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Quoted Micro 27 July 2026
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) had a good first half performance and expectations have been upgraded. Interim pre-tax profit was flat and financial headroom remains comfortable. Improved efficiency helped to maintain profit when interest rates were lower. Specialist lending grew 18%. There is growth in the core businesses, but higher technology costs offset this growth. So, although the operating income forecast has been raised 3% to £180.4m, while pre-tax profit is barely changed at £20.7m. Forecast tangible NAV is 1522p/share.
Electric drivetrain developer Equipmake (EQIP) confirms that second half trading improved, and full year revenues rose from £3.5m to £8.2m and on top of this grant income increased from £900,000 to £1.6m. There was a positive EBITDA in the second half. Cash was £2m at the end of May 2026. Momentum has continued in the new financial year. The order book for delivery this year is more than £8m.
Brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) grew like-for-like pub sales by 3.4% in the past financial year and that increased to 4.3% in the first three weeks of the new financial year. Beer volumes fell 5.4%, although own beer sales grew in the company’s own pubs. Jonathan Neame will take over as chairman from Richard Oldfield and he remains an executive. Mark Rider will become managing director, and Graham Turner becomes a non-executive director.
AI software provider to industrial businesses IntelliAM AI (INT) doubled annualised recurring revenues to £1.65m. in the year to March 2026, revenues were 64% to £5.26m, while the loss more than doubled to £1.95m. Cash was £100,000 at the end of March 2026 and since then £500,000 has been raised. There are plans to move to AIM before the end of the year.
ProBiotix Health (PBX) has signed a partnership agreement with Belgium-based Nutrisan, which is launching a new cholesterol reducing product including the probiotic strain LP LDL developed by ProBiotix Health.
Residential property developer Zentra Group (ZNT) says that Torsion Construction, the principal contractor of the One Victoria development in Manchester, is appointing an administrator. There is about eight weeks of additional work required. Completion should still be before the end of the year. Zentra has loaned £4.1m to the development.
Tamar Minerals (TMR) says drilling is about to start at the Great Wheal Vor tin and copper project in Cornwall.
Valereum (VLRM) has entered an agreement with Blockchain Digital Assets, which has advisory interests in Africa and the Indian Ocean. These commercial relationships will help to develop real world asset tokenisation, digital payments and digital banking infrastructure. Quorium Global Photonics SPC has issued $VXRUP, a stable coin on the Ripple XRP Ledger.
Ethry (ETHY) has committed £1m to the senior second notes facility issued by York-based Apatura, a UK developer of large-scale battery storage and grid-secured data centre sites. There are quarterly interest payments.
Lift Global Ventures (LFT) is making a strategic investment of £30,000 in LEXcelerate, which is developing an AI conveyancing and remortgage platform, at a £3m pre-money valuation. This will acquire a 0.8% stake in LEXcelerate. Yorkshire AI Labs, where Lift Global Ventures executive chairman David Richards is managing partner, has a 35% stake in LEXcelerate.
Marula Mining (MARU) will not publish its accounts by the end of July.
JP JENKINS
CPP Group (CPP) has left AIM and moved to the JP Jenkins matched bargain facility, and it has promised to keep it for at least 12 months.
ASSET MATCH
Marshall of Cambridge (MCH) is recommending a final dividend of 4p/share. The AGM will be on 22 September.
AIM
Pehlwan Malik Holdings has taken a 3% stake in automotive interior components supplier CT Automotive (CTA). Pehlwan Malik Holdings’ main subsidiary is Green Destinations, which provides passenger transport services. In the year to July 2025, the group’s revenues were £18.1m and pre-tax profit £3.79m. Cash was £7.85m plus investments of £5.49m at the end of July 2025.
Scancell (SCLP) is merging with Nasdaq listed Neuphoria Therapeutics in an all-share deal and the combined entity will be quoted on AIM and Nasdaq. Scancell shareholders will own 85.5% of the company. Neuphoria has £7.5m in cash and a private placement will raise a further £29.2m. A UK placing will raise £9m at 9p/share, which is not dependent on the merger going ahead, and a retail offer could raise up to £2.3m. The pro forma cash balance after the merger would be £59.2m. The cash will last into 2028 and finance the global phase 3 trial for iSCIB1+ active immunotherapy in advanced melanoma. The phase 2 SCOPE study should be published within one year.
Wound healing technology developer AOTI Inc (AOTI) says the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed Local Coverage Determination (LCD). This covers the whole of the US and indicates that the AOTI topical oxygen therapy can be used to treat diabetic foot ulcers that have failed to heal with four consecutive weeks of optimized diabetic foot ulcer care. This decision has a 45-day public comment period, but it would significantly increase the addressable market, which in the medium term could be around $400m annually. Broader coverage would further increase the market. A trading statement will be published on 27 July.
Advanced coatings supplier Hardide (HDD) has sparked another forecast upgrade with its latest trading statement. Third quarter trading was strong, and it has grown revenues ahead of plan. Third quarter revenues were £4.1m, taking the total for the year so far to £8.9m. The full year pre-tax profit forecast has been raised from £3.4m to £4.6m. Year-end cash is expected to be £2.3m.
Floorcoverings manufacturer Victoria (VCP) reported a 6% dip in underlying revenues to £1.05bn. Margins declined and the underlying loss increased from £11.5m to £62m. That excludes one-off costs of restructuring and refinancing. Net debt, including leases, was £1.06bn at the end of March 2026. Market conditions were weaker than expected in the second half. First quarter revenues are 7% ahead and profitability is improving. EBITDA is expected to be at least £115m this year, up from £92.3m.
Fertiliser producer Harvest Minerals (HMI) is acquiring a portfolio of eight rare earth projects in Brazil for A$200,000 and 40 million shares, plus a further A$300,000 on achievement of milestones. Harvest Minerals also takes on A$1.5m of previously agreed deferred payments and a 1.5% royalty obligation. Two projects are highly prospective for ionic clay-hosted rare earths mineralisation. The company already has a rare earths prospect at its Arapua project.
Ariana Resources (AAU) says that the Tavsan Mine, where it has a 9.9% interest, has completed its ramp up and ore is being loaded onto heap leach pads at 4,000 tonnes per day. Enhancements are being made to the processing. Kiziltepe interests have been transferred into a separate entity to enable the sale of this stake.
Rent guarantee services provider Rentguarantor (RGG) continues to achieve positive momentum. The trading statement confirms that the business is growing faster than expected. Interim revenues are 250% ahead at £3.39m and the company has moved into profit. Applications more than doubled. The exercise of warrants at 17.5p each has raised a further £189,000. Cavendish has upgraded its full year pre-tax profit from £200,000 to £1.6m and doubled next year’s figure to £4.6m.
Truetide (TRUE) is changing its investing policy to focus on AI. This would proceed in phases, presumably so existing investments can be sold.
Healthy food and snacks supplier Tooru (TOO) says that the OAF range is increasing sales each week, while significant growth is expected from Pulsin thanks to launches in additional retailers.
Construction staff provider Hercules (HERC) non-executive director Martin Tedham bought 110,000 shares at 31p each, 50,000 shares at 32p each and 285,160 shares at 34.75p each. Chief executive Brusk Korkmaz acquired 100,000 shares at 39.75p each.
PACSCo Ltd (PACS) is awaiting one further approval of the sale of its businesses in Mozambique. Management is seeking reverse takeover candidates in any sector. They have to have positive cash generation and growth potential that would be attractive to institutional investors. A strong management team is also required.
Digital health and pharmacy company MedPal AI (MPAL) is acquiring eMARx, a provider of electronic medication administration software for care homes and pharmacies. The initial consideration is £380,000 in cash and shares. Revenues were £740,000 and they have trebled over three years. Pre-tax profit was £110,000.
MAIN MARKET
Motor dealer software provider Pinewood Technologies (PINE) has received a 448p/share cash possible offer from Ridgeview Partners. Management is likely to recommend this if a firm offer is made. There will be a share alternative. Lithia UK owns 31.95% and is supportive, as are other shareholders owning 16.8%. This indicative bid is lower than the Apax Partners offer of 500p/share, which did not go ahead.
Hydrogen Utopia International (HUI) has raised £850,000 at 2p/share and appointed Clear Capital as broker. The cash will fund expansion in Saudi Arabia and extend licence agreements.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 1 June 2026
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
ProBiotix Health (PBX) has secured a new strategic alliance with Spain-based Bioksan, covering Spain and Portugal. ProBiotix will supply the LPLDL® probiotic strain to Bioksan to replace red yeast rice, which has a compound that might be prohibited in the EU. This deal is worth €200,000. There could be other companies that require a replacement and the market could be worth €26m each year.
Brewer Adnams (ADB) reported a dip in full year revenues from £68.1m to £63.7m as brewery volumes fell 6%, although this outperformed the market. A sub-contract distilling contract was lost. Off-trade volumes also outperformed the market. The pre-tax loss declined by three-quarters to £700,000. Net debt was reduced to £9.2m. There are plans to focus on the profitable opportunities.
Cooks Coffee Company (COOK) group store sales increased 23% to NZ$95.8m. That translates into recognised franchise and managed store revenues of £5.4m, up from £2.9m. Net debt has fallen from £1.8m to £1.1m. There are 109 cafés in operation.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) improved interim revenues from £404,000 to £424,000 and there was a swing from a loss of £1.43m to a pre-tax profit of £2.13m. That reflects an upward valuation of the investment portfolio of £2.3m. NAV was 85.5p/share at the end of February 2026.
Mendell Helium (MDH) is approaching de-watering of the well bore of Rost 2-26. Data obtained is being analysed. A permit has been received for increased water disposal at the Brobee salt water disposal well. A new disposal well is being drilled at the Schneweis Ventures 13A well, which is part of a joint venture with Ritchie Exploration. Schneweis previously produced helium and recorded a drill stem test in excess of 10,000 Mcf/day. There is a higher methane content than the Rost wells. Premier Miton has taken a 15.7% shareholding.
VVV Sports (VVV) is acquiring TOPSERIES Pickleball and raising £5m at around the market price. There are plans to seek a Nasdaq listing, while retaining the Aquis quotation. VVV Sports is planning to develop the Abu Dhabi Padel Centre of Excellence with a partner, and it could cost more than £120m.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) sold 1.8 million shares in fully listed Luceco (LUCE) and raised £4.8m. It still owns 21%.
