Home » Posts tagged 'PREM'
Tag Archives: PREM
Quoted Micro 29 December 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Technology developer Vault Ventures (VULT) is finalising a strategic partnership with an organisation involved in quantum, post-quantum and security-critical software systems. This will support development of revenue generating quantum products for regulated organisations. Priority areas have been identified, and the partnership should accelerate development. There should be no requirement for a share issue to fund the partnership.
The WeShop share price fell back to $111.85, although volumes remain low. Even so, shares in both Aquis-quoted investors gained during the week. WeCap (WCAP) shares rose 8.11% to 2p and Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) shares increased 3.08% to 1.675p.
Ajax Resources (AJAX) has signed a conditional option to acquire the Rachaite silver, lead, zinc and copper/gold prospect in Argentina. The prospect was previously owned by former AIM company Alexander Mining and its drilling confirmed mineralisation. The potential purchase price is $20,000 in shares or the option and $380,000 in cash when exercised. Ajax Resources also has to invest $200,000 in exploration over three years. A 1% net smelter royalty will be retained by the seller, and this can be purchased for $250,000 minus royalty payments made.
Mendell Helium (MDH) says costs were swelled by preparations for a move to AIM when the option to acquire M3 Helium is exercised. There was a cash outflow from operations of £1.1m in the six months to September 2025.
EDX Medical (EDX) chief executive Dr Michael Hudson bought 28,526 shares at 10.57p each.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) says 1.45 million warrants were exercised by existing shareholders at 29p each, raising £420,000. Constantine Logothetis now holds 27.75% and Nistadgruppen AS has 13.85%.
The Smarter Web Company (SWC) has agreed a new subscription agreement for a further 50 million shares and the existing 13.24 million shares not subscribed for from the previous agreement. Up to 25% of the trading volume in one week can be issued.
Valereium (VLRM) is talking to a potential new corporate adviser. It will soon be listing the WAGEEN Token (WAG1) on licenced tokenisation venue for real-world assets VLRM Markets. The token will be issued by Wageen Corp, which is building an integrated ecosystem combining terrestrial, air, and maritime transport services into one platform. This could generate revenues of $600,000 for Valereum.
Coinsilium Group (COIN) plans a comprehensive update on strategy in the New Year. Portfolio company Otomato Web3 Agent Protocol has secured a $2m investment from a UK technology company.
Oscillate (SRVL) has completed the first exploration programme on its licence in the Kalahari copper belt. The results will be available in the first quarter of 2026.
TechFinancials (TCH) has received the £250,000 raised in September at 0.25p/share. This will help fund the development of the 25%-owned Dilotiko iron ore operations in Kenya. There is an option to acquire up to 60% of Dilotiko. The company’s name will be changed to Ubunto Mining and Metals Inc.
B HODL (HODL) has approved a Strategic Bitcoin-Backed Loan Framework using CoinCorner’s product as part of its treasury management activities. CoinCorner is a shareholder in B HODL. The cash will finance Bitcoin purchases.
Oberon Investments (OBE) raised £625,000 at 3.7p/share.
Property investor Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) chairman Dr. Antonios Ghorayeb bought 36,000 shares at 25p each, taking his stake to 0.94%.
Amazing AI (AAI) is changing its year end from June to December. The next accounts will be for 18 months to December 2025.
JP JENKINS
Energy generator OPG Ventures (OPG) left AIM and joined JP Jenkins on 23 December. The India-focused company operates coal-fired power plants.
Medical imaging technology developer Polarean Imaging (POLX) left AIM and joined JP Jenkins on 23 December.
Gosport-based brewer and bars operator Powder Monkey (PMGL) has bought County Durham-based Maxim Brewery, which was formed after the closure of Vaux Breweries in 1999. A share subscription is planned.
AIM
Oil and gas company Sintana Energy Inc (SEI) completed the acquisition of Challenger Energy in early December and joined AIM on 23 December.
Indus Gas (INDI) is proposing to shareholders that it should leave AIM. A general meeting will be held on 8 January. There is a limited free float, and it has been difficult to raise funds or use shares for acquisitions. Gynia Holdings owns 82.7%. Interim figures show an improved pre-tax profit of $1.93m, up from $1.24m. Indus Gas is awaiting a production sharing contract extension so a new gas sale and purchase agreement can be signed.
Pipehawk (PIP) is selling Utsi Electronics to Hong Kong company Leidi Global Supply for £1m. A £25,000 deposit has been paid. This subsidiary lost £464,000 last year. Stripping that out, Pipehawk would have made a pre-tax profit of £154,000. This leaves utility infrastructure detection company Adien and rail-focused Thomson Engineering Design.
Professional services provider Christie Group (CTG) is selling visitor attraction software business Vennersys for an initial £500,000 in cash. There is also up to £900,000 of retained consideration subject to performance conditions. The sale should be completed by the end of January. Vennersys is loss making and the disposal could add around £500,000 to 2026 pre-tax profit – £2.8m is the current forecast.
Mobile Streams (MOS) shares returned from suspension down 62.6% to 0.23p following publication of an admission document and results for the year to June 2025. June 2025. The company, which is changing its name to Gana Media Group, is acquiring the shares it does not own in two Mexican sports betting and media companies. It already owns 28.7% to Estadio Gana, plus convertible loan stock, and 22.5% of Capital Media Sports. Buying the rest of Estadio Gana will cost £31.9m in shares at 0.625p each, while 584.2 million shares a 0.495p each will be issued for Capital Media Sports. Investment in existing Mexican operations enabled full year revenues to rise from £436,000 to £1.41m. Net cash was £1.52m at the end of June 2025 and by the end of September available cash was £991,000.
Store closures and exiting Boots meant that Mothercare (MTC) interim revenues fell by one-quarter to £90.7m. Like-for-like revenues were 6% lower. The pre-tax loss declined from £1.4m to £1.1m due to lower interest charges. The new South Asia joint venture made a positive contribution. Net debt was reduced from £17.1m to £5.8m. Chairman Clive Whiley has bought 42 million shares in Mothercare at 1p each taking his stake to 8.87%, while finance director Andy Cook bought 5 million shares at 1p each. Robert Quested reduced his stake from 9.39% to 1.05%.
Vast Resources (VAST) has announced the proposed acquisition of Gulf International Minerals in an all share deal and trading in the shares has been suspended. Gulf International Minerals is an explorer focused on Tajikistan. It has a joint venture with the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies in Tajikistan covering four gold mining operations and a central processing plant. Of these, Aprelevka produces 10,4000 ounces of gold and 80,000 ounces of silver each year and Vast has been managing the operation in return for 10% of earnings after tax. A placing will raise £7.5m and this will help to fund a JORC compliant resource estimate.
Quicklime producer and critical metals explorer Firering Strategic Minerals (FRG) has raised £860,000 at 1.25p/share. The $1m Ricca debt has also been settled. The cash will fund further development of the Limeco project in Zambia. This investment will help to increase revenues.
Synthetic binders developer Aptamer (APTA) has signed a licensing agreement with Alphazyme, a Maravai LifeSciences company that supplies speciality enzymes to the life sciences sector. The non-exclusive deal is for a developed Optimer® for use in hot-start PCR applications – when the enzyme switches on when heated. The original development deal was signed in June 2024, and another development project has recently completed.
Pantheon Resources (PANR) is suspending flow testing at the Duhle-1 well in order to save costs of around $150,000/day in the winter period. Costs will be lower in the spring. Results have been disappointing so far. The company will analyse data and assess opportunities in other parts of its oil and gas portfolio in Alaska. There is $27.2m in the bank. Zeus has cut its total risked NAV from 73p/share to 53p/share. Michael Spencer’s stake reduced from 8.19% to 7.59%.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) says it has been issued with a writ of execution of movable property at the Zulu project by a creditor seeking $2.2m. Discussions continue with the creditor, which is JR Goddard Contracting.
Alliance Lithium (ALL) has revised and resubmitted its mining licence application for the Ewoyaa lithium project in Ghana. The royalty rate will be between 5% and 12% depending on the spodumene price. Canaccord Genuity assumes 10% in its forecasts suggesting a price between $2,501/tonne and $3,000/tonne, but the price is currently lower. The new lease requires government ratification.
Litigation Capital Management (LIT) has to meet the costs of a failed claim in Queensland against Stanwell Corporation and CS Energy. Each company will receive A$16.2m. This partly covered by insurance, but the company still has to pay A$12.9m. An appeal has been filed and should be heard in March and there may also be an appeal against the costs award. The strategic review of operations is ongoing.
MAIN MARKET
Cash shell daVictus (DVT) had cash of £112.000 at the end of 2024. These annual figures were released just before the end of 2025.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 15 December 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Greengage and Co Group plans to join the Access segment of Aquis in mid-December. It has developed a fintech platform that provides business-to-business introductions which generates subscriptions and fees. There are more than 40 active clients. The strategy is to expand this part of the business and buy Bitcoin to establish a Bitcoin Yield Reserve strategy. Greengage will borrow on a non-recourse basis using Bitcoin as collateral and uses the cash to invest in high-yield private credit portfolios. The returns from this will be put into the business and buying more Bitcoin. There will be a placing and retail offer. Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) owns 27,133 shares in Greengage. In August 2021, Coinsilium bought up to 15,000 A shares for £300,000 and invested £200,000 in convertible loan notes. Greengage was valued at £27.3m. In June 2023, the loan notes were converted and Coinsilium invested a further £25,000. The current investment is valued at £652,537.
Ajax Resources (AJAX) is raising £1.2m at 5.5p/share and acquiring the Pereira Velho gold project in Brazil from Appian Capital Advisory, which will receive in $200,000 in cash and $400,000 in shares. Appian estimates that there is a resource of 110,000 ounces of gold having drilled 10% of the area. Ajax Resources has also signed a conditional Option-to-Purchase Agreement for the Leon copper and silver project in Argentina. The EIS for the Eureka project in northern Argentina has been approved and exploration activities can commence. Chief executive Ippolito Cattaneo bought 106,000 shares at 7.75p each and executive director Richard Heywood 144,754 shares at 6.9p each.
Connecting Excellence (XCE) raised £500,000 via an oversubscribed retail offer ahead of its flotation on 11 December. A placing and subscription had already raised £2.8m at 2.1p/share to invest in its Bitcoin strategy. Leeds-based XCE is an international executive search company which owns the Spencer Riley brand. XCE has started an operation focused on recruiting Bitcoin experts for companies seeking to commence a Bitcoin treasury strategy or for Bitcoin businesses. The share price ended the week at 2.5p.
Pete Allaway increased his stake in Evrima (EVA) from 3.13% to 6.28% and Ventura Finance raised its shareholding from 6.15% to 7.42%.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) plans to release assay results for the Red Setter gold dome project in Australia over the next few months. It will then formulate a plan for 2026. An application has been made to build a new access road, and this will make it easier to undertake drilling.
The WeShop share price has fallen to $116 over the past week, having fallen below $100 at one point. WeCap (WCAP) has an 11.8% stake and the share price slipped 15% to 1.7p.
Dermatology treatments developer Incanthera (INC) generated revenues of £6,000 in the six months to September 2025. Cash used in operating activities was £313,000. Cash was £215,000 at the end of September 2025.
Bitcoin mining company Sterling Digital (ASIC) has bought natural gas generators for Bitcoin mining operations. The next step is a gas purchase agreement. It raised £5m at 5p/share when it joined Aquis last week.
The new board of Eight Capital Partners (ECP) has reviewed strategy and intends to launch a mid-market merchant banking advisory and investment business for Europe. Middle East and Asia. The first investment fund should be launched in 2026. Digital asset investment products will be developed. D4R is taking a 29% stake and Monfor SA a 29.2% shareholding. Trumar Capital’s stake is reducing to 31.5%.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) had net assets of 72.86p/share at the end of August 2025, which is down from 75.18p/share at the end of May. There was £821,582 in the bank.
Zentra Group (ZNT) has completed the disposal of Seaton House in Stockport at a loss of £140,000. Contactor disruption means that a new plan is required for the development of One Victoria, Manchester, where Zentra owns 30%. So far, 72 units have been sold.
