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Quoted Micro 23 December 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Surgical procedures provider One Health Group (OHGR) increased revenues 22% to £13.3m, while pre-tax profit improved from £560,000 to £845,000. The interim dividend was raised 2% to 2.07p/share. Cash in the bank was £4.89m at the end of September 2024. There have been record referrals by the NHS since the end of the period and it wants the company to increase its capacity. A retrospective increase in the NHS tariff should boost profit by £250,000 this year. A planning application will be submitted for a surgical hub.
Business assurance provider Adsure Services (ADS) increased revenues 19% to £5.06m and it moved from a loss of £30,000 to a pre-tax profit of £330,000. The latest dividend is 0.786p/share.
Marula Mining (MARU) is planning a strategic partnership with the Mining Engineers Society of Kenya, which will provide expertise to the company. Marula Mining will provide annual financial support. Gathoni Muchai Investments bought 250,000 shares at 4.65p each and 500,000 shares at 4.56p each, taking the stake to 8.85%.
Skincare technology developer Incanthera (INC) reported a flat interim loss of £620,000. There was cash of £1.06m at the end of September 2024. There is no additional news on the litigation that prevented the launch of the Skin + CELL skincare product range. There is £1.24m of inventory and work in progress in the balance sheet that was built up for the launch.
Valereum (VLRM) has signed non-binding heads of terms for raising £13m at 10p/share with DMC Markets Inc. Valereum has also signed a binding option with an investor for raising £2m at 10p/share. This investor is building its own digital asset ecosystem, which could fit with Valereum’s interests. The additional cash will help to accelerate growth.
Healthcare IT provider DXS International (DXSP) wants to expand into a new territory in the EU or elsewhere in 2025. There are 22% of NHS Integrated Care Boards using the new Aios SMART Referrals software and more will be converted. The first commercial sale of ExpertCare therapeutic management software was in October.
Broking and wealth management business Oberon Investments (OBE) grew revenues by 74% to £4.8m in the six months to September 2024. The loss was reduced from £1.59m to £1.24m. There was £2.26m in the bank at the end of September 2024. Corporate broking increased revenues by 124% to £1.54m. There are 21 retained clients and there are private capital fundraisings expected in 2025. The launch of the Oberon AIM VCT is expected in the summer of 2025.There are also plans to take on more experience staff.
In the year to June 2024, fintech company Tap Global Group (TAP) grew revenues 31% to £2.65m, although the core business was not part of the group for the whole of the previous year. Those revenues were 6% ahead. In the first five months of the new financial year revenues were 24% with the latest month 77% ahead. The company introduced its XTP token locking feature for UK customers. Tokens can be locked for 12 months.
Investment Evolution Credit (IEC) is appointing John van Kuffeler, who founded Non-Standard Finance, as executive chairman. Marc Howells will be appointed chief executive. Dr Richard Leaver is becoming a non-exec, and he will provide AI expertise. Investment Evolution Credit is assessing potential acquisitions that could provide it with a UK lending licence, as well as loan book purchases. There are plans to expand in the US and internationally. The 15% IEC bond is no longer being offered to investors and the focus will be institutional debt funding.
BWA Group (BWAP) recently completed exploration drilling at the Dehane 2 rutile sands permit in Cameroon. Total heavy minerals raw sample grades are up to 20.4% over two metres thickness. This has increased the confidence of management that there could be a commercial project. Geological modelling is planned.
Oscillate (MUSH) has started fieldwork on its Minnesota hydrogen interests, while land access permitting ongoing. There will be a detailed review of regional surface geology.
Igraine (KING) investee company Fixit Medical, where it owns 20%, has confirmed that it plans to pursue FDA approval and CE marking for its Cingo product, which prevents catheters from twisting. It is also launching three new medical device products. Two IP grants have been received.
EDX Medical (EDX) has launched a range of test for determining hereditary risk of cancer and heart disease. Revenues remain minimal and the interim loss rose from £1.34m to £1.7m. There was cash of £2.31m at the end of September 2024.
Crypto investor Kasei Digital Assets (KASH) realised £220,000 profit in the year to July 2024. NAV increased from £2.31m to £3.42m. There are investments in a range of Crypto currencies and tokens, including Bitcoin.
