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Quoted Micro 9 March 2026
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Mendell Helium (MDH) says M3 Helium, which it has an option to acquire that has been extended to 30 April, will commence drilling of the next Fort Dodge well during March. This is near to the Rost 1-26 well. Further drilling permits are being sought for deeper helium prospects. A US investor group may co-fund the Rost twin well. There is also a potential deal to co-develop a shut-in well. The publication of the AIM admission document should be in March.
Ajax Resources (AJAX) has entered an option to purchase 100% of the Macacha copper and silver project, previously known as the Leon project, in Argentina. An initial $100,000 will be paid in shares. Ajax Resources will pay $3m when the option is exercised within 36 months of Environmental Impact Assessment publication. There is a mineral resource estimate of 6.6 million tonnes of Indicated and Inferred resources at 0.62% copper and 18 g/t silver. This equates to approximately 40,900 tonnes of contained copper and 3.8 million ounces of silver, representing an in-situ gross metal value of approximately $900m at prevailing market prices. The deeper mineralisation has not been tested. Former AIM company Alexander Mining had undertaken trial mining at the project. Management is talking with two potential buyers of its interest in the Eureka gold and copper project.
Delta Gold Technologies (DGQ) is advancing the University of Toronto C$259,000 from the year 2 sponsorship earlier than expected. This is part of the C$1m commitment. The cash will finance the addition of a second component to the Cryo-refrigeration system, which allows testing of nano-scale structures.
Astrid Intelligence (ASTR) director Siam Kidd acquired 23.9 million shares at 0.187p each, prior to his becoming chief executive. The company has increased its TAO token deployment into an over the counter partnership transaction with video intelligence infrastructure developer Score (Subnet 44), operating within the Bittensor ecosystem. This means Astrid has bought 78,740.05 alpha at an implied price of 0.0127 TAO per alpha. Astrid has launched Astrid Vault, an on-chain platform designed to improve liquidity and stability across the Bittensor AI network.
Digital assets developer Coinsilium (COIN) has confirmed that the balance sheet has been strengthened and the portfolio is maturing. A subsidiary owns 182 Bitcoin. The Yellow Network Token and Trading Platform launch is scheduled for 8 March 2026. Coinsillium wants to have broader participation in the network.
Tamar Minerals (TMR) has raised £1.7m at 3p/share and acquired Godolphin Mining for £350,000 of shares at the same price. Godolphin Mining owns the Duke of Leeds mineral rights in Cornwall, and it is owned by Tamar Minerals chairman Mark Thompson. This will eliminate rent and lease-based royalties.
Emission reduction products developer Sulnox Group (SNOX) has secured a distribution agreement with Egypt-based Pan Marine Petroleum Services and the first commercial order has been placed. This deal provides access to trade in the Suez Canal.
Stack BTC (STAK) has bought an initial 21 Bitcoin at £53,729 each.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) investee company Morris Commercial, which is developing the Morris JE electric van, has raised a further £1.5m in convertible notes and Capital for Colleagues has invested an additional £500,000. Deliveries of the van could start in 2027.
Crushmetric Group (CUSH) has raised £160,000 through a share issue at 8.5p/share.
Equipmake (EQIP) finance director Ian Selby bought an initial 375,000 shares at 1.39p each. Chairman Tim Metcalfe and his wife acquired 971,222 shares at 1.39p each.
AIM
Restaurants operator Various Eateries (VARE) is acquiring a portfolio of premium pubs from Grosvenor Pubs and Inns. The first four sites should be acquired for £11.25m by 23 March, and another site could be bought soon afterwards. Four of the five sites are freehold. The initial four sites generated revenues of £10.5m and EBITDA of £1.5m. These sites will operate under the brand The Linwood Collection. A £15m debt facility will fund the acquisitions. The company will change its name to Coppa Collective.
FRP Advisory has been appointed as administrator of video streaming technology group Aferian (AFRN) and it has sold the subsidiaries of the company to Sapphire Technology Group for $1.3m, plus $700,000 of deferred consideration payable in January 2027 if the annual revenues of the subsidiaries are at least $30.6m and annual recurring revenues are greater than $8.9m. The outstanding debt of Aferian is $16.5m.
CyanConnode (CYAN) has negotiated a revised non-binding proposal from Esyasoft, which recently acquired Good Energy. The offer is 10.44p/share, valuing CyanConnode at £37.5m. The original indicative offer was 9.75p/share. The share price has not been above 10p since April 2025.
FIH Group (FIH) is selling The Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company for £11.6m. The ultimate buyer is Collins River Enterprises, which trades under Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. The ferry operator has a net book value of £7.59m and made a pre-tax profit of £530,000 under the ownership of FIH.
General Motors has informed Surface Transforms (SCE) that is re-sourcing supply of brake discs. This contract generated £15.3m in 2025, which was 84% of group revenues. The contract was expected to last until 2030. General Motors has provided advanced payments and financial support of £14.4m. The company has not yet spoken directly to General Motors. The contract loss is a major blow and Surface Transforms will employ corporate restructuring advisers.
