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Quoted Micro 24 February 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Aquis-quoted healthcare procedures supplier One Health Group (OHGR) plans to move to AIM. As part of the process, it raised £5.2m from a placing at 180p/share and existing shareholders have the chance to take up shares in an open offer of up to £500,000. A WRAP retail offer could raise up to £500,000 more. The cash will be invested in the first owned surgical hub. This will cost up to £9m and it could generate £9m of income each year. It should be earnings enhancing in the first full year of operation. The employee benefit trust (EBT), the chairman and chief medical officer are selling £2.2m worth of shares. The EBT will repay a £750,000 loan to the company. The retail offer closes on 24 February. The minimum subscription is £100.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) has signed a partnership with Frontier Power, and it will provide the partner with flow batteries for potential projects supported by the UK’s long duration cap and floor mechanism, where applications should commence in the summer. Frontier Power has reserved up to 2GWh of manufacturing capacity to underpin its bids. There will be an upfront fee when projects have been won. There could also be international opportunities.
EDX Medical Group (EDX) has developed a new test for prostate cancer. The test can identify cancerous cells, whether the cancer is early stage or late stage and how aggressive the cancer is. More than 100 biomarkers are measured by the test, which is more than rival tests. Accuracy should be better than 96%. There are 55,000 cases of prostate cancer in the UK each year. Founder Professor Sir Chris Evans acquired a total of 320,000 shares at an average share price of 13.68p each, plus 20,000 shares at 13.5p each, taking his stake to 37.3%. Chief executive Dr Michael Hudson bought 45,888 shares at 10.87p each, taking his stake to 5.84%, and deputy chair Martin Walton purchased an initial 85,000 shares at 10.717p each.
Valereum (VLRM) has entered into an agreement with DMC Markets Inc for a cash raise of £19m. Previously it was expected to be £13m. There will be 130 million shares issue at 10p ach and 20 million shares issued at 20p each, plus a further 20 million shares at 10p each that were previously under option to Blue Sky Vision. This will be done via a new company called Valereum Inc, which will hold 48.9% of Valereum. A UK investor will invest an additional £1m at 20p/share. The cash will be invested in minority stakes in four strategic assets sourced by DMC.
ProBiotix Health (PBX) has an agreement with Kemin China Technology, which will sell LP LDL as a cardiometabolic health ingredient in China, Hong Kong and Macau. The sales will be co-branded. Chief executive Steen Andersen has been granted 9.05 million options with an exercise price of 9.5p. They last ten years and performance criteria have to be met for them to be exercised.
Vehicle electrification technology developer Equipmake (EQIP) has signed a development agreement with JC Bamford. It will develop specific power electronics for JCB. This is an initial six-month development agreement.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) says portfolio company Otomato Web3 Agent Protocol, which has commenced the launch of the Otomato.xyz platform. The public launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025. The platform streamlines Web3 interactions. As well as its stake, Coinsilium has the rights to 7.5% of revenues generated by the platform up to the Token Listing Event.
Ananda Pharma (ANA) has completed the manufacture of a final technical batch of MRX1 CBD drug candidate. This enables the next step of the process to achieve MHRA clinical trial approval.
Arbuthnot Banking Group (ARBB) is trading in line with expectations and is set to achieve a 2024 pre-tax profit of £34.5m.
Tap Global Group (TAP) has raised £1m at 2p/share and this will be invested in the fintech app platform and growing its database of registered users.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) non-exec Nicholas Fairfax has bought 91,350 shares at 87p each. SulNOx has secured a patent in Malaysia covering a range of formulations for emulsifiers and fuel conditioners.
Mark Lyttleton has a 3.11% stake in WeCap (WCAP). Stephen Hill has 3.7% of Igraine (KING). Kasei Digital Assets (KASH) director Bryan Coyne bought 1.06 million shares at 11.22p each, taking his stake to 18.9%.
ASSET MATCH
Marshall of Cambridge (MCH) says the MoD has sold 12 ex-RAF C-130 aircraft to the Turkey government. Marshall has undertaken life extension work on seven of the aircraft and it will do the same work on the other five aircraft for the Turkey government. The value of this contract is £200m and it includes ongoing maintenance. This work will last until 2028. The US authorities are required to approve the deal.
JP JENKINS
Hotel chain operator Studio Stays Hotel Group (SSHG) has joined JP Jenkins. This is a company that was formed by chief executive Grant Bovey on 7 February 2025. It has raised £50,000 at 0.5p/share. The plan is to develop a business that generates income from hotels and AIRBNB.
Deltex Medical Group (DEMG) has departed AIM and moved to the JP Jenkins matched bargains platform. The share price ended on AIM at 0.024p. Deltex Medical has developed ultrasound-based oesophageal doppler monitoring equipment for surgery and intensive care use.
Tribe Technology (TRYB) has also left AIM. The last share price on AIM was 0.075p. Northern Ireland-based Tribe Technology is a developer of autonomous mining equipment.
AIM
Cash shell Rosebank Industries (ROSE) is in discussions with Cerberus Capital about the acquisition of Electrical Components International Inc (ECI). US-based ECI is a supplier of critical electrical distribution systems to a range of industries. No price has been put on the acquisition, but it will require a significant share issue and a new debt facility. The deal is subject to due diligence and will require a document for readmission to AIM. Trading in Rosebank Industries shares has been suspended until there is a document. Rosebank Industries joined AIM on 11 July 2024 after raising £50m at 250p/share. There was cash of £48.1m at the end of 2024.
Greatland Gold (GGP) released maiden drilling results for the West Dome Underground target at the Telfer prospect. This deposit is 800 metres below the West Dome open pit. There were 16 out of 19 holes that intercepted significant mineralisation. The weighted average intercept is calculated as 23 metres at 2.95g/t gold and 1.07% copper. This could extend the mine life. There will be a second phase of drilling.
Rail software and technology company Tracsis (TRCS) has won the contract to provide the ‘tap converter’ ticketing technology that will enable pay-as-you-go travel across the UK rail network. Tracsis previously supplied a similar service to some train operators. This will generate a small, fixed payment to Tracsis with every journey and could generate highly significant revenues. If 10% of journeys are via PAYG then this could generate £3m of annual revenues. The technology will not be deployed until 2026 and will take time to roll out, so it does not affect the 2024-25 forecasts and is not included in the 2025-26 pre-tax profit forecast of £15.3m. The Department of Transport has published a document outlining plans for Great British Rail and this should lead to the ending of uncertainty of the future of rail.
Medical and radiation technology developer Kromek (KMK) has received the initial payment of $25m from its deal with Siemens. This will enable Kromek to be profitable this year. The total agreement is worth $37.5m. The rest is payable over four years. The deal was announced at the end of January and is for producing cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detectors for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) applications. This is a non-exclusive agreement and could lead to deals with other companies. Cavendish forecasts a 2024-25 pre-tax profit of £4.9m after a recovery in revenues in the second half. This could fall to £2.1m next year. Net cash is expected to be £1.8m at the end of April 2025 and Kromek is likely to stay in a net cash position for the next two years.
TheraCryf (TCF) is raising £4.25m at 0.25p/share. The previous closing share price was 1p. The cash will finance the pre-clinical development of Orexin-1, which came with the acquisition of Chronos Therapeutics. Orexin-1 is a potential drug for a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including addiction and anxiety. This market could be worth $67.6bn by 2034. The preclinical data generated will help to attract potential partners. TheraCryf was previously expected to have net cash of £900,000 by the end of March 2025. Former Avacta boss Dr Alastair Smith has been appointed as TheraCryf chair. He will take his fee for at least 12 months in the form of shares.
Film and media localisation services provider Zoo Digital (ZOO) expects full year revenues to be at least $50.5m and a return to positive EBITDA of at least $1m. These are below expectations, though. Trading recovered following the writers’ strike in Hollywood, but there have been delays and cancellations. Zoo Digital is a preferred fulfilment vendor for Amazon Prime Video and there is an increase in potential work, predominantly for existing content. Original content production remains subdued and may not recover until nearer the end of the year. This year dubbing revenues will be lower than last year. Fixed costs have been cut by one-fifth over the past year and margins are improving.
Scotland-based housebuilder Springfield Properties (SPR) is selling land holdings in central Scotland to Barratt for £64.2m and could sell further sites. This will contribute a significant profit in the year to May 2025. Springfield Properties will refocus on the north of Scotland. Trading has been weak so far in this financial year. Interim revenues declined 13%, but better margins meant that pre-tax profit recovered from £2m to £3.8m. Singer has downgraded its 2025-26 pre-tax profit forecast by 14% to £14.2m, but the dividend is expected to continue to recover. A net cash position is expected by 2027.
Transense Technologies (TRT) reported interim figures showing revenues 36% ahead at £2.46m, although pre-tax profit was 13% lower at £550,000. Hiring is going on to build up the business to cope with further growth and this is holding back short-term profit. Full year pre-tax profit is expected to edge up to £1.6m this year, before slipping back to £1.3m in the year to June 2026. It should then return to growth. The company recently secured a new distribution agreement with Haltec Corporation, a US tyre valve company focused on mining, truck and aviation sectors. Cash was £1.19m at the end of 2024, but it rose to £1.87m at the end of January 2025.
Cambridge Cognition (COG) has submitted a letter of intent to the FDA under the Drug Development Tool pathway. This relates to the development of digital cognitive assessments reliable measurement of Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia (CIAS). Cambridge Cognition does not require regulatory approval for its assessments, but the FDA qualification would help to broaden the adoption. The FDA has a backlog, and it could take more than two months to get a response. The next step would be to submit a detailed plan. Cambridge Cognition’s CANTAB platform has been used in the analysis of two phase 3 rials that were used in the FDA approval of Cobenfy from Bristol Myers Squibb. Cobenfy is the first antipsychotic drug to be approved with a new mechanism of action was approved in September 2024.
