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Quoted Micro 11 March 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Luxury prize draw operator Good Life Plus (GDLF) raised £2.03m via a subscription at 2.25p/share, which is a premium to the market price of 1.875p. The subscriber is Winforton Investments, which is associated with Sportingbet founder Mark Blandford, which will have a 17.9% stake. The cash will be spent on marketing to accelerate growth and subscription numbers. Options have been granted to management at the subscription price. The reverse takeover of Semper Fortis Esports was done at 2p/share.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) says the capital expenditure requirements for Amapa iron project have been reduced. Project financing talks continue with parties interested in taking a stake in the project. Cadence Minerals has invested $12.1m in Amapa and owns 32.6% of the project. The stake in Hastings Technology Metals has been sold. Cadence Minerals expects to leave the Aquis Stock Exchange on 5 April.
Food company Essentially Group (ESSN) is acquiring Best of Latin Foodstuff Trading for £1.95m. The company sources food from growers in Latin America and supplies hotels and restaurants in the UAE, where Essentially Group already supplies juices and other drinks. The deal will triple the revenues of Essentially Group. The former owner Catalina Onate will become an executive director of Essentially Group.
RentGuarantor Holdings (RGG) has raised £430,000 at 274p/share. The cash will finance the hiring of additional staff. Chief executive Paul Foy is converting £250,000 of convertible loan notes at 210p/share. He still has £250,000 of convertible loan notes.
Investment Evolution (IEC) is expanding into Spain, and it will grant subsidiary MRAL Spain non-exclusive recurring rights to the Mr Amazing Loans brand. Spanish company Investment Evolution Credit, not part of the group, will provide lending technology for a 49% stake in MRAL Spain.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) has raised £472,500 at 2.5p/share with executive directors subscribing £40,000. There have also been creditor payments of £83,900 in shares. Each new share comes with a warrant exercisable at 3.75p/share. The cash will be invested in Web3 and AI technology and provide working capital.
Marula Mining (MARU) has added to its team in Kenya. Gilbert Kibet is project geologist and Joy Chebet will be graduate geologist. Exploration work will commence on the Larisoro manganese mine in northern Kenya.
Flex Labs (FLEX) says Supernova Digital Assets (SOL), which is associated with its executive chairman, has sold 1.24 million shares and raised £81,425. These sales were between December and February. Supernova Digital Assets plans to return cash to shareholders via a tender offer after Phoenix Digital Assets (PNIX), in which it owns 30 million shares, completes its tender offer. There will have to be a capital reorganisation to enable the tender offer to happen and £242,000 has been raised at 0.1p/share for working capital while the capital changes are arranged.
Kasei Holdings has changed its name to Kasei Digital Assets (KASH). Non-executive director Bryan Coyne bought 75,000 shares at 9.75p each. Gunsynd (GUN) executive director Donald Strang bought three million shares at 0.148p/share.
AIM
Wealth management company Mattioli Woods (MTW) is recommending an 804p/share bid from a company owned by Pollen Street Capital. That values Mattioli Woods at £432m and shareholders will still receive the interim dividend of 9p/share. The 2203-24 prospective multiple at the bid price is less than 17, falling below 15 the following year. When it joined AIM in November 2015 at 132p/share Mattioli Woods was valued at £22.5m.
Challenger Energy (CEG) has secured a farm out deal for the OFF-1 exploration asset, offshore Uruguay with Chevron. Challenger Energy will retain a 40% interest. The oil and gas explorer will receive a cash payment of $12.5m on completion, plus a carry of up to $15m on 3D seismic and 50% of the cost of an exploration well up to a $20m share. However, a well could cost between $50m and $100m according to Zeus, so Challenger Energy could still have to make a cash contribution. Regulatory approvals will take months.
A large diagnostics company has made a bid approach to kidney disease diagnostics developer, Renalytix (RENX). This has sparked a formal sale process, so that the company can assess whether there are other potential bidders. It is also possible that there could be a decision to stay independent. Funding options are being reviewed. Costs have been reduced, but there is currently cash and securities of $3.7m and the cash outflows remain significant so this will only last until the end of April. A share issue and/or debt financing will be required.
Empire Metals (EEE) says study results for the Pitfield project in Western Australia show favourable mineralogy and metallurgy in the high-grade titanium samples. This should simplify processing. Around two-thirds of the contained titanium is titanite, which can be processed at low temperatures. The overall end product would be ideal for a titanium dioxide pigment producer.
Kinovo (KINO) estimates that the costs of the guarantees to complete work on projects taken on by ex-subsidiary DCB will be £2.9m higher than previously expected. Cash flow from the continuing operations will help to fund this but Kinovo will move into net debt by the end of March. This will not affect the pre-exceptional pre-tax profit forecast of £5.8m, up from £4.9m.
LungLife AI (LLAI) raised £1.8m at 35p/share. The lung cancer diagnostics developer is starting the commercialisation process for its diagnostic technology. The cash will fund the evidence generating activities, including an early access programme and clinical utility studies. There should be enough cash until April 2025.
Controlled environment agriculture technology developer Light Science Technologies (LST) has appointed former ITM Power (ITM) boss Dr Graham Cooley as non-executive chairman. He bought a 7.5% stake last year and has been awarded 6.66 million options exercisable at 5p each. Richard Mills, who is boss of the growing systems division of Haygrove and has helped to develop global partnerships, has also joined the board. Myles Halley and Robert Naylor have stepped down. The company has been broadening its activities into fire protection.
Performance nutrition products provider Science in Sport (SIS) is focusing on improving margins rather than growing revenues. This strategy change was in the fourth quarter of 2023, so there was not much time to affect trading. In 2023, revenue dipped from £63.8m to £62.8m due to lower online sales. The Science in Sport brand grew sales by 17%. Liberum trimmed its 2023 revenues estimate, but it also reduced the forecast loss to £4.8m. The 2024 forecast revenues have been cut, but the loss is still forecast to be £3.1m with a move to breakeven in 2025.
Duke Capital (DUKE) has exited another investment with a total return on invested capital of 2.1 times. Street lighting columns manufacturer Fabrikat has been acquired by Metalogalva. Duke Capital has already received £2.7m from Fabrikat and will receive a further £10m after the takeover. There is potential performance-related deferred consideration.
Netcall (NET) continues to build its annual contract values and they have reached £30m. Recurring revenues were three-quarters of the interim revenues. There is rapid growth in cloud business and the cash in the balance sheet enables consistent investment in research and development. Full year pre-tax profit will edge up to £6.7m.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) has focused on its Tamdown civil engineering business and the remaining cash from disposals has come in handy in a tough time for the housebuilding sector. Revenues fell from £98.4m to £88.7m. There is still £14.6m in cash. The final dividend is 2p/share. The order book is recovering and was £57.2m at the end of January 2024. There should be a recovery in the housebuilding sector over the next year, but the timing is uncertain.
