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Quoted Micro 6 April 2026
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
In 2025, heart health products developer ProBiotix Health (PBX) increased revenues by 45% to £2.73m. The loss was reduced from £852,000 to £1.24m. Revenues continue to grow in the first quarter of the new financial year, and it has achieved profitability. Cash was £1.27m at the end of 2025. The order book has more than doubled to £1.3m. The company is diversifying into new medical areas.
Dermatology products developer Incanthera (INC) says direct to consumer sales of Skin + CELL products have been disappointing, generating £12,400. Discussions continue relating to retail distribution. No bulk sale will be achieved before the end of the March 2026 financial year, so stocks will be higher than anticipated. There are also technology licensing talks. The company has to be careful with working capital, but it believes it has enough cash for immediate requirements.
Oscillate (SRVL), which is changing its name to Serval Resources, is acquiring Kalahari Copper and moving to AIM on 27 April. The strategy is to build a business with a range of copper exploration and development assets. There will be a 50-for-one share consolidation. There will be a share issue to raise £2.9m at 22.5p/share. A WRAP retail offer could raise up to $300,000.
Mendell Helium (MDH) expects to publish the document for the move to AIM during April. That will spark the exercise of the option to acquire M3 Helium. The Rost 2-26 well has reached 4,540 feet. This will test helium prospects. There are preparations for the re-completion of Schneweis Ventures 13A well.
Valereum (VLRM) confirms the exclusivity agreement with Quantum Global Photonics and the definitive agreement is expected by the end of April. As part of the agreement, the first coupon payment for medium term notes of $3.9m will be a combination of cash and VGOLD-CORE (independently valued and verified) gold-backed tokens, where the launch is subject to regulatory approval. The deal involves technology integration, tokenisation and profit sharing. So far, $900,000 has been drawn down from the $2.5m investment from Blubird Global Inc. There are currently talks with Blubird Global about revising the terms of the funding, which could mean that funding could end.
Zak Mir is no longer chief executive of Lift Global Ventures (LFT) and he is not running the investor relations business Miriad any longer. The investment strategy has changed to an AI focus. Cash was £199,000 at the end of 2025 and subsequently a £40,000 settlement was agreed with a former consultant.
Heart medicines developer Cardiogeni (CGNI) says that the share swap deal with Kira Health Invest AG is progressing and could complete by 10 April. Kira Health Invest AG will acquire 67.5% of subsidiary Cell Therapy in return for a 32.5% shareholding in Kira’s hotels and wellness clinics subsidiary Lumen Clinics, which has assets of more than €100m.
Time to ACT (TTA) has appointed VSA Capital as corporate adviser and has raised £415,000 at 6p/share. The company is in talks to acquire the assets of heat treatment business MTE Heat Treatment, which is in administration. This will fit with Diffusion Alloys. It is not buying any asset from Versarien. There are other potential acquisitions.
Investment company Gledhow Investments (GDH) had NAV of £1.2m at the end of September 2025. Net cash is currently £762,000 following recent disposals. This provides the opportunity to take advantage of market volatility.
IntelliAM AI (INT) has bought the business and assets of RBM Lubrications for £25,000 payable in cash at the end of 2029. This expands the business in Scotland.
Oberon Investments (OBE) has launched a global thematic equity fund called TM Oberon Theseus Fund. It will be structured around five to eight core themes and have up to 75 investments.
B HODL (HODL) has completed the initial At-The-Market equity offer and raised £42,300 at 7.05p/share. Another Bitcoin has been acquired for £51,234. The total holding is 165.487 Bitcoin which cost an average of £81,962 each.
Digital asset miner Sterling Digital (ASIC) did not have any revenues in the period to December 2025. There was £3.67m in the bank after the Aquis flotation. Data mining equipment has been acquired, and Bitcoin should be being produced by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
South west England focused minerals explorer Tamar Minerals (TMR) had £171,000 in cash at the end of 2025 following a £256,000 cash outflow from operations in the previous six months. Since, then £2.04m has been raised.
Fund of funds investment company SuperSeed Capital (WWW) made realised and unrealised gains of more than £452,000 in 2025. This increased NAV from 1.2544p/share to 1.3668p/share.
Mollyroe (MOY) has raised £470,000 through a convertible loan note issue and £155,000 at 0.25p/share, which is also the conversion price for the loan notes. The loan facility to AI film maker Cascade has been increased from £300,000 to £500,000. Mollyroe will receive and arrangement fee of £40,000.
Macaulay Capital (MCAP) has raised £225,000 from the exercise of warrants at 25p each.
BWA Group (BWAP) managing director James Butterfield bought 1.4 million shares at 0.29p each and owns 8.02% of the company.
JP JENKINS
Surrey-based Oomisoft (OOMI) joined JP Jenkins on 1 April. The company provides membership management software, CRM and digital services. The customer is not for profit and professional organisations.
ASSET MATCH
Anti-microbial technology developer Byotrol (BYOT) has raised £250,000 at 016p/share. The cash will help to fund growth opportunities.
Recruitment services provider Macdonald and Company (MAC1) is asking for shareholder approval for a share buyback from William Buck and Robin Glover. This relates to a restructuring of interests in Asia. The general meeting is 16 April.
AIM
Building products supplier BRCK (BRCK) has received an unsolicited bid approach from Atlas Holdings LLC and after initial contact and exchange of information a 65p/share indicative offer was made. The share price has not been that level since June 2025. That offer was rejected by the board on 23 March. Atlas will be provided with additional information to see whether it can come up with a better offer, but it says this would not be enough for a firm bid.
CleanTech Lithium (CTL) has published the pre-feasibility study for the Laguna Verde lithium brine project in Chile. This shows a NPV10 of $699m over a 25-year period. This assumes extracting 15,000t per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate. The operating cost is assumed to be $5,768/t and a sale price of $22,500/t. Upfront capex is $748m. First production would be 2031.
Steel structures supplier Billington (BILN) has gained new contracts worth £50m even though the market is still relatively weak. This helps to underpin expectations for 2026, although some of the work will be done in 2027. The 2025 results are due to be published later this month. A pre-tax profit of £3.5m is forecast before a recovery to £8.3m. Manufacturing has been streamlined and Cavendish may reassess forecasts when the results are published.
Whisky supplier Artisanal Spirits Company (ART) was hit by tariffs and the US government shutdown. Elsewhere, there was an improvement in revenues last year. However, overall revenues dipped from £23.6m to £19.9m and that meant that the loss was raised from £3.1m to £7m. Net debt was £31.5m and this should start to reduce this year. The company has changed its way of trading with the US and taken on the distribution in the country.
There was a return to growth at CML Microsystems (CML) in the second half. However, the company will still make a full year loss, rather than the small profit previously expected, because the growth was in lower margin revenues. Supply chain problems have eased. Shore says it will publish 2026-27 forecasts after the latest results are published on 16 June.
Mobile games developer Gaming Realms (GMR) has been hit by changes to stake limits in the UK and there will be another setback when the tax rate increases this year. Revenues improved from £28.5m to £31.4m, while pre-tax profit rose from £8.3m to £9m as management adapted to the stake changes and kept control of costs. More games and adding licence partners have helped revenues continue to rise. North American revenues continue to grow.
Wound healing technology developer AOTI Inc (AOTI) says 2025 revenues were $66.5m, up 15% on 2024. Underlying pre-tax profit was $3.1m, compared with a loss last year. Net debt reached $6.5m. There is a $1.7m provision on money owed by Arizona. Revenues could still rise this year even though AOTI is pulling out of Arizona due to difficulty in getting paid, but profit could decline to $1.2m before starting to grow again. Outstanding debt from Arizona may eventually be reclaimed. A CMS local coverage determination is still expected in the near-term and that will provide some positivity.
Greatland Resources (GGP) benefited from a recovery in the gold price to $4,677.28/ounce. Earlier in the week, it revealed a mineral resource estimate for the O’Callaghans tungsten copper zinc lead deposit. There is 70Mt @ 0.35% of tungsten trioxide. The Telfer mineral resource estimate has been raised by 150% to 8 million ounces. Together with Havieron, the resources could be mined for many decades.
Abingdon Health (ABDX) has won a series of contracts worth £4.8m with a US client. This covers the development of multiplex quantitative lateral flow assay systems for human testing which will be delivered over 27 months. This supports the decision to expand capacity in the US. There could be a subsequent manufacturing contract. The company is set to move to around breakeven in 2026-27. The share price gained 10.3% to 8p.
Ariana Resources (AAU) reported a £12.4m loss for 2025, but this is almost all down to the change in valuation of the Turkey joint venture. That is a non-cash adjustment. The cash outflow from operating activities was £2.6m. Progress is being made with the Dokwe project in Zimbabwe and there is £5.4m in the bank to fund its development.