Compliance and resource management software provider AdvancedAdvT Ltd (ADVT) is winning new business and generating renewals on improved terms. Demand for cloud and digital services is growing. Singer expects EBITDA of £9.6m, having previously forecast £8.4m. The 2026 EBITDA forecast has been raised from £8.8m to £10.1m. AdvancedAdvT is still at an early stage of its buy and build strategy. Net cash is estimated to be £88m.
Media marketing platform developer SEEEN (SEEN) says 2024 revenues grew from $2.1m to $3.2m following a strong second half. This suggests that the business is gaining momentum and the current annual run-rate for revenues is $5m, which is in line with forecasts. A large publisher has contracted SEEEN to manage its video library on YouTube. SEEN has IP that can maximise the income from these videos. Revenues were below forecast but the outlook is positive.
Biome Technologies (BIOM) is planning to leave AIM and is holding a general meeting on 13 March to gain shareholder agreement. Access to additional funding is difficult with a depressed share price due to trading disappointments. Management believes it will be easier to raise cash as a private company without a public share price. It will also be easier to enter into transactions without having to make announcements. There will also be cost savings. JP Jenkins will provide a matched bargains facility.
Allergy Therapeutics (AGY) says published data from its phase III G306 study for its grass allergen immunotherapy Grass MATA MPL shows a 20.3% improvement, which is much higher than for trials of other treatments. The treatment requires six injections rather than up to 100 injections and tablets of other treatments. The quality of life improves by 27.7%. A marketing authorisation application has been filed in Germany.
Totally (TLY) chief executive Wendy Lawrence has stepped down and the board is seeking a replacement for the healthcare services provider. This follows the trading statement at the end of the previous week when the company lost a contract. Totally is still expected to make a pre-tax profit of £700,000 for the year to March 2025, but Canaccord Genuity has cut its 2025-26 forecast from £1.6m to £700,000. Professor Prasad Godbole is interim chief executive, although he is not on the board.
MAIN MARKET
Helium and hydrogen explorer Georgina Energy (GEX) has paid the A$50,000 deposit to AIM-quoted Mosman Oil and Gas (MSMN) as part of the acquisition of the company that owns the EPA155 permit. This covers Mt Winter, where previous drilling has identified helium and hydrogen, along with natural gas. The final acquisition is dependent on government authorisation of the exploration permit. This will trigger the second payment of A$300,000. Seismic data is being reprocessed. At the Hussar project, the Environmental Impact Survey is being completed.
First Tin (1SN) says crushing test work at the Taronga tin project in Australia shows it is possible to obtain up to 89.5% up to 89.5% of the contained tin. The average is 87.1% across seven samples. Testing is ongoing.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 25 November 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Cooks Coffee (COOK) moved back into profit in the six months to September 2024. Revenues were 27% higher at NZ$2.74m with growth coming from new openings and existing sites. This income comes from fees from franchisees. Like-for-like growth in the UK was 6% and 3% in Ireland. Sales growth has accelerated in the second half with record sales per store in October. There were 83 coffee shops at the end of September 2024, and this could rise to 90 by next March. The company is moving domicile to the UK.
In the year to September 2024, Time to ACT (TTA) increased revenues from £958,000 to £1.67m. There was an underlying operating profit. There was a cash outflow from operating activities of £784,000 because of working capital movements. There was £1.17m in cash.
Global Connectivity (GCON) has had its stake in Rural Broadband Solutions diluted to £9.5m. The valuation of the stake has been reduced from £13.6m to £11.7m, which is equivalent to 3.2p/share. There is an agreement in principle for an investment in a new business.
Aquaculture technology developer OTAQ (OTAQ) has sent out the circular seeking shareholder approval to leave Aquis. The general meeting will be held on 10 December. Delays in orders mean that 2024 Dowgate forecasts a drop in revenues from £4.4m to £3.1m (previously £4.2m) this year and a £1.8m loss, up from £1.2m in 2023. There should be net cash of £100,000 by the end of the year. Convertible loan note interest can be capitalised with up to 75% of proceeds from the sale of certain inventory will be used to pay back the holders.
Lift Global Ventures (LFT) core financial information business Miriad made a positive contribution despite the tough financial markets. It generated £127,000 in cash. There was £163,000 in cash at the end of June 2024.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) has sent a circular to shareholders to gain approval to move the domicile from Jersey to the UK.
Tap Global Group (TAP) has cancelled its long-term incentive plan and granted options to directors with most of the options vesting when there are increases in the share price. Peter Wall has been formally appointed as chairman.
Marula Mining (MARU) has appointed Morre Kingston Smith as auditor. Results from metallurgical testing work on ore from the Kinusi copper mine should be available in the first quarter of 2025. Further test shipments will happen before the end of the year. Sampling work of high-grade tungsten deposits at the Northern Cape lithium and tungsten project in South Africa is continuing. Tungsten concentrate could be produced next year.
Oscilate (MUSH) has identified areas to start hydrogen operations in Minnesota. Work is under budget.
Valereum (VLRM) has been admitted to the Apex segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange.
Vinanz Ltd (BTC) has added another 21 bitcoin miners to its site in Nebraska, taking the total to 56.
RentGuarantor Holdings (RGG) has launched an offer of £500,000 10% convertible loan notes lasting two years. This will fund an expansion of the workforce. The Renters’ Rights bill will increase demand for rent guarantor services.
SuperSeed Capital (WWW) reported a NAV of 111p/share at the end of September 2024.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) has disposed of more shares in investee company Computer Application Services and raised £299,000. It still owns 24.4%. Pipes and valves distributor TPS shares were sold raising £901,000. The remaining TPS stake is 16%. The cash raised will be invested in other businesses.
WeCap (WCAP) investment WeShop has appointed a US investment bank ahead of a flotation. Audited accounts for 2022 and 2023 have been signed off.
AIM
Rail optimisation software and services provider Tracsis (TRCS) had a tough year, but strong recurring revenues helped. One-off revenues the previous year meant that revenues were 1% lower at £81m. Underlying pre-tax profit fell from £14.1m to £10.4m. Total dividend is 2.4p/share. There should eventually be further investment in the rail industry, which will be good news for Tracsis. The timing of the spending is uncertain. There are already potential deals in the pipeline, though. The business has been rationalised so that management can focus on core operations and further acquisitions. There is £19.8m in cash that can be spent on acquisitions that will enhance earnings.
Telecoms enterprise software supplier Cerillion (CER) continues to beat expectations. Full year pre-tax profit was 18% ahead at £19.8m. There were record new orders of £38.1m. The technology helps telecoms companies to operate more efficiently. Growth is set to continue.
It was no surprise that telecoms testing equipment supplier Calnex Solutions (CLX) had a tough first half. Revenues dipped from £7.8m to £7.4m and the loss more than doubled to £1.3m. Even so, the interim dividend has been maintained at 0.31p/share. Cash was reduced to £8.6m. New partners are starting to sell group products, and they are replacing Spirent. Second half revenues should be better than the particularly weak comparatives. This should enable a return to profit for the full year.
Semiconductors developer CML Microsystems (CML) improved interim revenues, but that was down to the Microwave Technologies business not being included in the comparatives. Like-for-like revenues were similar to the second half of last year. Pre-tax profit slumped from £1.9m to £800,000. The interim dividend is maintained at 5p/share. Net cash is £15m. There are potential property sales that will boost the balance sheet. The proposed move of Microwave Technologies to a new site will reduce the cost base. Existing and new products have good long-term prospects.
Frontier IP (FIPP) is raising £3m via a placing and subscription at 28p/share. A retail offer via Primary Bid could raise up to £1m. Minimum subscription is £250. The offer closes at 5pm on 25 November. Frontier IP made unrealised gains of £1.3m in the year to June 2024, but there was an overall loss of £1.3m. NAV is 79.7p/share. Despite that, there is a shortage of cash in the balance sheet and the additional cash should last 12 months as the company tries to generate some additional cash from investment realisations.
Helix Exploration (HEX) drilling at Clink#1 in Montana has been successful. There was 2.5% helium encountered in the Flathead formation, which was higher than expected, and 55% hydrogen in drilling mud. Testing is ongoing and there should be further news in the near future. The well could go into production next year.
Tavistock Investments (TAVI) is acquiring Alpha Beta Partners, which is an asset manager with £3bn under management. The business is focused on retail investors, and this will scale up the existing business of offering asset management services to third party advisers. Operating profit was more than £500,000 on revenues of £4m in the year to September 2024. The initial payment is £6m, with the maximum consideration of up to £18m. Two disposals have been completed and the initial payment of £22m will be received in early December. They could eventually generate £37.75m.
Iron treatment provider Shield Therapeutics (STX) says it will hit the 2024 target revenues of $31.5m, up from $13.1m, as revenue peer prescription has increased. Recruitment has been completed for an Accrufer phase III study in China. The proposed $10m investment by AOP Health still requires shareholder approval. Costs are being lowered by 10%. Cash flow breakeven should be hit by the end of 2025, if the sales growth momentum continues.
Chain and transmission equipment Renold (RNO) reported flat interim revenues of £123.4m and pre-tax profit of £11.3m. Spending on acquisitions increased net debt to £42.2m. There was a dip in chain revenues and transmission revenues were slightly higher with improved margins. North America should recover in the second half and destocking is ending in Europe. The Valencia factory being hit by flooding has hurt sentiment. There will be additional short-term costs of £4.8m because of this with insurance payments potentially coming through in 2025-26.
Webis (WEB) has decided to leave AIM. The US-focused gaming company will seek shareholder approval on 18 December. This will help to reduce costs. The operations remain loss making.
Churchill China (CHH) had a tougher second half than expected with a lack of seasonal uplift in the fourth quarter. This means that 2024 pre-tax profit will be well below expectations. Next year is expected to continue to be weak with hospitality businesses hit by higher National Insurance costs. There will also be a hit for Churchill China and costs are being reduced, but 2025 expectations are also downgraded. The balance sheet remains strong.