Mendell Helium (MDH) has raised £513,000 from a convertibles issue. AlbR has been appointed joint broker.
Kasei Digital Assets has changed its name to Stockbitcointreasury (STAK).
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) had net assets of 311.54p/share at the end of November 2026.
Lift Global Ventures (LFT) has adjourned the AGM because shareholders are unhappy with the proposed disapplication of pre-emption rights. There will be discussions with shareholders.
Ananda Pharma (ANA) shareholders agreed to the departure from Aquis on 22 December.
Falconedge (EDGE) has spent a significant amount of its Bitcoin treasury into fully regulated yield generation platform operated by FIM.
Chris Heminway has switched from executive chairman to chief executive of Time To ACT (TTA) and Jeremy Earnshaw becomes chairman.
AIM
US automotive electrical diagnostics tools supplier Power Probe (PWR) raised £11.2m at 82p/share and joined AIM on 11 December. The market capitalisation was £60m. Power Probe has developed a range of products including powered circuit probes, testing kits, measuring tools and other accessories. It has 64% of the US powered circuit probe market. In 2022, revenues were $25m, rising to $31.3m by 2024. EBITDA increased from $4.8m to $8.3m over the same period. The latest interims show revenues of $20.5m and EBITDA of $5.3m, helped by new products. The share price ended the week at 89.5p.
Business support services provider Restore (RST) has sold relocations business Harrow Green to PIckfords for up to £5.5m so that it can concentrate on its core operations with better prospects. Information management has inflation linked prices and the technology division’s performance is improving. There will be integration benefits for Datashred next year. Underlying trading is better than expected. Non-exec Patrick Butcher bought 19,076 shares at 261.7p each.
Dispute resolution service provider Diales (DIAL) continues to improve underlying profit, but there could be more to come if utilisation levels improve. Revenues were flat at £43m, but pre-tax profit improved from £1.2m to £1.4m. Net cash was £3m at the end of September 2025. The dividend is maintained at 1.5p/share. The core UK and European operations, which are the hub of the business, improved their profit as did the other regions, except for Asia Pacific which continues to make a small loss. Group utilisation rates are currently 71.6% and the company believes that this could reach 80%, but that will not happen immediately. A pre-tax profit of £1.5m is forecast for 2025-26 and cash could improve to £3.4m.
Education software and services provider Tribal Group (TRB) had a strong second half. Revenues are in line with expectations, but EBITDA is higher than the previous forecast of £15.5m. Net cash will be at least £5m at the end of the year. That will enable a special dividend of 1.5p/share and the shares go ex-dividend on 2 January.
Digital transformation business Made Tech (MTEC) increased interim revenues 27% to £27.7m and the full year will be better than expected. The contacted backlog slipped 8% to £74m, from what was a very strong level. Net cash was £11.9m at the end of November 2025. Full year pre-tax profit is expected to improve from £2.9m to £3.9m.
Geospatial software and services provider 1Spatial (SPA) has reached agreement in principle to a 73p/share offer by VertiGIS, whose products it already distributes. That values 1Spatial at £87.1m. Shareholders owning one-third of the shares are in favour of this level of offer. Management believes that VertiGIS will help to accelerate growth. A further announcement will be made about the progress towards a recommendation.
Oil and gas company Empyrean Energy (EME) had a cash outflow from operating activities of £440,000 in the six months to September 2025. There was cash of £3.06m at the end of September 2025. There are convertible loan notes valued at £9.84m. The interest rate is 20% and the conversion price is 2.5p/share.
Petro Matad (MATD) has received a farm-in proposal that would help to further develop Block XX in Mongolia. Due diligence has been caried out. Production averaged 350 barrels of oil per day in November. Petro Matad is still in discussion with PetroChina concerning the oil sales agreement.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) says J Goddard Contracting has demanded immediate payment of $2.3m. Total group liabilities are $62.1m. More cash needs to be raised.
Ghana-focused Alliance Lithium (ALL) says that the Ghana parliament has temporarily withdrawn the mining lease for the Ewoyaa lithium project. This relates to the consultation on the mining code and royalties.
Haydale Graphene (HAYD) has agreed to acquire Intelligent Resource Management, which trades as SMCC for an initial £12m in shares at a notional price of 0.645p each. This deal will add consultancy and project installation to Haydale Graphene’s energy transition technologies and provide access to potential customers. A placing will raise £5.91m at 0.5p/share and a retail offer could add up to £500,000. Octopus is converting £500,000 of convertible loan notes into 417.88 million shares.
Cinemas operator Everyman Media Group (EMAN) has been hit by disappointing box office for films in the second half of the year. UK admissions have declined in recent months. Forecast revenues have been reduced to £114.5m, while EBITDA has been cut to £16.8m, which is slightly higher than last year.
Digital loyalty and promotions platform operator Eagle Eye (EYE) has won another new US contract. It is with a large regional grocery chain that has 500 stores. There is a fixed fee for a six month proof of concept period followed by a three year contract.
MAIN MARKET
Kitchenware retailer ProCook Group (PROC) continues to outperform the market. There are strong like-for-likes plus new store openings. There has also been trading up to higher priced products, so average spend is higher. Interim revenues were 21% ahead at £34.1m. Opening costs meant that the loss edged up from £2.88m to £2.94m. Net debt was £4.1m due to investment in store openings, but the second half cash flow is much stronger. Both stores and ecommerce grew strongly after the period end, but ecommerce like-for-like growth was 29%, compared with 9.8% for stores, although that is still a good performance. There are 1.2 million active customers.
Public services provider Mears (MER) released a trading statement revealing that underling 2025 pre-tax profit will be at the top end of guidance.
Financial management software developer Aptitude Software (APTD) says there has been a significant renewal for Fynapse software. The US-based global communications company has renewed for three years and this is worth £7.6m.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 1 December 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Valereum (VLRM) has entered into an agreement to raise $200m of royalty and streaming capital from new special purpose segregated portfolio company, Valereum QGP-SP, which is being formed to list on a US National Exchange. There will be a one year option over a stake of 49.9% in Valereum in return for the royalty and streaming income. This will help to accelerate development of the crypto and blockchain platforms and finance acquisitions.
Digital asset company Vaultz Capital (V3TC) holds 135 Bitcoin. Two resolutions related to a share capital reorganisation and a reduction in nominal value were withdrawn from the AGM following shareholder feedback.
Ajax Resources (AJAX) had cash of £1.37m at the end of August 2025. It is in the process of acquiring the Paguanta silver lead zinc project in Chile. Drilling should commence soon at the Eureka project. The cash will finance this and a JORC compliant mineral resource estimate.
AI software company IntelliAM AI (INT) has won contracts in the building products sector. They cover 15 sites and should generate £250,000 in this financial year. Annual recurring revenues were £1.18m at the end of September 2025, Cash was £786,000 and a further £250,000 has subsequently been raised at110p/share. A WRAP retail offer could raise up to £150,000 more. This will fund the delivery of the co-development partnership with a global engineering manufacturer.
WeShop (NASDAQ: WSHP) shares ended the week at $145.21. WeCap (WCAP) has an interest valued at around 28p/share. The share price increased 8.33% to 2.6p. Res Privata NV has cut its WeCap stake from 13.6% to less than 3%. Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) owns a stake worth $21.8m and the share price rose 3.7% to 1.4p, which values the investment company at £3.4m.
Mendell Helium (MDH) has extended the broker option of up to 10 million shares until 3 December. A further £12,000 has been raised via subscription at 3p/share.
Cannabis medicines developer Ananda Developments (ANA) is calling a general meeting on 12 December to gain shareholder approval to leave Aquis. This will save money and may make it easier to raise cash. Initial data from a phase 1 human study for MRX1 has shown a positive safety profile. The final study should be complete in the second quarter of 2026.
Trading in Amazing AI (AAI) shares was suspended following the resignation of Guild Financial Advisory as corporate adviser. The company has hired Rosenblatt Law to pursue a legal action against Tom Winnifrith and Share Prophets Ltd. Chief executive Paul Mathieson is also pursuing legal action, although his social media comments will not help him.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) is consolidating 100 shares into one new share and trading will commence on 1 December. The pre-consolidation share price was 19.4% lower at 0.725p.
Café chain Cooks Coffee Company (COOK) increased interim revenues by 111% to NZ$5.77m, helped by managed stores in Ireland via the partnership with Dairygold. Pre-tax profit fell from NZ$530,000 to NZ$68,000. Overall store sales were 26.9% ahead at NZ$45.5m. There are currently 100 stores, most of which are franchised, with a target of 300 by 2034. Net debt is NZ$1.73m.
Sulnox Group (SNOX) has secured a major distribution agreement for its reduced emissions additives in the marine sector through Drew Marine USA, which operates in 1,200 ports around the world.
Marula Mining (MARU) is acquiring an initial 50% stake in the Tonto Tshipi manganese mine in South Africa for five million shares. It can increase its interest to up to 70%. Open pit mining should start in mid-December. On completion of due diligence, a further payment of £250,000 and Marula Mining will fund 100% of exploration with a minimum spend of £1m over 12 months. Once a bankable feasibility study is completed there will be a further payment of £5m and an option fee of £100,000 would take the interest to 70%.
In the year to May 2025, Equipmake (EQIP) revenues fell from £7.3m to £3.5m, while the loss increased from £9.1m to £10.9m. The company has been restructured and there is a focus on better margin business. Costs are much lower. There was cash of £3.9m at the end of May 2025. In recent months there have been significant contract wins.
Oscillate (SRVL) says drilling results confirm copper mineralisation for the Koko Basin project in Namibia. It is also targeting sites that are highly prospective. Multiple soil samples at the Duekoue molybdenum copper project in Cote d’Ivoire show moderately anomalous concentrations of gold. Richard and Charlotte Edwards have reduced their shareholding from 5.21% to 4.03%.
Africa-focused social impact investment company Inqo Investments (INQO) had net assets of R211.5m, including cash of R33.4m, at the end of August 2025.
NYCE International (NYCE) has appointed Oberon Capital as corporate adviser and broker. Game aggregator and content innovation arm Nirmata Play was launched in October, while online gaming media agency ClickSpin Media was launched in June. They are generating revenues.
SuperSeed Capital (WWW) had an unchanged NAV of 121p/share at the end of September 2025. The managed fund SuperSeed II is expected to make two more investments by the end of 2025.
BWA Group (BWAP) is starting due diligence ground truthing at the Aracari gold project in Cameroon.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) is consolidating 100 shares into one new share and trading will commence on 1 December. The pre-consolidation share price is 0.725p.
Fenikso (FNK) has received $535,650 as partial repayment of a loan and there is still $34.6m outstanding.
Chairman Richard Oldfield bought 25,000 Shepherd Neame (SHEP) shares at 467.6p each.
JP JENKINS
Rocksteady Coffee Company (ROCK) joined JP Jenkins on 18 November. It was founded in 2012 and produces organic Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee.
ASSET MATCH
Isle of Scilly Steamship (IOS) interim revenues improved from £16.8m to £18.1m, while pre-tax profit rose from £6.72m to £7.44m. There was cash of £8.01m at the end of September 2025. Passenger bookings are 0.7% ahead of the same time last year. The Skybus airline has been awarded the Newquay to London route. New passenger and freight vessels will be delivered next year. Management targets EBITDA of £8m by 2030.
Marshall of Cambridge (MCH) has completed the sale of Marshall Land Systems.
AIM
essensys (ESYS) founder and non-executive director Mark Furness, who stepped down as chief executive in May, has submitted an indicative offer of 20p/share for the developer of Software-as-a-Service and cloud services for the flexible workspace sector. Mark Furness owns 30.4% and this offer would value essensys at £13m. A trading statement revealed revenues of £4.1m in the quarter to October 2025, but a contract worth £900,000 each year is set to end in December. There will be cost savings, but 2025-26 results will be lower than expected. A debt facility is being negotiated. The figures for the year to July 2025 have not been published, but a previous trading statement indicated a fall in revenues from £24.1m to £19.2m with cash of £1.8m. essensys joined AIM on 29 May 2019 when it raised £14m at 151p/share.
