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Quoted Micro 9 September 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Good Life Plus (GDLF) raised £275,000 from a convertible loan note issue that expires on 31 August 2025 when it can be repaid at a 10% premium or converted into shares at a 10% discount to the weighted average price over the previous month. If there is £2m raised in a share issue, then the loan notes are immediately convertible at a 10% discount to the issue price. The coupon is 10%. Following this issue, a partnership was announced with a major UK mobile operator. Good Life Plus will offer promotions to help with engagement with tens of millions of subscribers. This will provide access to potential subscribers to the Good Life Plus platform. There should be other partnerships in the coming months. The share price increased 3.28% to 3.15p. This is a new high for the shar price.
It is taking longer than anticipated Invinity Energy Systems (IES) even though the long duration energy storage market is growing. More time is required to develop the Mistral next-gen product to reduce costs. There is uncertainty about the timing of the recognition of revenues. The 2024 revenues were expected to be £36.3m, but it is likely to be lower. Jonathan Marren is replacing Larry Zulch as chief executive. There was £49.2m in the bank at the end of June 2024.
ProBiotix Health (PBX) is raising £1.2m at 3.36p/share. OptiBiotix Health (LON: OPTI) is unhappy with the latest fundraise by ProBiotix Health and claims a typo in the AGM notice means that it should not be allowed to issue more shares except on a pre-emptive basis. The company previously said that it had enough cash. ProBiotix Health believes that the error is not relevant. The underlying problem seems to be the high discount of the fundraising price to the market price.
EDX Medical (EDX) has signed a distribution agreement with Caris Life Sciences. They will work together to distribute Caris molecular profiling services in the UK and Nordic countries. The deal lasts for three years, and additional regions and products could be added.
Recycling services provider Majestic Corporation (MCJ) has agreed to acquire Deeside-based Telecycle Europe for up to £2m. The acquisition target already acts as a tolling agent for Majestic Corporation, and it is owned by Peter Lai, the 71.9% shareholder in Majestic Corporation. The deal will secure a steady supply of recyclable materials and should improve margins. In 2021, Telecycle Europe mad a post-tax profit of £175,000. The initial payment is £150,000 and then monthly of payments of £150,000. The full amount is dependent on volumes being met.
Peninsula Yacht Services is adopting SulNOx Group (SNOX) fuel additives for the fuel it supplies from its Gibraltar. The specialist pumping system is being installed following permission from the authorities.
Mortgage Chat has changed its name to Pitch Pit (PICH) and its strategy to become an artificial intelligence and technology accelerator. Chandila Fernando and Judith Hough will head up the new operations, who will join the board after background checks are completed. Brian Stockbridge of First Sentinel has already joined the board. The company plans to raise £500,000.
Oscillate (MUSH) is progressing the proposed acquisition of Quantum Hydrogen Inc. Regulatory approval of the documentation is being awaited and a general meeting should be announced this month.
SuperSeed Capital (WWW) had net assets of 114p/share at the end of June 2024.
Equipmake (EQIP) announced that the HTM-3500 heavy vehicle electric motor maintains its peak performance of 3,500Nm and 400kW, while its continuous power output has doubled to 200kW at 2,500rpm.
Time to ACT (TTA) subsidiary GreenSpur has won a design contract to develop an optimised wind turbine generator for XFlow Energy.
DXS International (DXSP) has changed its corporate adviser to Hybridan. Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has appointed Tavira Financial to replace SP Angel as corporate broker. A new investor relations strategy will be announced shortly. Tennyson Securities has published research on Tap Global Group (TAP). It is available via www.tennysonsecurities.co.uk.
AIM
Weak demand from independent restaurants and bars in the UK and internationally held back the interims of ceramic products manufacturer Churchill China (CHH). Independents are suffering from higher costs. Demand from national chains has held up better. Revenues fell from £44m to £40.6m, while the underlying pre-tax profit edged up from £4.7m to £4.8m. This is because capital investment has helped to improve margins. The interim dividend was raised 4.5% to 11.5p/share. The full year outcome is dependent on fourth quarter trading.
Agricultural products supplier Camellia (CAM) says trading conditions eased slightly in the first half of 2024, but they are still difficult. Revenues improved 7% to £105.1m and the loss was reduced from £15.1m to £9.7m. There is no interim dividend. The loss from tea fell, while nuts and fruits profit more than trebled to £3.2m. The engineering business returned to profit. Net cash is £24.1m and there is an investment portfolio worth £37.6m. The full year loss should be between £10m and £12m.
Signing up Donlim Group for a filtration technology licence did not offset the weaker trading news at laundry filtration technology developer Xeros Technology (XSG). Indian licensee IFB has delayed the launch of new 9kg washing machine until next year and French environmental standards for microplastics have not been clarified. Donlim owns the Morphy Richards brand, and it will manufacture the XF3 external filter under licence from the middle of next year. The 2024 pre-tax loss estimate has been raised from £2.7m to £4.3m. William Black and Armstrong Investments have increased their stake from 6.34% to 7.3%.
Rockfire Resources (ROCK) has increased the size of the resource at the Molaoi zinc lead silver germanium deposit in Greece by 500%. The JORC 2012 compliant mineral resource estimate is 15 million tonnes at an average grade of 9.96% zinc equivalent. Allenby estimates that it is one of the top 20 undeveloped zinc prospects. There is also 4.8mt of germanium. There are high recovery rates. Only 2.1km of the 7km potential strike has been tested so far. Allenby estimates a fair value of 2.6p/share.
Hostels operator Safestay (SSTY) improved interim revenues by 7% to £10.7m and the loss reduced from £947,000 to £113,000. Sales to the end of August were well ahead of last year and forward bookings are strong into next year. The lease of the loss making Venna hostel has been surrendered. Four new properties have been added this year. NAV increased by 17% to 49.8p/share.
Real-time financial data provider Arcontech (ARC) increased full year revenues by 7% to £2.9m and pre-tax profit improved from £1m to £1.1m. More than 90% of revenues are recurring. Net cash was £7.2m at the end of June 2024. The dividend has been raised to 3.75p/share. Pre-tax profit is set to fall this year because of investment in sales.
Andrew Carter has resigned as chief executive of wines producer Chapel Down Group (CDGP) and will become the boss of Timothy Taylor next year. Interim revenues fell 11% to £7.12m due to a slump in off-trade sales. There was not the expected restocking by retailers. Pre-tax profit slumped to £40,000. Net debt was £5.8m at the end of June 2024 after investment in further planting at the Buckwell vineyard.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) had $8.1m in gross cash at the end of June 2024 with a milestone payment of $5.7m expected in the second half. The first half cash outflow was $5.8m. Management believes that the business should be monthly cash flow positive during the second half of 2025. Iron deficiency treatment ACCRUFeR generated revenues of $11m in the US in the first half and total group revenues were $12.1m. Full year US revenues could be $27m.
A recovery in the Hercules Site Services (HERC) share price led to a decision to raise £8m via a subscription and placing at 49.5p/share. Morson chief executive Ged Mason subscribed for 9.5% of the enlarged share capital. Majority shareholder Brusk Korkmaz has sold 6.06 million shares to Wasdell Packaging, whose majority shareholder Martin Tedham has been appointed as a director.
First Property (FPO) has launched a one-for-three open offer to raise £2.96m at 8p/share. It is underwritten by directors Ben Habib and Alasdair Locke. The cash will settle the deferred payment for the Blue Tower property and finance the completion of the fit-out.
MAIN MARKET
Precision components supplier Carclo (CAR) says trading is in line with expectations with margins prioritised over volumes. The restructuring of US operations is ahead of schedule. Aerospace demand is strong, which has helped the speciality division.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 24 April 2023
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Valereum (VLRM) has sold Bitcoin mining assets to Aquis new entrant Vinanz (BTC) in return for 27.3 million shares at 3p each. This gives Valereum a 23.5% stake in Vinanz, which plans to become a Bitcoin mining company with facilities operated by third parties in the US and Canada. The company will also consider mining other cryptocurrencies. The Vinanz share price ended the week at 3.5p. There was one trade of 30,000 shares at 3.26p a share.
