Home » Posts tagged 'PRIM'
Tag Archives: PRIM
Quoted Micro 2 September 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
VSA Capital (VSA) revealed a strategic partnership with Drakewood Capital Management. This covers commodities trading, fund management and investment banking. This should provide a broader service for junior mining companies. Drakewood is subscribing £405,000 for VSA shares at 9p each and that was a 50% premium over the market price. Mark Thompson has been appointed to the VSA board as its representative. He is a former director of First Tin and Tungsten West. Drake wood and VSA directors have been granted warrants. VSA boss Andrew Monk intends to enter into a deal with Drakewood that would give it an option to acquire his shares, warrants and options in VSA. If he leaves then Drakewood will be able to acquire his stake at NAV plus 20% for six months after he leaves.
ProBiotix Health (PBX) increased interim revenues by 84% to £1.01m and the loss has been halved to £262,000. The probiotics-based healthcare company is expanding sales in North America and Europe. A North American contract manufacturing deal is being discussed. Operational separation from OptiBiotix should be completed by the end of the year. There was £865,000 in the bank at the end of June 2024.
Skincare treatments developer Incanthera (INC) reported figures for the year to March 2024 showing a steady loss of £1.47m. There was a cash outflow from operating activities of £838,000 and £61,000 in cash at the end of March 2024. There were no revenues during this period. The deal with Cosmetics chain Marionnaud should be generating sales in the near future.
Exchange services provider Aquis Exchange (AQX), which is also quoted on AIM, has been hit by one technology contract not being renewed, because of the client’s trading problems. That will knock £1m off revenues and pre-tax profit in 2024. The other parts of the group all grew revenues in the first half with Aquis Stick Exchange trading volumes 44% ahead. Canaccord Genuity has cut its 2024 pre-tax profit forecast from £6.3m to £4.9m with the rest of the shortfall due to increased investment. The interims will be published on 12 September.
Helium Ventures (HEV) investee company Blue Star Helium has agreed to sell 50% of the Galactica-Pegasus project and other licences in Colorado. There are confirmed helium discoveries of an average of 3% helium. Gross resource estimates are 675 million cubic feet. Blue Star Helium will continue to be operator. Helium One Global (HE1) will pay $1.5m of past costs, plus up to $2.7m on six wells.
Marula Mining (MARU) has received assay results from samples of manganese ore that will be provided to the recently acquired Kilifi manganese processing plant in Kenya. They recorded high grades with an average of 61.95% manganese. The samples were from the Ganze region. The Kilifi plant could generate cash of up to $400,000/month from late 2024. Two further manganese ore supply agreements have been signed. Both are for grades of at least 24% manganese with one supplying 30,000 tonnes over six months and the other 5,000 tonnes over one year.
Higher impairment and fair value adjustments and an inventory write down led to Inqo Investments (INQO) making a loss of R6.3m in the year to February 2024, compared with the previous year’s pre-tax profit of R2.63m.
Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) has sold its stake in Impact Oil and Gas to Africa Oil Corp at 56.9p/share raising £142,250. In June, £235,000 was generated through a tender offer by Phoenix Digital Assets.
CBD-based treatments developer Ananda Developments (ANA) made a £383,000 loss in the quarter to July 2024. Net assets were £723,000.
KR1 (KR1) had net assets of 71.92p/share at the end of July 2024. The income from digital assets during the month was £805,000.
Equipmake (EQIP) has received an initial order for five zero emission drivetrains from South American bus manufacturer Agrale. This follows the recent trial.
James and Alexandra Pace has a 4.1% stake in Shepherd Neame (SHEP).
AIM
Audio equipment supplier Focusrite (TUNE) says full year revenues will be around £157m, but EBITDA will be lower than expected at around £25m (£27.1m was previously expected) because of higher shipping and logistics costs. Shipping costs are continuing to rise, and promotional spending remains at high levels. New products have been launched, but a major distributor has been cutting stock levels. Net debt has fallen to £15m. The final results will be published in late November.
Antenna technology developer Filtronic (FTC) is trading ahead of expectations and has secured a follow-up order from SpaceX for E-band solid-state power amplifier modules for Starlink satellites. The new order is worth £6.4m and SpaceX has been issued 10.9 million warrants. Cavendish has raised its 2024-25 pre-tax profit forecast from £6.4m to £7.7m.
Helium One Global (HE1) is acquiring 50% of Blue Star Helium’s Galactica-Pegasus project and other licences in Colorado. There are confirmed helium discoveries of an average of 3% helium. Gross resource estimates are 675 million cubic feet. Blue Star Helium will continue to be operator. An initial six development wells are planned for later this year. They could generate an annual income of $2m. Cynosure Capital is subscribing £6.43m at 1.09p/share. That cash will fund $1.5m of past costs, plus up to $2.7m on the six wells. There will also be $2.55m required for capital investment. The extended well test at Itumbula West-1 in Tanzania has flowed at up to 7.6% helium. The well flowed an average of 786 barrels per day.
Audio equipment supplier Focusrite (TUNE) says full year revenues will be around £157m, but EBITDA will be lower than expected at around £25m (£27.1m was previously expected) because of higher shipping and logistics costs. Shipping costs are continuing to rise, and promotional spending remains at high levels. New products have been launched, but a major distributor has been cutting stock levels. Net debt has fallen to £15m. The final results will be published in late November.
Retailer Quiz (QUIZ) reported a 11% decline in revenues to £82m in the year to March 2024. There was a swing from a pre-tax profit of £2.3m to a loss of £6.7m after exceptional costs of £1.5m. Sheraz Ramzan was appointed chief executive at the end of the period. He is targeting the core customer based and updating the brand. He is also improving service. Talks are ongoing with founder Tarak Ramzan for the provision of a £1m loan. Revenues in the first four months of the current year are 11% lower at £27.3m. Trading remains difficult.
Oxygen enrichment technology developer Belluscura (BELL) is increasing sales, but it has reduced its 2024 guidance to $8m-$10m, depending on the timing of the launch of DISCOV-R in the second half. Dowgate had expected revenues of $16m and it has cut the estimate to $9m. It is sticking with $30m for 2025 revenues, which would be enough to be profitable, but this appears optimistic. More cash will be required in the second half, so that sales can ramp-up faster.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) iron deficiency treatment ACCRUFeR has been approved by the authorities in Canada. It is the only oral iron therapy approved as a prescription drug for adults with anaemia. This sparks a £250,000 milestone payment from Canadian partner Kye Pharmaceuticals.
Wine supplier Naked Wines (WINE) reported a 13% annualised dip in revenues to £290m, while underlying operating profit fell by two-thirds to £5m. That was before a £13m inventory provision. The company is still surplus stocks. Net cash was better than guidance and doubled to £19.6m. First quarter trading is in line with expectations. Guidance for 2024-25 indicates revenues of £240m-£270m and operating profit before inventory losses of £3m-£8m. Dominic Neary has been appointed finance director.
Primorus Investment (PRIM) is subscribing 18.1 million shares in Pri0r1ty AI for £300,460 to help fund a software roll out. Standard list shell Alteration Earth (ALTE) has non-binding heads of terms to acquire Pri0r1ty AI and move to AIM. Primorus Investment directors Rupert Labrum and Matthew Beardmore own 45.8% of Alteration Earth.
MAIN MARKET
Cybersecurity company Narf Industries (NARF) has gained a $1.3m contract for the implementation of social engineering threat intelligence for the US Air Force Platform One Iron Bank project. This is a repository of pre-approved software. A cash injection is required.
Cadmium-free quantum dots developer Nanoco (NANO) has suspended the joint development agreement with ST Microelectronics. There are also unlikely to be revenues from another sensing programme. The joint development agreement with STMicroelectronics involved a two-year programme to optimise a second-generation sensing material. Nanoco says that it met all the development milestones. The decision is apparently due to a strategy change and end of project terms with the customer. Nanoco will also try to remove any obstacles to use the expertise developed in other opportunities.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 27 December 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
All Things Considered Group (ATC) is a music artist management and services provider that branched out into live streaming events due to Covid-19. There was £4.13m raised at 153p a share, and the share price rose to 155p, valuing the company at £15m. In the six months to June 2021, revenues jumped from a sharply reduced figure of £1.39m to £5.04m, including £3.31m from live streamed events. ATC is loss making. The cash and valuation of the stake in livestreaming company Driift appear to provide an underpinning for the valuation, but there is a significant amount of accruals relating to unpaid performing rights fees on live streaming.
ChallengerX (CXS) was used as a holding company to acquire SportsX prior to joining the Access segment of Aquis. The core business is providing marketing services to rugby and football clubs. Smaller clubs need ways of generating additional income, so the services should be attractive to them. ChallengerX will earn income through revenue sharing agreements and by retaining a 10% to 30% reserve position in any club’s social tokens, that it will help the clubs to issue. ChallengerX raised £752,000 at 2p a share. The bid/offer spread at the end of the first day was 2p/3p and the mid-price was still 2.5p on Christmas Eve.