A person associated with IntelliAM AI (INT) chief executive Tom Clayton bought 8,660 shares at 80.763p each and 2,280 shares at 87.5p each. He owns 24.8% of the AI company. Chris Wragg, divisional head of lubrication and applied sciences, bought 1,668 shares at 87.5p and he owns 4.38% of the company.
Shepherd Neame (SHEP) has appointed Marion Sears and Meg Lustman as non-executive directors.
WeCap (WCAP) has raised £172,000 at 0.85p/share. Global Prime Partners increased it stake from 9.69% to 11.3%. Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) raised £60,000 at 0.4p/share. A stake has been built up in Oscillate and there is a potential digital payments investment.
Ananda Developments has changed its name to Ananda Pharma (LON: ANA).
AIM
AIM newcomer Amcomri Group (AMCO) ended the week at 57.5p, having raised £12m at 55p/share. That valued the engineering business at £39.5m. Amcomri was set up to undertake a buy, improve, build strategy in the engineering and industrial sectors.
Retailer Shoe Zone (SHOE) says the recent National Insurance increase have increased costs, and it is closing stores are not considered viable. Consumer confidence is weak. The focus is bigger, more profitable stores. The company has halved its 2024-25 pre-tax profit guidance to net less than £5m. Although profit estimates for the year to September 2024 are unchanged at £9.5m there will be no final dividend.
Cavendish is raising its forecasts for Filtronic (FTC) following its latest trading update. Space and defence demand are propelling growth. Filtronic is providing E-band power amplifiers for ground stations to SpaceX and first half demand was particularly strong. The UK defence review could generate opportunities later in 2025. The 2024-25 pre-tax profit forecast has been raised from £7.7m to £9.6m.
Active Energy Group (AEG) shares returned from suspension following publication of interims and the potential for a resurrection of the business. Shareholders previously voted against liquidating the company and Zen Ventures provided a loan of £200,000 to enable the publication of 2023 accounts earlier in December and the subsequent interims have been released. Zen Ventures will appoint two directors. The plan is to commercialise the CoalSwitch technology.
Energy optimisation and assurance services provider Inspired (INSE) is improving its balance sheet via a placing raising £21.25m at 40p/share and a retail offer raised £410,000. There is also an issue of £5m of 12% convertible loan notes, which are convertible at 80p/share. The shares come with warrants exercisable at 80p each.
Surgical Science Sweden is bidding 13p/share to Intelligent Ultrasound (IUG), which values the ultrasound simulation company at £45.2m. The bid is recommended by the board. Intelligent Ultrasound will benefit from becoming part of a larger group and it enables the bidder to obtain a UK operation. Intelligent Ultrasound was going to return cash to shareholders following the sale of its clinical AI business. There was cash of £39.6m in November, which covers most of the bid value.
Tribe Technology (LTRYB) revealed that its accounts will be delayed, and it plans to leave AIM. The autonomous mining equipment developer is in talks with potential provider of finance, and it believes that leaving AIM will make it easier to raise money. Trading in the shares will be suspended on 2 January. Neometals (NMT) is cancelling its AIM quotation and concentrating on the ASX listing. It joined AIM in 2022, but it has been difficult to raise funds. Trading volumes on AIM have been low. The cancellation will be on 3 February. Retailer Quiz (QUIZ) is also planning to leave AIM. Shareholders approved plans for Webis (WEB) to lave AIM and this will happen on 3 January.
Synairgen (SNG) wants to raise up to £19m at 2p/share to fund a phase II study for respiratory drug treatment SNG001. The largest shareholder TFG Asset Management has conditionally underwritten £18m of this. However, there is a placing and open offer to raise £6m and the TFG subscription will be reduced by the amount raised over £1m. However, if the placing and open offer does not raise at least £2.9m the AIM quotation will be cancelled.
Tiger Royalties and Investments (TIR) is changing strategy to become a technology incubator. It is acquiring Bixby Technology Inc, which is run by Jonathan Bixby, for £325,000. A fundraising at 0.1p/share will raise £3m. New shareholders include Premier Miton, Zeus and Jupiter. Toro is subscribing £325,000 worth of shares. The company is retaining its core resources investments, and it will consider other natural resources investments.
