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Quoted Micro 2 February 2026
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Roundhouse Digital (ETHL) joined Aquis on 30 January. It is an AI technology company with an Ethereum-denominated treasury. There was £1.1m raised at 4p/share. The company is valued at £10m.
Valereum (VLRM) has entered into a non-binding agreement with Injective Foundation, a Layer-1 blockchain for decentralised finance, and DigiShares inc, a provider of tokenisation technology. There would be a framework for a collaboration across the Injective blockchain, involving tokenisation and secondary trading. DigiShares has 200 issuers. Quorum Global Photonics has a 49.9% stake, while James Bannon’s shareholding has been diluted from 33.8% to 17.8%.
Property investor Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) moved from a loss of £243,000 to a pre-tax profit of £290,000 in the six months to October 2025. Admin costs were reduced and there was no fair value loss, compared with £1.6m in the corresponding period. NAV is £30.5m. Dr Antonios Ghorayeb bought 14,795 shares at 25p each and the chairman owns a 0.96% stake.
Vault Ventures (VULT) has publicly launched analytics platform vSignal.ai.
Equipmake (EQIP) has won a £2.4m order from Agrale for 23 electric drivetrain systems for 23 buses. This follows an order for 50 buses.
BWA Holdings (BWAP) corporate adviser Allenby has initiated research on the minerals exploration company. It believes the Aracari gold project in Cameroon could be transformational. The sum of the parts valuation is £11.2m, which is treble the current market capitalisation. Richard Battersby has transferred his shareholding to his daughter.
Interim figures from Vaultz Capital (V3TC) show initial revenues of £72,000 and a loss of £1.62m. The current value of Bitcoin is £8.68m, down from £11.2m at the end of October 2025, when net assets were £11.6m.
Sulnox Group (SNOX) has secured a South Korean patent for emissions reducing additives.
B HODL (HODL) has bought one more Bitcoin for £64,363, after drawing down£65,030 from its loan facility, taking the total to 160.295 Bitcoin costing a total of £13.3m.
WeCap (WCAP) reported a halved loss of £387,000 in the six months to October 2025. The WeShop share price has fallen back to $58.70, but the stake is still worth more than the WeCap market capitalisation.
Mendell Helium (MDH) raised £700,000 at 3p/share. There is also a proposal from US-based investors to co-fund a second well on M3 Helium’s Rost lease in Fort Dodge. Mendell Helium has an option to acquire M3.
Ajax Resources (AJAX) raised £1m at 8p/share with warrants exercisable at 16p each also issued. This will fund previously announced acquisitions.
Clinical support software DXS International (DXSP) revenues fell 3% to £1.68m in the first half, while the loss jumped from £254,000 to £1m. Management is hopeful that the NHS will begin to accelerate decision making later this year.
Cooks Coffee Company (COOK) says its Esquires Coffee subsidiary has entered a 10-year master franchise agreement for the UAE. The plan is to open at least 50 sites.
Bitcoin investor and wed development company The Smarter Web Company (SWC) has raised £500,000 at 54p/share. Shareholders have agreed the move to the Main Market on 3 February.
Marula Mining (MARU) has terminated the planned sale of its main subsidiary to Europa Metals. Marula Mining will instead develop the assets itself.
In the year to July 2025, hydrogen producing wind turbine technology developer Energy B (NRGB) reported a reduction in loss from £1.05m to £645,000. There are no revenues. This is before the plans for a Bitcoin strategy and the raising of £400,000 at 1p/share and the settlement of creditors at the same share price.
Mental health treatments developer Shortwave Life Sciences (PSY) did not generate any revenues in the six months to October 2025. The loss was £211,000. Net assets were £2.58m.
Phoenix Digital (PNIX) has redomiciled to Gibraltar.
JP JENKINS
India-focused oil and gas company Indus Gas (INDI) left AIM and joined the JP Jenkins platform on 26 January.
ASSET MATCH
Fastjet (FJET) has published its 2024 accounts. The Africa-focused airline reported a 3% dip in revenues to $64.9m, while there was a swing from a loss of $9m to a pre0tax profit of $3.37m. That is due to a sharp fall in cost of sales.
Greenshields Agri Holdings (GAH) says there was a small improvement in 2024-25 post-tax profit at £2.71m. NAV is 160p/share.
Macdonald and Company (MAC1) is paying an interim dividend of 2p/share on 4 February.
AIM
Thor Explorations (THX) has announced a pre-feasibility study for the Douta gold project in Senegal and first production could be in 2028. The pre-tax project NPV5% is $908m at a long-term gold price of $3,500/ounce, while the post-tax NPV5% is $633m. This assumes 100% ownership. Payback of initial capital investment of $254m could be less than one year. There could be one million ounces of gold produced over nearly 13 years. The resource can be extended. Thor Explorations is buying out its 30% joint venture partner in the Douta West permit joint venture Birma Resources for an initial $1.5m.
Aerospace component kits supplier Velocity Composites (VEL) continues to be hit by delays and lower than anticipated Airbus A350 production rates. Lower overheads have offset the lower revenues in 2025, and the pre-tax loss was reduced from £1.3m to £1.1m. A major aerospace components programme in the US will not be transferred until later in 2026. New European business is being sought to offset the loss of a contract.
The Revel Collective (TRC) has appointed FTI Consulting as administrator and sold most of the bars and pubs. There are 20 sites that were not sold and those will close.
Electro-mechanical and electronics products supplier LPA Group (LPA) reported full year figures in line with the previous downgrade. The loss increased from £300,000 to £1.3m on lower revenues. The order book is worth £32.5m. This includes rail projects that have been subject to delays. There is a 41% like-for-like improvement in the first quarter of this year.
Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC) announced the price of the Nasdaq fundraising at $12.25/share. This will raise $50.8m.
Sancus Lending (LEND) shares jumped 362.5% to 1.8p on an unexpectedly strong trading performance in 2025. The finance provider increased revenues by one-third to £22.1m and a 2025 pre-tax profit of more than £1m is estimated, although that includes gains of £2.6m from repurchasing ZDPs. New lending facilities nearly doubled to £212m and total loans were one-third higher at £317m.
Late on Tuesday, Mind Gym (MIND) admitted that it is in discussions with third parties as part of a strategic review that could lead to a bid for the education and training company.
Great Western Mining (GWMO) has revealed the results of the geographical survey and the assay results of a drilling programme at Rhyolite Dome, which is part of the Olympic gold project in Nevada. The survey identified a deeper untested chargeable feature at more than 300 metres in depth. The drilling found low grade gold and more significant silver mineralisation. The geological model will be refined.
Empyrean Energy (EME) has come to an agreement with Conrad Asia Energy to resolve its dispute over the Duyung PSC and Mako gas field in Indonesia. First gas could be in the fourth quarter of 2027. A special purpose vehicle will be established to own these investments, and Empyrean Energy will own 8.5%. After this Empyrean will pay $353,000 to Conrad and a further $353,000 will be paid out of dividends from the special purpose vehicle. Empyrean’s secured convertible note will be restructured, and the lender will be paid out of dividends from the project. The share price jumped 138% to 0.0894p.
Ovoca Bio (OVB) has completed the acquisition of Tadeen International and it will change its name to Talisman Metals. There was £1.155m raised at 7.7p/share. This means the company has £2.255m in cash. The main asset is copper deposits in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
Video games art outsourcing provider Winking Studios (WKS) expects 2025 revenues to be at least 40% higher than the $31.9m reported in 2024. That is slightly higher than expectations. Organic growth was in mid-to-high single digits. EBITDA is anticipated to be between 7% and 13% ahead of the $4.8m reported in 2024. There are already approximately $34.6m of bookings to be recognised this year. The full year results are due to be announced on 27 February.
Physiomics (PYC) has been awarded a new contract by long-standing client Numab Therapeutics. The project is for modelling the company’s pipeline to accelerate development of therapies.
Contract proteomics services provider Proteome Sciences (PRM) has raised £840,000 via a placing at 1.75p/share and a retail offer raised £132,000, which was more than double the target. The cash will be used to increase Tandem Mass Tags plexing rate from 32x to 96x and introduce novel Solvent Shift chemoproteomic workflows. It will also go towards launching a new range of DXT isotopic plex tags and concluding a DXT licence, will increasing capacity in San Diego.
Sensing and measurement technology developer Transense Technologies (TRT) has not been securing new contracts as fast as it hoped. Also, iTrack royalty income is likely to be10% lower than expected at £2m with the total revenues for the group are forecast at £5.2m, down from £5.55m last year. The SAWsense and Translogik businesses should grow revenues by 30%. The company was profitable in the first half and had cash at £1.33m. The interim results will be released on 17 February.
