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Quoted Micro 15 September 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) increased interim turnover 4% to £9.67m and the loss reduced to £150,000. Hospitality, hotel and nursery revenues all increased. Higher attendances improved core revenues as well. Changes in betting tax rates could hold back racing revenues.
ProBiotix Health (PBX) increased interim revenues by one-third to £1.34m. This helped to reduce the loss. There is £1.3m in cash at the end of June 2025. The health supplements supplier says the market preventive cardiometabolic supplement products is expected to grow annually be more than 8%.
Richmond Hill Resources (SHNJ) plans to move to AIM in the next few weeks.
Shares in data centres operator HRC World (HRC) will stop trading on Nasdaq First North Copenhagen on 31 October and Aquis will be the only market they are traded on.
Shortwave Life Sciences (PSY), which is developing treatments for anorexia nervosa, is planning a clinical human feasibility study on impact of Psilocybin on the disease. This should lead to a phase 1 clinical study. A digital asset treasury strategy will help to fund the core business. The executive team is being changed.
Mendell Helium (MDH) says potential acquisition M3 Helium confirmed that the dewatering of the Rost project in Kansas is about to start. However, drilling in Nebraska has been delayed by wet weather and equipment problems.
The Smarter Web Company (SWC) has purchased another 30 Bitcoin taking the total holding to 2,470 Bitcoin at a total cost of £203.6m. A further £2.6m has been raised at 128p/share.
Ormonde Mining (ORM) investee company TRU Precious Metals has intersected a previously unknown broad mineralised sandstone unit in two drill holes at the Golden Rose project in Canada. This is over a strike length of 500 metres with assay results of up to 1.3g/t gold.
Marula Mining (MARU) has amended the agreement to buy Takela Mining Tanzania, which operates the Kinusi copper mine. Marula currently owns 75% and acquiring the rest is dependent on separate mining licences being combined into one mining licence. The Tanzania government will have a 16% free carried interest. The total payment will be £2.5m with £500,000 payable on signing and £750,000 on conversion of the mining licence. The rest is dependent on more than 100,000 tonnes of copper being sold. Marula Mining is in discussions with potential investors in projects and has secured a loan for the business in Kenya. There is also a new £1m shareholder loan from the chief executive.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) had an NAV of 301p/share at the end of July 2025. There was an interim cash outflow of £1.82m. Cash was £6.58m at the end of July 2025.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has signed an agreement with marine equipment distributor C-Quip Ltd to supply fuel emissions reduction product Sulnox Eco in the UK leisure marine market.
Astrid Intelligence (ASTR) has issued 575.2 million shares to Oak Securities at 0.1p each. Astrid Intelligence director Olivia Edwards bought 17.5 million shares at 0.147p each. There are plans to apply for an OTC quotation in the US.
Oscillate (MUSH) has appointed SP Angel as joint broker alongside corporate adviser Peterhouse.
Fintech company Amazing AI (AAI) raised £1.04m at 1p/share. This will fund the Bitcoin treasury policy.
Hub Affiliations Holdings has raised its stake in NYCE International (NYCE) from 10% to 19.9%.
ASSET MATCH
Marshall of Cambridge (MCH) had a tough year, and land systems and fleet solutions made losses. Ther are also large write offs. The total loss for 2024 was £123m. Fleet solutions has been sold, and land systems is being marketed for sale. Overheads have been reduced. Approval for the sale of the ex-RAF C-130 fleet should be received during September. A further loss is expected this year.
JP JENKINS
Mobile Tornado (MBT) cancelled its quotation on AIM on 9 September and joined JP Jenkins on 9 September.
Airline ecommerce services provider Datalex (DLE) cancelled its quotation on Euronext Growth Dublin and moved to JP Jenkins on 12 September.
AIM
Concrete levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises (SOM) is still suffering from uncertain conditions in the US, but sales are also declining in other markets. There is lower activity in larger scale projects. Interim revenues fell 23% to $39.8m, while pre-tax profit slumped 52% to $5.4m. Annual cost savings of $6m have been made. Full year pre-tax profit is forecast to fall from $25.4m to $15.3m.
Medical device developer Belluscura (BELL) has appointed Guy Peters as a director. He advised Omaha Value which previously proposed funding for the company. The period of exclusivity for a potential buyer of US business Belluscura LLC has expired. Omaha Value and a partner have reapproached Belluscura for another funding proposal. Trading in the shares remains suspended.
Scotch whisky supplier Artisanal Spirits Company (ART) was hit by tariff uncertainty in the first half. The way whisky is exported to the US has changed to minimise the impact of any tariffs. Revenues dipped 4% to £9.68m due to the delayed shipments to the US. There was growth in European subscribers, helped by a deal with AMEX, but a decline in North America and the rest of the world. The loss increased to £3.6m. Net debt was £29.5m at the end of June 2025.
Fulcrum Metals (FMET) says the Teck-Hughes tailings project drilling has started and initial assays ae up to 1.2g/t gold. This is producing data for a mineral resource estimate. Phase 3 testing of the Extrakt technology will provide processing data. This will go towards the preliminary feasibility study.
There has been another upgrade for embedded computer products manufacturer Concurrent Technologies (CNC) following its interims. Revenues were one-quarter higher at £21.1m and pe-tax profit was £2.7m. Cavendish has upgraded its 2025 pre-tax profit forecast from £6m to £6.2m. The fastest growth was in systems. The US facility move has happened and the move to the new UK facility is on course. First half design wins were worth £90m.
