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Quoted Micro 29 July 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Good Life Plus (GDLF) reported its figures for the 16 months to January 2024. This includes a full contribution from the core luxury prize draw business and a few months of the shell it reversed into. Revenues were £2.39m and the loss was £3.98m, although that included costs of the reversal. The underlying business is losing money as it builds up the subscriber base. The recent £2m fundraising was after the balance sheet date, so there is plenty of cash to continue to add players. The number exceeds 30,000 and continue to rise. There are potential deals with media partners that could reduce the costs of subscriber acquisition by providing access to new people and only paying if they sign up to the Good Life Plus prize draws.
Interim figures of Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) show a decline in interim profit as net interest rate margin was reduced from 6.1% to 5.2%. Pre-tax profit fell from £26.4m to £20.8m. Asset based lending profit did improve. Tangible NAV was 1396p/share.
Broker and investment manager Oberon Investments Group (OBE) increased revenues by 50% to £7.58m in the year to March 2024. There was still a loss of £2.88m, even after the £318,000 gain on a stake disposal. Additi9nal hires mean that overheads were much higher. NAV was £23.9m. Corporate finance income was slightly lower with the main growth coming from investment management. There has been a strong first quarter this year and signs of improving business. Like-for-like growth should be more than 30% this year.
Invinity Energy Systems (IES) has opened its manufacturing facilities in Motherwell. This will increase capacity for its energy storage technology to more than 500Mwh/year.
Rathbones has a 5.59% stake in Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR).
Stephen Bamford has reduced his stake in SulNOx Group (SNOX) to less than 3%, following a transfer of shares to his children. Gunsynd (GUN) executive director Donald Strang bought one million shares at 0.1215p each.
AIM
FRP Advisory (FRP) is benefiting from strong restructuring services demand and its corporate finance operations are trading better than many of its peers. In the year to April 2024, revenues were 23% higher at £128.2m, while pre-tax profit improved from £24.1m to £33.7m. The dividend was raised to 5p/share. Net cash is £29.7m. Since the year end, two acquisitions have been made: Southampton-based finance provider Hilton-Baird and Cardiff-based Lexington Corporate Finance. Even so, net cash could improve to m£32m by April 2025.
Order intake has weakened at scientific instruments supplier Judges Scientific (JDG) and there is no sign of this changing in the near term. There have also been delays of some projects. Organic revenues declined 3% in the first half. Demand from China has been weak. Some delayed work will come through in the second half. Even so, the full year pre-tax profit forecast has been cut by 10% to £30.3m, down from £31.7m last year.
Prospex Energy (PXEN) has secured a ten-year extension of the licence concessions for the El Romeral project in Spain. It can be extended for another ten years to 2044. Prospex Energy is trying to gain permission to drill more wells to provide gas to El Romeral so its electricity production can increase by one-third.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) chief executive Greg Madison is stepping down and non-exec Anders Lundstrom will take over on an interim basis. Iron deficiency treatment ACCRUFeR generated revenues of $6.9m in the second quarter, which was 69% higher than the previous quarter. This is a combination of more prescriptions and higher selling prices. The interim revenues are $11m. Cash is still flowing out of the business.
Energy supplier Yu Group (YU.) increased revenues by 60% in the first half and cash has increased to £86.8m. Lower prices mean that monthly average bookings have declined by 9% and that will hit operating margins. These factors mean that SP Angel is keeping its full year pre-tax profit forecast at £44.5m even though interim revenues grew much faster than expected.
Inspiration Healthcare (IHC) has finally signed the £3.3m Middle East contract it has been waiting for. The equipment should be shipped in the period to year-end in January 2025. This covers the majority of the revenues needed to be gained to achieve the full year forecast revenues of £41m. Earlier in the week, BGF Investment Management increased its stake to more than 21%.
Hydrogen and fertiliser projects developer Atome (ATOM) has signed heads of terms for a fertiliser offtake agreement with Yara. This covers the Villeta project in Paraguay. This will help to achieve full financing of the project by the end of 2024. The Villeta facility could produce 260,000tpa of fertiliser. Yara is the largest fertiliser and ammonia trader and the fertiliser produced at Villeta should be sold at a premium price.
Zephyr Energy (ZPHR) has completed the initial phase of testing of the State 36-2R LNW-CC well in the Paradox Basin, US. Peak production rates were 1,350 barrels of equivalent/day even though the well was choked back and constrained. There is a higher condensate yield than nearby wells and this will be attractive to Utah refineries. There is little water production. However, the natural fracture network may be partially obstructed. Zephyr Energy will try to remove drilling mud emulsions that could be blocking the fracture and that will cost a few hundred thousand dollars.
Healthcare services provider Totally (TLY) made a small loss in the year to March 2024, but it is expected to return to profit this year even though revenues are set to continue to decline. Annualised cost savings of £3.5m have been made. There have been delays to tender activity around the General Election, but this is changing. The investigation into the NHS should report in September and this could provide opportunities.
Aptamer (APTA) is raising £2.83m at 0.2p/share, which was a large discount to the market price. The cash is required to get the full potential from its Optimer binder technology. There are relationships with the top ten pharma companies and there is potential for licensing the technology in the next few years. The fixed cost base will be reduced from £3.5m to £2.9m.
Brighton Pier (PIER) has been hampered by poor weather. There was a 29% decline in footfall on Brighton Pier itself so this year’s revenues will be lower than expected. The other three leisure businesses are trading in line with expectations. Cavendish expects a 2024 loss after tax of £700,000.
Architectural and construction software provider Eleco (ELCO) generated organic growth of 12% in the first half. Overall interim revenues were 21% higher at £16.3m. Annualised recurring revenues are £25.8m. Cavendish is maintaining its full year pre-tax profit forecast at £4.8m. Profit has been held back by the move to SaaS-based income, but as this process matures it should accelerate.