Online retailer Boohoo (DEBS) is starting to improve its performance, but there is a long way to go. In the six months to August 2025, revenues fell from £385.4m to £296.9m, but there was a swing from an adjusted loss of £9.2m to an operating profit of £1.8m. There was still a pre-tax loss. Cost savings have been made and a full year pre-tax loss of £11.5m is forecast. Net debt should start to decline. There is a new incentive scheme for executives. Chief executive Dan Finley could be paid £148.1m if the share price reaches 300p within five years. Goldman Sachs has raised its share price target for the online retailer from 16p to 17p, but still says sell, while Barclays has cut its target from 13p to 11p and remains underweight.
European Metals Holdings (EMH) joint venture Geomet has secured a €360m grant for the Cinovec lithium and tin project in the Czech Republic. This is Europe’s most advanced lithium project. EMH owns 49% of Geomet, which is expected to publish a definitive feasibility study soon. Zeus has modelled a 25-year mine life and an NPV10 of $1.04bn. Zeus has a fair value share price of 75p.
Savannah Resources (SAV) is progressing towards a final investment decision on the Barroso lithium project in Portugal. Lithium demand is increasing and the spodumene price has risen 80% since the end of June and is currently around $1,100/t. Discussions continue with potential customers. Savannah Resources is also acquiring a nearby mining lease. There is potential for a German government guarantee on a project finance loan of up to $270m. After the recent fundraising at 3.7p/share the company has £21m in cash.
Battery technology developer Gelion (GELN) has made strong progress over the past year and recently strengthened its balance sheet through a £10.5m fundraising that should give it enough cash for two years. In the year to June 2025, revenues increased 36% to £2.7m, with one-third coming from the first commercial sales. That helped the operating loss fall by one-quarter to £6m. Gelion is making strong progress with partners, including TDK Corporation, with whom it expects to produce a commercial pouch cells prototype within the next 12 months. The Li-S technology is achieving strong results in relation to battery life and power performance.
Egg-free celebration cakes supplier Cake Box (CBOX) reported a dip in profit in the first half, but this should be more than made up for by a much stronger second half. Like-for-like sales have grown strongly despite the tough consumer environment and group sales were £28.8m with the Cake Box contribution 19% ahead including new store openings. Pre-tax profit fell 4% to £2.6m.
Professional services firm DSW Capital (DSW) has decided to raise the interim dividend by one-fifth to 1.2p/share. Interim network revenues were 32% higher to £10.3m. Company revenues increased from £1.09m to £2.79m, which includes more recent acquisitions. Pre-tax profit grew from £101,000 to £237,000. Less than one-third of revenues are from the volatile M&A sector, which used to dominate the business.
Lung imaging technology developer Polarean Imaging (POLX) has signed a distributor agreement with DK Healthcare in South Korea. It has also won an order from the National Taiwan University Hospital for a Xenon MRI research system through its partner Philips. Polarean Imaging is asking for shareholder approval to leave AIM at a general meeting on 15 December. It plans to join matched bargain market JP Jenkins.
Team (TEAM) has launched a recommended bid for WH Ireland (WHI). It is offering 0.195 of a share for each WH Ireland share and the WH Ireland shareholders will own 43.5% of the enlarged group, which will be valued at around £30m.
ACG Metals is considering making an offer for gold and copper producer Anglo Asian Mining (AAZ), which has a resource base of more than 400,000 ounces of gold and one million tonnes of copper. The Xarxar and Garadag projects are still to be brought into production.
Tanfield Group (TAN) says the US courts have granted a motion for partial summary judgement in the dispute over Snorkel International, where Tanfield has a 49% stake that is the subject of a call option by the other shareholder. This summary judgement says that the 49% stake cannot be acquired for nil as the partner wanted to. A valuation plus interest will be calculated. The trial will begin in October.
Security technology supplier Thruvision (THRU) grew interim revenues 36% to £2.6m, even though retail revenues were lower. Cash was £2.1m at the end of September 2025. The second half will be tougher than expected and Allenby has reduced its full year revenues forecast from £8m to £5m, while the loss is raised from £2.21m to £3.55m. There will still be cash by the end of March 2026. Herald has sold its 8.89% stake and Dr Graham Cooley has raised his shareholding from 6.8% to 7.02
Premier African Minerals (PREM) has raised £500,000 at 0.0575p/share. This will be invested in the processing plant for the Zulu lithium and tantalum project.
CelLBxHealth (CLBX) raised £6.8m at 1p/share and could raise up to £1m more from a retail offer closing on 1 December. A capital reorganisation will reduce the nominal value of the shares so that they can be issued at this price. There will be £1.9m spent on R&D, £1m for sales and market and £1.2m for reorganisation and IT systems. The cancer diagnostics company will progress partnerships and reduce annual operating costs by more than £5.9m. Ther will also be development of additional assays for the Parsortix platform.
Telematics supplier Microlise Group (SAAS) says lower OEM volumes due to tariffs and the weak economy. There have also been delays in projects. There are plans to cut annualised costs by £4m. That is too late for 2025 when forecast revenues have been cut from £91.3m to £84m, while earnings have been slashed from 5.5p/share to 3.1p/share. The 2026 earnings forecast has been cut to 4.9p/share. Customer churn remains low.
Womenswear retailer Sosandar (SOS) is gaining momentum this year. Interim revenues were 15% higher at £18.7m, while sales were 28% ahead on the company’s website. Sales to Marks & Spencer were hit by that retailer’s cyber incident, but they have started again. The six stores are loss-making, but the first two are moving towards breakeven. The interim loss increased from £700,000 to £1.1m, but a full year pre-tax profit is anticipated. Net cash was £7.7m at the end of September.
Trellus Health (TRLS), which has developed digital technology to manage chronic conditions, has secured a $600,000 loan from 25% shareholder Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. There is no interest charge for nine months and then the annual rate is 8%. The loan is convertible into shares, but the stake cannot go above 29.9%. This will provide enough cash until late January when more cash will be required.
Kropz (KRPZ) produced 87,496 tonnes of phosphate concentrate n the third quarter and sales were 28% higher at 72,408 tonnes. September was a record production month, and the mine is still in its trial production phase.
Oil and gas producer Prospex Energy (PXEN) has generated revenues of £4.2m so far this year, despite the downtime at Viura and El Romeral and lower gas prices. Viura is back in production in the fourth quarter. This will enable much larger revenues in the period and generate cash for investment.
MAIN MARKET
Digital assets investor KR1 (KR1) has moved from Aquis to the Main Market on 25 November. Trading ended on Aquis at 25.5p and the share price rose to 27p at the end of the week. KR1 has a portfolio of digital assets. The update for the end of October 2025 showed net assets of 41.5p/share. Income of £305,543 was generated during the month.
New Frontier Minerals (NFM) is raising $2.25m via a placing at $0.021/share. Every two shares come with an option exercisable at $0.04 each. The cash will be used to advance the Harts Range project. The focus is to target heavy rare earth elements for US magnet and defence clients. Using Metallium’s Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology on Harts Range raw ore delivered exceptional beneficiation results. There will be further drilling results released over the next few weeks. There will also be some cash used for the mining lease application at the NW Queensland copper project.
Cardiff Property (CDFF) increased NAV from £29.31/share to £30.53/share in the year to September 2025. The dividend was raised from 25.5p/share to 27.5p/share.
First Tin (1SN) is raising £6.3m at 7p/share. This will finance the completion of the updated DFS for the Taronga tin project in Australia. There will also be cash for preparatory work on the project site. There will be some cash for the Tellerhauser project in Germany.
Walker Crips (WCW) has agreed a 14p/share bid from PhillipCapital, valuing the company at £6m.
IT services provider Triad (TRD) reported a rise in interim revenues from £10.2m to £12m, while pre-tax profit was 10% higher at £820,000. The interim dividend was raised by 50% to 3p/share.
Motor dealer Caffyns (CFYN) slipped into loss in the six months to September 2025. It is still paying a 5p/share interim dividend. Net debt is £9.6m.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 11 August 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
The Smarter Web Company (SWC) raised £8.1m from a placing and subscription at 205p/share early in the week. It subsequently launched Smarter Convert, a capital raising structured as a convertible bond denominated in Bitcoin. Asset management firm TOBAM has subscribed $21m through three of its funds. The reference share price is 195p and the conversion price is a 5% premium to that price. After an initial six months, the company can force the conversion if the share price is 50% higher than the conversion price for ten trading days. If the bonds are not converted within 12 months, then the holders will receive 98% of the bond value, although that figure depends on the movement in Bitcoin.
EDX Medical (EDX) is developing a pneumonia test for critically ill NHS patients. It is partnering with the Intensive Care Unit at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to develop a test that identifies the DNA or RNA of microbes that cause lung infection. Results should be available in 60 seconds. EDX Medical has licenced the IP for the test from the trust. A kit version will be developed to sell to other hospitals.
Macaulay Capital (MCAP) has an investment portfolio of seven companies, and they are valued at £1.03m. Macaulay Capital made a loss of £226,000 on interim revenues of £157,000. There was £779,000 in cash in the balance sheet at the end of June 2025. Management believes that there are plenty of opportunities.
Incanthera (INC) says the Skin + CELL skincare range launches on 11 August. It will be available through www.skinandcell.com.
Igraine (KING) has entered into a collaboration with Homerun Energy, the European subsidiary of Canada-based renewable energy and critical metals projects developer Homerun Resources Inc. The two companies will work together on UK alternative energy projects focused on electric vehicle charging and integrated battery storage. There is an initial pilot for a UK automotive manufacturer.
Asia Wealth (AWLP) generated revenues of $962,000 in the year to February 2025 and a foreign exchange gain enabled it to move back into profit.
Valereum (VLRM) has raised £400,000 from subscriptions from its chairman and chief executive at 3.1p/share. A retail offer to raise £100,000 at 3.1p/share will launch in the coming week.
TruSpine Technologies (TSP) has published a document to gain shareholder approval for a Bitcoin treasury policy and the new strategy to acquire intellectual property assets. The company also plans to change its name to TSP Advanced Technologies.
Vault Ventures (VULT) holds 771.37 ETH, 2,200.32 SOL and four Bitcoin.
Coinsilium (COIN) has invested a further £5m and owns 181.9596 Bitcoin and the total value is £15.7m.
Vaultz Capital (V3TC) has taken its Bitcoin holding to 117.853279 and the total cost is £10m.
Yorkshire AI Labs has reduced its stake in IntellAM AI (INT) from 18% to 15.4%.
WeCap (WCAP) chairman Tom Richardson has been issued 5.11 million shares, via his company TDR Enterprises, for consultancy between December 2024 and June 2025. They are worth £50,000.
Daniel Thwaites (THW) director Ann Yerburgh has sold her entire holding of 3.67 million shares. Amazing AI (AAI) chief executive Paul Mathieson bought 1.32 million shares at 0.75p each. NYCE International (NYCE) director Farzad Payman bought a further 25.83 million shares. Directors of Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) have bought a total of 147,550 shares at 56.5p each.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) is no longer going to buy back shares, having acquired 1.38 million shares since the beginning of April.
Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) has bought an additional 3.125 million warrants in fully listed Hamak Gold (HAMA) taking its holding to 15.625 million warrants exercisable at 0.8p each.
JP JENKINS
The JP Jenkins-15 index of the fifteenth largest companies rose 3% to 1094.4 in the four weeks to 1 August. Brewer and bars operator Powder Monkey was a strong performer. The index will next be calculated using closing prices from 29 August.
Celadon Pharmaceuticals (CEL) chairman Alexander Anton has stepped down after the cannabis medicines developer moved from AIM to JP Jenkins on 8 August.
AIM
Restaurants operator Tasty (TAST) raised £9.25m from a placing at 0.5p/share and a retail offer generated a further £870,00o. The Kaye family invested £500,000 in the retail offer. There will be £3m invested in the existing restaurants and a further £1m on operational efficiency. There will be £3.6m set aside to acquire restaurant brands.