Monoclonal antibodies developer Bioventix (BVXP) reported interim revenues 9% lower at £6.2m. China was a tough market and some products are maturing. Pre-tax profit was slightly lower at £4.9m. Cash was £5.1m at the end of 2025. The customer base is being broadened and there is longer-term potential for royalties from the company’s antibodies that are included in products. Full year pre-tax profit is set to fall from £10.2m to £9.6m. The full year dividend is set to be unchanged at 150p/share even though it is not going to be covered by earnings.
Digital finance hub Tap Global Group (TAP) interim revenues fell from £1.8m to £1.7m. There was also £210,000 of income from settlement with crypto currency exchange Bitfinex. Cash was £433,000 at the end of 2025.
In-game advertising technology developer Mirriad Advertising (MIRI) says that the expected upturn in February and March did not happen because of the Middle East conflict. It did sign a services agreement with a UK media conglomerate. There is £675,000 in the bank, but more cash will be required before the 2025 accounts are published.
Wellheads and connectors Plexus Holdings (POS) reported a reduction in interim revenues from £2.9m to £1.2m because of delays in projects, particularly in the North Sea due to tax uncertainty and inability to offset decommissioning costs. Activity is likely to remain subdued in the second half with the assumption that work will recover in 2026-27. A full year loss is forecast before a return to profit in 2026-27. The estate of William Black has built up a stake of 5%.
MAIN MARKET
Construction equipment hire company Speedy Hire (SDY) has not made the expected progress in the second half. Contract delays hampered revenues. The latest trading statement has led to a reduction in forecast earnings for 2025-26 and 2026-27. A loss of £1.5m is estimated for the year to March 2026. Net debt is expected to be £159m. The dividend is set to be slashed to 1p/share.
Solvonis Therapeutics (SVNS) has been granted a US patent for a “monoamine modulator compound series from its post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)” programme. This market covers more than 20 million people in the US and major European markets. This programme is part of a broader platform. SVN-114 is the lead candidate.
Digital assets investor KR1 (KR1) generated technology infrastructure income of £106,000 from staking activities and that takes the total for 2026 so far to £283,000. Financial income of £2,350 during February. NAV is 21.3p/share, down from 23.8p/share at the end of January 2026.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 24 November 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Kasei Digital Assets (KASH) plans a return of cash to shareholders. There should be £3.4m in cash after selling assets and this should be returned to shareholders. A subscription of £200,000 at 1p/share will provide an additional £100,000 for distribution. The new investors include new executive chairman Kwasi Kwarteng, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, new non-exec Paul Withers, Daniel Howe and Sam Daughtry, plus existing directors Jai Patel, who will become chief executive, and Brendan Kearns. Bryan Coyne, Steven Davis and Jane Thomason will resign from the board. The unsuccessful digital assets strategy will be adapted with a greater focus on Bitcoin, and more cash raised.
WeCap (WCAP) owns 11.8% of WeShop Holdings (NASDAQ: WSHP), which has joined Nasdaq, There are 806,022 shares owned directly and 2.08 million shares via a 23.5% holding in Community Social Investments Limited (CSIL). The share price was well above $200 at one point last week and ended at $113.40, which means that the stake is worth $31m. Peel Hunt has cut its shareholding in WeCap from 18.4% to below 10%.
Hot Rock Investments (HRIP) has a portfolio of shares, including 150,000 shares in WeShop. The stake is valued at $17m.
Music agent All Things Considered (ATC) is moving to AIM and raising £8.6m at 125p/share. The expected admission date is 17 December, which is four years after joining Aquis at 153p/share. Trading is second half weighted and is currently in line.
Ajax Resources (AJAX) says the terms of the conditional acquisition of the Paguanta zinc, silver and lead project have been revised. It will acquire a company with a 74.81% stake in the project for $37,500 in cash and $37,500 in shares. The seller will retain a 1% net smelter royalty capped at $500,000. The Environmental Impact Assessment has been submitted for the Eureka project and the company issued formal notices to relevant communities. The Environmental Impact Declaration should be issued in early December.
Online consumer loans provider Amazing AI (AAI) is exploring the options of quotations on the Mauritius Stock Exchange and/or the US OTCQB Market. This follows the decision not to go ahead with spinning off 80% of its subsidiary based in Mauritius and retaining the minority stake. Existing company shareholders will receive shares on a pro rata basis.
Evrima (EVA) investee company Eastport Ventures Inc has joined the TSX Venture Exchange. Evima owns 3.83% of the Botswana-focused critical minerals explorer and also holds warrants.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) is holding a general meeting on 28 November to gain shareholder approval for a 100-for-one share consolidation.
Dominic White has stepped down as a director of technology-based financial services company Eight Capital Partners (ECP).
Energy transition engineering Time To ACT (TTA) says the main subsidiary Diffusion Alloys is likely to be profitable in 2025-26 and 2026-27, although this depends on timing. The order book of large project work is worth more than £4m and most of this will be recognised during 2026. There is enough cash for at least 12 months, but it appears it will not last as long as previously expected. Oberon Capital has been appointed joint broker. The general meeting was postponed.
Financial media company Lift Global Ventures (LFT) intends to change its name to Yorkshire AI and focus on AI investments. It will work with Yorkshire AI Labs (YAIL), where its new executive chairman David Richards is a partner. YAIL has bought a 0.45% stake in IntelliAM. In the year to June 2025, revenues declined from £477,000 to £281,000, but lower costs and a fair value gain rather than loss mean that the loss was reduced from £976,000 to £27,000. Cash was £196,000 at the end of June 2025.
TechFinancials (TECH) has not received placing proceeds of £250,000. Gathoni Muchai Investments has money in the bank, and it is still awaiting regulatory clearance. A further £100,000 will no longer be accepted.
Ethtry (ETHY) has appointed Patrick Chopard as chief executive and David Levis will become a non-executive to devote attention to the battery storage investments.
BWA Group (BWAP) used £980,000 of cash in operations and investment last year. There was £20,000 in cash at the end of June 2025.
Asia Wealth Group (AWLP) reported interim revenues falling from $504,000 to $395,000. Pre-tax profit fell from $13,000 to $8,000. There was cash of $977,000 at the end of August 2025.
AI company Astrid Intelligence (ASTR) has appointed Mark Creaser as chief executive.
NYCE International (NYCE) has appointed Alex Crockford as chief commercial officer.
The Smarter Web Company (SWC) has raised another £141,000 at 61p/share.
Valereum (VLRM) has completed a subscription to raise raised £600,000 at 5p/share. Chairman James Bannon and chief executive Gary Cottle contributed £225,000 each and they will each receive 2.5 million warrants exercisable at 50p each and 2.5 million warrants exercisable at 100p each. The rest comes from another investor, which will also receive warrants. A further £50,000 has been raised by the exercising of warrants at 4p each.
Mendell Helium (MDH) raised £200,00 at 3p/share. This is a direct investment by an existing shareholder.
B HODL (LON: HODL) has taken its Bitcoin holding to 155.039 and the total cost was £13.1m.
Shepherd Neame (SHEP) non-executive director Marion Sears bought 4,000 shares at 466p each.
JP JENKINS
JP Jenkins has been awarded a PISCES (Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System) operator licence by the Financial Conduct Authority. This will be called the JP Jenkins Private Market, and the JP Jenkins Matched Bargain Facility will continue.
Bespoke kitchens designer and installer John Lewis of Hungerford (JLH), which left AIM on 29 June 2023, joined JP Jenkins on 18 November.
London and Associated Properties (LAS) left the Main Market on 19 November and joined JP Jenkins. The property investor expects to make annual savings of £350,000. There has been a lack of liquidity in the shares.
AIM
CML Microsystems (CML) interims wee hit by supply problems but they should reflect the base from which the semiconductors designer can grow. Interim revenues wee 27% lower at £9.2m and there was a loss. Net cash was £10.7m at the end of September 2025. The interim dividend is unchanged at 5p/share. CML has received £4m of the £7m proceeds of the sale of land. There are no forecasts, but a better second half is expected, and this could enable a full year profit. A major £30m plus contract over 12 years has been won from a satellite systems company.
Telecoms testing instrumentation supplier Calnex Solutions (CLX) improved interim revenues despite the telecoms market remaining weak. Demand for datacentres and defence is providing growth opportunities. In the six months to September 2025, revenues were 9% higher at £8m. The loss was reduced from £1.3m to £1m. Telecoms is a minority contributor to revenues. Additional sales personnel have been hired to develop the other markets. Full year revenues are forecast to rise from £18.4m to £20.3m and the pre-tax profit will edge up to £700,000. That is before any recovery in the telecoms market, which probably will not happen until next year.
