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Quoted Micro 4 May 2026
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Audit and assurance services provider Adsure Services (ADS) is increasing customer numbers and market share in the housing sector and education has also been a strong market. Other markets have been weaker. Working capital was reduced.
Ajax Resources (AJAX) has made a £200,000 strategic investment in Reveille Resources, taking a 25% stake in the Italy-focused uranium explorer that wants to join Aquis. Reveille Resources has interests in the Novazza and Val Vedello uranium deposits. Ajax Resources is taking an option over the acquisition of Minerva Metals, which holds the Sebera exploration licence in Italy, which is targeting antimony, tungsten and gold. Ajax Resources is planning a listing on Euronext Growth Oslo.
Marula Mining (MARU) has been fined £55,000, reduced to £44,000 for early settlement by the Aquis Stock Exchange because of social media posts that provided information that had not been published as official announcements on the market. It also repeatedly failed to produce accounts on time and was slow in paying Aquis fees. Marula Mining is continuing talks with WEEE Centre over their potential collaboration on a lithium-ion battery recycling centre in Kenya. Final legal reviews of the agreement are near to completion and phase one of the operations should start by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
Inqo Investments (INQO) has opened the Pabidi Lodge in Uganda. This is an eco-luxury hospitality asset located in Uganda’s Budongo Forest, within the broader Murchison Falls National Park.
Mendell Helium (MDH) has exercised the option to acquire M3 Helium. Completion is expected in May and £5m is being raised at 4p/share. M3 Helium already has helium production and potential to increase this through drilling and building infrastructure. Dividends are possible in 2027.
WeCap (WCAP) investee company WeShop published 2025 results. It remains an early stage business and there is an initial rollout of the social commerce platform and beta testing of the WeShop app in the US. The company is recruiting in the US. WeShop processed transactions with a GMV of $140m. The WeShop share price drifted down to $8.80, although it has still risen by 50% over the past month.
Digital asset company Coinsilium (COIN) continues to make progress with advancing its operating model. Otomato has launched its application across web and mobile. There is increasing activity on the Yellow Network, and it is moving towards the launch of decentralised perpetual futures contracts trading.
Sulnox Group (SNOX) generated record annual revenues of £2.62m, with like-for-like fourth quarter revenues nearly doubled. Cash was £822,000 at the end of March 2026.
Visum Technologies has changed its name to Nomad Compute (NMD) to reflect its new strategic direction. The focus is modular edge AI compute infrastructure. A fundraising is planned. It has acquired Crowdtech AB, a technology development company, for £414,000. This is being paid for in the form of the shares in subsidiary C and C Gordon at book value.
Energy B (NRGB) had £6,000 in cash at the end of January 2026. Chairman Neil Ritson has subsequently provided a £50,000 loan facility and £30,000 has been drawn down.
B HODL (HODL) has bought one Bitcoin at £57,802.
S-Ventures (SVEN) has invested £200,000 in Hybrid Drones. Defence company MBDA is a fellow investor.
NYCE International (NYCE) has raised £50,000 at 17.5p/share.
Woodland Capital, where Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) managing director Gavin Burnell is a significant shareholder, has acquired 1.85 million shares at 1.1p each, 855,259 shares at 1.35p each and one million shares at 1.45p share. This takes Gavin Burnell’s interest to 19.2%.
JP JENKINS
Hydrogen Capital Growth (HGEN), formerly HydrogenOne Capital Growth, has moved to JP Jenkins as part of the managed realisation of its portfolio of clean hydrogen and energy transition technology investments.
ASSET MATCH
Infection prevention IP developer Byotrol (BYOT) says 2025-26 sales were flat at £4.33m, although product sales were higher. The loss was higher. Cash was £457,000 at the end of March 2026. There is expected to be a positive EBITDA this year.
Greenshield Agri (GAH) had net assets of 160p/share at the end of 2025. The company has hedged all its requirement for fertiliser for 2026. Costs have been cut and crop prospects are good.