E-commerce technology provider Samarkand (SMK) says 2022-23 revenues will be around £17m and the loss has been reduced. VSA forecasts a small positive EBITDA in 2023-24.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) says 2022-23 revenues more than quintupled to £203,000. There was £525,000 in cash at the end of March 2023.
Equipmake Holdings (EQIP) has agreed a partnership with H55 to develop electric aircraft technology. Switzerland-based H55 will use the company’s electric motors in its two-seater electric trainer for pilot training.
In the first three months of 2023, Guanajuato Silver (GSVR) reported record quarterly silver production of 938,000 ounces equivalent. VSA forecasts full year production of 4.7 million ounces of silver equivalent.
Goodbody Health Inc (GDBY) has decided to leave Aquis and the share price slumped 44.6% to 0.9p. It also reported a fall in full year revenues from £17.1m to £10m and an increased loss of £4.9m.
Tap Global Group (TAP) has increased revenues and users since reversing into an Aquis shell earlier this year. First quarter revenues were £1.2m, compared with £250,000 in the corresponding period last year. The regulated cryptocurrency app company increased users by 30% to 144,305.
Coinsilium Group (COIN) has raised £258,000 at 1.5p a share, with warrants attached that have an exercise price of 3p.
Chris Akers has raised his stake in Semper Fortis Esports (SEMP) from 4.57% to 19.5%. The share price jumped by one-fifth to 0.15p. The April 2021 floatation price was 1p. Chapel Down Group (CDGP) finance director Rob Smith bought 407,462 shares at an average price of 34.7p, taking his stake to two million shares. Hadron Capital, which was founded by Fenikso (FNK) non-exec director Marco D’Attanasio, has acquired 1.2 million shares at 0.6p each in Fenikso.
AIM
Sureserve (SUR) is recommending a bid from Cap10 4NetZero Bidco, which is a vehicle for private equity company Cap10 Partners. The 125p a share bid values Sureserve at £214m and that is the highest share price since the company floated as Lakehouse in 2015. Cap10 believes that taking the compliance and energy services provider company private will make it easier to focus on long-term goals.
Proton therapy cancer treatment developer Advanced Oncotherapy (AVO) announced a strategic review. A Nasdaq listing is being considered, which could involve selling the business to an existing Nasdaq company. There are no current discussions and cash is running out. Management hopes to obtain additional working capital by issuing more loan notes. That could extend the company’s cash until the end of May.
Pizza restaurants franchiser DP Poland (DPP) increased first quarter like-for-like sales in Poland by 19% and in Croatia by 16%. There are signs that food inflation is easing. However, additional investment in TV marketing will mean that the company will continue to lose money in 2023.
Business process outsourcing firm iEnergizer (IBPO) plans to cancel is AIM quotation and a general meeting will be held on 16 May to gain shareholder approval. As EICR (Cyprus) owns 82.7% that is a formality. The lack of free float has hampered liquidity and the costs of the quotation outweigh any benefits. Management expects to leave AIM on 26 May. There are plans for a matched bargain facility.
Unikmind has increased its bid for cyber security software provider Kape Technologies (KAPE) from 285p to 290p ($3.60) a share and some of the vendors of past acquisitions have agreed to accept.
Property bridging loans provider Vector Capital (VCAP) reported a slightly better than expected pre-tax profit for 2022. Management, though, is being cautious about lending this year. There was a £200,000 provision for doubtful debts, but the pre-tax profit was still £100,000 better than forecast at £2.8m. The total dividend is 2.53p a share. The average loan book was 27% higher than the previous year. This year the loan book could fall because of higher standards for new lending.
Woodbois (WBI) says that the lender to its Denmark-based Woodgroup timber trading subsidiary has given notice on a $6m lending facility. The facility provided by Sydbank is fully drawn, but there is also $3.1m in cash deposits with Sydbank, which wants a refinance plan by the end of May. Premier Miton subsequently sold its 9.96% stake.
Environmental and life sciences technology company DeepVerge (DVRG) says that revenues have been incorrectly recognised. That means that the 2022 figure will be 45%-50% lower than the £17.2m previously flagged. Some of the expected revenues have been delayed while others will not be recognised. The order book is more than £10m and this will be recognised in 2023 and 2024. There is £1m in the bank and more funding will be required.
Xeros Technology (XSG) is winning new business, but cash is declining. The 2022 figures were in line with expectations and cash was £6.5m. finnCap believes that the cash should last until the second quarter of 2024. That is despite the 2023 loss forecast being increased to £4.8m. The progress of the launch of a domestic washing machine using Xeros filtration technology by a partner has been slower than hoped. Breakeven could still be achieved late in 2024.
Dekel Agri-Vision (DKL) says that the quantity and quality of raw cashew nuts acquired for its new facility are in line with expectations and the pricing is better than anticipated. Average production rates have increased to 10 tonnes/day.
Tertiary Minerals (TYM) has commenced its latest exploration programme for the Lubuila copper project in Zambia following the ending of seasonal rains.
MAIN MARKET
Interim revenues at J Smart (Contractors) (SMJ) slumped from £5.16m to £2.12m, while pre-tax profit dived from £6.33m to £260,000, although the corresponding period included a £6.06m disposal gain. The interim dividend is 0.96p. Net assets are £123.7m, but this would have been lower if there had been a property revaluation at the end of the period.
Fourth quarter revenues for kitchenware retailer ProCook Group (PROC) were 10% lower than the same time last year, with high street sales flat – a new store was opened in Kingston-upon-Thames. There was a 65% increase on the previous quarter. Full year revenues were 10% lower at £62.3m and ProCook will breakeven.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 3 October 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Kent brewer Shepherd Neame (LON: SHEP) returned to profit in the year to June 2022. The total dividend is 18.5p a share. Net assets increased from 1140p a share to 1194p a share, while net debt is back to pre-pandemic levels at £75.3m. Pubs and hotel revenues are still lower than in 2018-19. Beer volumes have more than recovered, although own beer volumes are 8% lower than three years ago. In the 13 weeks to 24 September 2022, like-for-like retail sales are 9% ahead, while own beer volumes were 1.2% higher – including a 14% improvement in own beer volumes.
Property investor Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) increased pre-tax profit by 49% to £2.07m in the year to April 2022. Net assets are 6% higher at £34m. Net debt has reduced from £54.8m to £44.6m. A dividend of 3.4p a share has been announced that will cost £2m.
VSA has downgraded its forecasts for battery storage technology developer Invinity Energy Systems (IES) following interim figures. First half revenues were £1.4m and the order book is worth £13m – mainly relating to the second half. However, 2022 revenues were downgraded from £14.1m to £11m. Next year’s revenues have been upgraded from £20.6m to £23.7m. Cash is likely to run out later next year.
All Things Considered (ATC) investee company Driift has acquired interactive live streaming events platform Dreamstage, which has been used by Driift for its own events. Deezer will invest a further £4m into the combined business. Music management business All Things Considered increased interim revenues by 19% to £6m and the loss was reduced. Net cash is £1.5m. A full year loss is expected compared with previous expectations of a £600,000 profit.
Wine maker Chapel Down Group (CDGP) increased interim revenues by 4% to £6.88m. Sparkling wine revenues were 35% higher. Pre-tax profit improved by 6% to £489,000. The company started harvesting in August and a strong yield is anticipated.
KR1 (KR1) is not immune to the decline in values of digital assets. The value of intangible assets fell by £155.5m in the period, which more than offset realised gains of £2.5m and income of £16.6m. Net assets have declined by nearly three-quarters and NAV is 30.6p a share.
St Mark Homes (SMAP) reported an increased interim loss and NAV fell from 120p a share to 116p a share. As current projects complete management will consider paying a dividend.
Coinsilium (LON: COIN) reported a net fair value gain on financial assets of £163,000 in the first half of 2022. However, the value of cryptocurrency assets has declined. Net assets have fallen from £5.84m to £4.57m.