Strategic Minerals (SML) sold 4,898 tons from the Cobre magnetite stockpile during February. That is the highest monthly figure since March 2021. Quarterly sales should be around 13,000 tons and annual revenues from Cobre should be around $3.5m.
Floor levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises (SOM) reported a 10% dip in revenues to $120.7m because of the weak North American market. Europe and Australia performed better. Pre-tax profit fell from $42.3m to $34.5m and the dividend was reduced from 35.5p/share to 30.6p/share. This year’s revenues are likely to be flat, but additional investment in a new facility in Belgium means that there will be a further decline in pre-tax profit.
Saietta Group (SED) has appointed administrators and following the resignation of Canaccord Genuity as nominated adviser the AIM quotation will be cancelled at the beginning of April. The electric drivetrain technology developer company has failed to secure additional cash and although there is interest in the business no firm buyer has been found.
MAIN MARKET
Ground engineering and piling business Keller (KLR) reported flat revenues of £2.97bn, but operating profit was two-thirds higher at £180.9m – £150m was expected before the recent trading statement. Pre-tax profit jumped from £93.5m to £153.4m. Net debt was one-third lower at £146.2m. The dividend is one-fifth ahead at 45.2p/share. Non-core businesses are being exited. The year-end order book was worth £1.5bn.
Standard list shell Spiritus Mundi (SPMU) has entered into heads of terms for the purchase of InReste, which has developed clinical diagnostic tests and operates a laboratory in Singapore. Spiritus Mundi chairman Zaccheus Peh is the controlling shareholder of InReste and will be the controlling shareholder of the holding company after the acquisition.
IT services provider Triad Group (TRD) is winning new business and it returned to profit in November. There will be initial costs of contracts in the fourth quarter. That means that there will be a greater benefit in the first quarter of the next financial year.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 14 March 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Aquis Exchange (AQX) has announced that it will be joining the Aquis Apex segment with VSA as its corporate adviser. Aquis Exchange will retain its AIM quotation. This follows Invinity Energy Systems (IES), which joined the Aquis Apex segment on 9 March. This includes the ordinary shares that are quoted on AIM, as well as quotations for short-term warrants and long-term warrants that are not traded on any other markets. VSA also plans to create an index that includes all the companies on the Aquis Apex segment called the VSA Capital AQSE Apex Index.
Majestic Corporation (MCJ) is a recycler of electronic waste with a focus on extracting the precious metals from the equipment and it was introduced to the Aquis access segment on Thursday. The share price opened at 30p and then fell back to the introduction price of 25p (20p/30p). The reason for the flotation is to gain access to potential funding via share issues. Gold, silver, copper and other metals can be extracted from the electronic waste. Most of the materials that the company recycles are sent to Japan for processing and re-use in manufacturing. In the six months to June 2021, revenues increased from $14.4m to $15.5m, while pre-tax profit improved from $312,000 to $766,000. There was $1.89m in the bank at the end of June 2021 and an additional $233,000 owed by the chief executive. There are also import loans of $2.11m.
Good Energy (GOOD) investee company Zap-Map has linked up with the RAC so that it can be better placed to help electric vehicle drivers. Zap-Map will be used by 1,600 RAC patrols. The 2021 figures will be published on 29 March.
Goodbody Health Inc (GDBY) says 2021 revenues are expected to be around £17m, helped by PCR testing. That will drop off, but the revenues in the first two months of 2020 were £3.8m. There is likely to be a dip in interim revenues, but new products and services will help growth in the second half. Blood testing services have been launched in the clinic network.
Ananda Developments (ANA) says five seeds of each of 13 strains of cannabis have been planted by DJT Plants. Nine cuttings will be taken from each plant and then replanted. The shareholder circular for the acquisition of the 50% of DJT that is not owned by Ananda should soon be completed.
BWA Group (BWAP) has raised up to £500,000 at 0.6p a share. The cash will be used for exploration programmes at the Nkoteng and Dehane heavy mineral sands areas in Cameroon. This should produce initial mineral resources.
KR1 (KR1) is participating in the Interlay crowdloan and Polkadot (DOT) parachain auction. Interlay is building interBTC a Bitcoin-backed asset that enables interoperability between multiple blockchains while being resistant to censorship. KR1 contributed 250,000 DOT and this will be returned after 96 days. INTR tokens will then be issued. KR1 has also invested $509,224 in Interlay Seed-2 shares. It already owns 1,060 Seed-1 shares.
Altona Rare Earths (ANR) is not going ahead with the Malawi-based Chambre rare earths project joint venture and the potential partner’s representative on the Altona board Hilton Banda has resigned.
Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR) has launched Pax Homes, which provides homes for people with autism and their families.
AIM
Destiny Pharma (DEST) has raised £6m, with a possible £1m more to come from an open offer, at 50p a share. The companies c.diff prevention treatment NTCD-M3 addresses a market worth more than $1bn. There is a good chance that a partner can be secured this year. There is more than one pharma company that is interested. The XF-73 treatment for the prevention of post-surgical infections requires further feedback from the FDA for its phase 3 trial in the US.
MTI Wireless Edge (MWE) is closing its Russian business and that will slow progress this year, but profit should still grow. In 2021, revenues increased 6% to $43.2m, while higher transport costs and exchange rate movements meant that pre-tax profit was flat at $4.04m. Russia accounted for 6% of revenues and 5% of profit. In 2022, pre-tax profit is expected to be $4.55m.
Delivered ready meals company Parsley Box (MEAL) is raising raised £5.9m at 20p a share – 90% of the original placing price less than one year ago. An open offer could raise up to £1.1m. Revenues are expected to be flat this year, but if the cash is invested successfully then growth could accelerate.
Restaurants and bars operator Various Eateries (VARE) says trading continues to follow an improving trend following lockdowns in the past two years. In the year to 3 October 2021, revenues were 36% ahead at £22.3m and the total loss was £3.7m. That was after £2.5m of insurance proceeds. One consequence of the Covid lockdowns is that there are more potential sites available at lower rents than in the past. Coppa Clubs are hybrids that offer a bar, restaurant, event space and, on some sites, hotel rooms and more sites are being opened. As yet, Italian restaurants brand Tavolino has not opened any more sites. A new pasta restaurant concept called Noci is being launched in Islington and the prospects will be assessed.
Harvest Minerals (HMI) says that it had fertiliser orders totalling 30,161 tonnes by the end of February 2022. That is one-fifth of the sales target for the whole of 2022. There are plans to increase capacity to 200,000 tonnes a year.
Managed IT services provider CloudCoCo (CLCO) reported flat revenues of £8.1m in the year to September 2021 and reduced the loss. Contributions from recent acquisitions and organic growth will help the figures to improve this year. Monthly profitability is targeted by the end of the current financial year. A contract worth £3m over three years has been secured. Further acquisitions should supplement growth.