Scientific instruments supplier Judges Scientific (JDG) says order intake has reduced if the large Geotek contract is excluded. China is particularly weak, but other markets are also tough, and orders have been deferred. Zeus has cut its 2024 pre-tax profit forecast by 19% to £25m. Next year’s forecast has also been trimmed.
Ilika (IKA) has reached the D6 milestone through the testing of 10Ah cells in its Goliath solid state batteries for electric vehicles. These larger cells have been shown to be safe and the D7 version should be available to potential customers in the second quarter of 2025. This moves the company nearer to finding a partner for the Goliath battery.
Property fund adviser and investor First Property (FPO) had a good first half with one-off profits from the trading of properties by a fund, where the company has an investment. There was also the early receipt of fees from disposal of properties in another fund. There was a swing from a loss of £650,000 to a pre-tax profit of £1.16m. Net debt was £18.7m.
Cannabis-based medicines developer Celadon Pharmaceuticals (CEL) has received a further £200,000 drawdown from the committed credit facility and the lender is committed to providing the remaining £500,000. However, it has to sell an investment to provide the cash. There is still £400,000 outstanding from a share subscription. Celadon Pharmaceuticals has enough cash to get it to January. Talks with another lender continue.
MAIN MARKET
Construction equipment hire company Speedy Hire (SDY) made a small profit in the first half with a recovery expected in the second half. Interim revenues fell 2% to £204m with flat hire revenues and lower fuel sales. Volumes are not being chased so that profit can be maximised. Pre-tax profit was £300,000 because of operational gearing, higher interest charges and a lower joint venture contribution. The Amey contract starts in the second half. Net debt is £112m.
J Smart and Co (Contractors) (SMJ) improved its full year pre-tax profit from £105,000 to £2.37m despite a higher loss on construction activities. The investment property business made a larger contribution. Investment properties are worth £70m and there is £7.5m of net cash. NAV is £126.3m. The total dividend is 3.23p/share.
Media Concierge has approached publisher National World (NWOR) about a possible offer of 21p/share. Media Concierge claims to have the backing of 72.2% of the share capital. Media Concierge wants the offer to be recommended by the board and to be able to complete due diligence. National World claims that entities affiliated with Media Concierge owe it £4.4m.
Technology consolidator Sealand Capital Galaxy (SCGL) is making its maiden AI investment. After evaluating suitable opportunities, the company has decided on EVOO AI (www.evoo.ai), which is a data platform with AI learning models incorporated. It provides insights to the luxury goods sector, such as market trends and consumer behaviour. The main product is Olive, a luxury e-commerce marketplace that offers personalised shopping. The company was incorporated on 15 December 2023. On 14 March 2024, EVOO AI had net assets of £848,000, including fixed asset investments of £800,000 and £1 in cash. The plan is for Sealand Capital Galaxy to invest in a convertible loan note. The first tranche is £200,000 and the second trance will be £100,000. The annual interest rate is 12% and the term is 18 months. Interest is payable on maturity. There will be a fee of one million warrants exercisable at €0.06/share. If the company floats at a lower share price the exercise price will match that price.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 29 August 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Thixotropic gels manufacturer Unigel Group (UNX) joined the Access segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange. The gels are used in the fibre optic industry. There was £800,000 raised at 64p a share. The share price ended the day at 65p.
Aquis Stock Exchange has issued a disciplinary notice to Love Hemp Group (LIFE) after omitting information in a fundraising announcement in February. It was not stated that not all the cash had been received and one investor did not pay the £1.2m it was supposed to for the shares. There was no update until May, thereby creating a false impression of the cash position. The £100,000 fine has been cut to £70,000 for early settlement. Trading in the shares remains suspended following the resignation of Peterhouse as corporate adviser. The board has been strengthened. A new corporate adviser is required for trading to recommence.
Hydrogen Utopia International (LON: HUI) is planning to enter a 50/50 joint venture with AIM-quoted Powerhouse Energy (LON: PHE) to develop a plant using non-recyclable waste plastic to produce hydrogen in Poland. Hydrogen Utopia International will be allowed to recover its costs of €250,000 with a €250,000 premium. This agreement is similar to the one between the companies for the proposed Tipperary plant, which will be built on a site leased by Trifol Resources. DXSP
British Honey Corporation (BHC) hopes to report its 2021 results before the end of September. This year’s trading has been tougher and the 2022 figures will be worse than expected with revenues of £6m.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has secured an option to acquire the Anketell gold copper project, which is north of the company’s Red Setter project in Western Australia. The option payment is £25,000. The consideration would be £50,000 in cash and 2.17 million shares at 14.75p each.
BWA Group (BWAP) has been granted a three-year licence for Nkoteng 2 at the Nkoteng heavy mineral sands project in Cameroon. This covers an additional 60km of strike length.
Evrima (EVA) has increased its holding in Eastport Ventures to 6.85%. Eastport also owns shares in another investee company, Premium Nickel, which has confirmed that saleable nickel and copper concentrates can be produced at the Selkirk mine in Botswana.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) has received an initial payment of £92,629 for the disposal of the stake in The Homebuilding Centre. This is higher than the £50,000 minimum payment because of strong trading.
Watchstone Group (WTG) had cash of £10.2m and £1.8m in escrow on 19 August.
Quetzal Capital (QTZ) says investee company Tap Global Ltd has launched a Crypto-as-a-Service product. This will enable regulated banks and financial service companies to offer cryptocurrency trading services to clients.
Diesel emission reduction additives supplier SulNOx Group (SNOX) increased revenues from £18,000 to £34,000 in the year to March 2022. There was £1.07m in cash in the balance sheet, although this fell to £604,000 by the end of June 2022.
Goodbody Health Inc has become Goodbody Health Ltd (GDBY) following the redomicile to Guernsey. Trading commenced in the new entity on Wednesday.
AIM
Rail and events software and services provider Tracsis (LON: TRCS) beat forecasts in the year to July 2022. finnCap has upgraded its earnings forecast from 33.2p a share to 34.5p a share. There was a sharp recovery in the events and traffic data business, while the other businesses continue to grow. Implementations of Tracsis software continue despite the rail strikes. The full year results will be published on 9 November.
Alumasc (ALU) is selling the poorly performing solar shading manufacturer and installer Levolux to Talrus Ltd, which is owned by Rcapital, for £1. Levolux has around £1.4m in cash and that is part of the disposal. There is deferred consideration of £1m which will be paid out of the proceeds of a disposal of the Levolux business. The impairment charge for Levolux will be £14.9m, while the £2m operating loss will be reported as a discontinued activity.
Corporate finance adviser Marechale Capital (MAC) increased pre-tax profit from £246,000 to £2.56m in the year to April 2022. That was mainly down to an increase in the value of investments and warrants. Fundraisings by Future Biogas, which postponed an AIM flotation, Chestnut Group and the Burgh Island Hotel were all at a premium to Marechale’s existing holdings. There was a cash outflow from operating activities of £131,000. NAV increased from £686,000 to £3.63m, or 3.8p a share.
First Property (FPO) has sold a property in Tureni, Romania for £3.05m, which is a book profit of £981,000. That leaves one fully owned property in Romania.
Rockwood Strategic (RKW) is planning to move to the Main Market in order to improve the tax efficiency by converting into an investment trust. The prospectus should be published by 6 September and the AIM cancellation could happen before the end of September.
Aquaculture products supplier Benchmark (BMK) increased third quarter revenues by 28% to £36.3m with a particularly strong performance by the genetics division. Sales of salmon eggs were 39% higher and shrimp sales were 164% ahead from a lower base. Investment in additional capacity in Iceland and the US is beginning to pay off. In the nine months to September 2022, underlying operating profit fell from £7.3m to £5.6m.
Australia-focused explorer Artemis Resources Ltd (ARV) says no significant nickel or copper mineralisation was shown from drilling samples at the Osborne nickel prospect. The approach to exploration will be reassessed. Two drill holes at its Greater Carlow project have not shown any sign of mineralisation, but that was not a surprise. A mineral resource estimate for Greater Carlow is expected in September and new targets have been identified. Two drill holes have been completed at the Apollo target at Paterson Central and it has re-entered a previous hole to drill deeper. This is near to the Greatland Gold (GGP) Havieron project.
Greatland Gold is raising £29.7m at 8.2p a share following Newcrest Mining’s decision not to take up the option to buy a further 5% stake in the Havieron gold project in Western Australia. Greatland Gold retains a 30% stake in Havieron. The price for the 5% stake had been set at $60m and much of that cash was earmarked to pay off loans from Newcrest Mining. The money raised will help to fund Greatland Gold’s share of further drilling and development expenses at Havieron, plus providing cash for other exploration activities in the Paterson region.
Alba Mineral Resources (LON: ALBA) has agreed to acquire the 10% minority interest in the company that owns the Clogau gold mine and plans to dewater the Llechfraith mine shaft. It is also buying back a 3% net smelter return royalty leaving a 1% net smelter royalty and £72,000 of loans held by the vendor. The total cost is £400,000 in the form of 200 million Alba shares at 0.2p each, which was a 25% premium to the closing price. There are also 81.9 million warrants exercisable at 0.4p each.
Haydale Graphene Industries (HAYD) is raising £5m at 2p a share and there is going to be an open offer at the same price that could raise up to £510,000.
Education provider Malvern International (MLVN) is benefiting from a recovery in student numbers following the easing of Covid restrictions. Interim revenues were 60% higher at £2.3m. Pre-booked and delivered revenues mean that full year revenues should be at least £5.3m.
Great Western Mining Corporation (GWMO) assay results for drilling at four prospects in Nevada. Results from the 2022 drill programme will start arriving in September. The drilling was completed under budget.