Franchised lettings and property sales business The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) has continued its progress with organic growth on top of the benefits of acquisitions. Interim revenues were 50% ahead at £40.3m, while the pro forma increase was 8%. Pre-tax profit was 59% higher at £14.5m, while underlying earnings were 29% ahead at 16.7p/share. The interim dividend is 17% higher at 7p/share. Net debt was £10.9m at the end of June 2025. The fastest growth was in financial services, but even the core property business was 7% ahead on a pro forma basis. The number of lettings properties has declined, as the market becomes tougher for individual landlords.
UK regulatory changes hit UK revenues at Gaming Realms (GMR), but the mobile games developer continues to grow strongly in North America. Interim revenues were 18% ahead at £16m, helped by an increase in brand licensing from £300,000 to £2.4m – that is lumpier in terms of generating revenues. The UK games will be adapted for the new regulations by the end of the year, and revenues should recover.
Floorcoverings distributor Likewise (LIKE) reported interim revenues rising from £70.7m to £77.9m in a weak market. Margins are improving and pre-tax profit jumped from £330,000 to £740,000. Tax losses are still being used up.
Cosmetics supplier Warpaint London (W7L) had a tough first half with the administration of a major customer of the Technics brand and volatile US tariffs making it difficult to price potential orders in the US. An initial contribution from Brand Architekts helped group revenues to grow 8% to £49.3m. Pre-tax profit fell by 41% to £6.4m, although earnings we 13% down to 8.5p/share due to reduced tax charge. There was a gain on the Brand Architekts puchase, but that was more than offset by foreign exchange losses. The interim dividend was raised by 14% to 4p/share.
Interim figures from cross-border payments services provider Finseta (FIN) were disappointing due to customers delaying US dollar transactions due to foreign exchange volatility. Revenues were 16% higher at £5.9m and gross margins declined from 65.7% to 62.7%. Operating costs increased due to expansion plans. The newer offices will not make much of a contribution this year and will hold back profit.
It is still early days in the transformation of Gaming machines hardware and displays supplier Nexteq (NXQ) and interim revenues dropped from $48.2m to $40.7m, while pre-tax profit slumped from $5m to $900,000. Second quarter trading showed some improvement. More mid-level gaming equipment was sold, so that hits margins. Net cash was $28.1m. Share buybacks continue.
Angle (AGL) chief executive Andrew Newland and finance director Ian Griffiths have stepped down from the board following discussions with investors. There are no immediate replacements. This follows the latest interims from the cancer diagnostics company. Interim revenues fell by one-fifth to £800,000. Net loss increased from £7.7m to £9.3m. Net cash was £5.3m at the end of June 2025. Cash lasts until the first quarter of 2026. Cavendish has been appointed as nominated adviser and broker. A new management team may make it easier to raise cash from investors in the coming months. The current strategy could be changed.
Builders merchant Lords Group Trading (LORD) grew interim revenues by 8% to £232.1m with like-for-like growth of 7%. This is before the acquisition of online building products retailer CMO. Net debt was £20.9m at the end of June 2025. Cavendish forecasts a recovery in 2025 pre-tax profit from £3.8m to £6.7m.
Sylvania Platinum (SLP) produced 104,233 ounces of platinum group minerals in 2024-25 and this should increase significantly this year. Revenues increased from $81.7m to $104.2m. EBITDA rose from $13.5m to $29.3m, while cash reached $60.9m. There is an undrawn overdraft facility. The Thaba chrome joint venture will ramp up production this year.
Public affairs services provider Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC) grew organically by 8% in the first half of 2025. Acquisitions helped revenues increase 24% to $87.9m. Net income was one-fifth higher at $15.6m, helped by a lower tax rate. Net debt is $42.2m. Full year forecasts have been tweaked, but operating profit is still expected to rise from $36m to $44.5m. There are plans for a Nasdaq listing and a share consolidation. A general meeting will be held on 29 September.
Distribution Finance Capital (DFCH) is growing faster than expected and it is taking market share with its inventory financing product. Underlying interim pre-tax profit, excluding last year’s one-off gain, improved from £7.5m to £9m. New loan originations were £828m in the first half and the loan book grew to £728m at the end of June 2025. Bad debt provisions were 0.63%. The first half growth was before any contribution from the new asset finance product, where the first loans were in the second half. The new business will be loss making in the second half. Even so, Panmure Liberum has upgraded its 2025 pre-tax profit forecast from £14.5m to £18m, helped by a higher than anticipated net interest margin. Net tangible assets are 70.2p/share.
MAIN MARKET
LED lighting and wiring accessories supplier Luceco (LUCE) grew interim revenues from £109.6m to £125.7m, helped by acquisitions, but pre-tax profit was flat at £8.9m. Like-for-like sales growth was 2%. The acquisition had lower margins and that is why the overall margins fell.
James Fisher (FSJ) reported flat underlying interim revenues of £191.9m, while underlying pre-tax profit was 5% ahead at £4.5m. Higher taxes meant that earnings were lower. Energy services did well, and defence returned to profit. Marine transport profit declined, but the outlook is positive. Disposals have put James Fisher in a stronger position, and it is likely to benefit from higher defence spending. Full year pre-tax profit is expected to be flat at £11.9m before sharp improvements in 2026 and 2027.