Molecular diagnostics company Novacyt (NCYT) has launched a preferential subscription rights issue to raise €785,000 at €0.40/share. Shareholders are offered one share for every 36 they hold. The subscription period ends on 17 March. This follows the acquisition of Southern Cross Diagnostics for £4.4m, which will enable entry to the Australian market as well as adding products that can be distributed in other countries. The previous owner of Southern Cross has committed to subscribe for shares, as have some members of the Novacyt board. The final subscriptions depend on the take up of other shareholders. Novacyt generated revenues of around £20m in 2025, but remains loss making, and cash was £19.2m at the end of 2025.
Business and healthcare software provider AdvancedAdvT (ADVT) has launched a £10m share buyback programme and is also considering a tender offer. This will depend on the potential for acquisitions. There was £96m in the bank at the end of February 2026.
Digital marketing services provider Silver Bullet Data Services (SBDS) expects to report flat revenues in 2025 because of a weak quarter four due to the US government shutdown and uncertainty over tariffs. Costs have been reduced and the company is making a positive EBITDA so far in 2026. Trading is improving and committed revenues are 73% of expected revenues for 2026.
Xeros Technology (XSG) says its filtration manufacturing partner has received an order from MediaMarkt, the largest consumer electronics retailer in Europe, for XF3 units that will be sold under its Koenic brand. Xeros receives a royalty on each unit. Russell Hobbs will launch XF3 in the second quarter of 2026.
Quantum Blockchain Technologies (QBT) has had a busy week. It has delivered its first Bitcoin mining rig to one of its three ASIC manufacturers that is a potential partner. The company is working on implementing the software version of Method C AI Oracle into the rig’s operating system. This follows progress with patent applications. Discussions have been held with interested parties at the Nashville Energy & Mining Summit in late January.
Beacon Energy (BCE) has been readmitted to AIM following the purchase of a 48% stake in Italian gas projects developer LN Energy, which holds 90% of the Colle Santo field in onshore Italy. The field has 2P gas reserves of 12mmboe and could start producing within 18 months. The rise in gas prices makes the field potentially even more strongly cash generative. This will cost $30m and be funded by debt. Beacon Energy has raised £3.75m at 3.9p/share.
Brave Bison (BBSN) has acquired a 22.9% stake in market research services provider System1 (SYS1) from the founder John Kearon in return for 9.81 million shares in Brave Bison (8.7%). He has stepped down from the System1 board. Brave Bison is supportive of System1’s strategy.
Investment company Onward Opportunities (ONWD) plans to move to the Main Market to broaden the potential investor base. This could happen in the second quarter. NAV was 136.9p/share at the end of February 2026.
MicroSalt (SALT) has received an order from a new flavours and ingredients customer in the UK.
MAIN MARKET
Seraphim Space Investment Trust (SSIT) increased NAV from 118.5p/share to 142.3p/share in the six months to December 2025. The larger investments have all increased due to new contracts being won and some fundraisings at higher valuations in the period and they have continued to progress in 2026. This reflects the strong institutional interest in space investment. Increasing defence spending is increasing the potential market value of the space sector.
New Frontier Minerals (NFM) has identified tungsten at the harts Range project in Northern Territory, but significant concentrations or rare earth materials were not found.
Mears (MER) has sold education and health facilities management business Morrison Facilities Services for £18m. It generated a pre-tax profit of £2.8m last year.
Bitcoin investor and wed development company The Smarter Web Company (SWC) has bought another 3 Bitcoin at £47,871 each. That takes the total holding to 2,692 Bitcoin. The company will become a constituent of the FTSE SmallCap index on 23 March.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 14 October 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Cardio health probiotics products developer ProBiotix Health (PBX) increased sales by 39% to £1.53m and the gross profit margin is stable in the nine months to September 2024. This is due to a recent product launch on Amazon and in 2,000 Target stores. A commercial partnership with Mexico-based Raff should generate commercial sales of LP LDL as an ingredient in new products by late 2005/early 2006. There is no need for further funding. The company has appointed Frederik Bruhn-Petersen as a non-exec director. He represents the new 21% shareholder Holdingselskabet af 29. Juni 2010 Aps.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) is pleased with the UK government’s announcement of a cap and floor regime for investment in new large-scale, long-duration electricity stage projects. This includes vanadium flow batteries, and this is a large increase in the opportunity for the business. The minimum project size is 300MWh.
Café chain Cooks Coffee Company (COOK) increased store sales by 26% to £16.4m in the first half. The UK store sales were 36% ahead and Ireland is 7% ahead. Like-for-like sales are 5.1% higher. There are 83 stores, and ten further outlets are expected to open before the end of March 2025. Katherine Scott has been appointed finance director.
Ananda Developments (ANA) has signed a contract with contract research organisation Southern Star Research to carry out a phase 1 clinical trial in Australia for the pharmacokinetic profile, tolerability and safety of lead asset MRX1. There is an R and D tax incentive of up to 43.5% of eligible costs.