AIM
Cosmetics supplier Warpaint London (W7L) was hit by US tariffs and weak consumer confidence in 2025 and this continued into early 2026. Full year revenues edged up from £101.6m to £105m, but it would have been lower without the brands acquired last year. Gross margin improved, but pre-tax profit dipped from £24.6m to £19.2m. It could rebound to more than £20m this year, but it is still early in the year. This year will be more second half weighted with a much larger Christmas order from Walmart.
Iodine producer Iofina (IOF) reported better than expected figures for 2025. Revenues increased from $54.5m to $66.5m. Earnings jumped from 1.52 cents/share to 3.26 cents/share. A large plant will start production later this year leading to a big rise in production in 2027. More plants are in the pipeline. X-ray demand for iodine is keeping the price high and Canaccord is anticipating it staying above $70/tonne. This year earnings could reach 3.9 cents/share, and the 2027 figure has been upgraded to 6.3 cents/share.
Property technology company Built Cybernetics (BUC) moved into profit in 2025-26 and smart buildings revenues exceed architecture revenues for the first time. However, the master systems integrator business has been hit by poor demand, and the group could fall back into loss this year. Built Cybernetics has raised £570,000 at 1.5p/share.
A positive trading statement by IG Design (IGR) has led to upgrades for the year just ended and the current year. Ongoing gift wrap and stationery business is better than expected, although consumer confidence remains weak. In the year to March 2026, revenues were $292m, while the pre-tax profit estimate has been increased from $9.5m to $11.5m. This year’s pre-tax profit forecast has been raised from $12.3m to $14.3m, helped by an earnings enhancing acquisition in South Africa. Net cash is $72m before the £3.4m spent on the acquisition.
Professional services provider Christie Group (CTG) beat previously upgraded profit forecasts for 2025. Pre-tax profit jumped from £2.6m to £6m, helped by the sale of loss making operations, and the dividend was raised 56% to 3.5p/share. Additional hires will increase costs this year, so profit is forecast to fall to £4.6m.
Xeros Technology (XSG) 2025 results show a reduction in loss from £4.5m to £3.5m. The sustainable laundry technology developer expects a sharp rise in revenues this year, albeit from a low base. All three parts of the business should start to grow royalty revenues.
Sanderson Design (SDG) did well in North America last year and that helped to offset the weak UK market. Group revenues fell 1% to £99.5m, while underlying pre-tax profit improved from £4.4m to £5.3m, helped by a better performance by manufacturing. The dividend is unchanged at 1.5p/share. Net cash is £9.8m.
Digital content technology and direct carrier billing services provider Bango (BGO) is focusing on higher margin and subscription business. Subscriptions revenues were 22% ahead at $22.2m and annualised recurring revenues 30% higher at $18.2m. Net revenues retention was 117% last year, which indicates the growth in spending by existing customers. Overall group revenues for 2025 fell 2% to $52.2m. Adjusted EBITDA was 7% higher at $16.4m, which was more than the capitalised development spending of $13.6m. There were exceptional charges of $6.4m, which relate to the restructuring of the business and cost savings. Net debt was $9.2m at the end of 2025
Membrane-free electrolyser technology developer Clean Power Hydrogen (CPH2) has signed a memorandum of understanding with ABE Gruppe concerning a potential supply and installation of up to 175MW of capacity over ten years. ABE is a subsidiary of BKW a large Swiss infrastructure and energy services group, and it also has operations in Germany and other European countries. This would be a significant deal for Clean Power Hydrogen, and it would generate service revenues.
ProService Building Services Marketplace (PRO), formerly HSS Hire, says 2025-26 revenues from continuing operations is expected to be £248m, which is lower than forecast. That is due to a lower ramping up of the new arrangements with Speedy Hire and the weak construction market. The company is investing in further automation of its marketplace platform. Speedy Hire volumes are improving, and the deal should be earnings enhancing this year. Net debt was £27.2m at the end of March 2026 and the debt should be refinanced by August. Guidance for 2026-27 EBITDA is between £9m and £12m. Consensus was previously £19.6m.