NWF (NWF) says its businesses have had a mixed first half performance. Heating oil volumes have been lower than normal and the winter increase in demand is not likely to make up for this. Commercial fuels demand has also been lower, and this is higher margin. This has led to pricing pressures as the company rolls out a new regional operating model. The food distribution and feeds businesses are doing well, with the former picking up new contracts.
Cloud-based digital media services provider Zoo Digital (ZOO) has significantly reduced its cost base and generated $549,000 in cash from operations in the six months to September 2025. Interim revenues fell 19% to $22.4m, but this was an increase on the second half revenues from last year. Zoo Digital has launched its Fast Track service that can provide a premium service for streaming programming that can turn around dubbing and subtitling in hours rather than days. Zoo Digital is still expected to report an underlying operating loss of $2m in 2025-26, but it will continue to generate cash from operations.
Transport software and services provider Tracsis (TRCS) says full year revenues improved from £81m to £81.9m, although like-for-like growth was 3%. Underlying pre-tax profit edged up to £10.2m. Recurring licence revenues were £23.2m. Net cash was £23.4m at the end of July 2025. The dividend was raised to 2.72p/share. The business has been reorganised and there were £2.4m of exceptional provisions with around £1m of the cash outflow expected next year. A major geointelligence contract has been won with DEFRA. This is worth up to £9m over ten years. Singer forecasts a 2025-26 pre-tax profit of £11.1m.
Eyewear supplier Inspecs (SPEC) says trading improved in October with order books 10% higher than one year ago. US tariff disruption will affect the timing of shipments. Full year revenues of £191m and EBITDA of £17.7m are expected. Safilo Group made an approach to Inspecs to acquire the Eschenbach and BoD businesses. It made two non-binding cash offers, and they we rejected by Inspecs.
Musical instruments retailer Gear4Music (G4M) has bounced back from a troubled couple of years. It is set for its best year since the Covid-boosted 2020-21. In the six months to September 2025, revenues jumped from £61.7m to £80.7m, while a loss of £1.25m was turned into a pre-tax profit of £2.72m. Gear4Music was helped by smaller rivals going out of business. This helped grow revenues and also enabled the retailer to pick up stock at attractive prices that boosted margins. Net debt was £16m at the end of September 2025 as cash generated was invested in stock. There is an upgrade to full year pre-tax profit from £5.5m to £6.7m.
Bigblu Broadband (BBB) is in talks with the buyer of Skymesh about the post-acquisition performance of the business and whether there is going to be any deferred consideration. Bigblu Broadband may have to compensate the buyer for debtors that have not been collected. Bigblu Broadband plans to ask for shareholder permission to leave AIM at a general meeting on 8 December. It could leave on 18 December. Management will seek to realise value form the remaining assets.
Floorcoverings distributor Likewise (LIKE) has reported 8.9% growth in revenues in the first ten months of the year. Zeus raised expectations for 2025 revenues, but the pre-tax profit forecast has been cut. Higher than expected cost increase have led to a one-quarter reduction in the 2025 pre-tax profit forecast to £3m. Capital investment will increase annual capacity to £250m.
Whisky supplier Artisanal Spirits Company (ART) has been hit by the US government shutdown, having already been hampered by tariffs. It is taking more than six weeks to gain approval from the US authorities for new product labels. This means that $3.2m of shipments will not clear customs this year. This will reduce EBITDA by £2m. The US strategy is being changed and the contract with the current distributor will end in March 2026. There will be a stock provision of more than £1.5m. Full year underlying revenues ae expected to be flat, excluding the one-offs.
Battery technology developer Ilika (IKA) says interim revenues will be £600,000 and are mainly from grants. Initial Stereax battery deliveries could be before the end of 2025 with commercial revenues possible in this financial year. The interims will be published on 22 January 2025.
Northern Bear (NTBR) interims exceeded expectations. The building services provider increased revenues from £37.6m to £49.4m, while pre-tax profit jumped from £1.54m to £4m. The pre-tax profit included a £1.3m one-off gain. Underlying full year pre-tax profit has been upgraded to £3.9m.
Empyrean Energy (EME) says Conrad Asia Energy has signed an agreement with PT Nations Natuna Barat for farming into the Mako gas field in the Duyung production sharing contract and the new partner will pay 100% of project development costs for a 75% non-operated participating interest in the Duyung PSC. The deal could be completed by the third quarter of 2026. Empyrean Energy is in dispute with Conrad Asia Energy about its interest in the Duyung PSC.
Industrial equipment distributor HC Slingsby (SLNG) is asking for shareholder approval to leave AIM. The shares are illiquid and the cost of being on AIM adds to the company’s loss, which was £237,000 in the nine months to September 2025. Net debt was £340,000. There is already support from shareholders owning 73.2% of the shares. HC Slingsby transferred from the Main Market to AIM on 24 May 2005. It has been on the London Stock Exchange for many decades. The cancellation could be on 23 December. No matched bargain facility is planned.
Defence consultancy RC Fornax (RCFX) raised £2.25m in a placing at 6p/share and raised £70,000 out of the £500,000 retail offer. The cash will fund development of the Procure X Marketplace to connect small companies with defence buyers and provide working capital. Directors and management are investing £156,800 in new shares. This includes Paul Reeves and Daniel Clark who raised £1m in the flotation back in February, when the company raised £5.2m at 32.5p/share. Cavendish has increased its 2025-26 forecast loss to £2m and expects a lower loss next year.
Great Western Mining Corporation (GWMO) has completed 6,158 feet of drilling at the West Huntoon copper project and the Rhyolite Dome prospect. This includes an extra hole at West Huntoon. Assay results are expected within eight weeks. Exploration is being accelerated at other sites.
Sabien Technology (SNT) says Korea-based partner City Oil Field has commissioned its first regenerated green oil production plant. The partnership is being progressed to a strategic agreement. Sabien Technology will acquire a 1.12% stake in City Oil Field for £600,000 in shares, and the UK sales agreement has been extended for ten years and will be expanded to other countries. There will also be a deal to sell products from the new plant. City Oil Field will own 15.9% of Sabien Technology.
Litigation finance provider Manolete Partners (MANO) says interim figures were hit by slower than expected revenues and cash generation, partly due to the lower average settlement values. There have also been delays in collecting money owed. Settlement values have increased in the second half, and it should be a stronger period. Even so, Canaccord Genuity has cut its 2025-26 pre-tax profit estimate from £2.8m to £1.5m.
Circulating tumour cells diagnostic device developer CellBxHealth (CLBX) has entered a non-exclusive deal with QIAGEN Manchester, which will offer the Parsortix platform to its pharmaceutical customers alongside its own molecular analysis tools. There could be joint development of products combining technologies.
MAIN MARKET
US cybersecurity company Narf Industries (NARF) reported a 74% increase in interim revenues to $2.05m and the loss fell from $1.87m to $555,000. There was cash of $224,512 at the end of September 2025 and the chief executive loan has been extended.
Trading in New Frontier Minerals (NFM) shares has been halted on the ASX ahead of a fundraising. The company has entered a binding commercial framework with Metallium Ltd to create a “western heavy rare earth pathway for Harts Range raw ore that will target US magnetic and defence customers”. This is an exclusive processing contract lasting ten years. There are plans to produce concentrate samples for potential customers in 2026.
Nanoco (NANO) has agreed a $5m settlement with LG relating to the dispute over quantum dot technology. There have been $600,000 of costs incurred last year. An underlying pre-tax profit of £700,00 was reported for the year to July 2025. The cash position will be boosted to enable further investment in technology.
J Smart (SMJ) continues to lose money on construction activities, but revenues from investment properties and the valuation surplus rising from £994,000 to £5.82m, helped pre-tax profit rise from £2.37m to £5.11m. So, there was an overall loss before the valuation surplus. The total dividend is 3.25p/share.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 15 September 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) increased interim turnover 4% to £9.67m and the loss reduced to £150,000. Hospitality, hotel and nursery revenues all increased. Higher attendances improved core revenues as well. Changes in betting tax rates could hold back racing revenues.
ProBiotix Health (PBX) increased interim revenues by one-third to £1.34m. This helped to reduce the loss. There is £1.3m in cash at the end of June 2025. The health supplements supplier says the market preventive cardiometabolic supplement products is expected to grow annually be more than 8%.
Richmond Hill Resources (SHNJ) plans to move to AIM in the next few weeks.
Shares in data centres operator HRC World (HRC) will stop trading on Nasdaq First North Copenhagen on 31 October and Aquis will be the only market they are traded on.
Shortwave Life Sciences (PSY), which is developing treatments for anorexia nervosa, is planning a clinical human feasibility study on impact of Psilocybin on the disease. This should lead to a phase 1 clinical study. A digital asset treasury strategy will help to fund the core business. The executive team is being changed.