Sulnox Group (SNOX) has secured an emissions reduction additives distribution agreement in Pakistan.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has exercised its option to acquire the Silver Lake project in Western Australia. The purchase is funded by the issue of 3.57 million shares at 29p each. Silver demand is growing and Silver Lake has significant surface-level silver mineralisation. Drilling should start before the end of the year.
Paul Compton has increased his shareholding in Time to ACT (TTA) from 4.55% to 5.5%.
Stack BTC (STAK) has appointed Oberon Capital as corporate adviser.
Cardiogeni (CGNI) has repaid £810,000 convertible loan notes.
ASSET MATCH
Zytronic (ZYT) is sending a circular to shareholders to convene a general meeting on 26 June to gain agreement on the winding up of the company.
AIM
Telecoms test equipment supplier Calnex Solutions (CLX) has changed the way it reports its revenues, which shows how important non-telecoms are. In the year to March 2026, more than two-thirds of total revenues of £21.9m, which represents a recovery, but it is not quite the level at the peak. Pre-tax profit improved from £700,000 to £1.2m. The total dividend has been edged up to 0.99p/share, even though it is not covered by earnings. Net cash is £9.3m.
Household electricals brands owner Ultimate Products (ULTP) says third quarter trading shows revenues ahead of expectations. This marks an end to quarter-on-quarter declines. There is also a change in the management with the founder stepping down and a new boss appointed as chief executive. Simon Harrison was previously boss of Princes Group, so he has consumer experience.
Anglo Asian Mining (AAZ) brought two new mines into production during 2025, and it returned to profitability. A final dividend of 4 cents/share means that the company is returning to paying dividends. Revenues more than trebled to $122.8m. There was a move from net debt of $14.7m to net cash of $2.6m.
Diagnostics developer and manufacturer Abingdon Health (ABDX) has entered into a Business Development Tax Credit Agreement with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. This means that the company is eligible to earn up to $370,000 over three years to the end of 2028. This includes $320,000 linked to taking on additional full-time employees with the rest relating to capital investment at the Wisconsin facility.
Specialist coatings services provider Hardide (HDD) has won a significant order worth £2.4m in the energy sector in North America. The US facility has improved its operational efficiency. This has increased the earnings forecast by 17% to 4p/share.
Low sodium salt developer MircoSalt (SALT) reported a jump in revenues from $800,000 to $2.1m in 2025 and they could more than double again this year as new contracts come through. However, the 2026 revenues forecast has been downgraded from $7m to $4.6m because of a delay in production at customer 3. Zeus says that this delay pushes revenues out by five months and 2027 guidance remains that revenues could be $15m. Net debt could be $1.9m by the end of 2026 with 2027 set to be cash generative.
Staffing provider RTC (RTC) says that the trajectory of positive trading in the first quarter of 2026 and six major contracts have been won and rail maintenance demand is in line with 2025 levels. Rising costs will hit margins in rail and energy divisions, and it is also holding back activity levels in the second quarter. Permanent recruitment vacancy levels are at their lowest point since 2021. Daavid Stredder has put forward AGM resolutions for the appointment of Paul Hooper, former Alumasc boss, as independent chairman and Gerard Oates as an independent non-executive director. He objects to Andy Pendlebury being chairman and chief executive and there being only one independent non-executive director and he is employed by the company’s broker. He also complains about the rise in board pay.
Kazera Global (KZG) subsidiary Whale Head Minerals has entered a production sharing agreement with minerals processor Rare Earth Minerals International (REMI) for the Walviskop heavy mineral sands. Taking effect form the 1 June and lasting 12 months, REMI will deploy processing plant valued at £1m and receive 50% of revenues. It will also contribute £27,000/month to project costs. Production should ramp up to 10,000 tonnes of processed heavy minerals sands/month by the end of September.
Ariana Resources (AAU) has updated its pre-feasibility study for the Dokwe gold project in Zimbabwe. The post-tax NPV10 is $740m at a gold price of $4,250/ounce. There was a 42% increase in ore reserves to 1.13Moz. Total pre-production capex is estimated at $163.9m.
Sound Energy (SOU) is selling its development assets in Morocco for $57m in cash and relinquishing nearby exploration assets. This will leave the company with $11m in cash after debt repayment. There are also solar and hydrogen joint ventures. Annual overheads are $2.9m. New oil and gas assets outside Morocco are being considered.
Oil and gas company Prospex Oil (PXEN) reported a 2025 loss of £2.81m, but that was after an investment valuation write down of £2.54m. Increased income from the Selva field in Spain reduced the underlying loss from £745,000 to £273,000. The income from Selva is included in finance income rather than being reported as revenues because of the way the investment is held. These figures are prior to the recent rise in the gas price. First quarter income from Selva was £912,000, which is similar to the income from the field for the whole of 2025. Prospex Energy will use the cash it is generating to expand production at Selva and develop other interests in Spain and Poland.
Pharma industry technology and data provider Diaceutics (DXRX) had annualised recurring revenues of £20m at the end of 2025. Reported revenues rose by one-fifth to £38.4m and the business returned to profit even after redundancy and acquisition costs of £798,000. The largest customer accounted for 18% of revenues. The order book grew 56% to £38.9m, with £21.1m of visibility for the next 12 months, up from £17.7m last year. Constant currency revenues growth was 15% in the first quarter.
Europa Oil and Gas (EOG) has received government approval in Equatorial Guinea for the farm out of EG-08 to Chinese company Fuhai. The final requirement is Chinese government approval. Drilling could start on the Barracuda well in early 2027. Tennyson Securities values the company’s 17% stake at 19p/share.
Borders & Southern Petroleum (BOR) says that there is multiple potential farm out partners for its Falkland Islands oil exploration assets. The final investment decision for the Sea Lion prospect, offshore Falkland Islands, has increased interest. In 2025, there was a cash outflow of $2.4m leaving $2.56m in the bank, which should fund the company in 2025.
Tooru (TOO) is not progressing with the acquisition of Mylky, a business selling small plant-based home milk making machines and associated products throughout Europe, because of concerns about the level of debt required given the current geopolitical conditions and issuing shares would have been too dilutive. There were also concerns about potential legislation.
Logistics Development Group (LDG) NAV was 1.2% lower at 26.4p/share at the end of the quarter to March 2026.
MAIN MARKET
Quantum dots developer Nanoco (NANO) plans to save £700,000 annually by leaving the Main Market. There was still £10.1m in the bank in May. The plan is to move to JP Jenkins.
Foams manufacturer Zotefoams (ZTF) says sales were 26% ahead at £64.1m in the first four months of the year. That is 7% organic growth. Footwear demand has reduced from its peak, but this has been replaced in other sectors. North America was a growth region with 30% organic growth. Surcharges have been issued to cover raw materials rising costs. Cross selling is already coming through from the OKC acquisition.
Shell Highway Capital (HWC) raised £67,000 in debt in the seven months to February 2026. The interest rate is 10%. The cash enabled the preparation of the 2023-24 accounts and work is ongoing on the next two years of accounts, after which trading in the shares could resume. A company voluntary arrangement is planned.
Digital assets investor KR1 (KR1) generated £50,046 from technology operations and £10,129 from financial operations during April 2026. NAV was 20.8p/share at the end of April 2026.
Red Capital has changed its name to Apertura Energy (VZLA), following the proposed change in investing strategy and new management appointments. Greig Gilbert is chief executive, and Scott Gilbert is chairman. The focus will be on the energy market in Venezuela.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 9 February 2026
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Sulnox Group (SNOX) has generated £1.69m in the nine months to December 2025, compared with £650,000 in the comparative period. A further £335,000 of sales have been generated since then. So far this year, emissions reduction additive volumes grew 265%. Cash was £1.12m at the end of 2025.
Delta Gold Technologies (DQG) shares have started trading on the OTCQB Venture Market in the US. This will help the quantum computing IP company to access US investors. Jonathan Mark Swain has increased his stake from 21.3% to 22.6%.
Connecting Excellence Group (XCE) purchased 1.065 Bitcoin for £64,000 using cash generated by the executive search business, which had revenues of £253,000 in January. The total holding is 52.425 Bitcoin at a total cost of £3.15m. The share price declined 35.9% to 1.25p. The original placing and offer price was 2.1p/share.
Ethry (ETHY) has bought 250 Ethereum at an average price of £1,997 each. It owns 750 Ethereum at an average price of £2,272.33 each.
B HODL (HODL) owns 160.388 Bitcoin after earning 0.093 Bitcoin during January. The company has shareholder permission to buy back shares, as well as entering an At-The Market equity offering via Canaccord Genuity. Share issues have to be at a share price that is a premium to the market value of the company’s Bitcoin holdings.
Pieter Scholtz and Gerhardus “Gerhard” Kotzee of Quorium Global Photonics SPC have been appointed as executive directors of Valereum (VLRM). Grant Gischen has also been appointed as an executive director.
Seneca Partners has reduced its stake in Probiotix Health (PBX) from 6.6% to just under 5%.
Stack BTC (STAK) has raised £6,000 at 1p/share. This will provide working capital.
Fenikso Ltd (FNK) has received a further $437,000 from Lekoil Oil and Gas Investments out of crude oil sales, leaving $33.7m owed.
Tamar Minerals (TMR) sats White Energy Company says that four holes of the Specimen Hill project drilling have been completed with up to nine more planned. Tamar Minerals has a 3% Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) on all future mineral sales.
James and Alexandra Peace have a 6.58% stake in brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP).
Falconedge (EDGE) shares have started trading on the OTCQB Venture Market in the US.
Marula Mining (MARU) has appointed Alpheus Nethononda, Martin Westerman and Boniface Mbithi as directors.
VVV Sports (VVV) has repaid a £250,000 loan from Campana Investments, which is controlled by VVV Sports chairman Jonathan Rowland.
ASSET MATCH
C4X Discovery (C4XD) will leave Asset Match after the final auction on 12 February. Further progress is required to secure partners for existing programmes. Operating costs have been reduced.
Gulfsands Petroleum (GPX) has closed the fractional share auction, and all the fractional entitlement shares have been placed.
AIM
Antennas components and systems supplier Filtronic (FTC) did well to report barely changed interim revenues of £25.3m given the exceptionally strong first half the year before. Investment in the business has increased costs, so pre-tax profit declined. There is a record order book. Full year revenues are set to be 4% lower at £54m and pre-tax profit could slip from £15.1m to £8.3m.