Fellow Aquis company Dispersion Holdings (DEFI) had invested £216,000 in SportsX in May, which was its first investment after flotation, and then swapped this stake for shares in ChallengerX that were worth £1.25m at the subscription price.
Good Energy (GOOD) says that November trading was in line with expectations. Domestic price tariffs were raised at the beginning of November, and this offset the lack of win generation during the month. Power prices continue to rise, though, and wind generation remains low, which means that 2021 profit will be £3m lower than expectations. Good Energy requires more cash for working capital because of the higher prices.
Rutherford Health (RUTH) intends to leave Aquis. A general meeting will be held on 11 January and if the shareholders are in agreement, then the company will cancel the quotation on 25 January. Rutherford Health has found it difficult to raise additional cash and does not want the distraction of being quoted.
CBD products supplier Voyager Life (VOY) has acquired Cannafull, a manufacturer of CBD skincare products, including under its own Ascend Skincare brand. Voyager Life paid the liquidator of the company £9,000 for the brands and assets.
Hydro Hotel Eastbourne (HYDP) is paying a 20p a share dividend to shareholders on the register on 31 December.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) had £542,000 in the bank at the end of June 2021, although there are also borrowings of £322,000. The operating cash outflow was £210,000 with a further £401,000 spent on exploration during the year. The subsequent sale of Kazera Global shares raised more cash. A $275,000 tax refund relating to the Specimen Hill gold project is due to be received.
IamFire (FIRE) is subscribing £2m for WeShop Holdings Ltd convertibles and has the option to invest a further £2.5m. The conversion price is 75p a share and the shares trade on JP Jenkins. The social media retail platform will be fully launched in the first quarter of 2022.
Lombard Capital (LCAP) has sold its property in Preston for £2.075m. The total cost of the property was nearer £3m.
Love Hemp Group (LIFE) has allotted 65 million shares at 1.5p each in final deferred consideration for Love Hemp Ltd. Chief executive Tony Calamita has an 8.87% stake. A Love Hemp virtual store has been set up with Deliveroo.
Trading in Igraine (KING) shares recommence after its full year and interim figures were published. This period pre-dates the move into medical technology investment.
AIM
CT Automotive (CTA) is a supplier of interior components to the automotive sector and it already has a strong relationship with Nissan. The top three customers account for two-thirds of revenues. CT Automotive raised £33.6m at 147p a share and this will go towards reducing debt. The shares ended the week at 160p. Electronic component shortages have hit the second half of 2021, after a strong first half’s trading. Trading will be disrupted well into 2022.
Libertine Holdings (LIB) raised £9m at 20p a share to finance the opportunity to become an important part of the move towards vehicles being able to use cleaner fuels via its own powertrain technology can extend the range of battery-powered electric trucks. Large commercial vehicles are the main market, but there are other uses for the technology. The cash will be used to take on more commercial and development people, as fund further development of technology and facilities. The share price jumped to 37.5p by the end of the week.
York-based Aptamer Group provides contract research services with longer-term potential for royalties and licence revenues when the client uses the reagents in commercial applications. Three-quarters of the top 20 global pharma companies are clients. Raising £10.8m at 117p enables it to scale up its operations. In the 15 months to June 2021, Aptamer Group revenues were £1.6m and the loss was £2.91m. The share price ended the week at 136p.
Surveying and Corridor.ai analysis platform operator Cordel (CRDL) has won a 6.5 year contract with Network Rail that starts at the beginning of 2022. This is worth £500,000 a year and covers storing and processing of gauge and clearance information for the whole network.
Delivered ready meals company Parsley Box (LSE: MEAL) says that trading improved at the end of the year and supply problems are easing. Net cash is £2.2m, but significant cash outflows mean more money is required, possibly as much as £6m. A large discount to the market price may be required to raise that much.
Deepmatter Group (DMTR) managed to secure £2.55m of funding ahead of the Christmas break. It was at a heavily discounted 0.1p a share. Existing shareholders are being given the chance to invest at the same price via a one-for-3.7 open offer that could raise up to £250,000. The digital chemistry data company is still in discussions with South Korea-based drug discovery company Standigm Inc, but the deal will not be done this year, so 2021 revenues will be lower than the company’s previous expectations.
Anglo Asian Mining (AAZ) has taken a 19.9% stake in TSX Venture Exchange Libero Copper and Gold Corporation for $4.9m. This is the first step in the diversification outside of Azerbaijan. Libero has the option to acquire copper exploration properties in Colombia, Argentina and Canada.
Redx Pharma (REDX) will receive a $9m milestone payment following the start of a phase 1 trial of AZD5055, a porcupine inhibitor targeting fibrotic diseases. There are up to $360m of additional payments depending on successful development.
Primorus Investments (PRIM) says that investee company Alteration Earth will not be joining the standard list until 2022. The prospectus has been submitted for a second reading by the UKLA. Primorus invested £350,000 for five million shares in the shell. Primorus is electing to take Bushveld Minerals (BMN) shares in return for its Mustang Energy loan notes, because of ongoing litigation.
Lekoil Ltd (LEK) has formally rejected the 1.9p a share bid from Lekoil Nigeria. It points out that the offer does not take account of the potential cancelation of $350m of intercompany debt.
MAIN MARKET
Great Southern Copper (GSCU) has options over potential copper gold projects in northern Chile and news of a new left wing president in Chile hit the early trading in the shares on the standard list. Great Southern Copper raised £3.52m at 5p a share and ended the first day at 4.55p before recovering to 4.9p at the end of the week. The assets under option are the San Lorenzo copper gold project northeast of coastal town La Serena in northern Chile and the Especularita copper gold project, which is south of the other project. Initial exploration should help the company to understand the prospects in the two areas before spending a more significant amount of money.
House broker finncap still expects personal care products supplier Innovaderma (IDP) to make a small profit on the back of a recovery in revenues in the year to June 2022. Cash should be maintained at £2.3m.
Cash shell Hawkwing (HNG) wanted share trading to recommence after the proposed acquisition of ecommerce aggregator Internet Fusion Group. The FCA says that the £13.7m loan to Internet Fusion Group is a transaction under the definition of a reverse takeover so trading cannot recommence. Hawkwing is trying to unwind the loan.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 25 October 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Lush co-founder Andrew Gerrie plans to float a new shell called Silverwood Brands on the Aquis Stock Exchange. The strategy is to acquire and develop consumer brands and pay with shares and cash. Hotel Chocolat (HOTC) founder Angus Thirlwell is an adviser. Silverwood Brands was formed in August. There are currently 100 shares, which were issued at par value of 1p. A pre-IPO subscription of £1m recently closed.
Boanerges (BNRG) has agreed to acquire the business and assets of digital ecommerce company WeShop, where AIM-quoted Brandshield Systems (BRSD), Vela Technologies (VELA), Primorus Investments (PRIM) and IamFire (FIRE) are shareholders. The payment will be 33.33 million shares at 75p each, compared with a market price of 77p, following a May flotation at 20p a share. Boanerges intends to leave Aquis and join the JP Jenkins matched bargain facility. Boanerges is offering to acquire any shares bought since the Aquis flotation at 75p each. Boanerges believes it has the cash it requires to develop the WeShop business, and it may seek a listing in the future.
Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) says customer deposits have increased by 19% to £2.8bn so far this year, while loans have risen by one-quarter to £1.97bn. Assets under management are 14% higher at £1.3bn.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) has sold its investment in Office for Public Management for £469,000, having invested £250,000.
Dispersion Holdings (DEFI) has acquired Accru Finance for £8.75m in the form of 250 million shares. The vendors will own 29% of Dispersion and the founders Philip Blows and Digby Try will join the Dispersion board. The former will become chief executive. Accru is developing cryptocurrency trading platform, which is yet to get FCA approval.
Altona Rare Earths (ANR) has agreed to acquire a 51% interest in the Chambe rare earths project in Malawi and this new deal is likely to delay the move to the standard list. An initial payment of one million shares will be held in escrow until the exploration licence is transferred to a new company in which Altona can increase its interest to 70%.
Vulcan Industries (VULC) reported revenues of £5.23m in the year to March 2021. There was a loss of £3.42m. Net debt is £3.4m.
There was a £891,000 cash outflow at Semper Fortis Esports (SEMP) in the six months to July 2021. There is still £1.77m in the bank.
AIM
Bens Creek Group (BEN) has acquired coking coal mining assets in West Virginia, and it believes it can restart production before the end of 2021. The estimated coal resources are 17.2 million in-place tons with proven and probable reserves of 2.34 million tons. Bens Creek raised £5.8m, after expenses, at 10p a share when it joined AIM. Bens Creek announced an offtake agreement for washed Hi-Vol-B metallurgical coal with Integrity Coal Sales, which has agreed to take 22,000 US short ton of coal each month for a 12-month period. This deal starts in January and covers 50% of expected production volumes. The current market price is $277/short ton and the price paid will depend on the market price at the time. This deal sparked an uptick in the share price, which reached 13.25p by the end of the week.