Digital health company MedPal AI (MPAL) has acquired the Remedi Solutions pharmacy facility in Runcorn from administrators for £310,000. Historical annualised turnover was previously around £10m. MedPal has been operating the pharmacy ahead of approval for the transfer of ownership to the company.
Scancell (SCLP) has received FDA Fast Track designation for iSCIB1+ in advanced melanoma. Plans are being advanced for a phase 3 trial which could start in the second half of 2026. Progression free survival reached 77% at 20 months, which is 30 percentage points above standard care. Additional data is expected in the first half of 2027.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) generated revenues of $18m in the first quarter of 2026 with ACCRUFeR making $9.9m and a $7.9m milestone payment from China. The US sales continue to grow, but NY-Medicaid now requires prior authorisation for prescription approvals.
MAIN MARKET
Seraphim Space Investment Trust (SSIT) investee company ALL.SPACE is being acquired by York Space Systems. It is a cash and shares bid. This investment was 15.9% of the net asset value at the end of 2025 and the value of the takeover should be similar to the current valuation.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 29 December 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Technology developer Vault Ventures (VULT) is finalising a strategic partnership with an organisation involved in quantum, post-quantum and security-critical software systems. This will support development of revenue generating quantum products for regulated organisations. Priority areas have been identified, and the partnership should accelerate development. There should be no requirement for a share issue to fund the partnership.
The WeShop share price fell back to $111.85, although volumes remain low. Even so, shares in both Aquis-quoted investors gained during the week. WeCap (WCAP) shares rose 8.11% to 2p and Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) shares increased 3.08% to 1.675p.
Ajax Resources (AJAX) has signed a conditional option to acquire the Rachaite silver, lead, zinc and copper/gold prospect in Argentina. The prospect was previously owned by former AIM company Alexander Mining and its drilling confirmed mineralisation. The potential purchase price is $20,000 in shares or the option and $380,000 in cash when exercised. Ajax Resources also has to invest $200,000 in exploration over three years. A 1% net smelter royalty will be retained by the seller, and this can be purchased for $250,000 minus royalty payments made.
Mendell Helium (MDH) says costs were swelled by preparations for a move to AIM when the option to acquire M3 Helium is exercised. There was a cash outflow from operations of £1.1m in the six months to September 2025.
EDX Medical (EDX) chief executive Dr Michael Hudson bought 28,526 shares at 10.57p each.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) says 1.45 million warrants were exercised by existing shareholders at 29p each, raising £420,000. Constantine Logothetis now holds 27.75% and Nistadgruppen AS has 13.85%.
The Smarter Web Company (SWC) has agreed a new subscription agreement for a further 50 million shares and the existing 13.24 million shares not subscribed for from the previous agreement. Up to 25% of the trading volume in one week can be issued.
Valereium (VLRM) is talking to a potential new corporate adviser. It will soon be listing the WAGEEN Token (WAG1) on licenced tokenisation venue for real-world assets VLRM Markets. The token will be issued by Wageen Corp, which is building an integrated ecosystem combining terrestrial, air, and maritime transport services into one platform. This could generate revenues of $600,000 for Valereum.
Coinsilium Group (COIN) plans a comprehensive update on strategy in the New Year. Portfolio company Otomato Web3 Agent Protocol has secured a $2m investment from a UK technology company.
Oscillate (SRVL) has completed the first exploration programme on its licence in the Kalahari copper belt. The results will be available in the first quarter of 2026.
TechFinancials (TCH) has received the £250,000 raised in September at 0.25p/share. This will help fund the development of the 25%-owned Dilotiko iron ore operations in Kenya. There is an option to acquire up to 60% of Dilotiko. The company’s name will be changed to Ubunto Mining and Metals Inc.