Chip designer and supplier EnSilica (ENSI) reported interims that were flagged in the recent trading statement. Revenues were 37% ahead at £12.7m with strong growth in chip supply revenues and design income for future supply. There is already 95% coverage of forecast full year revenues of £28m, which would lead to a return to profit. There are design deals that will become supply deals over the next couple of years, so future growth is already in the pipeline.
Online gaming marketing business B90 Holdings (B90) generated higher revenues than expected in 2025. Zeus has upgraded its revenues forecast by 11% to €7.1m. The pre-tax profit forecast is maintained at €1.1m because marketing costs have been increased to cover higher costs and continue the growth in revenues. Net cash is €900,000.
Specialist cleaning services provider React Group (REAT) increased full year revenues from £20.7m to £24.9m, helped by an acquisition, but pre-tax profit dropped from £2.1m to £2m and earnings fell further because of shares issued to fund the 24hr Aquaflow acquisition. There was an organic decline of 10% due to lower cleaning frequencies, but there was a stronger second half. Net debt is £2.2m, excluding leases. Investment in digital admin will help the LaddersFree business to grow.
Building products manufacturer Alumasc (ALU) has reported interim revenues that dipped from £57.4m to £50.4m, partly down to a £5.5m contribution from Chek Lap Kok airport in the previous period that was not repeated in the recent six months. Underlying pre-tax profit dropped from £7.5m to £4m. A further £1.1m of annualised cost savings have been achieved. The interim dividend was maintained at 3.5p/share.
Tungsten West (TUN), which owns the Devon-based Hemerdon tungsten and tin mine, published an updated project value on the back of strong metals prices. The NPV7.5% has increased from $190m to $1.7bn. Management followed this up with a fundraising of £44.4m at 18p/share, including a fully subscribed retail offer of £3m. The cash will finance the feasibility study and pay back the bridge facility. It will help to accelerate the move towards production in the third quarter. Debt financing discussions are continuing with multiple lenders.
Localisation and digital media services provider Zoo Digital (ZOO) is seeing signs of recovery in activity and has received initial orders from two major US studios. Gillian Wilmot and Mickey Kalifa are stepping down from the board after many years, and Nathalie Schwarz will replace Gillian Wilmot as chair. Two new non-executive directors will be appointed.
Image Scan (IGE) says a major defence contract that was going to use the company’s ThreatScan® portable X‑ray systems has been terminated. The was a 36-month programme that would have been a major contributor to 2026-27 and 2027-28 revenues. The termination reduces the order book from £4.67m to over £1m.
Advanced coating provider Hardide (HDD) continues to win new business and this has sparked an upgrade in the forecast for 2025-26. The latest order is from a North American energy company, and it is worth $1m. This should be delivered in the second half. Cavendish has upgraded its earnings forecast by one-quarter to 1.9p/share on a £1m increase in forecast revenues to £9m. That shows the operational gearing of the business.
Recruitment software provider Dillistone Group (DSG) announced a £1.5m fundraising at 10p/share. Management believes that the company has to become larger to take advantage of the AIM quotation. P&R Investment Management has taken a strategic stake of 26.8% via its fund. They are appointing Matthias Riechert and Aakash Vanchi Nath to represent them on the board.
Inspecs (SPEC) says that the votes received for the scheme of arrangement for the 84p/share offer by a bid vehicle established by Luke Johnson and Ian Livingsgtone would not be enough for it to go through. The general meeting has been delayed from 9 February to 23 February.
Trellus Health (TRLS), which has developed a digital platform to manage chronic health conditions, says it has enough funding for most of the first quarter of 2026, having reduced cash burn to $400,000/month, and it is in talks for additional funding. Revenues were $545,000 in 2025. Last year, the agreement with Pfizer to license patient support educational content for inclusion in Pfizer’s IBD digital application was renewed and it could be expanded this year. Trellus Health has begun launching the programme to support recruitment and enrolment optimisation for an ongoing mid-stage immunology and inflammation clinical trial sponsored by Takeda. There has been trimming of some major shareholdings in the company, including by Icahn School of Medicine, which has reduced the stake from 25% to 22.3%.
Sports and leisure products supplier Tandem (TND) improved revenues by 6% to £26.2m in 2025 despite weak consumer confidence. Bicycles and home and garden sectors grew fastest, offsetting the drop in toys, sports and leisure. Efficiency improvements mean that pre-tax profit should be slightly ahead of expectations of £500,000 – Cavendish forecasts £600,00. Management hopes to maintain the rate of growth in revenues this year. The results will be published on 23 March.
Huddled Group (HUD) has raised up to £730,000 from a share subscription at 1.75p/share and secured a debt facility of up to £600,000. There is also a retail offer of up to £100,000. The cash will fund additional stock for the retailer. New marketing initiatives are proving successful.
Financial market data software provider Arcontech (ARC) reported a 5% dip in revenues to £1.4m because of a loss of a contract and a decline in operating profit from £400,000 to £300,000. Reduced working capital helped net cash increase to £7.8m. Cavendish expects revenues to fall 13% and pre-tax profit to decline 30% to £700,000.
Automotive interior components supplier CT Automotive (CTA) expects to report adjusted pre-tax profit of at least $10m for 2025. This was after product launch-related costs of $400,000. Net debt was $7.7m at the end of 2025. Contracts have been won that will build revenues over the next few years. This year’s revenues will not get much of that benefit until later in the year and modest growth is expected.
Gold producer and explorer Ariana Resources (AAU) has settled outstanding loan balances due under the facility agreement with RiverFort Global Opportunities PCC, which issued a conversion notice. The outstanding balance of $782,575 was converted into 40.4 million shares and these are likely to be admitted to trading on 5 February. RiverFort is not likely to be a long-term shareholder so these shares could be sold in the near-term.
Chesterfield Special Cylinders (CSC) says the defence order book continues to strengthen following a new contract for specialised pressure vessels for French navy submarine. Management believes it could gain a major contract for hydrogen storage systems during this year. This year will be second half weighted and full year revenues are expected to be significantly higher. Revenues are forecast to be 18% ahead at £19.5m and the company should move close to breakeven.
Full year revenues at restaurants operator Various Eateries (VARE) were in line with expectations at £52.4m, but margins were better that expected and the loss was lower than expected at £2.4m. There was 2% like-for-like growth in revenues and there was a strong performance over the Christmas period. Zeus has reduced its 2025-26 loss estimate to £1m with forecast net cash of £1.9m.
MAIN MARKET
Bitcoin investor and wed development company The Smarter Web Company (SWC) moved to the Main Market on 3 February. The share price opened at 43p and ended the week at 36.75p.
Satsuma Technology (SATS) says that it has accepted the requisition of a general meeting by shareholders. The four resolutions proposed are for the removal of Henry Elder and Andrew Smith from the board and their replacement by Nicholas Lee and Paddy Dean. The board is aware that apparently the majority is supportive of these resolutions. It will make a further announcement.
Alkemy Capital Investments (ALK) says projections for the Front-End Engineering Design programme for its proposed lithium hydroxide refinery in Teesside are at the lower end of the global cost curve. Capex is US$243.6m and there should be an EBITDA of US$65.9m each year. The facility could produce 25,000 tpa of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate for batteries.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 8 December 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Amazing AI (AAI), whose shares are suspended because its corporate adviser has resigned, is asking for shareholder approval to leave Aquis. Considering the negative publicity this is not a surprise.
Delta Gold Technologies (DQG) joined Aquis on 1 December 2025 when it raised £2.5m at 10p/share. The company is developing quantum computing technology that can be licenced. This involves nano-space gold and other materials. The share price improved 28.75% to 12.875p. Bitcoin mining company Sterling Digital (ASIC) was the other company that joined Aquis on 1 December, and it raised £5m at 5p/share. The cash will fund a 3MW Bitcoin mining facility in Texas powered by flared gas. The share price reached 5.25p on the first day but ended the week unchanged at 5p.
Valereum (VLRM) is progressing with the agreement to raise $200m of royalty and streaming capital from new special purpose segregated portfolio company, Valereum QGP-SP, which is being formed to list on a US National Exchange. The new company has been established, and 12.6 million shares have been issued to Quorium Global Photonics SPC at par value. These shares have to be retained until the $200m of capital is released. The deal is subject to compliance and regulatory approvals. Valereum is applying to join the OTCQB Market, having sold its stake in London BTC Company (BTC), which had previously prevented qualification.
Time to Act (TTA) is interested in acquiring the assets of Versarien, which has gone into administration. Subsidiary GreenSpur Wind has won a design contract with Severn Estuary Tidal Bar, which is developing Very Low Head tidal turbine systems. There will be an assessment of GreenSpur’s axial-flux generator technology in relation to the turbine systems. This should be completed in January.
WeCap (WCAP) has provided an update on its shareholding in WeShop. The WeShop share price rose early in the week and then fell back to $126.61 and daily volumes are well below those in the first week of trading. WeCap is not allowed to sell shares before 15 November 2026. It will have to repay the £6.965m discounted capital bond by 24 May 2026. WeCap is talking to the bond holder.
Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) has bought a further 500,000 WeShop shares, taking its stake to 537,500. It is paying 99 million shares and 173.1 million performance warrants exercisable at 1.2p each to Sidney PTC, but the shares cannot be transferred until the lock-in period ends on 15 November 2026. The initial 101.5 million of warrants can be exercised when the WeShop share price exceeds $213.34 and the rest when the price is higher than $426.67.
Alex Appleton, Sarah Gow and Pierre Villeneuve have resigned as directors of wind-based hydrogen production technology developer Energy B (NRGB), formerly known as Hydrogen Future Industries. This is leading to a review of the Bitcoin given the reduction in investor interest for this. Additional cash will be required for the business.
Ananda Developments (ANA) has received ethics and MHRA approval for the phase 2 clinical trial for the efficacy of MRX1 in treating Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. The company has redeemed its 600,000 convertible loan notes in return for 150 million shares at 0.4p each. Charles Morgan’s stake is 56.3%. Shareholder approval for leaving Aquis is expected at the general meeting on 12 December.
Phoenix Digital Assets (PNIX) plans to redomicile from the UK to Gibraltar, which already has rules relating to distributed ledger technologies. There are also experienced advisers in Gibraltar.
Global Connectivity (GCON) investee company PLUG Group has raised £1.05m at £21/share. Global Connectivity director Michael Langoulant bought 5,000 shares. Global Connectivity acquired its 87,625 shares at 200p each.