ProBiotix Health (PBX) generated sales of £306,000, down £537,000 in the first half of 2022. Orders worth £1.12m have been received since the beginning of the year, so the second half revenues should be stronger, as well as higher than last year.
In the six months to June 2022, the value of the equity stakes held by Cadence Minerals (KDNC) fell from £12m to £5.75m. The main decline was in the value of the stake in AIM-quoted European Metals Holdings. There was £1.99m in the bank at the end of the period.
NFT Investments (NFT) has been hit by a reduction in the value of cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin. That means that NAV has fallen to £30.1m, including £20.4m in cash. There was a revaluation reduction of £265,000, but that was offset by exchange gains of £362,000, leaving the value of investments at £6.47m. At 0.91p, down 4.21% on the week, the share price is less than one-third of the NAV of 3p a share.
Thixotropic gels manufacturer Unigel Group (UNX) joined the Access segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange in August. There was £800,000 raised at 64p a share. The gels are used in the fibre optic industry. A maiden trading statement says that interim pre-tax profit was 94% ahead at £940,000. New products and higher selling prices boosted revenues and current trading is described as robust.
Clean Invest Africa (CIA) was the worst performer on the Aquis Stock Exchange last week. Loan notes have been converted into shares helping the company turn net liabilities into net assets of £1.72m at the end of June 2022. The company’s CoalTech technology is proven in palletising coal fines or coal waste and management believes that other materials could be palletised.
Hydrogen Utopia International (HUI) had £3.2m left in the bank at the end of June 2022. There were no revenues in the first half. There was progress with waste plastic to energy project developments.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) had £2.38m in the bank at the end of June 2022. Drilling has commenced in Western Australia and Queensland in recent months.
Screwless spinal stabilisation systems developer TruSpine Technologies (TSP) had £3,471 in cash at the end of March 2022. There was a £390,000 cash outflow from operating activities and £1m of development spending capitalised. TruSpine subsequently entered into a funding agreement with Proffitt Brothers and $100,000 has been received.
Helium Ventures (HEV) is considering widening its investment strategy because of the lack of suitable helium investments. If a suitable acquisition is identified, then shareholders would be asked for their approval.
AIM
Investment in the medical imaging business is holding back short-term profit at engineer Avingtrans (AVG). In the year to May 2022, revenues were 2% ahead at 3100.4m and pre-tax profit rose from £7.6m to £8.3m. Demand from the nuclear sector is growing, but profit growth this year will be modest because of additional medical imaging costs. Net cash was £16.7m at the end of May 2022.
Online building and maintenance products retailer CMO Holdings (CMO) has been hit by softening demand for its products. There was still like-for-like revenue growth in first half of 2022, although Total Tiles sales fell because of tough comparatives. Even if the market gets tougher, there is still potential for growth because of the low share of online sales in the building materials sector.
Crownpeak Holdings is making an agreed 30p a share cash bid for omnichannel retail merchandising software provider Attraqt Group (ATQT). The plan is to combine Attraqt’s merchandising technology the Digital Experience Platform owned by Crownpeak. The share price has not been as high as the bid price since May, and it reached its all-time low of 17.5p prior to the bid.
Sustainable biopesticides developer Eden Research (EDEN) has obtained US EPA approval for its three active ingredients and two formulated products. Mevalone (a biofungicide) and Cedroz (a nematicide) sales should start next year via existing distribution partners. State approvals are required before launching in an individual state. Eden Research reduced its interim loss, but cash is still flowing out of the business. There was a cash outflow of £1.9m in the first half, including capitalised development costs and £1.85m was in the bank at the end of June 2020. R&D tax credits will help to replenish cash, but more will be required in the near future if Eden Research is going to take full advantage of the EPA approval.
Xeros Technology (XSG) has signed a joint development agreement with a global domestic washing machine component manufacturer for its XFilter microfibre filtration technology. A full licence dela could be agreed in six months. A placing raised £6m at 5p a share and a six-for-seven open offer could raise up to £1m more. In March 2021, a placing and open offer at 240p a share raised £9m. There was £2.6m of cash at the end of August 2022 and the cash outflow is £500.000 a month.
Digital transformation services TPXimpact (TPX) had a management overhaul last week because trading has been below expectations and there were complications with the integration of the businesses acquired. Chief executive Neal Gandhi and finance director Oliver Rigby. Bjorn Conway is the new chief executive. The order book is increasing in value, but revenue expectations have been cut from £97.4m to £90m. Operating costs are rising. and profit expectations have nearly halved.
musicMagpie (MMAG) has been hit be weak consumer spending with lower sales of technology. Rental income from pre-owned mobiles is growing, though, and that is good for longer-term revenues. The original pre-owned books and music operations are trading as expected. The second half should still be better than the first half, although a full year pre-tax loss is forecast on flat revenues. A small profit is forecast for 2023. Net debt is expected to be £8m at the end of the year.
Structural steel supplier Billington (BILN) increased interim revenues by 22% to £46.2m with nearly doubled pre-tax profit of £1.47m. finnCap has increased its 2022 earnings forecast by one-third to 26.4p a share.
Employee benefits services and insurance provider Personal Group (PGH) has increased revenues by 6%, but profit has declined due to higher insurance claims costs and investment in sales. The benefits of the investment will show through next year and insurance revenues will also recover.
MAIN MARKET
Shell company Milton Capital (MII) intends to float on the Main Market in the coming week. There will be £1m raised at 1p a share and the investors will get two warrants for each share and they are exercisable at 1.5p a share. Total flotation costs are capped at £50,000 and the first year’s operating costs will also be £50,000. The directors will not take salaries. Instead, they will receive a success fee on the completion of a reverse takeover. The initial focus is the technology sector.
Vehicle and property bridging loans both grew in the first half at S&U (SUS) and total net receivables were £370m at the end of July. Credit quality remains high. Pre-tax profit was 5% ahead at £20.9m. The first interim dividend was raised from 33p a share to 35p a share.
Rockwood Strategic (RKW) has transferred from AIM to the Main Market. Rockwood Strategic management believes that there are plenty of undervalued smaller companies that it can invest in and help to grow.
Hawkwing (HNG) is keeping up with the traditions of its previous incarnation TLA Worldwide and published its interim figures after the market closed at the end of the week. The standard list shell had cash of £2.03m at the end of June 2022. There are also more than £16m of convertible loan notes. It has loaned Internet Fusion Group £13.7m and plans a reverse takeover.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 20 June 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
A fall in market capitalisation to below £10m means that Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) will move from the Apex segment to the Access segment on 20 June.
Visum Technologies, which operates an on-ride photo camera system used by theme parks and other leisure operators, plans to join Aquis on 30 June.
Revenues recovered from £32.2m to £96m at brewer Daniel Thwaites (THW) and it also returned to profit. A loss of £12.4m was turned into a pre-tax profit of £12.7m. The pension deficit has become a pension asset worth £10.1m. A final dividend of 2.2p a share is recommended. Staffing pubs remains a problem. Prices have been increased and are set to be raised again because of rising costs. There has been a disjointed recovery this year. but sales are growing year-on-year.
Valereum (VLRM) intends to launch a global open marketplace platform for Non-Fungible tokens (NFTs). It has also appointed Z/Yen Group Ltd as strategic adviser to review the business plans for the Gibraltar Stock Exchange and help prepare a prospectus for a listing for Valereum on a major stock exchange.
All Star Minerals (ASMO) is proceeding with investments in advanced battery metals projects. Due diligence has been completed on the Blesberg lithium and tantalum project in South Africa and the Nkombwa Hill tantalum, rare earths and phosphate project in Zambia. An initial 30% stake in Blesberg can be acquired by the issue of £337,500 of shares and £237,500 in cash. An initial 25% stake in Nkombwa Hill can be purchase for a staged cash investment of $150,000. A general meeting will be held to approve a name change to Marula Mining and a proposed 100-for-one share consolidation.
Silverwood Brands (SLWD) has been readmitted to Aquis following the acquisition of Balmonds Skincare.