B HODL (HODL) has approved a Strategic Bitcoin-Backed Loan Framework using CoinCorner’s product as part of its treasury management activities. CoinCorner is a shareholder in B HODL. The cash will finance Bitcoin purchases.
Oberon Investments (OBE) raised £625,000 at 3.7p/share.
Property investor Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) chairman Dr. Antonios Ghorayeb bought 36,000 shares at 25p each, taking his stake to 0.94%.
Amazing AI (AAI) is changing its year end from June to December. The next accounts will be for 18 months to December 2025.
JP JENKINS
Energy generator OPG Ventures (OPG) left AIM and joined JP Jenkins on 23 December. The India-focused company operates coal-fired power plants.
Medical imaging technology developer Polarean Imaging (POLX) left AIM and joined JP Jenkins on 23 December.
Gosport-based brewer and bars operator Powder Monkey (PMGL) has bought County Durham-based Maxim Brewery, which was formed after the closure of Vaux Breweries in 1999. A share subscription is planned.
AIM
Oil and gas company Sintana Energy Inc (SEI) completed the acquisition of Challenger Energy in early December and joined AIM on 23 December.
Indus Gas (INDI) is proposing to shareholders that it should leave AIM. A general meeting will be held on 8 January. There is a limited free float, and it has been difficult to raise funds or use shares for acquisitions. Gynia Holdings owns 82.7%. Interim figures show an improved pre-tax profit of $1.93m, up from $1.24m. Indus Gas is awaiting a production sharing contract extension so a new gas sale and purchase agreement can be signed.
Pipehawk (PIP) is selling Utsi Electronics to Hong Kong company Leidi Global Supply for £1m. A £25,000 deposit has been paid. This subsidiary lost £464,000 last year. Stripping that out, Pipehawk would have made a pre-tax profit of £154,000. This leaves utility infrastructure detection company Adien and rail-focused Thomson Engineering Design.
Professional services provider Christie Group (CTG) is selling visitor attraction software business Vennersys for an initial £500,000 in cash. There is also up to £900,000 of retained consideration subject to performance conditions. The sale should be completed by the end of January. Vennersys is loss making and the disposal could add around £500,000 to 2026 pre-tax profit – £2.8m is the current forecast.
Mobile Streams (MOS) shares returned from suspension down 62.6% to 0.23p following publication of an admission document and results for the year to June 2025. June 2025. The company, which is changing its name to Gana Media Group, is acquiring the shares it does not own in two Mexican sports betting and media companies. It already owns 28.7% to Estadio Gana, plus convertible loan stock, and 22.5% of Capital Media Sports. Buying the rest of Estadio Gana will cost £31.9m in shares at 0.625p each, while 584.2 million shares a 0.495p each will be issued for Capital Media Sports. Investment in existing Mexican operations enabled full year revenues to rise from £436,000 to £1.41m. Net cash was £1.52m at the end of June 2025 and by the end of September available cash was £991,000.
Store closures and exiting Boots meant that Mothercare (MTC) interim revenues fell by one-quarter to £90.7m. Like-for-like revenues were 6% lower. The pre-tax loss declined from £1.4m to £1.1m due to lower interest charges. The new South Asia joint venture made a positive contribution. Net debt was reduced from £17.1m to £5.8m. Chairman Clive Whiley has bought 42 million shares in Mothercare at 1p each taking his stake to 8.87%, while finance director Andy Cook bought 5 million shares at 1p each. Robert Quested reduced his stake from 9.39% to 1.05%.
Vast Resources (VAST) has announced the proposed acquisition of Gulf International Minerals in an all share deal and trading in the shares has been suspended. Gulf International Minerals is an explorer focused on Tajikistan. It has a joint venture with the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies in Tajikistan covering four gold mining operations and a central processing plant. Of these, Aprelevka produces 10,4000 ounces of gold and 80,000 ounces of silver each year and Vast has been managing the operation in return for 10% of earnings after tax. A placing will raise £7.5m and this will help to fund a JORC compliant resource estimate.