B HODL (HODL) entered into two unsecured, zero-coupon Bitcoin denominated convertible loan with Adam Black and with CoinCorner Ltd. The combined amount covered is 2.1 Bitcoin and they last for three years. The conversion share price is 11.55p.
TechFinancials (TECH) has still not received the £250,000 of placing proceeds it has been waiting for because of transfer problems.
Global Chain, a company associated with NYCE International (NYCE) director Harmen Brenninkmeijer, bought 44,291 shares at 11.06p each, taking its stake to 20.97%.
IntelliAM AI (INT) says the retail offer was oversubscribed. It has raised £260,000.
Shortwave Life Sciences (PSY) consolidated 10 shares into one new share on 2 December.
The Smarter Web Company (SWC) has not raised any cash from share subscriptions in the past two weeks. Shareholders have approved share buybacks.
Mendell Helium (MDH) has extended the broker option over up to 10 million shares until 8 December. An additional subscription of £600 has been received.
JP JENKINS
The JP Jenkins 15 index rose 4.5% to 1147.2p in November, which is the largest monthly increase since March. There was a significant rise in THG Ingenuity. Quarterly reweighting will be in January 2026.
ASSET MATCH
Byotrol (BYOT) increased interim sales from £1.93m to £2.18m and reduced the loss from £672,000 to £319,000. There was a small cash inflow from operating activities and cash was £299,000 at the end of September 2025. The infection control products company has convertible loan stock of £962,000. Cash may be required by the middle of next year. Full year sales could be as high as £4.5m.
Brewer Wadworth (WAD) says like-for-like sales are 3% ahead with own beer sales 12% higher in the year to date. Wadworth has had to absorb £750,000 of additional costs in recent months because of the 2024 Budget. Christmas trading will be important for the full year outcome.
Gulfsands Petroleum (GPX) is seeking shareholder approval to restructure is capital to consolidate shares and get rid of shareholders with fewer than 200,000 shares. A share facility will be set up for those with fewer than 200,000 shares and for the fractional entitlement of those with higher numbers of shares. If the payment would be les than £25 the shareholder will not receive any cash. Investors can bid to increase their shareholding to one divisible by 200,000. There will be a subsequent subdivision and there will be 45.14 million shares in issue. The company wants to be in a position to resume operations in Syria.
Zytronic (ZYT) says the buyer of its property is seeking to secure better financing terms. This will delay the sale. The distribution is still expected to be in the range of 48p-58p/share.
AIM
Zimbabwe is changing its royalty and tax regimes. There is an increase in the royalty rate from 5% to 10% when the gold price exceeds $2,500/ounce – applied to the full gold price – and the 100% upfront deduction for capital spending will be spread across the life of the project. This could affect the Bilboes gold project being developed by Caledonia Mining Corporation (CMCL), where production costs would be much higher, as well as its existing production. Cavendish has reduced its 2026 earnings forecast from 2.97 cents/share to 2.62 cents/share.
Health assessment technology developer GENinCode (GENI) has secured a collaboration agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific to distribute and manufacture the CARDIO inCode-Score® Polygenic Risk Score for the prediction and prevention of heart disease. This follows the New York approval of the test. The deal covers the US as well as Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The FDA approval process is progressing.
Wynnstay Group (WYN) is benefitting from the revised strategy of the new chief executive and trading is slightly better than expected. Feed and grain profit improved even though feed volumes were lower and grain trading was hit by a weaker wheat harvest. The arable division generated better profit on higher fertiliser sales. Like-for-like retail stores sales were flat, although margins improved. Non-recurring charges relating to the restructuring will be between £5.4m and £5.9m. Cash costs will be up to £2.5m. Net cash was £26.4m at the end of October 2025. Shore Capital raised its 2024-25 pre-tax profit forecast by 6% to £9m, compared with £7.6m in the previous year. Three directors each bought 2,891 shares at 345p each following the trading statement.
One Health Group (OHGR) did even better than expected in the first half. Interim revenues were 10% ahead at £15.5m, while underlying pre-tax profit rose from £895,000 to £1.28m. Earnings were flat at 6.89p/share because of the shares issued earlier this year when One Health switched from Aquis to AIM. Net cash was £9.7m at the end of September 2025. The interim dividend was edged up from 2.07p/share to 2.1p/share. Management is confident that the surgical hub can be up and running one year after full permissions are received.
Fulcrum Metals (FMET) has achieved more than 70% gold and silver recoveries at Teck Hughes in Canada. This is part of the phase 3 metallurgical work. Previous gold recovery levels were 59.4%. Full results from the tests are expected in the first quarter of 2026, and this will support a mineral resource estimate. This will be followed by a phase 4 preliminary feasibility study.
Iodine producer Iofina(IOF) has signed an agreement with Western Midstream Partners to develop its next IOsorb plant in the Permian Basin between western Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Up until now Iofina has been producing iodine in the Anadarko Basin in western Oklahoma. The new plant will be twice as large as existing plants with a capacity to process 50,000 barrels of brine water per day supplied by Western Midstream. It will cost up to $9m to construct with annual production of up to 220 metric tonnes of iodine. The new plant could be producing before the end of 2026.
Advanced coatings provider Hardide (HDD) has received a significant order from a North American energy sector customer with a value of £1.75m. This is higher than expected and there could be more to come. The forecast revenues for 2025-26 have been raised by £1m to £8m and pre-tax profit increased from £600,000 to £1.1m – indicating the operational gearing.
North Sea oil and gas company Deltic Energy (DELT) recommended a 7.46p/share bid from Rockrose Energy, which is owned by Viaro Energy, at the end of June but completion is still dependent on the North Sea regulator NSTA. NSTA wants further information in order to reach a decision to grant the change of control of licences. The long stop of the bid has been extended to the end of March 2026.
Synergia Energy (SYN) is selling its 50% stake in the Cambay PSC for $14m and $500,000 has already been received. The initial payment is $6.5m with a further $7m 12 months after completion. This deal requires India government approval. Synergia Energy is asking for shareholder approval to leave AIM, and it will return cash to shareholders via a share buyback. A matched bargain facility may be put in place.
Anglesey Mining (AYM) shares trebled to 0.825p after it entered into a binding letter of intent with largest shareholder Energold Minerals Inc that will enable a restructuring of the business and improve the balance sheet. Two of Anglesey Mining’s investments will be swapped for the elimination of £4m of debt. Energold Minerals is paying £350,000 for non-voting exchangeable warrants to provide immediate cash. The focus will be the Parys Mountain project. Energold Mining president Brendan Cahill and Jim Williams are joining the board.
Barely more than two weeks after reporting its interims, musical instruments retailer Gear4Music (G4M) says trading has been very strong over the past weekend. This means expectations have been raised and the full year EBITDA forecast increased from £15.2m to £16.7m.
Quantum Blockchain Technologies (QBT) has entered into three non-disclosure agreements with ASIC manufacturers in relation to its Bitcoin mining technology. They have developed equipment that will be made available to QBT so that it can install and test its software. Another non-disclosure agreement has been signed with a Bitcoin mining pool. This could bypass the need to modify the operating system of mining machines using the pool.
MAIN MARKET
US cybersecurity company Narf Industries (NARF) has gained a contract worth $3.6m from a US government agency. This is for a two-year period and is to develop a way of accelerating computer system recovery after cyber-attacks.
New Frontier Minerals (NFM) has commenced drilling at the Harts Range heavy rare earths and niobium project. There will be up to 46 holes. This follows the recent fundraising.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 27 May 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Samarkand (SMK) says revenues will be slightly lower than expected – with a decrease of up to 4% – but the ecommerce services provider’s EBITDA will be halved in line with expectations. Owned brands generated 46% of revenues with the decline coming in third party brands. Samarkand has acquired Optimised Energies, which has brands Natures Greatest Secret and BeNatural, for £600,000 in cash and deferred consideration of £700,000. The acquired company made EBITDA of £300,000 last year. Executive directors have lent £400,000 to the company for fund the acquisition.
Aquis-quoted Phoenix Digital Assets (PNIX) is proposing a tender offer of up to £33.7m at a share price of 5.39p/share. That covers up to 57.9% of the current share capital. The tender price is equivalent to the current NAV since the recovery in Bitcoin and adjusted for potential tax. The tender offer is open until 13 June. The company has available cash of £40.6m. Phoenix Digital Assets also has 17.4 million shares in Flex Labs Inc (FLEX) after it acquired AI software company IO+ PTE, for 110 million shares in total. Supernova Digital Assets received 771,930 shares in Flex Labs.
Brewer Adnams (ADB) improved 2023 sales 3% to £66.3m, but the pre-tax loss increased from £2.3m to £4m. Net debt was £15.9m at the end of 2023 and there is still some headroom in the loan facility despite the review of how to finance the long-term future of the company. Off trade volumes were 14% higher. First quarter group sales were 11% ahead. Cost pressures are easing.
Flow battery technology developer Invinity Energy Systems (IES) raised £56m at 23p/share via a placing with £25m committed by the UK Infrastructure Bank and £3m from Korean Investment Partners. The open offer raised an additional £1.38m out of the £6.6m of shares that were on offer.
Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) says trading is in line with expectations, although loan growth has been minimal. Specialist lending has been growing faster.
Metals One (MET1) has terminated the farm-in agreement with Gunsynd (GUN).
SuperSeed Capital (WWW) reduced the outflow from operating activities from £306,000 to £144,000. The NAV of the fund of funds company improved from 97.31p/share to 113.33p/share. That was helped by an unrealised gain of £297,000.
Paul Ryan has sold his 3.9% stake in Mortgage Chat (MCAI). Non-exec CP Freeman bought 500 shares in Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne (HYDP) at 948p each.
AIM
Telecoms testing equipment supplier Calnex Solutions (CLX) reported 2023-24 revenues two-fifths lower at £16.3m and it fell into loss. The final dividend was maintained at 0.62p/share. The telecoms market remains subdued, and Calnex Solutions is moving into new markets, such as defence. The distribution agreement with Spirent ends in July, but management is advanced with its plans to replace this source of income. Net cash declined to £11.9m because of higher inventory levels and capitalised R&D. A return to profit is expected this year and the cash level should be maintained.
Automotive interior components supplier CT Automotive (CTA) returned to profit in 2023, while net debt was reduced to $3.8m. Liberum expects underlying pre-tax profit to improve from $8.3m to $10.2m in 2024, even though revenues are forecast to decline. Improved efficiency is helping to boost margins. The Mexico factory is operating at 50% of capacity so there should be further improvement as this figure increases.
