis Banks will launch a new SIPP product in January.
Clinical trials manager Venn Life Sciences (VENN) is collaborating with Open Orphan DAC. The two firms will share resources in the orphan drugs market. Venn is raising £1m from a two-year loan note issue.
WH Ireland has upgraded its forecast for banknote authentication and brand protection technology business Spectra Systems (SPSY) for the second time. The underlying pre-tax profit forecast has been raised by 10% to $4.5m. The 2019 forecast, which had previously been upgrade by 16%, is maintained for the time being.
Kibo Energy (KIBO) says that its 60%-owned subsidiary MAST Energy Developments has an exclusive option to undertake due diligence and acquire three peaking power sites totalling 31.3MW. This would provide initial revenues for Kibo later next year. Kibo has renewed its memorandum of understanding with Mozambique-based electric utility Electricidade de Mocambique for the financing and operation of the Benga independent power project.
eServGlobal Ltd (ESG) says that 2018 revenues will be lower than expected due to weak trading at the PayMobile business and the failure to close orders. The PayMobile business may be sold and the focus will be the HomeSend remittances business.
NWF (NWF) says feeds demand was strong in the summer because of a lack of natural grazing. In contrast, the hot weather held back demand for fuels. A Solihull-based fuel distributor has been acquired. The food distribution business continues to trade at around capacity because of contract wins. The interims will be published on 29 January.
ReNeuron (RENE) has important clinical trial results coming up in the next 18 months. A retinitis pigmentosa treatment is in phase I/II trials and there should be data in mid-2019. A phase IIb trial for a CTX cell therapy-based treatment for chronic stroke is due to report by early 2020. There was £30.7m in the bank at the end of September 2018. Management is seeking partners to help it to make the most of its technology.
PhotonStar LED Group (PSL) has raised £100,000 at 0.02p a share and this will enable the board to assess new business opportunities.
Property adviser Fletcher King (FLK) is maintaining its interim dividend at 1p a share even though pre-tax profit has dipped from £148,000 to £132,000. Ratings appeals revenues were lower. There is £2.28m of cash in the balance sheet.
Kromek (KMK) has secured an initial contract with the US Department of Defense worth $2m over 12 months. The plan is to develop a proof-of-concept device for a vehicle-mounted biological threat identifier.
Crossword Cybersecurity (CCS) started trading on AIM on Friday and the share price ended the day at 272.5p. Crossword raised £2m at 290p a share.
Volex (VLX) is buying cable assemblies and connectors manufacturer GTK for £14.3m in cash and shares. in the year to July 2018, GTK generated a pre-exceptional operating profit of £1.7m. There was £1.3m in the bank. The deal is earnings enhancing.
African Battery Metals (ABM) has found it difficult to raise the cash it requires and trading in the shares has been suspended. The company wants to come to a settlement with creditors so that it could continue to trade.
Smaller company mergers and acquisitions business K3 Capital Group (K3C) is cautiously optimistic but the full year outcome will depend on the timing of deals. There could be a small dip in pre-tax profit to £7m this year and there could be a corresponding dip in dividend from 11.2p a share to 10.8p a share.
Telit Communications (TCM) says that it will not complete the sale of its automotive business until next year. Telit is expected to make a 2018 loss. Further cost savings are being made in the Internet of Things operations.
More bad news from Filtronic (FTC) with sales of Massive MIMO antennas lower than expected. The main customer has reduced its forecast demand. The capitalised development costs of £500,000 will be written off and options are being reviewed. The rest of the business is trading in line with expectations. Filtronic will be loss-making this year. Net cash was £2.3m at the end of November 2018.
Science Group (SAG) has ended its formal sale process because of stockmarket and exchange rate uncertainty. The strategic review continues. Trading is in line with expectations and the company will recommence the share buy back programme. Net cash was £6.4m at the end of November 2018.
Like-for-like sales growth has been slowing at DP Poland (DPP) and this means that progress in 2019 is unlikely to be as good as expected. This means that it will take longer to reach profitability. Rivals have been spending money on marketing and warm weather has also held DP Poland back. A full year trading update will be published on 29 January.
Taptica International Ltd (TAP) plans to spend up to $10m on buying back shares and it has already spent nearly £110,000. There was net cash of $42.1m at the end of June 2018.
Tristel (TSTL) says that the US regulatory process for its disinfection products is on track and interim pre-tax profit should be £2.2m.
TomCo Energy (TOM) has managed to secure £550,000 at 2p a share. The previous £532,000 placing at 8.5p a share was pulled. Laurence Read has become a non-executive director.
RA International (RAI) has won a five year contract worth up to $5.6m from a US corporate client in Central Africa.
MAIN MARKET
Circassia Pharmaceuticals (CIR) is moving to AIM and it has decided to exercise its option to acquire US rights to COPD treatment Tudorza from AstraZeneca. This deal should complete by the end of the year and it will trigger a payment of $5m. A further $20m is payable upon approval of Duaklir and then there is further deferred consideration of $100m.