Quicklime producer and critical metals explorer Firering Strategic Minerals (FRG) has raised £860,000 at 1.25p/share. The $1m Ricca debt has also been settled. The cash will fund further development of the Limeco project in Zambia. This investment will help to increase revenues.
Synthetic binders developer Aptamer (APTA) has signed a licensing agreement with Alphazyme, a Maravai LifeSciences company that supplies speciality enzymes to the life sciences sector. The non-exclusive deal is for a developed Optimer® for use in hot-start PCR applications – when the enzyme switches on when heated. The original development deal was signed in June 2024, and another development project has recently completed.
Pantheon Resources (PANR) is suspending flow testing at the Duhle-1 well in order to save costs of around $150,000/day in the winter period. Costs will be lower in the spring. Results have been disappointing so far. The company will analyse data and assess opportunities in other parts of its oil and gas portfolio in Alaska. There is $27.2m in the bank. Zeus has cut its total risked NAV from 73p/share to 53p/share. Michael Spencer’s stake reduced from 8.19% to 7.59%.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) says it has been issued with a writ of execution of movable property at the Zulu project by a creditor seeking $2.2m. Discussions continue with the creditor, which is JR Goddard Contracting.
Alliance Lithium (ALL) has revised and resubmitted its mining licence application for the Ewoyaa lithium project in Ghana. The royalty rate will be between 5% and 12% depending on the spodumene price. Canaccord Genuity assumes 10% in its forecasts suggesting a price between $2,501/tonne and $3,000/tonne, but the price is currently lower. The new lease requires government ratification.
Litigation Capital Management (LIT) has to meet the costs of a failed claim in Queensland against Stanwell Corporation and CS Energy. Each company will receive A$16.2m. This partly covered by insurance, but the company still has to pay A$12.9m. An appeal has been filed and should be heard in March and there may also be an appeal against the costs award. The strategic review of operations is ongoing.
MAIN MARKET
Cash shell daVictus (DVT) had cash of £112.000 at the end of 2024. These annual figures were released just before the end of 2025.
Andrew Hore
Ian Pollard – WH Smith #SMWH Dividend Up 8% as High Street Slumps Again
WH Smith plc SMWH is rapidly evolving into two separate businesses one of which does not seem to be able to find the management which it seems to need. The problem is the High Street, the traditional business which keeps on trying to make a profit out of selling newspapers, books and pencils. Smiths highlights its problems as if it is something to be proud of. Like for like High Street revenue fell by 2% in the six months to the 28th February and that, it proudly boasts, is its second best sales performance in a decade.Travel on the other hand is the jewel in the crown, with sales up by 18%, like for like revenue up by 3% and profit by 7%. Travel is expected to produce strong profit growth in the second half, slightly ahead of expectations. and it is thanks to travel that the interim dividend can be increased by 8%.
Quiz plc QUIZ saw group revenue rise by 12% during the year to the 31st March, helped by strong online expansion of 34%, compared to UK stores and concessions and International sales up by 8%. The company operates 108 Debenham concessions in the UK and a further 11 in the Republic of Ireland which between them produce 23% of total revenues. Slower than anticipated growth is expected during the year. and a thorough review of all aspects of the business is being undertaken, to mitigate the effects of the slowdown.It still looks forward to continuing to work productively with Debenhams.
easy Hotel plc EZH continued to outperform for the fourth year its hotel markets in the UK and across Europe during the six months to the 31st March, System sales rose by 24% and revenue by 47%. Regional market performance was weaker compared to a strong London. market., There was a marked deterioration across the UK in in the second quarter compared to the first.. As a result the short-term market outlook remains uncertain and trading is mixed on a country-by-country basis and as in the UK overall market demand has softened.