Devon-based Tungsten West (TUN) is developing the Hemerdon tungsten and tine mine near Plymouth and it joined AIM during the week. The share price ended the week at 63p, up from the 60p at which £39m was raised before expenses. Hemerdon was previously owned by Wolf Minerals, which went into administration, and acquired by Tungsten West two years ago. There had previously been more than £170m invested in the mine. There is an estimated mineral resource of 325Mt at 0.12% tungsten. A bankable feasibility study was completed in March.
Disinfection products supplier Tristel (TSTL) reported lower revenues and profit but that was down to stockpiling in the comparative period. Revenues were 2% lower at £31m, while pre-tax profit fell by one-quarter to £5.4m, which is similar to the 2018-19 level. Profit growth should recommence this year, but it will take time to beat the 2019- 20 figure. Tristel is shedding non-core products, which will reduce costs. Progress continues with US product approvals.
ASX-listed Future Metals (FME) did not raise any cash when it gained a secondary quotation on AIM. The share price ended the first day of trading at 12.25p and then fell to 10.5p. The company was previously quoted on AIM as Red Emperor Resources and has returned following the acquisition of 100% of the Panton PGM project in Western Australia. There is definitely a resource. A bankable feasibility study was completed by previous owners in September 2003, and it was reviewed in 2011. There is a JORC mineral resource of 14.3Mt at 5.2g/t PGM and 2.4m ounces of gold. There is also nickel, cobalt and copper mineralisation.
Solid State (SOLI) has an order book at record levels. The order book has increased by 48% to £61.5m with orders stretching further ahead than in the past. Interim pre-tax profit is estimated to have risen from £2.6m to £3.3m. Operating margins benefited from a change in product mix.
Internet domain name registry and services provider CentralNic (CNIC) is continuing to perform ahead of expectations. Organic growth was 29% in first nine months of this year. CentralNic expects full year EBITDA of at least $32m, up from $22.1m in 2020.
MAIN MARKET
LED lighting and wiring accessories supplier Luceco (LUCE) is trading in line with expectations of achieving a full year underlying operating profit of at least £39m. Revenues are 36% higher than the 2020 figure. Gross margins are slightly lower due to cost pressures.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 10 May 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Virgata has published its offer document for the 50p a share bid for Walls & Futures REIT (WAFR) and the first acceptance date is 27 May. Walls & Future REIT management are still arguing that the bid is too low because it is at less than 50% of NAV. Virgata points out that shareholders would not be able to sell their shares in the market for anywhere near NAV and that costs, including director pay, exceed income. Liquidity is certainly and that means that it has been difficult to raise cash to scale up the business.
Samarkand (SMK) is making its first acquisition following its admission to the Aquis Apex segment. The cross-border trading group is paying £2.41m in cash and shares (at 139.67p each) for Zita West Products and 51% of Babawest, where a further £400,000 will be loaned. Zita West Products supplies nutritional supplements for fertility and pregnancy, and it has worked with Samarkand for more than three years. Babawest supplies nutritional products for mothers and babies. In the year to September 2020, Zita West Products made an adjusted pre-tax profit of £241,000 on revenues of £854,000. Interim revenues were 60% ahead at £636,000. Samarkand can use its ecommerce technology and contacts in China to grow sales.
Third quarter revenues dipped at National Milk Records (NMRP), but like-for-like revenues were 1% greater at £5.42m. That excludes the former heat detection operations. The growth has come from newer areas, such as Johne’s and surveillance testing. There was a small decline in milk recording revenues, but they are recovering and the next quarter comparisons will not be as strong.
British Virgin Islands-based technology-focused shell Boanerges Ltd plans to float on 17 May. It appears that the share issue will be relatively small because Richard Griffiths will have his stake diluted from 75% to 71.7%. Internet of Things, big data and telematics are some of the areas where the directors are seeking acquisitions.
Rutherford Health (RUTH) is drawing down £15m from its infrastructure investment facility, which means that all £40m will have been drawn down. This will be invested in the company’s cancer treatment facilities.
Sativa Wellness (SWEL) increased 2020 revenues by 38% to £1.99m. Transaction costs increased the loss from £3.8m to £4.8m. There are 30 wellness clinics in operation, and they are adding to the range of tests on top of the Covid-19 tests. The benefits of CBD products launched last year should show through in 2021.
URA Holdings has distributed its shares in Ananda Developments (ANA) to its own shareholders. This has increased the stakes of directors Charles Morgan (to 8.65%), Melissa Sturgess (to 13.2%) and Peter Redmond (to 1.47%).
Western Selection (WESP) has increased its stake in electrical and gas services provider Bilby (BILB) from 11.93% to 12.18%. This was before the trading statement that revealed that Bilby generated 2020-21 revenues of £60m and EBITDA of £3m. Net debt was £2.7m at the end of March 2021, prior to commencing paying £1m of VAT liabilities. The full yar results will be published in early July.
Christopher Potts has taken a 5.94% stake in DiscovOre (ORE).
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) non-executive director Bryan Burrough has acquired 8,600 shares at 737.5p each.
S-Ventures (SVEN) has raised £3m at 15p a share and every two shares will be issued a warrant exercisable at 25p. Chief executive Scott Livingston invested £500,000 in the placing and his stake is 49.1%. Vulcan Industries (VULC) has raised nearly £75,000 at 3.2p a share.
AIM
Virgin Wines (VINO) says that sales and profit are ahead of expectations in the year to June 2021. Liberum had forecast revenues of £70.3m, up from £56.5m last year, and the outcome is expected to be at least £73m. The easing of lockdowns could hamper growth, but the expanded customer base will help Virgin to continue to grow.
Bars operator Nightcap (NGHT) is making its first acquisition since joining AIM. Nightcap is paying £2.5m for Adventure Bars Group with £1m in shares being paid initially and up to £1.5m (at the same share price) dependent on performance in the two years from 1 July 2021. The cost is much higher than that because the acquisition comes with around £4.3m of borrowings, of which between £1.28m and £1.78m will be repaid and a £110,000 convertible (at 21p a share) issued to the lender. Nightcap is trying to raise a further £4m.
IPTV technology developer Mirada (MIRA) says trading was in line with expectations in the year to March 2020. That means that revenues were around £12m and the loss was around £3m. Trading improved during the second half and revenues were higher than in the first half. New opportunities mean that Mirada should improve its performance this year. Demand is building up in Asia.
A positive trading statement by concrete levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises (SOM) has led to a 15% upgrade in forecasts earnings to 39.9 cents a share. That has led to an increase in the expected dividend to 27.9 cents a share. Trading has been strong in the US, while Europe and Australia are recovering.
Coral Products (CRU) is paying an interim dividend 0.5p a share and the ex-dividend date is 13 May. Coral is selling the Haydock facility for £3.5m, but has to spend £650,000 on the roof before the sale is completed. Book value is £2.5m. Coral will lose the £300,000 a year of rental income.
Appreciate Group (APP) says 2020-21 figures are in line with expectations. Even so, the underlying pre-tax profit of the financial services and savings business has been slightly upgraded by Edison. The pre-tax profit is still likely to slump from £11.4m to £4.5m, before recovering to £7.2m in 2021-22. Digital sales are becoming increasingly important.
Trinity Exploration and Production (TRIN) has acquired a 100% interest in the PS-4 lease block, onshore Trinidad, for $3.5m. Average daily production was 83 barrels during 2020.
Software company WANdisco (WAND) increased its loss in 2020-21, but it is expected to fall sharply this year. That is because revenues are forecast to jump from $10.5m to $37m. WANdisco could even move into profit next year. The LIVEdata software is thought to be the only credible petabyte data analysis product capable of migrating data to the cloud on the market.
One Media IP Group (OMIP) has acquired the writer’s share of producer royalties, which covers more than 250 tracks by Kid Creole and the Coconuts. This deal has been done through Harmony IP, which gives artists the chance to access future income by selling a portion of their rights. This high profile deal could attract other artists to the Harmony IP proposition.
Initial drilling results from the Hamersley iron project owned by Alien Metals (UFO) shows new iron ore zone targets in the Hancock area of the project. The interpretation work outlines much larger target areas. Results from 36 more drill holes are due later this month.
Bacanora Lithium (BCN) says that there has been a 67.5p a share cash bid approach from Ganfeng International Trading. The bid is near to the share price high at the beginning of the year, which was the highest it has been for nearly three years. Ganfeng owns 50% of the Sonora lithium project and already holds 28.9% of Bacanora.