Centaur Media (CAU) has agreed to sell The Lawyer for £43m.
Roquefort Therapeutics (ROQ) plans to buy Coiled Therapeutics Inc, a spin-out from A2A Pharmaceuticals that holds the rights to AO-252, which targets the TACC3 protein for cancer. This treatment is in phase 1 clinical trials in the US. The payment for the company would be £30m in shares and the company’s name would be changed to Coiled Therapeutics. Exclusivity lasts until the end of January. Lyramid Pty Ltd and the MK Cell programme will be spun out of the group.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 18 August 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Adsure Services (ADS) increased its final dividend by 15% to 1.14p/share. The business assurance provider increased full year pre-tax profit by 74% to £818,000 on revenues 8% higher at £10m. Other operating expenses were lower. Net cash was £1.1m at the end of March 2025. Investment in technology should help Adsure Services continue to grow revenues and margins.
Visum Technologies (VIS) is moving into the property technology market. This involves the development of a workspace app for tech-focused workplaces. This will help to manage bookings, access support and provide information. There will property partners involved in the development. The first prototype should be available in early 2026. Visum has signed a licence agreement with Eyecon Imaging for the use of Visum’s Ride Video technology within the attractions and leisure sector.
Essentially Group (ESSN) shareholders voted in favour of leaving Aquis. The last day of trading will be 10 September.
Marula Mining (MARU) has secured an agreement with Kenya-based Bamba Mining Company to acquire 60% of the Bamba manganese mining project in Kenya. The deal is structured as a joint venture. Bamba’s 40% is non-dilutable and non-contributing. The payment is 500,000 shares at 5p each. Once 100,000 tonnes of manganese ore has been produced there will be a £250,000 payment.
Amazing AI (AAI) says new subsidiary AAI Mauritius will be used to purchase Bitcoin when it completes the legalities of acquiring cryptocurrencies. This should happen by the end of August. The subsidiary will also provide AI finance-related services to Sub-Saharan Africa and south east Asia. It will also take on business in the UK and that subsidiary will be wound up.
Vault Ventures (VULT) has paid the remaining consideration of £1m for System7 via the issue of shares.
Former Odey Asset Management boss Peter Martin has joined Oberon Investments (OBE) and he will be involved in launching a new global equities fund.
Vaultz Capital (V3TC) has purchased more Bitcoin and holds 135 Bitcoin at an average purchase price of £85,622.47 each. Aleks Nowak has been appointed as the non-board chief operating officer. Aura Digital has taken a 15.5% stake.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) says drilling at the Red Setter gold dome project in Western Australia has intersected mineralisation in the first hole. It appears that the hole is peripheral to the main target, and another hole will be drilled to the south west.
The Smarter Web Company (SWC) has raised a further £7.6m from a placing at 221p/share. There are still another 4.49 million shares available to be placed and once that happens another subscription agreement will be signed.
Valereum (VLRM) raised £65,000 vi an offer at 3.1p each and this meant that the fundraising totalled £465,000. This will help fund a £600,000 investment in Metrikus Software, which is developing real-time building and smart infrastructure software. The two companies will work on tokenisation opportunities. This could involve fractional ownership or yield-sharing.
TruSpine Technologies (TSP) has issued a warrant over two million shares exercisable at 20p each to Proffitt Brothers Investments.
Ormonde Mining (ORM) investee company Peak Nickel, where it holds 18.9%, has entered into an agreement for Winshear Gold to earn 100% of the Portsoy project in Scotland. This requires 1,000 metres of drilling and other exploration work and the spending of £3m within five years. Winshear Gold also has to issue 6.5 million shares to Peak Nickel over five years. Peak Nickel will retain a 1% net smelter returns royalty. If the project is sold by Winshear Gold, Peak Nickel will receive 10% of the proceeds up to a maximum of £10m.
Emissions reduction additives developer SulNOx Group (SNOX) has been granted a patent for fuel oil reclamation in Eurasia. This can be used for oily wastewater from ships.
Global Connectivity (GCON) has been given permission by the courts to petition for the bankruptcy of Barry Hersh, who agreed to subscribe for 37.5 million shares at a cost of £375,000 and failed to come up with the cash.
Amirose London Holdings (ALH) has raised £30,000 at 5p/share from a long-standing manufacturing client.
Daniel Thwaites (THW) has bought back 1.18 million shares at 90.04p each from Rulegale Nominees. The shares have been cancelled. Director RAJ Bailey bought 44,500 shares at 90p each.
AIM
Rent guarantee services provider RentGuarantor Group (RGG) moved from Aquis to AIM on Friday. The switch has been made ahead of law changes that will provide additional growth potential for the business. The share price rose from the Aquis close on Thursday of 27.5p to 35p.
Mobile Tornado (MBT) is asking for shareholder approval to leave AIM. There is limited liquidity and one major shareholder in the mobile communications technology company, so the quotation is not worth the cost. The board intends to seek a buyer in the next two years and believe it would be easier as a private company. The plan is to leave on 9 September.
Light Science Technologies (LST) reported slightly lower interim revenues of £5.06m, but there was a change in product mix. That enabled gross margins to improve, and the company achieved a small operating profit. Contract electronics manufacturing revenues slipped as a major pest control product came to the end of its life. Fire protection revenues grew strongly and could do even better in the second half if the new government regulator starts to approve more work. The Agtech business is also growing revenues and has launched an off-the-shelf version of its sensorGROW product.