Bitcoin mining company Vinanz (BTC) has added five Bitmain Antminer S21 Pro 234 Terahash (TH/s) machines to its fleet in Nebraska, which has attractive power costs.
Unicorn AIM VCT has taken a 7.39% stake in Good Life Plus (GDLF) following the recent fundraising. Winforton Investments increased its stake from 20.6% to 21.1%.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) intends to buy back shares. It has acquired 48,000 shares at an average price of 150p each. The NAV was 316.09p/share at the end of September 2024.
Silverwood Brands (SLWD) executive director Andrew Gerrie bought 25,000 shares at 25p each. Newbury Racecourse (NYR) director Dominic Burke bought 16,000 shares at 540p/share, taking his stake to 7.03%. Marula Mining (MARU) director Jason Brewer has acquired one million shares, taking his stake to 8.78%. Kevin Hastings has a 3.375% stake.
California Two Pizza Ventures Inc has taken a 23.9% in Pitch Pit (PICH).
Trading in the shares of Mydecine Innovations Group (MYIG) has been suspended.
Majestic Corporation (MCJ) has appointed Oberon Capital as broker.
AIM
After the close on Friday, retailer and brand owner Frasers Group (FRAS) announced a revised proposed bid for Mulberry (MUL) of 150p/share in cash. This is well above the original proposal of 130p/share and the 100p subscription price.
Energy and water efficiency services provider Eneraqua Technologies (ETP) reported a rise in interim revenues from £26m to £29.9m. However, there is a greater proportion of lower margin energy services work, and the loss increased from £400,000 to £3.8m. The General Election delayed decisions on contracts, but the decisions are beginning to be made. The order book has improved to £114m. Two-fifths of this order book should be delivered in the second half and that would return the business to profit. Singer forecasts a pre-tax profit of £2.4m for the year to January 2025 and Eneraqua Technologies should move into a net cash position.
Cloud computing and connectivity infrastructure-as-a-service company Beeks Financial Cloud (BKS) reported figures in line with expectations and profit growth is set to accelerate this year. In the year to June 2024, revenues were 27% higher at £28.4m and annualised recurring revenues were 18% ahead at £28m. Underlying pre-tax profit improved from £2.3m to £3.9m. Net cash is £6.6m. Recurring revenues cover more than two-thirds of the 2024-25 forecast revenues. Canaccord Genuity has edged up its pre-tax profit forecast from £6m to £6.1m on revenues of £39.6m.
Smart sensing software developer Oxford Metrics (OMG) is acquiring The Sempre Group, a measurement technology business for up to £5.5m. Gloucester-based Sempre helps clients to improve productivity and efficiency through high precision metrology. This fits with the previous acquisition of Industrial Vision Systems, which will help geographic expansion, and provides further diversification from the entertainment and health sectors. In 2023, Sempre made a pre-tax profit of £700,000 on revenues of £6.5m and the performance is improving this year. The deal should be earnings enhancing. Following the post-trading statement slump in the share price, OMG is spending up to £6m on share buy backs.
Marine tracking technology developer Windward (WNWD) has won two new customers outside the US with a combined annual contract value of $1.9m. Renewals are as expected. Existing customers are taking up the AI technology when they are renewing. This year there should be 30% subscription/sales growth and Windward is heading towards breakeven.
Blue Star Capital (BLU) is continuing the strategy to seek an exit of its investments. The launch of the de-fi project to Pendulum and Nabla that is called Vortex is the key to the valuation of the SatoshiPay investment and the sale has been suspended. The funding of Vortex is not yet in place. Around 90% of the NAV is based on the 27.9% SatoshiPay stake and this valuation depends on the launch of Vortex and if SatoshiPay raises additional funds then this stake will be diluted.
Novacyt (NCYT) is closing its loss-making IT-IS International, which was acquired to produce Covid tests. This should add £1m to annual EBITDA. The restructuring charge will be £700,000. The IP infringement dispute with Roche Diagnostics will continue.
SkinBioTherapeutics (SBTX) is acquiring Bio-Tech Solutions for £1.25m. Bio-Tech is a manufacturer of personal care products. This will enable the group to manufacture its own products. The acquired business should generate £3m in 2024-25, up from £2.1m, and EBITDA could be £900,000. SkinBioTherapeutics should have enough cash to last until the summer of 2026.
Data analytics software provider Rosslyn Data Technologies (RDT) is raising £1.64m via placing at 5p/share and £250,000 from a retail offer that closes on 10 October. A convertible loan note will raise a further £1.2m and existing convertibles will be converted at 5p/share. This will fund growth and the development of technology. Rosslyn Data Technologies is trading ahead of previous expectations.
Cambria Africa (CMB) shares recommenced trading after 2022-23 accounts and subsequent interims were published. Early buying has flushed out some sellers later in the morning. The shares will be suspended again on Monday because there will be no nominated advisers. Shareholders have voted to cancel the AIM admission on 22 October.
John Gunn has acquired a 12.1% stake in SEEEN (SEEN). This makes him the second largest shareholder in the video sharing platform developer behind Gresham House.