Anglo African Oil & Gas (AAOG) has lost its AIM quotation because it has failed to acquire a new business. It has entered into an option to acquire a 25% interest in the Saltfleetby gas field in east Lincolnshire for £8m in shares. The deal is dependent on at least £1m being raised and the shares becoming quoted on a recognised market.
Nu-Oil and Gas (NUOG) has left AIM, but it continues to make progress with the acquisition of Guardian Maritime. The cash generative business sells a retro-fitted system for ships that stops pirates boarding vessels. This deal should enable the shares to be admitted to the standard list by the end of June.
MAIN MARKET
Standard list shell East Star Resources (EST) commenced trading on 4 May, and it is seeking resources opportunities. The shell raised £1.73m net of expenses at 5p a share. The existing shares were previously issued at 1p each. The share price ended the week at 6.25p.
Tirupati Graphite (TGR) has developed a graphene-aluminium composite. This has conductivity properties comparable to copper. Tirupati is talking with potential customers who would want to replace copper because of the composite’s lower weight. Power and propulsion systems are one area where there is interest.
Cardiff Property (CDFF) has increased the interim dividend from 4.8p a share to 5p a share. There was a dip in pre-tax profit from £387.000 to £365,000, but there was a lower tax charge. The Thames Valley property markets has shown signs of slowing down and rental income will be lower this year. The current share price is 1850p, compared with a NAV of 2445p a share – although there is a potential tax liability on any disposal of the investment in Campmoss of 265p a share.
MGC Pharmaceuticals (MXC) says pre-clinical and clinical results for ArtemiC Rescue, which targets viral infections with inflammatory complications, has demonstrated an ability to decrease the markers of inflammation. Phase II clinical trials showed that the treatment could hasten recovery in Covid-19 patients with mild to moderate illness, which should offset the problem of long Covid.
CBD products supplier Zoetic International (ZOE) is raising £6m at 60p each and this will be used to terminate the financing agreement with LDA Capital. That will cost £1.2m and the rest will go on the US rollout of Chill products and launching new products.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 3 May 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Decentralised finance (DeFi) focused investment company Dispersion Holdings (DEFI) raised £9m at 3p a share. The share price closed at 4.15p (3.8p/4.5p) and there were just over one million shares traded on the first day. The market capitalisation is £25.4m. Shares were originally issued at below the placing price and the underlying NAV is 1.8p a share. Dispersion has already made two investments, although one of those is a £210,000 investment in NFT Investments, which has management in common, at the equivalent of 7p a share. NFT’s placing was at 5p a share and the investment was made after the shares commenced trading. Since then, the share price has fallen to 3.85p (3.7p/4p).
Semper Fortis Esports (SEMP) has the management experience to exploit the fast-growing esports sector. The board includes football adviser Keith Harris. Chief executive Kevin Soltani was a co-owner of an esports franchise in MENA and co-founded the GIMA Esports Agency with chief operating officer Jassem Osseiran. The Semper Fortis Esports shareholder register includes the likes of Chris Akers. Semper Fortis Esports raised £2.5m, after expenses, at 1p a share. Pro forma net assets are £2.13m, with £2.15m cash in the bank. The pro forma NAV is just over 0.5p a share. The share price ended the week at 3.95p (3.8p/4.1p).
Greencare Capital (GRE) has invested £100,000 in Voyager Life, as part of a £671,000 before an Aquis flotation. Voyager Life supplies CBD and hemp seed oil products. This follows the £100,000 investment in CBD products supplier Clearly Supplements in the form of a 5% convertible loan. The Covid-19 pandemic and legislation changes hampered the planned reverse takeover, and it did not go ahead. There should still be more than £1m in cash in the balance sheet after the investments.
Revenues fell 59% to £8.49m at Newbury Racecourse (NYR) and there was a loss of £2.27m. Only four race meetings had people attending last year. There were 20 race days last year and there will be ten by 17 May this year. There was £1.5m raised from the sale of surplus land. There was £5.53m in the bank at the end of 2020. Net assets were £48.9m, down from £51.4m.
Spirits maker British Honey (BHC) says that first quarter revenues, excluding hand sanitisers, increased by one-quarter to £1.33m. The integration of Union Distillers is nearly complete. A new bottling line will increase capacity to four million bottles a year by the end of 2021. A new bottling line for miniatures is also being installed.
Gunsynd (GUN) has made a £200,000 in DiscovOre (ORE) at 2p a share. DiscovOre is changing its investing strategy to focus on the medical psychedelic sector.
Supported housing provider Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR) says that NAV has fallen by 5% to 102p a share. John D Wood values the company’s properties at £3.2m. The company collected 100% of rents last year. Virgata Services has to publish an offer document by 6 May.
Primorus Investments (PRIM) has invested $2.5m in convertible loan notes in standard listed Mustang Energy (MUST) as part of a fundraising to pay for a 22.1% stake in VFFB-H, which owns 50% of Enerox, an Austria-based vanadium redox flow battery manufacturer. AIM-quoted Bushveld Minerals (BMN) is the majority shareholder in VFFB-H. Enerox plans to raise £30m. Trading has been suspended in Mustang Energy shares.
Altona Rare Earths (ANR) is proceeding with the acquisition of the Monte Muambe rare earths project. The contract is being finalised and then Altona will start the earn-in to progress towards a 70% stake in the project. Altona is still assessing other projects. An application has been filed for a standard listing.
Angelfish Investments (ANGP) has raised £42,000 at 0.00258065 a share, plus £90,000 via a convertible loan facility at the same conversion price as the placing. Simon Grant-Rennick has been appointed executive chairman and Burns Singh Tennent Bhohi, who has taken a 14.8% stake, as an executive director.
Two locations have shown strong gold intersection at surfaces at NQ Minerals (NQMI) 100%-owned Beaconsfield gold mine in Tasmania. The surface potential could add significant resources to Beaconsfield.
Positive results have been reported by BWA Group (BWAP) from the sampling at the Nkoteng rutile sands project in Cameroon. There are elevated intervals of rutile-ilmenite, zircon and kyanite over continuous zones.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has signed an Africa-focused distribution agreement with Rigworld Solutions. This formalises and earlier agreement.
Watchstone Group (WTG) has made the switch from AIM to Aquis.
Coinsilium (COIN) has raised £18,500 from the sale of treasury shares at 18.5p each.
AIM
Hurricane Energy (HUR), which at one time was a constituent of the AIM 50, is restructuring its balance sheet. This would involve swapping $50m of the principal of the company’s convertible bonds into 95% of the enlarged share capital. The terms of the remaining $180m of bonds will be amended. The business will focus on extending the oil production case for the Lancaster 205/21a-6 well.
Construction services consultancy Driver (DRV) says that its latest underlying interim profit will be slightly lower than for the same period last year, which was £1.25m. That is a strong comparative period. Lockdowns have varied in the different operational countries. Driver also lost a team in Asia Pacific to a rival. The focus is higher margin work and activity levels are improving. Net cash was £7.2m at the end of March 2021. The interims will be published on 8 June.
Pennant International (PEN) fell into loss in 2020 and it should manage to return to profit this year. Forecast revenues of £16m are 90% covered by the order book. Pennant wants to win more business in the rail sector.
Pollen Street Capital is bidding 75p a share for spend control software supplier Proactis (PHD) and the board is recommending the offer, which values the company at £71.6m. Pollen Street has the finance to accelerate growth. The bid is at 24 times prospective 2020-21 earnings, falling to 19 next year.
Building software supplier Eleco (ELCO) says that first quarter revenues were 9% ahead at £7m, while year-on-year pre-tax profit was one-fifth higher. Net cash was £7.9m at the end of March 2021. A general meeting has been requisitioned so that shareholders can vote on the re-election of executive chairman Serena Lang and non-executive director Kevin Craig, a resolution to make it compulsory for all directors to come up for re-election at every AGM and a vote on the remuneration report in the 2020 accounts.
Cosmetics supplier Warpaint London (W7L) had an improved second half and momentum is continuing into next year. In 2020, revenues fell from £49.3m to £40.3m, but earnings halved from 6.3p a share to 3.1p a share.
President Energy (PPC) expects to bring the EV-1001 well on the Estancia Vieja gas field into production during May. The drill rig will be moved to the next location. President is expected to return to profit in 2020.
Amiad Water Systems (AFS) plans to transfer its quotation to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
MAIN MARKET
In 2020, Argo Blockchain (ARB) increased revenues from £8.6m to £19m, but it made a small loss. Cash inflow from operating activities was £12.3m, according to finnCap. This year a pre-tax profit of £30m is forecast, although working capital will consume most of the cash generated even before significant capital expenditure.
Moulded plastic parts manufacturer Carclo (CAR) says that it has maintained its full year revenues for plastics, but there was a decline in aerospace revenues, and made a profit. Net debt has been reduced from £22.1m to £20m.