Braveheart Investments (BRH) has increased its stake in Image Scan (IGE) from 5.21% to 7.22%,
MAIN MARKET
Thalassa Holdings (THAL) has taken a 9.94% stake in Surgical Innovations (SUN) and the share price recovered 23.1% to 0.8p, which values the surgical instruments manufacturer at £7.5m. Earlier this year, Thalassa chairman Duncan Soukup made initial restitution payments due to a loss on an investment in Tappit Technologies and he will pay up to £1.5m more. This means that Thalassa has cash to invest. Thalassa had a book value of 116p/share at the end of 2023.
Financial management software developer Aptitude Software (LON: APTD) is going through a period of transition. The current core product is AccountancyHub, but the newest product is Fynapse. The plan is to transfer one-third of the AccountancyHub customers to Fynapse by 2027, while also adding new clients. There is less need for complicated implementation processes with Fynapse and much of that work is done by partners. That is why those revenues have declined in the latest period and total interim revenues fell from £37.5m to £35.3m. Annualised recurring revenues are £46.7m. There was a cash outflow in the first half, but net cash should recover to £25m by the end of 2024. Pre-tax profit improved from £1.75m to £2.5m.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 26 February 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Music manager and promoter All Things Considered (ATC) has raised £2.3m at 105p/share. The company raised £4.15m at 153p/share when it joined Aquis in December 2021. The latest proceeds will be used to develop the artist representation and direct to consumer divisions, plus fund acquisitions. A potential artist management company acquisition has been identified. A new festival is being developed.
Trading was in line with expectations at Arbuthnot Banking Group (ARBB). Shore Capital believes the recovery in profitability due to higher interest charges has broadly already happened. Even so, the broker believes that the current valuation is undemanding.
Visum Technologies (VIS) is planning to acquire Socrates Imaging for Euro2m in cash and shares. Visum has exclusivity until the end of March 2024. Socrates Imaging has developed photo and video capture souvenirs. A final agreement needs to be made and shareholders have to agree to the purchase.
US focused lender Investment Evolution Credit (IEC) generated revenues of £441,000 and pre-tax profit of £268,000 in the six months to November 2023. Cash was £659,000. Consumer lending operations could start in the UK in 2025.
Hydro Hotel Eastbourne (HYDP) reported flat annual revenues of £4.4m, while pre-tax profit fell from £445,000 to £310,000 due to higher cost of sales. Cash is £1.63m. a lower dividend of 12p/share has been announced. Management is trying to secure more direct bookings.
Inteliqo (IQO) has launched the full Langaroo app on Google Play and the App store. Langaroo enables users to understand, speak, message and share information in 130 languages.
Coinsilium (COIN) will be providing global trade exchange platform LC Lite, which has been acquired by Incomlend. Coinsilium will advise on project token economics ahead of a launch later this year. Fees are paid in cryptocurrencies.
Valereum (VLRM) is getting near to completing a blockchain-based digital financial markets infrastructure and this should happen this year. After phase 1 is launched there will be further phases developing on-chain Centralised Securities Depositary. Investment company VLRM Capital will invest in principal trading of equities and cryptocurrencies, as well as staking digital assets. The first fund should be launched by the summer. Valereum chairman James Formoli will provide seed capital of £500,000 to the investment vehicle. Valereum itself wants to raise up to £4m and firm commitments have been received for £2.5m at 6p/share.
Phoenix Digital (PNIX) director Nicholas Lyth bought 1.26 million shares at 3.1p each.
TruSpine Technologies (TSP) has submitted additional documentation to the FDA for the 510(k) application for its Cervi-LOK medical device product. A shareholder requisition notice has been deemed to be invalid.
Hydrogen Future Industries (HFI) has raised £552,000 at 5p/share. The cash will further develop technology and fund a feasibility study for use in the mining sector. Rogue Baron (SHNJ) has issued 7.2 million shares to a service provider for services over a 12-month period.
PanGenomic Health (NARA) intends to withdraw from the Aquis Stock Exchange.
AIM
Safety and compliance services provider Marlowe (MRL) is selling part of its governance, risk and compliance software and service business to Inflexion for an enterprise value of £430m. That will pay off debt and enable £150m plus to be paid to shareholders. That could leave £60m of cash in the business. This could fund acquisitions in the remaining business areas of testing, inspection and certification, and occupational health. Marlowe chief executive Alex Dacre is leaving with the disposal.
Horizonte Minerals (HZM) estimates that it will cost $454m to complete construction and deliver first metal at the Araguaia nickel project. This means that the estimate of overall cost is currently 87% higher than before at $1bn. The company is in talks with shareholders and lenders to secure full funding in the second quarter of 2024. The increased investment requirement means that existing debt facilities will have to be restructured. Short-term funding will be required will the discussions continue. Heikon Investments slashed its shareholding from 7.99% to 0.33%.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) is making progress with Accrufer iron deficiency treatment sales, but a third party overstated the number of prescriptions in 2023. There would have been 90,500 on the previous methodology, which was lower than expected, but the revised figure is 77,000. Year-end cash was $13.9m. Costs are being controlled, but there is no guarantee that there is enough cash to reach breakeven. Shield Therapeutics expects to be cash flow positive in the second half of 2025 instead of later this year.
Electric drivetrain developer Saietta Group (SED) it needs more cash by the end of March, or it will have to find a bidder and that made it the top faller on AIM for the second week in a row. Cash payments have been delayed.
Retail and promotional business Spaceandpeople (SAL) did slightly better than expected in 2023 with revenue of £5.8m, up from £4.7m. The company has changed its revenue recognition policy in the UK and revenues will be recognised on a net rather than gross basis. Without the change the 2023 revenues would have been more than £6.5m. The German business is recovering, and its revenues will still be recognised on a gross basis. There is no change to pre-tax profit – £90,000 is forecast.
