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Alan Green presents the investment case for ECR Minerals #ECR and Panther Metals #PALM on his weekly Stockbox Media Research talk
Alan Green presents the investment case for ECR Minerals #ECR and Panther Metals #PALM on his weekly Stockbox Media Research talk
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 23 November 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Daniel Thwaites (THW) had a strong eleven months in the year to March 2020, but the final month was unsurprisingly poor for the brewer and pubs operator. Full year revenues edged up from £96.9m to £98.1m, while pre-tax profit fell from £4.5m to £3.6m. Net debt was reduced from £69.7m to £65.4m, helped by property disposals. No dividends are planned in the near future.
EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) has taken advantage of the strong Luceco (LUCE) share price and sold four million shares for total proceeds of £10m. EPE still owns a 24.9% stake.
KR1 (KR1) has participated in token generation by four platforms. There was a follow-on participation in a Plasm Network distribution event, while KR1 has also received tokens from ChainX, Edgeware and Phala Network. The Phala Network tokens have been sold for nearly $124,000.
BWA (BWAP) has given St George’s Eco-Mining Corp until 27 November to repurchase the company’s investment in Kings of the North Corp.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) says that the first hole drilled at the Specimen Hill prospect in Queensland has signs of gold bearing mineralisation. A second hole is underway.
Evrima (EVA) and partner Power Metal Resources (POW) have published a drilling update for the Molopo Farms complex in Botswana. The first hole has been completed at the nickel sulphide and platinum project. This confirmed that it is a feeder zone. Samples will be tested. There is a four-hole drilling programme.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) owns 30% of mining and exploration leases that form part of the Yangibana rare earth deposit. Drilling has confirmed that recent drilling results show an economic mineralised corridor 8km long.
Gledhow Investments (GDH) has taken a 4.82% stake in IamFire (FIRE).
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has raised £835,000 at 5.5p a share, which is below the 7p a share that a UK institutional investor paid last month. Early Equity (EEQP) raised £105,000 at 0.5p a share.
AIM
Trackwise Designs (TWD) is raising a further £11m at 200p in order to finance a new Improved Harness Technology (IHT) manufacturing site to quadruple capacity. That is a large discount to the market price of 320p. A further £1m could be raised via an open offer. Back in March, there was a £5.87m fundraising at 80p a share. That was at the time of the purchase of Stevenage Circuits for up to £2.457m. The rest of that cash was earmarked for capacity expansion. The subsequent orders received by Trackwise mean that further investment in capacity is required. The funding dilutes short-term earnings per share.
Agricultural supplies group Wynnstay (WYN) had a strong end to its financial year, particularly September and October. Feed sales were better than expected. There will be one-off costs for closing three sites. Shore Capital has upgraded its underlying pre-tax profit forecast from £6.7m to £8.1m. The dividend is likely to be maintained at 14p a share.
Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings (IDH) has broken its record and published interim figures at 6.22pm on Friday. Revenues fell by 27% and the company made a bigger loss.
Staffline (STAF) is selling its apprenticeships business to Babington Business College for a nominal fee. The business was losing money in the first half of 2020, although it was a lower loss than the year before. Staffline will concentrate on recruitment and adult skills training.
Bion (BION) is establishing a biogas consortium with three other companies in Malaysia. The plan is to formalise the partnership so that a special purpose vehicle that would be 55%-owned by Bion will own and operate biogas assets of Bion and Green Lagoon Technology. The new venture would be the largest owner of biogas plants in Malaysia. Shareholders will have to approve the deal if it goes ahead. Bion will work with the other two companies to develop waste-to-energy projects.
Trading is ahead of expectations at Somero Enterprises (SOM) and this should enable a significant supplementary dividend for 2020. The concrete levelling equipment supplier is expected to end the year with net cash of $26m.