InnovaDerma (IDP) raised an additional £500,000 in an open offer and that took the total raised to £4.5m. This will fund ecommerce investment.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 14 December 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Incanthera (INC) says that study results for Sol, a sun cream that prevents skin cancer, have been better than expected. There is significantly greater dermal delivery by Sol compared with four rival products and it was found to be a non-irritant. The cream exceeds bioequivalence compared with oral treatments. A new patent is being filed which will extend the protection until 2041. Incanthera had £433,000 in the bank at the end of September 2020 and outgoings are low. The cash will last well into 2021 Incanthera is seeking a partner to license Sol and launch the product, which could lead to an upfront payment. Incanthera has already licensed potential cancer treatment EP0015 to Ellipses Pharma. There are other earlier stage treatments being developed, including Duo-C, which is a potential treatment for bladder cancer.
Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) is acquiring vehicle finance provider Asset Alliance, which specialises in coaches and trucks, for £4.1m. Arbuthnot can use its own deposit base to provide finance for the acquisition, which should be earnings enhancing in 2021.
In the year to May 2020, mechanical and engineering services provider Fuel Systems Designs Holdings (FSD) reported a decline in pre-tax profit from £553,000 to £354,000 and a fall in revenues from £21.8m to £19.8m. The decline in revenues came from the power generation division, while water and sewerage revenues were slightly higher. Cash in the bank has improved from £4.8m to £5.96m.
SulNOX (SNOX) has signed a collaboration agreement with Ghana-based Rigworld, which will market the company’s fuel conditioner and heavy fuel emulsifier products in Africa. Rigworld has identified the mining sector as an initial opportunity.
Chris Akers has taken a 4.08% stake in Gunsynd (GUN). Investee company Rincon Resources has had its ASX listing delayed. Pacific Nickel, formerly Malachite, has raised $3.8m for the exploration of nickel projects in the Solomon Islands.
World High Life (LIFE) generated revenues of £1.69m in the year to June 2020. Impairment goodwill of £7.4m increased the full year loss to £12.7m. Management continues to seek further CBD investment opportunities.
Rutherford Health (RUTH) has launched new membership scheme Rutherford Direct. The healthcare plan focuses on cancer cover and provides the cost of treatment and care for people diagnosed with cancer.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has raised £1.75m at 10p a share in order to finance exploration at the Red Setter project in Western Australia. There will also be additional exploration in Queensland.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) has signed an agreement with Vietnam-based RedFOX Labs, which will lead to the development of a range of virtual asset and digital collectible marketplaces. It will also cover the trading of non-fungible tokens.
Cairn has been replaced Turner Pope as broker to Primorus Investments (PRIM) as well as nominated adviser. Primorus is leaving Aquis Stock Exchange on 24 December as part of cost saving measures.
AIM
IMImobile (IMO) has agreed a 595p a share bid from Cisco Systems, which values the communications services company at £543m. This is a good add-on service for Cisco.
ULS Technology (ULS) has sold its CAL subsidiary for £27m, so that it can concentrate on its core eConceyancer platform and its digital investment. In the six months to September 2020, the group market share of purchases and sales was slightly lower but remortgage market share rose from 4.8% to 6.8%. The sale of CAL will reduce the numbers, but the mix of business should not change. ULS managed to make a small interim profit on reduced revenues.
Eqtec (EQT) has signed an agreement to acquire full ownership of the Deeside refuse derived fuel project. Eqtec is talking to the local authority and is pursuing additional planning permissions for the site so the company’s gasification technology can be used. Financing is being secured.
Access Intelligence (ACC) has raised £10m in a heavily oversubscribed placing at 80p a share. This cash will fund international expansion for its SaaS products.
Bion (BION) has entered the solar power market and it has agreed to acquire existing solar assets. The company is purchasing a 77% stake in rooftop solar panels that supply 0.95MW of electricity. The total cost will be RM6m. The assets should generate a profit of RM400,000 a year from 2021.
Housebuilder Abbey (ABBY) has recommended a 1575p a share cash offer from Gallagher Holdings for the minority stake it does not own. The Irish housebuilder is valued at £328.8m and the remaining 4.4% shareholding will cost £14.4m.
Roadside convenience retailer Applegreen (APGN) has been approached by its founders and management team with a €5.75 a share cash offer. The independent directors are considering the offer.
Iron deficiency products developer Shield Therapeutics (STX) says that discussions with potential licensees for the US rights to Accrufer will not be completed by the end of the year as had been hoped. Shield would need up to $40m to launch the treatment in the US if it did it on its own. A loan facility will help Shield to have working capital well into next year.
MAIN MARKET
S and U (SUS) says trading in its car finance and property bridging loans businesses has rebounded since the end of July. A background of higher demand and strong used car price growth means that current net receivables are £253m even though there was poor demand earlier in 2020. Third quarter collection rates were 87.5% of due payments. Aspen Bridging has higher net receivables than one year ago.
Tirupati Graphite (TGR) is set to join the standard list on Monday. It is an integrated graphite mining and processing business. Mining has commenced in Madagascar and the Indian processing facility was opened last year. There are plans to move into the graphene market. Management has decades of experience in the graphite industry.
Textile materials and chemicals company HeiQ (HEIQ) has started trading on the standard list following the reversal into Auctus Growth. A placing and subscription raised £60m at 112p a share. The share price ended the week at 118.5p.
CML Microsystems (CML) is selling its storage division so that it can concentrate on its communications division. The disposal to Swissbit will raise $49m in cash and it should be completed early in 2021. Net cash was £7.35m at the end of September 2020.
BATM (BVC) has delivered the first Celitron instrument for the recovery of protein and oils from insects.
Cyprus-focused explorer Chesterfield Resources (CHF) has raised £2.5m from a share issue at 9p, with £2.1m of the cash coming from Polymetal International.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 30 November 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Healthcare IT supplier DXS International (DXSP) had £1.2m in cash at the end of October 2020. Net cash was £584,000, following the capitalisation of £568,000 of development spending. Interim revenues improved by 3% to £1.72m but progress was held back by Covid-19. Pre-tax profit jumped from £90,000 to £151,000 due to lower admin costs.
Imperial X (IMPP) is continuing its due diligence on previously announced acquisitions of mining and royalty interests and the plan is to apply for a standard listing when the acquisitions are completed.
TechFinancials Inc (TECH) has invested $148,000 in RenewSenses, which has developed a wearable device for the visually impaired. The cash will help to complete the development of the A.I. Cane product, which is a camera attached to a handheld device and this enables obstacles to be identified.
S-Ventures (SVEN) has invested a further £75,000 in a convertible loan note issued by vitamin-fortified juices and smoothies Coldpress Foods. The annual interest rate is 15%. S-Ventures has a 3.3% stake in Coldpress.
Primorus Investments (PRIM) has terminated options over 17.8 million shares held by three individuals and has paid a total of £140,000 in compensation. These options could have been exercised at 6p a share or 8p a share and were equivalent to 11.3% of the potentially enlarged share capital. Primorus has decided to drop the Aquis quotation on 24 December and keep the AIM quote. This and a reduction in director pay will reduce costs by more than £200,000 a year.
Formation Group (FRM) is withdrawing from the Aquis Stock Exchange on 31 December.
Good Energy (GOOD) has appointed Canaccord Genuity as joint broker.
Vulcan Industries (VULC) has raised a further £335,000 at 5p a share and 5.5p a share.
Aquis Stock Exchange has launched a market maker incentive scheme. The market makers will offer two-way prices for 505 of stocks on the Apex segment with a maximum spread of 5%. There should be 25 companies on the Apex segment. Market makers will receive warrants for shares in the Aquis Stock Exchange with the best performers gaining the largest percentage. They could earn up to 19.9% of the market over a three year period. Early adopters include Canaccord Genuity, Liberum, Peel Hunt, Shore Capital, Stifel and Winterflood.
Liberum Capital and Zeus Capital have been approved as corporate advisers for the Aquis Stock Exchange.
AIM
Kistos (KIST) began trading on AIM on 25 November. The investment company raised £30.2m after expenses and the market capitalisation was £40.3m. The plan is to seek acquisitions in the oil and gas sector. The team behind Kist is the same as for RockRose Energy. The share price has risen from 100p to 118.2p.
Cyber security software and services provider Shearwater (SWG) reported a slump in revenues, but the decline was in lower margin products. There were also overhead reductions. That meant that there was a profit before amortisation of acquired intangibles. Orders were delayed but there was still a £1.7m cash inflow from operations. Net cash was £3m at the end of September 2020. Two-fifths of revenues are recurring, and the long-term outlook is good.
Circle Property (CRC) reported a 2p a share decline in NAV to 283p a share at the end of September 2020. Loan to value is 42% and there is £37.7m of a loan facility still undrawn. New lettings have been secured since March and rent collections have been strong. The interim dividend is 2.5p a share.