Outsourced video gaming services provider Winking Studios (WKS) reported a rise in interim revenues from S$15.2m to S$19.4m, although most of the improvement came from the acquisition of Mineloader. The Asian gaming market is recovering. Profit was held back by the costs of the AIM quotation, but gross margin improved. There is S$25.6m in cash and this will help finance acquisitions in the UK to provide a base for growth outside of Asia.
Zoo Digital (ZOO) has restructured its operations supplying digital media services for the TV and film sector so that it can return to profit this year. In the year to March 2025, revenues recovered 22% to $49.6m and the loss was cut from $20.5m to $8.3m. Net debt was $1.9m. Annualised cost savings were $8.4m with a further $2.5m to come. Dubbing revenues have fallen 18% in the first quarter of the new financial year, but the rest of the business is growing. There was an EBITDA profit in the first quarter. Demand from streaming service is important to Zoo Digital. A new Fast Track service has been launched.
Autonomous vehicles developer Aurrigo International (AURR) says weaker activity has hit revenues this year. Disruption from tariffs and delayed tenders have pushed revenues into next year. The tariffs are hampering demand for its supply of equipment to the automotive sector. Aurrigo has been awarded more than £1m of grant funding. Canaccord Genuity has slashed its 2025 forecast revenues from £12m to £7.5m and that means the expected loss is £3.9m. Net cash should be around £1m at the end of the year. A £900,000 contract has been won with Teeside International Airport fo an autonomous baggage and passenger moving vehicle.
Pulsar Helium (PLSR) has secured a facility to provide up to $12.5m for construction of a helium processing plant at the Topaz project in Minnesota. University Bancorp has also extended the maturity date of the existing $4m to November 2026.
Metals One (MET1) has invested £1m in the latest placing by Chile-focused lithium project developer CleanTech Lithium (CTL). The placing raised a total of £4.3m at 5p/share. The cash was raised to finance the acquisition of an additional 30 licences in the Laguna Verde project for $600,000 and finance the development of the enlarged project. The additional licences should help to seek streamlined approval for the project.
Retailer Shoe Zone (SHOE) says trading conditions are still tough. Full year pre-tax profit expectations have been slashed to £2.5m, compared with £5m previously. Consumer confidence is low and spending power after essentials is reducing for many people. Net cash could be £6m at the end of September 2025 because of lower inventory and capital investment.
Bars and escape rooms operator XP Factory (XPF) increased owned and operated revenues by 12% in the 19 weeks to 10 August. Boom Battle Bars like-for-like sales were 5.6% lower but have started to recover. The new Reading site is trading more strongly than expected. Escape Hunt like-for-likes were slightly higher. The hot weather hit sales, although not as badly as the overall market.
Investment company Seed Innovations (SEED) has launched a tender offer at 2.2p/share. The maximum amount to be paid will be £1.91m. The latest time for acceptance is 5 September.
Midlands-based property investor Real Estate Investors (RLE) has made a further £11.3m of disposals this year. There is continued demand from private investors, although marketing of some larger properties has been delayed until the turn of the year. Debt has been reduced to £34.9m. Portfolio occupancy has increased to 85.8%. Contracted rental income is maintained at £9m despite the disposals. Overall income has reduced and that is why the quarterly dividend is one-fifth down at 0.4p/share. Harwood Capital, which seeks underlying value, has increased its stake from 10% to 11.1%.
Wellnex Life (WNX) joint chief executive George Karafotias has resigned. He will be repaid his A$705,000 loan to the company. Zack Bozinovski will become sole chief executive of the Australian consumer healthcare business.
Skin health company SkinBioTherapeutics (SBTX) says revenues should increase to £4.5m-£4.8m in the year to June 2025, which is slightly lower than expectations. The loss will be much lower than last year. Cash was £4.8m at the end of June 2025. The figures are subject to audit. July was a strong month and psoriasis treatment AxisBiotix will be launched in Superdrug later this year.
Versarien (VRS) intends to accelerate the sales process of the remaining parts of the group, while it tries to secure additional finance for the group. If the disposals happen the proceeds are unlikely to cover liabilities and Versarien would be placed in administration.
The UK authorities have decided not to provide a gas storage licence to EnergyPathways (EPP) for the natural gas and hydrogen storage elements of its MESH project. A S35 planning application for the major elements of the MESH project will be submitted as a step in the process to obtain consents from the UK government. If it is granted, then the parts of the project in the submission will be assessed under the 2008 Planning Act.
Canada-based antimicrobial treatments developer Ondine Biomedical Inc (OBI) says the American British Cowdray Medical Center in Mexico City will pilot Steriwave nasal photodisinfection from September. This will help to reduce surgical infections.
Active Energy Group (AEG) has executed heads of terms to develop a 150MW battery energy storage system in the Vale of Glamorgan in partnership with Fonmon Castle, which will provide ten acres on a 30-year lease. Active Energy Group will invest £40,000 and will get that back once planning consent is received. It will also receive 5% of the first year’s rent of £300,000.