ThinkSmart (TSL) reported a small underlying profit in 2021. Net cash is £7m, although the main asset is 618,750 shares in Block Inc following its takeover of Afterpay. The legacy lending business is being wound down and there is still income from operating a call centre for Afterpay. Net assets were equal to 75p a share, but in recent months the Block share price has been in decline, so the NAV is lower.
Concrete levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises Inc (SOM) reported profit in line with expectations. Revenues increased from $88.6m to $133.3m with strong growth in North America. The supplemental dividend is 22 cents a share and the total dividend for the year is 50.7 cents a share. Growth is likely to slow this year.
NWF (NWF) is benefiting from the volatility of the oil price and additional demand for the fuels division. There have been no supply problems. Feeds price rises are covering cost increases and raw materials have been forward purchased, while the food distribution business is performing as planned. Full year figures will be significantly ahead of expectations.
MAIN MARKET
Gresham Technologies (GHT) increased full year revenues from £24.8m to £37m in 2021, including a £5.6m contribution from last year’s acquisition Electra. Underlying pre-tax profit improved from £1.8m to £4m. The final dividend was maintained at 0.75p a share. There is cash of £9.1m. The core Clareti financial control and data integrity software generated organic growth of 28%. New customers and existing clients spending more is combining to enable strong increases in Clareti revenues. Contracted revenues for 2022 have already reached £37m compared with a full year forecast of £42m. A 2022 pre-tax profit of £5.1m is forecast.
Codex Acquisitions (CODX) did not get off to a good start when it joined the standard list on Wednesday because its website was not working. Codex raised £850,000 at 10p a share. The share price did go to a premium, but the bid/offer spread was 10p/20p. It appears that there were 50 shares traded during the week. The cash shell has effectively been set up by Codex Capital and most of the shares are owned by eight shareholders, including one of the non-exec directors. The NAV is 8.2p a share. The focus of the cash shell is clean and renewable energy assets, particularly infrastructure assets.
Online furniture and housewares retailer Made.com (MADE) increased full year gross revenues by 38% but it still lost money. A 2022-23 pre-tax profit of £8.3m is forecast, even though revenues growth is likely to be slower than previously thought.
Cloudbreak Discovery (CDL) has secured an option on the Icefall project in British Columbia with 1311516 BC Ltd, which will spend C$700,000 over three years to secure a 75% interest in the project. It will also pay Cloudbreak a total of C$120,000 in cash and issue two million shares.
Fragrant Prosperity Holdings (FPP) is not going ahead with the proposed acquisition of cannabis company CiiTECH.
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 23 November 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Daniel Thwaites (THW) had a strong eleven months in the year to March 2020, but the final month was unsurprisingly poor for the brewer and pubs operator. Full year revenues edged up from £96.9m to £98.1m, while pre-tax profit fell from £4.5m to £3.6m. Net debt was reduced from £69.7m to £65.4m, helped by property disposals. No dividends are planned in the near future.
EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) has taken advantage of the strong Luceco (LUCE) share price and sold four million shares for total proceeds of £10m. EPE still owns a 24.9% stake.
KR1 (KR1) has participated in token generation by four platforms. There was a follow-on participation in a Plasm Network distribution event, while KR1 has also received tokens from ChainX, Edgeware and Phala Network. The Phala Network tokens have been sold for nearly $124,000.
BWA (BWAP) has given St George’s Eco-Mining Corp until 27 November to repurchase the company’s investment in Kings of the North Corp.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) says that the first hole drilled at the Specimen Hill prospect in Queensland has signs of gold bearing mineralisation. A second hole is underway.
Evrima (EVA) and partner Power Metal Resources (POW) have published a drilling update for the Molopo Farms complex in Botswana. The first hole has been completed at the nickel sulphide and platinum project. This confirmed that it is a feeder zone. Samples will be tested. There is a four-hole drilling programme.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) owns 30% of mining and exploration leases that form part of the Yangibana rare earth deposit. Drilling has confirmed that recent drilling results show an economic mineralised corridor 8km long.
Gledhow Investments (GDH) has taken a 4.82% stake in IamFire (FIRE).
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has raised £835,000 at 5.5p a share, which is below the 7p a share that a UK institutional investor paid last month. Early Equity (EEQP) raised £105,000 at 0.5p a share.
AIM
Trackwise Designs (TWD) is raising a further £11m at 200p in order to finance a new Improved Harness Technology (IHT) manufacturing site to quadruple capacity. That is a large discount to the market price of 320p. A further £1m could be raised via an open offer. Back in March, there was a £5.87m fundraising at 80p a share. That was at the time of the purchase of Stevenage Circuits for up to £2.457m. The rest of that cash was earmarked for capacity expansion. The subsequent orders received by Trackwise mean that further investment in capacity is required. The funding dilutes short-term earnings per share.
Agricultural supplies group Wynnstay (WYN) had a strong end to its financial year, particularly September and October. Feed sales were better than expected. There will be one-off costs for closing three sites. Shore Capital has upgraded its underlying pre-tax profit forecast from £6.7m to £8.1m. The dividend is likely to be maintained at 14p a share.
Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings (IDH) has broken its record and published interim figures at 6.22pm on Friday. Revenues fell by 27% and the company made a bigger loss.
Staffline (STAF) is selling its apprenticeships business to Babington Business College for a nominal fee. The business was losing money in the first half of 2020, although it was a lower loss than the year before. Staffline will concentrate on recruitment and adult skills training.
Bion (BION) is establishing a biogas consortium with three other companies in Malaysia. The plan is to formalise the partnership so that a special purpose vehicle that would be 55%-owned by Bion will own and operate biogas assets of Bion and Green Lagoon Technology. The new venture would be the largest owner of biogas plants in Malaysia. Shareholders will have to approve the deal if it goes ahead. Bion will work with the other two companies to develop waste-to-energy projects.
Trading is ahead of expectations at Somero Enterprises (SOM) and this should enable a significant supplementary dividend for 2020. The concrete levelling equipment supplier is expected to end the year with net cash of $26m.
Dekel Agri-Vision (DKL) has completed the acquisition of the stake in the Cote d’Ivoire cashew nut processing project that takes its shareholding to 52%. October palm oil production was 1,818 metric tonnes and 1,843 metric tonnes was sold. The average price improved to €636/tonne.
Mirada (MIRA) has integrated Disney+ into its Iris platform for Televisa’s izzi pay TV platform in Mexico.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) has gained a contract to deliver a 0.5MWh vanadium flow battery system to a site in California. This should generate £480,000in 2021. There is also an order for two smaller battery modules.
Three potential bidders are assessing offers for Telit Communications (TCM) and the latest is u-blox, which is considering an all-share offer worth 250p a share. DBAY Advisors and Lantronix are the other potential bidders.
MAIN MARKET
Packaging supplier Macfarlane (MACF) says that trading in the four months to October 2020 is ahead of the same period in 2019. Full year pre-tax profit is expected to be similar to last year at around £14m. It was previously expected to be more than 10% lower. Arden forecasts a total 2020 dividend of 2.4p a share.