Mendell Helium (MDH) says potential acquisition M3 Helium confirmed that the dewatering of the Rost project in Kansas is about to start. However, drilling in Nebraska has been delayed by wet weather and equipment problems.
The Smarter Web Company (SWC) has purchased another 30 Bitcoin taking the total holding to 2,470 Bitcoin at a total cost of £203.6m. A further £2.6m has been raised at 128p/share.
Ormonde Mining (ORM) investee company TRU Precious Metals has intersected a previously unknown broad mineralised sandstone unit in two drill holes at the Golden Rose project in Canada. This is over a strike length of 500 metres with assay results of up to 1.3g/t gold.
Marula Mining (MARU) has amended the agreement to buy Takela Mining Tanzania, which operates the Kinusi copper mine. Marula currently owns 75% and acquiring the rest is dependent on separate mining licences being combined into one mining licence. The Tanzania government will have a 16% free carried interest. The total payment will be £2.5m with £500,000 payable on signing and £750,000 on conversion of the mining licence. The rest is dependent on more than 100,000 tonnes of copper being sold. Marula Mining is in discussions with potential investors in projects and has secured a loan for the business in Kenya. There is also a new £1m shareholder loan from the chief executive.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) had an NAV of 301p/share at the end of July 2025. There was an interim cash outflow of £1.82m. Cash was £6.58m at the end of July 2025.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has signed an agreement with marine equipment distributor C-Quip Ltd to supply fuel emissions reduction product Sulnox Eco in the UK leisure marine market.
Astrid Intelligence (ASTR) has issued 575.2 million shares to Oak Securities at 0.1p each. Astrid Intelligence director Olivia Edwards bought 17.5 million shares at 0.147p each. There are plans to apply for an OTC quotation in the US.
Oscillate (MUSH) has appointed SP Angel as joint broker alongside corporate adviser Peterhouse.
Fintech company Amazing AI (AAI) raised £1.04m at 1p/share. This will fund the Bitcoin treasury policy.
Hub Affiliations Holdings has raised its stake in NYCE International (NYCE) from 10% to 19.9%.
ASSET MATCH
Marshall of Cambridge (MCH) had a tough year, and land systems and fleet solutions made losses. Ther are also large write offs. The total loss for 2024 was £123m. Fleet solutions has been sold, and land systems is being marketed for sale. Overheads have been reduced. Approval for the sale of the ex-RAF C-130 fleet should be received during September. A further loss is expected this year.
JP JENKINS
Mobile Tornado (MBT) cancelled its quotation on AIM on 9 September and joined JP Jenkins on 9 September.
Airline ecommerce services provider Datalex (DLE) cancelled its quotation on Euronext Growth Dublin and moved to JP Jenkins on 12 September.
AIM
Concrete levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises (SOM) is still suffering from uncertain conditions in the US, but sales are also declining in other markets. There is lower activity in larger scale projects. Interim revenues fell 23% to $39.8m, while pre-tax profit slumped 52% to $5.4m. Annual cost savings of $6m have been made. Full year pre-tax profit is forecast to fall from $25.4m to $15.3m.
Medical device developer Belluscura (BELL) has appointed Guy Peters as a director. He advised Omaha Value which previously proposed funding for the company. The period of exclusivity for a potential buyer of US business Belluscura LLC has expired. Omaha Value and a partner have reapproached Belluscura for another funding proposal. Trading in the shares remains suspended.
Scotch whisky supplier Artisanal Spirits Company (ART) was hit by tariff uncertainty in the first half. The way whisky is exported to the US has changed to minimise the impact of any tariffs. Revenues dipped 4% to £9.68m due to the delayed shipments to the US. There was growth in European subscribers, helped by a deal with AMEX, but a decline in North America and the rest of the world. The loss increased to £3.6m. Net debt was £29.5m at the end of June 2025.
Fulcrum Metals (FMET) says the Teck-Hughes tailings project drilling has started and initial assays ae up to 1.2g/t gold. This is producing data for a mineral resource estimate. Phase 3 testing of the Extrakt technology will provide processing data. This will go towards the preliminary feasibility study.
There has been another upgrade for embedded computer products manufacturer Concurrent Technologies (CNC) following its interims. Revenues were one-quarter higher at £21.1m and pe-tax profit was £2.7m. Cavendish has upgraded its 2025 pre-tax profit forecast from £6m to £6.2m. The fastest growth was in systems. The US facility move has happened and the move to the new UK facility is on course. First half design wins were worth £90m.
Franchised lettings and property sales business The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) has continued its progress with organic growth on top of the benefits of acquisitions. Interim revenues were 50% ahead at £40.3m, while the pro forma increase was 8%. Pre-tax profit was 59% higher at £14.5m, while underlying earnings were 29% ahead at 16.7p/share. The interim dividend is 17% higher at 7p/share. Net debt was £10.9m at the end of June 2025. The fastest growth was in financial services, but even the core property business was 7% ahead on a pro forma basis. The number of lettings properties has declined, as the market becomes tougher for individual landlords.
UK regulatory changes hit UK revenues at Gaming Realms (GMR), but the mobile games developer continues to grow strongly in North America. Interim revenues were 18% ahead at £16m, helped by an increase in brand licensing from £300,000 to £2.4m – that is lumpier in terms of generating revenues. The UK games will be adapted for the new regulations by the end of the year, and revenues should recover.
Floorcoverings distributor Likewise (LIKE) reported interim revenues rising from £70.7m to £77.9m in a weak market. Margins are improving and pre-tax profit jumped from £330,000 to £740,000. Tax losses are still being used up.
Cosmetics supplier Warpaint London (W7L) had a tough first half with the administration of a major customer of the Technics brand and volatile US tariffs making it difficult to price potential orders in the US. An initial contribution from Brand Architekts helped group revenues to grow 8% to £49.3m. Pre-tax profit fell by 41% to £6.4m, although earnings we 13% down to 8.5p/share due to reduced tax charge. There was a gain on the Brand Architekts puchase, but that was more than offset by foreign exchange losses. The interim dividend was raised by 14% to 4p/share.
Interim figures from cross-border payments services provider Finseta (FIN) were disappointing due to customers delaying US dollar transactions due to foreign exchange volatility. Revenues were 16% higher at £5.9m and gross margins declined from 65.7% to 62.7%. Operating costs increased due to expansion plans. The newer offices will not make much of a contribution this year and will hold back profit.
It is still early days in the transformation of Gaming machines hardware and displays supplier Nexteq (NXQ) and interim revenues dropped from $48.2m to $40.7m, while pre-tax profit slumped from $5m to $900,000. Second quarter trading showed some improvement. More mid-level gaming equipment was sold, so that hits margins. Net cash was $28.1m. Share buybacks continue.
Angle (AGL) chief executive Andrew Newland and finance director Ian Griffiths have stepped down from the board following discussions with investors. There are no immediate replacements. This follows the latest interims from the cancer diagnostics company. Interim revenues fell by one-fifth to £800,000. Net loss increased from £7.7m to £9.3m. Net cash was £5.3m at the end of June 2025. Cash lasts until the first quarter of 2026. Cavendish has been appointed as nominated adviser and broker. A new management team may make it easier to raise cash from investors in the coming months. The current strategy could be changed.
Builders merchant Lords Group Trading (LORD) grew interim revenues by 8% to £232.1m with like-for-like growth of 7%. This is before the acquisition of online building products retailer CMO. Net debt was £20.9m at the end of June 2025. Cavendish forecasts a recovery in 2025 pre-tax profit from £3.8m to £6.7m.
Sylvania Platinum (SLP) produced 104,233 ounces of platinum group minerals in 2024-25 and this should increase significantly this year. Revenues increased from $81.7m to $104.2m. EBITDA rose from $13.5m to $29.3m, while cash reached $60.9m. There is an undrawn overdraft facility. The Thaba chrome joint venture will ramp up production this year.
Public affairs services provider Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC) grew organically by 8% in the first half of 2025. Acquisitions helped revenues increase 24% to $87.9m. Net income was one-fifth higher at $15.6m, helped by a lower tax rate. Net debt is $42.2m. Full year forecasts have been tweaked, but operating profit is still expected to rise from $36m to $44.5m. There are plans for a Nasdaq listing and a share consolidation. A general meeting will be held on 29 September.
Distribution Finance Capital (DFCH) is growing faster than expected and it is taking market share with its inventory financing product. Underlying interim pre-tax profit, excluding last year’s one-off gain, improved from £7.5m to £9m. New loan originations were £828m in the first half and the loan book grew to £728m at the end of June 2025. Bad debt provisions were 0.63%. The first half growth was before any contribution from the new asset finance product, where the first loans were in the second half. The new business will be loss making in the second half. Even so, Panmure Liberum has upgraded its 2025 pre-tax profit forecast from £14.5m to £18m, helped by a higher than anticipated net interest margin. Net tangible assets are 70.2p/share.