Laumann Group is making a recommended bid for uPVC windows supplier Epwin (EPWN). The 120p/share cash offer values Epwin at £167.3m. Laumann wants to expand the range of building products it offers in the UK, and it already has relationships in the construction sector. There is minimal overlap between the companies.
Fiinu (BANK) has published the document for the reverse takeover of Poland-based foreign exchange brokerage Everfex. The initial payment of £8m will be satisfied by the issue of 80 million shares at 10p each and the rest will depend on performance and be payable via up to 20 million shares at 20p each. Everfex made a pre-tax profit of more than £600,000 for the four months to April 2025. The acquisition will broaden the range of activities of the company and provide opportunities for the Plugin Overdraft product. A subscription has generated £801,000 at 10p/share.
Interior furnishings brands owner Sanderson Design Group (SDG) has reassured the market that it is on course to achieve 2025-26 forecast pre-tax profit of £5m, up from £4.4m. In the first half there was growth from licensing and in North America, but overall brand revenues fell 7% although the performance was better at the end of the period. Overall revenues were 4% lower at £48.3m. Cost savings have reduced annualised costs by £1m.
Automotive interior components manufacturer CT Automotive (CTA) is on track to meet full year expectations. Interim revenues fell from $60.5m to $54.2m, but the second half should be stronger. New contracts worth a total of $37m annually have been won in the first half. This provides a strong base for growth over the next three years.
SIMEC Atlantis Energy (SAE) has reached financial close on the AW1 BESS project in South Wales. This is a 120MW generation project and construction has begun at Uskmouth. A global renewable energy partner is taking a 24.7% stake in the project. Zeus has increased the 2025 revenues forecast from £7.4m to £11.4m and the 2026 estimate from £7.5m to £12.5m. In each year the expected loss has been more than halved to around £3m. Net debt is expected to be £65.1m at the end of 2025 and rise to £99.9m one year later.
Energy storage technology developer Gelion (GELN) has made a breakthrough in Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) performance. The cells retain 90% of theoretical capacity at a 10-hour charge and 10-hour discharge. The cells have 75% of theoretical capacity after a six-minute discharge. This means that they could be used in drones and electric vehicles.
Media analysis business Ebiquity (EBQ) says 2025 interim revenues were flat at £37.9m. North American, where economic uncertainty has hit client spending, revenues fell and that was offset by growth in the rest of the world. Operating profit is expected to improve from £2.3m to £2.6m. Net debt is slightly lower at £15m. North America remains a focus for the company despite the short-term problems. Trading is in line with expectations.
Specialist staffing company Gattaca (GATC) says that full year figures are ahead of expectations. Net fee income was 3% lower at £38.8m. Permanent recruitment income has steadied, and second half income was much better than a weak comparative. Pre-tax profit guidance has been raised from £3.1m to £3.3m, which is higher than the £2.9m reported for the previous year because of cost reductions. Cyber security recruiter Infosec has been bought for an initial £1.5m, which is equal to net fee income in the year to March 2025. Operating profit was £400,000.
Automotive connection systems supplier Strip Tinning (STG) reported interim revenues dipping from £4.8m to £4.5m, but the loss was reduced from £2.73m to £1.56m. There was cash generated from operations. Battery technology sales quadrupled to £1.2m. The automotive market is tough, but management is confident about long-term prospects.
Drug developer ImmuPharma (IMM) reported a reduction in loss from £2.78m to £1.95m in the six months to June 2025. The underlying improvement is masked by a loss on a derivative asset. Studies have helped to strengthen the commercial viability of the P140 technology platform and discussions continue with potential partners.
Floorcoverings distributor Likewise (LIKE) has raised £1.4m at 25p/share through a share issue to AIM-quoted investment company Onward Opportunities (ONWD) because it wanted more shares and could not buy them in the market.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) is implementing the changes identified for the plant test at the Zulu lithium and tantalum project. In the next week a decision will be made on whether to purchase the secondary spodumene float section. The original sorters still have to be replaced, and the tantalum recovery circuit needs to be completed.
The IFX Payments bid for Argentex (AGFX) has lapsed after it went into administration.
Goldplat (GDP) is reinstating its dividend for the first time since 2013. This is despite a decline in pre-tax profit from £6m to £2.6m. That was partly down to a foreign exchange loss. Zeus forecasts a 0.1p/share dividend. Net cash is estimated at £5.5m.
MAIN MARKET
Financial software provider Aptitude Software (APTD) reported a dip in interim revenues from £35.3m to £32.8m, due to lower non-recurring income and currency movements. Annualised recurring revenues reached £49.8m. Fynapse is an increasingly important contributor, which offsets the decline in legacy revenues and helps to improve operating margins. Cash was £23.7m at the end of June 2025. The dividend is maintained at 1.8p/share.
Foam manufacturer Zotefoams (ZTF) increased interim revenues by 9% to £77.4m with a strong performance around the world. Pre-tax profit was 37% ahead at £11.4m, helped by the exit from the loss-making business and higher margins. The interim dividend is 5% ahead at 2.5p/share. Net debt was £21.1m at the end of June 2025. The Asian business is small, but that will change when the Vietnam factory, part of a joint venture with footwear manufacturing specialist Seoheung, opens.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 16 June 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
The Smarter Web Company (SWC) shares continue to reach new highs and trading has begun on the US OTCQB trading platform. The Bitcoin holding has increased to 242.34 and the average purchase price is $107,002 each. That is an investment of $19.1m and a bookbuild is underway to raise at least £15m at 180p/share to buy more Bitcoin.
Coinsilium (COIN) subsidiary Forza Gibraltar has bought a further 5.o416 Bitcoin at an average price of £81,323.39 each. This takes the Bitcoin holding to 18.6815 Bitcoin. The share price soared 74.5% to 11.95p.
Shares in S-Ventures (SVEN) recovered 51.1% to 0.34p following the return from suspension the previous Friday following the sale of the trading businesses to AIM-quoted Tooru (TOO) in return for 466.7 million shares, which are currently trading at 0.26p each. The stake is worth more than double the current market capitalisation of S-Ventures.
Hot Rocks Investments (HRIP) has bought 60,000 warrants in The Smarter Web Company that are exercisable at 2.5p each. It also acquired a stake in Namibia-focused Supernova Metals, which is an oil explorer that is changing its name to Oregen Energy. The investment company also invested in the Wishbone Gold (WSBN) £1.75m fundraising at 0.13p/share, including £300,000 invested by directors.
Healthcare IT developer DXS International (DXSP) says its digital medicine technology ExpertCare has been selected for the Grow Digital Health Midlands programme. This provides access to experts to aid development and the opportunity to present to decision makers.
Digital finance platform operator Tap Global Group (TAP) has announced plans to move to AIM on 27 June and no new money will be raised. Spark will be the nominated adviser and Tennyson Securities the broker. The company expects to report a positive EBITDA this year.
Nick Cowan is stepping down as chief executive of Valereum (VLRM). This follows the falling through of the £19m investment by DMC Markets. His 10 million warrants have been cancelled. Gary Cottle will become an executive director. Matthew Ripperger and Grant Gischen are joining the board as non-executives.
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) says attendances are 21% higher so far this year. Overall trading is in line with expectations.
Mollyroe (MOY) is still seeking a suitable acquisition. There was £299,000 in the bank at the end of 2024. There was a £47,585 cash outflow during the year.
Shortwave Life Sciences (PSY) raised £40,000 at 0.125p/share. Each new share comes with a warrant exercisable at 0.15p each. Amirose London Holdings (ALH) raised £100,000 at 0.5p/share and issued a further 288,000 shares to pay the bill from Novum Securities. The cash will help to accelerate growth. RentGuarantor Holdings (RGG) raised £1.02m via a subscription at 25p/share. The cash will finance growth and fund costs of moving to AIM.
Watchstone Group (WTG) plans to distribute £1m to shareholders once the share premium account has been reduced.
EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) is extending its loan note instrument from 23 July 2025 to 23 July 2026. The annual interest charge rises to 8.5%.
Steve Xerri has increased his stake in Oscillate (MUSH) from 5.58% to 6.4%. ProBiotix Health (PBX) vice president of sales Michael Litichevski has bought 67,500 shares at 7.7p each.
JP JENKINS
The JP Jenkins proprietary index, which includes the 15 largest companies trading on the facility, fell 0.7% to 1053.11 between 2 May and 6 June.
AIM
Chain and transmission equipment manufacturer Renold (RNO) is recommending a bid of 82p/share in cash by MPE Mgt Co LLC, which owns Webster Industries. Renold is valued at £186.7m. The original indicated bid was 77p/share, although there was also an offer of 81p/share from a consortium comprising Buckthorn Partners LLP and One Equity Partners IX, L.P. The deal will help Webster Industries to expand globally and broaden the product range.
Bain Capital is no longer considering a bid for Craneware (CRW), after its indicative proposal of 2650p/share was rejected.
Construction dispute and other professional services provider Diales (DIAL) reported flat interim revenues of £21.6m. There was an improved performance in the Middle East, but Asia Pacific was weaker. Utilisation levels were lower, but they should recover for the full year. Net cash was £2.4m after dividends and share buybacks, plus the timing of receipts. The interim was maintained at 0.7p/share. There is a second half weighting. The full year pre-tax profit is expected to be £1.3m. Tariffs could provide additional opportunities for Diales.
Science Group (SAG) is making a large gain on its stake in environmental and engineering consultancy Ricardo (RCDO) following a 430p/share cash bid from WSP Group. Since February, Science Group has built up a 21.8% stake in Ricardo. It has immediately sold 19.9% of Ricardo to WSP and will receive £53.5m in cash before the end of June. The rest of the cash for the remaining stake of around 1.9% will be received when the bid goes through. That should bring in £4.7m. Canaccord Genuity estimates that Science Group will make a 70% return in four months.
Newmont Mining intends to sell up to 50% of its stake in Greatland Resources in conjunction with a placing raising up to A$50m when the new holding company for Greatland Gold (GGP) joins ASX.
Cosmetics supplier Revolution Beauty (REVB) has confirmed that there are a number of parties interested in making an offer for the company and they include fully listed Frasers Group (FRG).
A secondary placing of 3.04 million Cerillion (CER) shares by chief executive Louis Hall was larger than the original intention of 1.33 million shares. The sale was at 1500p each and raised £45.6m. He retains 20.1%.
Management training services provider Mind Gym (MIND) is in the process of transformation. Last year, revenues fell but cost savings meant that the loss was reduced from £3.3m to £800,000. Revenues are expected to start to recover in the second half of the year to March 2026. A slightly lower loss is forecast before a move into profit in 2026-27.
NWF (NWF) has bought a fuels distributor in Berkshire. It has annual volumes of 13 litres. The fuels division reported maintained volumes with improved margins in the year to May 2025. Feed volumes recovered, but the food distribution business generated a lower profit. Net cash was £6 at the end of May 2025. Underlying full year operating profit will be slightly higher than the forecast of £16m. There will be exceptional acquisition and restructuring costs of between £2.5m and £3m.
Musical instruments retailer Gear4Music (G4M) is acquiring assets of a retail rival. The business traded as PMT Play Music Today and stock, plus website IP was acquired. The consideration is £1.2m, which is around 50% of the asset value. The business was in administration and its demise will benefit the remaining market players.
Caledonian Holdings (CHP) is investing £1m in AlbaCo, of which £750,000 is in cash for new shares and £250,000 in Caledonian Holdings shares for shares owned by AlbaCo founder and Caledonian Holdings director Jim McColl. AlbaCo (www.albacoltd.co.uk) is being set up to provide bank services to small and medium sized businesses in Scotland and other parts of the UK. It is expected to be issued a banking licence in the near future and will raise more cash then.
Energy efficiency services provider Earnz (EARN) raised £1.02m at 7.2p/share, which was more than double the previous day’s closing price, to fund the acquisition of A&D Carbon Solutions, which is being acquired for an initial £1.3m in cash and shares. The directors and related parties subscribed £268,000 for shares in the placing. Wales-based A&D Carbon Solutions installs wall insulation, heat pumps and solar panels. It has a customer base that manages large scale retrofit projects. There could be up to £1.5m of deferred consideration payable for the acquisition if it achieves performance targets.