Bigblu Broadband (BBB) has sold its Nordic operations to management – including Bigblu Broadband chief executive Andrew Walwyn who is stepping down – at an enterprise value of £1.3m. There could be contingent consideration. Finance director Frank Waters becomes chief executive. The disposal leaves operations in Australia, which could be sold or floated on the ASX, and a stake in Quickline. Cavendish forecasts a 2023-24 pre-tax profit of £3m.
Coatings company Hardide (HDD) has appointed Matt Hamblin as the new chief executive, who has been a non-exec and previously ran a similar coatings business. The interim figures had been flagged. The pre-tax loss increased to £960,000. Lower depreciation means that the full year loss will not be as high as originally thought and it could be similar to the interim loss. Hardide has been EBITDA positive for the past two months. There is cash of £700,000 in the bank.
Another strong trading statement from Kinovo (KINO) with profit and cash ahead of expectations. The property services provider says 2023-24 revenues were £64.1m and net cash is £400,000The pre-tax profit estimate has been raised from £5.8m to £6.1m. Next year’s profit forecast has been raised from £6.3m to £6.6m. Most of the costs relating to the guarantee for DCB have been paid.
Energy and water efficiency services provider Eneraqua Technologies (ETP) reported 2023-24 results in line with the trading statement earlier in the year. The business moved from a pre-tax profit of £10.1m to a £6m loss because local government contracts were delayed. Cost savings have been put in place and additional work has been won so Eneraqua Technologies could move back into profit this year. A change of government could lead to additional incentives for energy saving projects.
Education software and services provider Tribal Group (TRB) has finally reached a settlement with Nanyang Technological University. This dispute has been hanging over the business for years. Tribal Group will pay £3.1m over 18 months. A further exceptional charge for the dispute will be taken in the first half of 2024.
MRI device developer Polarean Imaging (POLX) launched a heavily discounted placing, subscription and open offer. The placing and subscription raised £8m at 1p/share with £2m of that invested by NUKEM Isotopes and £1.6m by Bracco – both existing investors. Up to £2m could be raised from an open offer. The cash is being used to accelerate commercialisation of the XENOVIEW technology and further development.
Pennant International (PEN) has raised £1.51m at 25p/share. The training and software products supplier is trading in line with expectations, but order conversion has been slower than anticipated. The cash will fund the development and integrations of software products.
Watkin Jones (WJG) returned to profit in the first half to March 2024. The student accommodation and rental property developer generated an improvement in revenues from £153.9m to £175.1m. There is no dividend as cash is conserved. Borrowings have been reduced and net cash is £44m.
B90 Holdings (B90), which provides online marketing services to the gaming sector, says Oddsen.nu, an affiliate that is part of the group, has secured fixed listing fee marketing agreements that will generate income of €200,000 during 2024. There could be additional income on top of this based on marketing performance.
Scientific instruments manufacturer Judges Scientific (JDG) says that there is unlikely to be a material revenues contribution from coring contracts at the Geotek subsidiary. The potential contract is unlikely to commence until near to the end of 2024 and then make a significant contribution in 2025. Trading is subdued against tough comparators. WH Ireland still expects a full year pre-tax profit of £33.8m, although that assumes a stronger second half.
Secure payments company PCI-Pal (PCIP) has been successful in the Court of Appeal for the unfounded case brought by Sycurio against its patents. This means that £1.1m of cash should be released from escrow. The finding upheld the original court judgment. PCI-Pal will seeking further costs. The full ruling will become available in a few days.
Piling contractor Van Elle (VANL) expects 2023-24 revenues to be £140m, which is a like-for-like reduction of 12%. Last November, Rock & Alluvium was acquired, and its volumes are 30% higher than pre-acquisition. Housing and infrastructure sectors are expected to recover and a move into energy transmission will help the overall improvement for the business. The order book was worth £36.8m at the end of March 2024. Net cash is £5.5m.
Healthcare communications technology developer Feedback (FDBK) says delays in the NHS procurement process means that 2023-24 revenues will be lower than expected at £1.2m. Management hopes that the contracts will be secured in 2024-25. There was still £4.3m in the bank at the end of April 2024.
Chamberlin (CMH) has been placed in administration. Coal miner Bens Creek (BEN) has also gone into administration.
Victorian Plumbing (VIC) has acquired rival Victoria Plum for £22.5m. The business had been in administration and costs are already being reduced, so it should break even in the second half.
MAIN MARKET
James Gundy, chief executive of shipbroker Braemar (BMS), bought 6,600 shares at 290.5p/share following the full year results. Pre-tax profit fell from £18m to £14.6m on maintained revenues. The total dividend was raised from 12p/share to 13p/share. The new financial year started with an order book of $82.6m.
Power products supplier XP Power (XPP) received an indicative bid approach at £19.50/share. XP Power has rejected the proposal by Nasdaq-listed Advanced Energy Industries.
Admiral Acquisition (ADMR) has agreed to buy critical asset integrity and testing services provider Acuren for $1.85bn from American Securities. The business generates EBITDA of $190m.
Associated British Engineering (ASBE) had net assets of £391,000 at the end of March 2024, including cash of £419,000.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 13 February 2023
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Hemp and cannabinoid products supplier Yooma Wellness (YOOM) is restructuring its business due to the depressed market conditions. Unprofitable activities have been wound down and management is still trying to come up with a new strategy. The 2021 Vertex acquisition is being handed back to the sellers and $1.2m in receivables has been assigned to them. The subsidiary in France is filing for a bankruptcy procedure. Yooma Wellness requires more cash and other operations may need to be sold. If not, then there could be insolvency proceedings.
Love Hemp (LIFE) has appointed administrators. Secured creditors have issued a notice of default requiring repayment of the £1.92m debt facility. Sales have slumped and a dispute with former managing director Philip Small has not helped.
Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR) is holding a general meeting on 23 February so that strategic investor Vengrove can raise cash for the company through a share issue. The number of shares in issue will be ten times as many as currently in issue. This will help Walls and Futures REIT scale up. Vengrove SI-REIT Advisors will become manager of the portfolio of assets. Pax Homes will be sold to Joseph McTaggart, so the group will no longer be a developer. Investments will be made in affordable rental housing, education property, service stations and car parks and community buildings. A portfolio of assets has been identified. The company’s name will be changed to Social Infrastructure REIT.
Music artist management and services provider All Things Considered (ATC) is estimated to have generated revenues of £11m in 2022 and the loss should be slashed from £2.7m to £300,000. Increased touring by music artists helped the business to recover. The company could breakeven in 2023.
Emissions reducing fuel ingredients supplier SulNOx Group (SNOX) finance director Steven Cowin has given notice and will leave the board at the end of March 2023. Four directors have option agreements with 6% shareholder RemNOx Ltd, which would enable it to acquire a total of 24.08 million shares at 30p each between 6 February and 28 February. That would mean that RemNOx would own 29.9% of SulNOx.
EPE Special Opportunities Ltd (EO.P) had cash of £24.5m at the end of January 2023. NAV was 334p a share, down from 456p a share. The share price recovered 5.71% to 185p. The Luceco (LUCE) share price decline was part of the reason. The company bought back 5.4% of its share capital at an average price of 139p/share. A £2m investment was made in premium dog snacks maker Denzel’s Ltd.
There are further delays in the provision of the £200,000 bridge loan to TruSpine Technologies (LON: TSP).
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) is raising its prize money by 16% to £6.06m in the 2023 season. Chairman Dominic Burke bought 6,250 shares at 815p each, taking his stake to 6.42%.
Res Privata NV took a 3.83% stake in NFT Investments (NFT).
Oberon Investments (OBE) appointed Paul Sheehan to its investment management team.
Greencare Capital has changed its name to MaxRets Ventures (MAX).
Marula Mining (MARU) appointed PWC Kenya as advisor to its East Africa activities.
AIM
Managed IT and networking services provider AdEPT Technology (ADT) is being acquired by a private equity backed Wavenet, which also provides telecom services. The 201p a share bid is a 75% premium to the previous market price it is still well below past levels. However, shareholders will not get the 2.5p a share interim dividend. The bid values AdEPT Technology at £50.3m.
Hardide (HDD) revenues grew 39% to £5m with the prospect of another sharp increase this year. The advanced coatings company continues to broaden its sector and customer base in areas such as renewable energy. Hardide is expected to continue to be loss making but the cash outflow will reduce. There is enough cash following the sale and leaseback of the US facility for the immediate requirements of Hardide.
Communications sub-systems manufacturer Filtronic (FTC) has been hit by component shortages that held back progress in the first half and this will continue in the second half. The order book is worth £17m, which is more than the 2022-23 forecast revenues of £16.5m. A small pre-tax profit is expected for the full year and there should be a sharp recovery in profit as supply problems ease next year.
Alumasc (ALU) interim revenues were 5% ahead at £45 million, pre-tax profit fell 11% to £5.6 million. The corresponding period included high margin Chap Lap Kok airport project work for the water management division and the phasing of projects hit the latest figures. The figures exclude the loss making Levolux business, which has been sold. Management indicated its confidence in the future with the 1.5% increase in the interim dividend to 3.4p a share. The second half will be stronger than the first half, but pre-tax profit is expected to decline from £12.7m to £11.3m.
Songtradr Inc launched an agreed bid for music streaming technology developer 7digital Group (7DIG) and the 0.695p a share offer values the company at £19.4m. The share has not been at this level since September 2021. Songtradr is a music licensing company with a platform and technology that connects music rights holders to brands and content creators.
Clinical communications technology developer Feedback (FDBK) revenues are still modest, but they increased by 222% to £576,000. The £450,000 contract with a Sussex community diagnostic centre made a contribution to these revenues and is up for renewal. The new contract should be worth much more when it is renewed. This pilot project will help to show other potential clients that the technology works. Other NHS trusts are showing interest in the company’s services. There was cash of £9.23m at the end of November 2022, so Feedback can finance further development and cover losses.
WH Ireland cut its forecast for SaaS-based retail software provider itim Group (ITIM) because contract delays mean that revenues will be slower coming through. Annualised recurring revenues are £13m, which is lower than expected. Revenues recognised for 2022 will be slightly below previous forecasts and that increases the loss by £200,000 to £1.1m. The 2023 loss is expected to be the same. Net cash is £3.9m. The share price slumped by 24.8% to 37.5p. The June 2021 placing was at 154p.