Telecoms testing instrumentation supplier Calnex Solutions (CLX) has made an impressive start to its time on AIM with interim figures that show near-doubled underlying pre-tax profit of £2.3m. This has led to an upgrade of the full year profit expectations to £2.9m. The cash being generated is enabling additional development spending.
IG Design (IGR) benefitted from a full contribution from the CSS acquisition, which has also reduced the seasonality of the group. Even so, continuing operations sales held up well. There is still scope for additional demand for Christmas wrapping and gift products, but time is running out for any significant improvement. Full year pre-tax profit is expected to be flat at $35m, although shares issued to fund the CSS acquisition mean that there would be a one-fifth decline in earnings per share to 25.5 cents. There should be a significant improvement next year.
First Property (FPO) has significantly reduced its debt following the sale of a property in Poland. This puts it in a good position to take advantage of any opportunities over the next year or so. Short-term income has declined and there were no performance fees. NAV is 54.3p a share. The interim dividend is maintained at 0.45p a share.
Appreciate (APP) has reinstated its dividend and it proposes an interim of 0.4p a share. Interim revenues were 18% lower at £27.4m. There is always a first half loss and it increased from £1.2m to £4.6m, although that does not include the restructuring costs. The Christmas savings business held up and the corporate incentives operations were boosted by additional business due to free school meals vouchers. More business is being done digitally and there continues to be a monthly improvement in trading.
D4T4 (D4T4) is continuing its development into a business focused on recurring revenues. The data collection and analysis software provider lost money in the first half, but management remains confident that D4T4 will achieve the full year pre-tax profit forecast of £3.2m, down from £5m. Net cash is expected to be £14m. The interim dividend was raised by 5% to 0.81p a share.
LoopUp (LOOP) has not achieved the annual run rate than it expected, and it will fall short of 2020 expectations. The remote meetings technology provider has been generating less revenue from international calls, which has hit overall revenues. Trimming the 2020 revenues forecast from £54.8m to £50.1m leads to a one-fifth reduction in pre-tax profit to £8.4m. The lower run rate means that 2021 forecast revenues have been slashed from £56m to £35.2m, which leads to a small loss for the year.
Outsourcing Inc has sent out the document for the takeover of CPL Resources (CPS). It is offering Euro11.25 a share, which values the Ireland-based recruitment company at Euro317.8m.
Digital advertising technology developer Miriad Advertising (MIRI) has raised £23m via a placing at 40p a share. A further £3m could be raised via an open offer. In July 2019, £16m was raised at 15p a share. The first half cash outflow was more than £4.6m. The cash will be spent on growing US revenues and further technology development.
Ilika (IKA) has decided to manufacture its Stearex batteries itself rather than outsourcing the process. This is the quickest route to production and operating margins will improve. Full scale manufacturing will start by early 2022.
ReNeuron (RENE) is raising up to £17.5m at a heavily discounted share price of 70p. This cash will enable the company to complete the current clinical trial for the retinitis pigmentosa treatment and design a phase III trial.
The share price rise of Wynnstay Group (WYN) has led to DBAY Advisors reducing its stake from 6.12% to 5.33%.
Urban Exposure (UEX) plans a tender offer of up to £65m at 75p a share. There is cash in the bank of £81m.
Second half trading was always going to be weak for Tracsis (TRCS) because of its exposure to events in the traffic and data division. Recurring revenues from the rail technology division have helped limit the pre-tax profit decline from £9.5m to £8.3m. This year is also likely to be tough, although it will depend on trading next summer. The main recovery is likely in 2021-22.
Serinus Energy (SENX) has raised $21m and this will pay off the debt of $16.5m. The lender will also receive a 9.9% stake. The rest of the cash will be invested in increasing oil and gas production.
Digital financial services and products provider Tungsten (TUNG) says profit will be lower than expected this year. Transaction volumes have declined, and revenues will be flat. Winning new business has become more difficult. Annualised savings of £4m are being made.
Michelmersh Brick (MBH) says that 2020 revenues and profit will exceed expectations. Government support of £500,000 will be repaid. There will still be net cash at the end of 2020. A final dividend of 2.25p a share will be paid.
Benchmark (BMK) has completed its restructuring and is on course to benefit from the investment it has made in products and capacity. The BMK08+CleanTreat treatment should be launched by next summer and this could help the aquaculture company to move into profit. In 2019-20, revenues fell from £124m to £105.6m, but lower costs meant that the loss was reduced. Genetics was the best performing division due to initial sales of salmon eggs from Salten. Net debt was £37.6m at the end of September 2020.
MAIN MARKET
Jlen Environmental (JLEN) is paying a second quarterly dividend of 1.69p a share, the same as the first quarter. There has been a small reduction in NAV from 97.5p a share to 96.1p a share because long-term expectations for electricity and gas prices have fallen. The portfolio is 34% wind power, 27% anaerobic digestion, 22% solar power, 15% waste and wastewater and 2% hydro and battery. A decline in waste volumes hampered the Bio Collectors business and other feedstocks are being sourced. There is £127.6m available to finance further acquisitions.
CML Microsystems (CML) had a mixed interim period with total revenues holding up at £12.9m. Storage technology revenues were one-quarter higher, but communications revenues fell by one-fifth and are no longer the largest contributor. However, the development activities have been broadened through acquisitions and there is a bigger addressable market. Pre-tax profit fell from £907,000 to £771,000 and the interim dividend is unchanged at 2p a share. The second half should be better than the first half and a rebalancing of resources should make the business more efficient.
Ingredients supplier Treatt (TET) improved pre-tax profit from £14m to £15.8m, although there was a small dip in revenues to £109m. The total dividend is 6.2p a share. Demand is likely to remain weaker than normal. The move to the new UK premises should happen in the middle of 2021.
J Smart Contractors (SMJ) reported halved underlying full year pre-tax profit of £1.28m. There was a surplus on investment property revaluations of £3.18m. There is net cash of £12m. A final dividend of 2.27p a share has been declared and the total for the year has edged up from 3.19p a share to 3.22p a share. The completion of building contracts has been delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Contracting work remains below the level of the previous year and private housing sales will be limited in the year to July 2021. NAV is £99.3m, which is double the market capitalisation.
Triad (LSE: TRD) revenues declined from £9m to £8.7m, but the IT consultancy did move from loss to profit due to lower costs. Utilisation rates for IT consultants is relatively high and cash covers around three-fifths of the market capitalisation.
Gulf Marine Services (GMS) has suspended chief executive Tim Summers, who was no longer a member of the board, due to an investigation into a severance payment of £429,000 on 10 November. Hassan Heikal was appointed a director at the general meeting on 25 November.
Cardiff Property (CDFF) increased its NAV from 2285p a share to 2436p a share at the end of September 2020, against a share price of 1725p. This reflects an uplift in the valuation of JV Campmoss due to an increase in value of Clivemount House in Maidenhead which has been sold since the year end. The dividend increased by 3% to 17.6p a share. There is cash of £5.5m and no debt.
Affordable housing services provider Aquila Services Group (AQSG) reported a decline in revenues from £3.89m to £3.51m, although there was a small improvement in operating profit prior to restructuring costs of £175,000. The dividend has been halved to 0.15p a share. Cash has increased to £1.4m.
OTAQ (OTAQ) increased interim revenues by 16% to £2.03m and it is on course for full year revenues of £4m. The growth has come from the aquaculture operations. Furlough claims reduced the loss.
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 16 November 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Robert Labrum is executive chairman of Primorus Investments (PRIM) following the resignation of Jeremy Taylor Firth and fellow director Alastair Clayton. Primorus is undertaking a strategic review of the business, following the sale of its stake in Greatland Gold (GGP). Other investments include TruSpine Technologies (TSP). Primorus does not have any debt and it has decided not to go ahead with a share buy back.
EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) had a net asset value of 345.7p a share at the end of August 2020. Since then, the investment company has made a $2.5m investment in a segregated account of Prelude Structured Alternative Masters Fund, which invests in distressed credit opportunities.
Youth training services provider Harrogate Group joined the Aquis Stock Exchange on 9 November. The current share price is 3p (2p/4p).
Gunsynd (GUN) is raising £1.13m at 1p a share. This cash will be used to make further investments.
Evrima (EVA) has exercised its option agreement to increase its stake in KKME from 2.4% to 19.6%. This cost £138,000 and this was paid in the form of 2.3 million shares plus the award of 2.3 million warrants at an exercise price of 12 pa share, lasting three years. KKME’s main project is Molopo Farms Complex, which could be a nickel sulphide project. There is an earn-in agreement with AIM-quoted Power Metals (POW) and four holes have been drilled.
KR1 (KR1) has earned 40,270.1 tokens in Kusama, which is described as an incentivised canary network for the Polkadot blockchain project. This stake did not cost anything.