Christie Group plc CTG The 12 months to the end of December produced a solid performance but it can not be hidden that here is yet another company which is being damaged by our feckless politicians Brexit performance and the uncertainty surrounding Brexit is causing UK transaction related activity to slow.despite that, operating profit rose by 8.4%, revenue by 6.3%, the total dividend is to be increased by 3% and the second half performance is expected to be stronger.
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Andrew Hore Quoted Micro 24 September 2018
NEX EXCHANGE
In the first half of 2018, Newbury Racecourse (NYR) increased media revenues by one-fifth and, along with growth in nursery and lodge revenues, this helped the racecourse operator to raise revenues by 5% to £7.33m even though two race days were lost to bad weather. Enough cash was generated to more than cover capital spending.
Block Commodities (BLCC) has signed a non-binding letter of intent with the Eelleet Network Corp, which intends to buy Block. There would be an all share recommended offer and the enlarged business would list on the Canadian Stock Exchange. Trading in Block shares has been suspended.
Ananda Developments (ANA) has obtained a £300,000 convertible loan facility with two directors, Charles Morgan and Melissa Sturgess. The annual interest rate is 10% and the conversion price is 0.75p a share. The manufacture of 15%-owned Liberty Herbal Technologies’ vaporisers and consumable packs containing four hapac sachets of 0.25g medicinal cannabis has commenced in China. AfriAg Global (AFRI) has applied for a medicinal cannabis licence in the UK. Fellow cannabis investment company Sativa Investments (SATI) has set up a German wholesaling subsidiary and it will invest €80,000 for a 60% stake.
In the six months to June 2018, St Mark Homes (SMAP) increased revenues from £71,000 to £139,000 and it made a small loss excluding negative goodwill release. The interim dividend was unchanged at 5.5p a share. The NAV is £5.9m, including £754,000 in cash, which is equivalent to 134p a share. St Mark is trying to gain planning permission for the commercial development in Sutton High Street. Two other properties in London are being redeveloped and sales have commenced. A development in Wembley should start in 2019.
TechFinancials Inc (TECH) reported a profit in the first half of 2018, but that was due to a change in the fair value of the option to acquire 90% of Cedex. Revenues fell 48% to $3.78m and the underlying loss of the fintech software provider increased from $282,000 to $971,000. The blockchain operations made an initial contribution of $1.23m to revenues. The B2C operations have ceased in Europe and the company wants to sell its subsidiary with a FSA licence. Higher regulations have hampered the B2B technology customers.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) reported an increased interim loss of $9.43m due to higher finance costs. Admin costs were flat. The development of the Hellyer gold project in Tasmania is progressing well and the first sales of concentrate should happen before the end of this year. Work continues towards a move to a standard listing.
Less than one month after asking for trading in the company’s 7% bonds 2021 to be suspended Positive Healthcare (DOC) has appointed Eric Walls and Wayne Harrison of KSA to advise on a liquidation process. Irregularities were identified at the principal operating subsidiary and Positive is unable to pay the next instalment of interest on the bonds.
Eight Capital Partners (MORE) had cash of £773,000 at the end of June 2018. That was before the former Cogenpower acquired €111,100 worth of 8% corporate bonds 2020 in Italian financial services company Finance Partners Group. Other financial services and technology investments are being considered.
EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) has been readmitted to NEX and AIM on 21 September, after it completed its migration from the Isle of Man to Bermuda.
AIM
IT recruitment and consultancy Parity (PTY) remains on track for an improvement in pre-tax profit from £1.7m to £1.9m but cash generation is not as good as expected. Net debt is still expected to reduce from £1.6m to £900,000. The previously announced Primark managed services contract has started well, although another contract has been delayed. The consultancy business continues to contribute a growing proportion of profit.
Tlou Energy Ltd (TLOU) has agreed locations for pilot production at the Lesedi coal bed methane project in Botswana and the first well should be spudded in October.