The share price of credit provider Morses Club (MCL) fell a further 52.6% to a new low of 0.21p ahead of the cancellation of the AIM quotation. Asset Match will provide a matched bargains facility for the shares.
esports company Gfinity (GFIN) requires more cash by the end of March so management wants to raise £1.5m via a share issue. That will finance a corporate restructuring, invest in the Athlos technology platform and help the company to move towards breakeven. Gfinity has a market capitalisation of £3.1m, so the proposed share issue will be highly dilutive.
MAIN MARKET
Used car finance and property bridging loans provider S&U (SUS) continues to do well despite weak consumer confidence. Group net receivables have risen from £370m to around £420m in the six months to January 2023. Full year figures will be published on 28 March. Full year pre-tax profit is forecast to decline from £47m – due to low bad debt provisions – to £41.2m. Net debt was £192m at the end of January 2023, compared with committed facilities of £210m. The second interim dividend is 38p a share. The full year dividend total is expected to be 132p a share.
Hamak Gold Ltd (HAMA) has commissioned a geophysical survey for the Ziatoyah gold prospect in Liberia. This will map the mineralised sulphide bearing metadolerite units where high grades of gold have been intersected.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 16 May 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Brewer Adnams (ADB) says that trading is in line with expectation in the first four months of the year. The retail side is trading ahead of the same period in 2019. Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge has reduced its shareholding from 5.27% to 4.22%., while Michael Heald increased his stake from 18.2% to 19.3% by acquiring 3,200 B shares at 8870p each.
Silverwood Brands (SLWD) has made its first investment since joining Aquis last year. Ginger Teleporter is licenced to operate e-scooters and e-bikes in England. Silverwood Brands has subscribed for a convertible loan note of £200,000 with an interest rate of 15%. The conversion price is £28.94. Silverwood Brands directors Paul Hodgins and Andrew Gerrie are also directors of Ginger. Along with another shareholder in Ginger they have agreed to sell shares to Silverwood Brands at a nominal cost if the target valuation is less than two times the original investment.
National Milk Records (NMRP) says third quarter revenues were 4% higher at £5.63m, with all main parts of the business increasing their contribution. Health testing is growing fastest, but it is still less than one-quarter of the total. Milk purchase prices have been increased to cover higher farm costs.
Talent management and livestreaming company All Things Considered (ATC) invested $6m in a new company focused on music digitisation and blockchain technology, which has announced the acquisition of Napster.
Gunsynd (GUN) has sold 175,000 shares in Charger Metals NL, raising £93,000. It still owns 2.825 million shares.
ChallengerX (CXS) has signed a digital asset monetisation agreement with US-based online TV network FOXD. This is a five-year deal.
Hydrogen Utopia International (HUI) says it is in talks with Powerhouse Energy (PHE) about a project in Ireland.
Peterhouse Capital resigned as corporate adviser to Love Hemp (LIFE) prior to the announcement that an investor had not made the promised £1.2m subscription. A new corporate adviser is required for trading in the shares to recommence. A strategic review is ongoing, and a finance director is being sought.
AQRU (AQRU) says that its decentralised finance subsidiary has more than $50m of assets under management five months after the launch of the AQRU.io platform.
SuperSeed Capital Ltd (WWW) managing director sold 50,000 shares at 100p each. He still owns 79.6%.
EPE Special Opportunities Ltd (ESO) had net assets of 355.46p a share.
AIM
There have not been any large contract wins for telecoms billing software provider Cerillion (CER) this year, but the interims show the benefit of previous wins. In the six months to March 2022, revenues increased from £12.8m to £16.1m. Annualised recurring revenues are £9.8m. Underlying pre-tax profit jumped from £3.8m to £6.3m. The business is highly cash generative and net cash has reached £16.5m. There are no borrowings. The dividend has been raised by 24% to 2.6p a share. Although the order book has dipped from £42.1m to £39.7m it is still well above previous years. There is a weighted pipeline of prospective customer business of £35m and there is a good chance that some deals could be secured before the end of September.
Motor dealer Vertu Motors (VTU) had an exceptionally strong 2021-22 due to the delayed demand for cars due to lockdowns in the previous year. The figures were ahead of expectations. Revenues were £3.62bn, which is 18% higher than in 2019-20. Pre-tax profit jumped from £24.6m to £80.7m. The profit should more than halve this year. Supply shortages are continuing, although used car prices are set to come down over the rest of the year.
Omnichannel retail software provider itim Group (ITIM) has annual recurring revenues were £11.1m in 2021 and it has already reached £13m this year. Clients pay a monthly fee. There was a £1m pre-tax profit in 2021 and investment in growing the business means that it could halve this year. The company raised cash so that it could finance the replacement of an existing system with its own software without charging an upfront fee.
Healthcare technology investor and adviser Netscientific (NSCI) increased net assets to £18.5m at the end of 2021. There are 22 investments in the portfolio. WH Ireland has a sum of the parts valuation of 180p a share.
Trellus Health (TRLS) has changed its strategy to focus on the direct-to-consumer model and is broadening the market by including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Trellus Health can provide personalised care for people with chronic conditions with the initial focus inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There should be initial revenues in 2022. Net cash is $32m and this should last more than two years as revenues build up.
Plug-in cards developer Concurrent Technologies (CNC) says component shortages held back revenues and they dipped from £21.1m to £20.5m in 2021. Even so, pre-tax profit improved from £3.7m to £4.1m thanks to lower operating expenses. Chief executive Miles Adcock joined the AIM-quoted company last June. He has reviewed strategy plans to launch new products more quickly. This year there should be eight new products – double the previous level. A manufacturing partner in the US will help the group win more business. Although there was an increased interim dividend, the total dividend for the year was unchanged at 2.55p a share.
Advanced coatings provider Hardide (HDD) is recovering but it is still some way from profit. Interim revenues were 50% ahead at £2.7m and while the loss was nearly halved it was still £771,000. Revenues for the year to September 2022 could be double the interim level, but so could the loss. Net debt was £335,000 at the end of March 2022. Overheads have fallen following the completion of the move to a new factory in the UK. Variable gross margin is 70%, so additional revenues will rapidly reduce the loss.
Further good news from NWF (NWF) thanks to the fuels business due to short-term volatility. Trading in the year to May 2022 will be significantly ahead of expectations.
Credit hire and legal services firm Anexo (ANX) increased 2021 revenues by 36% to £118.2m, while pre-tax profit was 50% ahead at £24.1m. The new housing disrepair business made a contribution, and the credit hire business is running at high levels. There is still potential upside from the VW emissions case. The total dividend is 1.5p a share.
Iodine producer Iofina (IOF) increased 2021 revenues from $29.7m to $39m and underlying pre-tax profit from $1.3m to $4.9m, even though iodine production was lower. Net debt was $3m at the end of 2021. Iodine prices remain above $60/kg. Plans are being made for additional production capacity.
Duke Royalty (DUKE) has raised a further £20m via a placing and PrimaryBid offer at 35p a share. The additional cash should enable Duke to increase its debt facility by £25m. Cenkos forecasts royalty revenues of £21.3m in the year to March 2023. That should generate enough cash for a 3p a share dividend.
Immedia Group (IME) has completed the disposal of its operating business and it is changing its name to Immediate Acquisition.
Sweden-based investor AB Traction has increased its stake ceramics and fragrance products manufacturer Portmeirion (PMP) to 5.08%.
MAIN MARKET
GS Chain (GSC) is a shell seeking a technology acquisition. It was introduced to the standard list at 1p a share. The share price opened on 13 May at 3p before ending the day at 3.625p (3.5p/4p). There is nearly £1m in cash that should last 12 months. The pro forma asset value is less than 0.18p a share.
Macfarlane (MACF) says first quarter sales and profit are ahead of the same period last year. Better packaging sales to industrial and hospitality sectors has offset weaker sales for e-commerce.
Flavours supplier Treatt (TET) grew revenues by 9% to £66.3m, although underlying pre-tax profit fell to £6.3m. Forecast revenues have been upgraded, but the profit estimate is the same due to lower margins. Orange oil prices have risen.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 8 February 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Clinical IT developer DXS International (DXSP) is encouraged by the initial results from pilots of the ExpertCare system designed to analyse the electronic records of people with hypertension. DXS is awaiting NHS accreditation.
World High Life (LIFE) has appointed Tony Calamita as chief executive. He is a founder of Love Hemp, whose vendors will receive deferred consideration of £2m in shares at 1.5p each. Calamita will hold a 13.5% stake. The company has raised £467,000 at 1p a share.
Juliet Davenport is stepping down as chief executive of Good Energy (GOOD) but will continue as a non-executive. Good Energy company Zap-Map has signed up ESB Energy to its Zap-Pay electric vehicle charging payment service.
Capital For Colleagues (CFCP) has sold its investment in civil engineering materials distributor Civils Store for £1m, which represents a profit of 150% on a £400,000 investment. The initial £500,000 will be received on 15 February and the rest by the end of July.
EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) increased its NAV by 38% to 437.63p a share during the year to January 2021. EPE raised £10m from the sale of LED lighting company Luceco (LUCE) shares and retains a 24.9% stake.
Belvedere Leisure (BELV) reported a loss of £499,000 for the year to June 2020. There were the costs of the flotation of the corporate bonds.
Rutherford Health (RUTH) has approval to treat patients at its North West cancer centre. The first patients should be treated in 2022.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) has been promoted to the Apex segment of the AQSE Growth Market.
Eastinco Mining (EM.P) has appointed Novum Securities as its corporate adviser.
AIM
A higher interim profit contribution from fuels partly offset lower contributions from the rest of the NWF (NWF) businesses. Group revenues fell from £348.9m to £309.4m, while underlying pre-tax profit declined from £3m to £2.5m. The main decline was in food distribution where volatile demand hampered profitability. The cold weather will boost demand for heating oil in the second half.
Document management services provider IDOX (IDOX) improved revenues from £65.5m to £68m and pre-tax profit from £7.7m to £10.5m. There is further potential to improve margins. The order book at the end of October was £15.9m. Having sorted out the business, management is considering returning to the acquisition trail.
Mattioli Woods (MTW) is paying up to £2.34m for wealth management adviser Montagu. There are £80m of assets under advice.
STM Group (STM) expects to report a £2m pre-tax profit on revenues of £24m in 2020. There was net cash of £15.5m. Therese Neish is stepping down as finance director.