MAIN MARKET
LED lighting and wiring accessories supplier Luceco (LUCE) grew interim revenues from £109.6m to £125.7m, helped by acquisitions, but pre-tax profit was flat at £8.9m. Like-for-like sales growth was 2%. The acquisition had lower margins and that is why the overall margins fell.
James Fisher (FSJ) reported flat underlying interim revenues of £191.9m, while underlying pre-tax profit was 5% ahead at £4.5m. Higher taxes meant that earnings were lower. Energy services did well, and defence returned to profit. Marine transport profit declined, but the outlook is positive. Disposals have put James Fisher in a stronger position, and it is likely to benefit from higher defence spending. Full year pre-tax profit is expected to be flat at £11.9m before sharp improvements in 2026 and 2027.
Centaur Media (CAU) has agreed to sell The Lawyer for £43m.
Roquefort Therapeutics (ROQ) plans to buy Coiled Therapeutics Inc, a spin-out from A2A Pharmaceuticals that holds the rights to AO-252, which targets the TACC3 protein for cancer. This treatment is in phase 1 clinical trials in the US. The payment for the company would be £30m in shares and the company’s name would be changed to Coiled Therapeutics. Exclusivity lasts until the end of January. Lyramid Pty Ltd and the MK Cell programme will be spun out of the group.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 26 May 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Arbuthnot Banking Group (ARBB) stated at the AGM that trading was in line with expectations in the first four months of the year. Activity is showing signs of picking up. There were loan and lease assts of £2.36bn at the end of April 2025. Deposits rose 3% to £4.26bn. There was an annualised 17% increase in assets under management in the wealth management division. Shore Capital forecasts a dip in full year pre-tax profit from £35.1m to £28.5m. That assumes a further 0.25 of a percentage point cut in interest rates.
Dermatology treatments developer Incanthera (INC) is finalising an agreement with a global direct to consumer and it will launch the Skin + CELL product range in return for royalties on sales. There are 100,000 units in stock ready for sale, and they should be sold by March 2026. This will improve gross margins and provide positive cash flow.
Valereum (VLRM) is investing $1.35m in DigiShares in four tranches up until July. DigiShares owns a real estate tokenisation platform called RealEstate Exchange.
Smarter Web Company (SWC) has raised a further £6.83m at 49p/share. It has purchased a further 39.51 Bitcoin for £3.13m. The total holding is 58.71 Bitcoin at a total cost of £4.54m. The additional funds will be used to buy more Bitcoin.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) subsidiary Forza! will be transferred an initial 15 Bitcoin. Coinsilium will announce purchase of Bitcoin by Forza! Institutional investors are interested in investing in Forza! There was £250,000 raised in a retail offer by Coinsilium at 3p/share.
Aquis Stock Exchange has enforced £15,000 of the suspended fine of £165,000 because of the delay by TruSpine Technologies (TSP) in announcing the issue of new shares in March. Axis MedTech has subscribed £49,500 for shares at 1.5p each, as well as acquiring £136,573 of convertible loan notes from Geoff Miller
Global Connectivity (GCON) says that the value of its 2.8% stake in Rural Broadband Services has fallen to £3.9m, which is equivalent to 1.3p/share.
Mendell Heloum (MDH) has an option to acquire M3 Helium, which is continuing work on the Rost 1-26 well recompletion project.
Gledhow Investments (GDH) has acquired a portfolio of quoted and unquoted shares for 9.95 million shares and £398,900 in 5% convertible loan notes, which are convertible at 0.425p/share. If they are convertible P3 Capital would own 45.3% of Gledhow Investments, while P4 Capital would own 15.3%. The £441,000 investment will increase the scale of the total portfolio.
Watchstone Group (WTG) has decided to end all legal proceedings and return any remaining cash to shareholders following a departure from Aquis. Net assets were £1.25m at the end of 2024.
Res Privata NV has raised its stake in WeCap (WCAP) from 11.3% to 13.6%, while Peel Hunt has a higher shareholding of 19%.
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) director James Richardson bought 2,878 shares a 625p each and his total shareholding is 5,515 shares.
Time to Act (TTA) raised £274,000 at 40p/share and converted £61,000 of loans into shares. Puma AIM VCT has a 3.38% stake.
Walls and Futures RIT (WAFR) is holding a general meeting on 19 June. The resolutions include the company’s proposal to leave the Aquis Stock Exchange and the requisitioners proposals to remove two directors and appoint a new one.
Tin and copper explorer Tamar Minerals (TMR) has agreed a £150,000 loan from Godolphin Minerals, which is owned by the Tamar Minerals chief executive and two of its major shareholders. The loan is repayable on 21 May 2026 and the interest charge is 12%.
Heart failure medicines developer Cardiogeni (CGNI) raised £650,000 at 17.3p/share. Amazing AI (AAI) has raised £37,775aat 0.5p/share from existing shareholders
Kasei Digital Assets (KASH) directors Jai Patel and Brian Coyne each bought 83,333 shares at 6.75p each.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has issued 935,362 shares to EPS Ventures, which relates to the amount of Sulnox Evo purchased.
Supersearch Plus (SSP) is changing its year end from June to December.
JP JENKINS
Powder Monkey (PMGL) has acquired Durham-based Castle Eden Brewery, which has focused on contract brewing. There are plans to brew Powder Monkey brands and to resurrect the Castle Eden brand.
Renewable energy investment company Thrive Renewables (THRV) reported a decline in 2024 revenues from £29m to £25.9m and operating profit fell from £13.6m to £11.3m. A final dividend of 12p/share has been declared. There are plans to buy back 161,628 shares. Thrive operates 24 wind, solar and hydro projects and is crowdfunding for other projects.
AIM
Xeros Technology (XSG) offset a decline in 2025 revenues with cost savings, so the loss was reduced from £4.8m to £4.5m. Revenues have been modest, but that could change this year with £2.5m forecast. Existing contacts should start to generate income later in the year. Russel Hobbs will launch the XF3 filter than can be attached to existing washing machines. A strategic partnership has been secured with Donlim, which will supply the filter to Russell Hobbs. Management is hopeful of gaining at least one major manufacturer for its integrated filter this year that could lead to commercialisation in 2026. Net cash of £2.8m should be enough for this year.
A prospectus has been lodged by Greatland Gold (GGP) for the flotation of its new holding company Greatland Resources on ASX. There are plans to raise £24.2m, while Newmont Corporation is selling 50% of its shareholding. The new company will also be admitted to AIM, and there will be a UK retail offer to raise up to £6.7m. This will close on 17 June.
Telecoms testing equipment supplier Calnex Solutions (CLX) returned to profit in the year to March 2025 as revenues recovered from £16.3m to £18.4m. New product launches helped, as did greater focus on newer markets such as defence and cloud computing. There was a strong fourth quarter and net cash improved from £10.9m at the end of March 2025 to £12.7m at the end of April 2025. The order book has increased, and Cavendish forecasts an improvement in pre-tax profit from £700,000 to £800,000 this year. That is still well below peak profitability.
Artisinal Spirits Company (ART) says revenues grew in double digits in the first four months of 2025 even though the US and China markets remain tough. The growth is coming from bottled whisky sales in Europe and cask sales. The US importing model is being changed. Full year revenues are forecast to grow by 10% to £26m.
Revolution Beauty Group (REVB) has received a preliminary bid approach, and a formal sale process has begun. The cosmetics supplier requires more funding, and it is still talking to key shareholders.
telecoms enterprise software provider Cerillion (CER) had flagged a weaker first half and management remains positive about growth in full year revenues with a new contract helping to meet the target. In the six months to March 2025, revenues dipped from £22.5m to £20.9m. The mix of revenues was different with lower software income due to fewer renewals and higher services revenues. Pre-tax profit fell from £10.5m to £9.3m. R&D spending was increased. Net cash still improved from £26.6m to £31.2m over the 12-month period. The dividend has been raised by one-fifth to 4.8p/share.
Chain manufacturer Renold (RNO) has received two bid offers one is 77p/share in cash from Webster Industries and the other is 81p/share in cash from a consortium comprising Buckthorn Partners LLP and One Equity Partners IX, L.P.
Executive search firm Norman Broadbent (LON: NBB) revealed at its AGM that second quarter trading is materially ahead of the same period last year. Recent appointments are helping to enhance growth, and the company is moving into the Middle East market. This should ensure a return to profit this year. The £96,000 CBILs loan has been repaid. Shareholders approved the 35-for-one share consolidation.
Aquaculture company Benchmark (BMK) is asking for shareholder approval to leave AIM and Euronext Growth Oslo. There should be annual savings of £2.4m and there should also be overhead savings of £5.6m following the sale of the genetics business. Benchmark is launching a tender offer at 25p/share. The total amount of cash available through the tender is £56.7m out of the current net cash of £117m.