Gunsynd (GUN) says ASX-listed investee company Pacific Nickel Mines Ltd has secured an offtake agreement for all the production of Kolosori, as well as a $22m pre-export finance facility, with Glencore.
Triad Endeavour Sports and Entertainment has signed up with the platform run by ChallengerX (CXS). Triad is an event promoter and talent manager involved in the Ultimate Fight League.
Lekoil Ltd (LEK) has successfully challenged the jurisdiction of the New Jersey court in litigation undertaken by its former chief executive. The Otakikpo field oil production was 4,230 bopd during May.
MiLOC Group (ML.P) is restructuring its business and focusing on the distribution of designer products with partner, CRUSHMETRIC Ltd.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) says initial tests confirm copper is present in the drilling at the Halo copper gold project in northern Queensland. Drilling is underway at the Red Setter project in Western Australia.
The Care Quality Commission has granted registration to the diagnostic and screening services offered by Goodbody Health Inc (GDBY).
ProBiotix Health (PBX) has appointed Steen Andersen as chief executive. He has more than three decades of experience in the probiotics sector.
S-Ventures (SVEN) has capped future consideration for plant-based products supplier Pulsin at £400,000 and effectively lowered the total cost from £6.7m to £5.5m.
Chris Akers took a 4.96% stake in Recent Aquis admission Psych Capital (PSY). He has also increased his stake in Quetzal Capital (QTZ) from 20.1% to 21%.
Ananda Developments (ANA) has raised £38,000 from the exercise of warrants at 0.45p each.
AIM
IDOX (IDOX) increased revenues by 7% to £33.2m in the six months to April 2022 and recurring revenues account for three-fifths of the total. Public sector software sales were 10% ahead, while engineering information management revenues declined although they should recover in the second half. Net debt was reduced by 54% to £3.8m, which leaves plenty of funds to make acquisitions.
Tatton Asset Management (TAM) is growing assets under management at more than £100m a month and they reached £11.3bn at the end of March 2022. In the year to March 2022, group revenues improved from £23.4m to £29.4m, while pre-tax profit grew from £11.2m to £14.5m. The dividend is 13% higher at 12.5p a share. Higher mortgage activity meant that there was growth in the Paradigm division and, although new mortgage activity is lower, management believes that revenues can be maintained this year. Weaker financial markets could affect this year’s group performance, but the inflow of funds should offset that.
Xeros Technology Group (XSG) was the best AIM performer last week with a 46.2% gain to 47.5p. Germany-based washing machine pumps and drives manufacturer Hanning has signed a ten-year global licence to manufacture and sell the XFilter washing machine filter technology developed by Xeros. XFilter enables microfibres and microplastics released during washing to be captured and safely disposed of. Hanning is estimated to supply components for 8.5 million washing machines each year – around one-third of those made in Europe. The royalty is undisclosed, but it could be around £1 per filter.
Subsea cable protection services provider Tekmar Group (TGP) lost more than three-quarters of its value last week after it announced that it was seeking a strategic partner or bidder. Interim revenues fell from £13.9m to £13m and Tekmar remains loss making. The order book has improved from £9.7m to £20.1m over the six months to March 2022.
Shares in US-based video game publisher Devolver Digital Inc (LON: DEVO) more than halved after it lowered its revenues and profit guidance for this year. Revenues are expected to between $130m and $140m. Zeus has cut its earnings forecast from 7.2 cents a share to 6 cents a share.
The M&C Saatchi (SAA) board has withdrawn its recommendation of the bid by the marketing services company Next Fifteen Communications (NFC), the value of which has fallen due to the slump in the share price of the bidder.
Revolution Bars Group (RBG) trading is strong and a trading statement sparked a forecast upgrade by finnCap for the vodka bars operator. Refurbished bars have done particularly well, and two new bars should open by the end of June. Forecast pre-tax profit for 2021-22 has been raised from £500,000 to £2.7m.
Oil and gas explorer Rockhopper Exploration (RKH) announced a £5.75m placing and subscription at 7p a unit (one share and of a warrant exercisable at 9p a share). The Sea Lion project in the Falkland Islands is the main focus of Rockhopper.
Wynnstay Properties (WSP) is planning to obtain shareholder approval for buying back shares. NAV increased by 19% to 1090p a share in 2021-22. The total dividend was raised from 21p a share to 22.5p a share.
Actual Experience (ACT) says that due to a change in requirements a channel partner has terminated a contract that generated £200,000 out of group revenues of £1.74m in 2020-21.
Competitions organiser Best of the Best (BOTB) reported better than forecast figures and a 66.7p a share return of capital via a tender offer. Net cash was £10.8m at the end of April 2022 and there is a 6p a share final dividend on top of the tender offer. The total cash cost of these payments is £6.84m.
In the year to April 2022, the pre-tax profit fell from £14.1m, for what was an unusually strong year due to Covid restrictions, to £5.1m.
Hong Kong-based CCTV technology company UniVision Engineering Ltd (UVEL) has received notice of the termination of a contract with MTR Corporation for the replacement of CCTV systems on Hong Kong railway lines.
MAIN MARKET
Castings (CGS) generated a 29.5% increase in full year revenues to £148.6m. Profit and margins are still improving and there is more to go for as business levels get back to the pre-Covid position. Zeus forecasts a further improvement in underlying pre-tax profit from £12.1m to £15.5m in 2022-23.
Structural steel supplier Severfield (SFR) continues to win new business and higher steel prices are being passed onto clients. In the year to March 2022, revenues increased from £363.3m to £403.6m, while pre-tax profit improved £24.3m to £27.1m. The final dividend is increased from 1.8p a share to 1.9p a share, taking the total to the year to 3.1p a share. Severfield has a record order book worth £486m.
Palace Capital (PCA) has increased its NAV to 390p a share and the loan-to-value declined from 42% to 28% following property sales at a premium to book value. The total dividend is 13.3p a share.
Graft Polymer (UK) (GPL) says that MGC Pharmaceuticals (MXC) is using its IP for the nano delivery system in the pre-clinical research study for the use of cannabinoids to treat Glioblastoma multiforme cells (a form of brain cancer).
Contango Holdings (CGO) has agreed to acquire 10,000 tonnes of washed coking coal from Lubu each month. The current market price is $120/tonne. Up to $10m of earnings could be generated from this deal each year.
Funeral directors Dignity (DTY) says FCA has confirmed it is intending to authorise Dignity Funerals LTD as a regulated entity under the new regulations for pre-paid funeral plans.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 23 March 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gin and spirits supplier British Honey Company (BHC) is using spare capacity in its distillery to produce # alcohol sanitisers. There is a shortage of sanitisers due to the coronavirus and HMRC has given permission for British Honey to produce denatured alcohol. The sanitisers are made with 70% alcohol and extracts of honey and green tea. Longer-term, the strategy is to buy other spirits brands to use spare capacity. British Honey started off as a honey producer and moved into craft spirits infused with honey in 2017. It has a computer-controlled, 1,000-litre capacity still and bottling facility with a capacity of 1.5 million bottles a year. Ingredients can be tracked. There has been £4m invested in this infrastructure. The existing products use a small proportion of this capacity. The company also produces spirits on behalf of third parties. Discussions have begun with some potential acquisitions. British Honey joined Aquis Stock Exchange at the beginning of the week and raised £4.25m (£3.88m after expenses) at 110p a share. Advanced assurance of eligibility for the Enterprise Investment Scheme has been obtained. The initial market capitalisation was £10m. Cairn is corporate adviser and Stanford Capital Partners is broker.
Sativa (SATI) is launching a cannabigerol (CBG) and alcohol-based hand sanitiser. CBG is thought to be effective as an antibacterial product and could combat superbugs.
Energy supplier Good Energy (GOOD) reported better than expected 2019 pre-tax profit. Underlying pre-tax profit still dipped from £2.3m to £2.1m due to lower gross margins. Profit is expected to bounce back to £3.1m in 2020. Both business and domestic customers were higher last year. The total dividend has been increased from 3.5p a share to 3.7p a share. Net debt was £39.2m at the end of 2019.
Brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) has decided not to pay the interim dividend of 6p a share announced the week before. The sharp downturn in trading and subsequent closure of pubs due to COVID-19 means that Shepherd Neame is also cutting capital investment and the board is taking a one-fifth cut in pay. Rent receipts from tenants were suspended from 16 March.
KR1 (KR1) has generated $168,000 from selling ATOM, taking the total raised from disposals to $290,000. It still holds nearly 17,000 ATOM.
Sheltered housing developer Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR) has outperformed its benchmark for a third year in a row. The MSCI UK Residential index increased by 4.4% in 2019, while Walls portfolio increased by 23%.
BWA Group (BWAP) says that its subsidiary has been awarded an exploration licence for an area known as Dehane in central Cameroon. The focus is rutile sands and other minerals. The permit is for three years and the financial commitment in year one is £275,000, followed by £207,000 in each of the next two years. Tri Castle Investments is subscribing £100,000 at 0.5p a share.
First Sentinel (FSEN) has raised £389,000 at 20p a share for working capital. VI Mining (VIM) raised £56,000 via a placing at 15p a share that was curtailed because of COVID-19. Further cash will be raised in the future.
Eastinco Mining and Exploration (EM.P) has secured a $200,000 facility from Augustin Corp, which is owned by a trust related to Eastinco executive chairman Charles Bray. The annual interest rate is 6 percentage points above commercial lending rates and the facility lasts for up to 18 months.
SAPO (SAPO) is holding a general meeting on 14 April to gain shareholder approval for increasing the share capital. Executive chairman Dr Keith Harris has been issued 20 million shares at 1p a share. The consideration will be paid by the end of 2024.
Belvedere Leisure Resorts (BELV) believes that once normality is resumed it can accelerate its resort development and deliver phase one on time.
Dozens Savings (DS07) says that 795 investors have subscribed for company bonds.
Trading in Dana International (DANA) shares remains suspended. The property investor is still trying to gain full information about share transfers.
Christian Taylor-Wilkinson has become interim chief executive of Altona Energy (ANR) following the resignation of executive chairman Qinfu Zhang.
AIM
Sales of COVID-19 tests by Novacyt (NCYT) continue to accelerate. It has received orders worth more than £8.7m in a six-week period. Manufacturing capacity is being increased.
Synairgen (SNG) is about to start a phase II trial for SNG001 for the treatment of an initial 100 patients with mild-moderate COVID-19. Initial results should be available by the summer. SNG001 is inhaled interferon beta, which has shown benefits in the treatment of SARS. The existing COPD phase II trial has been paused, but initial results suggest that there is clinical benefit.
Best of the Best (BOTB) would have been in trouble a decade ago when it generated its competition entries from airports and other areas of high footfall. Having gone online, the competitions organiser has continued to prosper. Additional marketing investment has helped the 2019-20 performance to be above expectations. The pre-tax profit forecast for the year to April 2020 has been raised from £2.6m to £3m.
Payment systems provider PCI-Pal (PCIP) has won a contract for its Agent Assist product with a UK government organisation. The annual contract value is £565,500.
Manx Financial (MFX) is buying back the 12.94% shareholding owned by Aaron Banks. Manx intends to pay £1.61m for the shares and then cancel them. This cash will become a loan to Manx and an existing £483,500 convertible will be added to the sum. Banks has requisitioned a general meeting at iodine manufacturer Iofina (IOF) in order to remove Lance Baller from the board and become a director himself. Banks does not intend to make a bid for the company.
Mobile payment services provider Bango (BGO) is still set to move into profit in 2020. End user spend doubled last year.
Indigovision (IND) is recommending a 405p a share cash bid from Motorola Solutions. This values the video security technology company at £30.4m. In 2019, pre-tax profit was $1.3m.
MJ Hudson (MJH) grew organic revenues by 12.5% in the first half. The asset management services provider has net cash of £20.1m following last year’s flotation. The acquisition of Meyler will expand the range of services provided in the US. The customer base is predominantly long-term and closed ended funds. A full year pre-tax profit of £1.1m is forecast.
Big Sofa Technologies (BST) has put itself up for sale and trading in the shares is suspended. The video and data analytics technology developer needs additional cash and it is difficult to raise funds in the market when there is so much uncertainty. The company expects proposals by the end of April.
The Wressle oil field development in north Lincolnshire is set to commence production in the second half of 2020 and Egdon Resources (EDG) has a 30% stake and is operator. Europa Oil and Gas (EOG) and Union Jack Oil (UJO) also have interests. The breakeven oil is estimated at $18/barrel. Production could start at 500 barrels a day. An application has been allowed against North Lincolnshire council for costs relating to delays in gaining a permit.
Diagnostic and precision testing services provider Diaceutics (DXRX) boosted revenues by 30% last year following its flotation. Although gross margins improved, a significant increase in headcount meant that pre-tax profit dipped to £500,000. The initial benefits of the investment in the business are showing through growth in Asia and other regions.
Regional property investor Real Estate investors (REI) increased its dividend by 7% to 3.8p a share. Like-for-like rental income was slightly lower at £16.9m and the weak retail property market led to a 3% reduction in EPRA NAV to 67.4p a share. Loan to value is 46.7%. The Midlands property market is strengthening ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. An improvement in NAV to near-69p a share is forecast for 2020.
Xeros (XSG) has signed a joint development agreement with a global commercial laundry business. XFiltra micro-particle filtration technology will be included in the partner’s commercial washing machines. The EU plans to have micro-particle filtration in use by 2026. Xeros is likely to need to raise more cash next year.
Oncimmune (ONC) says NICE has completed a positive review of EarlyCDT Lung and believes that it can help in the early diagnosis of lung cancer.
MAIN MARKET
Trading in the shares of Boston International Holdings (BIH) has been suspended ahead of the proposed acquisition of invoice factoring company Alexanders Discount Ltd, which is based in the South East. Alexanders Discount accounts for the year to November 2019 are for a dormant company and the assets were worth £4. The standard list shell floated in October 2016.
Telecoms services provider Toople (TOOP) says that the integration of DMSL is ahead of plan and it has won two new contracts.
BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) is partnering with Novamed for an at-home COVID-19 diagnostic kit. The kit should be completed within four months.
AIQ Ltd (AIQ) has signed a conditional share purchase agreement for Alchemist Codes, a Malaysian IT services developer. AIQ is paying £2.3m in shares.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 15 January 2018
NEX EXCHANGE
Wines maker Chapel Down Group (CDGP) says that its open offer at 50p a share was oversubscribed. Excess applications will be scaled back. The additional £1.47m raised takes the total to £20m. BlackRock holds a 5.79% stake and Nigel Wray owns 16.2%.
Startup Giants (SUG) has made its first investment since floating. An undisclosed investment has been made in Go Show Ltd, which operates a brand marketplace designed to enable product placement deals (www.goshow.net), and it will be released when milestones have been achieved. Go Show initially applied for funding in 2015 and it has been mentored by Startup Giants. There is a target for revenue generation of up to £1m within 12 months. An accelerator round has also been launched by Startup Giants. It is aimed at early stage, UK-registered companies.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) has increased its shareholding in Indorse from 3% to 6.5% at cost of S$175,000. There is an option to acquire a further 3.5%, at the same cost, to take the stake to 10%. Indorse completed a token sales last September and those tokens are currently valued at $34m. The Indorse platform is designed to enable users to generate income from sharing their skills and validating the claims of others.
African Potash Ltd (AFPO) has entered into an agreement with Gibraltar-based TokenCommunities Ltd. This deal will help the blockchain joint venture that has also already been announced with FinComEco Ltd, which is developing platforms for agricultural markets in sub-Saharan Africa. TokenCommunities will advise on the deployment of tokens. The chain will link smallholder farmers, traders, brokers, storage, transportation and commodity buyers. There are plans for microloans to farmers at an annual interest rate of 12%, which is lower than existing rates. African Potash has completed the raising of £400,000 at 0.025p a share.