Eqtec (EQT) is raising £1.3m at 0.035p/share and this represents 36% of the enlarged share capital. A restructuring of £5.79m of debt will lead to £1.93m being converted into shares. The rest will be changed into £1.93m secured, zero-coupon debt and £1.93m. There is £166,000 of debt owed on the convertible facility with GIS. As part of its new strategy Eqtec is acquiring 99% of the Green Rock copper gold exploration project. It is paying $150,000 in cash and shares. The remaining 1% stake has a carry up to $350,000 and after that it will be lent cash by Eqtec to pay for its contribution with repayment out of future revenues. There is also an option over a 99% interest in the Peak Hills gold copper exploration project in Western Australia. The waste to energy activities will continue to be a core part of the group.
Botswana Diamonds (BOD) been awarded eight prospecting licences in north west Botswana. They have been chosen for prospectivity for copper, gold, silver and other critical minerals. The company is speaking with potential joint venture partners.
Laundry technology developer Xeros Technology (XSG) says that 2025 revenues will be lower than expected. Cavendish has halved its forecast to £300,000, which increases the loss to £3.4m. The 2026 forecasts are unchanged and there should still be £4m in cash at the end of 2026. Longer-term, there is positive feedback concerning demand from a global OEM launching a product in 2027.
MAIN MARKET
Another upgrade for LED lighting and wiring accessories supplier Luceco (LUCE), which has been improving throughout 2025 after a weak start. Like-for-like growth is 6%. Pre-tax profit is expected to be £27.1m, up from £24.9m in 2024. There is demand for retrofitted energy efficiency products and there is UK government backing for energy efficiency measures. There was an 85% increase in EV charging sales.
In the AGM statement, Swindon-based newspaper and magazines distributor Smiths News (SNWS) says trading has been positive. The company should remain cash positive despite the payment of a special dividend of 3p/share. There is more to come from the diversification into other distribution activities.
Shell company Associated British Engineering (ASBE) had net assets of 15p/share at the end of September 2025. There are capital losses of £8m and £2m of trading losses.
Nanoco (NANO) has decided not to actively seek a buyer any more. There were discussions but no firm offers. Costs are being reduced and chief executive Dmitry Shashkov is leaving.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 19 January 2026
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Bitcoin investor and wed development company The Smarter Web Company (SWC) has published its prospectus for the move to the Main Market. A general meeting will be held on 28 January to gain shareholder approval. The listing is expected to cost £1.5m. Management wants to use the listing to fund acquisitions and further purchases of Bitcoin. The share price recovered 42.5% to 57p. The April 2025 reversal into an Aquis shell was done at 2.5p.
Ajax Resources (AJAX) says drilling has commenced at the Eureka gold and copper project in Argentina. Initial results will be at the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Vault Ventures (VULT) has entered into post-quantum security infrastructure. The initial focus is post-quantum encryption at the application layer.
Falconedge (EDGE) has achieved incremental Bitcoin growth of 0.23526 of a Bitcoin during December, taking the holding to 19.509853 Bitcoin.
WeCap (WCAP) has fallen 16% to 1.575p on the back of a further decline in the WeShop share price to $67.17. The stake is still probably worth nearly 10p/share.
Lift Global Ventures (LFT) has withdrawn resolutions 7 and 9 from its AGM. Revised authorities to allot shares and disapply pre-emption rights will be voted on at a general meeting. This is on top of the requisitioned general meeting to remove David Richards, Mark Horrocks and Sandy Barblett from the board and appoint Howard White and Nicholas Monson.
Zentra (ZNT) has formed a property management joint venture with Connor Moylan. Zentra will own 51% and continue with its own lettings and property management business. This deal will avoid adding fixed overhead to the group.
Sulnox Group (SNOX) has gained a patent for emulsification for Heavy Sulphur Fuel Oils (HSFO) and Sulnox Eco™ Fuel Conditioners in Vietnam.
Eight Capital Partners (ECP) has secured an agreement with Altarius Asset Management to establish and investment fund and two sub-funds investing in private debt and private equity. They should be established in the first quarter of 2026.
Ethtry (ETHY) has secured a partnership with the Liechtenstein Trust Integrity Network.
B HODL (HODL) has bought one more Bitcoin taking the holding to 159.295 Bitcoin costing an average of $83,103 each.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) had net assets of 304.54p/share at the end of December 2025.
BWA Group (BWAP) says St. Georges Eco-Mining Corp has disposed of its shareholding. Three directors bought shares and David Butler took a 3.52% stake.
JP JENKINS
The JP Jenkins-15 index rose 5.4% to 1209.1 by the end of trading on 9 January. This is a 21% increase over the first year. THG Ingenuity has been a strong performer. OPG Power Ventures has replaced e-therapeutics in the index.
ASSET MATCH
Regenerative medical devices developer Tissue Regenix (TRX) has undertaken a review of executive directors’ activities and uncovered potentially serious corporate governance concerns. Sufficient funding has been secured for the company to support commercial operations and further investigation.
AIM
Pizza restaurants operator DP Poland (LON: DPP) gained momentum in the fourth quarter of 2025 and this has continued into this year. System sales were 14% higher on a constant currency basis and 22% on a reporting currency basis. Full year system sales were 8% higher at £16.4m on a constant currency basis. The growth rates in Poland and Croatia were similar. Group EBITDA rose from £4.8m to £6.3m. Cash was £1.6m at the end of 2025. Consolidation of commissary and dough production in a single facility should be completed in the first half. There are 135 Domino’s and 75 Pizzeria 105 locations. Panmure Liberum forecasts a reduced pre-tax loss of £300,000 in 2026, down from £500,000 in 2025.
Caledonia Mining Corporation (CMCL) has increased the offering of 5.875% convertible senior notes due 2033 from $100m to $125m. The initial purchasers have an option to purchase a further $25m for 13 days after the issue of the notes. The offer should close on 20 January. Net proceeds will be around $120m, or $144m if the option is fully taken up. There will be $12m spent on the cost of capped call transactions. The rest will fund development of the Bilboes gold project in Zimbabwe.
Retailer Shoe Zone (SHOE) reported 2024-25 results in line with the October trading statement, but Zeus has reduced its expectations for this year. Full year revenues fell 8% to £149.1m due to store closures and reduced footfall. Online sales did increase. Higher wage costs meant that pre-tax profit dropped from £10m to £2.4m. This year’s pre-tax profit forecast has been cut from £4.5m to £1m on a further fall in revenues for £145.8m.
Semiconductor wafer products supplier IQE (IQE) gained positive momentum in the second half of 2025 due to defence business. There was also strong photonics demand and higher sales of wireless products. Revenues will be full year revenues of around £97m and EBITDA at least £2m due to operational gearing. HSBC has provided a waiver for the EBITDA covenant test. Cash was £15.6m at the end of 2025. There is a strong order book. The board is negotiating with potential buyers of all or part of the business.
Online fashion retailer Sosandar (SOS) increased third quarter revenues 10% higher at £13.4m and gross margin improved. Sales from the company’s own site were 27% ahead, but the Marks & Spencer business is still being affected by the cyber incident. Net cash is £9.7m. Trading is in line with expectations of a full year pre-tax profit of £400,000.
Western Australia focused explorer Artemis Resources (ARV) plans to cancel its AIM quotation and concentrate of the ASX listing. Liquidity has been limited. There is an opportunity for each Depositary Interest holder can become a registered shareholder on the Australian share register. This is expected to happen on 13 February, which is three years after joining AIM. The introduction price was 3.75p and the share price has fallen by more than 90%.
Cyber security company Corero Network Security (CNS) says 2025 EBITDA was ahead of expectations. Revenues rose 4% to $25.5m instead of the anticipated dip and this meant that there was not a loss and instead it was positive EBITDA of $1m. Annualised recurring revenues are 23% higher at $23.9m. Net cash was $4m at the end of 2025. Zeus has maintained its 2026 EBITDA forecast of $1.4m and pre-tax loss of £1.3m. This will be reviewed when the full year figures are announced in March.
Distribution Finance (DFCH) has grown its loan book to £846m at the end of 2025, ahead of guidance, and it is targeting a figure of £1.5bn by 2030. New loan origination was more than £1.8bn in 2025. Full year underlying pre-tax profit will be at least £17.5m, up from £14.4m. Tangible net assets are at least 75p/share. The
Tern (TERN) has been notified by the general partner of SVV2 that Tern has ceased to be a limited partner in the SVV2 partnership because it has been classed as a defaulting investor. Tern’s interest has been transferred to other partners, and it is unlikely to receive any compensation. The general partner is also seeking default interest and costs of £40,000 and indemnity from consequence of default of £184,000. Tern is taking legal advice.
Virtual product advertising Miriad Advertising (MIRI) says 2025 revenues fell from £1m to £400,000. It expects a much stronger performance in 2026 with positive signs for February and March. There are joint venture discussions for emerging markets. Cash was £1.2m at the end of £1.2m and the monthly cost base is £220,000.
Eqtec (EQT) is broadening its strategy to gain exposure of critical and precious metals, while continuing with the core waste to energy technology business. They are viewed to be complementary segments of the energy transition sector. Lenders are supporting the move.