MAIN MARKET
Motor dealer Lookers (LOOK) generated a 4% increase in interim revenues to £2.23bn with lower used vehicle volumes offset by higher selling prices. Underlying pre-tax profit dipped from £50m to £47.2m, although that was higher than expected. Also, there was £12.7m of government support in the previous period. Full year pre-tax profit is expected to fall from £90.7m to £67m.
Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies (OCTP) is delaying the phase I trial of OCT130401 and concentrating on its first programme, OCT461201, where a phase I trial will start in January. This means that cash will last until the fourth quarter of 2023. There should be initial results from the phase I trial before then. Karen Lowe is stepping down as finance director.
BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) reported a decline in profit in the first half of 2022 after a sharp fall in diagnostics revenues because of Covid-boosted comparisons. Networking division revenues increased. Ongoing group revenues fell from £64.2m to £57.5m.
Packaging manufacturer and distributor Macfarlane Group (MACF) increased interim revenues by 14% to £139.2m, while pre-tax profit edged up from £8.59m to £8.86m. The growth in profit came from the manufacturing division. The interim dividend is 3% higher at 0.9p a share. Net debt is £9.7m.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 11 April 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
NFT Investments (NFT) is not going ahead with the acquisition of crypto tech and operations company Pluto Digital Assets and trading in the shares has recommenced. NFT had cash of £21.9m, having made seven investments, and net assets of £34.4m, 3.43p a share, at the end of 2021.
National Milk Records (NMRP) is linking up with another former Milk Marketing Board business Genus (GNS). National Milk Records will provide the fully listed animal breeding company with multi-panel genomic testing and evaluations. The two firms have been part of a process to map the DNA of the worst cows and bulls in terms of environmental impact. Farmers will be able to choose to breed cows with lower impact and highest milk yields. The initial contract lasts for five years.
Asimilar Group (ASLR) has joined the Access segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange. The technology investment company hopes that this will improve share liquidity. The AIM-quotation is being maintained but may be terminated to save money if the new quotation is successful.
Rogue Baron (SHNJ) has signed two new distribution deals. Oak and Still will distribute Shinju whisky in the UK from April 2022. Beverage Hunters will be the distributor in Spain from May.
Vanadium flow batteries technology developer Invinity Energy Systems (IES) has successfully concluded a validation programme by Korea-based Hyosung Heavy Industries and signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for a global partnership and exclusivity in Korea.
Talent management and livestreaming company All Things Considered (ATC) increased revenues and other operating income by 23% to £9.9m in 2021. The loss is likely to be £2.8m. There was £4.4m in cash at the end of 2021. The live music market continues to recover. All Things Considered has invested $6m from a short-term promissory note into a new company focused on music digitisation and blockchain technology. This is a minority investment out of a total of $80m. The full year figures should be published in May.
Chapel Down Group (CDGP) has been appointed as the official sparkling wine supplier to the English Cricket Board. The company’s sparkling wines will be given to the winners of internationals and domestic finals.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) says that iron ore stockpile shipments have started from the Amapa project in Brazil.
Eastinco Mining (EM.P) has discovered 16 new pegmatite zones following geochemical sampling at its HCK joint venture in southern Rwanda. This takes the total to 18.Surface geological exploration is underway at Musasa.
Clean Invest Africa (CIA) has renegotiated its loan facility and the £5m deemed to be outstanding has been changed into convertible loan stock that is convertible into shares at 1p each. There will be immediate conversion of £4.47m of loan notes.
Gunsynd (GUN) invested £75,000 into First Tin (1SN) at the placing price of 30p, having already invested £125,000 at 15p a share. The share price ended the first day at 30p.
AIM-quoted Vela Technologies (VELA) has acquired a 28.8% stake in healthcare and medtech firm Igraine (KING) for £404,000 or 1.8p a share. Richard Edwards had previously sold his 10.3% stake.
Giles Brand has increased his stake in EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) from 32.1% to 33.4%.
Aquis Exchange (AQX) non-exec chairman Glenn Collinson has bought an initial stake of 12,003 shares at 512p each. Shepherd Neame (SHEP) director Richard Oldfield has bought 25,000 shares at 837.4p each and 15,000 shares at 835.35p each. Hot Rocks investments (HRIP) non-exec chairman Brian Rowbotham bought 715,000 shares at 0.7p each and he owns 3.5%. Non-exec director Charles Vaughan has taken his stake to 2.53% after purchasing 1.5 million shares at 0.65p each.
AIM
The London Stock Exchange says that Arden Partners (ARDN) will lose its nominated adviser status if the merger with legal services provider Ince (INCE) goes ahead.
The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) revenues more than doubled to £24m, while pre-tax profit jumped from £4.77m to £6.42m thanks to the acquisition of rival Hunters Property. There is more to come. More financial advisers are being recruited and more of the franchisees are taking advantage of the services. The total dividend of 11.6p a share was higher than expected.
Belvoir Group (BLV) generated organic revenue growth of 25% last year. In 2021, pre-tax profit jumped from £7.5m to £10.3m, while the dividend is 8.5p a share. Management expects the residential sales part of the business to return to normal levels following the ending of incentives, while the lettings and financials businesses continue to grow.
Gaming machine monitors and consoles supplier Quixant (QXT) generated 2021 revenues of $87.1m, while pre-tax profit was $5.4m. Net cash is $17.6m. Screens supplier Densitron achieved the highest sales since it was acquired. Revenues are increasing from higher value added products.
Trading levels of most of the businesses of Tracsis (TRCS) have got back to previous levels, although the traffic data division recovery was delayed. In the six months to January 2022, group revenues were 31% ahead at £29.2m, while underlying pre-tax profit improved from £4.1m to £5m. The interim dividend is 0.9p a share. The recent US acquisition provides a customer base in the US, which is not as far advanced in terms of rail optimisation software as the UK.
Freight forwarding and transport services both improved their profit contribution to Xpediator (LSE: XPD) in 2021. The warehousing and logistics profit slumped due to problems in the UK. Pre-tax profit rose by one-quarter to £9.1m in 2021. The total dividend was reduced to 1.1p a share. A special dividend is a possibility this year, though. A new chief executive is still being sought.
Ecommerce technology provider Attraqt (ATQT) increased full year revenues by 9% to £22.9m but continued to lose money. There was £3.5m in the bank at the end of 2021 and management hopes to be cash neutral in 2022.
SourceBio International (SBI) grew Covid-19 testing revenues and core divisions also improved revenues during 2021. Group revenues grew from £50m to £92.5m, but they are expected to decline to £39.5m in 2022. That masks sharply higher core revenues partly due to a recent acquisition. The Covid testing labs can be converted to other uses.
Floorcoverings supplier Likewise (LIKE) says that first quarter of 2022 is ahead of budget. The Birmingham logistics site is up and running. The latest acquisition is Delta Carpets, which is earnings enhancing.
Anglesey Mining (AYM) has made the switch from the Main Market to AIM. It had been listed since May 1988. The company’s main asset is the 100%-owned Parys Mountain copper lead zinc deposit in Anglesey, north Wales. Other assets include a 20% interest in the Grangesberg iron project in Sweden. There is a right of first refusal to increase the stake to 70%. The share price moved up by 0.01p to 4.06p on the first day of trading on AIM.
MAIN MARKET
First Tin (1SN) raised £20m at 30p a share and ended the first day of trading at 30p (29p/31p). First Tin issued 60 million shares to acquire Taronga Mines, which owns Australian tin mining assets. The company already owned German tin projects. The cash raised should last for 18-24 months.
Radiology services provider Medica Group (MGP) had a much stronger second half to 2021. Revenues from elective surgery where slightly lower in the first half because of the effect of lockdowns and restrictions. The 2021 group revenues improved from £12.5m to £17.3m as surgery activity built back to previous levels. In 2021, group revenues improved from £36.8m to £61.9m, while underlying pre-tax profit increased from £4.74m to £11.5m. That excludes £4.13m of non-underlying costs, including amortisation, share based payments and one-off professional fees of £555,000. Net cash was £3.88m at the end of 2021. There is potential contingent consideration of £6.89m. The total dividend is 5% higher at 2.68p a share.
DG Innovate (DGI) completed its reversal into Path Investments. The company was acquired for £32.4m in shares issued at 0.6p each and has two operations. The first is developing electric drive technology and the other is developing sodium-ion batteries. The £2.55m raised at 0.5p a share, plus the £2.08m raised from warrants exercised at 0.25p each, will help to commercialise these technologies. The share price ended the first day at 0.34p, which is higher than the suspension price.
Ajax Resources (AJAX) is a shell seeking energy and natural resources assets and it raised £1.34m at 4p a share. The shares ended the week at 4.75p. The pro forma net assets are 2.6p a share. Management is seeking production that provides cash flow and/or strong exploration potential in known resources areas.
Aura Renewable Acquisitions (ARA) is a new shell seeking acquisitions in the renewable energy sector and it raised £1m at 10p a share. It ended the first day of trading at 17p. Pro forma cash is 8.4p a share. The founder shareholder is Harmony Capital Investments, which is behind the management of AIM-quoted, Asia-focused investment company Jade Road Investments Ltd (JADE), where Aura chairman John Croft is executive chairman. Aura is targeting is a range of businesses in areas such as wind, solar, biomass, hydro, carbon capture, waste management, smart grids and hydrogen supply.
OTHER MARKETS
Cyprus listed FOS Holdings has appointed Nick Kounoupias as chief executive. He is a solicitor with his own intellectual property consultancy. The film and entertainment company is planning a complex of five studios in Cyprus between Limassol and Larnaca, plus studios in other locations around the world. EU grants will help the funding of the studio complex, but other funding will need to be secured. FOS also plans to make three films a year.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 21 March 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
AIM-quoted OptiBiotix Health (LON: OPTI) plans to float its ProBiotix Health subsidiary on the Aquis Stock Exchange and distribute 35%-37% of the shares to its shareholders. ProBiotix, which develops probiotics for treating cardiovascular disease, is expected to have a pre-money valuation of £22.5m and will join the market on 31 March. There are plans to raise £2.5m. OptiBiotix will retain just under 50% of ProBiotix. Peterhouse is corporate adviser.