Black Sea Property (BSP) has completed the €2.76m purchase of four plots of land with permission to develop a camping complex. It has also invested €3.37 to help finance the development of the site, which could be completed by the middle of the year. Black Sea Property raised €3.53m at €0.01 a share late last year.
Lake Acquisitions (U.P) says that the contingent value rights holders will not get a distribution for 2017. The cumulative relevant revenues from the eligible nuclear power output was £41.1m. The cumulative base revenues were £41.9m.
UK Oil and Gas Investments (UKOG) has decided to drop its NEX Exchange quotation on 31 January. That is just over 27 months after it joined. The company says that there have been low levels of trading on NEX and it still has its primary quotation on AIM. Interestingly, oil and gas company UK Oil and Gas was formed many years ago out of the shell of a former technology equipment business, yet it is still classed under the technology hardware and equipment sub-sector of the technology sector in the AIM statistics.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) reported maiden full year results as a quoted company that were slightly better than expected. The housebuilding infrastructure provider reported a dip in pre-tax profit from £10.8m to £9.1m on flat revenues of £135m. The total dividend is 6.3p a share. A 2017-18 pre-tax profit of £10.8m is forecast.
Ilika (IKA) reported a significant cash outflow in the first half but the outflow should be reduced in the second half. Interim revenues trebled to £1m and full year revenues of £2.9m are forecast. The loss is reducing. There are licensing proposals with a handful of potential customers and any one of these could transform the fortunes of Ilika.
EKF Diagnostics (EKF) has confirmed that trading was strong in 2017 and EBITDA will be much better than the £8.8m forecast. EKF plans to spin-off its sTNFR biomarker technology into a separate company. This technology has no value in the balance sheet.
Hormonal disease treatments developer Diurnal Group (DNL) says that its Akindi treatment has performed well in a food matrix study in the US and it will be able to move onto the next stage in the process of gaining US approval. European approval for Akindi is expected in a matter of weeks. There was £14m in the bank at the end of 2017. The interims will be published on 12 March.
Lombard Risk Management (LRM) is recommending a 13p a share cash bid, which was nearly double the market price. The bid from rival financial services technology supplier is valued at £52.1m.
Somero Enterprises (SOM) has sparked another forecast upgrade with the 2017 pre-tax profit forecast rising 8% to $25.9m. Net cash should be at least $18.5m and that could rise by around $10m by the end of 2018. That leaves room for another special dividend as well as growth in the ongoing dividend. The tax changes in the US had already led to a one-fifth increase in the 2018 earnings per share forecast to 34.4 cents, which has been raised again to 36.8 cents.
Engineer Avingtrans (AVG) says that trading is on track and the integration of Hayward Tyler continues. A pre-tax profit of £2.2m is forecast for the year to May 2018 and this should generate nearly enough earnings to cover the forecast dividend of 3.6p a share.
Tough market conditions and adverse currency movements have not stopped motor dealer Marshall Motor Holdings (MMH) trading ahead of expectations. Forecasts had already been upgraded and the 2017 pre-tax profit estimate has been raised a further 2% to £28.8m. However, a decline in pre-tax profit to £23.5m is forecast for 2018.
Smart meter communications technology provider CyanConnode (CYAN) continues to progress but the timing of orders has been delayed. The order book is worth $100m but 2017 revenues were £1.2m and the loss more than £10m. This year’s revenues are forecast to be £10m and the loss £7m. There should be enough cash to last the whole of 2018.
Strategic Minerals (SML) generated fourth quarter revenues of $2.14m from magnetite ore sales at Cobre. The 2017 total revenues of $5.64m were quadruple the previous year. Strategic had $3.8m in the bank at the end of 2017.
Online Blockchain (OBC) has taken advantage of its rising share price to raise £1m at 100p a share.
Fashion retailer Footasylum (FOOT) increased revenues by one-third to £89.8m in the 18 weeks to 30 December 2017. The fastest growth came from e-commerce. The revenues for the 44 weeks to 30 December 2017 also improved by one-third to £173m. These are not like-for-like increases and six stores were opened in the past 18 weeks.
There was a small decline in the full year revenues of Shoe Zone (SHOE) from £159.8m to £157.8m. The shoes retailer did improve its gross margin from 62% to 63.2% but higher admin and distribution costs offset this and pre-tax profit fell from £10.3m to £9.5m. The total dividend was edged up from 10.1p a share to 10.2p a share. Net cash was £11.8m at the end of September 2017. The pension fund liability has fallen from £13.1m to £7.1m. Consumer demand and currency movements remain the main challenges.
BNN Technology (BNN) directors Harry Keiley and Lord Mancroft are following the nominated adviser out of the door. Mark Hanson becomes non-executive chairman.
Film completion contracts provider FFI Holdings (FFI) has acquired the motorsports entertainment insurance book of business from All Risks for $1.825m. The acquisition has been made by Reel Media, which itself was acquired before Christmas for $7.25m in total.
Background checking services provider ClearStar (CLSU) traded in line with expectations in 2017. Revenues were 11% higher at $17.8m and the loss was reduced. There was net cash of $1m. The loss should be further reduced in 2018.
Masawara (MASA) and Kimberly Enterprises (KBE) both plan to leave AIM. Two shareholders own 90% of Masawara. Minority shareholders are being offered 25p a share or the chance to convert the shares into preference shares. Eastern European property investor Kimberly has net liabilities of €24.1m and sold most of its property assets. The lease agreement for the Marina Dorcol project has been terminated.
Allergy Therapeutics (AGY) has completed the enrolment of its 560 plus patient phase III trial for a treatment for patients with allergic rhino conjunctivitis due to birch pollen. The results of the trial should be available before the end of this year. The potential market is worth around £3bn.
Two large clinical trial contracts have been delayed and this means that Cambridge Cognition (COG) 2017 revenues will be 18% lower than expected. This means that there will be a loss for the year.
Telematics equipment and services provider Quartix (QTX) pleased the market by growing its 2017 revenues by 5% to £24.4m. This means that earnings per share forecasts have been raised from 11.8p to 12.3p.
Geospatial software company 1Spatial (SPA) has won a five-year contract from the state of Michigan in the US worth $766,000. Liontrust has sold all its 9.35% stake.
Xeros Technology Group (XSG) has launched its domestic washing machine that can cut the use of water, detergent and energy by up to 50%. A second development agreement has been signed with a commercial washing machines manufacturer.
Oracle Power (ORCP) is acquiring the minority stake in coal mining lease owner Sindh Carbon Energy for up to £3.6m in shares.
APC Technology Group (APC) has acquired electronic components distributor First Byte Micro for £1.2m. In 2016, First Byte made a pre-tax profit of £194,000 on revenues of £1.3m.
Reconstruction Capital II (RC2) has acquired stakes in two funds that own 60% of Romanian paints and coatings supplier Policolor. This will mean that Reconstruction Capital II has an effective stake of 55.36% in Policolor and make it easier to liquidate the investment.
BOS Global (BOS) wants to raise £1.2m at 1.25p a share to settle debts and provide working capital. The software company says the directors will not be paid until April and one of them, William Giles, will subscribe up to £300,000 in the placing and open offer.
Connemara Mining (CON) has announced drilling results from the Mine River gold project in Wicklow and Wexford. Most of the intersections contained gold at grades of less than 1g/t but two were more positive with 4.53g/t over eight metres and 16.1g/t over two metres.
Versarien (VRS) is collaborating with an Asia-based global textiles manufacturer on incorporating graphene into fabrics via yarns and finishes.
MAIN MARKET
E-commerce-focused cash shell AIQ Ltd (AIQ) soared as trading commenced on the standard list and trading in the shares had to be suspended after three days. There appear to have been nearly 1.4 million shares traded over three days, which is 2.8% of the shares in issue. Cayman Islands-based AIQ, raised £3.6m after expenses, at 8p a share. The suspension price is 125p. That means that the quotation and £3.6m in cash are valued at £62.5m. The plan is to seek an e-commerce acquisition, which has a strong management and is near to cash generation.