N+1 Singer has upgraded its forecast for EKF Diagnostics (EKF) following the interim figures. There was a 5% decline in revenues to £20.4m, while underlying profit improved from £2.3m to £2.7m. Around £250,000 has been added to the profit, taking pre-tax profit to £7.7m. The launch of haemoglobin analyser DiaSpect following FDA approval will boost next year’s figures. The spin out of RenalytixAI continues and it will require a general meeting.
Audio products supplier Focusrite (TUNE) says full year revenues were in line with expectations of £75.4m, while cash of £22.8m is better than forecast. A pre-tax profit of £10.8m is forecast. There are concerns about US tariffs.
Tanfield (TAN) has warned that it may not get anything for its stake in Snorkel if the call option is exercised. Management has already said that it will write down the value of the investment to £19.1m ($25.3m), which already knocks 12p a share off NAV, but there is a disagreement about the interpretation of the original agreement.
Disappointing results from the Atopic Dermatitis study has led Realm Therapeutics (RLM) to appoint MTS Health Partners to advise on strategy alternatives. Realm is considered to be in an offer period. There was $21.3m in the bank at the end of August.
Short-term weakness in the oil palm price has held back the progress of plantations operator MP Evans (MPE) in the first half, but crude palm oil production is increasing in line with expectations (91,900 tons in the first half). That means that full year revenues are likely to be flat and pre-tax profit will be lower. Longer-term growth will come from increased production from more recently planted areas.
Online women’s fashion retailer Sosandar (SOS) is coming up to its first year on AIM and the growth momentum continues.
Huadong Medicine Aesthetics has launched its recommended 32p a share cash bid for Sinclair Pharma (SPH) and that values the company at £166.6m.
There has been a lot of activity at Frontier IP (FIPP) in the past week. The AB Sugar head of innovation Matthew White is joining the company as head of commercialisation. Recycled building materials developer Alusid has raised £1.34m, including the conversion of a £348,000 loan from Frontier IP, which has a 35.6% stake. The Alusid investment had been valued at £700,000 and the latest fundraising values it at £1.73m. The cash will be used by Alusid to invest in its manufacturing facility, which should start production in 2020. The total cost will be £10m. A new company has been set up to develop new antibiotics. Frontier IP has a 10% stake in Amprologix, which has been spun out of the University of Plymouth. The first product is likely to be a cream that contains epidermicin, which can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA.
There was a switch in the mix of revenues at job screening services provider ClearStar Inc (CLSU) in the first half as revenues increased by 11% to $9.9m. The growth has come from Medical Information Systems, which has lower margins and this means that the overall loss is reducing more slowly than expected. The cash outflow is small. Net cash is $1.2m.
Diurnal Group (DNL) is going along as expected with the launch of its Alkindi paediatric adrenal insufficiency treatment in Germany but the market has been unnerved by a negative comment from a German government research organisation. It pointed out that the performance of Alkindi was not compared with another treatment which has not been given regulatory approval. This does not appear likely to affect the relationship with the German regulatory authorities. There will be news from the European phase III trial for Chronocort before the end of the year.
Stockdale has initiated research on professional services group Christie Group (CTG) and expects a full year profit of £3.5m. It has already achieved an interim profit of £1.75m.
VR Education (VRE) still had £4.9m in the bank at the end of June 2018. Since then there have been improvements to the ENGAGE platform ahead of the full commercial launch before the end of the year. The full version of Titanic VR was launched in August and it is set to be launched on Playstation.
Energy supplier Yu Group (YU.) continues to grow rapidly and it is moving into the water sector. Interim revenues jumped from £20.8m to £35.8m, while underlying pre-tax profit moved ahead from £1.15m to £1.8m. Growth is coming from the larger corporate sector which has held back margins because they are via brokers. The interim dividend is one-fifth higher at 1.2p a share. There was £18.2m in the bank at the end of June 2018.
N4 Pharma (N4P) has undertaken a strategic review following the failure of the reformulation of sildenafil to achieve its key targets in its clinical trial. It would cost a lot and increase risk if the company undertook further reformulation of this generic. The generics division has been closed and the focus will be the Nuvec delivery system. Initial results from research should be available before the end of the year. There was £1.6m in the bank at the end of June 2018.