Composite kits supplier Velocity Composites (VEL) has been hit by delays to projects and Canaccord Genuity has reduced 2024-25 revenues by 15% to £23m and then means a loss instead of breakeven. This is despite the fact that margins are better than expected. Net cash will fall to £700,000 on that basis. Next year’s pre-tax profit forecast has been cut from £500,000 to £300,000. There have been problems with the ramp up of A350 production and final qualification sign-off of kits in the US has been delayed. The US base will offset any problems with tariffs.
Ascent Resources (AST) is acquiring a 49% interest in oil and gas leases in Colorado operated by Locin Oil Corporation and a 10% in oil and gas leases in Utah operated by ARB Energy. US-based geologist David Patterson will take over as chief executive and there will be cost savings. The first purchase costs $2.5m, including shares at 0.5p each and a $1.9m convertible loan note. The second purchase costs $750,000 in shares. The deal includes rights to earn a 50% economic interest in incremental production from these leases. There is an option to acquire a further 23% interest in the leases. A fundraising will generate £1.35m at 0.5p/share with £224,000 used to pay back part of the RiverFort secured loan with $100,000 converted into shares at 0.7245p/share.
Drug developer Poolbeg Pharma (POLB) is raising £4m at 2.5p/share and could raise up to £100,000 from a retail offer. The cash will last into 2027. It will be spent on th POLB 001 phase 2a trial to “prevent cancer immunotherapy-induced Cytokine Release Syndrome, a severe, potentially life-threatening side effect of cancer immunotherapies”. Topline data is expected by the end of 2026. An Oral GLP-1 proof of concept trial for an obesity treatment.
Healthcare services provider Totally (TLY) is considering offers for subsidiaries. This is the only practical way to pay off liabilities. However, the proceeds may not be enough to meet all liabilities.
Energy assurance and optimisation services provider Inspired (INSE) has published a document rejecting the 68.5p/share offer by Regent Gas. The argument is that the offer undervalues the business, and it is not in the best interests of shareholders to take control of Inspired.
MAIN MARKET
LED lighting and wiring accessories supplier Luceco (LUCE) grew first quarter revenues by 19% to £61m. Acquisitions and the electric vehicle charging operations are driving the improvement. US tariffs are likely to impact on £4m of last year’s revenues.
Foam manufacturer Zotefoams (ZTF) says revenues are 8% ahead so far this year. They reached £50.7m at the end of April 2025. Footwear remains a strong market and there was 24% growth in transport and smart technologies sales. Construction is a weaker market.
Fully listed natural resources company Ajax Resources (AJAX) is applying to join the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Access market. This follows a planned acquisition of Minas La Escondida, which has two copper and gold licences near to the company’s Eureka mine in Argentina, which has previously been in production. There are plans to raise £1.5m at 4p/share. There is currently £650,000 in the bank.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 19 September 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
ProBiotix Health (PBX) has secured a new commercial partner in Asia Pacific. Nutraceutical business Nutraconnect will develop and implement strategies for ProBiotix Health ingredients in Asia Pacific.
IamFire (FIRE) says investee company WeShop Holdings had 23,000 user downloads by the end of August. Transactions increased from 2,633 in July to 5,981 in August. Average spend per transaction has increased to £81. A US launch is planned.
Gunsynd (GUN) is making a further conditional investment of £100,000 in ASX-listed Rincon Resources. The investment is dependent on Rincon Resources shareholder approval.
Fintech investment company Eight Capital Partners (ECP) has generated £1m in fees from Zamaz (ZAMZ), which joined the standard list a fortnight ago. Zamaz believes that its technology platform can help to efficiently build direct to consumer brands via e-commerce. Other Eight Capital Partners revenue have been modest.
Evrima (EVA) says investee company Premium Nickel Resources has created a new metals division.
Spirits brand Rogue Baron (SHNJ) says that a third party has been contacting investor saying it is raising cash for the company, which is not true. Rogue Baron is considering ways of raising further funds.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has won a new order from Ghana for SulNOxEco fuel conditioner. There is enough to treat six million litres of diesel, which is a larger order than the previous one. New agreements are being discussed in other African countries.
Site works have commenced at the Blesberg lithium and tantalum project in South Africa. Marula Mining (MARU) says mining permits have been applied for.
A company associated with Asimilar Group (ASLR) non-exec director Mark Horrocks has acquired 750,000 shares at 4.1p each, which takes his share interest to 5.27%.
Engineering company Vulcan Industries (VULC) has raised £132,000 at 0.92p a share. Superseed Capital Ltd (WWW) has issued £1m of convertible loan notes to SuperSeed Venture LLP, which is its investment manager. The conversion price is 130p a share.
Barry Hersh is a 9.98% shareholder in Rural Broadband Solutions (RBBS). PEU SA has a 7.56% stake in Eastinco Mining and Exploration (EM.P).
AIM
Churchill China (CHH) had an extremely strong first half in 2022 because of demand for hospitality products. Sales of plates and other products to restaurants and hotels were behind the 73% growth in revenues to £41.4m. Sales of retail products declined as production focused on hospitality products. Churchill China is gaining market share in the UK and internationally. The interim dividend is 57% ahead at 10.5p a share. A full year pre-tax profit of £8.8m is forecast.
New admission Aurrigo International (AURR) has risen a further 9.52% to 57.5p. The transport technology products supplier raised £8m at 48p a share when it joined AIM. The cash will be invested in the aviation technology division and to develop new products.
Broker and administrator Jarvis Securities (JIM) has appointed Ocreus to review systems and controls at its main subsidiary after it ran into trouble with the FCA. This will take between three and six months. Jarvis has voluntarily agreed not to take on new clients from certain existing Model B corporate clients until the systems have been reviewed. The restrictions should not hamper forecast revenues and profit, although the costs of the review could hamper shareholder dividends from Jarvis Securities. This news was announced late on Friday and the share price nearly halved.
Retail brand Joules (JOUL) has ended its talks with retailer NEXT (NEXT) about a cash injection, leaving it with the need to find another source of funding. That is likely to require a share issue.
Baby products retailer Mothercare (MTC) reported revenues falling from £85.8m to £82.8m, but it returned to profit. The figures were at the top end of expectations and the company was cash generative. finnCap forecasts a fall in pre-tax profit from £8m to £1.9m this year. The pension deficit is declining.
TV and film production services provider Facilities by ADF (ADF) had tough comparisons for its interim figures and reported pre-tax profit was lower. Revenues improved from £11.5m to £12.6m, but the lack of large productions and higher overheads since flotation mean that profit was lower. There will be more, and higher value, productions in the second half, so some of the profit shortfall should be offset. Flotation funds are being used to increase the size of the vehicle fleet.
Artisanal Spirits Company (ART) increased membership by 24% in the first half of 2022. This growth was international, and the current membership is around 36,000. Full year revenues are expected to increase from £18.2m to £21.6m. The value of the casks of whisky in stock has increased from £430m to £455m in the latest six month period.
Cyber security services provider Corero Network Security (CNS) improved sales in the first half and growth could accelerate in the second half. Full year revenues are forecast to increase by one-third to $27.9m. Demand for cyber security continues to increase. Corero should breakeven this year.
Strong growth in first half revenues at plant-based polymers developer Itaconix (ITX) means that it is set to double full year revenues to $5.2m. Revenues trebled from cleaning applications. There was $900,000 of net cash at the end of June 2022.
The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) increased interim revenues by 18% to £13.1m and pre-tax profit was 9% higher at £3.8m. The interim dividend was increased by 11% to 4.2p a share. Trading remains strong even though house buying incentives were ended last year.
Building and architecture software supplier Eleco (ELCO) did not surprise the market with the 3% decline in interim revenues to £13.4m, although recurring revenues were 9% higher at £8.2m. This reflects the change to a SaaS model. Pre-tax profit was 23% down at £2.1m due to higher costs.
Ncondezi Energy Ltd (NCCL) has replaced a working capital facility with a convertible loan and more cash is being made available. The shareholder loan repayment cannot be demanded before 30 November 2023.
Shell company Advance Energy (ADV) raised £425,000 at 0.085p a share. There are warrants attached to each new share that are exercisable at 0.13p a share. The cash will enable management to investigate a suitable reverse takeover candidate and fund due diligence. Management is in talks with the majority owner of a European oil and gas company and trading in the shares is suspended. Any deal will be funded with shares and via an earn-out based on production. The suspension will continue until a prospectus is published or the deal does not happen.
Tertiary Minerals (TYM) has signed a technical co-operation agreement with First Quantum Minerals for two copper projects in Zambia – Mukai and Mushima North. Mukai is next door to First Quantum’s Trident project. First Quantum also has interests in the same region as Mushima North. First Quantum will supply historical exploration date for the areas. First Quantum does not have first right of refusal over the projects.