Oberon Investments (OBE) says revenues will be at least £6.4m in the year to March 2022. Funds under management have grown to more than £1bn and that has been wholly organic growth. Oberon is launching an EIS fund and an IHT service.
Natural food and snack products supplier S-Ventures (SVEN) has been making acquisitions since it floated. This means that the figures for the year to September 2021 are not a good indication of the group as it is currently made up. They show revenues of £1.53m and loss of £1m. Additional warehousing has been secured so that all the group’s requirements can be fulfilled by this site. Two centres have been closed.
National Milk Records (NMRP) has secured an exclusive licence for the exploitation of GenoCells technology in the US. The test can detect mastitis and is being piloted in the UK. The roll out of the test should start at the beginning of 2023.
SuperSeed Capital (WWW) says that SuperSeed Fund II raised £31m. There is a strong pipeline of investment opportunities.
Altona Rare Elements (ANR) is proceeding with phase 2 of the development of the Monte Muambe real earths project with resource drilling that will last for 12 months. This will produce a maiden mineral resource estimate and will cost £1.2m.
Semper Fortis Esports (SEMP) has set up a blockchain-based paly-to-earn gaming division called SMPR Guild. The subsidiary will buy in-game items in the form of NFTs, and active game players can access these items on a revenue share basis. Game-based token rewards are won during playing and they are split between the player and the company.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) has completed the acquisition of a further 7% of Pedra Branca Alliance, which gives it a 27% interest in the Amapa iron ore project.
Clean Invest Africa (CIA) has raised £100,000 at 0.5p a share and for every two shares an investor receives a warrant exercisable at 1.5p. If these warrants are exercised, then another warrant will be issued that is exercisable at 3p a share.
Chris Akers has increased his stake in Quetzal Capital (QTZ) from 18.3% to 19.1%.
AIM
CleanTech Lithium (CTL) raised £5.6m at 30p a share when it joined AIM. The share price ended the week at 35.5p. The company has potential lithium projects in existing mining areas of Chile. This means that there is nearby infrastructure. CleanTech Lithium has an extraction process that is more environmentally friendly than alternatives. Owning 100% of each of the projects (there is currently an option over part of the Laguna Verde area) provides additional flexibility for financing. There should be updated resource figures during the summer and that will enable a pre-feasibility study to be conducted.
Ceramics and fragrance products manufacturer Portmeirion (PMP) returned to profit in 2021. Group revenues increased from £87.9m to £106m, while underlying pre-tax profit jumped from £1.4m to £7.2m. There was a rebound in revenues in South Korea. Total dividends were 13p a share. Long-term energy contracts have been secured to offset higher gas prices this year. Further profit improvement is expected this year. Healthcare had a strong year helped by Covid, but management believes that spending will
Recruitment firm Empresaria (EMR) bounced back in 2021 even though the aviation recruitment business remained in the doldrums. This shows the benefits of the wide spread of activities both in terms of sector and internationally. Revenues recovered from £54m to £59.5m, while underlying pre-tax profit jumped from £5.2m to £8.6m. This reflects the benefits of investment in group management and resources and there is more to come. Further roll out of IT will also help. Revenues and profit are well below the peak in 2018. The offshore recruitment services division is moving into the Philippines market. There has been a strong start to 2022.
Restore (REST) improved its pre-tax profit by 64% to £38.1m with demand for all parts of the business returning last year. Acquisitions did help the technology business to grow sharply but there was also 5% underlying organic growth for the group as a whole. There are spare bank facilities to fund more acquisitions this year as Restore moves towards its goal of £450m-£500m, which is double the 2021 level.
Packaging and automation equipment supplier Mpac (MPAC) did better than expected in 2021. The 13% improvement in revenues to £94.3m was mainly down to the acquisition of Switchback. Pre-tax profit grew from £6.3m to £8.6m. net cash was maintained at £7.6m. The focus on the healthcare and food sectors has helped Mpac to prosper and the international spread of business is another positive. There is a 26% like-for-like increase in the order book, which was £78.4m at the end of the year.
Tracsis (TRCS) is paying £10.9m, plus up to £2.1m deferred, for rail technology software provider RailComm, which generates revenues of £4.6m. Tracsis had already won a remote condition monitoring equipment contract in the US and the focus will be gaining further contracts for this technology, as well as for software.
Energy efficiency as a service provider eEnergy Group (LSE: EAAS) increased interim revenues by 42% to £9.6m, partly due to energy management acquisitions. Energy efficiency revenues fell during the first half because the corresponding period included work that had moved into that period due to lockdowns. Solar is a sector where management is keen to expand exposure.
Gfinity (GFIN) is raising more cash to cover its losses, but they be near to coming to an end. The esports business is raising a further £2.7m at 1.25p a share, having regularly raised money since joining AIM in 2014. A loss is expected this year, but a reduction in admin costs should help Gfinity to make a profit in 2022-23.
Corporation Financiere Europeenne has increased its bid for CIP Merchant Capital (CIP) from 55p a share to 60p a share. This is still a significant discount to NAV and the bid has been rejected, but the bidder already owns 35.2% and has acceptances of 1.3% of the share capital. Castellain Capital has doubled its stake in CIP to 11.1%.
MAIN MARKET
New Energy One Acquisition Corporation (NEOA) is a cash shell seeking to acquire a business involved in the energy transition sector. It raised £175m at £10 a share. The only real asset is the cash raised in the flotation. The current share price is 989.5p.
Cash shell CYBA CYBA) has acquired its first cyber security business Narf Industries for $25.6m in cash and shares. Narf provides vulnerability research and security protocol design, as well as developing its own cyber security software. A placing raised £6m to help finance the purchase. The placing price of 2p was above the market price, but by the end of the week the price was 2.3p. CYBA may also acquire Polyswarm, although the exclusivity period has ended. CYBA director Steve Bassi is the principal shareholder of the Polyswarm businesses. The estimated cash balance is currently £2.79m. The company is licensing SRI International’s IP that is used in the Narf developed threat intelligence for grid recovery product. SRI will take a stake in CYBA.
Housebuilder One Heritage Group (OHG) has issued £1.5m worth of unsecured corporate bonds and has obtained a standard listing for them. The bond has an annual coupon of 8% and matures in March 2024. The cash will be used to repay loans outstanding from One Heritage SPC, which have an annual interest rate of 12%. There will be a £1.2m loan left that expires in August 2023.
Property investor Town Centre Securities (TOWN) improved underlying net assets to 305p a share, from 284p a share – a 2.4% increase in portfolio value plus help from share buy backs. Three property sales generated £22.5m in the six months to December 2021. There have been subsequent deals. The current loan to value is 47.7%. A 2.5p a share interim dividend is being paid.
Raven Russia (RAV) intends to sell its Russian property assets but retain outstanding loans. Trading in the shares has been suspended and the listing will be cancelled so that the option to sell the assets can be triggered.
Path Investments (PATH) has published the prospectus for the reverse takeover of DG Innovate, which is developing drive and battery technology. The initial consideration is £32.4m in shares at 0.6p each. There is conditional deferred consideration of up to £5.4m depending on the signing of additional customers. Path has raised £2.55m at 0.5p each and warrants exercised at 0.25p each to raise a further £2.08m.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 15 November 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Brewer and pubs operator Shepherd Neame (SHEP) is starting to recover from lockdowns. Pubs started to reopen outdoors on 12 April, while indoor trading recommenced on 17 May. From that point pubs achieved 97% of 2019 trading levels. Since June, drinks sales have been down on the 2019 level, but food and room revenues were higher. In the year to 26 June 2021, revenues fell from £118.2m to £86.9m with both periods hampered by Covid-19 lockdowns. There was a swing from a pre-tax profit of £1.5m to a loss of £4.2m. A revaluation of licenced pubs shows a surplus over book value of £35.9m, which is a 13% uplift not reflected in the NAV of 1140p a share.
Silverwood Brands (SLWD) is a shell focused on food and lifestyle acquisitions. It raised £1.03m at 40p a share. The share price ended the week at 43.75p. NAV is 35p a share. The strategy is to build up a portfolio of consumer brands. The cash raised in the flotation and prior to the admission will help to identify targets and carry out due diligence. Directors Andrew Gerrie and Andrew Tone were both involved in building up the Lush handmade cosmetics business.
In the first quarter National Milk Records (NMRP) revenues increased by 8% to £5.72m. There was a small decline in revenues for testing for Johne’s disease, while the core milk testing business increased revenues, although the comparatives were for a weak period when lockdown was ending. The launch of genomic services under the GeneEze brand is planned for this winter. UK milk prices are exceeding 40p a litre, although the costs for farmers are increasing.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has 600 potential customers and 130 trials proposed or underway. This includes vehicle and marine clients for the fuel emulsification additive.
Pharma C Investments (PCIL) has made its first cannabis-related investment in Product Earth Expo UK, which runs an annual CBD trade show in Coventry. A £275,000 investment gives Pharma C a 7.5% stake. Product Earth also offers a digital marketing service. Tom Toumazis, the former boss of European newspapers publisher Mecom, is chairman of Product Earth and Pharma C investment strategy director Gavin Sathianathan is also a director. At the end of October, Pharma C had cash of £608,000.
Sativa Wellness Inc (SWEL) increased revenues in the nine months to September 2021 by 724% to £9.88m. This enabled Sativa to move into profit, although it is a modest one. Trading has been boosted by demand for Covid tests and the range of tests is being broadened.