Dekel Agri-Vision (DKL) has completed the acquisition of the stake in the Cote d’Ivoire cashew nut processing project that takes its shareholding to 52%. October palm oil production was 1,818 metric tonnes and 1,843 metric tonnes was sold. The average price improved to €636/tonne.
Mirada (MIRA) has integrated Disney+ into its Iris platform for Televisa’s izzi pay TV platform in Mexico.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) has gained a contract to deliver a 0.5MWh vanadium flow battery system to a site in California. This should generate £480,000in 2021. There is also an order for two smaller battery modules.
Three potential bidders are assessing offers for Telit Communications (TCM) and the latest is u-blox, which is considering an all-share offer worth 250p a share. DBAY Advisors and Lantronix are the other potential bidders.
MAIN MARKET
Packaging supplier Macfarlane (MACF) says that trading in the four months to October 2020 is ahead of the same period in 2019. Full year pre-tax profit is expected to be similar to last year at around £14m. It was previously expected to be more than 10% lower. Arden forecasts a total 2020 dividend of 2.4p a share.
Emmerson (EML) has completed the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Khemisset potash project in northern Morocco.
Petra Diamonds (PDL) has an agreement in principle for a restructuring that involves the raising of money from a loan note issue and the remainder of the loan notes will be converted into shares equivalent to 91% of the enlarged share capital.
Thalassa (THAL) has invested £300,000 in foreign exchange and international payments firm Cornerstone FS for a 3.65% stake. This follows a £3m investment in 8% convertible loan notes in payment systems company Tappit Technologies.
Andrew Hore
Power Metal Resources #POW Raises £28,788 Following Exercise of Warrants
Power Metal Resources PLC (LON:POW) the AIM listed metals exploration and development company is pleased to announce it has received a notice to exercise warrants over 2,878,800 new ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each in the Company (“Warrant Shares”).
The Warrant Shares are being issued pursuant to the exercise of 2,878,800 warrants at an exercise price of 1.0 pence per ordinary share of 0.1 pence each in the Company. Subscription monies of £28,788 have been received by Power Metal in respect of these exercises.
ADMISSION AND TOTAL VOTING RIGHTS
Application will be made for the 2,878,800 Warrant Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM which is expected to occur on or around 3 November 2020 (“Admission”). The Warrant Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with the ordinary shares of the Company currently traded on AIM.
Following Admission, the Company’s issued share capital will comprise 845,728,142 ordinary shares of 0.1p each. This number will represent the total voting rights in the Company, and may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculation by which they can determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
For further information please visit https://www.powermetalresources.com/ or contact:
| Power Metal Resources plc | |
| Paul Johnson (Chief Executive Officer) | +44 (0) 7766 465 617 |
| SP Angel Corporate Finance (Nomad and Joint Broker) | |
| Ewan Leggat/Charlie Bouverat | +44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
| SI Capital Limited (Joint Broker) | |
| Nick Emerson | +44 (0) 1483 413 500 |
| First Equity Limited (Joint Broker) | |
| David Cockbill/Jason Robertson | +44 (0) 20 7330 1883 |
Notes to Editors:
Power Metal Resources plc (LON:POW) is an AIM listed metals exploration and development company seeking a large scale metal discovery.
The Company has a global portfolio of project interests including precious metal exploration in North America and Australia together with base metal exploration in Africa. Project interests range from early stage greenfield exploration to later stage drill ready prospects.
The Board and its team of advisors have expertise in project generation, exploration and development and have identified an opportunity to utilise the Company’s position to become a leader in the London market for investors wishing to gain exposure to proactive global metals exploration.
Power Metal Resources #POW – Molopo Farms Complex – Drilling Progress Update
Power Metal Resources PLC (LON:POW) the AIM listed metals exploration and development company is pleased to provide a drilling progress update on the Kalahari Key Mineral Exploration Pty Ltd Molopo Farms Complex Project, which is targeting prospective massive nickel sulphide and platinum-group metal (“PGM”) mineralisation in Botswana.
OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE – MOLOPO FARMS COMPLEX PROJECT
Power Metal has an 18.26% shareholding in Kalahari Key and has elected to earn in (“Earn-In”) to a 40% direct interest in the MFC Project by funding US$500,000 of exploration expenditure in 2020, notably the diamond drilling of selected targets. On completion of the Earn-In, Power Metal will have an effective economic interest of 50.96% in the MFC Project.
For clarity, the US$500,000 cost is fully funded and covered by Power Metal existing cash resources.
Paul Johnson Chief Executive Officer of Power Metal Resources commented:
“We are very pleased to provide a drilling update for our first drill hole at the Molopo Farms Complex where high-resolution geophysics has identified a series of exciting high conductivity bodies which could be related to massive sulphide mineralisation.
The drilling is progressing well with the results thus far supporting the geophysical model, for an intrusion feeder zone which could host the potentially mineralised conductive bodies we are targeting with this drilling programme.
We look forward to providing further updates as the drill programme progresses.”
DRILLING HIGHLIGHTS:
· Drilling of Hole 1 at the MFC Project is progressing well with a depth attained of 283m at end of shift on Saturday 24th October. Monday work involved a drilling bit change following a Sunday rest day. The hole is cased to a depth of 17m with HQ diameter (63.5mm) core drilling to a depth of 150m and NQ diameter (46.7mm) core drilling thereafter.
· The drill hole intersected calcretes and serpentinite immediately below the 35m thick Kalahari cover and has then continued through ultramafic rocks, including harzburgite and dunite, which through core inspection are characteristic of the Molopo Farms Complex geology.
· Hole 1 on is now over halfway to the upper side of the modelled conductive body (target 1-14) which is expected to commence from a depth of approximately 505m.
· Drilling results thus far are supporting the, Time Domain Electromagnetic (“EM”) and Natural Field Audio Magneto Telluric (“NF-AMT”), geophysical modelling with lithological boundaries seen in the core occurring very close to the modelled depth and lithologies intersected supporting the intrusive feeder zone exploration model. Geological and structural logging of the drill core will allow the geological model to be further refined as the programme progresses.
· The drilling is utilising a Boyles BBS 56 rig with a 7 man drilling and support crew working on a single 12 hour drilling shift (06.00-18.00, 5.5 days / week). The phase 1 Drilling programme is for an initial planned 2,505m across four diamond core drill holes. Target hole depths vary from 525m to 710m.
· Photographs from site can be viewed at the company website https://www.powermetalresources.com/gallery/7/molopo-farms-complex-botswana.
COMPETENT PERSON STATEMENT
The technical information contained in this disclosure has been read and approved by Mr Nick O’Reilly (MSc, DIC, MIMMM, MAusIMM, FGS), who is a qualified geologist and acts as the Competent Person under the AIM Rules – Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. Mr O’Reilly is a Principal consultant working for Mining Analyst Consulting Ltd which has been retained by Power Metal Resources PLC to provide technical support.
The information contained within this announcement is considered to be inside information prior to its release, as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No.596/2014 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company’s obligations under Article 17 of those Regulations.
For further information please visit https://www.powermetalresources.com/ or contact:
| Power Metal Resources plc | |
| Paul Johnson (Chief Executive Officer) | +44 (0) 7766 465 617 |
| SP Angel Corporate Finance (Nomad and Joint Broker) | |
| Ewan Leggat/Charlie Bouverat | +44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
| SI Capital Limited (Joint Broker) | |
| Nick Emerson | +44 (0) 1483 413 500 |
| First Equity Limited (Joint Broker) | |
| David Cockbill/Jason Robertson | +44 (0) 20 7330 1883 |
Notes to Editors:
Power Metal Resources plc (LON:POW) is an AIM listed metals exploration and development company seeking a large scale metal discovery.