After trading problems for capital equipment supplier Mpac (MPAC) earlier in the year, the 2025 outcome is set to be in line with expectations. Helped by previous acquisitions’ full contributions, revenues grew from £122.4m to £170m, while pre-tax profit should be £13.5m. The order book is worth £92m and covers 50% of 2026 forecast revenues. Some orders were delayed.
Toys and games supplier Character Group (LON: CCT) says like-for-like sales in the fourth months to December 2025 were 11% lower, but sales should improve in the second half. Full year revenues are likely to be flat, but pre-tax profit could more than double. The £2.96m share buyback is complete.
Wellnex Health Ltd (WNX) improved gross margin from 22.8% to 31.3% in the first half. Breakeven was achieved in the second quarter. The core Pain Away product generated revenues of A$3.3m in the second quarter.
Anglo Asian Mining (AAZ) produced 7,915 tonnes of copper, 25,061 ounces of gold and 153,332 ounces of silver in 2025. Copper production was at a record level in the fourth quarter. The first sales of copper concentrate were made from the Demirli mine. Gedabek and Demirli mines both increased copper production, although copper production was slightly below guidance. There is inventory of 2,457 tonnes of copper valued at $12,504/tonne.
Public Policy Holding Company In (PPHC) has filed an amended Form S-1 with the US SFA for the proposed listing on Nasdaq. It will retain the AIM quotation after the listing.
Mkango Resources (MKA) has completed concept studies for expanding South Carolina and Nevada hubs, which will treble production of magnets and alloys to 4,656 metric tons. The expanded hubs could have a post-tax NPV of more than $2bn. This will help the proposed reversal into the US listed shell. The rare earth recycling and sintered magnet manufacturing plant in Birmingham has been officially opened.
Cancer diagnostics developer CelLBxHealth (CLBX) expects 2025 revenues to be £1.4m, which is lower than the forecast of £1.6m due to deferral of contracts. After the recent fundraising, year-end cash was £7.3m. The 2026 forecast is maintained with revenues of £3.6m and a £5.7m loss after annualised cost savings of £5.9m.
Shuka Minerals (SKA) has received the £815,000 payment from Gathoni Muchai Investments. A placing raised a further £1m at 4p/share. This funded the completion of the acquisition of Leopard Exploration and Mining and the Kabwe zinc mine. There are 5.723Mt of resources at Kabwe (including 700,000 tonnes of zinc and 100,000 tonnes of lead), with a value in excess of $2bn. The NPV10 is $561m.
MAIN MARKET
North East England-based investment company Develop North (DVNO) has published a prospectus to raise £58m to help its move towards its target of reaching £300m in assets. There is a subscription and retail offer at 81.6p/share.
Online travel hostel agency Hostelworld (HSW) increased revenues by 7% in the second half and marketing costs as a percentage of revenues declined to 45%. Social Passes were launched last November, which will help to generate income from social media. In 2025, net revenues were 2% ahead at €93.8m, while EBITDA was €19.9m, which is lower than the previous year. Net cash was €10.6m at the end of 2025.
Cadmium-free quantum dots developer Nanoco (NANO) has received $4.5m from LG Electronics with $500,000 withheld due to tax liabilities. Nanoco is seeking damages for IP infringement from rival Shoei. The case could go to trial in 2026.
Panther Metals (PALM) has signed a three-year purchase option over three mine claims in the Obonga project area in Ontario. There is a C$200,000 cash payment and 1.5% net smelter royalty.
Ecora Resources has changed its name to Ecora Royalties (ECOR) and has translated the interim dividend at 0.4471p/share.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 5 January 2026
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Energy efficient technology developer Time to ACT (TTA) was held back by volatility of orders. In the six months to September 2025, revenues fell from £1.67m to £732,000, while the loss increased from £184,000 to £698,000. There are more than £4m of Large Parts contacts ready to be closed. In November 2025, Diffusion Alloys sold surplus coating compound of £540,000 and a further £472,000 is expected before the end of March 2026. This will make up for some of the shortfall in the first half.
Energy storage technology provider Invinity Energy Systems (LON: IES) has announced four agreements in the past seven working days, including two to supply 20MWh of vanadium flow battery system to a Hungarian client. The cost of production of the equipment continues to be reduced. The 2025 revenues should be £17m and there is an order book also worth £17m, although the timing of £9m of this is uncommitted.
Emissions reduction additives supplier Sulnox Group (SNOX) reported increased interim revenues of £1.2m, up from £440,000, while the loss was reduced from £4.2m to £3.7m. Cash was £1.36m at the end of September 2025. Momentum continues in the second half.
VSA Capital (VSA) reported flat interim revenues of £1.76m with higher overheads leading to a decline in profit from £298,000 to £131,000. VSA Capital says that the underlying pe-tax profit was £378,000. Cash inflow from operating activities increased from £389,000 to £673,000. There should be progress with the Drakewood Capital Management partnership in the coming year.
On the 30 December 2025, Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) valued its stake in Nasdaq quoted WeShop at $51.2m. Prior to that, at the end of September 2025, NAV was £1.28m.
Residential developer Zentra Group (ZNT) revenues fell 45% to £8.06m and the loss declined from £3.56m to £1.71m. Four subsidiaries were sold for a gain of £1.41m. Overheads are being reduced. The focus is changing focus to larger projects and development management opportunities.
HRC World (HRC) is focusing on phase 1 of the data centre facilities in Subang Jaya, Kuala Lumpur. In the six months to September 2025, revenues dipped rom £436,000 to £357,000 and the loss increased from £52,000 to £256,000.
Personal care products contract manufacturer Amirose London Holdings (ALH) increased interim revenues from £5.13m to £7.19m, while the loss rose from £243,000 to £552,000, although that includes £331,000 of acquisition and flotation costs.
Art products maker Crushmetric Group (CUSH) generated revenues of HK$2.1m in the six months to September 2025. The loss increased from HK$3.7m to HK$6.12m.
TSP Advanced Technologies (TSP) is yet to generate revenues, and the interim loss was slightly down at £335,000, compared with £410,000. The medical device developer formerly known as TruSpine Technologies says long-term funding is required.
Southwest England-focused tin and copper explorer Tamar Minerals (TMR) plans to take advantage of the processing capacity being put in place by other miners in the region. There are options over two projects that were producing in the 19th century. There was £255,000 in cash at the end of June 2025.
Cell therapy treatments developer Cardiogeni (CGNI) expects to complete a £19m non-dilutive licence funding agreement in January. There were no interim revenues and the loss was £533,000. Cash was £149,000 at the end of September 2025. Regulatory filings should be submitted for a phase IIb/3 study in the Gulf states for CLXR-001, a heart regeneration medicine for the treatment of heart failure that is administered during coronary artery bypass surgery.
B HODL (HODL) has made an initial drawdown of £70,000 from its Bitcoin-backed loan. One Bitcoin was bought for £65,809. The total holding is 158.211 Bitcoin.
Shareholders voted in favour of Amazing AI (AAI) leaving Aquis on 7 January 2026.
Silverwood Brands (SLWD) has not published its accounts for the 18 months to June 2025 and trading in the shares was suspended on 2 January.
Nicholas Baxter increased hi holding in Vault Ventures (VULT) from 4.14% to 7.73%. Yorkshire AI Labs reduced its stake in IntelliAM AI (INT) from 15.4% to 13.7%. EDX Medical (EDX) founder and chief scientific officer Sir Christopher Evans bought 57,304 shares at 11.49p each. He owns 35.2% of the diagnostics company. Adnams (ADB) chief executive Jennifer Hanlon acquired an initial 1,051 B shares at £19 each and finance director David Driscoll bought 166 A shares at 500p each. Nicolas Baxter has increased his stake in Vault Ventures (VULT) from 4.14% to 7.73%.
Falconedge (EDGE) has appointed Fortified Securities and SI Capital as joint brokers.
AIM
Public Policy Holding Company Inc (PPHC) is taking on a professional with a client portfolio. There will be a payment of up to $1m depending on performance. The initial $400,000 was paid in shares.
e-commerce payment services provider Mobility One (MBO) has received conditional approval to carry on Islamic digital banking in Labuan in Malaysia. The business will be called MBO Bank (Labuan). No revenues are expected in 2026. Potential partners and investors will be explored.
Galantas Gold (GAL) has completed the acquisition of RDL Mining owner of the Indiana gold copper mine in Chile and closed a placing raising $14.9m at $0.08/unit (one share and one warrant exercisable at C$0.12). The updated mineral resource estimate shows inferred gold of 355,516 ounces and 64,690t of copper. Ocean Partners has been issued 7.81 million shares to satisfy a debt of $625,000.
Shareholders in Synergia Energy (SYN) agreed to the sale of its 50% stake in the Cambay PSC for $14m but did not agree to leave AIM. This sale requires India government approval. Synergia Energy will still return cash to shareholders via a share buyback. The focus will be the UK Medway Hub Camelot CCS project and finding a new partner. Additional oil and gas opportunities will be sought in India.