Tex Holdings (TXH) has warned that second half earnings will be lower than anticipated due to delayed deliveries and reorganisation costs.
Cadmium-free quantum dots developer Nanoco (NANO) is on course to complete the expansion of its Runcorn facility by the end of 2018 with commercial volume manufacturing by the middle of 2019.
Lb-shell (LBP) is being wound-up because of potential litigation relating to before it became a shell. There is unlikely to be anything left for shareholders.
Giant Saint Technologies Ltd (GST) is installing a $1m data centre in Singapore.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore: Quoted Micro 29 October 2018
NEX EXCHANGE
Auxico Resources Canada Inc (AUAG) has added a NEX quotation to its year-old Canadian Stock Exchange listing. Auxico has mineral properties in Colombia and Mexico. There is already a UK investor base.
Chapel Down Group (CDGP) had a bumper 2018 harvest that was 125% ahead of the previous best, thanks to the hot summer. Some vineyards produced their first crops.
Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) is paying this year’s dividend in three instalments: October, April and July. The first interim will be 0.83p a share and the ex-dividend date is 25 October. The sale of Hume House in Leeds has been completed for £3.9m, compared to a cost of £1.67m in March 2014. A 37-storey building will be constructed on the site.
Eight Capital Partners (MORE) is investing £250,000 in AIM-quoted Imaginatik (IMTK) with £160,000 subscription for shares at 1.1p a share for a 29.7% stake, and £90,000 in convertible loan notes with an annual interest rate of 7.5%. Eight Capital is issuing up to £2.5m of convertible bonds at 95% of their nominal value. The annual coupon is 5%. One warrant will be granted for every two shares issued.
Trading in the shares of Etaireia Investments (ETIP) has been suspended ahead of a potential acquisition of property assets from the Oyston family.
Gunsynd (GUN) will get a 4% stake in Human Brands when, or if, it floats on the standard list. Previously it would have been a 1% stake. Gunsynd has £289,000 invested in drinks distributor Human Brands loan notes.
Founder Sebastian Snow has resigned as creative director of pubs and inns operator Barkby Group (BARK) and Lana Snow has also left the group. Occupancy rates were good in September and there is significant demand for the Christmas period.
Ganapati (GANP) reported a reduction in interim loss from £4.54m to £3.56m, although total income was flat at £2.19m. There was cash in the bank of £2m at the end of July 2018. This could be added to by an initial coin offering by Malta-based blockchain subsidiary GanaEightCoin Ltd next spring.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has raised £81,250 at 15p a share to provide further working capital.
The chairman and chief executive of DXS International (DXSP) have both bought shares in the healthcare technology company. Bob Sutcliffe bought 100,000 shares at 8.515p each, while David Immelman bought 20,538 shares at 8.66p each, which takes the chief executive’s stake to 10.3%.
Sativa Investments (SATI) has signed an option on a 298,806 square foot glasshouse for growing medicinal cannabis. Mark Blower is becoming a non-executive director.
Melissa Sturgess has acquired 590,000 shares in Ananda Developments (ANA) at 0.4496p each. The executive director of the cannabis-focused investment company owns 47.8 million shares. Ananda joined NEX on 4 July having raised £930,000 at 0.45p a share. The share price ended the first day at 0.975p and it has more than halved since then.
AIM
Chris Marsh has resigned as finance director of Patisserie Holdings (CAKE) having been suspended on 9 October. Previously undisclosed LTIP share awards have been revealed.
GB Group (GBG) has acquired Australia-based ID verification services provider Vix Verify Global for £21m. This has led to a 2.7% upgrade in the 2019-20 forecast earnings per share. Third quarter trading of the existing business was in line with expectations with organic growth in revenues of 11%.
Avingtrans (AVG) is acquiring Texas-based Tecmag Inc for $243,000. Tecmag manufactures instrumentation for magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear magnetic resonance systems. This fits well with Avingtrans’ magnets business in the sector.
Energy supplier Yu Group (YU.) has shocked investors with accounting changes relating to accrued income and increases in impairment charges for trade debtors. This will slash £10m for this year’s profit turning it into a loss. There is £11.5m in the bank at the end of September 2018.
1Spatial (SPA) reduced its loss n the first half and is on course to cut its full year loss from £1.5m to £1m. The geospatial data services provider should move into profit next year.
HaloSource Corporation (HALO) says it has sufficient working capital until the end of the year, but up to $5m is required to add a further 12 months. The company expects to generate revenues of $2m-$2.5m in 2018 and the target is to treble that figure in 2019, which would reduce the loss.
EKF Diagnostics (EKF) says the record date for the distribution of shares in Renalytix AI is 23 October and the shares will start trading on 2 November.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) expects 2017-18 profit to be in line with expectations and order books are strong. Infrastructure services provider Tamdown’s revenues will be slightly lower due to planning delays with the growth coming from utility connections business TriConnex. Net cash is £20m.