Inspirit Energy (INSP) is returning to its previous existence as a shell (it was previously Kleenair Systems International) because the lead engineer of its subsidiary has to stop working for the company to care for a relative. This has put waste heat recovery engine development on hold. The company will preserve cash and become a shell and seek takeover opportunities.
Investment company Seed Innovations (SEED) says investee company Clean Food Group has partnered with cosmetics products developer THG LABS. The initial focus is developing a high-performance oil for use in beauty and personal care products. The sustainable oils and fats developer uses yeast strains and food waste as the source of its sustainable oils. Seed Innovations has a 4.76% stake.
MAIN MARKET
Fairview International (FIL) was set up to buy two international schools in Malaysia and it is seeking more acquisitions in Asia and the UK. New schools could also be developed. The global higher education market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 12%. Fairview raised £2.65m gross at 10p/share. The share price started at 11p and kept at this level for the whole of the first day of trading when 10,000 shares were traded. Pro forma net assets are £4.11m. Agodeus, whose shareholders include executive chairman Daniel Chian and his family, owns 89.9% of the company.
Online retailer ASOS (ASC) has completed its partnership with Heartland that will leave ASOS with 25% of Topshop and Topman brands.
Imaging technology company IQ-AI (IQAI) says Braveheart Investment (BRH) has acquired a 29.5% stake in the company for £720,000. IQ-AI chief executive and Braveheart Investment chief executive Trevor Brown sold the shares.
Shell company Milton Capital (MII) has a non-binding term sheet for the acquisition of certain subsidiaries of Horizon Energy Global Corporation, which wishes to separate European and North American assets. Trading in the shares is suspended.
Andrew Hore
Alan Green talks COVID stocks Novacyt #NCYT), Synairgen #SNG, Avacta #AVCT, plus Blue Prism #PRSM & Capita #CPI on the UK Investor Magazine podcast
The UK Investor Magazine Podcast is joined by Alan Green for a run down of the dramatic moves in markets this week and exploration of scenarios going into the end of 2020.
The Biden Presidential victory has been overshadowed by news from Pfizer had a breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19 with a vaccine demonstrating 90% effectiveness. We look at the sharp rally in markets and question the sustainability going forward.
We discuss Novacyt (NCYT), Synairgen (SNG), Avacta (AVCT), Blue Prism (PRSM) and Capita (CPI).
Alan Green presents the investment case for Novacyt #NCYT, Avacta #AVCT, Destiny Pharma #DEST & Catenae Innovation #CTEA
Alan Green presents the investment case for Novacyt #NCYT, Avacta #AVCT, Destiny Pharma #DEST & Catenae Innovation #CTEA
Atlantic Capital Markets Month Ahead – July 2020
Alan Green talks to John Woolfitt, Director at multi award winning broking and investment firm Atlantic Capital Markets. John looks forward to the coming month, and discusses US job numbers, Boris and Build Build Build, and the raft of UK job cuts. He then discusses ‘Covid’ stocks, including Novacyt #NCYT, upcoming key corporate announcements for July, including Royal Dutch Shell #RDSB and Hutchison China Meditech #HCM and trading ideas from the Atlantic dealing floor. John finishes with a recap on key points and trading ideas to help traders and investors in July.
Alan Green talks markets, #AVCT, #NCYT, #VLG, #TM17, #KDNC & #BRES on UK Investor Mag podcast
Alan Green talks markets, Avacta #AVCT, Novacyt #NYCT, Venture Life Group #VLG, Team 17 #TM17, Cadence Minerals #KDNC & Blencowe Resources #BRES on the UK Investor Mag podcast
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 23 March 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gin and spirits supplier British Honey Company (BHC) is using spare capacity in its distillery to produce # alcohol sanitisers. There is a shortage of sanitisers due to the coronavirus and HMRC has given permission for British Honey to produce denatured alcohol. The sanitisers are made with 70% alcohol and extracts of honey and green tea. Longer-term, the strategy is to buy other spirits brands to use spare capacity. British Honey started off as a honey producer and moved into craft spirits infused with honey in 2017. It has a computer-controlled, 1,000-litre capacity still and bottling facility with a capacity of 1.5 million bottles a year. Ingredients can be tracked. There has been £4m invested in this infrastructure. The existing products use a small proportion of this capacity. The company also produces spirits on behalf of third parties. Discussions have begun with some potential acquisitions. British Honey joined Aquis Stock Exchange at the beginning of the week and raised £4.25m (£3.88m after expenses) at 110p a share. Advanced assurance of eligibility for the Enterprise Investment Scheme has been obtained. The initial market capitalisation was £10m. Cairn is corporate adviser and Stanford Capital Partners is broker.
Sativa (SATI) is launching a cannabigerol (CBG) and alcohol-based hand sanitiser. CBG is thought to be effective as an antibacterial product and could combat superbugs.