Emmerson (EML) has completed the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Khemisset potash project in northern Morocco.
Petra Diamonds (PDL) has an agreement in principle for a restructuring that involves the raising of money from a loan note issue and the remainder of the loan notes will be converted into shares equivalent to 91% of the enlarged share capital.
Thalassa (THAL) has invested £300,000 in foreign exchange and international payments firm Cornerstone FS for a 3.65% stake. This follows a £3m investment in 8% convertible loan notes in payment systems company Tappit Technologies.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 14 September 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Investment company S-Ventures is set to join the market on 16 September. The strategy is to make investments in consumer health and organic food businesses in the UK and Europe. The S-Ventures management will use their expertise to help smaller brands grow faster and achieve greater scale. Up to three acquisitions are planned each year and they are likely to have values of between £150,000 and £2m.
Evrima (EVA) has secured an option to acquire a 17.2% stake in Kalahari Key Mineral Exploration (KKME), which would increase its investment in the Botswana-focused nickel, copper and platinum explorer to 19.6%. The former Sport Capital Group has 60 days to acquire the stake for $183,000 in the form of 2.3 million shares at 6p each. The same number of warrants will be issued, and they are exercisable at 12p each. AIM-quoted Power Metals has a
Block Commodities (BLCC) has been fined £7,000 by the Aquis Stock Exchange. Block failed to make sure that it provided accurate and fully up to date information to investors about fundraisings. It also failed to consult with its corporate adviser. Trading in the shares remains suspended.
All Star Minerals (ASMO) is assessing potential gemstones opportunities in Africa.
Lombard Capital (LCAP) has sold a 29.5% stake in LCP Financial for £275,000 in order to provide funds to develop the waste and recycling operations.
Early Equity (EEQP) has appointed Novum Securities as its corporate adviser and trading has recommenced in the shares.
Gold explorer Tectonic Gold (TTAU) has raised £403,000 at 0.275p a share. Each new share has a warrant attached that is exercisable at 0.7p each after the results of the exploration drilling are released. The cash will finance drilling.
AIM
Michelmersh Brick (MBH) has restarted production following lockdown despatches have recovered more quickly than the sector. Interim revenues fell by 17% and underlying pre-tax profit was halved, but full year expectations have been upgraded. The bricks manufacturer is operating at normal levels and June 2020 revenues were better than those in June 2019. Canaccord Genuity has upgraded its full year profit forecast from £5.3m to £6.5m, down from £9.7m in 2019. Limited UK brick production capacity means that Michelmersh is in a strong position and it has demonstrated its resilience this year.
Internet domain name registry and services provider CentralNic (CNIC) is paying $36m for the Codewise businesses, which provide monetisation services and online marketing tools. This fits with Team Internet and will be significantly earnings enhancing from day one. A placing raised £30m at 75p a share.
Synairgen (SNG) has published interim data for its SNG001 treatment that suggests that it could be effective for COVID-19 patients, particularly those suffering with more severe symptoms.
Belvoir Group (BLV) weathered the COVID-19 lockdown well. Financial services increased their contribution in the first half and lettings income held up. Underlying pre-tax profit improved by 7% to £3.16m, helped by the Lovelle acquisition. Earnings per share were 16% higher at 7.3p. The interim dividend is 3.4p and a further 2p is payable in lieu of the final dividend that was not paid. The former boss sold shares at 150p each.
The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) reported an unchanged interim pre-tax profit of £2m and an interim dividend of 2.1p a share is being paid. Cash has risen to £6.1m. Lettings income held up and trading was strong in June. The core business and online operation EweMove both performed strongly in July.
Arden has initiated research on Dekel Agri-Vision (DKL) and it believes that the palm oil and cashew nut processer is worth 7.6p a share. The broker believes that Dekel could make an operating profit next year. Profit should build up over the next few years as cashew nuts processing activities grow.
Concrete levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises (SOM) is resuming dividends and paying a deferred final dividend of 20.7 cents a share as well as an interim of 4 cents a share. That will cost $14m. North American interim sales held up best with European sales falling by one-quarter. Pre-tax profit is still expected to fall from $28m to $17.6m, but net cash should be $20m at the end of 2020.
Digital invoicing services provider Tungsten Corporation (TUNG) is on course to move into profit in the current financial year. The loss per share was reduced from 3.5p to 1.4p in the year to April 2020 and there was cash generated from operations.
Irrigation products supplier Amiad Water Systems (AFS) reported a decline in revenues but profit increased as margins improved. Amiad was already reducing its cost base when COVID-19 started to hamper the business. This led Stifel to increase its full year pre-tax profit forecast to $4.5m. Further growth could come from new products and potential acquisitions.
Building and construction products supplier Alumasc (ALU) has realigned its cost base but pre-tax profit was still one-third down at £3.7m as full year revenues declined by 16% to £76m. A 2p a share dividend was declared. Trading has been recovering since the June year end. Further cost saving benefits will help profit to recover this year. finnCap forecasts £6.4m pre-tax profit for 2020-21.
New SIPP business has been slow for STM (STM) but the recurring revenue base means that interim revenues were maintained at £11.8m. Additional personnel costs reduced pre-tax profit by nearly one-third to £1.1m. There is £17.6m in the bank and that enables STM to pay an interim dividend of 0.55p a share, which should be one-third of the total for the year. A full year pre-tax profit of £2.5m is forecast, with a rebound to £4.5m in 2021.
Recruitment firm Hydrogen (HYDG) plans to cancel the AIM quotation. A tender offer of 40p a share provides investors with a way to sell their shares prior to the cancelation.
MAIN MARKET
LED lighting and wiring accessories supplier Luceco (LUCE) has realigned costs so that they are more in line with revenues. In the first half of 2020, revenues fell by 13% to £71.6m, but operating profit was one-quarter higher at £9m. Gross margins continue to increase, and overheads have been kept down. Operating profit margin of 12.3% was higher than ever before.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 16 March 2020
NEX EXCHANGE
Brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) edged up its interim profit helped by a strong performance from tenanted pubs and lower interest charges. In the six months to end December 2019, revenues were 3% higher at £79m, while underlying pre-tax profit improved 5% to £6.2m. Cost pressures held back the performance of the managed pubs. There was a fall in profit contribution from brewing. Net debt was £84m at the end of 2019. The interim dividend was increased by 2% to 6p a share. Brewing volumes have increased since the period end and like-for-like pub revenues continue to grow, although the rate is slower for managed pubs. Coronavirus has not had an impact yet but it is likely to.
Altona Energy (ANR) is raising up to £400,000 through an open offer to existing shareholders at 6.5p a share. That is a one-third discount to the previous mid-price. The cash is required to acquire a new petroleum exploration licence application in South Australia and the maximum will provide 12 months working capital. This will enable assessment of an in-situ gasification project. There is also potential for wind and solar projects in the area. There was an overdraft of £96,000 at the end of June 2019. The latest time for acceptance is 31 March.