The Company has a global portfolio of project interests including precious metal exploration in North America and Australia together with base metal exploration in Africa. Project interests range from early stage greenfield exploration to later stage drill ready prospects.
The Board and its team of advisors have expertise in project generation, exploration and development and have identified an opportunity to utilise the Company’s position to become a leader in the London market for investors wishing to gain exposure to proactive global metals exploration.
Alan Green talks Classic Motorcycles, markets, OnTheMarket #OTMP, Eddie Stobart #ESL & Blencowe Resources #BRES on UK Investor Magazine podcast
Alan Green talks Classic Motorcycles, markets, OnTheMarket #OTMP, Eddie Stobart #ESL & Blencowe Resources #BRES on the UK Investor Magazine podcast. Link on the image to listen.
Alan Green presents the investment case for Kavango Resources #KAV and ECR Minerals #ECR on StockBox Media Research Talks
Alan Green presents the investment case for Kavango Resources #KAV and ECR Minerals #ECR on his weekly Stockbox Media Research talk.
Power Metal Resources #POW – Business Operational Update
Power Metal Resources plc (LON:POW) the AIM listed metals exploration and development company is pleased to provide a Business Operational Update (the “Update”) to shareholders, outlining the current status of operations across the Company’s six existing projects and two projects under due diligence.
Paul Johnson Chief Executive Officer of Power Metal Resources plc commented:
“Power Metal is an operationally diversified business with precious metal interests in North America and base metal interests in Africa. The Company has multiple live exploration programmes running and significant corporate activity underway.
The summary below outlines where we are across each project, and the anticipated next steps or developments which, where material, will be notified to shareholders through regulatory news announcements.
Power Metal is at a key stage in its development and aided by our strong underlying financial position, we are pushing ahead proactively across the business, seeking to secure a large-scale metal discovery.”
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
· Two significant drill programmes impending, in Botswana and Tanzania, targeting large-scale nickel sulphide targets and with current levels of local regulation allowing the Company to plan to commence drilling in 2020
· Significant advancement made in the Australia JV, with 2,188 km2 of ground under application in the Victoria Goldfields over 12 distinct project areas and a draft of the NI 43-101 technical report under review;
· Due diligence ground exploration programme underway at the Silver Peak project in Canada, where channel sampling for silver is the key focus and where exploration results are expected shortly and within the 30-day option period announced 17 August 2020;
· Reconnaissance survey completed successfully at the Alamo gold project in Arizona, USA reviewing the key areas where the bulk of gold nuggets were found in alluvium on the property. The findings have been received in a project report and are being reviewed currently. A market update will follow including next stage exploration plans;
· Power Metal remains in a strong financial position with working capital comprising cash and listed investments of circa £1.6 million;
· Further specific updates will be provided for each project as material developments occur.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Power Metal provides the following overview of its six main projects and two projects under due diligence.
Note: all exploration and corporate work is subject to COVID-19 restrictions which may impact work programmes and timescales. Power Metal and its partners are focused on the safety of operational teams and the conduct of programmes in line with local requirements in relation to COVID-19, and all applicable operational regulatory requirements.