Energy supplier Good Energy (GOOD) reported better than expected 2019 pre-tax profit. Underlying pre-tax profit still dipped from £2.3m to £2.1m due to lower gross margins. Profit is expected to bounce back to £3.1m in 2020. Both business and domestic customers were higher last year. The total dividend has been increased from 3.5p a share to 3.7p a share. Net debt was £39.2m at the end of 2019.
Brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) has decided not to pay the interim dividend of 6p a share announced the week before. The sharp downturn in trading and subsequent closure of pubs due to COVID-19 means that Shepherd Neame is also cutting capital investment and the board is taking a one-fifth cut in pay. Rent receipts from tenants were suspended from 16 March.
KR1 (KR1) has generated $168,000 from selling ATOM, taking the total raised from disposals to $290,000. It still holds nearly 17,000 ATOM.
Sheltered housing developer Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR) has outperformed its benchmark for a third year in a row. The MSCI UK Residential index increased by 4.4% in 2019, while Walls portfolio increased by 23%.
BWA Group (BWAP) says that its subsidiary has been awarded an exploration licence for an area known as Dehane in central Cameroon. The focus is rutile sands and other minerals. The permit is for three years and the financial commitment in year one is £275,000, followed by £207,000 in each of the next two years. Tri Castle Investments is subscribing £100,000 at 0.5p a share.
First Sentinel (FSEN) has raised £389,000 at 20p a share for working capital. VI Mining (VIM) raised £56,000 via a placing at 15p a share that was curtailed because of COVID-19. Further cash will be raised in the future.
Eastinco Mining and Exploration (EM.P) has secured a $200,000 facility from Augustin Corp, which is owned by a trust related to Eastinco executive chairman Charles Bray. The annual interest rate is 6 percentage points above commercial lending rates and the facility lasts for up to 18 months.
SAPO (SAPO) is holding a general meeting on 14 April to gain shareholder approval for increasing the share capital. Executive chairman Dr Keith Harris has been issued 20 million shares at 1p a share. The consideration will be paid by the end of 2024.
Belvedere Leisure Resorts (BELV) believes that once normality is resumed it can accelerate its resort development and deliver phase one on time.
Dozens Savings (DS07) says that 795 investors have subscribed for company bonds.
Trading in Dana International (DANA) shares remains suspended. The property investor is still trying to gain full information about share transfers.
Christian Taylor-Wilkinson has become interim chief executive of Altona Energy (ANR) following the resignation of executive chairman Qinfu Zhang.
AIM
Sales of COVID-19 tests by Novacyt (NCYT) continue to accelerate. It has received orders worth more than £8.7m in a six-week period. Manufacturing capacity is being increased.
Synairgen (SNG) is about to start a phase II trial for SNG001 for the treatment of an initial 100 patients with mild-moderate COVID-19. Initial results should be available by the summer. SNG001 is inhaled interferon beta, which has shown benefits in the treatment of SARS. The existing COPD phase II trial has been paused, but initial results suggest that there is clinical benefit.
Best of the Best (BOTB) would have been in trouble a decade ago when it generated its competition entries from airports and other areas of high footfall. Having gone online, the competitions organiser has continued to prosper. Additional marketing investment has helped the 2019-20 performance to be above expectations. The pre-tax profit forecast for the year to April 2020 has been raised from £2.6m to £3m.
Payment systems provider PCI-Pal (PCIP) has won a contract for its Agent Assist product with a UK government organisation. The annual contract value is £565,500.
Manx Financial (MFX) is buying back the 12.94% shareholding owned by Aaron Banks. Manx intends to pay £1.61m for the shares and then cancel them. This cash will become a loan to Manx and an existing £483,500 convertible will be added to the sum. Banks has requisitioned a general meeting at iodine manufacturer Iofina (IOF) in order to remove Lance Baller from the board and become a director himself. Banks does not intend to make a bid for the company.
Mobile payment services provider Bango (BGO) is still set to move into profit in 2020. End user spend doubled last year.
Indigovision (IND) is recommending a 405p a share cash bid from Motorola Solutions. This values the video security technology company at £30.4m. In 2019, pre-tax profit was $1.3m.
MJ Hudson (MJH) grew organic revenues by 12.5% in the first half. The asset management services provider has net cash of £20.1m following last year’s flotation. The acquisition of Meyler will expand the range of services provided in the US. The customer base is predominantly long-term and closed ended funds. A full year pre-tax profit of £1.1m is forecast.
Big Sofa Technologies (BST) has put itself up for sale and trading in the shares is suspended. The video and data analytics technology developer needs additional cash and it is difficult to raise funds in the market when there is so much uncertainty. The company expects proposals by the end of April.
The Wressle oil field development in north Lincolnshire is set to commence production in the second half of 2020 and Egdon Resources (EDG) has a 30% stake and is operator. Europa Oil and Gas (EOG) and Union Jack Oil (UJO) also have interests. The breakeven oil is estimated at $18/barrel. Production could start at 500 barrels a day. An application has been allowed against North Lincolnshire council for costs relating to delays in gaining a permit.
Diagnostic and precision testing services provider Diaceutics (DXRX) boosted revenues by 30% last year following its flotation. Although gross margins improved, a significant increase in headcount meant that pre-tax profit dipped to £500,000. The initial benefits of the investment in the business are showing through growth in Asia and other regions.