Rutherford Health (RUTH) is partnering with BUPA, which will open clinics within the company’s sites and refer patients if they have symptoms of cancer. The first clinic will be opened at Rutherford’s Liverpool cancer centre and the second in Northumberland.
Spirits company Rogue Baron (SHNJ) has raised £200,000 at 7p a share, which is just above the market price. Each of the placing shares comes with a warrant exercisable at 7p. The cash will be used to acquire additional stocks of Shinju whisky.
Valereum Blockchain (VLRM) has raised £197,500 from the exercise of warrants.
David Evans has increased its stake in Oberon Investments Group (OBE) from 7.61% to 8.15% and Rodger Sargent has a 3.14% shareholding.
EPE Special Opportunities Ltd (ESO) had net assets of 536.19p a share at the end of October 2021.
AIM
Firering Strategic Minerals (FRG) has a 51% stake in the Atex lithium and coltan project and has the option to increase it. Firering raised £4m at 13p a share and expenses were £516,000. The money raised will finance the £1.55m cost of the exploration spending for Atex for the next two years. There is also potential to generate revenues from tantalum production within 18 months, which will help to finance further development.
The Life Science REIT PrimaryBid offer closes on 15 November, and investors can apply for shares in the intermediaries offer via Interactive Investor and other firms by 16 November. A 4% yield is being targeted, based on the issue price of 100p a share, with annual growth of 5%. Life Science REIT will be the first London-quoted REIT focusing on life science properties. The types of properties will include laboratories, offices and manufacturing facilities and they will be situated in Oxford, Cambridge and London. There is strong demand for these properties from companies and organisations and a lack of supply. It is estimated that up to 20 million square feet of additional office and laboratory space will be required over the next two decades. The target for the offer and placing is up to £300 million.
Parcel and freight delivery company DX (DX.) continues to make a rapid recovery despite the uncertainties of the past year. Group pre-tax profit improved from £200,000 to £12m with freight’s improvement offsetting the decline in profit in the rest of the group. Net cash was £16.8m at the end of June 2021 and there could be a dividend this year. finnCap maintained its 2021-22 pre-tax profit forecast at £16.5m.
Tracsis (TRCS) has shown the solidity of its rail technology and services revenues and the more volatile data and events business has started to recover. Revenues edged up from £48m to £50.2m, with most of the growth coming from acquisitions. Rail technology revenues grew, but the data and events division reported a small decline. According to finnCap, adjusted pre-tax profit improved from £8.3m to £10.9m. Since the end of July, Tracsis has acquired Dublin-based Icon Group, which made a pre-tax profit of £800,000 in 2020, and this will be integrated with the similar UK data analysis operations.
Chain and transmission equipment manufacturer Renold (RNO) is managing to pass on higher materials prices and the chain division revenues have recovered. Group interim revenues were 17% ahead at £95.3m, while pre-tax profit was 52% higher at £5m. Order intake was 55% higher at £113m. Net debt is £13.9m. Forecast full year earnings are 3.2p a share.
Media localisation and post-production services provider Zoo Digital (ZOO) is growing revenues on the back of the international expansion of streaming platforms and broadening the range of services that it offers. New production projects are starting to ramp up and that provides further growth opportunities. Interim revenues jumped from $16.4m to $26.9m and there was a small operating profit.
Insolvency litigation financer Manolete Partners (MANO) continued to generate cash before investment in new cases during the six months to September 2021. Revenues were lower than the first half of 2019-20 when there was a large case settlement, but they were higher than the second half. Interim profit fell and that is why the interim dividend has been reduced from 1.17p a share to 0.39p a share. New case enquiries are rising.
Maestrano (MNO) has won a new contract for surveying an electricity transmission line in Australia. The 700km line goes from Wagga Wagga to the South Australian and the contract runs between 2022 and 2025. This shows there is demand for the surveying technology outside of the rail sector.
MAIN MARKET
Property investor Town Centre Securities (TOWN) says that the latest valuation shows a 0.3% increase over the June 2020 valuation. Since then, a London property has been sold for £3.85m, which is 6% above the 2020 valuation. Rent collections are back to pre-pandemic levels. The full year results will be published on 24 November.
Cookware supplier Procook (PROC) joined the premium list at a valuation of £158m at the placing price of 145p a share. Procook ended the week at 159.75p.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 2 August 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) says trading has picked up since 12 April and was even better from 17 May. Beer volumes are good, but the company lost money in the year to June 2021. Between 12 April and 26 June managed pub revenues were 84% of the same time in 2019, while tenanted pubs achieved 77% of the volume in 2019. Tenanted pubs return to paying normal rent on 2 August. Net debt is £89.8m.
Brands owner and ecommerce technology platform operator Samarkand (SMK) increased its revenues by 201% in the year to March 2021, but that was flattered by one-off personal protective equipment revenues. Since the year end a Tokyo office has been opened. The latest technology, Nomad Checkout is being piloted.
Oberon Investments (OBE) more than trebled its revenues to £3.8m in the year to March 2021. Assets under administration increased by 340% to more than £550m and more investment management firms were acquired after the year end. The broking operation has already started to win clients and has raised £30m since June 2020. There were record first quarter revenues. Chris Akers has taken a 3.58% stake.
CBD and hemp products supplier Love Hemp (LIFE) has increased its full year revenues by 60% to £4.31m, although second half revenues were lower than those in the first half, which benefitted from large orders by Boots and Holland and Barrett. This year online revenues are expected to increase significantly.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has requested that trading of the shares on Aquis should cease. There are problems with the company’s 2020 accounts. Begbies Traynor has been appointed to advise on restructuring, but the board is unsure whether the company can continue trading.
KR1 (KR1) has invested $100,000 in the Redstone project, which will be changed for tokens at a later date. Redstone is a cross-chain data oracle technology that provides fast access to data and historic audit trail. A further $269,892 was invested in Interlay for 1,224 series seed shares.
S-Ventures (SVEN) has acquired plant-based nutrition products supplier Pulsin for £2m in cash, £2m in loan notes and 15.18 million shares. The issue of three million of the shares is deferred and dependent on sales in 2021. Pulsin has net debt of £1.2m and generated sales of 37.05m in the year to April 2021. S-Ventures already owns Ohso Chocolate and snacks firm We Love Purely.
EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) has invested £22.5m for a majority stake in a company that owns homeware brands, including Kilner, Viners, Typhoon and Ravenhead. In 2020, revenues were £35.6m.
Dispersion Holdings (DEFI) had net cash of £8.8m at the end of July 2021. It has also invested £910,000 in decentralised finance investments.
Black Sea Property (BSP) is selling a property in Cyprus for €1.06m, compared with a valuation of €830,000.
Coinsilium (COIN) has moved to the Apex segment.
AIM
Big Technologies (BIG) provides remote and personal monitoring services, predominantly to the criminal justice market, and the technology has been developed over more than a decade. The company raised £14.7m after expenses at 200p a share. There was also £185.6m raised by existing shareholders, which sold around one-third of the shares in issue. In three days of trading the share price soared to 355p, which values the company at £1bn. Revenues increased from £19.3m in 2019 to £29.6m in 2020 thanks to new contracts and additional revenues from existing customers. Pre-tax profit jumped from £5.53m to £12.7m.
Tracsis (TRCS) has won a multi-year contract for its RailHub planning software. The deal is worth several million pounds, and this will make an initial high margin contribution to the financial year to July 2021. It sparked a £1m uplift in the 2021 profit forecast to £10.5m.
The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) has doubled interim revenues, helped by the Hunters acquisition early this year. Organic growth was 35%.
Hostels operator Safestay (SSTY) had a tough 2020 and has just published its 2020 figures. It achieved 38% occupancy in its hostels when they were open. The loss was £10m. NAV is £28.5m. Leasehold sales have helped to reduce bank debt to £18m in July 2021. There are 16 hostels currently trading and the other two are set to reopen.
Seed Innovations (SEED) has a 5.1% stake in Canadian Stock Exchange listed CDD and health products supplier Yooma Wellness Inc, which is joining Aquis on 10 August.
MAIN MARKET
Spinnaker Acquisitions (SPAQ) is a new cash shell that has been brought to the market by the same team that floated Spinnaker Opportunities, which eventually acquired cannabis products supplier Kanabo (KNB). It raised £2.08m at 10p a share. The share price has risen to 12.5p, but there is a wide spread of 10p/15p. Spinnaker is seeking to acquire a business in the sustainability and energy transition services markets.
Motor dealer Lookers (LOOK) outperformed the market in the first half of 2021 with a like-for-like increase in vehicle sales of 45%. The interim profit will be around £50m, which is one-fifth higher than previous expectations.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 24 May 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
British Virgin Islands-based Boanerges (BNRG) is a SPAC seeking to acquire technology companies involved in big data, machine learning, telematics and internet of things. Boanerges floated on 17 May 2021 when it raised £500,000 at 20p a share. In April, an initial £51,500 was raised at 0.1p a share and a further £75,000 was raised at 10p a share. That means that pro forma cash is equivalent to 1p a share. The shares are trading at 24.5p (23p/26p).
Bid expenses could cost Walls & Futures REIT (WAFR) up to £210,000. The 50p a share bid is rejected by the company’s board, which says that it represents a 51% discount to NAV and a 62% discount to the market value of its properties, after cash is deducted. Management is offering shareholders the opportunity to vote on a winding up of the company if the bid does not become unconditional. This would require 75% of the votes to be carried.
Brewer Adnams (ADB) continued to be hit by lockdowns in the six months to March 2021. Online demand for the beer brands remained strong and management says that bookings for pubs are building up since the lockdown was eased. There is even hope that people holidaying in the UK will boost its hotels.