Healthy snacks supplier Tooru (TOO) has been adding new retailers of its brands. Sales of gluten-free brand OAF are building. Manufacturing of brands is being streamlined, and snack bar company Pulsin is currently using a contract manufacturer. However, there has been short-term disruption to sales. A refinancing has increased the bank facility to £3.9m, which lasts until 2030. Tooru says agency business Market Rocket is non-core, and it may be sold.
Jarvis Securities (JIM) has appointed S&W Partners to help with the wind down of the company. There is currently cash of £10.4m. Two more payments of £1m each are due for the sale of the broking clients. There are obligations to redress certain clients because of sharing commission with an introducer and misleading language in client terms. The estimated cost is £2.8m, but it could be more.
Westminster Group (WSG) did not publish annual accounts by the end of 2025 and trading in the shares was suspended on 2 January 2026. A strategic investor is interested in making a significant investment and collaborate on opportunities. Project financing is being negotiated.
Trellus Health (TRLS), which has developed digital technology to manage chronic conditions, plans to issue up to £5m of secured convertible loan notes to an institutional shareholder. This will be a facility lasting 12 months with multiple tranches that will come with warrants. This enhances the cash position and the first tranche of £737,500 should last for the first quarter of 2026. Average monthly cash burn has been reduced to $400,000. A general meeting will be held on 20 January. The company previously secured a $600,000 convertible loan from 25% shareholder Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Eurasia Mining (EUA) has agreed to sell West Kytlim mining operations. The loss-making operations are at risk of nationalisation by the Russian government. After taxes and other costs $9m should be received, even though the assets are valued at $251m. The remaining Arctic assets represent 99.7% of reserves and resources.
Heart-health functional food ingredients supplier Provexis (PXS) interim revenues slumped from £785,000 to £364,000 due to a decline in Fruitflow II SD from £725,000 to £302,000. That was due to a delay in receiving additional inventory. Several hundred thousand pounds of sales and orders have been received since September. The underlying interim operating loss rose from £98,000 to £155,000. Cash was £523,000 at the end of September 2025
Tap Global Group (TAP) increased revenues 31% to £3.48m and received £420,000 relating to recovery of historical referable bonuses paid in Bitcoin. The goodwill write down was reduced from £15.9m to £4.7m, which meant that the overall loss was reduced from £18.2m to £5.7m. There is £1.29m of goodwill left in the balance sheet. The cash outflow from operations was £184,000. The digital finance hub operator is focused on scaling up its business. Finance director Steven Borg is stepping down and being replaced by Andrew Milmine.
Executive chairman Colin Bird Bezant Resources (BZT) bought 30 million shares at 0.0745p each.
MAIN MARKET
Consultancy daVictus (DVT) has released its interims to June 2025 and this ended the trading suspension of the shares. Cash was £12,000 at the end of June 2025.
Critical Mineral Resources (CMR) confirm shallow copper mineralisation at Zone 2 North at Agadir Melloul in Morocco. This is suitable for open pit mining. There will be further drilling results in January and February.
KR1 (KR1) generated income of £211,000 from digital assets during November 2025. NAV was 32.8p/share, down from 41.5p/share at the end of October 2025.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 15 September 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) increased interim turnover 4% to £9.67m and the loss reduced to £150,000. Hospitality, hotel and nursery revenues all increased. Higher attendances improved core revenues as well. Changes in betting tax rates could hold back racing revenues.
ProBiotix Health (PBX) increased interim revenues by one-third to £1.34m. This helped to reduce the loss. There is £1.3m in cash at the end of June 2025. The health supplements supplier says the market preventive cardiometabolic supplement products is expected to grow annually be more than 8%.
Richmond Hill Resources (SHNJ) plans to move to AIM in the next few weeks.
Shares in data centres operator HRC World (HRC) will stop trading on Nasdaq First North Copenhagen on 31 October and Aquis will be the only market they are traded on.
Shortwave Life Sciences (PSY), which is developing treatments for anorexia nervosa, is planning a clinical human feasibility study on impact of Psilocybin on the disease. This should lead to a phase 1 clinical study. A digital asset treasury strategy will help to fund the core business. The executive team is being changed.
Mendell Helium (MDH) says potential acquisition M3 Helium confirmed that the dewatering of the Rost project in Kansas is about to start. However, drilling in Nebraska has been delayed by wet weather and equipment problems.
The Smarter Web Company (SWC) has purchased another 30 Bitcoin taking the total holding to 2,470 Bitcoin at a total cost of £203.6m. A further £2.6m has been raised at 128p/share.
Ormonde Mining (ORM) investee company TRU Precious Metals has intersected a previously unknown broad mineralised sandstone unit in two drill holes at the Golden Rose project in Canada. This is over a strike length of 500 metres with assay results of up to 1.3g/t gold.
Marula Mining (MARU) has amended the agreement to buy Takela Mining Tanzania, which operates the Kinusi copper mine. Marula currently owns 75% and acquiring the rest is dependent on separate mining licences being combined into one mining licence. The Tanzania government will have a 16% free carried interest. The total payment will be £2.5m with £500,000 payable on signing and £750,000 on conversion of the mining licence. The rest is dependent on more than 100,000 tonnes of copper being sold. Marula Mining is in discussions with potential investors in projects and has secured a loan for the business in Kenya. There is also a new £1m shareholder loan from the chief executive.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) had an NAV of 301p/share at the end of July 2025. There was an interim cash outflow of £1.82m. Cash was £6.58m at the end of July 2025.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has signed an agreement with marine equipment distributor C-Quip Ltd to supply fuel emissions reduction product Sulnox Eco in the UK leisure marine market.
Astrid Intelligence (ASTR) has issued 575.2 million shares to Oak Securities at 0.1p each. Astrid Intelligence director Olivia Edwards bought 17.5 million shares at 0.147p each. There are plans to apply for an OTC quotation in the US.
Oscillate (MUSH) has appointed SP Angel as joint broker alongside corporate adviser Peterhouse.
Fintech company Amazing AI (AAI) raised £1.04m at 1p/share. This will fund the Bitcoin treasury policy.
Hub Affiliations Holdings has raised its stake in NYCE International (NYCE) from 10% to 19.9%.
ASSET MATCH
Marshall of Cambridge (MCH) had a tough year, and land systems and fleet solutions made losses. Ther are also large write offs. The total loss for 2024 was £123m. Fleet solutions has been sold, and land systems is being marketed for sale. Overheads have been reduced. Approval for the sale of the ex-RAF C-130 fleet should be received during September. A further loss is expected this year.
JP JENKINS
Mobile Tornado (MBT) cancelled its quotation on AIM on 9 September and joined JP Jenkins on 9 September.
Airline ecommerce services provider Datalex (DLE) cancelled its quotation on Euronext Growth Dublin and moved to JP Jenkins on 12 September.
AIM
Concrete levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises (SOM) is still suffering from uncertain conditions in the US, but sales are also declining in other markets. There is lower activity in larger scale projects. Interim revenues fell 23% to $39.8m, while pre-tax profit slumped 52% to $5.4m. Annual cost savings of $6m have been made. Full year pre-tax profit is forecast to fall from $25.4m to $15.3m.
Medical device developer Belluscura (BELL) has appointed Guy Peters as a director. He advised Omaha Value which previously proposed funding for the company. The period of exclusivity for a potential buyer of US business Belluscura LLC has expired. Omaha Value and a partner have reapproached Belluscura for another funding proposal. Trading in the shares remains suspended.
Scotch whisky supplier Artisanal Spirits Company (ART) was hit by tariff uncertainty in the first half. The way whisky is exported to the US has changed to minimise the impact of any tariffs. Revenues dipped 4% to £9.68m due to the delayed shipments to the US. There was growth in European subscribers, helped by a deal with AMEX, but a decline in North America and the rest of the world. The loss increased to £3.6m. Net debt was £29.5m at the end of June 2025.
Fulcrum Metals (FMET) says the Teck-Hughes tailings project drilling has started and initial assays ae up to 1.2g/t gold. This is producing data for a mineral resource estimate. Phase 3 testing of the Extrakt technology will provide processing data. This will go towards the preliminary feasibility study.
There has been another upgrade for embedded computer products manufacturer Concurrent Technologies (CNC) following its interims. Revenues were one-quarter higher at £21.1m and pe-tax profit was £2.7m. Cavendish has upgraded its 2025 pre-tax profit forecast from £6m to £6.2m. The fastest growth was in systems. The US facility move has happened and the move to the new UK facility is on course. First half design wins were worth £90m.
Franchised lettings and property sales business The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) has continued its progress with organic growth on top of the benefits of acquisitions. Interim revenues were 50% ahead at £40.3m, while the pro forma increase was 8%. Pre-tax profit was 59% higher at £14.5m, while underlying earnings were 29% ahead at 16.7p/share. The interim dividend is 17% higher at 7p/share. Net debt was £10.9m at the end of June 2025. The fastest growth was in financial services, but even the core property business was 7% ahead on a pro forma basis. The number of lettings properties has declined, as the market becomes tougher for individual landlords.