Fertiliser producer Harvest Minerals (LON: HMI) says 2023 orders totalled 34,880 tonnes and 28,707 tonnes were invoiced and cash received for 27,024 tonnes. The 2024 orders have reached 7,067 tonnes. Management believe that orders could reach 70,000 tonnes this year, even though the market remains difficult. There was $630,000 in the bank at the end of 2023.
Frasers Group has acquired a 8.9% stake in models and collectibles supplier Hornby (HRN).
Empire Metals (EEE) is focusing on the Pitfield titanium project and is not extending the Gindalbie tribute agreement.
Chamberlin (CMH) has sold its profitable Petrel business for £3m and an exceptional gain of £2m. The cash will be invested in its foundry and machining business. There is £250,00 deferred until repairs are undertaken for the facility that is being sub-let to the purchaser by Chamberlin.
RBG Holdings (RBGP) has raised £2.8m at 9p/share, compared with a market price of 9.25p. This will provide a more solid base from which to grow the remaining legal services and M&A business. New legal partners have been recruited to grow the core operations. There is a £24m HSBC facility, but there will be increased headroom after the cash call. There is enough cash for at least 12 months. It is possible that M&A adviser Convex Capital will be sold to its management.
MAIN MARKET
Aquila Services Group (AQSG) intends to leave the standard list. The housing consultancy business reversed into shell company General Industries in August 2015. The share price is well below the level it was at the time of that deal. Management says that it has missed out on chances to acquire businesses because of a lack of liquidity in the shares. Leaving will save £100,000/year.
Newtyn Management has reduced its stake in Pinewood Technologies (PINE) from 10% to 8.56%. Chief executive William Berman sold 1.46 million shares at 34.85p each.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 7 November 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Cooks Coffee Company Ltd (COOK), which was already quoted on the New Zealand Stock Exchange, joined Access segment of Aquis on 2 November at 20p a share. The share price rose to 21.5p (20p/23p) by the end of the week. There were no trades during the week. The company owns the Esquires Coffee and Triple Two Coffee brands. It has 111 outlets around the world, including 70 in the UK, making it the largest franchise café chain in the UK. Elena Garside has been appointed as a non-executive director.
Brewer Daniel Thwaites (THW) more than doubled interim pre-tax profit from £7.5m to £15.7m, although most of the improvement came from a gain on interest rate swaps of £7.6m, up from £500,000, due to higher interest rates. Turnover was 21% ahead at £57.9m, although trading was disrupted in the corresponding period. Net debt was £61.1m at the end of September 2022. The performance of pubs is mixed, and beer volumes are not back to past levels. Higher hotels revenues were more than offset by increased costs.
Quantum Exponential Group (QBIT) investee company Universal Quantum says its German subsidiary has been commissioned by the German Aerospace Centre to build a fully scalable trapped-ion quantum computer. This follows projects supported by the UK government. Non-exec director Nigel McNair Scott has acquired 500,000 shares at 2p each, 1.5 million shares at 1.966p each and 500,000 shares at 1.95p each.
Valereum (VLRM) has gained regulatory approval for the acquisition of the Gibraltar Stock Exchange and the deal should be completed in the first quarter of 2023. Smaller companies in the Middle East, India and Africa. The plan is to attract An NFT strategy will be launched next year. Simon Brickles is chairman of the Gibraltar Stock Exchange, and he will join the Valereum board. There has been the conversion of £130,000 of the funding facility into shares. There is an outstanding balance of $2.35m.
Eight Capital Partners (ECP) wants to raise up to £10m from a placing at 0.02p a share. The shares will come with warrants exercisable at 0.05p. The cash will be used for fintech acquisitions. Supplying financial services to smaller companies is an area that management believes is underserved. Wealth management technology is another potential area. Acquiring a digital bank could provide a base to grow into these areas. A broker option will enable existing shareholders to buy shares, and this is open until 21 November. Bondholders will be given the chance to convert into shares.
Quetzal Capital (QTZ) has a conditional agreement to acquire the shares it does not own in TAP Global for 450 million shares. The deal requires a fundraising to finance the enlarged group. This has led to the suspension of trading in Quetzal Capital shares.
Wind and water-based green hydrogen production systems developer Hydrogen Future Industries (HFI) has commenced prototype testing of the wind element of the system. The wind turbines are designed to be more efficient, and the tests will show whether they achieve expected power output.
VVV Resources Ltd (VVV) has raised £241,000 at 20p a share and every four shares come with a warrant exercisable at 50p a share. The share price slumped 55% to 22.5p because of the placing’s large discount to the market price. VVV Resources has a conditional agreement to acquire 100% of the Mitterberg copper project in Austria and 49% of the Shangri La polymetallic project in Western Australia.
Cadence Minerals (KDNC) says the Amapa ore reserve estimate supports a 15-year mine life and Cadence has increased its stake in Amapa to 30% by converting loans and capitalising management and admin contributions. Investee company Evergreen Lithium is moving towards an ASX listing.
Rogue Baron (SHNJ) sold 660 cases of whisky generating $87,000. Sales have slowed in the US ahead of a move to a larger distributor. Rogue Baron is selling its De Rhum Spot bar.
Semper Fortis Esports (SEMP) generated revenues of £55,000 in the six months to July 2022. There was a £694,000 cash outflow during the period, leaving cash of £635,000. Overheads have been reduced.
Dynasty Gaming & Media, which is an investee company of AIM-quoted Blue Star Capital (BLU) will deliver new games developed by Pioneer Media Inc (PNER), to Asian telecoms company Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, which has 100 million subscribers in Indonesia.
TruSpine Technologies (TSP) has been approached with an equity financing package. More cash is required for working capital.
There has been more buying of property investor Ace Liberty & Stone (ALSP) shares by chief executive Ismail Ghandour. He acquired 20,000 shares at an average price of 0.595p each. Brewer Shepherd Neame (SHEP) director Richard Oldfield is continuing to buy shares. He acquired at total of 9,500 shares at 680p each. Coinsilium (COIN) chief executive Eddy Travia bought 250,000 shares at 1.9p each.