European Lithium (EUR) reported a dip in interim income in 2019 from $23,817 to $3,365, while the loss was flat at $2.3m. There was $32,000 in cash at the end of 2019. There are convertible notes valued at $1.1m, some of which have been subsequently converted, but more have been issued.
KR1 (KR1) has been hit by weak Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency prices, but it had already banked some of its profit. The value of the remaining portfolio has dropped sharply. There will be an update shortly.
Rutherford Health (RUTH) has requested a subscription of £9.64m at 176p a share under the Woodford Commitment at the time of the company’s flotation. LF Equity Income Fund, formerly LF Woodford Equity Income Fund, will own 28.8% of the proton beam therapy company. This is the final subscription under the agreement.
Former investment banker Dr Keith Harris has been appointed as executive chairman of SAPO (SAPO) and Selwyn Lewis is joining the board as an executive director.
Fuel emulsification company SulNOx Group (SNOX) has filed an international patent application for its technology. It has already filed for the patent in the UK. The technology can be used for many fuels but the focus is diesel and heavy fuel oil.
Cannabis investment company World High Life (LIFE) has raised £2.36m from two issued of convertible loan notes with a 10% coupon. The conversion price is 100p a share.
Trading in First Sentinel 7% bonds, February 2023, First Sentinel preference shares and EPE Special Opportunities 7.5% unsecured loan stock, 2022 has been suspended because of the market maker temporarily withdrawing from market making activities.
AIM
OnTheMarket (OTMP) has ended its litigation with Connells and its subsidiary Gascoigne Halman. The property portal had already won a judgement in a Competition Appeal Tribunal and it was seeking the recovery of further damages. Earlier in the week, Ian Springett was dismissed as chief executive of OnTheMarket. He has a 12 month contract and earns £250,000 a year.
Geospatial software provider IQGeo (IQG) reported an increased loss last year, but that masks the progress made. Third party revenues declined. In 2019, total revenues fell from £9.98m to £7.81m, however, own product revenues increased from £4.74m to £5.55m, while recurring revenues contributed £1.63m, up from £918,000. More people were employed in sales and product development and operating expenses jumped from £6m to £9.5m. That is why the loss increased from £1.6m to £6.17m. There was still £13m left in the bank at the end of 2019, following £11m spent on buying back shares.
Mass spectrometry instruments developer Microsaic Systems (MSYS) continues to add to its partners. Last year, revenues rose 51% to £870,000 with the benefit of the newer agreements still to come. Higher development spending meant that the loss edged up to £3.1m. There was £2.62m in the bank at the end of 2019 and management admits it is assessing its options in terms of raising more cash.
Concrete levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises Inc (SOM) had a stronger second half, following the profit warning in the first half due to bad weather. The outcome in 2019 was slightly better than the previously downgraded expectations. Even so, revenues fell 5% to $89.3m and pre-tax profit was down by a similar percentage. The dividend was reduced by 1% to 18.75 cents a share. The additional dividend relating to excess cash (net cash was $23.8m) is 7.7 cents a share. Increased costs mean that there could be a further decline in profit this year.
Mark Greenwood has further increased his stake in Richland Resources (RLD) by buying the market and acquiring shares in a placing at 0.12p a share, which raised £100,000 for the company. Greenwood’s stake is 18.5%. The share price is one of the few AIM risers this month.
The Panoply Holdings (TPX) has acquired consultancy Ameo Professional Services, which generates 9-% of its revenues from the public sector. Ameo made a pre-tax profit of £1m last year and is being acquired for £7m in cash and shares, plus the distribution of £1.3m in excess cash.
Molecular diagnostics developer Yourgene Health (YGEN) is acquiring its French distributor and this will be immediately earnings enhancing. Yourgene will still make a loss in 2020, but the following year earnings per share will improve from 0.18p to 0.23p.
Open Orphan (ORPH) has reported positive results for the phase IIb field study of FLU-v vaccine, which has been developed by a 49%-owned joint venture. The results have been published in a journal. IP Group has cut its stake to below 3%.
Redx Pharma (REDX) says it has received a bid approach from Yesod Bio-Sciences, which is considering offering 15p a share. Redmile Group is making a mandatory offer of 15.5p a share, following its purchase of the 39.5% stake owned by Moulton Goodies, which obtained most of its shares at 5.25p each when it capitalised its £2.5m loan. Redmile owns 45.5% of Redx, which is valued at £29.5m. The board recommends the bid.
Brickability (BRCK) has made its second acquisition in one month. It is paying £6m for plastic fascia and guttering merchant U Plastics, which made a pre-tax profit of £1.3m in 2019.
MAIN MARKET
Moss Bros (MOSB) has agreed a 22p a share bid that values the suit hire and retail company at £22.6m. The bid vehicle is owned by people involved in the apparel sector, including Michael Shina of Crew Clothing. The main executives will be retained.
Motor dealer Lookers (LOOK) has discovered accounting irregularities. The fraudulent transactions in one of the operating divisions mean that the 2019 figures will be delayed until late April. These transactions should not be significant for the group. Chief operating officer Cameron Wade has resigned.
Standard list shell Hertsford Capital (HERT) has agreed the acquisition of oil services provider OTAQ Group for £12.4m through an issue of shares at 57.5p each (post-consolidation). A placing will raise £1.5m at the same price. OTAQ designs and supports products for the aquaculture and offshore oil and gas sectors. The focus is on growing the aquaculture operations. The company will change its name to OTAQ and be readmitted on 31 March.
Sure Ventures (SURE) is raising £250,000 at 100p a share, which is a premium to NA of 95.74p a share. This followed news of an investment by 25.9%-owned Sure Valley Ventures in AI security company Getvisibility. The fund has invested €750,000. The cash will be used to expand the business internationally.
Spinnaker Opportunities (SOP) has spent more than one year trying to finalise the acquisition of cannabis processor Kanabo Research and a commitment to invest £1.4m has been secured. At the end of 2019, there was £597,000 left in the bank.
Dev Clever (DEV) is acquiring Phenix Digital, a digital agency focused on the educational sector. It is paying £100,000 in cash and 3.57 million shares. There is an existing relationship between the two companies.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 27 January 2020
NEX EXCHANGE
Results from IFA group AFH Financial (AFHP) indicate the success of the acquisition policy. In the year to October 2019, underlying pre-tax profit improved from £10.3m to £17m and earnings per share rose by more than two-fifths. The dividend was one-third higher at 8p a share. Assets under management were £6.2bn. AFH plans to grow to annual revenues of £140m and assets under management of £10bn in five years. Cash generated from operations was held back by the protection division predominantly generating non-indemnity business, where the payment is spread over the term of the package. Non-indemnity business will reduce in order to have a higher proportion of revenues that gets paid upfront. Cash generation will improve, and this will mainly go on deferred consideration.