Bio-decontamination products supplier Bioquell (BQE) has completed the £122,000 disposal of the UK AirFlow parts and manufacturing business and received the final £70,000 for the sale of the service business. There was already net cash of £14.5m at the end of 2017. Full year revenues were better than expected at £29.3m, up from £26.8m and pre-exceptional profit will be much better, even before the £250,000 gain on the Airflow disposals. The 2017 figures will be published on 7 March.
Software supplier Gresham Technologies (GHT) says 2017 revenues were 24% ahead to £21.3m and more of these revenues are coming from Clareti enterprise data integrity software. There is £8.5m in the bank. Kestrel has trimmed its stake from 14.9% to 12.5%.
BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) has won a cyber communication technology contract with a government worth $4m over 12 months. Delivery will start in the second quarter of 2018.
Thomas Charlton has further increased his stake in North Midland Construction (NMD) from 7.24% to 8.2%. This appears to have sparked a recovery in the share price.
Avocet Mining (AVM) has deferred the completion the sale of its Burkina Faso assets for $5m. The buyer, the Balaji group of companies, wants more time to settle a claim from International Royalty Corporation, a creditor of the holding company of the assets. Avocet has received a deposit of $500,000.
Bluebird Merchant Ventures Ltd (BMV) has announced the results of preliminary grab samples from the Gubong gold mine. The majority of samples had gold grades of more than 1g/t and silver grades of 10g/t or more.
Zenith Energy Ltd (ZEN) has entered an exclusivity agreement for the acquisition of production and exploration licences in a Central Asian country. Azerbaijan-focused Zenith would be acquiring assets in a proven petroleum system and they produce 250 barrels of oil per day.
Rainbow Rare Earths (RBW) has started drilling at the Gakara project in Burundi. Gakara has an estimated in situ-grade of 47%-67% total rare earth oxide. The drilling is focused on the production area at Gasagwe and anomalies that have been identified. The first results will be in April. A second phase of drilling is planned later in the year and this could produce a JORC-compliant resource before the end of 2018. Production is building up and the run rate target for the end of 2018 is 5,000tpa. In December, Rainbow raised £2.8m at 14p a share in an oversubscribed placing. The cash will be used to acquire capital equipment.
Quoted Micro 1 January 2018
NEX EXCHANGE
Commercial property investor Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) has launched an open offer of convertible notes and warrants to raise up to £4.85m. The conversion price is 25p a share, while the warrants are exercisable at 80p a share. The closing date is 22 January.There are already commitments for £3.01m. Additional cash is required to make more property purchases.
Good Energy (GOOD) chairman John Maltby has invested £100,000 in the renewable energy supplier. He acquired 58,000 shares at 173p a share.
In the six months to September 2017, Via Developments (VIA1) increased its operating income from £309,000 to £557,000 but still made a small loss. There were net liabilities at the end of the period.
Positive Healthcare (DOC) made a maiden profit of £64,000 on revenues of £4.67m in the six months to September 2017. The year end is being changed to March. The healthcare staffing business continues to control costs.
Technology company incubator Milamber Ventures (MLVP) reported an increase in interim loss from £196,000 to £263,000. Milamber has launched the Milamber Education Technology Fund and has completed the acquisition of healthcare training company Essential Learning. The education sector will be increasingly important to Milamber.
Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) reported a decline in NAV from £901,000 to £853,000 in the year to September 2017. Hot Rocks has 14 investments in oil and gas, mining and pharma companies.
AIM
Stanley Gibbons (SGI) put out its interim results just before the end of the year, thereby avoiding suspension. In the six months to September 2017, revenues fell from £17.3m to £16.6m, while the loss fell from £6.36m to £3.09m. The stamps business continues to lose money and the profit from coins was lower.
Avanti Communications (AVN) was another company bringing out results just days before trading in shares would have been suspended. The satellite communications operator’s revenues fell from $82.8m to $56.6m. There was net debt of $562m at the end of September 2017, which was before the refinancing plans. David Williams will step down as chief executive after March.
Telit Communications (TCM) says that its main bank has granted a waiver for breach of covenants at the end of 2017.
Parallel Media has completed the acquisitions of Brick Live and Parallel Live for £10m and changed its name to Live Company Group (LVCG). The previous businesses have been sold. There was £1.26m raised at 30p a share and £2.03m of debt was capitalised.
A net gain on its investment portfolio enabled Legendary Investments (LEG) to report an interim pre-tax profit of £248,000. The gain was on the stake in business services software supplier Virtual Stock Holdings. There was a net cash outflow from operations of £28,000. The NAV was £5.22m at the end of September 2017.
Clear Leisure (CLP) is injecting its 4.53% stake in 3D mapping company Geosim Systems Ltd into a new subsidiary company that will also be launching a joint venture called Miner One to develop bitcoin mining blockchain data centre. Clear Leisure will invest €200,000, lent by Eufingest, a 10% plus shareholder in Clear Leisure, for 50% of the joint venture. The new subsidiary will be used to acquire other IT business and could eventually be spun-off in order to gain its own quotation.
Thor Mining (THR) has appointed exploration manager Richard Bradley to the board. The definitive feasibility study for the Molyhil tungsten/molybdenum project should be finalised in the first quarter of 2018. A mineral resource estimate is expected for the Kapunda copper project is due early in the year.
Clean water technology company HaloSource (HAL) says that the Chinese government has halted production facilities in the region that supplies its glass pitchers so fulfilment of orders for JiuBan will be delayed. This means that 2017 revenues will be up to $3m and the loss will be up to $5.5m. There should be revenues of at least $840,000 from JiuBan in 2018.
Alliance Pharma (APH) has completed the purchase of Vamousse from TyraTech Inc (TYR) for an initial $13m plus additional payments of up to $4.5m. The human head lice treatment has been developed by TyraTech and it has built up Vamousse as an international brand. The deal is earnings enhancing for Alliance and provides TyraTech with the cash to develop animal health products. TyraTech launched a tender offer of up to $8.5m. The tender offer price is 3p a share. Alliance will be able to distribute Vamousse through its existing European and international partners.
Kestrel Partners is building up a shareholding in STM Group (STM) and just before Christmas it took its stake to 3.72%.
Oil re-refiner HydroDec Group (HYR) has extended the repayment date of three facilities to the end of 2018 and one of them has been increased by £500,000. The facilities are provided by director Andrew Black.
Oracle Power (ORCP) has raised £621,000 at 2.3p a share and broker Brandon Hill has exercised warrants at 0.65p each, which raised £150,000.
Silence Therapeutics (SLN) has sold further shares in Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, taking the total sale proceeds to £17.2m ($23m). The total cost of the Arrowhead stake was £9.2m ($11.3m) and Silence still owns 472,509 shares.
TechFinancials Inc (TECH) will invest $200,000 for a fully diluted 2% stake in Cedex Holdings, a Blockchain-based diamonds exchange. There is also an option to acquire a further 90%, fully diluted, stake at an exercise price of $40,000. These stakes could be diluted by other share issues.
Copper and gold producer Rambler Metals and Minerals (RMM) has amended its offtake agreement with Transamine Trading, which is making a $4m advanced payment in return for a right of first refusal on any offtake agreement for five years from January 2022. The advance payment plus interest is repayable over 18 months. The phase II expansion is nearly complete and this will extend the mine life by 20 years.
EQTEC (EQT) has completed the acquisition of Eqtec Iberia for £14m in shares just over five months after it was announced. The acquisition owns the EGT gasification technology. EQTEC also raised £1.6m at 0.65p a share.
China New Energy Ltd (CNEL) is holding general meeting on 17 January In order to gain permission to buy back up to 20% of the shares in issue. This could benefit the share price, which currently has a modest rating given the profitability of the business.
New Trend Lifestyle Group (NTLG) is selling its remaining China-focused business for £100 and concentrating on Singapore. The Feng Shui business continues to trade poorly and is seeking acquisitions in Asia.