Early Equity (EEQP) is acquiring Farina Investments, which provides services to the insolvency sector, for £1.9m in shares at 0.5p each. This is effectively a business that is involved in the acquisition and disposal of distressed assets. The deal will increase Early Equity’s stake in Lotto Studios, which is launching a social casino game with ITV Studios, to 20%. The deal also brings a 10% stake in life sciences company Pure Sea Nutrients. A further £90,000 has been raised in a placing at 0.5p a share.
The AGM has been postponed and there were some irregularities in the voting process.
Incanthera (INC) is continuing with discussions with two global cosmetic companies for its Sol skin cancer technology. The idea is to use Sol as a skin cream to protect sun damaged skin. Net cash was £960,000 at the end of March 2021. Incanthera recently raised £1.14m at 12p a share. There is enough cash to get into the second half of 2022. There could be an upfront payment from a deal, but the big money will take longer to be generated. More cash will be required to push ahead with other products.
Apollon Formularies (APOL) says that joint testing with Aion Therapeutic reveals that their combined formulations are effective in killing HER2+ breast cancer cells grown in 3D cell culture. HER2+ accounts for one-fifth of breast cancer. Apollon’s Jamaican medicinal cannabis formulations were particularly good at killing living HER2+ cancer cells directly.
Ananda Developments (ANA) says that its 50%-owned subsidiary DJT Plants has been granted a licence to grow >0.2% THC cannabis for research activities by the UK government. Building of the research facility will commence immediately. There will be 65 strains grown at the facility and plans to extract distil and isolate cannabis products. The business had previously grown cannabis for GW Pharma. The focus will be neuropathic pain, Parkinson’s Disease and epilepsy. Directors Charles Morgan and Melissa Sturgess have each been issued with 100 million shares as contingent consideration following the grant of the licence.
Gledhow Investments (GDH) had net assets of £2.35m at the end of March 2021, up from £907,000 12 months earlier. That includes £374,000 in cash.
Vulcan Industries (VULC) subsidiary M+G Olympic has won more than £500,000 of orders for swimming pools.
All Star Minerals (ASMO) is negotiating the acquisitions of a company with gemstone assets and another company with diamond assets. This is an area where the management team has experience. Further cash will need to be raised to complete due diligence.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has raised a further £224,000 at 7p a share. Chief executive Walter Doyle has left the company. Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has raised £1.4m at 10p a share and each share has one-half of a warrant exercisable at 20p a share. Wishbone will refine the locations of drill targets at the Red Setter projects and then use the cash to finance the drilling. Sativa Wellness Inc (SWEL) has completed a placing raising $4.61m at 7.875 cents per unit. A unit comprises one share and one-half of a warrant exercisable at 10.5 cents a share. Love Hemp (LIFE) has raised £348,000 via the exercise of warrants at 1p each.
AIM
Compliance and energy saving services provider Sureserve (SUR) reported an underlying interim pre-tax profit was 31% higher at £4.4m. Energy saving’s profit contribution fell by three-fifths, but higher margins for the much larger compliance division meant a much higher profit. A full year pre-tax profit of £12.9m is forecast.
Tracsis (LSE: TRCS) should get additional opportunities from the Williams report on the rail industry. The report was in line with expectations. Great British Railways will take up the overall responsibility for the integrated rail network. The reforms are due in 2023, although there could be delays. Things like digital tickets, simplified fares and season ticket flexibility provide opportunities for Tracsis.
Accrol (ACRL) says that adjusted earnings for 2020-21 will be in line with expectations even though sales will be lower than expected due to a decline in the market. Accrol has 16% of the toilet tissue market and it should return to growth when the comparatives do not include the Covid-19 related panic buying. There are plans to increase capacity at the main Leyland plant.
Surgical devices developer Creo Medical (CREO) says trading was ahead of expectations in the first quarter of 201. This has led to a 10% increase in forecast revenues to £22.1m. There will still be a loss of £30m. The recovery in elective surgery is increasing demand for surgical devices.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) is building up its electric vehicle infrastructure business and it could move into profit in the next year. The TriConnex utility connections business is also growing revenues, although profit was flat. However, group revenues were one-quarter lower at £64m, because civil engineering business Tamdown continues to report lower revenues and profit. Nexus did make an overall operating profit. The 2020-21 pre-tax profit has been upgraded to £3.6m and it could reach £6m next year.
PerkinElmer has made a 382p a share bid for Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings (IDH).The bid is at one-third of the share price high around one decade ago. The share price has not been at this level for nearly seven years.
MAIN MARKET
Dukemount Capital (DKE) has secured a joint venture with flexible power company HSKB, which will be renamed DKE Energy. The 50%-owned business will develop two gas peaking facilities which will produce 10MW of power. These will cost £6.25m and the intention is to secure a 15-year, inflation linked contract. Dukemount director Paul Gazzard founded HSKB.
One Heritage Group (OHG) has signed a construction finance facility with Lyell Trading. The facility is for £3.5m and lasts 18 months at a nominal interest rate of 9.6%. The facility will be used to finance Oscar House, a development of 27 apartments in central Manchester. The development should be completed in the first quarter of 2022.
Mast Energy Developments (MAST) says that the Brodesley reserve power project has reached construction ready status.
Lee Marks has been appointed chief executive of NMCN (NMCN) and interim chief executive Robert Moyle is retiring from the board after a transition period.
Kanabo Group (KNB) has signed an agreement with Pure Origin, which will manufacture and package Kanabo’s CBD wellness products from its facility in Wales. There will be a dedicated production line for VapePod products. This deal will lead to a full international product launch.
BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) has started to deliver two Covid-19 diagnostic tests. The saliva-based test will be used by the Italian team at the Olympic Games in Japan.
S&U (SUS) says monthly motor finance collections are above budget and the number of customers on payment holidays has fallen to 1,200. The Aspen bridging loan division is lending more for each deal and profit is reaching record levels.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 12 April 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Virgata Services is making a 50p a share cash offer for Walls & Futures REIT (WAFR) and that is a 52% discount to net assets at the end of September 2020. It is a premium to the market price prior to the announcement, but management recommends shareholders take no action. The bid values Walls & Futures REIT at £1.9m. Six shareholders own more than 80% of the company. Roy Nominees holds 33.2% and Standard Life Trustee Co Ltd holds 22.9%. Virgata is owned by the family office of the Goetstouwers family, and it has a property portfolio worth €80m, plus stakes in developments in the Netherlands. All the interests are outside of the UK.
Love Hemp (LIFE) plans to move to the Main Market later this year and has raised £5m at 3.5p a share. The cash will finance a global market campaign for its CBD and hemp products.
Sativa Wellness Inc (SWEL) has raised C$3.6m from the first tranche of its private placement. Sativa is offering two and eight day quarantine tests for travellers returning to the UK.
Good Energy (GOOD) is appointing Nigel Pocklington as chief executive. He is the former chief commercial director at Moneysupermarket.com. He starts on 1 May. Good Energy is making a further £1m investment, via a convertible, in electric vehicle mapping services provider Zap-Map’s parent company Next Green Car. Good Energy already owns 50.1% of Next Green Car. Zap-Map covers more than 95% of the UK public electric vehicle charging points.
KR1 (KR1) has invested a further $150,000 in Moonbeam Network for 30,000 GLMR tokens, taking the total owned to 130,000 tokens.
On 6 April, Coinsilium (COIN) $3.13m of cryptocurrency and tokens, up from $1.98m two months earlier.
Gunsynd (GUN) says that investee company Low 6 is on course to float in the second quarter of 2021. The B2B pool betting firm has 122,000 users.
Clean Invest Africa (CIA) has signed a memorandum of understanding Exagogi for the development of opportunities in India for CoalTech. India has high stockpiles of coal fines waste, which CoalTech can clean-up.
A general meeting has been requisitioned by shareholders at Early Equity (EEQP).
Evrensel Capital Partners has not subscribed the £250,000 for shares in Truspine Technologies (TSP) that it promised last September. TruSpine has raised £35,000 at 10p a share, taking the total raised in the latest fundraising to £620,500.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) has raised £634,000 following the exercise of warrants at 0.7p each. Tectonic has raised A$215,000 from selling part of its holding in VOX Royalty Corp.
EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) had a nav of 448.15p a share at the end of March 2021.
Chris Akers has reduced his stake in Quetzal Capital (QTZ) from 17.2% to 12.3%.
Gowin New Energy (GWIN) has appointed Novum Securities as corporate adviser and trading in the shares has recommenced.
AIM
Minds + Machines (LSE: MMX) is selling its business and assets to GoDaddy for $120m (£87m) and this is equivalent to 8.8p a share, after transaction costs. ICANN needs to provide approval for the transfer of the top level domains. The company will become a shell.
Mobile phone and technology recycler and reseller musicMagpie could have an enterprise value of between £180m and £220m when it plans to join AIM later in April. The company buys and resells smartphones, computers, CDs, DVDs, books and other products that might have ended up in landfill. The market for pre-owned technology and media is estimated to be growing at 10% a year. In the year to November 2020, revenues were £153.4m and EBITDA was £13.9m.
Demand remains strong from the rail sector for software and consultancy services from Tracsis (TRCS), although the data and events businesses had a tougher time. Interim profit declined in the first half. finnCap forecasts a recovery in full year pre-tax profit from £8.3m to £9.1m, before a much larger increase in 2021-22 assuming trading is nearer to past levels. The Williams rail review is due to be published and this could provide additional opportunities for Tracsis.
International payment services provider Equals (EQLS) increased business revenues in 2020, but a slump in consumer revenues due to the lack of travel. Total revenues were 4% ahead at £29m and Equals made a small profit. In the first quarter of 2021, revenues were flat at £8m and again this masks business growth, plus the comparatives were strong in this period. Canaccord Genuity has upgraded its 2021 pre-tax profit forecast from £3.8m to £4.2m.
FIH Group (FIH) lost money in the UK last year, but this was more than offset by profits in the Falklands. The art distribution and Portsmouth Ferry operations were hit by Covid-19 lockdowns.