MAIN MARKET
Bulk sampling by New Frontier Minerals (NFM) has identified additional high-priority targets for drill-testing at its Harts Range rare earths project in Northern Territory. The company is waiting for regulatory approval for drilling, which could commence in the third quarter. The Headingley prospect is the main drill target. In Australia, there are proposals for a floor price and national offtake agreements for rare earths. SP Angel has been appointed broker. Aspen Bridging advanced £106.4m in the first half.
North east England focused property finance provider Develop North (DVNO) reported a slight dip in NAV to 79.79p/share at the end of May 2025, although that was after paying dividends. The total return is 2.5%. The annual dividend is 4p/share. Further news of the change in investing strategy to include direct investments and the potential fundraising should be published in the next few weeks.
S and U (SUS) says favourable trading trends are continuing and the recent court decision on motor finance commissions is helping confidence. Profit improvement is gaining momentum. The Advantage Finance business increased motor loan volumes by 6% year-on-year in June. Repayment rates have recovered. Advantage Finance is not involved in any of the most contentious type of motor loans and will be involved in the consultation for the potential FCA redress scheme.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 10 May 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Time to ACT is planning to join the Aquis Stock Exchange later this month and it has launched a fundraising ahead of the flotation. The flotation will take place even if there is no money raised. Time to ACT plans to develop a group of engineering-based energy transition businesses. Middlesborough-based Time to ACT has two subsidiaries. Diffusion Alloys is a long-established diffusion coating business. The technology provides an intermetallic layer that protects metal components at high temperatures. GreenSpur is a much newer business that is developing direct drive generator technology for use in wind power that does not require rare earths for magnets. The Winterflood Retail Access Platform is being used to raise up to £1m. The issue price and closing date have yet to be announced. Investors have to apply for shares via a broker. The minimum subscription is £100.
Cykel AI (CYK) has agreed a bid from standard listed Mustang Energy (MUST). The offer is 1.911 Mustang Energy shares for each Cykel AI share. Both companies’ shares have been suspended since 17 January. The Mustang Energy suspension price was 30.6p, but the bid is based on a much lower share price valuing the company, which has net liabilities, at £1m. That values the bid at 9.37p/share and Cykel AI is valued at £19.2m. Cykel AI is developing artificial intelligence products.
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) increased 2023 revenues by 9% to £19m and reported pre-tax profit improved from £130,000 to £720,000. However, there was a £700,000 exceptional gain relating to the release of a provision included. Cost increases reduced underlying profit. Raceday attendances fell from 141,000 to 130,000. The nursery has increased capacity by 18%. Shaun Hinds will become chief executive on 3 June.
Silverwood Brands (SLWD) executive director acquired 100,000 shares at 20p following the restoration of trading at the beginning of May. The share price recovered by 48.5% to 24.5p, but it is still not back to its suspension price.
Marula Mining (MARU) has appointed a new mine manager at the Larisoro manganese mine in Kenya. Bernard Kiprotich has five years of mining experience in Kenya. Marula Mining is investing in the established Larisoro manganese mining operation by securing a 60% commercial interest with an option to increase it to 70%. There are three shallow open pits. The purchase price is £300,000 satisfied by the issue of 2.4 million shares. Marula Mining will provide investment of $1.5m for equipment to enable production to be increased.
Essentially Group (ESSN) has completed the acquisition of Best Latin Foodstuff Trading for £1.945m in shares at 52.5p each. Catalina Onate, who founded the food importer, has been appointed as an executive director.
Shareholders passed resolutions at the AGM of Supernova Digital Assets (SOL), including a cancelation of the share premium account and authority to buy back shares.
TruSpine Technologies (LON: TSP) chief executive Laurence Strauss has resigned. He was appointed in April 2023.
RentGuarantor Holdings (RGG) raised £35,000 at 274p/share.
AIM
Metallurgical coal company Bens Creek (BEN) says a further court hearing related to the three US operations that are in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection will be held on 6 June. The court has accepted the proposed Avanti debtor in possession financing and $2m has been drawn down. This provides enough cash until the end of May. The final terms of the facility are being negotiated.
Genedrive (GDR) has raised £2.1m in a placing at 1.5p. This follow’s yesterday evening’s announcement of a fundraising, where the point of care pharmacogenetic testing company wanted to raise £2.5m via a placing. There is also a REX retail offer for up to £3.5m, which closes on 17 May, and a one-for-one open offer that could raise up to £2.1m. If the total amount raised is not at least £6m the fundraising will not go ahead, so a further £3.9m is required. The company’s tests are being commercialised and a direct to consumer strategy pursued in the UK, while there will be distributors in other countries. There will also be investment to improve manufacturing efficiency and to fund regulatory approvals.
Plant Health Care (PHC) generated a 72% increase in revenues to $4.3m in the first four months of 2024. There is cash of $2.3m. The loss could be reduced from $3m to less than $1m this year. A profit is possible in 2025.
Third quarter driver management systems units produced by Seeing Machines (SEE) have gone into 313,662 vehicles, which is 51% higher than the previous quarter. This is more than treble the number in the same period two years and 80% higher than one year previously with more contracts set to contribute. Monitored connections of the Guardian fleet units were 5% higher on the quarter at 59,706.
Push-to-talk and workplace management technology developer Mobile Tornado (MBT) has won a contract through its regional partner to supply technology for a mobile network in the Middle East and Africa, which has more than 50 million customers. Management believes that there should be increasing sales momentum following the deal.