There was a reassuring update from Feedback (FDBK) concerning first half trading, but more was generated by the Bleepa medical imaging communications product. There are talks with Integrated Care Boards about further contracts. Net cash was £7.3m at the end of November 2024 and there were £500,000 of retail offer proceeds to be received. That compares with a market capitalisation of £7.3m.
Duke Capital (DUKE) increased recurring interim revenues by 4% to £12.7m. Fewer exit premia meant that total revenues dipped to £13.5m, from £14.1m. There have been £15m of follow-on investments in the period. Despite the £3.5m fundraising at 27.5p/share, the debt level is still significant with £69.1m forecast for the end of March 2024. Duke Capital provides important financial backing for small businesses through a combination of debt and equity and generates a steady income stream from those investments with longer-term upside.
Electronic and electro-mechanical components supplier LPA Group (LPA) has won three major contracts worth £4m. They are with French rail operator SNCF Voyageurs for interior LED lighting, Siemens Mobility, also for LED lighting, and seating manufacturer Grammer for eat electronics and lighting for trains in France. The SNCF contract last five years while the others are deliverable in 2025 and 2026.
Provexis (PXS) is purchasing a further batch of Fruitflow heart-health functional food ingredient inventory from dsm-firmnech to satisfy increasing demand for Fruitflow. The royalty based on gross profit will be paid to dsm-firmnech in shares. The total payment for inventory and royalty is 82.95 million shares at 0.68p each. DSM Venturing owns 10.9%.
Scholium Group (SCHO) managed to gain enough shareholder support for the plan to leave AIM. It required 75% of votes and it got 79.3%.
Digital media publisher Digitalbox (DBOX) has bought EastEnders for £50,000. It has 475,000 followers on the associated Walford East Facebook page. This adds to the recently launched Emmerdale Insider.
Nioko Resources is making a recommended offer of 2.68p/share for Hummingbird Resources (HUM). This is the same as the price of the debt-to-equity swap previously announced.
MAIN MARKET
Rockpool Acquisitions (ROC) revealed the potential acquisition of European Lingerie. The exclusivity period lasts until the end of June 2025.
Media Concierge has launched a recommended bid for National World (LON: NWOR). The 23p/share offer values the company at £65.1m.
London Finance and Investment Group (LFI) plans to wind itself up and return cash to shareholders. This could be 70p/share.
Acceler8 Ventures (AC8) is planning to acquire Verifyyed Inc, which has developed a royalty platform providing rights holders with greater transparency to drive revenues. California-based Verifyyed Inc has operations in Europe, and it will cost £96.8m in shares. A placing to raise up to £20m is anticipated.
The 79th GRP plans to invest £2.18m in First Class Metals (FCM) in two stages. It will end up with 51.2% of the enlarged share capital. The cash will be invested in projects in Ontario and there are potential synergies for project acquisitions.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 2 December 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Incanthera (INC) has been accused of potential patent infringement in the formulation of its Skin + Cell skincare range. Even though Incanthera believes that there is no merit to the accusation, but the launch of the Skin + Cell range of products has been delayed. There is cash in the bank following a £2.6m subscription at 15p/share.
WeCap (WCAP) has converted £7.75m of loan notes in WeShop Holdings in return for 3.21 million shares, which is 1.33 million shares at 300p each and 1.875 million shares at 200p each. This increases the shareholding to 16.2%, including shares owned by 235%-owned Community Social Investments. WeCap says that the value of the shareholding is £24.6m, based on the last fundraising share price of 476p. WeCao has extended the discounted capital bond issued to Hawk Holdings for 18 months. The total owed is £6.18m.
Electric vehicle technology developer Equipmake (EQIP) increased full year revenues by three-fifths to £8.1m. Bus repowering revenues grew fastest, but this is labour intensive at low volumes. The loss increased from £5m to £9.1m. The cash outflow from operations declined from £9m to £6.29m. Costs are being reduced. There was £2.5m in the bank at the end of May 2024. A potential licensing agreement could provide cash flow over the next two years.