Phoenix Copper (PXC) has signed a letter of intent for a US based investor to subscribe for $75m of the company’s 8.5% corporate copper bonds due 2029-2033. This will be drawn in three tranches with the first tranche of $30m. There will be a preference share issued to the lender, and this is convertible into 25 million shares at 5p each. The investor will have one board seat. This is all subject to due diligence and documentation. The short-term lender has converted $176,585 of the outstanding principal into 4.85 million shares at 2.82p each. A placing raised £500,000 at 4p/share,
Premier African Minerals (PREM) raised £1.575m at 0.012p/share and has also settled $1.1m of creditor invoices through the issue of 6.17 billion shares at the same price. The cash will be invested in processing equipment at the Zulu lithium and tantalum project. Talks with Glencore International for the purchase of spodumene concentrate will continue when grade and recovery are satisfactory.
Mixed signal Application Specific Integrated Circuits designer EnSilica (ENSI) says first royalty payments have been triggered and the agreement extended with a satellite service provider. Work with this customer commenced in 2021 and there will be additional monthly royalty payments for each satellite in operation. The total value of the agreement has increased from $15m to $28m.
Graphene technology developer Haydale Graphene (HAYD) published a trading statement indicating the progress of graphene heater mats heating system JustHeat, which is generating revenues and distribution agreements are being secured with companies that will install the technology. An agreement with Jersey Energy Technologies, which could generate sales of £6m over five years. There are plans for an insurance backed warranty. There are other agreements in the UK and Europe, while UL certification has been received in the US. Costs are being further reduced from £275,000/month to £200,000/month.
Online marketing and domain name services provider Team Internet (TIG) has been awarded a 10-year contract to run the .co top level domain, which is country code for Colombia, in partnership with Colombian registrar CCI REG. This will further enhance the core domains business, although it will not offset the declines in search. The initial revenues should start at the end of 2025.
Great Western Mining Corporation (GWMO) has raised £1.25m at 1p/share. Each two shares come with a warrant exercisable at 1.3p each. The cash will fund drilling at the West Huntoon copper prospect, plus a geophysical survey and first drilling at the Rhyolite Dome gold prospect. There is also ongoing work at tungsten prospects. Expertise is being added to the team. Management is talking to larger companies to find an industry partner for West Huntoon.
Empire Metals (EEE) says the latest results from the product development test programme at the Pitfield project in Western Australia. The TiO2 is high purity and assays at 99.25%. This is suitable for titanium sponge or pigment production. The bulk sampling programme continues.
Cannabis medicines developer Celadon Pharmaceuticals (CEL) has secured a £500,000 one-year unsecured credit facility with a Europe-based high net worth individual. The annual interest charge is 10%. This cash will last until July, and another finance provider is near to agreeing to lend money. Celadon still plans to leave AIM.
Pri0r1ty Intelligence (PR1) plans to acquire Halfspace, which is a sports data and marketing company, for 30.8 million shares at 2.5p each. It has revenues of £925,0000. This will help the company to sell its AI product in the sports sector.
MAIN MARKET
Iron casting and machining company Castings (CGS) reported a full year pre-tax profit of £5.6m, down from £21.3m, which was slightly better than the previously downgraded estimate. Net cash is much better than expected at £15.6m at the end of March 2025, although that is mainly due to the timing of capital investment. Heavy truck demand fell, and like-for-like volumes were one-fifth lower. There are signs of improving volumes. The new foundry line will contribute in the second half.
EDF has launched its 6.5p/share recommended cash bid for Pod Point (POD), which values the EV charging points operator at £10.6m.
Dundee Precious Metals has launched a recommended bid of 0.159 of one of its own shares and 93p in cash for each share in Adriatic Metals (DTI).
Vinanz (BTC) has launched a WRAP retail offer of up to £1mat 13.75p. The offer closes at 4.30pm on 16 June.
Bluebird Mining Ventures (BMV) has signed non-binding heads of agreement to acquire 756 ASIC units for Bitcoin mining. The payment would be £200,000 in shares.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 28 April 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Smarter Web Company (SWC), which was formerly Uranium Energy Exploration, joined Aquis on Thursday and it raised £1m at 2.5p/share. Smarter Web Company provides web design, development and marketing services. It generates income from an initial fee, annual hosting and optional marketing charge. Bitcoin payments are accepted. There are plans to grow through acquisition.
Marula Mining (MARU) is acquiring up to 70% of the Boteti lithium brines project in Botswana. There are three licences within the Makgadikgadi Desert Salt Pan. Marula Mining will issue 250,000 shares at 4p each to acquire the initial 50% interest, plus £10,000 worth of shares once due diligence is completed. Marula Mining will finance 100% of spending up until production. Once a feasibility study is successfully completed a further £250,000 of shares will be issue and e is the option to increase the interest to 70% through a further issue of £100,000 worth of shares.
Fenikso (FNK) has renegotiated the $11.5m loan from Savannah Investments. It will be settled for $5.76m and $2.5m will be made when the deal is signed. The other $3.26m will be paid by the end of the year. There should still be cash left on the balance sheet after the payments.
Valereum (VLRM) is not going to receive the £19m investment by DMC Markets. VLRM Markets will commence operations, open its Real-World Asset (RWA) Platform and launch its V-Wallet. This operation has a licence in El Salvador. Management has been involved in a delegation to the SEC concerning proposals to regulate digital assets.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) is preparing to drill the main undrilled gold target at Red Setter Dome, near the Telfer gold miner. A major dome-like structure is similar to Telfer.
Adsure Services (ADS) says there is strong demand for its audit and assurance services.
Mendell Helium (MDH) has increased the subscription from £796,000 to £834,000. The subscription price is 2p/share.
TruSpine Technologies (TRU) has issued shares at 1.5p each to pay creditors totalling £107,000.
Nicholas Fairfax sold 27,900 shares in SulNOx Group (SNOX) at 80p each.
ASSET MATCH
Greenshields Agri (GAH) says UK farmland values are holding steady. Current net asset value is 162p/share.
AIM
Major shareholder Regent Gas Holdings has set up a company to make an offer of 68.5p/share in cash for energy assurance and optimisation services provider Inspired (INSE). Gas supplier Regent is the second largest shareholder with 29.4% and it owns convertible loan notes and warrants. Regent would prefer the focus to be reducing debt, which has already been cut following the December fundraising. This includes ending dividend payments. A strategic review will be started, so that debt can be eliminated by the end of 2026. Gresham House owns 29.7% of Inspired plus convertibles and warrants. It says that it will not accept the offer.
Selkirk Group (SELK) has made an approach to THG to acquire its MyProtein business for £400m-£600m, subject to due diligence, payable in cash and shares. THG has rejected the offer because of the valuation and the structure of the offer. Talks are not ongoing, but Selkirk could return to the potential deal if circumstances change. Management is assessing other reverse takeovers.
Foreign exchange services provider Argentex (AGFX) ran into financial problems because of currency volatility. IFX Payments is offering 2.49p/share in cash and the board is recommending the bid. It is also providing a £6.5m bridging loan. IFX Payments is interested in the technology that Argentex has developed.
Payment services provider Finseta (FIN) performed as anticipated in 2024, but higher costs for start-ups have hit the share price in recent weeks. In 2024, revenues were18% higher at £11.4m and pre-tax profit improved from £1.4m to £1.5m. There was no contribution from Canada or UAE, which start trading this year. There have been concerns about the problems at Argentex, but Finseta is a different business and is not allowed to take the type of risks taken by Argentex.
Rail software and services provider Tracsis (TRCS) had already warned of tough trading conditions prior to the interim results. Pre-exceptional and share-based payments profit fell from £1.8m to £235,000. The data, analytics and events division fell into loss because costs were higher than anticipated when work was won. This will hamper the full year contribution, although the second half is always stronger. Action will be taken to improve margins. The main concern is the continued uncertainty surrounding GB Railways. This could hold up spending in software and there was a reduction in investment in remote condition monitoring equipment due to delays in the CP7 spending period.
Software company Celebrus Technologies (CLBS) says 2024-25 revenues will be lower than expected at $38.6m, down from $40.9m last year, but pre-tax profit was in line with expectations at $8.7m, up from $7.6m. Net cash was $31m at the end of March 2025, following a property sale generating $3.9m. Celebrus Technologies is changing its revenue recognition policies to a monthly basis, rather than annually in the month of signing the contract. Annual recurring revenues will rise by 14% to $18.8m this year.
Productivity efficiency software provider ActiveOps (AOM) generated higher than expected revenues for the year to March 2025. The estimate has been raised 4% to £30.4m. Net recurring revenues were 108%. Annualised recurring revenues were 15% ahead despite the loss of a major customer. Net cash was £20.6m at the end of March 2025, which is nearly one-third of the market capitalisation. Pre-tax profit will be flat at £2.1m, with £2.3m forecast for this year.
Concrete levelling equipment supplier Somero Enterprises (SOM) is cautious about this year because of global uncertainties affecting buying decisions and the starts of projects. It is cutting 15% of its workforce. Cavendish has cut its 2025 pre-tax profit estimate by 18% to $21.3m, down from $25.4m in 2024.
Marketing data analysis company Ebiquity (EBQ) did better than expected in the second half, but pre-tax profit still fell from £9.7m to £6.5m. The first quarter of 2025 was ahead of management expectations. A modest recovery in pre-tax profit to £7.1m is forecast for this year and there is potential for further outperformance.
Enteq Technologies (NTQ) says that there is no likelihood of a bid for the company, and it has ended its formal sales process. Management will still talk to potential buyers for parts of the business. Spending is being reduced, and the energy services equipment supplier is seeking additional finance. There is $602,000 in the bank and that will last until mid-May. SABER equipment has been prepared for further testing.
Software training services provider Northcoders (CODE) returned to profit in 2024, but it has revealed that the 18-month Department for Education contract, worth £10m, will not be renewed. There will be a move to a regional model. Management is ready for this and believes it will win business.
The board of credit hire company Anexo (ANX) advises no action should be taken by shareholders following the announcement of a potential bid by DBAY Advisers, Alan Sellers and Samantha Moss. These shareholders already own 63%. The offer could be in loan notes or shares in a new holding company.
Great Western Mining Corporation (GWMO) says the mill construction is substantially complete at the 50%-owned Western Milling joint venture in Nevada. Initial trial production should start soon. There are already plans to expand capacity. This will require some third-party finance, and a specialised mine engineering company will be brought in.
Vast Resources (VAST) says the historical diamond parcel has been released by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, which held it for 15 years. The contents of the parcel exceeded expectations, and the sales process should start in one month. Vast Resources is in talks with third parties about an investment in the Baita Plai polymetallic mine. The diamond sale proceeds will help to pay off debt.
Premier African Minerals (LON: PREM) has raised £1.575m at 0.035p/share. This will be invested in plant at the Zulu lithium and tantalum project so that grades and tonnage can be improved. That will help in the attempt to reach a binding agreement for future development.
MAIN MARKET
Structural steel supplier Severfield (SFR) reassured investors that trading is in line with expectations, although trading conditions is likely to remain tough and margins are under pressure. The UK and Europe order book has risen to £440m, but that includes work at Fenchurch Street that will not contribute until 2026-27. Generally, decisions are slow. Management believes that there could be annual cost savings of up to £4m. Insurance will cover some of the costs for the bridge remediation. Chair Charlie Cornish bought 103,125 shares at 24p each.
Investors have reacted positively to the appointment of David Brown to the newly formed Investment Advisory Board of Fragrant Prosperity Holdings (FPP). He has experience in fintech and AI and could help to secure an acquisition for the shell. David Brown will work with directors Simon Retter and Richard Samuel to identify acquisition targets. He was a founder of AI-based supplier payments company Previse and payment platform Oxygen Finance.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 27 January 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Cooks Coffee Company (COOK), which owns the Esquires coffee shops, increased group store sales by 26% to £25.5m in the nine months to December 2024. The growth was 32% in the latest quarter. The number of sies has risen from 71 to 87 over the past 12 months with all but three franchised. So far in this financial year, UK like-for-like sales are 2.8% higher and sales in Ireland are ahead by 5.1%. A further six stores are planned in the current quarter and there should be more than 100 stores by the end of 2025. The business is generating cash from operations.