Corporate adviser First Sentinel (FSEN) has raised £220,000 at 27p a share in order to provide working capital for the business. That was a small discount to the market price the day before the placing was announced, but the price fell to 19p/22p on the day. On the day, there were 25,000 shares traded at 20p each and 186,370 shares traded at 20.09p each.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has appointed New York-based Ortoli Rosenstadt as the law firm to help it with a potential ADR listing in the US.
Broadband-focused shell SAPO (SAPO) has announced the death of its executive chairman Michael Meyer, who was the founder of Emess Lighting. He and his wife own 43.4% of SAPO. Michael Langoulant is the only remaining director of SAPO.
Eight Capital Partners (ECP) has placed an additional €90,000 of 7% July 2022 bonds, which are traded on the Vienna Stock Exchange. A total of €3.64m of bonds have been issued, which is 73% of the total that can be issued.
BWA Group (BWAP) has issued 3.26 million shares at 0.5p each to settle directors’ fees for the fourth quarter of 2019. The current share price is 0.2p/0.4p. Richard Battersby’s stake is 16%, Alex Borelli holds 9.48% and James Butterfield owns 15.8%.
Juliet Adelstein will become chief executive of Ganapati (GANP) on 1 February. She previously worked at Japanese advertising agency Dentsu. Hiroki Hasegawa and Toshitaka Nakajima are stepping down as chief executive and finance director respectively.
Via Developments (VIA1) 7% debenture stock 2020 has been withdrawn from MEX. Trading was suspended on 21 October 2019 because of a delay in appointing an independent non-executive director.
Former NEX-quoted company MESH Holdings still plans to acquire AI business Sentiance and Mike Power has taken over as chairman. MESH has also appointed two new directors. Corporate finance professional Lindsay Mair and Ireland-based former broker Rory O’Sullivan.
Last year was a tough one for agriculture and feed products supplier Wynnstay (WYN) and pre-tax profit fell from £9.5m to £7.9m, but the dividend was still raised. Profit is expected to be flat this year. There was net cash of £3.8m at the end of the year, as lower commodity prices reduced working capital requirements, but there will be £7m of lease liabilities included as debt in the next balance sheet. Seasonality means that there will be a net debt figure at the interim stage and the leases mean it will be much higher than it would have been. Net cash could still be £6m by the end of next October.
Concrete levelling equipment Somero Enterprises (SOM) had a better than expected fourth quarter and this led to an upgraded 2019 earnings forecast from 33.7 cents a share to 36.5 cents a share. That is still lower than 2018 and a further dip is expected in 2020 due to higher marketing spend. The expected total dividend for 2019 is 24.6 cents a share.
United Oil and Gas (UOG) says that the ASH-2 well that is part of the interests being acquired in Egypt has been producing more than 3,000 barrels of oil per day since the beginning of the year. United’s share is 660 barrels of oil per day. The acquisition of the Egypt interest from Rockhopper Exploration (RKH) will not be completed until February.
Nostra Terra Oil and Gas (NTOG) says a general meeting requisition is valid and it will announce a date for the meeting by next week. Eridge Capital wants to remove Matt Lofgran from the board and replace him with Andrew Morrison.
Regenerative medical products developer Tissue Regenix (TRX) says that revenues grew 12% last year, but the cash will not last much longer. There was £2.4m at the end of 2019 and this will last until the end of April. More funding will be required before then.
Peel Hunt has halved its dividend forecast for construction services provider Van Elle (VANL) to 1p a share, although it has maintained its 2019-20 pre-tax profit forecast at £4m. The interim dividend was cut by four-fifths to 0.2p a share. A sharp drop in interim profit means that two-thirds of the forecast needs to be made in the second half. Net debt was £10.4m at the end of October 2019.
IPTV technology company Mirada (MIRA) has completed the cancelation of the share premium account.
Gear4Music (G4M) had strong Christmas trading and gross margins improved. Revenues grew by 7% to the end of 2019 and gross profit was 18% ahead. Earnings of 3.9p a share are forecast for the 2019-20 financial year.
Agronomics (ANIC) has raised a further £5.5m at 7p a share. That is a one-third discount to the market price. At the end of last year £7.7m was raised at 5.5p a share. Agronomics has invested some of the cash it previously raised in cultivated meat businesses developing meat and fish that is produced without animals, but It will have £9.9m in the bank after the cash raising.
Cyber security software provider Kape Technologies (KAPE) generated slightly better 2019 margins than anticipated. EBITDA grew by 40% to $14.5m in 2019 and it will more than double this year.
Touchstone Exploration Inc (TXP) believes that the best possible outcome was achieved from the initial production tests of the Cascadura well in Trinidad, which appears to have oil and associated gas. The Coho-1 well should be in production by June.
Trinidad-based oil and gas producer Trinity Exploration and Production (TRIN) increased production by 5% in 2019 and exited the year with daily production of 3,400 barrels. The current forecast for 2020 is 3,260 barrels per day. There was cash of $13.8m at the end of 2019.
Fuel cells developer Proton Motor Power Systems (PPS) has received a €400,00 order from E-Trucks Europe for fuel cells for refuse collection trucks. They will be delivered by the end of 2020.
MAIN MARKET
Standard list shell Spinnaker Opportunities (SOP) still intends to acquire medicinal cannabis company Kanabo Research but there are still conditions to be satisfied. The deal was announced 11 months ago.
Contango Holdings (CGO) is another cash shell and it has been in the process of acquiring the Lubu coal project since April. A £1.4m placing at 5p a share puts Contango in a position to publish a circular for the acquisition.
Tex Holdings (TXH) says it has a record order book. It is responding to matters raised by the FCA and trading in the shares remains suspended. Trading was suspended nine months ago and it has reported its late annual figures, although there still appear to be doubts about the financial state of the company. The overdraft has been repaid.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore Quoted Micro 15 July 2019
NEX EXCHANGE
AFH Financial Group (AFHP) has raised £15m from a placing of convertible unsecured loan stock in order to finance the acquisition of more IFAs. The loan stock offers a 4% annual interest rate and it matures in July 2024. The initial conversion price is 420p a share, which is a 17% premium to the market price. The annual interest cost is £600,000. Shore expects a pre-tax profit of £17m in the year to October 2019 and then a rise to £20m next year. That is before any acquisitions are made with the additional funds. There are already five potential acquisitions progressing towards completion.
Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne (HYDP) increased interim turnover by 3% to £1.55m. A decline in overheads in the six months to April 2019, due to a lack of repair work compared to the first half of the previous year. This meant that the interim loss fell from £200,000 to £101,000. There is £602,000 in the bank and NAV is £3.17m. Non-executive director CP Freeman has bought 600 shares at 750p each. He has a 1.2% stake.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) has invested in South Cerney Outdoor, a recently formed company that has acquired the outdoor experiences business from the Shaw Trust charity. Capital for Colleagues is lending up to £250,000 to the investee company, where the employee owned trust will become a major shareholder.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) says that its Gibraltar subsidiary has signed an agreement to support and promote RSK Smart Contract Network and RSK Infrastructure Framework blockchains in south east Asia. The 27.8%-owned start-up accelerator StartupToken is also involved in the deal.