Water sector installation works provider Field Systems Design Holdings (FSD) improved annual revenues from £13.8m to £17.8m, with a small contribution from power generation. This enabled pre-tax profit to increase from £287,000 to £490,000. There was £2.59m in the bank at the end of May 2024.
KR1 (KR1) had net assets of 57.79p/share at the end of October 2024, down from 62.15p/share at the end of the previous month. There was nearly £600,000 of income generated from digital assets during the month.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) reported a fall in the full year cash outflow from operating activities from £171,000 to £55,000. Net debt is £86,000 at the end of June 2024. The sae of assets has raised $150,000, as well as a R and D tax inflow of A$173,000.
Inqo Investments (INQO) reported full year revenues improving from R7.37m to R8.2m. There was a movement from loss to profit.
Essentially Group (ESSN) has terminated its retainer with broker Clear Capital Markets.
In the year to June 2024, there was a cash outflow from operating activities of £375,000 at BWA (BWAP). Further exploration drilling is underway at Dehane and sample analysis results should be available in the near future. Chairman Jonathan Wearing has subscribed for 40 million shares at 0.5p each.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has appointed Fuelonomics Hydrocarbons Innovations as distributor of SulNOxEco fuel conditioners in Nigeria.
Vinanz Ltd (BTC) has received the initial order of Bitcoin miners and they are up and running in Nebraska.
Arbuthnot Banking Group (ARBB) chairman and chief executive Sir Henry Angest has bought 116,000 shares at 900p each. He owns 58% of the voting shares. Barry Hersh has reduced his stake in Global Connectivity (GCON) from 6.97% to 5.96%. Newbury Racecourse (NYR) chairman Dominic Burke has bought 7,500 shares at 540p each.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has appointed Tony Moore as chairman and Jack Sun as finance director. Invinity Energy Systems (IES) has hired Adam Howard as finance director. He was previously at the National Walth Fund.
AIM
Frasers Group has taken a 6.4% stake in electricals retailer Marks Electrical (MRK). Frasers has a record of taking stakes in other retailers and it also has shareholdings in AO World and Currys. Canaccord Genuity has reduced its stake from 5.24% to 2.4%. Founder Mark Smithson still owns 73.8%. Rockwood Strategic (RKW) has built up a 4.54% stake in Kooth (KOO). This follows Canaccrd Genuity cutting its stake from 8.97% to 3.38%. River Global Investors recently nearly doubled its stake to 10.1%.
Bars operator Loungers (LGRS) has agreed a 310p/share cash bid from Fortress Investment, which values it at £338.3m. Irrevocable acceptances are 40.2%. Singer does not believe that this fully values the business and thinks 375p/share is a fairer value. Interim pre-tax profit grew 51% to £5.95m, while net debt was £12.2m. Like-for-like growth in revenues has been 3.9% so far in the third quarter.
Rare books dealer Scholium (SCHO) intends to leave AIM and believes this will save at least £75,000/year. In the six months to September 2024, underlying pre-tax profit improved from £43,000 to £221,000 on revenues that improved 30% to £4.97m. A matched bargain facility will be provided by JP Jenkins. The AIM cancellation is likely to be on 6 January. NAV is 74.6p/share.
In the six months to September 2024, TPXimpact (TPX) revenues fell from £41.6m to £37.8m, but underlying pre-tax profit improved from £600,000 to £1.1m. Most of the benefits from £3m of annualised cost savings will come through in the second half and next year. Net debt is £7.9m. The forecast 2024-25 revenues are already more than 90% underpinned by the current order book. Pre-tax profit should improve from £1.8m to £5.5m.
Trading at sustainable wood materials supplier Accsys Technologies (AXS) improved in the first half and full year figures will be better than expected. Interim revenues were 1% higher at €72.2m and there is also an initial contribution from the US joint venture of €1.9m. Arnhem plant volumes grew 5%. Underlying EBITDA rose from €1.6m to €4m. There was an exceptional charge of €20.8m due to the winding up of the Hull plant and the share of the joint venture loss jumped from €1.2m to €6.1m. Net debt was €40.2m at the end of September 2024. Full year EBITDA of €10m is forecast.