MiLOC (ML.P) is changing its name to Crushmetric Group.
AIM
Accsys Technologies (AXS) will report a significant impairment charge relating to the restructuring of the Tricoya consortium. Accsys Technologies intends to take 100% ownership of the Hull Tricoya plant, and construcgtion is going to be put on hold for six months. That will reduce the cash outflow. The restructure means that the consortium partners will receive 11.9 million Accsys Technologies shares. The debt facility will be restructured with the principal reduced from €15m to €6m. The plant may cost €35m to complete. A decision on construction will depend on the assessment of the longer-term outlook for costs. The fourth reactor at the Netherland Accoya plant will increase cash generation.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) says the Korean Food and Drug Administration has agreed to a single pharmacokinetic study for a new drug application for iron deficiency product Accrufer. This should start before the end of the year. Korea Pharma will conduct the survey and regulatory approval could be gained before the end of 2023.
Science Group (SAG) is buying the shares it does not own in TP Group (TPG) for 2.25p a share in cash. That values TP Group at £17.5m. Science Group already owns 28% of the company.
Oil and gas producer Hurricane Energy (HUR) has received an indicative bid of 7.7p a share but does not recommend this offer. Instead, a formal sale process has started because 28.9% shareholder Crystal Amber Fund Ltd (CRS) is keen to sell its stake. Hurricane Energy is generating cash and has more than $370m of tax losses. If there is no bid a 3.1p a share distribution is planned.
Rising costs have meant that paper manufacturer James Cropper (CRPR) with energy costs having a significant effect on paper making. The technical fibres business is not growing as fast as anticipated. Price rises are offsetting some of the cost increases. The full year pre-tax profit estimate has been cut from £5.4m to £2m, after breaking even in the first half to 24 September 2022.
Empire Metals (EEE) says the mapping of the Pitfield copper project show extensive copper, silver and other base metals anomalies over a 40km strike length. Exploration field work will start by the first quarter of 2023.
MAIN MARKET
Bowen Fintech (BWN) is a standard list shell that is seeking fintech acquisitions, such as digital payments and trading platforms, anywhere in the world. The initial focus is Europe, Asia and the US. A business that is already generating revenues with potential for growth would be ideal for Bowen Fintech. A placing raised £2m at 4p a share. There were no trades on the first day and then two on the following day. There were two more deals on Friday. The share price ended the week at 6.25p (5p/7.5p). That is nearly double the pro forma NAV of 3.2p a share.
Vox Capital has reversed into standard list shell Vertu Capital Ltd to form Vox Valor Capital Ltd (VOX) and trading recommenced on 31 October. Vertu Capital issued 2.2 million shares at 1.2p each to acquire London-based digital marketing and technology business Vox Capital, which equates to 93.9% of the enlarged share capital. However, the share price opened well below the issue price and has fallen to 0.6p (0.5p/0.7p).
National World (NWOR) is considering a bid for Daily Mirror owner Reach (LON: RCH), although it has not made an approach.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 4 July 2022
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AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Shepherd Neame (SHEP) issued a full year trading statement, and it is set to return to profit in 2021-22. The Kent-based brewer and pubs operator says revenues are recovering. Net debt was reduced from £93.2m to £75.3m by the end of June 2022. The estimated 2021-22 pre-tax profit is £7.2m and it is expected to improve to £9.6m in 2022-23.
Chief marketing officer Mark Harvey is leaving Chapel Down Group (CDGP). He has been with the wine maker for six years.
Energy storage technology developer Invinity Energy Systems (IES) generated revenues of £3.2m in 2021 and reported a substantial loss. VSA has cut its forecast 2022 revenues from £26.5m to £14.1m. There are already contracts that have been secured that are valued at £13.8m. The loss is expected to reduce from £21.3m to £17.9m. There should still be net cash of £10m by the end of 2022.
Visum Technologies (VIS) raised £601,000 at 14p a share ahead of its admission to Aquis on Thursday. Visum is the operator of an on-ride video camera system sold or licenced to theme parks, souvenir producers and ride operators. The share price opened at 12p before recovering to 14p
The technology investment company Asimilar (ASLR) reported interim figures, which show a £10.6m loss due to a sharp decline in the Dev Clever Holdings share price, which is currently suspended. Net assets were 25.3p a share at the end of March 2022.
Blockchain and digital assets investor KR1 (KR1) says net assets were 423% higher at 122.68p a share at the end of 2021, but that figure is likely to be lower now given the weak cryptocurrency market this year. There was £3.49m in cash on the balance sheet.
TruSpine Technologies (TSP) is waiting for the FDA’s response to the request for breakthrough technology designation before filing a 510k FDA submission for tis Cervi-LOK screwless spinal stabilisation system.
Trading in British Honey (BHC) shares was suspended at the end of the week because it has not published 2021 figures.
AIM
A further downgrade for Shield Therapeutics (STX) after its 2021 figures. Most of the 2021 revenues of £1.5m were generated in Europe and not the important US market for the Accrufer iron deficiency treatment. The latest figures show some progress in US Accrufer revenues with first quarter Accrufer prescriptions double the number in the fourth quarter of 2022, taking the total prescriptions for the quarter to more than 3,900. finnCap has reduced its 2022 forecast for US revenues from £8.1m to £6.3m thereby reducing total group revenues from £9.9m to £8.1m.
Shareholders in plant-based polymers developer Itaconix (ITX) have voted against the reappointment of two non-executive directors, including Charlean Gmunder, who was appointed on 19 April this year, and the Itaconix 2022 Equity Participation Plan for non-employees, where 79.16% of votes were against. First half revenues are substantially ahead of the previous record level.
Employee benefits services and insurance provider Personal Group (PGH) has acquired Quintage Consulting Group for £900,000 in cash. This is an employee reward and recognition consultancy providing things such as pay benchmarking surveys.