Healthcare IT software provider DXS International (DXSP) grew interim revenues by 2% to £1.73m and the pre-tax loss was slashed from £258,000 to £59,000, helped by grant income of £170,000. There was a small post-tax profit after R&D tax credits. There was no capitalised development pending in the period and the cash position improved over six months to £96,000. Chairman Bob Sutcliffe bought 50,000 shares at 2p each and 37,037 shares at 2.7p each. He owns 1.93% of the company.
Cardiometabolic health products developer ProBiotix Health (PBX) reported 13% growth in net sales to £1.88m, while the order book for the first quarter is worth £620,000. The EBIDA loss fell from £709,000 to £568,000. There was cash of £1.65m at the end of 2024. The relationship with SEED Health in the enabled the launch of products in 2,000 Target stores, which drove growth in US sales. There are negotiations that could lead to ingredient sales in China. Management believes that the company can reach breakeven by early 2026.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has signed non-binding heads of terms for the acquisition of Evrensel Global Natural Resources, which has mining and trading activities in Africa. This would be a reverse takeover. Existing Wishbone Gold shareholders are likely to own 30% of the enlarged group. Wishbone Gold chairman Anthony Moore owns the Gibraltar-based target company. Some or all of the existing Australian mining assets are likely to be sold.
Brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) has launched a share buyback programme worth up to £500,000. The shares will be cancelled. This should enhance earnings. Like-for-like retail sales were 7.4% ahead over the Christmas and New Year period with particularly strong sales within the M25. First half like-for-like retail sales were 4.4% higher, while tenanted pub sales were slightly higher. Beer volumes slipped 12.6%. A change in logistics arrangements will add £1.5m to costs. Wage and National Insurance costs will rise by an annualised £2.6m. Management will try to offset these rises through price increases and improved efficiency.
ChallengerX (CXS) is in negotiations for the potential acquisitions of Nyce International and Virya VC. Hng Kong-based NYCE International helps to accelerate the sales and product distribution process for gaming companies. UK-based Virya provides executive and directorship services for the betting and gaming sector. As part of this proposed transaction ChallengerX will secure a perpetual licence for Reelsoft AB’s Vision RGS (Remote Gaming Server) and Game Aggregation Platform. ChallengerX had net liabilities of £187,000 at the end of June 2024.
Property investor Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) edged up rental by 1% to £2.75m in the first half. Higher interest costs and a £37,515 disposal loss meant that the loss increased from £5,000 to £243,000. NAV is £31.4m, while the market capitalisation is £33.7m. Net debt is £46.3m.
RentGuarrantor Holdings (RGG) increased fourth quarter revenues by 88% through a 73% rise in tenant contracts.
BWA Group (BWAP) says that initial mineral resources for the Dehane project in Cameroon are 4.2 million tonnes at a 3.5% cut0ff. That comprises 0.99% ilmenite, 0.13% rutile and 0.11% zircon. Results of the kyanite test work are expected in the second quarter. That could lead to an update to the mineral resources estimate.
Fintech and blockchain technology company Tap Global Group (TAP) has increased monthly revenues to £451,000 in December. Revenues for the six-month period rose from £1.29m to £1.8m and there should be a positive EBITDA for the period.
Eight Capital Partners (ECP) is planning a capital reorganisation and conversion of its 4.8% bond into shares. There will be a consolidation of 4,000 shares into one new share. The bond will be converted into 810,325 new shares, thereby reducing debt by £910,000. The record date is 29 January.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) had NAV of 82p/share at the end of August 2024, down from 87.9p/share at the end of May 2024. There was £1.24m in the bank. The tough economic conditions led to downgraded valuations of some earlier stage investments.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has generated £126,000 from the exercise of options at 36p each by a former director. It has also settled £36,330 of costs via issuing shares. SulNOx has secured a patent in Nigeria for its improved oil/water separation methodology.
At the end of 2024, EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) had an NAV of 292.78p/share.
Mark Horrocks has reduced his stake in WeCap (WCAP) from 5.03% to 4.8%. Premier Miton’s stake in Global Connectivity (GCON) has reduced from 5.21% to 3.69%. First Car International increased its Samarkand Group (SMK) shareholding from 17.6% to 21.6%. Jason Upton has increased his stake in Zentra Group (ZNT) to 3.53%.
Gowin New Energy Group (GWIN) director Chien Chih-Peng has bought 33.16 million shares a 1p each. This is a shareholding of 11.4%. Jia-Hong Guo’s stake has been reduced from 8.74% to under 3%. Chien Chih-Peng has also made a £37,000 loan available to Gowin New Energy.
AIM
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) offers civil engineering services, such as earthworks, drainage and foundations, to housebuilders. In the year to September 2024, revenues fell by 36% to £56.7m and it made a £700,000 underlying loss. However, it is already winning new business with housebuilders, such as Vistry and Taylor Wimpey. That has helped the order book grow to £51.6m at the end of September 2024. A further £15.9m of orders have been won since then. Water infrastructure services provider Coleman Construction and Utilities was acquired in October. Following this acquisition, the pro forma cash figure is just below £10m.
Payments technology company Bango (BGO) increased 2024 revenues by 16% to $53.4m. Annualised recurring revenues were 59% higher at $14m. A pre-tax profit of $3m is estimated for 2024, but that includes $2.2m of non-cash income. Net debt is $1.7m. Matt Wilson has replaced Matt Garner as finance director.
Yu Group (YU.) increased energy supplied by 78% in 2024 and margins are better than expected. Revenues did not grow as rapidly because of lower prices, but they are two-fifths higher at approaching £650m. That is lower than the Panmure Liberum estimate of £680m. Managing bad debts and the hedging policy means that the pre-tax profit has edged up from £46m to £48.3m.
Revolution Beauty (REVB) is having a poor fourth quarter to February 2025 with some retail launched delayed until the first quarter of 2025-26. This includes a launch in Walmart in the US. Online trading was also weaker than expected. Full year revenues are forecast to fall by one-quarter to £143.6m and a profit is no longer expected. A £1.6m loss is likely. The 2025-26 pre-tax profit forecast has been more than halved from £5m to £2.4m. Net debt is set to stay around £25m.
GENinCode (GENI) says that its heart disease risk assessment product CARDIO inCode is included in the US 2025 Clinical Lab Fee Schedule enabling reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid. The price varies from $450-$570. It is also being used to prevent heart disease in Catalonia.
There was a short-term trading improvement in December for Sanderson Design Group (SDG), but this has not continued, and profit expectations have been reduced. Band sales are 9% lower. Revenues are expected to decline from £108.6m to £101m, while pre-tax profit could slump from £12.2m to £4.2m – previously £7.2m was forecast. There has been less high margin work for the manufacturing division, which hit overall profitability.
Fuel additives developer Quadrise (QED) generated £4.5m via a placing at 3p/share, which was well above the minimum sought, and a retail offer could raise up to £1m more – although that figure could be increased. The money already raised will last well into 2026.
Shoe retailer Shoe Zone (SHOE) had already warned about the results for the year to September 2024. Pre-tax profit fell from £16.5m to £10m, which was slightly higher than forecast. There is no final dividend – the interim was 2.5p/share. Net cash is £3.6m. Several loss-making stores are being closed. The 2024-25 pre-tax profit is expected to halve to £5m.
Floorcoverings supplier Airea (AIEA) had a much better second half growing by 6% and full year revenues were 0.6% ahead at £21.2m. International sales were still lower in 2024 despite a 11.8% increase in the second half. Inventory levels have been reduced. There will be non-recurring costs. The equipment is expected to be installed in the new manufacturing facility during the second quarter. An investment property worth £4.1m is still up for sale. David and Monique Newlands increased their shareholding from 11.1% to 12.4%.
Bars operator The Revel Collective (TRC) had a good Christmas, but it faces higher costs because of the National Living Wage and National Insurance increases. Annualised costs will rise by £4m. This has led to forecasts of larger than expected losses. Like-for-like Christmas revenues were 1.6% higher. Net debt is expected to be £24m at the end of June 2025.
Managed services provider Tialis Essential IT (TIA) has made a good start to 2025 with preferred partner and contract extensions totalling £17.8m. Some of these are five-year contracts and are higher margin lifecycle management contracts. The 2024 pre-tax profit is expected to be flat at £1.1m, but earnings are forecast to treble to 3.6p/share.
Ariana Resources (AAU) produced 20,900 ounces of gold from its 23.5% owned Zenit mining operations in Turkey. Revenues were $54.7m. Mining is building up at the new Tavsan mine. A resource estimate is expected from Dokwe in Zimbabwe after further drilling analysis.
Quantum Blockchain Technologies (QBT) has raised £2m at 1.15p/share so that it can invest in its Bitcoin mining technology. Last week, it announced a breakthrough for its Bitcoin Artificial Intelligence model mining tool. The Method C AI Oracle provides a 30% improved performance compared with other methods. The company is seeking a chip manufacturing partner to produce a commercial product.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) has raised £540,000 at 0.02p/share. This is interim funding following the decision not to proceed with the fundraising at 0.0275p/share because the retail offer did not raise enough to reach a total raising of £3.5m. The company will require more cash and I talking to its offtake partner.
MAIN MARKET
LED lighting and wiring accessories supplier Luceco (LUCE) had a strong fourth quarter despite the tough market conditions for some parts of the business. Trading was better than forecast with a modest improvement in pre-tax profit to £21.9m expected. Net debt is expected to be £69m.
Dukemount Capital (DKE) had £28,000 in cash at the end of September 2024, while net assets were £59,000.
Neuchatel Investment is subscribing for 29.9% of Aseana Properties Ltd (ASPL). This is expected to raise $5.45m at $0.08 cents/share.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 20 January 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
SulNOx Group (SNOX) has signed an agreement with Eastern Pacific Shipping, which will use the SulNOxEco additive on a minimum of 30 vessels for at least 18 months. The data from this evaluation could be used for marketing. Easten Pacific Shipping will introduce other potential shipping company clients, and it is subscribing for up to 11.7 million shares in tranches at 2p each. This will happen over the 18-month period. There will be a subscription of up to 4.72 million additional shares at 2p each, which will be over a three-year period. This could total up to 11.8% of the enlarged share capital.
Marula Mining (MARU) says that the Kinusi coper mine is selling a total of 1,000t to four commodity trading groups. The sales have been delayed but should be completed by the end of January. Metallurgical test work results are expected later in January. Management is seeking to secure offtake agreements and non-dilutive funding.
Kasei Digital Assets (KASH) is conducting a strategic review, which could include a departure from Aquis or return of cash to shareholders. Management believes that the outlook for the market for digital assets is positive. However, costs are negatively affecting performance. There is cash of £782,000 and digital assets of £4.26m.
Visum Technologies (VIS) has raised £100,000 from a convertible loan note issue. The conversion price is 0.5p/share. This will fund due diligence for potential acquisitions.
IntelliAM AI (INT) says David Richards is stepping down as chairman at the beginning of July.
Max Capital reduced its shareholding in WeCap (WCAP) from 8.09% to 7.94%. Brompton Asset Management has increased its stake in Global Connectivity (GCON) to 13.96%. RAJ Bailey bought 7,376 shares in Daniel Thwaites (THW) at 89p each.
AIM
Fortress Investment has raised its recommended bid for pubs and bars operators Loungers (LGRS) from 310p/share to 325p/share. Broker Singer did not believe that the original bid fully reflected the value of the business and argued that 375p/share would be a fairer value. Loungers at £338.3m was forecast to make a 2024-25 pre-tax profit of £18m, up from £13.9m last year, rising to £23.8m in 2025-26.