UK regulatory changes hit UK revenues at Gaming Realms (GMR), but the mobile games developer continues to grow strongly in North America. Interim revenues were 18% ahead at £16m, helped by an increase in brand licensing from £300,000 to £2.4m – that is lumpier in terms of generating revenues. The UK games will be adapted for the new regulations by the end of the year, and revenues should recover.
Floorcoverings distributor Likewise (LIKE) reported interim revenues rising from £70.7m to £77.9m in a weak market. Margins are improving and pre-tax profit jumped from £330,000 to £740,000. Tax losses are still being used up.
Cosmetics supplier Warpaint London (W7L) had a tough first half with the administration of a major customer of the Technics brand and volatile US tariffs making it difficult to price potential orders in the US. An initial contribution from Brand Architekts helped group revenues to grow 8% to £49.3m. Pre-tax profit fell by 41% to £6.4m, although earnings we 13% down to 8.5p/share due to reduced tax charge. There was a gain on the Brand Architekts puchase, but that was more than offset by foreign exchange losses. The interim dividend was raised by 14% to 4p/share.
Interim figures from cross-border payments services provider Finseta (FIN) were disappointing due to customers delaying US dollar transactions due to foreign exchange volatility. Revenues were 16% higher at £5.9m and gross margins declined from 65.7% to 62.7%. Operating costs increased due to expansion plans. The newer offices will not make much of a contribution this year and will hold back profit.
It is still early days in the transformation of Gaming machines hardware and displays supplier Nexteq (NXQ) and interim revenues dropped from $48.2m to $40.7m, while pre-tax profit slumped from $5m to $900,000. Second quarter trading showed some improvement. More mid-level gaming equipment was sold, so that hits margins. Net cash was $28.1m. Share buybacks continue.
Angle (AGL) chief executive Andrew Newland and finance director Ian Griffiths have stepped down from the board following discussions with investors. There are no immediate replacements. This follows the latest interims from the cancer diagnostics company. Interim revenues fell by one-fifth to £800,000. Net loss increased from £7.7m to £9.3m. Net cash was £5.3m at the end of June 2025. Cash lasts until the first quarter of 2026. Cavendish has been appointed as nominated adviser and broker. A new management team may make it easier to raise cash from investors in the coming months. The current strategy could be changed.
Builders merchant Lords Group Trading (LORD) grew interim revenues by 8% to £232.1m with like-for-like growth of 7%. This is before the acquisition of online building products retailer CMO. Net debt was £20.9m at the end of June 2025. Cavendish forecasts a recovery in 2025 pre-tax profit from £3.8m to £6.7m.
Sylvania Platinum (SLP) produced 104,233 ounces of platinum group minerals in 2024-25 and this should increase significantly this year. Revenues increased from $81.7m to $104.2m. EBITDA rose from $13.5m to $29.3m, while cash reached $60.9m. There is an undrawn overdraft facility. The Thaba chrome joint venture will ramp up production this year.
Public affairs services provider Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC) grew organically by 8% in the first half of 2025. Acquisitions helped revenues increase 24% to $87.9m. Net income was one-fifth higher at $15.6m, helped by a lower tax rate. Net debt is $42.2m. Full year forecasts have been tweaked, but operating profit is still expected to rise from $36m to $44.5m. There are plans for a Nasdaq listing and a share consolidation. A general meeting will be held on 29 September.
Distribution Finance Capital (DFCH) is growing faster than expected and it is taking market share with its inventory financing product. Underlying interim pre-tax profit, excluding last year’s one-off gain, improved from £7.5m to £9m. New loan originations were £828m in the first half and the loan book grew to £728m at the end of June 2025. Bad debt provisions were 0.63%. The first half growth was before any contribution from the new asset finance product, where the first loans were in the second half. The new business will be loss making in the second half. Even so, Panmure Liberum has upgraded its 2025 pre-tax profit forecast from £14.5m to £18m, helped by a higher than anticipated net interest margin. Net tangible assets are 70.2p/share.
MAIN MARKET
LED lighting and wiring accessories supplier Luceco (LUCE) grew interim revenues from £109.6m to £125.7m, helped by acquisitions, but pre-tax profit was flat at £8.9m. Like-for-like sales growth was 2%. The acquisition had lower margins and that is why the overall margins fell.
James Fisher (FSJ) reported flat underlying interim revenues of £191.9m, while underlying pre-tax profit was 5% ahead at £4.5m. Higher taxes meant that earnings were lower. Energy services did well, and defence returned to profit. Marine transport profit declined, but the outlook is positive. Disposals have put James Fisher in a stronger position, and it is likely to benefit from higher defence spending. Full year pre-tax profit is expected to be flat at £11.9m before sharp improvements in 2026 and 2027.
Centaur Media (CAU) has agreed to sell The Lawyer for £43m.
Roquefort Therapeutics (ROQ) plans to buy Coiled Therapeutics Inc, a spin-out from A2A Pharmaceuticals that holds the rights to AO-252, which targets the TACC3 protein for cancer. This treatment is in phase 1 clinical trials in the US. The payment for the company would be £30m in shares and the company’s name would be changed to Coiled Therapeutics. Exclusivity lasts until the end of January. Lyramid Pty Ltd and the MK Cell programme will be spun out of the group.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 17 March 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
All Things Considered (ATC) has raised its stake in Brighton venture Concorde 2 to 80% and acquired the remaining shares in bar services provider JTR Productions for £2.49m and 60% of Brighton venue Volks, which is close to Concorde 2, for £400,000. This broadens the range of music-related services that can be provided by All Things Considered. In 2024, Concorde 2 generated pre-tax profit of £240,000, while JTR Productions made pre-tax profit of £150,000. The initial interest was acquired through Joy Entertainment, previously McKeown Asset, last year.
Marula Mining (MARU) has made the first copper concentrate sales from the Kinusi copper mine in Tanzania. The payment of 90% of the initial estimated value will be made in the coming week. The rest will be paid when specifications for the concentrate have been met.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) will supply a 10.8MWh of its ENDRIUM flow batteries in Hungary and a 0.9MWh VS3 battery to a US customer. Progress is being made with the LODES project in the UK and grant funding may be recognised this year. OFGEM has published a technical decision document on the long electricity duration storage cap and floor. This will be designed to attract investment, which should be good for Invinity Energy Systems.
Richmond Hill Resources (SHNJ) has signed a letter of intent with Three Mile Beach to acquire mineral exploration licences in Quebec. There is a 60-day exclusivity agreement. The Saint Sophie copper project is located in the Beauce. There have been historic mines and there are also high-grade discoveries.
Gledhow Investments (GDH) reported a reduction in NAV from £1.41m to £989,000 in the year to September 2024. That includes £150,000 in cash and subsequent disposals have increased cash to £220,000.
Oscillate (MUSH) became a hydrogen explorer during the year to November 2024. Net assets were £1.75m, including £1.59m in cash and £158,000 in short term investments.
Peel Hunt has a 13% stake in WeCap (WCAP). Virya Solutions Group has taken a 7.37% stake in ChallengerX (CXS), while Hub Affiliations owns 10%.
There was a 62.2% take up of the One Health Group (OHGR) open offer and it raised £300,000, taking the total fundraising to £7.8m. Trading on AIM will start on 20 March.
ASSET MATCH
Remote Services provider RA International Group (RAI) has joined Asset Match on 11 March. The facility is expected to operate for a minimum of 12 months.
JP JENKINS
Eresos Holdings (ERS) joined JP Jenkins on 11 March. Eresos, which is a village in Lesbos, makes CBD-based cosmetics and nutraceutical products using Greek botanical science. Chief executive Carl Jat was previously part of the management team of Claire’s Accessories and is founder of Wellverse. The accounts of Eresos Holdings, which was formed in March 2023, for the year to May 2024 have not been published on the Companies House website yet.
Gosport-based brewer Powder Monkey Group Ltd (PMGL) joined JP Jenkins on 13 March. The company has acquired a range of brewing brands and hospitality sites in the UK and Australia. Further international acquisitions are planned. NAV was £4.33m at the end of 2023, including £342,000 in cash. Former England rugby union player Steve Thompson is a director of subsidiary Power Monkey Brewing. The company also owns Australia-based Southern Highlands Brewing.
Edison has published research on Studio Stays Hotel Group (SSHG). The recent start-up plans to buy underperforming hotels and encourage a combination of short and long stays. In 2025-26, management believes revenues could be £4.3m, which is enough to be profitable.
AIM
Shares in cash shell Rosebank Industries (ROSE) returned from suspension after it ended discussions with Cerberus Capital about the potential acquisition of critical electrical distribution systems supplier Electrical Components International Inc (ECI). Rosebank Industries says that there was support for the deal from existing and potential new shareholders it has decided not to go ahead with the deal because of stockmarket volatility.