Footwear supplier Unbound Group (LSE: UBG) says trading has been in line with expectations following a good start to the year to January 2022. The multi-brand platform, that will exploit the extensive database that the company has built up, will launch on 28 July. There are 14 partner brands signed up, including Hush Puppies, and Sketchers.
IG Design Group (IGR) has started to improve operational efficiency in order to move back into profit. Higher freight and supply chain costs hit the business last year. Full year revenues increased from $873.2m to $965.1m, but an underlying pre-tax profit of $32.8m was turned into a loss of $1.3m. A modest rise in revenues is forecast for this year. The order book is already 71% of this year’s budgeted revenues.
Cosmetics supplier Warpaint London (W7L) has reported that first half sales are 30% ahead at more than £24m and gross margin has improved.
MAIN MARKET
Standard list shell Alteration Earth (ALTE) is seeking an acquisition in the clean technology or energy sectors. The plan is to do this within 24 months of admission. The shell raised a total o £1.26m by issuing nine million shares at 4p each and nine million shares at 10p each. The share price ended the first day of trading at 30p, but the bid offer spread was 10p/50p. The deal would need to make the enlarged group worth a minimum of £30m.
Hamak Gold Ltd (HAMA) says two rock chip samples from the Nimba licence in Liberia show grades of 45.5g/t and 37.3g/t. These are located where gold in soil anomalies were reported. There are assays to come from channel sampling of surface exposures.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 21 February 2022
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
National Milk Records (NMRP) improved interim revenues by 6% to £11.4m, while pre-tax profit increased by 53% to £750,000. There was a £1m cash inflow from operations. Net debt was £1.1m at the end of December 2021. Genomics testing revenues were 17% higher. The interim dividend has been raised from 1.25p a share to 1.5p a share. Milk prices are strong, but costs are increasing.
Grid storage technology developer Invinity Energy Systems (IES) plans to gain a quotation on Aquis, while retaining its AIM quotation. This is so that it can also obtain an Aquis Access quotation for its warrants, which were issued in a fundraising at the end of last year. The short-term warrants are exercisable at 150p a share up until 15 September. The long-term warrants are exercisable at 225p a share up until 16 December 2024. The current share price is 77p.
Natural foods company S-Ventures (SVEN) has acquired the business of Livia’s Health Foods, which makes plant-based food treats. This includes Million Squares, Nugglets and Dunx. S-Ventures is paying £350,000 in cash and shares. The business has been loss making and generated revenues of £1.3m in the 12 months to January 2022. If revenues exceed £600,000 in the 10 months after acquisition than a further £100,000 is payable. VSA forecasts S-Ventures 2022 EBITDA of £1.8m.
Goodbody Health inc (GDBY) is launching blood testing through itkino, nbi, fire, shnj, coin, s network of clinics. More pharmacies are being added to the network. Covid tests are running at more than 500 a day even though UK testing requirements have been eased. The first clinic has been opened in Vancouver, Canada. Arden is forecasting a 2022 pre-tax profit of £5.1m, but this could depend on whether the level of Covid testing continues at these levels.
ChallengerX (CXS) has appointed John May as non-exec chairman and Brian Connell will take over as chief executive. Management is trying to unfreeze cash held in the accounts of its French subsidiary and says that they were mistakenly frozen after the former chief executive was arrested. There is still £550,000 of cash available for use by the company.
Western Selection (WESP) increased net assets to 68p a share at the end of 2021 thanks to gains on disposals and an uplift in the remaining stakes in Kinovo (KINO) and Northbridge Industrial Services (NBI). Net debt was £674,000 at the end of December 2021. There is no dividend.
IamFire (FIRE) has subscribed for a further £2m of convertible loan notes in WeShop. The conversion price is 75p a share. The beta version of the WeShop platform is on course.
Rogue Baron (SHNJ) is launching its Shinju whisky in the UK. This will be the first market with an 8-year old version of the whisky.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) is advising fashion brand Blvck Paris for the launch of the Blvck Genesis NFT collection.
Hydrogen Utopia International (HUI) says that talks with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries concerning the potential development of plastic waste to hydrogen facilities in Japan have ended.
SuperSeed Capital (WWW) managing director Mads Jensen has bought shares, while related party Capex Ventures sold 50,000 shares at 100p each, taking his interest to 81.9%. The shareholding of Anne Mette Horneman increased from 4.25% to 6.75%.
AIM
Franchise Brands (FRAN) has launched a recommended all share bid for kitchen services provider Filta Holdings (FLTA). The offer is 1.157 shares for each Filta share. Management and related parties own the majority of Filta. Shareholders owning more than 81% of Filta are backing the bid. Filta boss Jason Sayers will continue to run Filta, which provides cooking oil filtration and drain management services to restaurants and other venues in the UK and North America. Metro Rod, Metro Plumb and Willow Pumps are already owned by Franchise Brands and these services can be offered to Filta’s customer base in the UK.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) got off to a slow start with its Ferracu iron deficiency treatment launch in the US. Total 2021 revenues, including European income, were £1.5m. Forecasts are all over the place. The statement was in line with Peel Hunt’s forecast but well below the finnCap estimate. The 2022 revenues forecasts are the other way around with Peel Hunt (£27.9m) being much more optimistic than finnCap (£9.9m). They agree Shield will continue to lose money, though. This shows that management does not have any real idea what is going to happen, or it could have provided better guidance. Hopefully, there shall be better information when the full year results are published.
Circle Property (CRC) is selling one of its main properties and plans to return cash to shareholders. Circle Property is selling Kents Hill Park Conference Centre to LXI REIT for £34.5m – 1.5% ahead of book value. There are plans to sell other properties.
Domain name and online marketing services provider CentralNic (CNIC) is doing much better than initial expectations in 2022. Online marketing services is where the growth is coming from. Broker Zeus has upgraded its 2022 pre-tax profit forecast from $37.2m to $39m. CentralNic is acquiring Fireball Search and the .ruhr top level domain, which has around 10,000 domain registrations, for €600,000 in cash. A maiden dividend is likely to be announced with the 2021 figures.