Healthcare services provider Totally (TLY) reassured the market with its latest trading statement. Full year EBITDA was £2.3m, down from £6.9m, and net debt was £800,000 at the end of March 2024. Revenues fell 22% to £106m because of the loss of a contract. Cost reductions and efficiency improvements have offset the tough market. Annualised cost savings of £3.5m are expected.
Bushveld Minerals (BMN) has agreed the conditional disposal of Vanchem to Southern Point Resources Fund 1 for up to $40.6m. The initial consideration is $20.6m. This requires shareholder approval. Southern Point Resources is increasing the interim working capital facility it is providing that is secured on production at Vanchem. This, and a $9m working capital facility, will be offset against the initial consideration and be used to pay creditors. This will leave a cash payment to Bushveld Minerals of $3.5m when the disposal happens. The deferred consideration is based on 25% of distributable free cash flow with a minimum of $1.25m paid for each quarter of the three-year period.
Mothercare (MTC) reported a 13% decline in global system sales last year due to poor trading in the Middle East. Destocking is a problem. There was better trading in the UK and Indonesia. The retailer will improve EBITDA, but Cavendish reduced its forecast EBIDA by 9% to £7m, compared to £6.7m in 2022-23. Refinancing talks continue and a conclusion should reduce the interest bill.
Battery technology developer Ilika (IKA) is raising up to £3.4m at 28p/share to spend on the Goliath solid-state battery. This cash should last at least 12 months. A placing and subscription raised £1.7m and a one-for-26 open offer could raise up to £1.7m more. The open offer closes on 28 May. There will be £750,000 earmarked for the development of the Goliath battery and this supplements the grant assistance obtained. A further £750,000 will be used to increase testing capacity to 0.75MWh/a and for upgrading dry room facilities. Additional cash raised will support further capital expenditure and working capital for Goliath and the Stereax miniature battery.
MAIN MARKET
Packaging manufacturer and distributor Macfarlane Group (MACF) disappointed with its AGM trading statement and lost the majority of the share price gain this year. Prices are falling, but this reflects lower costs, so margins are being maintained. First quarter sales were 9.5% lower, which does reflect a reduction in volumes. There should be improvement in the second half.
Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies (LON: OCTP) plans to cancel the standard listing. Management believes that stockmarket uncertainty is making it difficult to raise cash at an acceptable share price. The development of the drug pipeline will continue. The cancelation date is 6 June.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 6 January 2020
NEX EXCHANGE
Cannabis-related investment company Greencare Capital (GRE) joined the NEX Growth Market last Monday. Greencare raised £514,000 at 25p a share. The rest of the shares were issued at 1p each, raising £100,000. The pro forma NAV is just over 4p a share. The largest shareholder is E Value One with 66.3%, which is owned by Dominic White, who is chairman of fellow NEX-quoted company Eight Capital Partners (ECP) which has a 21.2% stake. Eight Capital acquired 1.5 million of its shares at 1p each and 1.06 million at the subscription price – just over 50% of the subscription shares. Greencare has already identified its first investment, which is a consumer-focused distribution business that has a leading position in one of the larger European markets. The distribution activities cover 30,000 points of sale and that could increase to 45,000. The plan is to acquire an initial 10% stake. Due diligence is being carried out and the investment could be made early in 2020.
European Lithium (EUR) has agreed €7.5m of debt financing that lasts two years and has an annual interest charge of 5%. This is secured on the Wolfsberg lithium project in Austria. The cash will fund the completion of the definitive feasibility study and repay the existing convertible note facility. The Wolfsberg mining and exploration licences have been extended.
BWA Group (BWAP) says that its subsidiary has been awarded an exploration licence in central Cameroon. This will enable the assessment of commercial exploitation of rutile sands, kyanite, ilmenite, zircon and other minerals. The permit lasts for three years with a financial commitment of £650,000 over the period. This has taken four years to negotiate.
Walls and Futures REIT (WFR) has completed the redevelopment of its Didcot property and it has been let on a 25-year lease to a large care provider. NAV was £3.3m at the end of September 2019.
VI Mining (VIM) has secured a partnership with an established operator in Peru so that commercial operations can commence at the Cushuro mining concession in the second quarter and the Oro Pesa plant can be up and running in the third quarter. They will be owned by 50/50 joint ventures. The Minaspampa and Rosario de Belen concessions are being returned to the previous owners, although VI Mining will have a buy back option.
Healthcare professionals recruiter SG Recruitment Ltd (SGRL) grew interim revenues by 13% to £386,000, while operating costs were halved. There was still a £379,000 loss. SG has secured a contract with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust covering seven hospitals. Further mandates are expected from the NHS and in the Middle East.
Adnams (ADB) director Guy Heald has increased his B shares stake from 15.1% to 17.15%.
Alexander David Securities has resigned as corporate adviser to EcoVista (EVTP) and trading in the shares has been suspended until a replacement is appointed.
AIM
Bango (BGO) grew 2019 revenues by more than 40% even though two contracts were not closed by the end of the year. That means that 2019 revenues of the digital payments technology provider will be £2m lower than anticipated. The 2020 forecast revenues have been reduced by £2.6m to £14.2m, although a £600,000 pre-tax profit is expected.
Communications services provider Mobile Tornado (MBT) expects second half revenues to be £1.8m, taking the total for the year to £3.3m. There have been delays in deployments. The company remains loss-making.