Fintech Fiinu (BANK) has signed heads of agreement for the first white-label deal for its Plugin Overdraft with a UK bank. It will provide a Banking-as-a-Service platform including Plugin Overdraft and requires regulatory approval and testing. The bank will have exclusivity in the UK for 12-months from launch, which could be in the fourth quarter of 2025. There will be royalty fees based on profit generated by the bank from the Plugin Overdraft.
Thor Explorations (THX) says that the Segilola mine in Nigeria produced 24,6000 ounces of gold, taking the total for 2024 to 85,000 ounces. Guidance for 2025 is 85,000 ounces-95,000 ounces. The all in sustaining costs are expected to be $808/ounce. Thor Explorations has moved into a net cash position. Exploration is focused on extending the life of the mine beyond 2028. Thee were positive results announced earlier in January. There should be news concerning the Nigerian federal authorities into the Osun state authorities allegations of underpayment of tax. The PFS for the Douta project in Senegal should be released in the first quarter of 2025.
Michael Ashcroft wants data and information publisher Merit Group (MRIT) to leave AIM. This follows his success in persuading Jaywing (JWNG) to back his AIM cancellation plan for the marketing services business. He owns 42% of Merit Group, so he has a high chance of success. A general meeting will be set within 21 days.
Deltex Medical Group (DEMG) also announced plans to leave AIM. This will save £200,000/year. Last year’s revenues from sales of heart monitoring systems improved from £1.8m to £2.1m and cash was £240,000 at the end of 2024. Andy Mears will be replaced as chief executive by Natalie Wettler.
Quantum Blockchain Technologies (QBT) has made a breakthrough for its Bitcoin Artificial Intelligence model mining tool. The Method C AI Oracle can skip calculations if it assesses that they will not be successful. This provides a 30% improved performance compared with other methods. The company is ready to demonstrate the technology and is seeking a chip manufacturing partner to produce a commercial product.
Gift wrap supplier IG Design (IGR) customers did not sell as much as expected over the Christmas period and this has hit orders. On top of the weak demand, there are US customers in financial difficulties. The fourth largest customer has re-entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and total provisions will be around $15m.The American business is predominantly behind the 10% slump in revenues, although the international business revenues were 1% lower. IG Design is only expected to breakeven in the year to March 2025, compared with forecast pre-tax profit of $32m, and forecasts have been withdrawn by Canaccord Genuity.
Security technology supplier Thruvision (THRU) announced a strategic review. Management believes that additional funding will be required to scale up the business. There is currently cash of £1.5m, which will last until May unless potential orders are secured. The cost base will be assessed. Alternatives include bringing in a partner or selling the business.
Digital healthcare platform developer Trellus Health (TRLS) has entered an agreement with Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc for a US pilot programme for Trellus Elevate to support severe inflammatory bowel disease. Trellus Health will receive an upfront licence fee and a monthly fee. Net cash was $8m at the end of June 2024 and the additional income could help to extend the cash runway nearer to the end of 2025.
Pawnbroker Ramsdens (RFX) says improved performances from all divisions helped group revenues improve from £83.8m to £95.6m, while pre-tax profit rose from £10.1m to £11.4m. The dividend was raised from 10.4p/share to 11.2p/share. This year has started well. and management has decided to slow the new store opening programme. There will be more focus on the website.
Packaging equipment and automation provider Mpac Group (MPAC) confirms 2024 trading is in line with expectations. Pre-tax profit should recover from £7.1m to £10.5m. Net debt was £37m at the end of 2024. The order book is worth £111m and covers 53% of forecast 2025 revenues.
Telecoms infrastructure products developer Filtronic (FTC) has appointed David Marshall as director of programmes to ensure their efficient delivery. Sarah Shaw becomes General Counsel to manage commercial contracts and other legal affairs. This follows a positive trading statement that led to Cavendish upgrading its 2024-25 pre-tax profit forecast from £9.6m to £11.5m.
Construction recruitment services provider Hercules Site Services (HERC) has decided to sell its suction excavators business to focus on recruitment. The suction excavators were losing money and holding back performance. The disposal will also reduce borrowings. Labour supply revenues increased from £63.8m to £84.1m. Continuing pre-tax profit improved from £1.6m to £2.6m and further improvement to £3.4m is expected for this year.
Bars and leisure operator XP Factory (XPF) grew like-for-like revenues by 8.5% in the third quarter, which is well above the rate for the rest of the year. The figure for the year so far is 5.5%. Immersive escape rooms operator Escape Hunt was 14% ahead and Boom Battle Bars 17% higher over the Christmas period.
Cross-border payment services provider Finseta (FIN) says 2024 EBITDA will be £2m compared to a forecast of £1.9m. There was £2.2m of cash generated from operating activities. The benefits from investment in the business and new products will show through in 2025.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) has raised £1.2m from a placing at 0.0275p/share. A retail offer could raise up to £2.3m more. The cash will be invested in the Zulu project in Zimbabwe and to pay suppliers. The retail offer closes on 20 January. Some creditors may take shares for the money owed. If the cash raised in the placing and offer plus the capitalisation of debts does not get near to £3.5m the placing and offer will not proceed.
Cambridge Nutritional Sciences (CNSL) has settled its dispute with the UK DHSC with no admission of liability. The DHSC will not seek reimbursement of pre-production payments for Covid tests and Cambridge Nutritional Sciences will not claim for losses for failure to replace orders. The company will have legal costs of £200,000, but it will also release £2.5m from deferred income as exceptional income.
Cannabis-based medicines developer Celadon Pharmaceuticals (CEL) says that the strategic collaboration with Valeos Pharma is contributing to its business. This will enable the acceleration of supply of pharmaceutical grade EU-GMP cannabis active pharmaceutical ingredient products. Valeos Pharma will provide up to three tonnes of annual cultivation capacity, which is equivalent to £8.7m of income/year.
Gaming machines hardware and displays supplier Nexteq (NXQ) had net cash of $29.1m at the end of 2024, which is more than 50% of market capitalisation. Trading problems had already been flagged and there was no additional surprise. There was destocking and delayed product launches by customers. Revenues were 24% lower at $86.7m, which was slightly better than forecast. The results will be published on 19 March.
Supercapacitors developer Cap-XX (LON: CPX) has made its first shipment of co-branded products to electronic components distributor SCHURTER’S warehouse in Switzerland. On delivery, an invoice will be raised.
Construction and property asset management software supplier Eleco (ELCO) has acquired maintenance and management software provider PEMAC for €6m in cash with up to €2.4m payable based on achieving performance targets. Clients include Coca Cola and Heineken. This fits well with the existing ShireSysem product.
Argo Group Ltd (ARGO) is making a tender offer at 5p/share as part of its plan to leave AIM. Shareholders owning 71.2% of the company will not tender shares, so everyone else can have their shares acquired in the tender. The tender closes on 14 February.
MAIN MARKET
Packaging manufacturer and distributor Macfarlane Group (MACF) has acquired protective packaging manufacturer Pitreavie for £18m, with a net initial payable after debt movements of £10.6m. Pitreavie made a 2024 pre-tax profit of £1.3m. There should be cost savings from integrating the business.
Online travel hostel agency Hostelworld (HSW) says strong demand for Asian hostels helped 2024 net bookings rise 6% to 6.9 million, although there was a dip in average booking value. That meant that revenues were 1% lower at €92m. Lower marketing spend meant that margins improved. More bookings were made through the company’s app. Pre-tax profit is expected to jump to €17m. Net cash is €2m. There will be an update on strategy in the second quarter.
Bitcoin miner Vinanz (BTC) switched from Aquis to the Main Market on 13 January. The share price opened at 16.5p and rose to 22.5p before falling back to 16.5p at the end of the week.
Argo Blockchain (ARB) has been told it has until 15 July to regain compliance on Nasdaq with the minimum price requirement of $1 for its ADSs.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 30 December 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Valereum (VLRM) is making strategic enhancements to the GATE token strategy. It has brought in a tokenomics expert who will help to refine and enhance options. The changes could include a community voting mechanism for participatory decision making, interactive feedback sessions and transparent decision-making processes. There will be further information in the first quarter of 2025.
WeCap (WCAP) investee company WeShop Holdings has submitted a draft registration statement to the SEC. This is part of the process of obtaining a US listing, which will help the retailer app to be launched in the US and other markets. WeShop has 1,500 retailers signed up and testing in the UK has generated gross sales of £100m. WeCap owns 16% of WeShop.
Vinanz Ltd (BTC) has published the prospectus for its proposed move to the Main Market, which is planned for 13 January. This will be on the Transition Category. The cancellation of the Aquis Stock Exchange will be on 10 January. The bitcoin miner has received commitments totalling £1.5m at 14.5p/share conditional on the market switch.
Broker VSA Capital (VSA) increased interim revenues from £1.05m to £1.68m, which enabled a swing from a loss of £1.82m to a pre-tax profit of £298,000. The £57m fundraising for Invinity Energy Systems (IES) helped. The number of employees has reduced. NAV was 10.4p/share at the end of September 2024, although this does include intangible assets. Cash in the bank improved to £939,000. There are 29 retained clients. The deal pipeline is apparently growing, but timing is uncertain.
Mendell Helium (MDH) is continuing to make progress with an admission document for when it takes up its option to acquire M3 Helium. Production from the Nilson well has reached 127Mcf/day. The cost of bringing Rost into production could be reduced to $300,000. There is funding interest from local oil and gas companies in Kansas and this could be non-dilutive. This could fund further development of wells in Hugoton.
Lift Global Ventures (LFT) investee company Trans-Africa Energy is in talks with a Southern African state investor and the redemption date of the loan to the company has been extended to 31 January 2025.
Mental health treatments developer Shortwave Life Sciences (PSY) announced the pre-launch of a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube. The company has a psilocybin-based combination drug and proprietary buccal film delivery platform to improve outcomes for anorexia nervosa patients.
TruSpine Technologies (TSP) hopes for more news on the FDA submission for its medical devices for spinal care. The interim loss increased from £363,000 to £410,000. There was £51,000 in the bank at the end of September 2024. Finance options are being reviewed.
Adsure Services (ADS) director Peter Hammond has bought 65,000 shares at 21p each. He owns 7.17%. Coinsilium (COIN) has raised £65,250 through the exercise of warrants at 3p each. Chief executive Eddy Travia exercised 1.675 million shares taking his stake to 7.44%.
AIM
Maritime tracking technology developer Windward (WNWD) is recommending a 215p/share bid from an acquisition company formed by FTV VIII. The offer values the marine tracking technology company at £216m. The bidder wants to gain greater exposure to the maritime compliance market and believes it can help to accelerate growth. The management team will be retained. Windward joined AIM on 6 December at 155p/share.
Logistics Development Group (LDG) says Nash Squared has sold its NashTech division, which means that the AIM company’s investment of £10m in February 2024 has been redeemed for £13.1m. Logistics Development Group has £44m in cash. A tender offer at 19p/share is contemplated. That will distribute up to £21m. The plan is to distribute 50% of any further realisations and NAV will be published every quarter. The share price moved up 30.2% to 14p, which values the company at £73.4m. NAV was £99m at the end of May 2024.
Retailer Quiz (QUIZ) announced on Friday evening that it intends to leave AIM. The general meeting to gain shareholder approval will take place on 23 January. This is part of plans to reduce costs. Tarak Ramzan, who owns 20.4%, has offered a £1m loan facility and more cash will be needed next year. JP Jenkins may offer a matched bargain facility. Following the announcement, Amraj Gill’s stake has risen from 8.17% to 10.1% and Tajveer Gill’s stake has increased from 8.1% to 10.3%. Interim results show a tripled pre-tax loss of £4.7m, or £4.1m before exceptionals. Revenues continue to decline. National Insurance and living wage changes will add an annualised £1.7m from April. Net debt has reached £3.5m.