Cloud-based conferencing services provider LoopUp (LOOP) says the 2021 trading outcome was in line with previously downgraded expectations, but lack of cash could become a problem. Last year’s revenues were £19.5m, down from £50.2m in 2020, which was a bumper year. It is also well below the £42.5m generated in 2019. The loss is expected to be more than £10m in 2021 and 2022. Net debt was £2.5m at the end of 2021 and it is forecast to rise to £5.7m at the end of 2022.
SkinBioTerapeutics (SBTX) is still optimistic about the prospects for the AxisBiotix-Ps food supplement treatment for psoriasis, but the second phase of the launch, which has just commenced, will be an important indicator of success. The first significant revenues will be in the second half of the year to June 2022. The SkinBiotix cosmetic ingredient is ready to be mass produced by Croda, which is talking to potential cosmetics customers.
Frontier IP (FIPP) has raised a further £3.2m from the sale of ADSs in AI-based drug discovery company Exscientia compared with a book value of £1.75m. Froniter IP has raised £6.1m in total and retains 1.17 million ADSs.
Ariana Resources (AAU) will pay a special dividend of 0.175p a share on 25 March with another payment of the same amount due later this year. Ariana says that drilling at the Kilrou deposit in Cyprus has confirmed the existence of gold at the site, as well as copper and zinc.
MAIN MARKET
Antimicrobial and textile odour control materials developer HeiQ (HEIQ) has secured a development partnership with Hugo Boss for HeiQ AeoniQ, a high-performance yarn. Hugo Boss is investing $5m in a subsidiary that holds the technology, which values that company at $200m. AeoniQ is designed as a sustainable alternative to oil-based nylon and polyester, which take up to 1,000 years to degrade and generate $135bn a year in fibre sales. HeiQ AeoniQ yarns are made from cellulosic biopolymers. The LYCRA Company will become the exclusive distributor of HeiQ AeoniQ yarns, and it will also make a financial contribution. The first product should be available in the second half of 2022.
Standard listed shell CYBA (CYBA) has agreed the acquisition of Narf Industries, which is a cyber security business, for $26.5m in cash and shares issued at 2p each. A placing will raise £6m at 2p a share. In 2020, Narf revenues were $2.78m and in the first half of 2021 they were $1.05m. SaaS subscriptions are generating an increasing proportion of revenues. Further acquisitions are planned.
BATM Advanced (BVC) says that its 2021 pre-tax profit figures will be slightly higher than expectations of $23m. The figures will be announced on 28 February.
Cizzle Biotechnology (CIZ) has agreed to acquire a 5% economic interest in AZD1656, a potential treatment for patients with Covid-19. This agreement was made with Conduit Pharmaceuticals and St George Street Capital and is in addition to previous agreements. Conduit has taken a 8.98% stake in Cizzle as part of the deal.
Studio Retail (STU) intends to appoint administrators.
Cash shell MAC Alpha Ltd (MACA) had £700,000 in cash at the end of 2021. Net assets are £369,000.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 1 March 2021
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Incanthera (INC) says that it is prioritising discussions with two global cosmetic companies as potential partners for Sol, a sun cream that prevents skin cancer. Incanthera is also assessing the potential for using the technology to develop other products.
Sativa Wellness (SWEL) plans to raise C$4m through a placing of units at C$0.07875 each. Each unit consists of one share one-half of a warrant exercisable at C$0.105 each. The cash will provide working capital and investment for a new health screening service. Sativa has opened ten Covid-19 testing facilities. A dispute with Dragonfly Biosciences has been settled.
World High Life (LIFE) is submitting a novel food dossier to the Food Standards Agency. This is part of the move to regulation of the CBD market in the UK. The dossier includes pre-clinical results.
AfriAg Global (AFRI) intends to acquire the shares in medicinal cannabis pharma company Apollon Formularies that it does not own, and this will be classed as a reverse takeover. Shares will be issued to the Apollon shareholders. AfriAg is also raising £2.5m at 5p a share.
Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) is selling its Tay mortgage portfolio to a subsidiary of OneSavings Bank for £53.8m, which is equivalent to 97.9% of the outstanding loans. Arbuthnot has already announced that it intends to pay a 21p a share special dividend, which replaces the 2019 dividend declared in March 2020. Arbuthnot will make a loss in 2020 so there will be no dividend.
Gunsynd (GUN) has invested £65,000 in a convertible loan issue by B2B pool betting platform Low6. Gunsynd had already invested £200,000 last December. AIM-quoted Pires Investments (PIRI) has also increased its investment in Low6. It invested a further £35,000, having also invested £200,000 at the same time as Gunsynd. Low6 is expected to float during the second quarter of 2021 and Canaccord Genuity is its broker.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) says that the latest exploration at Specimen Hill reaffirms the drill targets and informs plans for higher density drilling, so that a resource can be calculated. Tectonic says that the Deep Blue Minerals diamonds joint venture with AIM-quoted Kazera Global Investments produced 220 carats in January. Higher grade materials will be mined during the rest of the year.
SulNOx Group (SNOX) says that Bureau Veritas has certified that SulnoxEco Fuel Conditioner complies with European standards. This means that SulNox’s products can be used for 70% of the hydrocarbon market. Management is confident that production can be scaled up.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) has signed an agreement with ASX-listed Evolution Mining for the evaluation and potential processing of lead and silver rich stockpiles at the Sunbeam project in North Queensland. Evolution has a processing plant 80km away from Sunbeam, which has stockpiles from past mining. The processing would be done on a cost and revenue share basis with NQ. This could finance further exploration. NQ says that it should qualify for the Green Economy Mark when it moves to the standard list.
Lombard Capital (LCAP) has received shareholder approval for refocusing its strategy on property investment and development.
Almon I Holding has cut its stake in Coinsilium (COIN) to below 3%. It increased its stake to 3.68% in January 2020.