Redx Pharma (REDX) could be subject of a bid by a syndicate headed by Samuel D Waksal. The £2.5m loan from Moulton Goodies will be swapped for shares instead of repaying it at the end of 2019. This requires shareholder agreement.
Adams (ADA) has bought 2.4 million shares in Circassia Pharmaceuticals (CIR) at an average price of 19p each. That takes the stake in Circassia to 0.82%. Adams still has £1m in cash.
Tri-Star Resources (TSTR) says that its 40%-owned antinomy and gold production facility operator SPMP is currently in technical default of its banking facility. Tri-Star had guaranteed 40% of the bank facility, but it says that this no longer holds because commercial production has commenced. This still has to be independently certified. Any additional short-term finance provided to SPMP could lead to a dilution of the Tri-Star stake. SPMP’s production facility requires up to $160m of additional investment in order to reach 100% capacity, but there have been no suitable offers of this finance as yet. There is no certainty that the financing can be achieved.
Residential property development funder Urban Exposure (UEX) says that 2019 operating costs will be lower than expected due to lower remuneration and fewer people being hired. The 2020 operating costs will be reduced to around £9.5m and that will enable the company to be profitable. There is no additional news about the proposals for the future of the company. Urban Exposure has also agreed to pay £400,000 to Jones Laing LaSalle in relation to an agreement by former companies, which are being wound down, to pay introduction fees. This settles the claim.
Trading in Attis Oil and Gas (AOGL) shares has been suspended ahead of details of a deal to acquire a North America-focused oil and gas company and the disposal of non-core assets. The acquisition will bring assets and experienced management.
Trans-Siberian Gold (TSG) has signed a new tariff for its electricity. The previous tariff was RUR4.69/kWh and the new agreement is for RUR4.75/kWh, which is still much lower than the standard tariff.
Livermore Investments Group (LIV) is paying an interim dividend of $0.0343 a share on 21 February.
MAIN MARKET
David Sefton has stepped down as chairman of social media company Iconic Labs (ICON) because of market speculation about his involvement with AIM-quoted Anglo African Oil and Gas (AAOG) where he was executive chairman until 13 September 2019. He has not been involved since then. Sefton will continue to be involved with Iconic Labs, where the share price has nearly halved in the past four months. The resolution to allow directors to allot shares without offering them to existing shareholders was not passed at the AGM. Anglo African Oil and Gas has not made the progress it wanted to with its oil and gas interests and it plans to sell its main asset in Congo to Zenith Energy (ZEN). Jub Capital is trying to put a stop to that and has present alternative proposals. This would involve stopping the sale and providing additional cash via a subscription of £100,000 and a $5m loan facility. Jub would also buy the shares owned by RiverFort and that would provide an additional £722,000 to the company.
Anglo African Agriculture (AAAP) has postponed the reverse takeover of Kenya-based port and marine logistics group Camarco. The long stop date for the deal is being extended. A version of the deal is likely to go ahead, but there could be private equity investment in one or more of the subsidiaries.
OTHER MARKETS
Former standard list company Cleantech Building Materials has entered into a three-year offtake agreement with a customer in Thailand. Nasdaq First North Copenhagen-quoted Cleantech Building Materials has the exclusive rights to manufacture Accoya wood (AIM-quoted Accsys Technologies (AXS) owns the technology) in China.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 1 May 2017
NEX EXCHANGE
Cyber security technology developer and consultancy Crossword Cybersecurity (CCS) continues to scale up its business and there is a product launch planned for this summer. In 2016, revenues jumped from £21,000 to £345,000 but the loss increased from £755,000 to £950,000 – even after £78,000 of R&D tax credits. There was £1.55m in the bank at the end of 2016. AIM-quoted Iomart is cooperating with Crossword on launching the Nixer machine learning DDoS platform on the market.
Brewer Adnams (ADB) says sales of beers and spirits continue to grow and its pubs are trading well, although the sale of smaller pubs will reduce the profitability of this part of the group. Currency movements, the sale of the UK distribution rights for Lagunitas beers and the renovation of the Swan Hotel will hamper overall progress in the first half. The £7m investment in the brewery is almost complete.
Sandal (SAND) has signed an agreement with Spanish smart home technology business Momit, which will redesign its smart thermostat so that it is compatible with the Energenie MiHome platform. This is part of Momit’s strategy to enter the UK market. The redesigned product should be launched in September and, along with related radiator valve sales, could add £500,000 to the annual revenues of Sandal.
Healthcare staff provider Healthperm Resourcing Ltd (HPR) has revised its strategy and candidates need to have passed the International English Language Testing System, which is required for a visa anyway. Healthperm has opened its own IELTS training facility in the UAE and this is focused on nurses. Healthperm has won two new mandates and there are three other potential mandates on the cards. Chief executive David Sumner has agreed to increase the maximum amount of loan notes he will subscribe for from £1m to £1.8m. The loan notes have a 10% interest charge.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) has raised £1.44m at 42p a share from its open offer and a further £980,000 in a placing at the same price. Coinsilium Group (COIN) has raised £118,000 at 2p a share and it will use £60,000 to finance the development of a blockchain-based management system. Goldcrest Resources (GCRP) is raising £380,000 at 0.5p a share. The cash will help to finance the competent persons report on the Norio block, which the company is in the process of acquiring.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has entered into a A$6.5m loan facility to help finance the acquisition of the Hellyer gold mine in Tasmania. This means that NQ has A$15m of the A$20m in cash it requires to make the purchase.