EPE Special Opportunities Ltd (ESO) had a NAV of 260.29p a share at the end of June 2019. Since then 280,000 shares have been bought back by the company at an average share price of 205p.
KR1 (KR1) wants to buy back six million deferred shares at 0.2p each.
AIM
In the year to March 2019, Begbies Traynor (BEG) increased revenues by 15% to £60.1m, while pre-tax profit was £7.1m. Net debt was reduced from £7.5m to £6m. Increasing numbers of insolvencies is good news for the business recovery services provider. Pre-tax profit of £8.6m is forecast for this year.
Ultrasound simulation equipment supplier Intelligent Ultrasound (MED) says first half turnover was 25% ahead at £3.1m. This is before the recent AI contract win. There was £3.5m in the bank at the end of June 2019.
Tekcapital (TEK) is raising £750,000 at 8p a share in order to provide further financial backing for its IP companies. Medical devices developer Belluscura could receive FDA clearance for its advanced portable oxygen concentrator before the end of the year. It could be launched in the first half of next year. Nano-particle sized salt developer Salarius has been winning orders.
Ariana Resources (AAU) has reported positive drilling results at the Salinbas gold project in Turkey and there are indications that there is further mineralisation in the vicinity.
Ilika (IKA) had £4m in the bank at the end of April 2019 and that should be enough for the next 12 months as the solid state battery technology developer makes progress with its Stereax battery technology. Projects that could yield deals in the coming months include, condition monitoring devices for wind turbines, track monitoring devices for Network Rail and batteries for miniature medical implants.
Mirada (MIRA) is on course to move into profit in the year to March 2021. The digital TV software provider reported a rise in revenues from $8.82m to $12.3m last year. Even so, the loss was $3.2m. There will be a loss this year, excluding the $1.75m gain on the disposal of the parking payment business. That will help net debt to reduce to $4.1m, despite the loss.
Somero Enterprises Inc (SOM) has reassured investors that it remains on target to achieve previously downgraded forecasts for 2019. Revenues should be $87m and net cash should be $18m at the end of 2019. Interims will be published on 4 September.
Polarean Imaging (POLX) has received an order for the 9820 Xenon Polariser system from the University of Kansas Medical Center. This will be used as part of an imaging research programme. This is the 25th polariser installed or ordered.
Collagen Solutions (COS) has submitted its CE Mark application for the ChondroMimetic regenerative medical device and has received initial questions it has to address. The response is being prepared. Collagen generated revenues of £4.15m in the year to March 2019. The benefits of consolidating collagen manufacturing are coming through.
Woodford Investment Management has cut its stake in eve Sleep (EVE) from 46.8% to 31.2%. Jupiter Asset Management has taken a 15.6% stake.
Oil and gas company Wentworth Resources (WEN) intends to pay dividends based on free cash flow generation. An interim will be announced in September.
FIH Group (FIH) has taken out a £13.9m mortgage on its Leyton warehouse and the interest charge is fixed at 3% for ten years. A new commercial air link has been agreed between the Falkland Islands and Brazil.
MAIN MARKET
Challenger Acquisitions (CHAL) has received a further £18,000 from the owner of Star Sanctum, which takes the total paid to £93,000. Challenger has agreed payments with the developer of the wheel project in Dallas of $26,375 at the end of July and $25,000 at the end of August.
BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) has obtained a listing on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Trading started on 11 July and it expects to become a constituent of the TA-90 index.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 21 January 2019
NEX EXCHANGE
Sport Capital Group (SCG) is acquiring Italian football club Palermo for a nominal sum. The deal also includes the project for a new stadium for the Serie B team, which is currently five points clear at the top of the table. Promotion back to Serie A would boost revenue generation and it would also trigger an earn-out payment. There is also potential for more sponsorship and match revenues. There is a plan to raise up to £10m from a bond issue that would be traded on NEX.
Clinical decision support technology provider DXS International (DXSP) reported a lower interim loss in the six months to October 2018. Revenues edged up from £1.61m to £1.69m and the loss declined from £92,000 to £35,000. Tax credits meant that there was a post-tax profit of £70,000, up from £28,000. The GPSoC tender has been delayed but it is expected to be completed this year.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) says that its priorities for 2019 are to demonstrate the potential of the blockchain investments that it has and to take advantage of the growing sector. There were record levels of investment in the blockchain sector last year. Management wants movements in the share price to reflect progress rather than the movement of the price of bitcoin, as has been the case in the past year.
KR1 (KR1) has set up a subsidiary in Gibraltar. KRX Ltd will sponsor token-based projects that will list on the Gibraltar Stock Exchange, which operates the first regulated blockchain exchange. The subsidiary will generate fees from clients and there are a limited number of sponsors.
AFH Financial Group (AFHP) has acquired fellow wealth management firm Hayburn Rock for up to £3.5m. The initial payment is £900,000. In 2017, the firm made a profit of £400,000.
TechFinancials (TECH) is selling its stake in MarketFinancials, which no longer trades, for €100,000. The investment had no value on the balance sheet.
Smaller company investor Gledhow Investments (GDH) had £167,000 in the bank at the end of September 2018, having made a small profit in the period. The NAV is £793,000.
Ashley House (ASH) is changing its year from April to June. This is the end of the first six months period for joint venture Morgan Ashley Care Developments LLP. There will be interim results for the six months to October 2018 reported at the end of January.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has commissioned the Hellyer processing plant and in the fourth quarter generated £3.2m of revenues from lead, zinc and pyrite.
Ascent Resources (AST) is attempting to raise cash at 0.3p a share, which is a 20% discount to the market price, via PrimaryBid.com. Ascent has successfully raised cash via the platform in the past. The broker handling the deal is Stanford Capital Partners. Ascent, which has €400,000 in the bank plus a deposit for a bank guarantee of €200,000, is refocusing its expansion outside of Slovenia because of regulatory hold ups in the country. Revenues from the export of gas from Slovenia totalled €2.1m in 2018 but gaining permission to process the gas and sell it to the national grid has proved difficult.
Knights Group Holdings (KGH) has acquired Leicester-based legal services business Cummins for £1.57m in cash and shares. This fits well with the existing east Midlands operations. In the six months to October 2018, group revenues were 37% ahead at £23.9m and organic growth was 10%. Underlying pre-tax profit doubled to £4.4m. The maiden interim dividend is 0.6p a share. Net debt was £9.5m at the end of October 2018. Average fees per fee earner was one-quarter higher at £66,000.
Concrete levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises Inc (SOM) did better than expected last year. The 2018 pre-tax profit forecast has been raised by 5% to $29m. Net cash is $25m and 50% of the excess over $15m will be paid in a special dividend on top of the ordinary dividend. Somero has also paid $2m for concrete pouring and line dragging company Line Dragon and this broadens the product range.