| PROJECT | CURRENT OPERATIONAL STATUS |
| Australia JV – Victoria Goldfields(Gold)(POW holds a 49.9% interest in Australian JV Company Red Rock Australasia Pty Limited “RRAL”) | Twelve licence applications have been submitted by RRAL covering 2,188 km2 in the Victoria Goldfields with three licenses having completed the mandatory 14 day public advertising period. The JV team is working with Earth Resources Victoria to secure early grant of the advertised licenses to enable exploration to commence.Ten detailed historic exploration and target assessment reports now received from local consulting geologists (four reports have been released to the market and six are under review, and will be announced shortly).The NI 43-101 Technical Report covering seven key licenses is in final drafting stage and is expected to be received in final form in the coming week. The findings of this report will be released shortly after receipt and following internal review. Receipt of the Technical Report will also allow the potential listing of some or all of the JV interests to be progressed to the next stage.In addition, liaison with various external parties is underway with a view to further potential corporate transactions, including external joint ventures, in respect of certain license applications. |
| Botswana – Ditau Camp Project(RARE EARTHS)(Under Due Diligence)(Subject to due diligence POW may acquire a 51% project interest) | Power Metal remains in due diligence and related discussions with Kavango Resources plc (LON:KAV), the current 100% project owner, with a view to crystallising a transaction in respect of the Ditau Camp project.For clarity the due diligence period in respect of the Ditau Camp Project ends on 30 September 2020. |
| Botswana – Molopo Farms Complex Project(Nickel Copper PGMs)(POW holds 18.26% of project holding company Kalahari Key and additionally may earn in up to a 40% project interest) | Kalahari Key Mineral Exploration Pty Limited (“Kalahari Key”), the JV partner and current 100% project owner is making considerable progress in respect of planning for drill commencement at the Molopo Farms Complex Project (“MFC Project”).Drilling proposals have now been received from multiple contractors and a review is underway at present leading to contractor selection and thereafter, subject to rig availability, to confirmation of drill rig mobilisation at the earliest opportunity.The drill programme will be focused on high profile nickel sulphide targets within the Chipo area of the MFC project. |
| Cameroon – Cobalt Blue Project(Cobalt – Nickel)(POW holds a 100% project interest) | Power Metal is continuing to review the exploration and corporate options in respect of the Cameroon project interests and will provide a further update as material developments occur. |
| Canada – Silver Peak Project(Silver)(Under Due Diligence)(POW may earn in to a 30% project interest) | As part of the due diligence process Power Metal is funding an initial exploration programme at the Silver Peak project including channel sampling to help determine silver prospectivity.Initial results are expected from this programme in the next week and Power Metal will update the market upon completion of an internal technical review of findings. |
| The DRC – Kisinka Project(Copper – Cobalt)(POW holds a 70% project interest) | The Company is awaiting the receipt of assay results from the pitting and mapping programme conducted earlier this year. The results will help inform next stages of exploration on the ground at the 6.8km copper anomaly discovered within the Kisinka Project.The results so far justify the magnetic ground survey and electromagnetic (“EM”) survey the Company is currently planning in order to increase understanding of structure in the target area defined by the exploration to date.The license renewal was recently underway but the decision has been taken instead to convert the license to a Permis d’Exploitation (production license) with a 25 year life. 50% of the less prospective ground is being surrendered, leaving the Company with 41 carrés miniers (each 84.95 ha), |
| Tanzania – Haneti Project(Nickel – PGMs – Gold – Lithium)(POW holds a 35% project interest) | Power Metal is working with Katoro Gold plc (LON:KAT or Katoro) the JV partner in respect of the Haneti Project in Tanzania.Katoro are in the final stages of planning for drill commencement. Specifically, Katoro are seeking to confirm rig availability and confirmation of a drill mobilisation date.Power Metal and Katoro hope to confirm the launch of the drill programme to the market in the near term. |
| USA Arizona – Alamo Gold Project(Gold)(POW may earn in up to a 75% project interest) | A Reconnaissance Survey (“Survey”) has been completed successfully at the project in Arizona which was focused on a review of the key areas where the bulk of gold nuggets were found in alluvium on the property.The Survey report from the work undertaken has been received and is being reviewed.Power Metal are also working with its local partners to design the next stage exploration programme at the project based on the Survey report findings.Upon completion of our review of the Survey report and confirmation of the next stage exploration programme Power Metal will update the market in full. |
The information contained within this announcement is considered to be inside information prior to its release, as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No.596/2014 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company’s obligations under Article 17 of those Regulations.