BlueRock Diamonds (LON: BRD) has revealed a significantly increased resource at the Kareevlei diamond mine in South Africa. There was a 49% increase in resource to 10.4 million net tonnes and a 53% increase in net carats to 516,200. The overall grade has edged up to 5 carats per tonne. There was 19% of the resource upgraded to indicated resources. BlueRock plans to mine one million tonnes per annum.
Strong first half trading at parcel and freight delivery company DX (DX.) has prompted finnCap to increase its forecast pre-tax profit for the year to June 2021 by £2m to £8.7m. The business continues to recover with profitability building up in the freight division.
Open Orphan (ORPH) has opened a new challenge study quarantine facility across the road from its existing centre in east London, which is already booked up for this year. This adds a further 19 beds.
Compliance and energy saving services provider Sureserve (SUR) has doubled its dividend to 1p a share. Less traffic on the road during the original lockdown helped to improve efficiency and margins. Shore has increased its 2020-21 pre-tax profit forecast by 16% from £9.4m to £11.9m.
Lexington Gold (LEX) has received environmental approvals for drilling at the JKL project in the US. Drilling should commence later in February. Pure Ice Ltd has increased its stake from 14.3% to 15.1%.
Advanced surface coatings provider Hardide (HDD) has raised £790,000 at 30.9p a share and secured a CBILS loan of £250,000. This will boost the cash position while the company waits for delayed work to come through.
Seeing Machines (SEE) says interim revenues will improve by 15% to A$18.1m. The driver safety systems developer’s annualised recurring revenues are A$15.5m.
Real-time software provider Checkit (CKT) has acquired its US distributor Tutela Monitoring Systems for £850,000.
Lok’nStore (LOK) acquired its Chichester self-storage site has been acquired for £4.2m, with the cash outflow offset by the £1.5m disposal of the Wolverhampton freehold and £1.7m sale of the vacant Southampton site – around £300,000 lower than book value. Contracts have been exchanged for a new site in Staines. Self-storage has proved to be resilient during Covid-19 lockdowns. Occupancy rates are rising, and prices have been stable at Lok’nStore.
Filtronic (FTC) made a small first half loss but the outlook for the full year is better. New defence contracts and increasing 5G-related demand will help the second half and the defence orders are at higher margins. Full year revenues are set to fall but pre-tax profit could treble to £300,000. Capex requirements are low so the business should be cash generative.
Bacanora Lithium (BCN) has raised £48.1m from a placing and retail offer at 45p a share. Ganfeng has also subscribed for £24m worth of shares. This will finance the development of the Sonora lithium project. It will pay for the 50% share of the cost of bringing stage one into production.
Evgen Pharma (EVG) has launched a placing and open offer to raise up to £11m at 8p a share. This will fund preclinical work on metastatic breast cancer and two other potential treatments, including glioma where there could be a clinical trial. The cash should last until the middle of 2023.
MAIN MARKET
Thalassa Holdings (THAL) is making a £2.5m investment in London Medical Laboratory. Thalassa will lend the company £2.5m to finance the opening of a phlebotomy clinic and increase capacity at existing facilities. The loan would be converted into shares if London Medical Laboratory floats on AIM. Thalassa also has warrants to subscribe for an 8% stake in the fully diluted share capital.
French Connection (FCCN) says Spotlight Brands and Go Global Retail are potential bidders for the clothing retailer.
Personal products supplier InnovaDerma (IDP) has rebuffed an all-share offer from Creighton (CRL) although the potential bidder is still interested in making an offer and has sent a letter to InnovaDerma. This suggests an offer of two share for every three InnovaDerma shares, which is equivalent to around 44p a share.
BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) says full year revenues were at least $180m, which is 45% ahead of the previous year. The diagnostics business is the main impetus behind the growth.
Argo Blockchain (ARB) has taken a 25% stake in Pluto Digital Assets. This cost £1m at 3p a share and there are also warrants exercisable at 6p a share. Pluto is a crypto venture capital and technology company.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore Quoted Micro 18 November 2019
NEX EXCHANGE
Trading in the shares of Barkby Group (BARK) has been suspended ahead of further information about a proposed reverse takeover. The acquisition of a group of companies referred to as the Dickson controlled entities is expected to cost £30m, predominantly paid in shares. There will also be a share placing to provide working capital for the enlarged group. Charles Dickson would become executive chairman if the deal goes ahead. The businesses include Workshop Coffee, which operates four coffee shops and is a wholesaler of speciality coffee, a commercial property developer. Barkby will also acquire the right to invest in two private companies: Transcend Packaging, which won a contract to supply McDonalds with paper straws, and VivoPlex, which has developed a medical device for fertility monitoring.
Brewer and pubs operator Daniel Thwaites (THW) says fears that interest rates will fall has required a £4m increase in the provision for its interest rate swaps. That is a non-cash item and underlying pre-tax profit increased from £5.6m to £6.2m in the six months to September 2019. That figure also excludes a quadrupling of property disposal profit to £800,000. Interim revenues improved 7% to £53.4m. The new brewery is operating at full capacity, while there was a small increase in like-for-like pub revenues. The contribution from hotels improved. Net debt was reduced by £8.6m to £61.6m compared with 12 months before, although £22.5m has been reclassified as due within one year. The interim dividend is unchanged at 1.1p a share.
NEX and AIM-quoted AFH Financial (AFHP) says it is trading in line with forecasts. The wealth manager will report underlying EBITDA of more than £17m, up from £10.4m, in the year to October 2019. Funds under management were £6bn. The contribution from acquisitions has been earnings enhancing. The total dividend is expected to be 8p a share and this is expected to rise by one-quarter to 10p a share in 2019-20. There was still £11.9m in the bank at the end of October 2019, although there is estimated to be £32.2m of contingent consideration and a £15m convertible loan in the balance sheet. The current focus is on organic growth and there should be enough cash generated, along with the current balance, to pay the deferred consideration over the next two years.
Ashley House (LSE: ASH) has published a trading statement and it is changing its year end from April to October following the disposal of the Morgan Ashley joint venture. In the 12 months to April 2019, revenues fell from £18.5m to £11.9m and a pre-tax profit of £805,000 was turned into a £2.95m loss. There was a loss contributed by joint ventures. Net debt was £1.8m.
Clinical support systems supplier DXS International (DXSP) is considering a move to AIM. This would be part of a potential fundraising to enable further investment in the business. DXS has already announced that it has been awarded a place on the NHS GPIT Futures framework from the beginning of 2020. This replaces the GPSoC2 framework and means that systems and services will be able to be bought centrally rather than with GP funds. The focus will be on the existing core product DXS Point of Care, analytics and reporting service CompleteCare, digital medicines service ExpertCare and condition management platform MyVytalCare. The first is already on sale and the rest will be launched in early 2020. DXS is gaining final approvals for its four solutions to be listed in the NHS catalogue.
AfriAg Global (AFRI) has raised £160,000 at 0.1p a share. This cash will be invested in additional shares in Apollon Formularies, which will take the company’s stake to 2.68%.
Primorus Investments (PRIM) believes that the lack of flotations is providing it with more opportunities. Primorus has received the £275,000 it was owed by Zuuse and still owns 57,205 shares and holds options over one million shares at A$0.50 (26p) each. The latest fundraising by Zuuse is at A$1 a share. There is a potential market to sell the shares even before a flotation.
Rutherford Health (RUTH) shareholder Formation Group has appointed Andrew Bennett as a non-executive director of the proton beam therapy firm.
David Lenigas has been appointed chairman of NQ Minerals (NQMI) and the board is in talks to replace existing debt with lower-cost debt. First Sentinel, which is run by former NQ Minerals director, has been appointed as corporate adviser.
Block Commodities (BLCC) has raised £388,000 from an issue of convertible loan notes and shares. This is less than the company wanted to raise more than six months ago. The share issue raised £133,000 at 0.02p a share, with a warrant exercisable at the same price, and the conversion of the loan notes will also be at the same price. The cash will be used to move into the medicinal cannabis sector. Additional shares are being issued to pay creditors.
EPE Special Opportunities Ltd (ESO) had net assets of 246.47p a share at the end of October 2019.
One hundred shares in Equatorial Mining and Exploration (EM.P) will be consolidated into one new share on 18 November.
Karoo Energy has changed its name to IamFire (FIRE).
Queros Capital Partners (QCP) will leave NEX on 28 November.
AIM
DBAY Advisors does not intend to bid for Eddie Stobart Logistics (ESL) and instead will acquire 51% of the underlying subsidiary that owns the transport operations. The poor financial situation of the business led to the change of strategy and Eddie Stobart Logistics has recommended the deal, which involves the injection of £55m of additional finance through a PIK Facility. This will pay off a £35m loan and provide working capital. The deal requires the extension of other existing debt facilities. The interim results to May 2019 are still being compiled. An operating loss of at least £12m is expected, but the underlying business could make a full year operating profit of up to £2m. There could be a goodwill write-down of £50m. Net debt will be around £200m. Wincanton (WIN) is still considering a rival deal.
ECO Animal Health (EAH) is still suffering the after effects of the African Swine Flu outbreak in China and the US/China trade war hitting imports from the US. First half revenues from China fell by three-fifths. Restocking will take time to flow through in terms of FCO’s results. There will be a sharp fall in full year profit. The interims could also be affected by accounting policy changes.
Advanced surface coatings provider Hardide (HDD) has been selected to coat parts for the new F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. This is an important step in building up business in the aerospace sector. The Hardide-A coating will replace HVOF thermal spray coatings. HVOF is one of the most widely used coatings in aerospace and Hardide-A is said to be technically superior. Hardide has also been awarded a patent for a water droplet erosion resistant coating for blades and vanes, including those used on steam and gas turbines for power generation. A field test is planned.
Adamas Finance Asia (ADAM) says that a test production run is planned later this month by 85%-owned Future Metal at its quarry in China. The plan is to restart production by the end of the year. This will help to underpin the Adamas NAV and provide potential upside. At the end of September 2019, NAV was 84p a share, which is more than three times the share price. Future Metal is 45.2% of that NAV and when the quarry is up and running then Adamas could raise cash by selling some of its stake. Cash is required to invest in new opportunities that are being presented to the company. Adamas issued 16.18 million shares at 34.8p each for its equity investment in Infinity TNP.