Student accommodation activities fuelled the growth of Watkin Jones (WJG) last year but private rental will become increasingly important from this year onwards. Richard Simpson has taken over as chief executive.
Kromek (KMK) is making progress towards breakeven and it has plenty of cash in the bank to take it there. The imaging and radiation detection technology developer has a strong order book. There was a dip in first half revenues because of the transfer of production to a new site in Pittsburgh. Even so, full year revenues are forecast to increase from £11.8m to £15m and the loss should reduce from £2.5m to £1.9m.
Tri-Star Resources (TSTR) is selling its antinomy exploration interests in Turkey. The company’s main asset is the 40% shareholding in the Sohar antinomy and gold production facility in northern Oman. Some engineering problems have to be sorted out before the plant is fully up and running. More cash will be required. The venture has requested $10.5m from its shareholders.
The market was disappointed by news from Verona Pharma (VRP) about the clinical trial results for COPD treatment Ensifentrine (RPL554). Two different does were used in combination with Stiolto Respimat. The treatment did work better than the placebo, but the improvement in breathing was not statistically significant. The share price slumped by more than one-third, although there was a small subsequent recovery.
CH Bailey (BLEY) has decided to cancel its AIM quotation and it is asking for shareholder approval. The company is offering to buy back shares at 100p each via a tender offer.
Ariana Resources (AAU) says that its 50%-owned Kiziltepe mine produced 27,110ounces of gold in 2018. Ariana expects its $33m development loan to be fully repaid during 2019.
Tax Systems (TAX) had reduced net debt from £20.5m to £13.9m by the end of 2018. Pre-tax profit of £5.8m is forecast for 2018.
Ideagen (IDEA) is acquiring Cork-based Scannell Solutions, which provides environmental health and safety software, for £3.5m. Annualised revenues are around €1m, of which, two-thirds is recurring.
Consumer engagement technology provider Pelatro (PTRO) has confirmed that 2018 figures are in line with expectations and there was improved cash generation in the second half. Net cash was $1.8m at the end of 2018. finnCap expects 2019 pre-tax profit to double from $2.9m to $6m.
Plexus Holdings (POS) plans to buy back 4.95 million shares owned by LLC Gusar. The price will be 50.5p a share. Gusar will use the cash to buy two POS-GRIP wellhead systems, which it announced it was going to buy one year ago.
Midwich Group (MIDW) has acquired MobilePro AG, which expands the audio visual products distributor into Switzerland. The business has annual revenues of CHF25m.
Pharmaxis has completed a toxicity study for two LOXL2 inhibitors in which Synairgen (SNG) has a 17%carried financial interest. Pharmaxis can brief potential licensing partners with the information gained.
Tracsis (TRCS) is acquiring Compass Informatics, which is a data analytics and systems development business. Tracsis is paying up to €5.15m for the Dublin-based company, which made a pre-tax profit of £600,000 last year.
Portmeirion Group (PMP) has achieved record sales in 2018 and beat the profit forecast of £9.5m. The fastest growth came in the home fragrance division.
Iofina (IOF) achieved record iodine production levels in the second half of 2018. Full year production was 17% higher at 588.8 million tonnes. There should be a further rise in production this year and that could move Iofina into profit.
Brandon Hill has initiated coverage of Karelian Diamond Resources (KDR) and it has valued the company’s Lahtojoki diamond project in Finland at $32.9m, based on an average diamond price of $100/carat.
The People’s Operator (TPOP) has postponed the appointment of an administrator as negotiations with interested parties continue.
Kestrel Opportunities has increased its stake in Pebble Beach Systems (PEB) from 22.2% to 23.1%. Little more than one year ago the stake was below 15%.
Caledonia Mining Corporation (CMCL) has cut 2019 gold production guidance for its Blanket Mine and WH Ireland has downgraded its forecast from 61,200 ounces to 55,500 ounces, which is at the higher end of the guidance. There was 54,5000 ounces of gold produced in 2018.
MAIN MARKET
Athelney Trust (ATY) is holding the requisitioned general meeting on Tuesday 22 January. Robin Boyle has requisitioned a general meeting in order to get himself reappointed. He left the board last year after a disagreement over the future of the investment company. He wanted to stay on as a non-executive director to shepherd the change in investment management for the trust. The plan is to get Gresham House involved in the investment management. Boyle also wants David Lawman and Paul Coffin to be appointed and the three existing directors, Dr Emmanuel Pohl, Simon Moore and Jemma Jackson, to be removed.
Path Investments (PATH) has signed heads of agreement with ARC Marlborough. The plan is to acquire ARC, which has a nickel and cobalt project in Queensland, via a share issue. Path had £31,000 in the bank at the end of June 2018.
Challenger Acquisitions Ltd (CHAL) has agreed to sell its $300,000 investment in the Dallas Wheel project back to the developers. Challenger has received $27,000 in interest and will receive $50,000 a month, plus interest, for six months.
Gresham Technologies (GHT) has sold its VME mainframe software business for £2m.
Shefa Yamim (SEFA) has sufficient cash to finance continued exploration in the first quarter of 2019. By the middle of the year the gems explorer will be able to estimate how much cash it requires to start trial mining.
Andrew Hore
Ian Pollard – Barratts #BDEV outstanding pedestrian year
Barratt Developments BDEV’s performance for the year to the 30th June was positively pedestrian compared to yesterdays results from Redrow but that does not stop Barratt claiming it has had another outstanding year with a strong operational and financial performance and its highest volumes in a decade. The increase of 4.7% in the final dividend, however, pales into insignificance compared to Redrows 65%. Profit before tax for the year rose by 9.2% and basic earnings per share by 8.5%. As at the 2nd September forward sales were ahead by 11.1%
Breedon Group BREE claims a resilient performance in a challenging market for the six months to the 30th June. Revenue rose by 16% but profit before tax fell by 3% although on an underlying basis it looked better with a rise of 15%. Ireland’s outlook was positive but the GB market continued to suffer from short-term challenges. The company say it is is comfortable with current market expectations.
Somero Enterprises plc SOM enjoyed robust trading in the US and Europe in the half year to the 30th June and is doubling its interim dividend with a payment of 0.055 cents per share. Revenue for the half year grew by 6% and profit before tax by 13%. Sales in Europe were particularly strong with a surge of 24%.
Xaar plc XAR’s woes continued in the half year to the 30th June with underlying revenue falling by 39% year on year, due largely to a 69% decline in its ceramics business which was exacerbated by a slower than anticipated uptake of new products, in particular the Xaar 1201 printhead . The interim dividend has been slashed from last years 3.4 pence per share to 1p per share to reflect expected cash requirement.
Quiz plc QUIZ will report today that it is pleased with the Group’s performance during the year to date and with the response to its summer product range. Despite an uncertain trading environment the group expects to continue with further strong growth.
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