Oil palm plantation operator Dekel Agri-Vision (DKL) produced 71,500MT in the first quarter. Crude palm oil sales were 27% higher at 13,921MT and average realised prices are one-fifth higher. Dekel is on course to make a pre-tax profit in 2021.
Arena Events (ARE) has been successful in its bid for the business and assets of Aztec Schaffer. Arena will pay $3.35m for a 50% stake in a new joint venture owner of the assets and there will be a debt financing package of $18.25m.
MAIN MARKET
Sales of new and used cars by Lookers (LOOK) fell by 10% last year. However, it appears to have gained market share in new cars. Peel Hunt has increased its 2021 pre-tax profit forecast by £11m to £34.8m.
Stranger Holdings (STHP) has signed heads of terms to acquire Technology Minerals, which itself is involved in acquisitions of businesses producing battery raw materials and recycling batteries. These include Recyclus Group, which Stranger has previously considered buying. League of Angels founder Barney Battles has been appointed as a non-executive director.
Caerus Mineral Resources (CMRS) is acquiring PR Ploutonic Resources. This includes the Troulli, Kokkinapetra and St Nicholas copper and gold licences. Caerus is paying £750,000 in shares.
Argo Blockchain (ARB) says March revenues were at a record level of £6.57m. This reflects the installation of additional equipment and a higher bitcoin price.
Tirupati Graphite (TGR) achieved record graphite production in the first quarter of 2021. Work continues on increasing capacity at the Sahamamy project in Madagascar.
Anemoi International (AMOI) has raised £240,000 at 4p per depositary interest.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 1 March 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Incanthera (INC) says that it is prioritising discussions with two global cosmetic companies as potential partners for Sol, a sun cream that prevents skin cancer. Incanthera is also assessing the potential for using the technology to develop other products.
Sativa Wellness (SWEL) plans to raise C$4m through a placing of units at C$0.07875 each. Each unit consists of one share one-half of a warrant exercisable at C$0.105 each. The cash will provide working capital and investment for a new health screening service. Sativa has opened ten Covid-19 testing facilities. A dispute with Dragonfly Biosciences has been settled.
World High Life (LIFE) is submitting a novel food dossier to the Food Standards Agency. This is part of the move to regulation of the CBD market in the UK. The dossier includes pre-clinical results.
AfriAg Global (AFRI) intends to acquire the shares in medicinal cannabis pharma company Apollon Formularies that it does not own, and this will be classed as a reverse takeover. Shares will be issued to the Apollon shareholders. AfriAg is also raising £2.5m at 5p a share.
Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) is selling its Tay mortgage portfolio to a subsidiary of OneSavings Bank for £53.8m, which is equivalent to 97.9% of the outstanding loans. Arbuthnot has already announced that it intends to pay a 21p a share special dividend, which replaces the 2019 dividend declared in March 2020. Arbuthnot will make a loss in 2020 so there will be no dividend.
Gunsynd (GUN) has invested £65,000 in a convertible loan issue by B2B pool betting platform Low6. Gunsynd had already invested £200,000 last December. AIM-quoted Pires Investments (PIRI) has also increased its investment in Low6. It invested a further £35,000, having also invested £200,000 at the same time as Gunsynd. Low6 is expected to float during the second quarter of 2021 and Canaccord Genuity is its broker.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) says that the latest exploration at Specimen Hill reaffirms the drill targets and informs plans for higher density drilling, so that a resource can be calculated. Tectonic says that the Deep Blue Minerals diamonds joint venture with AIM-quoted Kazera Global Investments produced 220 carats in January. Higher grade materials will be mined during the rest of the year.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) says that Bureau Veritas has certified that SulnoxEco Fuel Conditioner complies with European standards. This means that SulNox’s products can be used for 70% of the hydrocarbon market. Management is confident that production can be scaled up.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has signed an agreement with ASX-listed Evolution Mining for the evaluation and potential processing of lead and silver rich stockpiles at the Sunbeam project in North Queensland. Evolution has a processing plant 80km away from Sunbeam, which has stockpiles from past mining. The processing would be done on a cost and revenue share basis with NQ. This could finance further exploration. NQ says that it should qualify for the Green Economy Mark when it moves to the standard list.
Lombard Capital (LCAP) has received shareholder approval for refocusing its strategy on property investment and development.
Almon I Holding has cut its stake in Coinsilium (COIN) to below 3%. It increased its stake to 3.68% in January 2020.
Altona Energy has changed its name to Altona Rare Earths (ANR).
AIM
Trading platform operator Aquis Exchange (AQX) moved into profit last year thanks to high levels of trading on its platform. Aquis had been expected to lose money in 2020 but it is now expected to make a £200,000 profit on revenues of £11m. EU trades have been moved to the Paris operation and London has restarted trading in Swiss shares.
VR Education (VRE) continues to grow the revenues of its ENGAGE VR platform. Group revenues increased by 38%, while ENGAGE revenues rose by 550% thanks to strong demand for virtual events. The US provides significant potential. VR is still hiring additional people, although the focus is more on marketing. VR is still losing money, but the cash burn has been reduced this year. Management is targeting 100,000 monthly users by 2025.
Hormonal disease treatments developer Diurnal (DNL) says Alkindi sales in the UK and Germany grew by 29% in the first half but the timing of purchases in other markets meant that overall revenues barely increased. Chronocourt could gain European approval in March and the US regulatory pathway for DITEST, an oral testosterone formulation, has been set out. Net cash was £20.3m at the end of December 2020.
K3 Business Technology (KBT) has sold its managed services business for £14.7m. The business made a pre-tax profit of £1.2m last year, but the disposal proceeds will wipe out net debt and enable the repayment of the £3m shareholder loan due in June. There should still be more than £35m of recurring revenues.
Interim trading at transport software and services provider Tracsis (TRCS) was active and it was not far below the levels in the six months to January 2020 prior to Covid-19 becoming a factor. Revenues declined from £26.4m to £22m and management believes Covid-19 reduced the figure by £6m. New rail contracts are being won, but the lack of events hit the data and events division. Cash has improved from £17.9m to £21m.
Revenues fell by one-third at President Energy (PPC) in 2020 due to lower oil prices. President did generate $10m of free cash flow and that helped to reduce net debt. President plans to drill seven wells this year and that could increase production by one-third. Anew subsidiary, Atome, will develop hydrogen and ammonia production.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) has raised £25m at 30p a share and could raise a further £4.2m via an open offer. The cash will finance the new strategy of directly launching iron deficiency treatment Accrufer in the US.
Yew Grove REIT (YEW) has agreed a new lease for Gateway Three building, East Wall Road, Dublin with the Electricity Supply Board. The new lease lasts five years. Along with three rent reviews, this takes the increase in annual rents to €470,000 this year.
Best of the Best (BOTB) has concluded its strategic review and it has reemphasised its online strategy. finnCap has upgraded its pre-tax profit forecast to £14m.
Benchmark Holdings (BMK) increased first quarter revenues by 18% to £29m and it is on course to reduce its loss this year, prior to moving into profit in 2021-22. The advanced nutrition business contributed significant growth in the first quarter.
MAIN MARKET
Online auctions provider Auction Technology Group (ATG) raised £247.4m at 600p a share, while existing shareholders pocketed £51.5m after the over-allotment option was exercised. The company was valued at £600m. There was a 30% gain to 780p a share at the end of the first week of trading. The company is involved with three main auction markets: arts and antiques, industrial and commercial and consumer surplus and returns. It has six main auction marketplace brands and trade magazine Antiques Trade Gazette. Low double-digit organic revenue growth is anticipated for the next few years.
Town Centre Securities (TOWN) announced a 1.75p a share interim dividend, even though this is not covered by earnings. Lower car park income meant that there was a sharp decline in interim profit. The NAV was 286p a share at the end of December 2020 and it is not expected to decline by more than 2% by the year-end in June. This is more than double the current share price.
CML Microsystems (CML) is paying 50p a share to investors following the sale of its storage division. This will cost £8.28m. the cash should be received before the end of March.
Strong demand for diagnostic products more than offset weakness in the networking division of BATM Advanced Communication (BVC) and enabled 2020 revenues to grow by 49% to $184m. Pre-tax profit jumped from $5.2m to $13.6m. Revenues are expected to decline this year, but pre-tax profit is forecast to improve from $13.6m to $17.3m. This may depend on the timing of the sale of the NGSoft business and it also assumes no additional sales of ventilators this year. Longer-term, revenues will build up from virtual networking technology NFVTime. There is also potential for dividends.
Construction services provider NMCN (NMCN) says that two contracts in the water division could lead to an additional loss of £5m in 2020. These costs relate to delays. The total loss for 2020 could be up to £22m. The additional cash costs will be spread over 28 months. Shareholders are being asked to agree to an extension of the company’s borrowing limit.
Aircraft lessor Avation (AVAP) took a $46.7m impairment charge on its aircraft and a $12.9m credit loss in the six months to December 2020. The NAV was 174p a share at the end of 2020. A full year loss of $30m is expected before the exceptional write-offs.
Cannabis-based products developer Cellular Goods (CBX) raised £13m in its offer at 5p a share. The share price jumped to 19p on the first day of dealings.
Potash project developer Emmerson (EML) raised £5.5m at 5.75p a share. Emmerson has a mining licence for the Khemisset potash project in Morocco. The cash will be used for the detailed design of the mine and the phased development of the project.
Shell company Stranger Holdings (STHP) is pushing ahead with the proposed reverse takeover of the Recyclus Group. A prospectus is being drafted.
Packaging supplier Macfarlane Group (MACF) increased its 2020 profit by 10% to £13m on a 2% increase in revenues to £230m. The full year dividend has been increased from 0.69p a share to 2.55p a share.
Andrew Hore