MAIN MARKET
Fintech Asia Ltd (FINA) is seeking fintech acquisitions. This includes mobile banking, digital payments and blockchain. It raised £1.46m at 50p a share, before expenses of £613,000. The cash should finance the operating of the company and investigating potential acquisitions for more than one year. Further share issues will be required when any targets are identified, and deals secured. There were no trades reported on the first two days. The current share price is 55.5p (53p/57p).
Ikigai Ventures Ltd (IKIV) is looking to acquire businesses with a positive social impact strategy, particularly those based in Asia. It has a similar shareholder base to Fintech Asia. Ikigai Ventures raised £2.09m at 50p a share, before expenses of £714,000. That cash should last more than one year. There were no trades reported on the first two days. The current share price is 55.5p (53p/57p).
Innovative materials developer HeiQ (HEIQ) increased interim revenues by 17% to $30.3m and it is making progress with newer products, such as AeoniQ and GrapheneX. Hygiene products generated 43% of total revenues. Service and licence revenues more than trebled. There was $9.5m in the bank at the end of June 2022. Cenkos expects revenues to grow from $57.9m to $69.4m in the full year and grow by a further 10% next year. The 2022 pre-tax profit is expected to be $4.8m.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 4 April 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
In 2021, Good Energy (GOOD) revenues were 12% higher at £146m, while underlying pre-tax profit recovered from £500,000 to £2.6m. Since the year end the sale of the generating assets has boosted the balance sheet making it debt free. A final dividend of 1.8p a share takes the total for the year to 2.55p a share. Investment in billing platforms will help improve efficiency. The Zap-Map EV charging services business remains a focus of growth, along with an accelerating smart meter roll out. Even though trading conditions are tough, Good Energy could improve its profit this year.
Brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) is returned to profit at the interim stage, and it is paying an interim dividend of 3.5p a share. In the six months to December 2021, revenues increased by 55% to £78.7m, which is similar to the six months to December 2019. A loss of £7.2m was turned into a profit of £5.4m. Net debt is £82.4m after paying delayed VAT liabilities. Net assets are 1176p a share, excluding property revaluations. In the 13 weeks to 26 March 2022, like-for-like managed pub sales are 10% ahead, but it is a weak comparative. Costs are increasing and Peel Hunt has trimmed its full year pre-tax profit forecast from £8.6m to £7.2m.
ProBiotix Health (PBX) started trading on the Access segment having raised £2.5m at 21p a share. The share price ended the week at 21.5p, valuing the company at £26.2m. The company has been spun-off by OptiBiotix Health (OPTI), which retains a 44% stake after issuing ProBiotix shares to its own shareholders. They will not be able to deal in the shares for nine months. The core product developed by ProBiotix is LP-LDL ®. Studies have shown that the product can reduce cholesterol levels.
AIM-quoted European equities exchange operator Aquis Exchange (AQX) joined the Apex segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange on the same day as it reported full year figures. In 2021, revenues were 42% ahead at £16.2m, while pre-tax profit jumped from £470,000 to £3.22m. Net cash is £14.1m, after spending £1.1m on buying back shares. The company’s market share of pan-European trading improved from 4.7% to 5.2% and the purchase of the non-displayed matching pool of UBS could add a further 0.6% of market share. Liberum forecasts further growth in pre-tax profit to £4.2m this year.
Oberon Investments (OBE) is raising £3.4m at 6p a share in a significantly oversubscribed placing. The broker and investment manager wants to spend the cash on expanding its corporate finance and wealth management operations.
Pharma C Investments (PCIL) invested £100,000 in AIM-quoted Celadon Pharmaceuticals (CEL), formerly Summerway Capital, at 165p a share. Trading started on 28 March and the share price subsequently fell to 130p. Vertigrow, which was established in 2018, reversed into Celadon and it grows indoor hydroponic, high THC cannabis, which will be used for medicines to treat chronic pain. A Home Office licence to legally grow medicinal cannabis was received in July 2021 and it has been renewed until January 2023.
KR1 (KR1) has invested $1.5m in Subspace Labs Inc and it will receive a yet-to-be determined number of tokens. Subspace Network is an eco-friendly blockchain that enables scalable chain storage and computing.
Gunsynd (GUN) owns 1.25 million shares in Media Tech SPAC, which is acquiring Scandinavia-based Drylab A/S, which has developed a subscription-based film and TV production platform. The technology allows reviewing and sharing of filmed takes in real-time, uploads those filmed takes to a cloud-based platform and saves time and costs. The service is designed to work without internet access.
Vulcan Industries (VULC) has sold M and G Olympic Products, which manufactures architectural metalwork, for £1. This is part of refocusing on fabrication businesses.
Cadence minerals (KDNC) has agreed to sell its 31.5% stake in Lithium Technologies and Lithium Supplies in return for £3.72m.
The attempt to remove the chairman and the other resolution put forward at a requisitioned general meeting of Love Hemp (LIFE) were heavily defeated.
Pioneer Holdings Inc (PNER) has acquired Crowdform, which creates apps and websites for brands and start-ups.
Trading in Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) shares was restored after it reported 2020-21 results and interims to September 2021. There was cash of £93,000 and net assets were £788,000 at the end of September 2021.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) had £396,000 in the bank at the end of 2021 and management says that it is well funded even though there have been delays to exploration.
Lombard Capital (LCAP) had net liabilities of £2.29m at the end of 2021. The directors are trying to refinance the company.
Hydrogen Future Industries (HFI) has incorporated a subsidiary to develop wind and water-based hydrogen production systems.
Evrima (EVA) has replaced corporate adviser Keith Bayley Rogers with Novum Securities.
Kasei Holdings (KASH) says that its chair Jane Thomason Abigail subscribed £150,000 for new shares at 20p each.
AIM
Digital payments business Boku (BOKU) improved its underlying pre-tax profit from $8.8m to $11.8m in 2021. Longer-term, eWallet activity will help to accelerate growth. Monthly average cash balances are running at $50.8m. Boku will be hit by the loss of Russian revenues that were likely to be around $1.5m.
NWF (NWF) says that its fuels business is making a profit of 2p a litre, compared with 1p a litre under normal circumstances. This will boost cash flow, but it is not likely to be repeatable. Full year profit will be much better than expected.
Artisanal Spirits (ART) achieved strong growth in the UK, China and the US last year. Member lifetime value increased from £932 to £1,445, helped by retention rates improving to 77%. The investment in casks of whisky is paying off with the value of the stocks increasing by 26%. Current year revenues are growing by 30%.
EKF Diagnostics (EKF) increased 2021 revenues by 25% to £81.8m. Even stripping out one-off Covid business, the growth was 14%. Pre-tax profit improved from £15.4m to £21.4m. Net cash was £19.6m at the end of 2021, although that was prior to an additional investment in Verici Dx (VRCI). Some of the cash pile is being invested in expanding the fermentation capacity in Indiana. There are plans to buy back up to nine million shares.
Employee benefits services and insurance provider Personal Group (LSE: PGH) beat expectations with 2021 even though pre-tax profit declined from £8.8m to £4.7m as the effects of the original lockdown showed through in the figures. There will also be a delay in the recovery coming through in better profit. The total dividend was reduced from 18.4p a share to 10.6p a share. Net cash is £20.3m.
Brand Architekts (BAR) is making a recommended bid for fully listed InnovaDerma (IDP), which has regularly disappointed investors. The offer is 7p in cash and 0.3818 of a Brand Architekts share for each InnovaDerma share, which values the skincare company at £13.6m. Brand Architekts has a strong balance sheet and will be able to improve the marketing for the combined group’s products.
Windward (WNWD), which supplies AI-based software for real-time marine and shipping information, doubled its customer base last year. There is an increased need for information to stop breaches of sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as the ongoing requirement to track sea cargos. Windward is loss-making, but revenues should build up significantly as marine compliance requirements become more stringent. Net cash is $39m and this will provide the funds for Windward to achieve its growth forecasts.
SIPPs admin services provider Curtis Banks (CBP) improved pre-tax profit from £13.4m to £14m in 2021. The growth was held back by delays in technology projects. The dividend is maintained at 9p a share. This was achieved despite a decline in interest income. The higher interest rates will not make a significant difference until 2023. Investment in systems will improve efficiency.
Construction and building software supplier Eleco (ELCO) grew revenues from £25.2m to £27.3m, while pre-tax profit improved from £4.9m to £5.3m. Eleco is transitioning to a SaaS-based model and that will hold back short-term revenues growth. Eleco increased its full year dividend from 0.4p a share to 0.6p a share.