Regional property investor Real Estate investors (REI) increased its dividend by 7% to 3.8p a share. Like-for-like rental income was slightly lower at £16.9m and the weak retail property market led to a 3% reduction in EPRA NAV to 67.4p a share. Loan to value is 46.7%. The Midlands property market is strengthening ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. An improvement in NAV to near-69p a share is forecast for 2020.
Xeros (XSG) has signed a joint development agreement with a global commercial laundry business. XFiltra micro-particle filtration technology will be included in the partner’s commercial washing machines. The EU plans to have micro-particle filtration in use by 2026. Xeros is likely to need to raise more cash next year.
Oncimmune (ONC) says NICE has completed a positive review of EarlyCDT Lung and believes that it can help in the early diagnosis of lung cancer.
MAIN MARKET
Trading in the shares of Boston International Holdings (BIH) has been suspended ahead of the proposed acquisition of invoice factoring company Alexanders Discount Ltd, which is based in the South East. Alexanders Discount accounts for the year to November 2019 are for a dormant company and the assets were worth £4. The standard list shell floated in October 2016.
Telecoms services provider Toople (TOOP) says that the integration of DMSL is ahead of plan and it has won two new contracts.
BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) is partnering with Novamed for an at-home COVID-19 diagnostic kit. The kit should be completed within four months.
AIQ Ltd (AIQ) has signed a conditional share purchase agreement for Alchemist Codes, a Malaysian IT services developer. AIQ is paying £2.3m in shares.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore Quoted Micro 22 July 2019
NEX EXCHANGE
Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) improved its underlying pre-tax profit from £2.7m to £3.4m in the first half of 2019. The interim dividend has been raised from 15p a share to 16p a share. The recent residential mortgage portfolio acquisition was after the end of June. The strategy is to diversify the business and asset-based lending and specialist finance are being built up. Savings platform Arbuthnot Direct has recently been launched. The core private banking operations of Arbuthnot Latham are still growing, though. The shareholding in Secure Trust Bank has been sold down to below 10%, which means it is no longer consolidated. The change from associate led to a write down and NAV declined to £13.21 a share.
VI Mining (VIM) has so far paid $9.1m in cash to the vendors of the Minaspampa and Rosario projects in Peru. There is still $42.2m outstanding 18 months after the acquisition agreement was signed. Majority shareholder Sumner Group Holdings is raising money from a security token offering, which could be completed in the autumn. Some of the proceeds will be used to replace existing facilities and help to pay outstanding acquisition considering, pending renegotiation of the deal. Chief executive David Sumner has provided a $10m term loan, plus a £39m facility of which $3m has been drawn down. There is $1.2m outstanding on the Tassili Jewellery LLC loan facility.
AfriAg Global (AFRI) has completed its acquisition of a 2.325% stake in cannabis company Apollon Formularies. The Jamaican subsidiary has produced its first licensed medical cannabis oils for commercial sale on the island.
MetalNRG (MNRG) has published a prospectus for its move to a standard listing on 23 July. It has raised £193,000 at 0.3p a share.
Clean Invest Africa (CIA) says that its CoalTech subsidiary has signed a joint venture agreement with Creon Capital covering Russia and nearby countries. CoalTech is negotiating with other potential partners to set up operations in Europe, Indonesia and the US.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) says its mining subsidiary has received approval for the R and D tax incentive scheme in Australia for 2018-19. A claim is being prepared.
Share trading has recommenced in Ganapati (GANP) after it published results for the year to January 2019. There was a cash outflow from operations of £23.8m. Since January, two new games have been generated each month.
AIM
Focusrite (TUNE) has acquired Germany-based studio monitor loudspeakers supplier Pro Audio for £16.2m in cash and it will still have £12m left in the bank. Pro Audio supplies ADAM branded products and made a pre-tax profit of €1m. This is an earnings enhancing acquisition. The businesses will operate separately but work together to develop cross-selling benefits.
Swallowfield (SWL) is selling its manufacturing business to the much larger US manufacturer Knowlton Development Corporation for £35m in order to concentrate on its portfolio of personal care and beauty brands. This should leave net cash of £23m in Swallowfield and this will be used to acquire more brands. The company is changing its name to Brand Architekts Group.
Lawyer Gateley (GTLY) grew all its main operations. Acquisitions helped revenues to increase by one-fifth to £103.5m in the year to April 2019, but there was still organic growth of 9.5%. Pre-tax profit improved from £15.4m to £18.1m. The dividend was raised from 7p a share to 8p a share. Corporate business grew more modestly than other parts of the business, but this was impressive given market conditions for corporate deals. A profit of £21m is forecast for this year.
Victoria (VCP) has raised €330m via an issue of 5.25% senior secured notes 2024. This offer was three times subscribed. The floorcoverings manufacturer is using the money to refinance existing debt and will have £80m of cash after the issue.