MAIN MARKET
Books publisher Quarto Group (QRT) increased interim revenues from $50.2m to $56.2m and the underlying loss fell from $8.7m to $6.6m. Net debt was $73.2m at the end of June 2018. Management is talking to banks to extend the bank facility until August 2020. Costs are being reduced.
Spinnaker Opportunities (SOP) intends to broaden its investment remit to include cannabis processing, as well as the energy and industrial sectors. Finance professional Alan Hume has joined the board of the standard list shell. He was previously an adviser to the company and until last year finance director of Zenith Energy (ZEN). Between 2010 and 2012 he was finance director of Xtract Energy (XTR).
Bluebird Merchant Ventures Ltd (BMV) has completed its feasibility report into the reopening of the Gubong gold mine and the joint venture with Southern Gold has started. Production of 10,000 ounces of gold is initially targeted.
Andrew Hore
Ian Pollard: Dairy Crest Slightly Ahead At Half Time
Dairy Crest Group DCG expects profit for the half year to the 30th September to be slightly ahead of last year, with revenue driven by strong performances from its two largest brands, Cathedral City and Clover. Cathedral City continues to go from strength to strength reports the company and several new products will be released by the brand, over the coming months.
Finsbury Food FIF claims that its performance over the year to the 30th June has illustrated its resilience and ability to deliver against its strategic priorities.The dividend is to be increased by 10% after like for like revenue rose by 2.4% and on a statutory basis profit before tax, fell by 65.7% and basic earnings per share by 76.1%, whilst an adjusted basis they rose by 4% and 2.7%. respectively.
Christie Group CTG is raising its interim dividend by 25% for the six months to the 30th June after operating profit nearly doubled from £1.1m to £2. and basic earnings per share rose from 1.53p per share to 5.18p. Revenue for the half year rose by 10%.
Warpaint London W7L is increasing its interim dividend by 7% after sales for the half year to the 30th June shot up by 38.7%, or 7.3% on a like for like basis and gross profit rose by 30%. The order book as at the 30th June was significantly ahead compared to the same time last year
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Ian Pollard – Is ABF-Primark losing its star quality rating?
Associated British Foods ABF Interim results for the 24 weeks to the 3rd March produced a rise of 1% in profit before tax and rises of 3% in the interim dividend and adjusted earnings per share.On a statutory basis, operating profit was down 3%. All of the groups businesses, with the exception of sugar, produced good sales and profit growth. Despite unseasonable weather Primark produced 4% profit growth which is mundane compared to previous years but its UK performance is described as being remarkable, with a strong increase in the total share of the clothing market.
JD Sports Fashion JD produced record results for the 53 weeks to the 3rd February with revenue rising by 33% and profit before tax by 24%. Basic earnings per share rose from 18.38p to 23.83p and the total dividend is increased from 1.55p per share to 1.63p.
APC Technology Group APC has quadrupled total profit for the six months to the 28th February with a rise from £0.1m to £0.4m., which also represents a doubling of the total profit for the full year to August 2017. Operating profit for the half year, before exceptionals rose by 45% and revenue was up by 14%. Profit before tax surged from £42. to £353m. and earnings per share tripled. The company says that these results have laid the foundation for the delivery of increasing profits and cash generation.
Christie Group plc CTG preliminary results for the year to the 31st December showed an encouraging rebound and the first half performance in 2018 indicates that it will be significantly ahead of last years. Revenue in 2017 rose by 11.1% and operating profit more than tripled from £1.1m. before exceptionals to £3.8m., whilst earnings per share were up from 5.41p per share to 9.47p. Dividends for the full year are to be increased from 2.5p to 2.75 per share. The PBS division in particular showed a strong recovery with revenue up by 15.9% and operating profit tripling to £5.3m.
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