Altona Energy has changed its name to Altona Rare Earths (ANR).
AIM
Trading platform operator Aquis Exchange (AQX) moved into profit last year thanks to high levels of trading on its platform. Aquis had been expected to lose money in 2020 but it is now expected to make a £200,000 profit on revenues of £11m. EU trades have been moved to the Paris operation and London has restarted trading in Swiss shares.
VR Education (VRE) continues to grow the revenues of its ENGAGE VR platform. Group revenues increased by 38%, while ENGAGE revenues rose by 550% thanks to strong demand for virtual events. The US provides significant potential. VR is still hiring additional people, although the focus is more on marketing. VR is still losing money, but the cash burn has been reduced this year. Management is targeting 100,000 monthly users by 2025.
Hormonal disease treatments developer Diurnal (DNL) says Alkindi sales in the UK and Germany grew by 29% in the first half but the timing of purchases in other markets meant that overall revenues barely increased. Chronocourt could gain European approval in March and the US regulatory pathway for DITEST, an oral testosterone formulation, has been set out. Net cash was £20.3m at the end of December 2020.
K3 Business Technology (KBT) has sold its managed services business for £14.7m. The business made a pre-tax profit of £1.2m last year, but the disposal proceeds will wipe out net debt and enable the repayment of the £3m shareholder loan due in June. There should still be more than £35m of recurring revenues.
Interim trading at transport software and services provider Tracsis (TRCS) was active and it was not far below the levels in the six months to January 2020 prior to Covid-19 becoming a factor. Revenues declined from £26.4m to £22m and management believes Covid-19 reduced the figure by £6m. New rail contracts are being won, but the lack of events hit the data and events division. Cash has improved from £17.9m to £21m.
Revenues fell by one-third at President Energy (PPC) in 2020 due to lower oil prices. President did generate $10m of free cash flow and that helped to reduce net debt. President plans to drill seven wells this year and that could increase production by one-third. Anew subsidiary, Atome, will develop hydrogen and ammonia production.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) has raised £25m at 30p a share and could raise a further £4.2m via an open offer. The cash will finance the new strategy of directly launching iron deficiency treatment Accrufer in the US.
Yew Grove REIT (YEW) has agreed a new lease for Gateway Three building, East Wall Road, Dublin with the Electricity Supply Board. The new lease lasts five years. Along with three rent reviews, this takes the increase in annual rents to €470,000 this year.
Best of the Best (BOTB) has concluded its strategic review and it has reemphasised its online strategy. finnCap has upgraded its pre-tax profit forecast to £14m.
Benchmark Holdings (BMK) increased first quarter revenues by 18% to £29m and it is on course to reduce its loss this year, prior to moving into profit in 2021-22. The advanced nutrition business contributed significant growth in the first quarter.
MAIN MARKET
Online auctions provider Auction Technology Group (ATG) raised £247.4m at 600p a share, while existing shareholders pocketed £51.5m after the over-allotment option was exercised. The company was valued at £600m. There was a 30% gain to 780p a share at the end of the first week of trading. The company is involved with three main auction markets: arts and antiques, industrial and commercial and consumer surplus and returns. It has six main auction marketplace brands and trade magazine Antiques Trade Gazette. Low double-digit organic revenue growth is anticipated for the next few years.
Town Centre Securities (TOWN) announced a 1.75p a share interim dividend, even though this is not covered by earnings. Lower car park income meant that there was a sharp decline in interim profit. The NAV was 286p a share at the end of December 2020 and it is not expected to decline by more than 2% by the year-end in June. This is more than double the current share price.
CML Microsystems (CML) is paying 50p a share to investors following the sale of its storage division. This will cost £8.28m. the cash should be received before the end of March.
Strong demand for diagnostic products more than offset weakness in the networking division of BATM Advanced Communication (BVC) and enabled 2020 revenues to grow by 49% to $184m. Pre-tax profit jumped from $5.2m to $13.6m. Revenues are expected to decline this year, but pre-tax profit is forecast to improve from $13.6m to $17.3m. This may depend on the timing of the sale of the NGSoft business and it also assumes no additional sales of ventilators this year. Longer-term, revenues will build up from virtual networking technology NFVTime. There is also potential for dividends.
Construction services provider NMCN (NMCN) says that two contracts in the water division could lead to an additional loss of £5m in 2020. These costs relate to delays. The total loss for 2020 could be up to £22m. The additional cash costs will be spread over 28 months. Shareholders are being asked to agree to an extension of the company’s borrowing limit.
Aircraft lessor Avation (AVAP) took a $46.7m impairment charge on its aircraft and a $12.9m credit loss in the six months to December 2020. The NAV was 174p a share at the end of 2020. A full year loss of $30m is expected before the exceptional write-offs.
Cannabis-based products developer Cellular Goods (CBX) raised £13m in its offer at 5p a share. The share price jumped to 19p on the first day of dealings.
Potash project developer Emmerson (EML) raised £5.5m at 5.75p a share. Emmerson has a mining licence for the Khemisset potash project in Morocco. The cash will be used for the detailed design of the mine and the phased development of the project.
Shell company Stranger Holdings (STHP) is pushing ahead with the proposed reverse takeover of the Recyclus Group. A prospectus is being drafted.
Packaging supplier Macfarlane Group (MACF) increased its 2020 profit by 10% to £13m on a 2% increase in revenues to £230m. The full year dividend has been increased from 0.69p a share to 2.55p a share.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 14 December 2020
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Incanthera (INC) says that study results for Sol, a sun cream that prevents skin cancer, have been better than expected. There is significantly greater dermal delivery by Sol compared with four rival products and it was found to be a non-irritant. The cream exceeds bioequivalence compared with oral treatments. A new patent is being filed which will extend the protection until 2041. Incanthera had £433,000 in the bank at the end of September 2020 and outgoings are low. The cash will last well into 2021 Incanthera is seeking a partner to license Sol and launch the product, which could lead to an upfront payment. Incanthera has already licensed potential cancer treatment EP0015 to Ellipses Pharma. There are other earlier stage treatments being developed, including Duo-C, which is a potential treatment for bladder cancer.