Cakes retailer Cake Box (CBOX) is buying Indian sweets maker Ambala Foods from the executors of the founder for £22m. This includes the freehold of the Ambala facility. Ambala is a profitable business and Cake Box has identified £1m of annual cost savings. This includes head office and distribution efficiencies. Ambala has its own outlets, and the sweets could be sold via Cake Box stores. There is also scope for increasing online sales. Cake Box raised £7m through a placing at 180p/share and a retail offer could raise up to £200,000 more. The rest of the purchase price will come from debt. Panmure Liberum believes the acquisition could add £1.1m to pre-tax profit in 2025-26. This will enhance earnings by 5%.
US-based government relations and public affairs services provider Public Policy Holding Company Inc (PPHC) continues to grow via a combination of organic and acquisitive growth. In 2024, revenues rose 11% to $149.6m with organic growth of 3%. Underlying pre-tax profit edged up to $34.3m. Net debt was $17.5m, but this will rise when the acquisition of TrailRunner is completed at the beginning of April. The dividend was cut from 14.3 cents/share to 9.4 cents/share to preserve cash. Last year, the company made its first UK acquisition and TrailRunner further increases exposure outside of the US. The latest deal is earnings enhancing and 2025 pre-tax profit is forecast to be $41.8m.
Hornby (HRN) is the latest company to want to leave AIM. Phoenix Asset Management investment company Castelnau owns 54.9% of the hobby products supplier and other shareholders take the total in favour to more than 70%, so the departure is almost certain to be approved at a general meeting. Liquidity is limited and annual costs of £400,000 will be saved. JP Jenkins will provide a matched bargain facility. There is also an exchange facility where Hornby shares can be swapped for shares in fully listed investment company Castelnau at the equivalent of 19.3p/share to retain an indirect interest in Hornby.
Respiratory treatments developer Synairgen (SNG) is asking for shareholder approval to leave AIM less than two months after TFG Asset Management subscribed £18m at 2p/share. A related fundraising did not reach the minimum to scale back the investment by TFG. The general meeting is on 28 March and the cancellation is expected on 9 April.
Concrete levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises (SOM) reported a decline in revenues and profit in 2024, but that masks an improved second half. In 2024, revenues fell from £120.7m to £109.2m, which is well below the 2022 figure of $133.6m. Pre-tax profit dipped from $34.5m to $25.4m and that led to a decline in the dividend to 16.9 cents/share, which is twice covered by earnings as is normal. The excess cash enabled an additional special dividend of 4.1 cents/share. Net cash was $29.5m at the end of 2024. There remains uncertainty in the core US market because of labour shortages and concerns about the economy and the possible effect of tariffs. A flat pre-tax profit is forecast for 2025.
Ground engineering contractor Van Elle (LON: VANL) says the Building Safety Act id delaying approvals of residential projects and there are also delays in the Canadian subsidiary’s rail work. The future of the Canadian business is being considered. The construction market remains difficult with residential particularly weak. Zeus has reduced its 2024-25 pre-tax profit forecast by one-third to £4m, while next year’s forecast has been reduced from £7.6m to £7m.
Surveillance technology developer Thruvision (THRU) says potential contracts have been delayed. This means expected 2024-25 revenues will be between £5m and £6m. The previous expectation was £9m. Cash should last until May and talks have commenced with potential acquirers or providers of additional cash.
Distil (DIS) shares have recovered some of the loss sustained following yesterday’s trading statement. The drinks brands owner expects to improve fourth quarter revenues by one-third, but full year revenue is expected to fall to 31% to £1.1m. Trading remains difficult. Management believes that the switch of UK distributor to Global Brands will help to return the business to growth. Costs are being reduced and strategic options assessed – but not including an offer for the company. There will be a need for more cash by September.
Developer of kinase inhibitors for autoimmune disease and cancer treatments Sareum (SAR) raised £1.07m at 1.25p/share. This follows the acquisition of the licence for SRA737, which targets cancer cell replication and DNA damage repair mechanisms, following its return to the CRT Pioneer Fund by a US biopharma company. The deal includes an increase in Sareum’s share of future revenues to a net 63.5%, from 27.5%. In the short-term, the ongoing costs will be limited to data storage and IP management.
SIMEC Atlantis Energy (SAE) has been awarded a capacity contract for the AW1 120MW BESS project at Uskmouth in Wales. It will receive £60/KWh for 15 years in return for a reliable source of electricity supply. This will help to secure funding for the project.
Kingswood Holdings (KWG) has received a bid offer of 7p/share from HSQ Investments, which already owns 68.4% of the wealth management firm and it is in talks to buy the 21% stake of KPI (Nominees). There is a lack of liquidity in the shares. Kingswood’s growth HSQ has also provided additional loans to Kingswood in the past year, taking gross debt to £90.7m. The Kingswood independent directors “would be minded to recommend” the potential offer.
Dekel Agri-Vision (DKL) says February crude palm oil production was 6% lower at 3,527 tonnes as better extraction rates only partially offset the reduced crop. Year-on-year sales volumes rose 28.5% because of the timing of sales. The average sales price was €950/tonne, which is well above the average price assumption of €775/tonne for 2025. Palm kernel oil production rose, and the average price jumped 54.4% compared with one year ago. Raw cashew nut purchasing has started, and production rates are increasing. Quarterly data will be published next month.
Savannah Energy (SAVE) has completed the acquisition of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Nigeria, which gives it 100% of the Stubb Creek oil and gas field. This produces 2,700 barrels of oil equivalent/day and there are plans to increase production. The Stubb Creek field petroleum mining lease lasts until 2043.
Empire Metals (EEE) has reported positive test results and delivered a product which assayed at 91.6% TiO2. Purification and product finishing steps have been optimised. There are limited levels of deleterious elements. Larger scale test work will be undertaken.
NWF (NWF) has acquired Northern Energy Oil, which distributes 42 million litres of oil annually from five sites in north east England. This will cost a total of £8.3m and increase NWF’s volumes by 6%. Last year’s revenues were £35.1m and underlying pre-tax profit was £700,000.
In the six months to December 2024, Optimer binders developer Aptamer (APTA) increased revenues from £298,000 to £653,000, while the loss was reduced from £1.9m to £1.2m. The cash outflow was £1.3m. Net cash is £1.95m. Fee for service revenues have risen and progress has also been made with programmes that could lead to licencing deals. Unilever is starting human skin trials for deodorant using Aptamer’s ingredient.
Electric Guitar (ELEG) proposes a company voluntary arrangement and a subscription to raise £300,000 at 0.24p/share, plus £55,000 from heavily discounted convertible loan notes. The nominal value of the shares will be reduced to 0.01p so that new shares can be issued. The business has been sold. Debts are currently nearly total £1.4m. The debts would be converted into 236.8 million shares. The CVA requires £115,000 of cash to be contributed from the subscription. The CVA has to be approved by creditors.
MAIN MARKET
Thalassa (THAL) has taken a 21.3% stake in AIM-quoted Newmark Security (NWT). It also has a 5.21% shareholding in US-based Encision Inc.
LMS Capital (LMS) plans a managed realisation of its assets because of the discount to NAV and lack of liquidity. An initial capital distribution is promised, but the realisation could take years.
First Tin (1SN) has been awarded two new exploration licences near its Taronga tin project in Australia.
BSF Enterprise (BSFA) is progressing the commercialisation of its lab-grown leather. Collaborations will help to assess potential opportunities. There is a separate subsidiary called Lab-grown Leather Ltd, which could attract outside investment.
Bitcoin miner Vinanz (BTC) is considering a dual listing on Nasdaq. The company is relatively small for a Nasdaq listing.
Pyx Resources (PYX) reported more than halved revenues of $11m in 2024. The loss was reduced from $10.5m to $4.1m. Net cash was $5m.
Georgina Exploration (GEX) says staff has returned to the EP513 Hussar helium and hydrogen prospect in Australia to complete the environmental study and heritage reports. The reports should be completed in May. This will enhance the future field development.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 10 October 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Arbuthnot Banking Group (ARBB) says full results should be ahead of market expectations of a £13m pre-tax profit. The third quarter trading statement says Arbuthnot Latham deposits exceed £3bn, although costs of deposits are rising. Base rate rises have a positive effect on results as changes to deposit rates lag the rises in interest rates. Credit criteria are being tightened, particularly for property. Assets under management are £1.35bn. Non-exec Sir Nigel Boardman acquired 9.749 shares at 810p each.
Helium Ventures (HEV) has conditionally agreed to acquire Vestigo Technologies, which has developed tracking product Trackimo. Shares will be issued at 10p each and the existing share capital prior to the deal would be valued at £1.68m. Helium Ventures plans to move to the standard list after the reverse takeover. In 2021, Vestigo had revenues of $28.1m and has partnerships with Vodafone and Paramount. Trading in the shares has been suspended.
Quantum Exponential (QBIT) had net assets of £5.6m at the end of April 2022, following an increase in the value of its option in cyber security business Arqit Inc. Since then, two new quantum technology investments have been made. There is still cash for further investments and there are plans to set up a fund that will raise further funds to invest in quantum technology.