Packaging machinery supplier Mpac Group (MPAC) is trading significantly ahead of expectations. Equity Development has increased its 2019 operating profit forecast from £4.6m to £5.5m.
Adamas Finance Asia (ADAM) has completed a co-investment agreement with a Hong Kong-based family office for the investment in Japanese resort business Infinity Capital Group. The family office will pay Adamas $1m of the $2m already drawn by Infinity and the other $2m will be provided 50/50 by the two parties. The facility has a coupon of 17.5% per annum. This deal provides cash to invest in other opportunities. Adamas took advantage of a dip in the share price to buy back £30,400worth of shares at 38p each.
Velocys (VLS) has raised £7m at 3p a share on the back of news that Shell and British Airways will co-fund the development of the Immingham biorefinery project. The cash will be used for further technology development and to progress the Mississippi biorefinery project.
Block Energy (BLOE) has completed the increase from a 71.5% to 100% of its working interest in the West Rustavi field in Georgia. The cash and shares payment means tha Georgia Oil and Gas has increased its stake in Block to 7.7%. Miton has cut its stake from 9.17% to 4.73%.
Mortice (MORT) has decided to cancel its AIM quotation and is offering shareholders the chance to sell their shares for 12p each. A lack of liquidity and a weak share price making it difficult to finance acquisitions are the main reasons for leaving AIM.
Albert Technologies Ltd (ALB) also wants to leave AIM, but it is not offering an exit for shareholders. It believes it can attract investors, but they would prefer to invest in an unquoted company.
Science Group (SAG) has been buying more shares in Frontier Smart Technologies (FST) at the bid price of 35p each and it has built up a 39.9% stake. It also has 3.1% acceptances for its bid.
Mirada (MIRA) has integrated Netflix into its set-top box platform and this will make its technology even more attractive to broadcasters.
Bangladesh has brought in a law that all listed companies have to pay at least 30% of post-tax profit, or an extra 10% tax charge will be levied. Beximco Pharmaceuticals (BXP) is assessing the legislation and will consider how best to manage cash.
Novacyt (NCYT) has sold its loss-making clinical labs business for £400,000 and it will concentrate on diagnostics businesses Primerdesign and Lab21. The first instalment of £100,000 has been paid and £100,000 more is due in September, but the rest will be paid in three equal instalments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the deal.
MAIN MARKET
Spinnaker Opportunities (SOP) has received a commitment to invest up to £1.4m from a single investor conditional on the deal to acquire medicinal cannabis company Kanabo Research. The investment will be for a maximum of 4.99% of the enlarged share capital, although if there is any of the £1.4m left it could be invested in a convertible loan note. The investment underpins the expected acquisition-related fundraising and a fee of 10% of the investment is payable.
General meeting resolutions to wind-up Avocet Mining (AVM) were withdrawn at its general meeting. This comes after discussions with shareholders. There is a few weeks cash left in the business and any potential transaction would have to come with finance to cover the costs of an acquisition process.
Dukemount Capital (DKE) has commenced construction of 17 specially developed apartments and retail space on its West Derby property.
OTHER MARKETS
Fashion On Screen has listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange, which has European Growth Market status by the HMRC. This means that there is no stamp duty. The company had previously considered a listing on the Nasdaq First North market in Copenhagen. Fashion On Screen has raised more than £3m prior to its listing. A film based on the kidnapping of racing driver Juan Fangio in Cuba in 1958 could start before the end of the year (for more about the background to the story listen to https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p055fjfx).
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore -Quoted Micro 2 July 2018
NEX EXCHANGE
Medicinal cannabis business investor Sativa Investments (SATI) has raised £500,000 from Miton Investment Management at 4p a share. Demand for the shares remains strong. Executive director Mark Blower has sold one million shares at 4p a share, having exercised options for the same number at 0.5p each, and Non-executive Noel Lyons has sold 500,000 at 4.25p each, having exercised 500,000 options at 0.5p each. Sativa joined NEX on 29 March after raising £1.1m at 1p a share. The share price had already reached 3.125p by the end of the first week. Sativa has founded the Sativa Foundation to fund academic research into medicinal cannabis.
AfriAg Global (AFRI) intends to change its investing policy so that it includes medicinal cannabis opportunities. A medical advisory board will be appointed and they will carry out due diligence on the opportunities. AfriAg (Pty) Ltd previously had the right to take a 60% stake in House of Hemp but this deal was terminated when the South African government delayed setting up the legal framework for medicinal cannabis.
High Growth Capital (HASH) joined NEX on 25 June and it plans to become a UK, Canada and Australia-focused medicinal cannabis products index tracker and investor. This will be achieved by giving direct exposure to medicinal cannabis-related companies. The strategy is to acquire up to 10% of an individual company or £150,000 in value, depending on which is the lower amount.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU), which was quoted on AIM as Stratmin until August 2017, also joined NEX on 25 June. Tectonic has gold exploration interests in Queensland, Australia. Tectonic raised £530,000 at 2p a share and then issued another 30.8 million shares to the one of the shareholders in the exploration assets that have been acquired and to advisers.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) had a NAV of 41.73p a share at the end of May 2018. There are 18 investments in unquoted employee-owned businesses valued at £5.82m. The most recent was a £600,000 loan to Poole-based aerospace components manufacturer TG Engineering.