Great Western Mining (GWMO) has completed the road to its Mineral Jackpot properties in Nevada and that will help it to exploit spoil heaps. There are also plans to drill five shallow exploration holes in the area.
MAIN MARKET
Repair and maintenance services provider Mears (MER) reported a 2021 pre-tax profit of £25.6m on revenues of £878m as local authority repair and maintenance activity returned to normal levels. Mears made a loss in 2020. The order book is worth £2.4bn.
Beacon Rise Holdings (BRS) joined the standard list with nine shareholders owning most of the shares. Prior to flotation £1.07m was raised at 100p a share. The current bid/offer spread is 100p/400p. Beacon Rise Holdings is seeking acquisitions involved in primary and secondary related education technology. This could be software or hardware that facilitates active learning. Pro forma net assets equals the cash of £744,000.
Rockpool Acquisitions (ROC) has terminated its proposed acquisition of Greenview Gas. Another party will acquire the business. Rockpool has received £1.2m from Greenview, which is a small premium on the loan provided plus interest.
Telecoms services provider Toople (TOOP) says first quarter revenues are 9% ahead of the previous fourth quarter, while gross profit is 17% higher.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 7 June 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Chapel Down Group (CDGP) is raising up to £6.88m at 59.5p a share via a placing and crowdfunding offer. The directors and Michael Spencer have invested £1.43m in the placing. The rest of the cash will come via the crowdfunding with Seedrs. The financing will only go ahead if a minimum of £3m is raised. The wine maker wants to increase the scale of its winery so it can process more fruit and complete the planting of new acreage. Management also wants to improve the e-commerce capabilities. A new asset-based financing facility of up to £15m has been secured and it will refinance the HSBC debt. Chapel Down increased its revenues from continuing operations from £10.1m to £13.3m in 2020. The underlying pre-tax profit was trebled from £308,000 to £955,000.
TECC Capital (TEC) is a new shell that is seeking to buy technology or cannabis businesses. There is a wide list of potential sub-sectors that will be considered, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, telematics, life sciences, including cannabis products, cyber security and e-commerce, which includes the Internet of Things. TECC raised £1.1m, after expenses at 5p a share. There is pro forma cash of £1.15m, which is equivalent to just over 3.8p a share. Even so, the share price ended the week at 10p. Chris Akers owns 9.9%.
Pioneer Media Holdings Inc (PNER) is a Canada-based investment company with investments in eSports and mobile gaming businesses. It already has a portfolio of ten companies and a Canadian Stock Exchange listing. The shares floated at 45p each and they closed the week at 48p each.
Gledhow Investments (GDH) is raising £850,000 at 1.75p a share. That is at a 12.5% discount to the market price. Gledhow had net assets of £2.35m at the end of March 2021, including £374,000 in cash. That means it is a significant discount to net assets of nearly 4.8p a share. That figure will be significantly diluted by the new share issue. Gledhow does need to become bigger to warrant the quotation, though. Although it has a portfolio of investments, Gledhow would make a good shell for a business. Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi has taken a 3.26% stake in Gledhow.
Non-executive director Dominic Burke has bought 10,000 shares in Newbury Racecourse (NYR) at 582.5p each. The racecourse will be able to have spectators at its 10 June meeting and if there is further easing of lockdown then the hotel and events businesses can reopen. Newbury Racecourse will continue to be loss making in the first half of this year. A joint venture has been set up with a subsidiary of Compass to provide catering for the racecourse and other businesses.
KR1 (KR1) has invested a further $200,000 in Automata, as part of a $2.4m financing. KR1 will receive five million ATA tokens and it already owned ten million tokens.
Startup Giants (SUG) increased revenues from £45,000 to £87,000 in 2020. Higher costs meant that the loss increased. However, there was a £9,000 cash inflow from operating activities. There was net cash of £651,000 at the end of 2020.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) says that initial drilling of the Cottesloe silver project, which is close to the Red Setter project.
MiLOC Group Ltd (ML.P) has raised nearly £80,000 at 28.5p a share.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) directors Alistair Currie and Ed Jenkins have each bought 18,400 shares at 43.25p each. Currie owns 3.67% and Jenkins holds 0.75%. Chairman Jonathan Bixby has bought 1,000 shares in NFT Investments (NFT) at 2.9p each. Iain Livingston, the father of S-Ventures (SVEN) chief executive Scott Livingston, has sold 150,000 shares at an average price of 23p a share. Scott Livingston owns 49.1% and his family a further 3.5%.
AIM
Arecor Therapeutics (AREC) takes existing pharma products and reformulates them for new uses or to make them more effective. A placing raised £18.3m, after expenses, at 226p a share. The main focus is diabetes. Arecor’s insulin program AT247 is an ultra-rapid acting meal-time insulin product, while AT278 is an ultra-concentrated rapid acting insulin development, which could be used with miniaturised insulin pump delivery devices. AT299 is a co-formulation of pramlintide and insulin. These fast-acting insulins have an addressable market worth $6.4bn. There have been positive clinical studies for AT247. A phase II study should provide results in 24 months and that would be the point when a partner would be secured.
Artisanal Spirits Company (ART) owns the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SWMS) and it raised £13.2m after expenses at 112p a share, which was at the bottom of the 112p a share to 121p a share price range. First quarter sales in 2021 improved from £2.9m to £3.4m, even though venues and events revenues continued to be well down during the period. There was cask whisky and bottled stock of £21.7m at the end of 2020. That is the main asset in the balance sheet and an independent valuation believes that this stock is worth £9m more than book value – based on an orderly liquidation.
Franchised lettings agency Belvoir (BLV) has acquired The Nottingham Building Society’s mortgage and protection services business for £600,000. This year’s operating profit is expected to be £175,000. The deal could add 1% to earnings in a full year.
Coral Products (CRU) had £3.8m in the bank at the end of April 2021. That should be boosted by the Haydock freehold sale, which should be completed in the second half. In the year to April 2021, revenues from continuing operations increased from £8.7m to £10.7m. Even excluding the profit on disposals of £2.3m, the pre-tax profit was £700,000. There will be a final dividend of 0.5p a share.
CyanConnode (CYAN) has raised £3.15m at 9.5p, taking advantage of the strength of its share price. This was a small premium to the market price. CyanConnode could have made progress in the smart meter market without the additional cash, but this will help to accelerate its growth.
Cleantech company Verditek (VDTK) is raising up to £500,000 through a bond offering 7% interest, secured against the assets of the company. The offer is via Crowd for Angels, which is underwriting the first £225,000 of the two-year bond. Verditek wants to expand its Italian facility so that it can satisfy international contracts for its lightweight, flexible solar panels. The focus is the solar operations, but there are also minority stakes in BBR Filtration and Industrial Climate Solutions Inc.
Housebuilder Springfield Properties (SPR) says that its 2020-21 revenues and profit will be better than pre-Covid-19 levels. This was helped by two land sales. N+1 Singer forecasts an improvement in pre-tax profit from £10.2m to £18m.
Internet domain name registry and services provider CentralNic (CNIC) generated organic growth of 16% in the first quarter of 2021. Total revenues jumped from $56.9m to $84.4m, helped by acquisitions. Net debt is $79m.
MAIN MARKET
Sportech (SPO) and CML Microsystems (CML) both intend to switch to AIM. Sportech believes that the junior market is more suitable for its size and it will make it easier to complete transactions. CML also believes that AIM is more suitable following the sale of one of its divisions and it also expects its shareholders to benefit from the tax breaks.
Tarek Taksch has reduced its stake in Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies (OCTP) from 7.75% to 5.43%. The company has entered a consultancy agreement with Voisin Consulting, which will help with regulation and development plans for OCT461201, a treatment for ailments associated with IBS.
Shefa Gems (SEFA) is demerging its gems business, because it will take longer than expected to exploit the assets, and turning itself into a shell. Existing shareholders will receive shares in the gems business. There will be a 100-for-one share consolidation and then the company will raise $1.05m (£756,000) at 3.53p a share. The name will be changed to Alef Bet Advanced Technologies and seek an acquisition in web technology and software.
Imperial X (CDL) has raised £2m at 3p a share as part of its move from Aquis to the standard list. The resources company is changing its name to Cloudbreak Discoveries.
Motor dealer Caffyns (CFYN) manged to improve its underlying profit from £251,000 to £1.88m last year, even though revenues fell from £195.8m to £165.1m. Net debt was £10.3m at the end of March 2021. There has been a property valuation that shows the portfolio is worth £12.3m more than book value. Excluding that surplus, NAV is £27.6m.
National Word (NWOR) has already secured annualised savings of £4m from the JPI Media acquisition and is on course to secure savings of at least £5m. The online audience is increasing, and monthly content revenues are being generated from Google and Facebook. Overall revenues increased by 18% in April and May. The fastest growth is from digital.
Andrew Hore