Hydrogen Future Industries (HFI) has acquired a suite of international patents through a joint venture. The patents are relevant for the company’s wind-based hydrogen production system, plus other systems. The patents were issued to the vendor when it employed the boss of HFI’s development subsidiary. The payment will be £33,000 in cash, 5.2 million shares and 2.5 warrants exercisable at 12p each, with the second tranche of the payment dependent on the achievement of development milestones.
National Milk Records (NMRP) generated a 6% increase in 2021-22 revenues to £23.2m, while pre-tax profit improved from £1.65m to £2.22m. The dividend was raised by one-third to 2p a share. The milk recording and testing services increased revenues. The biggest increase was in genomics which rose from £292,000 to £488,000 and there is a potential launch in the US during 2023.
EPE Special Opportunities Ltd (ESO) has invested £2m in Denzel’s Ltd, a premium dog snacks brand, which raised £3m in total. Denzil’s has listings in major supermarkets and has launched its own website. It is part of the Tesco Incubator Programme.
There has been a mineral resource upgrade at the Amapa iron project in Brazil, where Cadence Minerals (KDR) owns 27%. The updated resource at Amapa is 276Mt grading 38.33% Fe, up from 177Mt. The measured resource is 55Mt grading 39.26% Fe.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) had net assets of £13.8m at the end of May 2022, equivalent to 74.5p a share.
S-Ventures (SVEN) has gained new contracts for its natural food businesses with ASDA, Holland Barrett, Co-op, WH Smith and easyJet. Two retailers in Finland have started stocking company products.
Marula Mining (MARU) has taken a 49% interest in the Kinusi copper mining project in Tanzania. The licences last seven years. In return for the interest, Marula has reimbursed $50,000 of costs incurred by Takela Mining and issued it with 4.5 million shares at 2p each.
Quetzal Capital (QTZ) had £1.07m in the bank out of net assets of £2.86m at the end of June 2022.
Goodbody Health (GDBY) secured a distribution agreement with blood collection services provider Tasso Inc, which supplies virtually painless medical devices to draw a blood sample with no needles. Goodbody’s clinics will be able to extract more blood than from a finger prick.
Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne (HYDP) reinstated the interim dividend at the rate of 14p a share.
Director buying at Kent-based brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) pushed the share price 0.4% higher at 672.5p. Richard Oldfield bought 6,000 shares at 675p a share and George Barnes acquired 3,200 shares at 672p each. The final dividend is 15p a share and the shares go ex-dividend on 13 October. Coinsilium (COIN) chairman Malcolm Palle acquired 500,000 shares at 1.9p each, while chief executive Eddy Travia bought 500,000 shares at 1.95p each. The share price rose 8.11% to 2p.
Global Smollan has increased its stake in Samarkand Group (SMK) from 14.8% to 17.6%.
Pioneer Media Holdings Inc (PNER) has raised $1m through a sale of units at 10 cents each. They include one share and one-half of a warrant exercisable at 25 cents. This cash will be spent on technology development and expanding the web3 gaming business.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) has sold a 1.3MWh VS3 flow battery system for use in a datacentre in Arizona. Amati reduced its stake from 5.87% to 4.92%.
Trading in the shares of Vulcan Industries (VUL), Hot Rock Investments (HRIP) and VVV Resources Ltd (VVV) has been suspended due to failure to publish results.
AIM
Peter Gyllenhammar has taken a 11.2% stake in Pressure Technologies (PRES) following the share price slump after last week’s trading statement. Pressure Technologies had a disappointing second half. There will be a full year loss and the engineering company will also breach covenants on its bank facility. More cash is required. Net debt was £5.4m at the interim stage and it could be £3.9m at year-end. The finance could come from a share issue or a convertible issue or another form of funding. Management is talking to Lloyds about the bank facility. Forecast net assets are £15.4m, including the company’s main factory, which is nearly double the market capitalisation.
Former broker analyst Bill Currie has taken a 4.15% stake in online retailer In The Style (ITS). He is a non-executive director of retail loyalty technology developer Eagle Eye (EYE) and he owns 12.9% of the company. Lombard Odier has cut its stake from 20.1% to 19.8% and Ameriprise Financial has reduced its stake from 5% to 4.39%.
Gateley (GTLY) has acquired patent attorney Symbiosis IP for up to £2.5m. The business made a pre-tax profit of £300,000 in the year to March 2022. This business fits with Adamson Jones.
In video game advertising technology developer Bidstack (BIDS) raised £10.5m at 2.85p a share. Irdeto subscribed for £5m worth of shares. There are plans to develop a platform for sports bodies to control content that appears in their licenced IP. The rest will go on working capital and commercial development.
Public Policy Holding Company Inc (PPHC) is acquiring California-based KP Public Affairs in an earnings enhancing deal. Public Policy Holding Company provides public affairs, crisis management and lobbying services in the US. The acquisition enhances earnings by 2% in 2022 and 9% in 2023.
NWF (NWF) continues to perform strongly with the feed division recovering, helped by higher milk prices, and food distribution trading better than expected. Fuel distribution volumes are lower than in the previous year as people delay refilling their tanks, although margins have improved.
Seeing Machines (SEE) has an exclusive collaboration deal with Magna International for rear view mirror occupant monitoring applications in vehicles. Magan is paying $17.5m in cash ($10m immediately and $7.5m over two years) and investing $47.5m via a convertible note, which is convertible at 11p a share. This should be enough cash to get the driver monitoring technology business to profitability.
Oxford Biodynamics (OBD) is raising £9.1m via a placing at 20p a share and up to a further £2.95m could be raised through a one-for-6.81644 open offer. The share price rose 56.3% to 17.975p, which is still well below the placing price. This cash will help to fund the commercial development of the EpiSwitch CiRT test for cancer, which has been issued with a US reimbursement code earlier in the week.
Parcel and freight delivery company DX (DX.) has published interim figures and it intends to recommence dividend payments. A total dividend of 1.5p a share is expected for 2022-23 and that provides a base for further growth. Cash could still grow steadily. Trading in the shares remains suspended.
PCF Group (PCF) has suspended new lending by PCF Bank while it is trying to raise additional finance. Castle Trust Capital decided not to bid for PCF. Sales of assets and other options to raise money are being considered. There will be further cost cutting.
Battery cells developer AMTE Power (AMTE) has signed a framework deal with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre to produce up to 60,000 Ultra High Power cells annually. The cells are fast charging and have high power delivery. Production commences in three months and the cells will be used for in-vehicle trials by potential customers – the initial focus is high performance electric vehicles – ahead of the opening of AMTE’s own factory in Dundee in a few years.
Horizonte Mining (HZM) announced a fundraising on Tuesday evening and the size of the placing was increased from £61.7m to £70.5m at 90.5p a share. This larger fundraising has also reduced the contribution from major shareholder La Mancha from £23.8m to £22m. The cash will help to complete the construction of the Araguaia nickel project in Brazil. Total capital cost has increased from $477m to $537m. First production is scheduled for the first quarter of 2023.
Gold miner Chaarat Group Holdings (CGH) has extended the convertible loan notes from 31 October 2022 to 31 July 2023. Interest will be capitalised until the end of October and then the principal of $28.7m plus accrued interest will incur an annual interest rate of 12%. There is also a fee of 1%. If converted there will be 77 million shares issued.
MAIN MARKET
Shell company Milton Capital (MII) floated on the standard list on 4 October. There was £1m raised at 1p a share. The share price ended the week at 1.1p. The initial focus is acquisition targets in the technology sector. Total flotation costs were capped at £50,000 and Peterhouse paid additional costs of £5,955. The first year’s operating costs will also be £50,000.
Data integrity software supplier Gresham Technologies (GHT) has won a £1m plus contract for Clareti Control from a major European financial and banking group. There is also A$19m of work for ANZ in the year to September 2023, which is 15% higher than last year on a constant currency basis. Full year revenues and profit will be ahead of expectations.
Golden Nice International has subscribed £650,000 worth of shares in Anglo African Agriculture (AAAP) at 5p a share. That is a 28.2% stake. There are also 13 million warrants exercisable at 5p each. Golden Nice International has also acquired 65% of convertible loan notes in issue at a 15% discount to face value. They convert into 13.7 million shares at 5p each. The other loan notes will be converted into 7.37 million shares with associated warrants. Andrew Monk and Matt Bonner have resigned and replaced by Andy Sui and Simon Grant-Rennick. The company is changing its name to Everest Global.
Shell company Insight Business Support (IBSU) had net assets of £530,000 at the end of June 2022, including cash of £440,000.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 20 December 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
The ecommerce technology and brands retailer Samarkand Group (SMK) reported lower interim revenues because of a one-off PPE contract in the previous period. There was a small underlying dip in revenues to £7.17m as the wholesaling business is being run down to a less important level of operations. The two core parts of the business grew revenues. The company’s brands generated £2.25m and the NOMAD ecommerce technology business generated just over £3m. Samarkand remains loss-making. Net cash was £8.8m at the end of September 2021, but Samarkand subsequently acquired Napiers the Herbalists for an initial consideration of £1.7m in cash. Revenues continue to grow at an accelerating rate. The current focus is organic growth through adding new clients.