Clean Invest Africa (CIA) still had £501,000 in cash at the end of March 2018, following its maiden £372,000 investment in CoalTech, which is involved in cleaning up the waste from coal mining. The technology that has been developed enables coal fines that have little or no worth to be converted into pellets, using a binding technique, to make them a commercial product.
There was a £93,000 cash outflow from the operating activities of investment company Startup Giants (SUG) in the year to January 2018. There was £686,000 in cash and £40,000 worth of investments on the balance sheet. There are plans to add up to 25 more investments.
VI Mining (VIM) says that the seller of the Ximenita de Casma project has cancelled the option over the three mining concessions and it has also exercised its charge over the company that owns the processing plant. VI Mining had held back payment of consideration because of claims for breach of warranty. Legal proceedings will be initiated.
AIM
Legal firms consolidator Gordon Dadds (GOR) grew revenues by one-quarter to £31.2m last year even though there were minimal contributions from some of the legal firms it acquired. Pre-tax profit was 23% higher at £2.96m. This is a highly cash generative business. The dividend of 4p a share reflects that the company was not quoted for a full 12 months.
IMImobile (IMO) continues to grow organically as well as by acquisition. Full year revenues were 46% higher at £111.4m and that includes organic growth of 7%. Pre-tax profit improved from £9m to £10.1m. The communications connections technology provider has 85% recurring revenues. The main markets are growing well but progress was held back in South Africa by the political situation and since this has been sorted out that market has returned to growth.
Following a cautious AGM statement by Dillistone (DSG), WH Ireland has trimmed its forecasts and that means that the recruitment software provider is expected to breakeven this year, while the 2019 pre-tax profit has been cut from £540,000 to £200,000. Software revenues have been hit by the loss of a major client and the GatedTalent product is taking longer to build up revenues.
SaaS-based app distribution platform developer appScatter (APPS) has revised the terms for its acquisition of Priori Data. The company is still paying £13.5m in cash and shares for data analysis business but more will be funded by shares. This means that only £1.6m has to be raised in a placing at 70p a share.
Transport group Eddie Stobart (ESL) is acquiring The Pallet Network Group for £52.8m, which will be partly financed by a £30m placing at 140p a share. The network comprises 106 regional transport companies and three central hubs.
Action Hotels (AHCG) has agreed a possible cash offer of 24p a share from its major shareholder. Due diligence is being undertaken. After the company was floated by Sanlam Securities at 64p a share in December 2013, there have been four changes of nominated adviser and broker.
EQTEC (EQT) is on course to raise £2m in cash to pay off the unpopular financing package it previously secured. That deal has hit the share price but EQTEC is making progress with potential projects for its gasification technology. At least one project should reach the construction stage before the end of year to June 2019. That could either be a project in the UK or a 12MWe power plant in Vietnam, which could utilise equipment that was going to be used on the project in Newry, which is no longer going ahead. This will mean that milestone payments will be received throughout the construction.
Omega Diagnostics (ODX) has sold its infectious diseases assets to Novacyt (NCYT) although it is retaining the Visitect CD4 test. The disposal will raise up to £2.175m and these assets generated a profit before overheads of £300,000 in the past financial year. The book value was £600,000. Omega will provide manufacturing and storage services for 12 months. The cash will be invested in the Visitect CD4 test, Allersys and realising the value of the food intolerance business.
TechFinancials Inc (TECH) reported a 37% reduction in revenues in 2017 to $13.4m with software licensing revenues more than halving. Overheads were reduced but pre-tax profit still slumped from $4.05m to $116,000, although that was partly due to a $1.5m asset impairment charge. There was $3.5m in the bank.
Windar Photonics (WPHO) has signed a global distribution agreement with Vestas Wind Systems, which will sell the two beam light detection and ranging LiDAR system as a retro-fit product. The deal could provide access to around 14% of global installed capacity. This should help Windar to move into profit this year and make a significant profit in 2019.
CEPS (CEPS) has raised £1.33m at 35p a share and this will finance the repayment of a £1m loan plus interest. Sunline Direct Mail, which is 80%-owned, has been placed in administration and CEPS is unlikely to receive anything. Group trading is also slightly below expectations.
MAIN MARKET
Standard list shell Chesterfield Resources (CHF) has agreed to acquire Cyprus-registered HKP Exploration Ltd, which has seven prospecting permits covering three project areas on the island. The focus is copper and gold. At least £1.1m will be spent on exploration and drilling. A placing and subscription at 7.5p a share will raise £2m and each share comes with a warrant exercisable at 15p each. HKP is being acquired for 6.67 million shares at the same price. The original placing price last August was 5p a share.
Highland Natural Resources (HNR) has applied to acquire leases over 46,000 acres in Arizona, which management believes could produce commercial volumes of carbon dioxide.
Andrew Hore