Gift wrap supplier IG Design (IGR) reported an 11% decline in interim revenues to $393.1m with North America still a problem area. Elsewhere, revenues fell at a slower rate. Stationery and party-related sales both fell by more than one-fifth. Higher sourcing and freight costs hit gross margins and there was a knock-on effect on operating margins. Pre-tax profit was 62% lower at $13.3m. The second half is the most important part of the year and even though full year revenues are set to fall, pre-tax profit is still forecast to improve from $25.9m to $32.7m.
Helix Exploration (HEX) reports that the Amsden formation at the Clink#1 well in the Ingomar Dome in Montana has sub-economic grades of helium. Amsden was always thought to be a small proportion of the potential resource. The more important Flathead formation at the same well had 2.5% helium. The company believes that there could be helium below the Amsden formation and there will be appraisal testing of the Charles formation.
Strix (KETL) says that the kettle controls market has weakened, particularly in higher margin markets in the UK and Germany. The positive signs in the first half did not continue. This is due to poor consumer confidence, while there are also cost pressures. Zeus has reduced its 2024 pre-tax profit forecast from £23.6m to £17.5m.
Nativo Resources (NTVO) owns 50% of Boku Resources, which owns the Tesoro gold mine. Boku has entered an agreement to sell vein material from the Bonanza mine to a local processing plant. It will receive the spot price minus 20-30%. Production is about to be built up and the cash from the deal will help to finance this.
Electric Guitar (ELEG) is placing its main subsidiary 3radical into administration after it failed to raise additional cash. The fall in the share price and apparent lack of liquidity before trading was suspended meant that the digital media business could not gain funding.
i-nexus Global (INX) intends to leave AIM. The cloud-based software provider says poor share price performance and liquidity has led to the proposal. There should be direct cost savings of £250,000. The business has been consistently loss making. There is a three-year growth plan. i-nexus Global raised £10m at 79p/share when it joined AIM in June 2018. The cancellation will happen on 27 December if shareholders agree.
Firering Strategic Minerals (FRG) announced a maiden JORC compliant mineral resource estimate for the quicklime project in Zambia. This shows a near-doubling of the resource tonnes compared with the 2017 estimate. There is 145.2Mt at 95.7% CaCO3, including 11.8Mt in the measured category. This could provide more than 50 years of production. There is growing demand from copper and industrial clients.
Ultrasound simulators developer Intelligent Ultrasound (IUG) has court approval for the capital reorganisation that will allow distribution of cash generated by the AI technology sale. There is £39.6m in the bank. Ultrasound revenues have fallen from £8.4m to £7.4m in the period to 22 November. The rate of decline has slowed in the second half.
Mercia Asset Management (MERC) has unchanged NAV of 43.4p/share at the end of September 2024. Income more than covered costs before any investment valuation movements. The interim dividend is 0.37p/share, up 6%, and there is £46m in cash on the balance sheet. The strategy is to grow assets under management to £3bn, from the current level of £1.8bn.
In the six months to September 2024, Cloud-based services provider Iomart (LSE: IOM) reported flat revenues of £62m, with a like-for-like decline when acquisitions are excluded, and a slump in pre-tax profit from £7.6m to £4.3m. The dividend has been reduced from 1.94p/share to 1.3p/share due to the lower earnings. The £57m purchase of Atech broadens the range of services provided and deepens the relationship with Microsoft. Atech provides fully managed and security services for mid-market business and enterprise customers. Net debt was £29.8m, but it is expected to rise to £79m in March 2025 following the payment for Atech.
In the six months to September 2024, thermal insulation and acoustic material manufacturer Autins Group (AUTG) was hit by a 17% drop in revenues, but gross margins improved. Underlying EBITDA fell 46% to £400,000. Net debt is £1.18m but there are more than £3m of available borrowing facilities.
Building services provider Northern Bear (NTBR) interims show a small improvement in revenues from £36.9m to £37.6m, but higher overheads meant that pre-tax profit dipped from £1.68m to £1.54m, although this was slightly better than expected. There was an operational cash inflow of £2.2m. Net debt is £1.4m. Hybridan forecasts a dip in full year pre-tax profit from £2.14m to £1.84m, although there is potential for an upgrade.