Safestay (SSTY) has bought the Hotel Auberge in Berlin, which is near to Berlin zoo, and intends to turn it into a 150-bed hostel. The site has an eleven year lease. This is the latest acquisition this year and it takes the total number of hostel sites to 18. The plan is to have 20 hostels by 2020.
MAIN MARKET
PureCircle Ltd (PURE) chief executive Magomet Malsagov has stood aside temporarily pending further investigation of the classification of the stevia sweeteners supplier’s inventory and other transactions. The investigations have identified that inventory was $23m too high. Other transactions could lead to additional valuation changes. There could be write downs of intangibles and inventories. There should not be any increase in net debt, although the figures are still not fully audited. Bank covenants may need to be waived. Finance director Rakesh Sinha had previously resigned, although he remains with the company until the end of January.
Automotive information publisher Haynes Publishing (HYNS) is seeking a buyer. Management believes the company needs to be part of a larger group with greater financial resources.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 11 February 2019
NEX EXCHANGE
Primorus Investments (PRIM) says that investee company Sport:80 has delayed its flotation because it has been tidying up its shareholder register. Fintech company Engage Technology is also seeking to float later in 2019 following new product launches. Engage raised £2.6m at £22 a share at the end of 2018, whereas the average buying price by Primorus was £20.03 a share. Investee company, AIM-quoted Greatland Gold (GGP) has published results from the second drilling campaign at Havieron in Western Australia. Every drill hole intersected mineralisation and they extend the overall mineralisation. Drilling will recommence in March. Primorus has raised cash by selling most of the stake in UK Oil and Gas (UKOG) and Primorus was debt free at the end of 2018.
NEX has decided not to suspend trading in the shares of VI Mining (VIM) even though its corporate adviser Daniel Stewart is no longer a member of NEX. VI Mining had little or no notice of its adviser’s withdrawal. A new corporate adviser is being sought.
Milamber Ventures (MLVP) has acquired apprenticeship training provider Astara Training for £16,666 in shares at 9p each. Milamber lost £179,000 in the third quarter and there was £30,000 in the bank at the end of 2018.
Panther Metals (PALM) has announced the initial results of exploration activity at the Bear Lake project in Ontario. There was gold in soil anomalies at four of the five areas tested. Four areas have quartz vein sample assays above 5g/t gold. Two samples had large grade samples. The next phase of exploration is being planned and could start in the second quarter of 2019.
Auxico Resources Canada Inc (AUAG) has signed a deal that could enable it to earn a 70% interest in a joint venture that owns the Palha tantalum property in northern Brazil.
AIM (February 2019 AIM Journal available here)
DP Poland (DPP) is running short of cash and is more than doubling its share capital through a heavily discounted placing raising £5.3m at 6p a share, with the possibility of an additional £500,000. The Domino’s Pizza franchisee for Poland has found competition is getting tougher and growth has slowed. The cash is required to cover losses and open more outlets. Peter Shaw is stepping down as chief executive at the end of June, nearly a decade after founding the business.
Ticketing and queueing technology provider Accesso Technology (ACSO) is reviewing its investment priorities although it says that 2018 figures should be broadly in line with expectations. These will be published on 27 March. A deal fell through and this cost $1.7m. Tom Burnet is moving from executive chairman to a non-exec role. The share price is less than one-third of last year’s high. BlackRock has cut its stake below 5%.
Midatech Pharma (MTPH) has launched a placing and 0.318-for-one open offer to raise up to £4.75m at 3.85p a share on top of the £8m subscription by former AIM company China Medical System Holdings, which will licence products for the Chinese market. The clinical trial for cancer treatment MTD201 will cost up to £7m.
Duke Royalty (DUKE) is acquiring its UK rival Capital Step and this will double the size of the portfolio to eleven investments and diversify it in terms of sectors. There is an initial £10m cash payment and the assumption of debt of £11.65m. There is performance related consideration of up to £1.5m. The deal is immediately earnings enhancing.
Visa has increased its bid for Earthport (EPO) from 30p a share to 37p a share, which beats the Mastercard offer of 33p a share. The latest bid values Earthport at £247m.
Taptica (TAP) has launched a recommended bid for RhythmOne (RTHM) and this will create one of the largest video advertising companies in the US. The offer is 28 Taptica shares for every 33 RhythmOne shares. Taptica shareholders will own 50.1% of the enlarged group. A $15m share buyback programme is planned after the merger. Ofer Druker will become chief executive.
Polemos (PLMO) has finalised the details of its reverse takeover of Digitalbox Publishing for £10m in shares and it is also acquiring the owner of the Daily Mash satirical news website for up to £1.2m in cash and shares. The model for the Entertainment Daily website will be used to improve the performance of the Daily Mash. A placing will raise £1.02m at 14p a share. The company will change its name to Digitalbox.
Hardide (HDD) is raising £3.6m at 1.5p a share so that it can move to new premises in the UK and invest in additional equipment. The surface coatings company is experiencing increasing demand from the oil and gas sector and there is potential for orders from aerospace companies. It will take two years to fully equip and move into the new facility. Hardide also intends to consolidate 40 shares into one new share.
finnCap has raised its forecasts for Tracsis (TRCS) following recent acquisitions. There is a 3% increase in earnings per share for this year and an 11% rise to 30.5p next year.
Stride Gaming (STR) has traded in line with previously downgraded expectations. Cost cutting continues to cover higher regulatory and tax costs. The online gaming operator will report a lower profit in 2018 and it is set to fall again in 2019. Net cash was £22.1m at the end of 2018.
Bowmark Capital has offered 110p a share for Tax Systems (TAX) and discussions continue. Tax Systems reduced net debt from £20.5m to £13.9m by the end of 2018. Pre-tax profit of £5.8m is forecast for 2018.
Victoria (VCP) has sold surplus land in Kidderminster for £2m. The land was in the books for £100,000 but it has obtained planning consent for housing.
Starcom (STAR) has renegotiated its agreement with Xplosive in South Africa, having originally announced it in October 2017. Xplosive has signed a 36-month agreement to pay a monthly fee for each of the Kylos units supplied for the monitoring of cattle. The fees are higher in the first six months and then reduce. The agreement should be worth $500,000.
Strix Group (KETL) has offered to acquire most of the assets of HaloSource (HAL) for $1.3m. Strix has provided working capital of $100,000. Due diligence is being carried out on the water filtration technology and if the deal goes through the cash will pay creditors, but there will be nothing for shareholders.
Prospex Oil and Gas (PXOG) has announced that the Selva gas field in northern Italy has net 2P reserves of 13.3bcf and there are 2.26bcf attributable to Prospex, which has a 17% stake. Selva could start production in 2020 at a rate of up to 150,000 cubic metres/day.
Tau Capital (TAU) plans to raise cash via a placing through Peterhouse and then a capital distribution will be made to all shareholders. This will enable Tau to seek an acquisition. It has until 18 April to secure a deal or trading in the shares will be suspended. Armstrong Investments has increased its stake from 11.7% to 15.7%.
Evgen Pharma (EVG) says that the SFX-01 clinical trial for subarachnoid haemorrhage is on course having completed recruitment and the primary endpoints should be available in the second quarter. Partners Investment Company has acquired at 3.15% stake.
Sports Direct International (SPD) made a £15m offer to buy Patisserie Valerie from the administrator, but this was not deemed enough. Even a higher selling price won’t provide anything for Patisserie Holdings shareholders.
MAIN MARKET
Solicitor DWF plans to raise £75m via a March flotation an some of the cash will repay members’ capital contributions as well as invest in the business. Existing shareholders will also sell shares and partners’ remaining stakes will be locked up until April 2024.
Two former AIM-quoted companies are coming together to join the standard list. Daniel Stewart Securities, which is closing its broking business, is making an offer for Atlantic Carbon, which was previously known as Atlantic Coal, where Adam Wilson, who has had connections with Daniel Stewart, is executive chairman. Singapore-based backer Epsilon Investments refused to put more money into the broker and that is why it is closing. Epsilon holds a majority stake in Hyde Park Holdings, which owns broker Novum Securities. Last October, SeeThruEquity research suggested that Atlantic had an equity value of $86.8m and $68m of debt. In 2017, Atlantic was the largest producer of anthracite in the US with a market share of one-third based on 1.18 million tonnes produced. Atlantic is expected to have moved into profit in 2018, although it did generate cash from operations in 2017. The owners of more than 50% of Atlantic shares have agreed to accept the bid of 1.5587 shares for each Atlantic share.
Thalassa Holdings (THAL) is offering 14.64p a share in cash and 0.26 of a share for each share in The Local Shopping REIT. Thalassa already owns 25.5% of the bid target, which is valued at 32.8p a share. The bid is an alternative to the winding up of The Local Shopping REIT.
Blockchain Worldwide (BLOC) is no longer acquiring blockchain technology developer Chorum Group because of political uncertainty affecting the UK equity markets. Former Avanti Communications boss David Williams is the director of Chorum. Blockchain Worldwide has more than £1m in the bank and is also looking at other technology sectors for acquisitions.
Drilling of the Colter appraisal well in Dorset has commenced and United Oil and Gas (UOG) has a 10% interest. The drilling should take three weeks. The Selva gas field in Italy has net 2P reserves of 2.7bcf attributable to United, which has a 20% stake. Selva could start production in 2020. United intends to move to AIM.
Oil and gas producer Zenith Energy (ZEN) has raised £607,000 in Canada and the UK at C$0.05 a share and 3p a share respectively.
Motor finance provider S and U (SUS) has confirmed that its figures for the year to January 2019 will be in line with expectations. The Aspen property bridging loan business had a loan book of £18m at the end of January 2019. Cautious lending criteria means that new business has slowed in recent months and this has led to a 5% 2019-20 earnings downgrade to 230.1p a share.
BATM (BVC) has won a $3.2m cyber security contract and this takes contracted revenues from this government customer to more than $10m. The latest contract will be delivered this year.
Chesterfield Resources (CHF) is expanding its exploration programme in Cyprus. Initial drilling in an area near historic mining has shown gold, copper and zinc mineralisation. Chesterfield is also applying for licences to extend its licence area.
Dev Clever (DEV) has launched pay per play multi-player, virtual reality game Vanguard: Fight for Rudiarius in Harlow shopping centre. The game will be rolled out to other UK sites.
Bluebird Merchant (BMV) has applied for a grant to help finance drilling at the Kochang project in South Korea and there should be news by the end of the month. There has also been a permit application to develop Kochang.
Andrew Hore