For further information please visit https://www.powermetalresources.com/ or contact:
| Power Metal Resources plc | |
| Paul Johnson (Chief Executive Officer) | +44 (0) 7766 465 617 |
| SP Angel Corporate Finance (Nomad and Joint Broker) | |
| Ewan Leggat/Charlie Bouverat | +44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
| SI Capital Limited (Joint Broker) | |
| Nick Emerson | +44 (0) 1483 413 500 |
| First Equity Limited (Joint Broker) | |
| David Cockbill/Jason Robertson | +44 (0) 20 7330 1883 |
Notes to Editors:
Power Metal Resources plc (LON:POW) is an AIM listed metals exploration and development company seeking a large scale metal discovery.
The Company has a global portfolio of project interests including precious metal exploration in North America and Australia together with base metal exploration in Africa. Project interests range from early stage greenfield exploration to later stage drill ready prospects.
The Board and its team of advisors have expertise in project generation, exploration and development and have identified an opportunity to utilise the Company’s position to become a leader in the London market for investors wishing to gain exposure to proactive global metals exploration.
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 24 August 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Medical device developer TruSpine Technologies (TSP) ended the week at 34.5p (32p/37p). TruSpine has raised £1.4m at 36p a share with a commitment for a further £250,000. This should provide enough cash until Cervi-Lok, which is one of the three spinal stabilisation devices being developed, starts to generate sales.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) says that its joint venture with IOV Labs has signed a deal with RedFOX Labs to build fast scaling internet business on the RSK blockchain. Coinsilium has also secured an adviser role to Indorse for a forthcoming initiative to revive the token economics of its IND token through a decentralised finance model. The value of Coinsilium’s cryptocurrency holdings is $575,000, with further tokens worth $105,000 set to vest over the next 12 months.
KR1 (KR1) has started to generate revenues from staking activities on the Polkadot network, which is KR1’s largest investment. So far, 530.67 DOT have been generated and this has raised $194,802.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) is raising £1.25m at 12p a share. This will provide working capital and help to pay back loan notes, which are currently valued at £1.7m.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) is raising £400,000 at 2p a share. Gold exploration is commencing at the Wishbone II project in Queensland. Exploration will also restart at the White Mountains project.
Gunsynd (GUN) owns 4.97 million shares in nickel project developer Sunshine Minerals, which is being acquired by Malachite Resources. Gunsynd will receive 1.26 million shares in Malachite with further deferred consideration of 1.64 million shares.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has released positive news from surface stockpiles at the Beaconsfield gold mine. The average grade is 3.2g/tonne in 80,000 tonnes of surveyed stockpiles.
World High Life (LIFE) is increasing production capacity by 400%. The new Love Hemp facility will produce 43,000 units of CBD oils, capsules and cosmetics each day. July sales were 57% higher than in June with much higher online sales.
Belvedere Leisure (BELV) has agreed a new strategy with Landal GreenParks UK, which involves delivering lodges for domestic tourism and staycations. The company is in negotiations to acquire the Barncrosh site in Scotland and the company is seeking other sites. Belvedere Leisure Park has been placed in administration and will no longer guarantee the company bonds.
Ian Harebottle and Richard Lloyd have been appointed as directors of All Star Minerals (ASMO).
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) chief executive Alistair Currie bought 86,419 shares at 25p each and 13,581 at 29.5p each. He has a 3.28% stake.
AIM
Online fashion retailer Sosandar (SOS) doubled its revenues last year. In the year to March 2020, revenues jumped from £4.44m to £9.03m, while the loss more than doubled from £3.55m to £7.81m. First quarter revenues were 54% higher and the lower marketing costs helped to reduce operating costs by 71%. July revenues were 57% higher than the same time last year. Gross margins have improved. There was still £4.4m in cash at the end of June 2020.
Marshall Motor Holdings (MMH) lost £8.9m in the first half of 2020. That is not surprising given that the car showrooms were shut for ten weeks. A small loss is expected for the full year, although this will depend on September demand. Vertu Motors (VTU) says that it lost £5.2m in the March to June period, but made a pre-tax profit of £7.4m in July. Used vehicle sales made a record gross profit last month with volume growth of 13.7%.