Lombard Capital (LCAP) says progress with the development of a recycling business has been held back by the suspension of trading in the shares. The main asset is a freehold waste recycling site. There was £3,630 in cash in the bank on 30 June 2020. There are net liabilities of £100,000.
Sumner Group Mining has left the Aquis Stock Exchange.
AIM
Digital brand protection services provider Brandshield is reversing into Two Shield Investments (TSI) in an all share deal that values the 80% not already owned by Two Shields at £13.2m. A placing will raise £3.2m at 20p a share, following a 200-for-one share consolidation. Brandshield has developed technology that can be used to protect the brands of clients and get illegal sites and information taken down. Revenues of $1.51m in the first half of 2020 were nearly as much as for the whole of 2019. Two Shields has mining investments that could provide further funds for the core business in the future.
Insolvency litigation finance provider Manolete Partners (MANO) generated cash before new investments in the six months to September 2020. One major case has extended payment term s so there was a working capital outflow during the period. After the announcement of the interims another case was completed, and this will realise £2.8m in cash out of the total settlement of £7.5m. That will be paid over a two year period. Net debt was £5.4m and there are additional facilities that can be sued to finance additional cases.
Zoo Digital (ZOO) generated additional revenues from localisation services on past films and TV programmes in the first half, while production of new programming was delayed by the problems relating to Covid-19. Back catalogue work and higher dubbing revenues more than offset the reduction subtitling revenues. Interim revenues were 15% ahead at $16.4m. Forecasts have been upgraded and a $1.4m pre-tax profit is expected for the full year.
Three directors in Anexo (ANX) are selling a combined 29% of the credit hire and legal services firm to institutional investor DBAY at 150p a share, which is a premium to the market price. DBAY has the finance to provide backing to Anexo in order to expand its business.
Healthcare services provider Totally (TLY) moved into profit in the first half even though revenues were hit by the lack of elective surgeries in the period. Revenues increased by 9% to £54.1m, helped by a full contribution from urgent care business Greenbrook. Net cash is £12.3m and there is an unchanged interim dividend of 0.25p a share. Activity levels have been improving although there is still uncertainty due to lockdowns and restrictions around the UK and Ireland.
One Media IP (OMIP) increased revenues by 14% to £4m on the back of the strong music streaming market in the recent financial year. A 2019-20 pre-tax profit of £600,000 is forecast. That is slightly better than forecast. There is £6.7m in cash and there should be news of acquisitions and partnerships with artists over the coming months. The TCAT anti-piracy software service will be managed as a separate business. Dr Ed Vernon will head up the new Belfast-based venture and take a 8% stake.
MAIN MARKET
OTAQ (OTAQ) is acquiring the assets of ROS Technology for up to £300,000. ROS is a developer of electronic and mechanical products in sectors including aquaculture and offshore. The former owner Dr Peter Robinson was the designer of OTAQ’s SealFence product. He is an important addition to the development team. ROS made a pre-tax profit on full year revenues of £312,000.
Auctus Growth (AUCT) has agreed the acquisition of HeiQ Materials AG, which is a materials innovation company focusing on the apparel, medical and home textile markets, for £119.6m via a share issue at 112p a share post one-for-three share consolidation. A placing and subscription will raise £20m at the same price, while the vendors of the business will sell £40m of the shares they are issued. The company’s name will be changed to HeiQ.
Matomy Media (MTMY) has agreed to merge with Global Auto Max in an all share deal. Global Auto Max imports vehicles made by Toyota, Jeep, Chrysler, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, VW, Volvo and Ford. Turnover was ILS355m.
Conduit Holdings plans to join the standard list in December. An offer could raise up to $1.1bn in order to finance the newly established reinsurance underwriting business. The focus is property, casualty and speciality insurance. There are no legacy losses to hamper the business.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 9 November 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Kent-based brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) lost £2.9m in the year to June 2020. There was a small operating profit, but this was swamped by interest charges. The loss excludes one-off charges of more than £9m, predominantly relating to the impairment of 26 properties and the cost of unlawful actions by an employee. Pub revenues fell due to the original lockdown period, although tenanted pubs remained profitable in the financial year. Trade was slow in July, but it started to build up prior to the latest restrictions.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) is not entering into new contracts and suspending existing contracts. Management is paying amounts owed under existing contracts and says that there will be minimal cash balances. The requisitioners of a general meeting have injected cash in order to keep the company trading and enable it to hold the general meeting on 4 December. The employment contracts of the directors have been terminated and the requisitioners want their own representatives elected to the board. Trading in the shares remains suspended.
There was a slight improvement in first quarter revenues generated by National Milk Records (NMRP) to £5.32m. The specialist services such as the testing of Johne’s disease provided the growth. Milk recording figures were 3% down. The latest lockdown should not have a significant effect on performance.
Gunsynd (GUN) has subscribed A$100,000 for a convertible in gold explorer Rincon Resources that converts at a discount to the flotation price on ASX. Rincon plans to raise at least A$5m prior a listing planned for 10 December.
GP software provider DXS International (DXSP) says that revenues are marginally up on the previous year and it remains profitable. There is around £1m in the bank. However, launches of new products have been delayed by the pandemic.
Primorus Investments (PRIM) has sold its remaining shareholding in Greatland Gold (GGP) and raised £4.6m. That means that Primorus made a total gain of around £5.9m.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has identified four shallow targets on its Patersons Range project in Western Australia. Wishbone intends to move to close the acquisition of its interest in the tenements.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) has agreed in principle to a settlement with secured creditors of the Amapa project. Once this is completed, Cadence will inject $2.5m into the project and take a 20% shareholding. There has been a 21% increase in the mineral resource. The initial mine plan envisages the production of 4.7 million tonnes of iron concentrate a year and the mine life could be nearer to 17 years following the updated resource.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) expects to complete its relaunch with a new strategy before the end of the year. There will be new corporate branding and a new website.
World High Life (LIFE) has raised £381,000 at 1p a share. This cash will finance due diligence on investment opportunities.
Imperial X (IMPP) has appointed Novum Securities as corporate adviser.
European Lithium has left the Aquis Stock Exchange.
AIM
Trinidad-focused oil and gas producer Touchstone Exploration Inc (TXP) has raised £23.1m at 95p a share. The previous placing in February raised cash at 40p a share. The money will be used to fund further exploration and development of the Ortoire onshore block. Touchstone recently announced its third discovery (Chinook-1) out of three wells drilled. Chinook-1 is thought to be a similar size to Cascadura, which is estimated at around 45mmboe. The current exploration well is Cascadura Deep-1 and that will be completed and tested in the first quarter of 2021. The original discovery, Coho, will soon start producing gas.
Mkango Resources (MKA) has started a drilling and soil sampling programme at the Mchinji rutile licence area. This will help management to identify the areas with the best prospects. The licence initially lasts until 2022 but can be extended. It is next door to a rutile discovery by Sovereign Metals, which makes the chances of a commercial discovery even better. There is already significant infrastructure in the area. Rutile is a white pigment used in paints, plastic and paper. Demand is strong and reserves are declining.
PerkinElmer Inc is offering 185p a share in cash for Horizon Discovery (HZD), which is double the previous market price. The bid is equivalent to the high in the past 12 months, but below the share price three years ago. Horizon is valued at £296m. PerkinElmer is keen to increase the scale of its cell engineering business and add to its gene editing services.
Trading in the shares of NWF (NWF) has been suspended following a cyber attack on the feed and fuels divisions. The businesses continue to operate.
Attis Oil and Gas (AOGL) has agreed an amalgamation with Helium One, which will then gain an AIM quotation and raise at least £5m. Helium One is offering one of its shares for 236 shares in Attis, which values the AIM shell at £1.76m (0.012p a share). The Attis share price has risen to 0.02p. Helium One has a potential helium project in Tanzania and is valued at £6m, which is similar to level of investment put into the project. Drilling is planned early next year. Scirocco Energy (SCIR) subscribed for a 10% stake three years ago and that will probably be diluted to around 4.6%.
AB Traction has increased its stake in construction disputes company Driver (DRV) from 15.6% to 17.3%.
Empire Metals (EEE) has achieved significant results with its drilling programme at the Eclipse gold project in Western Australia. The results confirm extensions to previously defined mineralisation. Drilling has started at the second potential target called Houdini. The proposed sale of the Bolnisi copper and gold project to TSXV-quoted Candelaria Mining Corporation means that Eclipse is currently the main focus of Empire’s cash investment.
Nasdaq-quoted Masimo Corporation is making a 12p a share recommended cash bid for non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring technology developer LiDCO (LID). Masimo is a medical technology company.
Surgical endoscopy devices supplier Creo Medical (CREO) has acquired its distributor in Belgium. Creo has also received FDA clearance for MicroBlate Fine, which is thought to be the world’s smallest diameter microwave ablation needle.