Indigo Holdings (INGO) is investing £200,000 in Iranian Fast Moving Consumer Goods Ltd, an online retail delivery business associated with a convenience store chain.
Ashley House (ASH) has secured a £500,000 loan facility from its non-executive deputy chairman Stephen Minion. The secured facility lasts for 12 months.
Housebuilder St Mark Homes (SMAP) has appointed Alfred Henry Corporate Finance as its corporate broker. Merchant Place had performed this role for 18 years.
AIM
Mortice (MORT) has made a second UK acquisition. The facilities management services provider is paying up to £4.5m for Elite Cleaning and Environmental Services – £3.5m in cash and shares plus a 12-month earn-out of up to £1m in cash and shares. Elite provides cleaning services and clients include ITV and BMW. Elite made EBITDA of £1m on revenues of £12.3m. finnCap has increased its earnings forecast by 5% to 7.8 cents a share.
Internet domain registry company Minds + Machines (MMX) moved into profit in 2016. Revenues grew from $5.5m to $13.5m, while a loss was turned into an underlying pre-tax profit of $3.5m. This follows a restructuring of the business and the sale of non-core operations. Sales of the .vip domain in China were the major factor in the growth in revenues and .boston should be launched later this year. Cash conversion was poor due to restructuring costs and increased working capital.
Directa Plus (DCTA) had technological problems which held back the progress of the graphene producer last year. In 2016, revenues fell from €1.7m to €0.8m and the loss more than doubled to €4.1m. The reason behind the fall in revenues was the lack of sales of mobile decontamination units with sales of G+ graphene nearly doubling. The focus is textiles and environmental uses of the company’s graphene. Directa Plus has net cash of €6.8m and this will be enough to absorb the expected cash outflows for the next couple of years.
Diagnostic tests supplier Omega Diagnostics (ODX) says that its underlying pre-tax profit will fall from £1.3m to £1.1m in 2016-17. All divisions increased their revenues, helped by currency movements. Field trials are planned for the VISITECT CD4 test and the CE mark could be obtained by the end of the year.
TLA Worldwide (TLA) continues to embarrass itself with disastrous trading statements. Having issued a trading statement at 6.26pm on 23 December 2016, it has released its latest profit warning at 4pm – management probably thinks that is a big improvement because it was before the market closed. It turns out that four months after the end of the financial year TLA’s 2016 figures will be even worse than expected. Changes to revenue recognition and provisions for money that TLA thought it was owed but has not been paid are the reason. There is also money that TLA believed it was owed in financial periods prior to 2016 but has not been paid. That will lead to write-downs and the current estimate is between $1.5m and $2.5m. The 2016 figures may eventually be released in late May, according to the company.
Imaginatik (IMTK) says its revenues for the year to March 2017 will be flat at £3.9m but the loss should still be reduced. Bookings for the innovation software were lower at £3.5m but new clients were won in the second half. Imaginatik could be on course to breakeven in the current financial year.
AstraZeneca has returned the rights to AZD9412 to Synairgen (SNG) following a phase IIa study. The inhaled interferon beta did have a beneficial impact on lung function but the positives were not enough to continue with trials. The data will be returned to Synairgen for it to analyse. Synairgen has £4m in the bank.
Avacta (AVCT) has signed its first non-therapeutics licence for its affimers. The licensee is a major global diagnostics companies. The upfront payment is probably small but this is a significant deal.
Radiation detection technology company Kromek (KMK) is trading in line with expectations and it expects to continue to win new contracts.
Property management services provider HML Holdings (HML) has confirmed that its 2016-17 profit will be in line with expectations of £1.8m. There were six acquisitions during the year. A 2017-18 profit of £2.2m is forecast.
Instant communication mobile services provider Mobile Tornado (MBT) has raised £1.1m at 5p a share and the cash will be used for further development of its technology and support the launch of the Dispatch Console service. Last year, revenues fell 10% to £2.02m but recurring revenues increased to more than 90% of the total. The loss increased from £2.03m to £3.73m. Net debt was £9.06m at the end of 2016.
MAIN MARKET
Sealand Capital Galaxy Ltd (SCGL) has completed the acquisition of social media business SecureCom and Sealand hopes that a share split/bonus issue will improve liquidity. Existing shareholders will receive nine bonus shares for each one they own, leaving them with ten times the number of shares and the share price would be adjusted from 25p to 2.5p. The November 2015 flotation price was 10p and earlier this year a further £1.4m was raised at 20p a share. Pro forma cash was £3.26m at the time of the acquisition.
A number of standard list shells have reported their annual figures so that they beat the deadline of the end of April. Financial services-focused shell Vertu Capital Ltd (VCBC) is still discussing the potential acquisition of VCB Malaysia but there is still some way to go before a deal is secured. There was £553,000 in the bank at the end of 2016. Auctus Growth (AUCT) still had £1m in the bank at the end of 2016 and it continues to assess potential acquisitions.
Papillon Holdings (PPHP) is still proceeding with the long drawn out acquisition of Myclubbetting.com and it is near to lodging a readmission document with the UKLA. The publishing of the accounts of Papillon has been delayed because of difficulties concerning quantifying the costs of the acquisition.
Andrew Hore