Ceramic products manufacturer Churchill China (CHH) managed to make a small profit before exceptional items. Revenues slumped from £31.9m to £18.9m with a strong start to the year offset by COVID-19 in the second quarter. The majority of sales were of hospitality products. Cash improved to £16.3m thanks to the fact that there was no final dividend last year. A potential interim dividend will be reviewed in December when the fourth quarter trading is clearer.
Elypsis Solutions has sold a 3.4% stake in Adamas Finance Asia (ADAM) to Heirloom Investment Management, leaving it with 53.6%. The Adamas share buyback programme is still active. NAV was 75p a share at the end of June 2020, compared to a share price of 26.5p.
Oil and gas producer Hurricane Energy (HUR) admits that it is likely to materially downgrade the resource estimate for the Lancaster early production system and the West of Shetland portfolio of assets. Production is expected to decline from the current 17,000 barrels of oil per day.
Synthetic heavy fuel developer Quadrise Fuels International (QFI) will receive $150,000 for equipment and support supplied to Greenfield Energy for a commercial trial, which will be completed by the end of the year.
Renalytix AI (RENX) has announced a collaboration with AstraZeneca for the use of the KidneyIntelX technology in other chronic diseases.
EKF Diagnostics (EKF) has made a $5m investment in Trellus Health in return for a 31% stake. Trellus has licenced a platform for the management of inflammatory bowel disease.
Cyber security services provider Shearwater Group (SWG) says positive momentum is continuing. An underlying EBITDA is being made due to higher margin products and efficiencies. There is £4.1m in the bank.
MAIN MARKET
Motor dealer Lookers (LOOK) still has not published its 2019 accounts. Further work is required on the corporate leasing division and vehicle financing arrangements. Net debt was £13.5m at the end of June 2020, helped by delayed government payments. There was a significant first half loss in 2020.
OKYO Pharma (OKYO) is seeking a Nasdaq listing. It has raised £1.44m through additional convertible loan notes to finance clinical development.
BATM (BVC) is on course to increase full year underlying pre-tax profit from $5.2m to $8.8m on a revenues one-third higher. There was cash of $44.3m at the end of June 2020. A resumption of dividend payments is promised at the end of the year. The bio-medical division increased interim revenues by two-thirds to $50m and improved its gross margin. Demand for COVID-19 diagnostic kits remains strong. The networking division improved interim revenues by 3% to $27.4m.
LED lighting and wiring accessories supplier Luceco (LUCE) has upgraded its 2020 underlying operating profit guidance from £18m to at least £23m, helped by improved gross margins. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to be at least 11p a share. The interims will be published on 8 September.
Challenger Acquisitions (CHAL) has entered into a letter of intent to acquire Cindrigo and Cindrigo Energy, which are involved in waste-to-energy and biomass energy projects.
Metal Tiger (MTR) wants to obtain an Australian Stock Exchange listing before the end of the year.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 17 August 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Brewer Adnams (ADB) reported a slump in revenues from £34.7m to £21m in the six months to June 2020 and there was a loss. That is no surprise given the problems of the hospitality sector. Online sales grew but could not offset the loss of on-trade sales. Net debt was £14m at the end of June 2020.
Medical device developer TruSpine Technologies (TSP) is on course to join the Aquis Stock Exchange on 20 August. TruSpine wants to raise £1.5m, which would give it a valuation of £31.5m. The investment is eligible for EIS-relief. TruSpine expects to make a FDA submission for Cervi-Lok, which is one of the three spinal stabilisation devices being developed, in the fourth quarter of 2020. Existing Aquis-quoted company Primorus Investments (PRIM) is an investor in TruSpine. In 2017, it invested £500,000 at a pre-money valuation of £15m. Another Primorus investment, Greatland Gold (GGP), has performed strongly in the second quarter and the share price is more than 155% ahead over the period.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has raised a further £695,000 at 7p a share. NQ has also secured a $55m loan facility to refinance the project debt of the Hellyer gold mine. Interest savings should be $3.4m a year. Chairman David Lenigas has acquired 20,000 shares at $0.12 each.