RA International (RAI) has won a $9.1m contract with URS Group Inc. This is a new client. The contract covers construction services for an asphalt runway in Somalia and lasts for 11 months.
Data analysis software and services provider D4T4 Solutions (D4T4) trebled its interim revenues to £14m, although the comparatives were weak. Net cash is £12.2m.
Gfinity (GFIN) is raising £6m at 8p a share and this cash will further develop the esports activities and the UK Elite series. The 2017-18 revenues were 82% ahead at £4.3m and losses continue.
Angling Direct (ANG) is taking advantage of its strong position in the fishing tackle retail market by raising £20m at 92.5p a share, which compares to the July 2017 flotation price of 64p a share. The cash will finance the opening of 20 stores and the launch of European websites. This accelerated investment means that Angling Direct will fall into loss this year.
Velocity Composites (VEL) has managed to trade in line with downgraded forecasts for the year to October 2018. Revenues will be slightly above £24m and there is net cash of £3.6m. The company is seeking a new chief executive and the former incumbent has left the board.
The cancellation of a contract and the failure to gain backing for an acquisition have hampered the progress of Image Scan Holdings (IGE) in the year to September 2018. Revenues fell from £5m to £3.5m, although the gross margin improved from 39% to 48%. Pre-exceptional profit will slump from £480,000 to £45,000. That was before the £245,000 cost of the failed acquisition. There was £780,000 in the bank at the end of September 2018. Sarah Atwell-King has been appointed finance director.
VR Education (VRE) has been hit by the delayed launch of its Titanic VR product on PlayStation. This should still happen this year, but 2018 revenues will be well below expectations. The timing of the launch will determine the outcome for the year. The ENGAGE platform will be launched before the end of the year as anticipated. Non-executive director Mike Boyce is helping out with sales.
SkinBioTherapeutics (SBTX) increased its research and development spending from £157,000 to £416,000 in the year to June 2018. The cosmetic application has started a human study and data should be available between November and April 2019. A clinical trial for an eczema treatment could start before the end of 2019. There was £3.2m in cash at the end of June 2018.
Rare books trader Scholium (SCHO) says it will move into loss in the first half, but it expects to make a higher full year profit than the £38,000 reported last year. Start-up Mayfair Philatelics is losing money but three auctions are taking place in the second half.
AfriTin Mining Ltd (ATM) is making progress towards production at its Uis tin project in Namibia. The first phase plant being constructed will be able to process 500,000 tonnes of pegmatite in order to produce 720 tonnes of tin concentrate a year. AfriTin has the cash required to reach production.
A strong performance from manned guarding meant that Croma Security Solutions (CSSG) increased its full year revenues by 59% to £35.1m and pre-tax profit was 400% higher at £2m. There were some one-off boosts during the year. Net cash was £2.1m. The dividend has been increased from 0.5p a share to 1.6p a share.
Property investment adviser First Property Group (FPO) has reduced its stake in Fprop Opportunities to 44.3% so it will no longer be consolidated in the group’s results. The plan is to lower the stake to below 30%. Fund management will be a greater contributor to profit.
More cash is required at meat and delicatessen products retailer Crawshaw (CRAW) for restructuring purposes and it also still needs a new nominated adviser.
Kemin Resources (KEM) will leave AIM on 29 October because it has not been able to find a replacement for Strand Hanson as nominated adviser. JP Jenkins Ltd will provide a trading facility.
OnTheMarket (OTMP) has signed up Belvoir Lettings (BLV) to its online platform. All Belvoir’s sales and lettings properties will be on the platform.
StatPro Group (SOG) says annualised recurring income has increased by 3% to £54.8m.
MAIN MARKET
Communisis (CMS) is recommending a 71p a share cash offer by consumer communications services provider OSG, which values the target at £153.8m. The combined business would be able to develop internationally because of OSG’s global strength.
WideCells Group (WDC) has signed a partnership deal with stem cell extraction and storage company Smart Cells. The deal is with the healthcare insurance subsidiary CellPlan, whose insurance plans will be offered to Smart Cells’ 60,000 clients.
Hemogenyx Pharma (HEMO) has signed a second agreement with US biopharma company Orgenesis Inc. The deal involves the development and commercialisation of the company’s Human Postnatal Hemogenic Endothelial Cell (Hu-PHEC) technology, which could develop cancer-free, patient-matched blood stem cells after transplantation into a patient. Like the previous agreement, Orgenesis will provide a convertible loan of $1m and this can be converted into shares in the Hemogenyx subsidiary that owns the technology. Orgenesis will pay a 12% royalty on net revenues generated by the technology.
North Midland Construction (NMD) says that full year revenues will be better than anticipated at between £340m and £345m, with net margins between 1.7% to 1.8%. The order book for delivery in 2019 is £222m. A new single identity for the group will be launched in November. HR director Karen Morris has bought 8,172 shares at 550p each.