Xeros Technology (XSG) has completed its £25m placing at 225p a share. The polymer technologies developer will use the cash to further develop cleaning, tanning and textile technologies.
Gresham House (GHE) is selling its Newton-le-Willows property for £2.1m. The completion of the sale of legacy assets will have raised more than £18m. Gresham House should qualify for IHT exemption.
Summit Therapeutics (SUMM) is acquiring Discuva, which is a developer of antibiotics using a bacterial genetics based platform. Summit is paying £5m in cash and £5m in shares for Discuva but no employees will be taken on. Summit will still have enough cash to last it until the end of 2018.
Aquatic Foods Group (AFG) has been unable to publish its accounts and it has lost its AIM quotation.
URU Metals Ltd (URU) had £1.84m in cash at the end of September 2017. The first drill results for the Zebediela nickel and copper project in South Africa have been published and the drill results for the most recent three holes are due in January. URU also has a 9.7% stake in AIM-quoted Management Resource Solutions (MRS).
Draper Esprit (GROW) has made a gain of £7.2m on its stake in Clavis Insights, having originally invested £8.1m in December 2016. This gain will add 3p a share to NAV. Clavis, which is an e-commerce data analyser, was acquired by Ascential for $119m.
Windar Photonics (WPHO) has received a new order from its Chinese distribution partner for five WindVision LiDAR systems. Windar has already delivered 50 systems.
MAIN MARKET
World Trade Systems (WTS) has reached agreement with Germany-based Naturemed and related companies about the commercialisation of its personal hygiene and healthcare products and it will also help to obtain Chinese registration for them. WTS has signed a five year lease on a London office. Shares in WTS are still suspended.
Over the top video streaming business Falcon Media House (FAL) made initial revenues of £232,000 in the six months to September 2017. The interim loss was £2.71m. Since then, £3.4m has been raised from a convertible loan note issue.
Rockpool Acquisitions (ROC) still has nearly £385,000 in the bank. Negotiations are continuing concerning the possible acquisition of Greenview Gas Ltd.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 16 November 2015
ISDX
Even though Daniel Thwaites (THW) has sold most of its brewing and related assets to Marstons it still managed to increase its profit in the six months to September 2015. Pre-tax profit before interest swap movements rose from £4.8m to £4.9m with the contribution from discontinued brewing activities down from £1.3m to £100,000. Revenues from continuing activities improved from £40.1m to £41.8m. Net debt was £29.1m at the end of September 2015, while the NAV is £177.6m. At 117p a share, Daniel Thwaites is valued at £70.5m. The interim dividend is unchanged at 1.1p a share. The hotels, pubs and inns businesses have grown revenues with inns growing the fastest. Central costs have been reduced.
A contribution from the bull semen business bought last year helped National Milk Records (NMRP) to grow revenues by 4% to £10.1m in the six months to September 2015. However, overall trading has been tough due to the reluctance of dairy farmers to invest in the company’s newer services when the milk price is low. The traditional milk recording and payment testing services are trading ahead of the same time last year. Pre-tax profit fell from £850,000 to £599,000 as the new genetics operations made a loss and there was a goodwill amortisation charge. At 71.5p (70p/73p) a share, NMR is valued at £5.4m. There is a pension liability of £8.4m.
IP Group is providing a loan facility of up to £1.5m to Green Chemicals (GNCP), which is developing cleaner and safer consumer and cleaning products. This could be converted into shares. IP Group already owns 8.1% of Green Chemicals and along with two other associates IP Group has a total interest of 29.5%.
Ecovista (EVTP) has raised £269,000 at 0.05p a share, which is the mid price, and the cash will be used to make further property investments. The new shares equate to 35% of the enlarged share capital. Ecovista has completed the acquisition of the remaining 49% of Willow Cottages, which owns a cottage and 2.25 acres near to Stanstead. There is also an option to acquire a nearby cottage for £300,000 – the option cost £10,000.
UK Oil & Gas Investments (UKOG) started trading on the ISDX Growth market on 12 November.
AIM
Panmure Gordon has upgraded its forecasts for AB Dynamics (ABDP) on the back of the better than expected full year figures from the automotive testing business. In the year to August 2015, revenues grew from £13.8m to £16.5m, while pre-tax profit jumped from £2.68m to £3.82m. The interim dividend was raised to 2.75p a share. AB benefits from a strong international spread of revenues and growth is coming from track testing services. Cash flow is strong and net cash was £7.97m. This means that AB has plenty of cash to finance the construction of its new facility in Bradford-on-Avon. The facility should be completed by early 2017 and AB will still have a cash pile after this additional investment. The 2015-16 earnings per share forecast has been raised from 18.8p to 20.8p and for 2016-17 from 21.3p to 23.6p.
Blackstone Funds have set up a vehicle to acquire Japan Residential Investment Company Ltd (JRIC) for £152.6m. The offer is 72p a share in cash and is recommended by the board although it says there is a potential rival offer at the same share price. At the end of May 2015, the JRIC NAV was 56.3p a share. JRIC floated on AIM at 100p a share back in October 2006 – during a period when a number of property investment companies joined the junior market. In July 2013, the life of the investment company was extended to 2018. Blackstone has been building up its Japanese residential property interests since 2013.
Fully listed-Volution (FAN) is making a recommended 345p a share bid for Energy Technique (ETQ), which values the manufacturer of heating, ventilation and air conditioning components at £9.25m. Energy Technique has complementary technology and a customer base that are potential customers for Volution products. The deal should be earnings enhancing in the first full year.
Security and facilities management services provider Mortice Ltd (MORT) has acquired 51% of Singapore-based security services and products supplier Frontline for up to £1.89m (S$4.03m). The initial payment was £600,000 (S$1.28m) and the rest is dependent on the level of EBITDA for 2015. If the performance is poor then the vendor may have to pay back some of the initial payment. There is an option to acquire a further 25% of Frontline within three years. This is the first operational business acquired in Singapore even though Mortice has its corporate base there. Frontline provides services to 73 sites in Singapore and takes Mortice into selling surveillance equipment. In 2014, Frontline made a pre-tax profit of S$590,000 on revenues of S$4.25m.
Mariana Resources (MARL) has reported further positive drilling news from Hot Maden in Turkey and it expects to more news flow over the coming year. Two more drilling holes have been completed on the Turkish gold project and one of them shows 39 metres @ 5.8 grams of gold/tonne and 0.7% copper. This is from 88 metres downhole. There is further potential to extend the resource. Mariana is assessing drill prospects for the Dona Ines gold-silver project in Chile so that drilling can commence in the first quarter of 2016. Asset Chile can earn-in to a 50% stake in the project in return for $1.65m of funding.
Xeros Technology (XSG) has raised £40m at 225p a share in order to boost marketing to commercial laundries of its polymer bead-based cleaning technology that reduces the use of water. The cash will also be used to finance a move into new markets. Xeros will have pro forma cash of £55m and this should last for more than two years. By the end of July, there were 106 machines installed in commercial laundries and growth has been helped by subsidies in North America but last year’s revenues were a modest £466,000. Cash burn is £1.25m/month and this could rise with additional R&D. Xeros is developing a domestic product and a leather processing version. The year end is being changed to December.
Rurelec (RUR) has launched an open offer to raise up to £3.54m at 1p a share. If the cash is not raised then the South America-focused electricity generator will not be able to pay its creditors. The offer price is lower than the 2p a share par value so there will have to be a capital reorganisation, which requires shareholder approval. Rurelec intends to sell its Peru hydro electricity assets. The one-for-1.58800245 open offer closes on 7 December.
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Silver Falcon (SILF) is the latest small shell to float on the standard list. The board includes Peter Redmond and Geoffrey Dart who have been involved in a number of shells, predominantly on AIM. The focus is on fintech and financial services businesses. Silver Falcon raised £1.3m at 3p a share. Initial share issues were at 1p a share. After expenses, there is about £1.4m in the bank. By the end of the week the share price had risen to 3.25p, which values the shell at £1.95m. The cash in the bank may covers less than three-quarters of that market value.
ANDREW HORE