Sativa Group (SATI) had a record July. The CBD products supplier has benefitted from sanitiser demand.
TechFinancials (TECH) reported a loss of $492,000 in the first half of 2020. There is $716,000 in the bank. The closure of the trading software operations will be completed in the second half. The Footies ticketing business still has not progressed in terms of signing up clients.
Recruitment company Sumner Group Health (SGRL) intends to withdraw from Aquis in order to save money. A general meeting will be held on 3 September.
IamFire (FIRE) has completed the purchase of a 10% stake in Bio2pure, in a deal that values the company at £8m. The investee company’s CoviPure disinfectant has been launched
AIM
Energy supplier Yu Group (YU.) has been criticised for its financial controls and systems back in 2018. A £300,000 fine has been waived because remedial action has been undertaken. Yu has acquired Bristol City Council-owned Bristol Energy’s B2B business for an initial £1.24m.
Appreciate (APP) was going to have a tough year even before COVID-19. In the year to March 2020, underlying pre-tax profit fell from £12.5m to £11.4m and there is likely to be a much larger profit decline this year. Trading has improved after a tough first quarter. If Appreciate had not been investing in its digital products it would have found recent months even more difficult. A property has been sold for £3.2m, which further enhances the cash pile of £29.6m at the end of March. The hamper business will be closed this year, but the overall Christmas savings business is holding up. Corporate demand is recovering.
Investment in VW emissions case work will hold back profit in the second half at credit hire firm Anexo (ANX). Lockdown led to a sharp fall in interim profit, but business is building up again. Profit could return to the 2019 level of £23m in 2021, even if there are no VW case revenues. A 0.5p a share interim dividend is being paid.
The geographic and sector spread of recruitment firm Empresaria (EMR) has helped it cope with difficult trading, particularly in its airline-related business. The business was profitable in the first and second quarters. The underlying interim pre-tax profit fell from £3.7m to £2.4m. There is no full year forecast.
Touchstone Exploration (TXP) has commenced drilling at Chinook on the Ortoire block in Trinidad. Chinook is valued at 2p a share by finnCap, but it could be significant like previous find Cascadura, which is valued at 78p a share. Cost cutting has helped to reduce year-on-year per barrel operating costs by 28% in the second quarter. There was still a second quarter loss. Production has declined to 1,396 barrels/day in the second quarter, but this will rise substantially when Cascadura comes into production.
STM (STM) has acquired pensions administrator Berkeley Burke for up to £2.9m. this will add to the UK operations. The business will be rebranded.
Pennant International (PEN) has an order book worth £36m and net cash of £2m. Annualised cost savings of £1m will help the second half performance and a profit is expected. That may not be enough to cover the first half loss.
Pires Investments (PIRI) investee company Getvisibility has signed a US distribution agreement. The data security business will gain access to US government work.
Matthew Freud has taken his stake in Reach4Entertainment (R4E) to 18.7%. The company’s chief executive has increased his stake to 18.7%. The general meeting to vote on the proposal to leave AIM is on 21 August.
MAIN MARKET
Tex Holdings (TXH) says interim revenues fell from £21.8m to £18.5m and the loss has increased from £351,000 to £1.36m. There is £2.54m in the bank, but net debt is £10.7m. The board still wants to raise more cash. The plastics business is still profitable, although it made a lower contribution. The engineering loss was slightly lower, but boards and panels fell from profit to loss.
MATCHED BARGAINS
Fastjet (FJET) is moving from AIM to Asset Match and the airline is reregistering as a private limited company. Trading is expected to start on 24 August. The first auction will be on 30 September.
Andrew Hore