Dekel Agri-vision (DKL) has acquired a further 14.2% in the Tiebissou cashew nut processing project in return for 28.55 million shares. This takes the stake to 52%.
Beximco Pharma (BXP) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Serum Institute of India and the Bangladesh government for the supply of 30 million doses of the Oxford University/ AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Supplies will commence one month after regulatory approval in Bangladesh. This could provide a significant uplift to revenues, although the timing is uncertain.
Toilet tissue manufacturer Accrol (ACRL) is buying rival LTC for up to £41.8m. This will take Accrol’s share of the market to 16% and provide greater geographic coverage of the UK market. LTC has revenues of £28m and is profitable. There could be cost savings of £1m a year. Accrol raised £38.5m at 44p a share to help finance the deal. A one-for-21 open offer could raise up to £4.1m.
MAIN MARKET
Zotefoams (ZTF) says that third quarter revenues were 22% higher year-on-year due to demand for protective equipment and footwear. Management expects continued growth in the fourth quarter. Net debt was £36m at the end of September 2020. The new site in Poland should commence production early next year.
Cryptocurrency miner Argo Blockchain (ARB) generated £1.2m in revenues during October. It held 137 BTC in bitcoin at the end of the month. Argo is leasing 4,500 mining machines for 24 months and they should be up and running in February. It is also managing the mining operations of 4,378 machines for a third party.
Shell company Highway Capital (HWC) had £3,000 in the bank at the end of February 2020 and it has net liabilities of £991,000. There was £327,000 in borrowings.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 5 October 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Wine and beer maker Chapel Down (CDGP) made a similar interim loss this year. Wine revenues were one-fifth ahead even though sales were lost in pubs and the company’s own retail site. Online sales offset those declines. Wine stocks have increased by one-third to £11m. Beer and cider sales fell by 38% and gross profit slump by 59%. There was £5.83m in cash at the end of June 2020.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) reported an increase in interim revenues from £109,000 to £140,000. Reversal of impairments and unrealised gains helped to generate a pre-tax profit of £27,000, down from £242,000 because of lower unrealised gains. NAV was £2.52m, including cash of £129,000, at the end of June 2020. Since then, there has been an increase in the value of cryptocurrency and tokens held by the company.
Western Selection (WESP) has sold its stake in AIM-quoted Brand Architekts (BAR) and raised £1.43m at 109.78p a share. The shares were valued at £1.63m in the recent balance sheet. Peter Gyllenhammr increased his stake in Brand Architekts from 6.1% to 10.5%.
KR1 (KR1) reported an interim pre-tax profit of £522,000, including an unrealised gain of £711,000. The NAV was 6.18p a share at the end of June 2020. The latest digital asset investment is $100,000 in the Moonbeam Network project. This is a smart contract platform and KR1 will receive Glimmer tokens that will power Moonbeam’s blockchain.
Incanthera (INC) has announced positive data for a skin sensitisation study for skin cancer technology Sol. This shows it to be non-irritant. ImmuPharma has subscribed £250,000 for shares at 9.5p each. That takes the stake to 15.3%. A total of £350,000 was raised with directors subscribing for the other £100,000.
Housebuilder St Mark Homes (SMAP) has an NAV of 125p a share, compared with a share price of 87.5p (85p/90p). There was a swing from interim profit to loss.
Gunsynd (GUN) has invested £58,000 in gold explorer Angold Resources, subject to its reversal into ZTR Acquisition, which was formerly Oyster Oil and Gas, where Gunsynd already has a stake.
Property investor Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) has completed the £1.43m acquisition of a property in Scarborough leased to Skipton Building Society. It has exchanged contracts on a Carlisle property costing £1.71m.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) says that processing rates at the Hellyer gold mine have increased to 165 tonnes per hour. The average annualised production rate was 1.23Mtpa in July and August.
Gowin New Energy Group (GWIN) says it is near to appointing a new corporate adviser so that trading can resume in the shares. Management is working towards launching a tea business.
Primorus Investments (PRIM) has invested £1m in construction payments software company Zuuse. Thi is part of a £2.2m fundraising to pay for a transaction expected in the next few weeks. Primorus already owned shares and warrants in Zuuse, so it owns 1.7% of fully diluted share capital. Primorus has sold six million Greatland Gold (GGP) shares at an average price of 14.8p each. That leaves Primorus with 20 million Greatland shares.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) had an NAV of 51.53p a share at the end of May 2020.
IFA group AFH Financial (AFHP) says that business is recovering and it continues to be profitable and cash generative.
Eurocann International (BUD) is changing its name to DiscovOre (ORE) and the investing strategy broadened to include natural resources as well as cannabis-related activities.
SativaWellness Group Inc (SWEL) has been readmitted to the AQSE growth market following the reverse takeover of the company.
AIM
Avingtrans (AVG) improved its 2019-20 pre-tax profit from £5.3m to £5.9m despite loss contributions from recent acquisitions. One of those acquisitions, Booth Industries, has won a £36m doors contract for HS2. finnCap forecasts a 2020-21 pre-tax profit of £7.3m and Avingtrans is likely to reinstate the dividend.
Demand for the type of data erasure and cyber security services provided by Blancco (BLTG) remains strong, although April and May were tough. In the year to June 2020, revenues improved from £30.5m to £33.4m, helped by acquisitions. Pre-tax profit grew from £3m to £3.9m. Investec expects further profit improvement to £4.3m this year, but it will be second half weighted.
Geospatial services provider 1Spatial (SPA) reported an 8% rise in interim revenues to £11.7m, although the core business revenues made up a greater proportion of the total. There was an interim loss but positive operating cashflow of £1.7m. Net cash was £3.4m. 1Spatial could make a small full year profit.
Grant Thornton has decided to settle litigation with AssetCo (ASTO) rather than appeal the court judgement. This means that AssetCo can access the £28.6m lodged with the court plus the balance of money owed by Grant Thornton. Once this is received, AssetCo will have cash of £55m and net assets of around £52m. The market capitalisation already takes this into account.
The FDA has approved adrenal treatment Alkindi in the US and Diurnal (DNL) should receive a $2.5m milestone payment from distributor Eaton pharmaceuticals when sales start next year. That is on top of licence income. That means that Diurnal’s cash will last longer.
New Trend Lifestyle Group (NTLG) changes its name to Conduity Capital (CCAP) on 5 October. The former activities have been sold and Conduity becomes a shell.
Erris Resources (ERIS) plans to buy a 50% stake in Zinnwald lithium project owner Deutsche Lithium from Bacanora Lithium (BCN) in exchange for shares and a net profit royalty.
Yu Group (YU.) reported a decline in first half revenues from £56.6m to £45.9m due to lower energy consumption by its commercial energy customers. There was a lower loss in the period but reduced working capital requirements meant that there was a significant cash inflow from operating activities. There was £17.9m in the bank at the end of June 2020. Management has invested in marketing in order to win new business.
Intelligent Ultrasound (MED) is launching its first AI software product alongside GE Healthcare. GE has 480,000 ultrasound machines in use and the AI software will be integrated in a range of women’s health ultrasound machines. It could be rolled out across other machines in the future.
M and C Saatchi (SAA) has failed to publish its results and trading in the shares has been suspended. Windar Photonics (WHPO), Clear Leisure (CLP), Malvern International (MLVN), Tri-Star Resources (TSTR) and Hydrodec (HYR) have had share trading suspended for the same reason. The acquisition of Bristol Energy customers will boost scale and help Yu to move towards profitability.
MAIN MARKET
Car finance provider S and U (SUS) generated revenues of £42.8m in the six months to July 2020. That was a 3% decline, but the effects of the Covid-19 lockdown will be greater in the second half. Net receivables were down by 6% to £281.9m, but new loan volumes fell by one-third in the first half. Bad debt provisions were increased by £13.8m to £21.7m and this led pre-tax profit to slump from £17.1m to £6.3m. The property bridging loan business made a lower profit contribution, although the market has subsequently inproved. Even so, a dividend of 22p a share was announced, down from 34p a share.
Guild Esports (GILD) raised £20m at 8p a share. The share price ended the first day of trading at 8.15p.
Mining shell Critical Metals (CRTM) joined the standard list on 29 September. The placing price was 5p and the price was 5.5p at the end of the week.
Toople (TOOP) is on course to achieve £1.6m of annualised cost savings from integrating DMSL. The focus is on margin rather than just growing revenues.
Ross Group (RGP) reported a reduced loss of £830,000, down from £3.15m, in the first half of 2020. There were no revenues, but the company is trying to build up supply chain operations.
InnovaDerma (IDP) reported full year figures in line with its trading statement in July. The skincare products supplier slumped into loss due to higher marketing costs. There was cash of £1.2m at the end of June 2020.
Newspaper publishing consolidator National World (NWOR) had £4.31m in the bank at the end of June 2020. It is still evaluating acquisition opportunities.
Andrew Hore