Rural Broadband Solutions (RBBS) is acquiring Cadence Networks for £80,000 in cash and the issue of two million shares at a notional price of 7p each. Cadence is an internet service provider with revenues of £145,000. It has three data centres in London that Rural Broadband Solutions can use to build its national data network to replace third party providers. This will help to improve gross margins. There are 2,733 premises connected to the fixed wireless network of Rural Broadband Solutions. A placing is raising £1.675m at 3p a share. Directors are subscribing for 18.3 million shares. Investec Bank will advise on infrastructure funding.
VSA Capital (VSA) reported interim revenues of £1.16m and a loss of £235,000. This reflects the delay in the flotation of Tungsten West, which subsequently generated revenues of more than £1m.
Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR) has sold its residential property in Southfields for £662,500, which is a 2% premium to its valuation. This is the final private rental property in the portfolio.
Love Hemp Group (LIFE) generated revenues of £4.33m in the year to June 2021 and revenues from major retailers are increasing. Plans to move to the Main Market are progressing.
Apollon Formularies (APOL) has completed its high-volume processing laboratory. Processing capacity has increased to 20 litres of medicinal cannabis oil a day.
BWA Group (BWAP) says that the independent expert review of the two 90%-owned mineral sands projects in Cameroon supports the potential for significant mineralisation. BWA intends to drill 2,500 metres at Nkoteng and 1,500 metres in Dehane in the first quarter of 2022. An initial mineral resource estimate is expected by next summer.
Igraine (KING) says 2%-owned investee company Excalibur Medicines has completed the ARCADIA phase II clinical trial to assess a potential treatment for diabetics with Covid-19. The trial shows that AZD1656 reduced mortality in patients in combination with other medication. There are no safety concerns
S-Ventures (SVEN) has raised £3m at 70p a share and it will spend the cash on growing its food and wellness businesses. Clean Invest Africa (CIA) has raised £102,000 at 0.5p a share. IamFire (IAF) has raised £4.75m at 3p a share. EPE Special Opportunities (ESO) has raised £20m from a zero dividend preference share offer. EPE has spent £1.1m and £175,000 buying back ordinary shares at 330p each and 350p each respectively.
Rutherford Health (RUTH) has arranged an £8m loan at an annual interest rate of 15%. Schroder UK Public Private Trust and other shareholders will provide the loan in two tranches of £4m. There is also a convertible loan of £2m from LF Equity Income Fund – the conversion price is 176p. This will provide the working capital needed and a longer-term financing will be arranged next year. The cash is required because the cash for the £12.35m placing with SDI Holding has not been received. The acquisition of Proton Partners International has also not been completed.
Western Selection (WESP) has reduced its stake in AIM-quoted Northbridge Industrial Services (NBI) from 11.35% to 9.65%. The sale, at 159.7p a share, raised £791,000. That is a gain on the balance sheet value of £216,000. Harwood Capital has increased its stake from 15.1% to 16.9%, including an unchanged 13.4% held by Gresham House Strategic (GHS).
New chief executive Andrew Carter has bought 66,079 shares in Chapel Down Group (CDGP) at 45.4p each. He owns 99,699 shares. Voyager Life (VOY) chief executive Nick Tulloch bought 537,776 shares at 18p each and chairman Eric Boyle acquired 519,112 shares at the same price. They own 14.3% and 9.1% respectively. Burns Singh-Tennent has bought one million shares in Oscillate (MUSH) at 2p each. He owns 5.22%.
AIM
NWF (NWF) had a successful first half even though feed volumes were disappointing and group figures will be much better than the previous year. Actions taken to retain drivers have helped the fuels and food distribution divisions. Fuels has done better than expected with a short-term boost from fuel shortages, which NWF did not suffer from, in the autumn. The food distribution business is benefiting from increased capacity. Net debt has fallen providing further scope for fuels acquisitions.
Totally (TLY) is acquiring Energy Fitness Professionals (Energy Fit-Pro), which provides workplace fitness services. The total cost will be up to £1.3m and Totally still has plenty of cash to finance further acquisitions. In the year to March 2021, Energy Fit-Pro made a pre-tax profit of £445,000 on revenues of £984,000. There will be cross-selling opportunities.
Digital transformation services provider Made Tech Group (MTEC) grew interim revenues by 131% to £11.7m thanks to the focus on the public sector. Hiring continues ahead of anticipated growth. Short-term gross margin was reduced due to the increased use of contractors.
Multi-utility connections and electric vehicle charging installer Fulcrum Utility Services Ltd (FCRM) is raising £19.5m at 12p a share and it could raise up to £6m more via an open offer. The placing and open offer price is below the underlying NAV of 15.4p a share, although more than 50% of that figure relates to intangible assets. The order book was £80.9m at the end of September 2021.The cash will be used to invest in the smart energy infrastructure sector as meter asset provider (MAP).
Acquisitions and tax adviser K3 Capital (K3C) expects to report a 30% increase in interim revenues to £30m through a combination of like-for-like growth and acquisitions. The diversification into additional services provides a stronger base for the group.
Hurricane Energy (HUR) could make a $54m write-off on its activities in the Greater Warwick area (GWA) of the North Sea because it does not want to fund the drilling obligations under the licence.
Tungsten Corporation (TUNG) founder Edmund Truell and his associates are backing a possible bid of 40p a share by Kofax Inc. California-based Kofax is an automated software provider that simplifies the handling of data. The board says that the bid significantly undervalues the digital invoicing business. Cloud-based automation technology provider Jaggaer LLC has decided not to make a rival bid but venture capital firms Accel-KKR, could still make an offer.
Deepmatter Group (DMTR) is seeking more cash, but it will take until early next year to secure additional investment for the digital chemistry data company. At the end of June 2021, Deepmatter had £1.8m in cash and that has fallen to £400,000. Deepmatter is loss-making.
Printed circuit technology developer Trackwise Designs (TWD) is raising £6m at 80p a share, which is a significant discount to the market price at the time of the announcement. An open offer could raise up to £1m. Capital equipment deliveries were delayed, although the EV contract will start next year.
Sovereign Metals Ltd (SVML) was listed on the ASX and obtained a secondary quotation on AIM. A scoping study for the Kasiya rutile project confirms that it is a significant deposit. The NPV8 after tax is $861m with a mine life of 25 years. The capital cost is estimated at $332m.
Youth-focused digital media company LBG Media (LBG) joined AIM in order to build a cash pile on the balance sheet so that organic and acquisitive growth can be achieved. It raised £30m at 175p each, leaving pro forma net cash of £27.1m. The share price ended the first day at 200p and the week at 193.45p.
DSW Capital (DSW) licences its brand to professionals involved in corporate finance and accounting services and provides them with back office support. Many individuals become licensees after working with major accountancy firms. Warrington-based DSW believes that the flotation will boost the profile of the business and enable it to grow geographically and broaden the services provided. DSW raised £5m at 100p a share and the price ended the week at 123.5p.
In the six months to October 2021, Begbies Traynor (BEG) revenues were 39% ahead at £52.3m. Underlying pre-tax profit jumped 60% to £8m thanks to an improvement in operating margin from 14.4% to 16%. Net cash was £1.2 million at the end of April 2021.
Public Policy Holding Company Inc (PPHC) provides public affairs, crisis management and lobbying services in the US. It has three subsidiaries in the top 20 US lobbying firms. A placing raised £11.1m at 135p a share. Although the company has reported losses, a change in bonus arrangements will make it profitable.
Problems at the CHESS naval systems subsidiary led to a slump in interim profit at defence firm Cohort (CHRT), but it still increased the interim dividend by 10% to 3.85p a share. The group order book remains strong and includes some large orders. A new managing director has been appointed at CHESS.
Jade Road Investments Ltd (JADE) says that the structure of restaurants group Fook Lam Moon has changed, and it may no longer own 71%. This could lead to a partial or full provision of the $29.1m valuation in the balance sheet.
MAIN MARKET
Anemoi International (AMOI) has completed the acquisition of id4 AG for £5.33m, with an initial payment in shares with 50% deferred and dependent on achieving targets over the next five years. The SaaS-based business provides anti-money laundering and know your client software products. A placing raised £2.175m at 4p a share.
Spinnaker Acquisitions (SPAQ) is planning to acquire leak detection technology developer HomeServe Labs, from fully listed HomeServe (HSV) for a mixture of cash and shares. The business trades under the name LeakBot and it helps insurers to reduce claims costs. Insurers can provide LeakBot to homeowners free of charge. The company would be renamed Ondo InsureTech.
Marine technology products developer OTAQ (OTAQ) is raising £1.38m at 22p a share. Interim revenues fell from £2m to £1.8m. Net debt was £800,000 at the end of September 2021. The regulatory review in Scotland has held back progress and it continues to do so. There are plans for new product launches.
Publisher National World (NWOR) says full year revenues will be around 85%, following the purchase of JPI Media, with growth in digital income and a slowing in the rate of decline of print revenues. There should be cash of £23m at the end of 2021.
Andrew Hore