Cyber security services provider Shearwater (SWG) improved interim revenues by 8% to £11.3m and it is on course to be profitable for the full year. There has been an increase in demand for on-premises cyber security, which Shearwater can provide. Net cash should be £6.8m at the end of March 2025.
Quadrise (QED) has signed two long-awaited agreements. The deal with shipping company MSC and Cargill involves production of bioMSAR and MSAR fuels in Antwerp and will enable vessel trials on board the MSC Leandra. Cargill will supply feedstocks and sell the fuels to MSC. The trial should start in the first quarter of 2025. There is also an agreement with fuel supplier Auramarine to develop decarbonisation products in the marine sector. They will enable companies to comply with new environmental regulations.
Oracle Power (ORCP) has received the final batch of assay results for the drilling at the Northern Zone intrusive hosted gold project. These show high grades over an expanded area. A mineralisation report is expected by the end of November and then a mining lease application will be submitted. Cantor Fitzgerald has reduced its stake, and Mahfuz Chowdhury has taken a 3.72% shareholding.
MAIN MARKET
Packaging manufacturer and distributor Macfarlane Group (MACF) says revenues in the 10 months to October 2024 are 4% lower. This represents a steady performance in current markets with new business being won. Net dent is £4.7m. National Insurance and other budget measures will cost £1.5m/year.
Seraphim Space Investment Trust (SSIT) reported a decline in NAV from 96.2p/share to 93.96p/share over the first quarter to September 2024. A foreign exchange loss offset gains. The S/£ exchange rate has strengthened, and the value of the portfolio has increased by more than the first quarter loss. Shares in NASDAQ-listed AST SpaceMobile more than doubled in value during the period. There was £24.9m in the bank.
Cardiff Property (CDFF) grew NAV from 2844p/share to 2931p/share. The dividend was raised from 22p/share to 23.5p/share. Net cash was £2m at the end of September 2024.
Motor dealer Caffyns (CFYN) improved interim underlying pre-tax profit from £259,000 to £452,000. The interim dividend is maintained at 5p/share. Net debt is £11.5m. There is £38.4m of property in the balance sheet at book value and there is unrecognised surplus of more than £10m on top of that. Caffyns is selling a property in Lewes for an amount that exceeds one-quarter of the company’s market capitalisation of £12.3m.
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.
Solid trading from Aveva and Fenner – yet another placing from blur Group
AVEVA Group AVV reports a solid start to the financial year and expects the phasing of revenue in FY 2018 to be broadly similar to the prior year. The full year outlook remains in line with board expectations.
blur Group BLUR announces yet another placing to raise a minimum of £1.5m (before expenses) at 1.75 pence per Ordinary Share.
Dunelm DNLM provides a year end trading update, and says total Q4 revenue rose by 17.7% to £240.0m, with total like-for-like growth (combining LFL stores and Home Delivery) up 3.8%. CEO John Browett said the Worldstores acquisition “will provide a massive leap forward to our online and store offer that we think our customers will love.”
Fenner FENR updates on trading and continues to make strong progress, principally in new product development, augmented by a further increase in the US rig count. Cash flow during the period has remained in line with expectations and, on the basis of the improved outlook, most notably in the medical businesses, the Board anticipates that the Group’s operating profit for the financial year ending 31 August 2017 will be comfortably ahead of its previous expectations, with the added benefit of a reduced interest charge going forward.
Portmeirion PMP says total Group sales are up 16% for the six months ended 30 June 2017 relative to the same period last year, and it continues to expect profit before tax to be in line with market expectations for the full year.
Scholium Group SCHO the rare books and art company reported full year revenues of £6.12m (2016: £6.74m) and an adjusted operating loss of £224k (2016: £24k profit). Although the result was poor, Scholium recorded a turnaround to profitability during H2 once the uncertainty around the UK Referendum lifted. Following cost savings, CEO Jasper Allen said Scholium was now “well-placed to deliver a positive outcome.”
Alan Green discusses Scholium Group (SCHO), BHP Billiton (BLT) & Shell (RDSB) on the ADVFN podcast
Alan Green discusses Scholium Group (SCHO), BHP Billiton (BHP) and Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB) with Justin Waite on the ADVFN podcast. Click here for the podcast – the interview with Alan starts approx 1.5 minutes in.