Michael Ashcroft has launched a requisition bid for a general meeting at data and marketing services provider Jaywing (JWNG). Michael Ashcroft wants Jaywing to leave AIM by 1 March 2025. He owns 29.5% of Jaywing and Lombard Odier is the next biggest shareholder with 18.9%. The directors own less than 6%. DSC Investment, which is associated with Michael Ashcroft, and Lombard Odier have jointly lent £11.9m to Jaywing. Net debt was £14.8m at the end of September 2024, which was before the latest £1.1m increase in the facility.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) announced an amended offtake and prepayment agreement with Canmax Technologies for the Zulu lithium and tantalum project after trading ended on Christmas Eve. The settlement options for Canmax Technologies have been adjusted in respect of prepayment amounts that are outstanding on 1 April 2025. If Premier African Minerals does not deliver the required product of provide cash settlement, Canmax Technologies is entitled to a direct stake in Zulu lithium at a valuation of $100m. The alternative is settlement in Premier African Minerals shares.
Maritime surveillance systems developer and installer SRT Marine (SRT) has signed the $9m Middle East coast guard contract and implementation has commenced. The is a ten-year contract for an upgrade to a 2016 installation. There should be $7m of revenues recognised in the year to June 2025 and the following year combined. There could be further upside from the contract. This contract adds to the $213m Kuwait coast guard contract, where implementation has also begun. Two other contracts totalling around $250m are near to signing and could start their implementations before June 2025. Management says that 2025-26 should be “significantly profitable”, but Cavendish has yet to reinstate forecasts.
Sunrise Resources (SRES) says Tolsa USA Inc has decided not to exercise its option to acquire the Pioche Sepiolite project in Nevada. There was no agreement on the terms of a continuing royalty for Sunrise Resources. Tolsa says it was difficult to correlate specific grades from holes drilled.
Orosur Mining Inc (OMI) has received assays from the fourth hole at the Pepas prospect in the north of the Anza project. There was a composite intersection of 40.2 metres @ 3.75g/t from 23.5 metres. Including 6.8 metres @ 9.02g/t. The results are good, but there are complexities. Part of the plan for the drilling is to resolve the complexities. Pepas has exceeded expectations.
Digital mental health company Kooth (KOO) has won a pilot contract in New Jersey and launched a share buyback programme of up to £1.5m to cover share-based rewards. The New Jersey contract is worth $1.45m in the pilot year. It covers 50,000 students between 13 and 18 years old. There are talks for a second US pilot.
Gemfields (GEM) says recent emerald and ruby auctions were disappointing. There is an oversupply of Zambian emeralds and emerald mining is being suspended by Gemfields. There is also civil unrest in Mozambique following elections. Ruby mining operations at Montepuez Ruby Mining have not been hampered, but risks have increased. There has been lower production of premium rubies. The focus is constructing a second ruby processing plant and other capital investment has been suspended, including the gold project. Options for the Faberge brand are being assessed.
Mitsubishi Electric is investing £26.2m in Seeing Machines (SEE) for a 15% stake and the companies will collaborate on opportunities in the design and manufacture of automotive technologies, particularly in Japan. There will also be access to the Mitsubishi distribution channel. The investment is at a 12% premium to the 30-day weighted average price. Mitsubishi intends to take its stake to 19.9%.
Property services provider Fletcher King (LON: FLK) improved interim pre-tax profit from £50,000 to £85,000 on revenues up from £1.33m to £1.6m. There is no interim dividend. Net cash was £3.77m at the end of October 2024. The second half tends to be more profitable, but the markets remain uncertain.
MAIN MARKET
Cash shell Pineapple Power Corporation (PNPL) has found another potential reverse takeover candidate. Hamburg-based FUSE-AI develops medical artificial intelligence products. It has developed Prostate.Carcinoma.ai software that enables radiologists to save time analysing MRI images and reduces the error rate. Distributors are being signed up. FUSE-AI is an investee company of Xlife Sciences. FUSE-AI would be acquired in an all-share transaction. This is still subject to due diligence. The deal to acquire Ilios Hydrogen is not going ahead.
Harworth Group (HWG) has completed the sale of 278 acres of land at Ansty, Warwickshire for £53.5m. Contracts were exchanged three years ago and planning permission has been granted.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 3 June 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Time to ACT (TTA) has joined the Aquis Stock Exchange and plans to develop a group of engineering-based energy transition businesses. Middlesborough-based Time to ACT has two subsidiaries. Diffusion Alloys is a long-established diffusion coating business. The technology provides an intermetallic layer that protects metal components at high temperatures. GreenSpur is a much newer business that is developing direct drive generator technology for use in wind power that does not require rare earths for magnets. It uses axial flux technology that utilises ferrite magnets, which are less expensive. It is also copper-free and uses aluminium instead. The share price ended the week at 50p.
Arbuthnot Banking Group (ARBB) has decided to pay a special dividend of 20p/share on top of its interim dividend of 20p/share, up from 19p/share in 2023. The two dividends will be paid at the same time on 20 June.
Digital assets investor KR1 (KR1) had net assets of 95.43p/share at the end of April 2024. Celestia accounts for 34.2% of the portfolio and Polkadot for 14.3%. There was £1.16m of income generated from digital assets during the month.
Marula Mining (MARU) has signed an offtake agreement with Fujax UK for manganese ore production from the Larisoro mine in Kenya. The agreement covers an initial 2,000 tonnes of manganese ore with further minimum monthly deliveries of 5,000 tonnes, but nominal monthly sales of 20,000 tonnes/month for 12 months. Deliveries have started. Assay results from Larisoro show an average grade of 35.73% manganese.
Unigel Ltd (UNX) increased full year pre-tax profit from £442,000 to £815,000 on revenues improved from £18.8m to £28.5m. Although this is not like-for-like. There was a like-for-like decline in profit. The manufacturer of telecom fibre optic cables materials says its market declined last year. There are signs of recovery.
Valereum (VLRM) chairman James Formolli has subscribed £2m for shares at 3.6p each. Instead of warrants he will receive 15 million GATE tokens. Valereum has signed a strategic partnership with Securities Trading Technology Mauritius to improve Valereum’s core technology. The focus is Bridge Digital FMI, the company’s blockchain digital financial markets infrastructure.
Apollon Formularies (APOL) shares slumped 70% to 0.0075p after shareholders voted in favour of leaving Aquis.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) reported an interim pre-tax profit of £985,000, up from £933,000. NAV was 87.32p/share at the end of February 2024. A 2p/share dividend has been subsequently paid.
BrightGrow SSAS has a 7.08% stake in investment company Gledhow Investments (GDH), which reported a decline in net assets from £1.6m to £1.3m, including cash of £217,000, at the end of March 2024.
Cooks Coffee (COOK) increased full year group revenues by 19% to NZ$4.7m. Growth was in the South and eastern England. Four new stores have opened in UK and one in Ireland in April and May. In the past eight weeks, UK store sales were 27.3% higher.
Vinanz Ltd (BTC) is launching a new Bitcoin mining centre in Iowa, where 85% of electricity supply will come from renewables. An order for 20 Bitmain Antminer S19J Pro+ 120TH bitcoin miners. More will be ordered once these are up and running efficiently. Vinanz generated income of £200,000 in the six months to February 2024, while revaluation of assets and disposal gains enabled Vinanz to make a pre-tax profit of £175,000.
Super Seed Capital (WWW) improved NAV by 5p/share to 116p/share in the first quarter of 2024. The company expects to make up to three new investments in the second quarter.
Chairman Geoffrey Miller has increased his shareholding in TruSpine Technologies (TSP) from 7.24% to 9.03% after he acquired 2.5 million shares at 1.5p each from LCS. AIM-quoted Vela Technologies (VELA) has cut its stake from 9.9% to 4.3%. Constantine Logothetis has increased his stake in SulNOx Group (SNOX) to 24.1%.
S-Ventures (SVEN) has delayed the announcement of its figures for the 15 months to December 2023 because the audit will not be completed by the end of June.
AIM
Cancer treatments developer Extruded Pharmaceuticals reversed into Amur Minerals Corporation to form CRISM Therapeutics Corporation (CRTX) on 31 May. According to the admission document, the estimated value of the company after the acquisition would be £7.5m at 23p/share following a one-for-160 share consolidation. That valued the all-share acquisition of Extruded Pharmaceuticals at £5.5m. The opening price was 24p, but it ended the day at 11.5p.
Digitisation services provider TPXimpact (TPX) says 2023-24 revenues were slightly above expectations at £84m. EBITDA margin was in the middle of the 5%-6% range. Net debt has fallen to just over £7m. There was £139m of work won last year. There could be some short-term disruption from the General Election.
Cleaning services provider React (REAT) had a strong first half and it is well on the way to making the full year forecast. It continues to win new contracts and renew existing contracts at similar margins. Interim revenues grew from £9.3m to £10.3m, while pre-tax profit improved £800,000 to £1.1m. The integration and digitalisation of LaddersFree is progressing and that will improve efficiency. Net cash was £700,000 at the end of March 2024.
Video streaming technology provider Aferian (AFRN) reported a 21% decline in annual recurring revenues to $14.7m at the end of November 2023. Total 2022-23 revenues fell from $91.1m to $47.8m, although software sales improved, and Aferian moved from profit to loss. Underlying cash flow fell from $8.9m to $3.2m. Net debt was $6.1m at the end of 2023. Cost savings are being made. Chief executive Donald McGarva will leave in October.
Online building materials retailer CMO Group (CMO) reported a 14% drop in revenues to £71.5m with plumbing sales holding up better than other sectors. There was a swing from a pre-tax profit of £175,000 to a loss of £2.33m. Net debt was £600,000. The tiles market continues to decline, but there are signs of recovery in the overall market. Like-for-like sales orders were 18.2% lower, and the second quarter decline has slowed to 7.9%.
Oil and gas company Prospex Energy (PXEN) says current gross production of the PM-1 facility at the Selva Field – 37% interest – is 2.8mmcf/day. This is generating free cash flow of more than £6,000/day. The operator is Po Valley Energy. The Italian government has become more positive about oil and gas exploration. The permitting process for additional wells is progressing.
Revolution Bars (RBG) has moved its general meeting date to 14 June. This is to gain shareholder agreement to raise up to £12.5m via a placing and seven-for-eight open offer at 1p/share. The board does not believe that the approach from Nightcap (NGHT) can be delivered in a timely manner, so it is going ahead with its restructuring proposals.
Roebuck Food Group (RFG) has sold its dairy division for €1.3m net. This business is loss making. The remaining business is involved in milling and importation of food and ingredients.
Oil and gas producer Longboat Energy (LBE) says net production at the Statfjord satellites has been disappointing this year. Two out of five redevelopment wells are still not producing. Average production was 401boe/day in the first four months of 2024 rising to 544boe/day so far in May. Further capital expenditure is required. Longboat Energy is reducing costs and additional funds will be required. A share issue is an option.
Trading in Trafalgar Property (TRAF) shares was suspended after the company confirmed it is negotiating a reverse takeover of Ecap Esport. At the end of September 2023, Ecap Esport had net assets of £2.67m, including intangible assets of £3.94m, and its ultimate parent company was Esboz Ltd which sold the intangible assets to the company.
Insig AI (INSG) has taken a 5.45% stake in AI and blockchain company ImpactScope OU. Insig AI will sell its Greenwashing Identifiet technology to asset managers. The payment was 900,000 shares at 13.75p each and Insig Ai has an option to subscribe for more shares. New Insig AI executive chairman Richard Bernstein has subscribed £100,000 at 20p/share.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) has paused mining at the Zulu lithium and tantalum project in Zimbabwe. This will enable the installation of an additional conditioning cell and it should be completed by 10 July.
Low sodium salt developer MicroSalt (SALT) has made strong progress over the past year, including the flotation on AIM. The 2023 results announced today represent a period prior to flotation. MicroSalt was still in a period of building up its customer base and reported a loss of £3.5m.
MAIN MARKET
First Tin (1SN) has acquired exploration licence 9200 to broaden the area covered at Taronga in Australia. There has been tin production in the area in the past. Soil sampling results have extended the Pound Flat target area slightly.
Publisher National Word (NWOR) increased revenues by 18% in the first 21 weeks of the year. That includes contributions from Insider Media and Midland News Association that were acquired last year. There is net cash of £10m.
Andrew Hore