Arbuthnot Banking (ARBB) is acquiring vehicle finance provider Asset Alliance, which specialises in coaches and trucks, for £4.1m. Arbuthnot can use its own deposit base to provide finance for the acquisition, which should be earnings enhancing in 2021.
In the year to May 2020, mechanical and engineering services provider Fuel Systems Designs Holdings (FSD) reported a decline in pre-tax profit from £553,000 to £354,000 and a fall in revenues from £21.8m to £19.8m. The decline in revenues came from the power generation division, while water and sewerage revenues were slightly higher. Cash in the bank has improved from £4.8m to £5.96m.
SulNOX (SNOX) has signed a collaboration agreement with Ghana-based Rigworld, which will market the company’s fuel conditioner and heavy fuel emulsifier products in Africa. Rigworld has identified the mining sector as an initial opportunity.
Chris Akers has taken a 4.08% stake in Gunsynd (GUN). Investee company Rincon Resources has had its ASX listing delayed. Pacific Nickel, formerly Malachite, has raised $3.8m for the exploration of nickel projects in the Solomon Islands.
World High Life (LIFE) generated revenues of £1.69m in the year to June 2020. Impairment goodwill of £7.4m increased the full year loss to £12.7m. Management continues to seek further CBD investment opportunities.
Rutherford Health (RUTH) has launched new membership scheme Rutherford Direct. The healthcare plan focuses on cancer cover and provides the cost of treatment and care for people diagnosed with cancer.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has raised £1.75m at 10p a share in order to finance exploration at the Red Setter project in Western Australia. There will also be additional exploration in Queensland.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) has signed an agreement with Vietnam-based RedFOX Labs, which will lead to the development of a range of virtual asset and digital collectible marketplaces. It will also cover the trading of non-fungible tokens.
Cairn has been replaced Turner Pope as broker to Primorus Investments (PRIM) as well as nominated adviser. Primorus is leaving Aquis Stock Exchange on 24 December as part of cost saving measures.
AIM
IMImobile (IMO) has agreed a 595p a share bid from Cisco Systems, which values the communications services company at £543m. This is a good add-on service for Cisco.
ULS Technology (ULS) has sold its CAL subsidiary for £27m, so that it can concentrate on its core eConceyancer platform and its digital investment. In the six months to September 2020, the group market share of purchases and sales was slightly lower but remortgage market share rose from 4.8% to 6.8%. The sale of CAL will reduce the numbers, but the mix of business should not change. ULS managed to make a small interim profit on reduced revenues.
Eqtec (EQT) has signed an agreement to acquire full ownership of the Deeside refuse derived fuel project. Eqtec is talking to the local authority and is pursuing additional planning permissions for the site so the company’s gasification technology can be used. Financing is being secured.
Access Intelligence (ACC) has raised £10m in a heavily oversubscribed placing at 80p a share. This cash will fund international expansion for its SaaS products.
Bion (BION) has entered the solar power market and it has agreed to acquire existing solar assets. The company is purchasing a 77% stake in rooftop solar panels that supply 0.95MW of electricity. The total cost will be RM6m. The assets should generate a profit of RM400,000 a year from 2021.
Housebuilder Abbey (ABBY) has recommended a 1575p a share cash offer from Gallagher Holdings for the minority stake it does not own. The Irish housebuilder is valued at £328.8m and the remaining 4.4% shareholding will cost £14.4m.
Roadside convenience retailer Applegreen (APGN) has been approached by its founders and management team with a €5.75 a share cash offer. The independent directors are considering the offer.
Iron deficiency products developer Shield Therapeutics (STX) says that discussions with potential licensees for the US rights to Accrufer will not be completed by the end of the year as had been hoped. Shield would need up to $40m to launch the treatment in the US if it did it on its own. A loan facility will help Shield to have working capital well into next year.
MAIN MARKET
S and U (SUS) says trading in its car finance and property bridging loans businesses has rebounded since the end of July. A background of higher demand and strong used car price growth means that current net receivables are £253m even though there was poor demand earlier in 2020. Third quarter collection rates were 87.5% of due payments. Aspen Bridging has higher net receivables than one year ago.
Tirupati Graphite (TGR) is set to join the standard list on Monday. It is an integrated graphite mining and processing business. Mining has commenced in Madagascar and the Indian processing facility was opened last year. There are plans to move into the graphene market. Management has decades of experience in the graphite industry.
Textile materials and chemicals company HeiQ (HEIQ) has started trading on the standard list following the reversal into Auctus Growth. A placing and subscription raised £60m at 112p a share. The share price ended the week at 118.5p.
CML Microsystems (CML) is selling its storage division so that it can concentrate on its communications division. The disposal to Swissbit will raise $49m in cash and it should be completed early in 2021. Net cash was £7.35m at the end of September 2020.
BATM (BVC) has delivered the first Celitron instrument for the recovery of protein and oils from insects.
Cyprus-focused explorer Chesterfield Resources (CHF) has raised £2.5m from a share issue at 9p, with £2.1m of the cash coming from Polymetal International.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 13 January 2020
NEX EXCHANGE
NQ Minerals (NQMI) says that in 2019 the Hellyer mine in Tasmania produced 24,980 tonnes of lead concentrate, 15,646 tonnes of zinc concentrate and 77,853 tonnes of pyrite concentrate. Metal recovery has improved with average lead recoveries of more than 50%. The focus will be on generating lead revenues. Additional high-grade underground resources have been acquired from Bass Metals, which was subleasing the area. The purchase includes 1.175 million tonnes of underground JORC resources.
Inqo Investments Ltd (INQO) is investing natural insecticide developer Kentegra Biotechnology. The Kenya-based company produces pyrethrum, a natural ingredient from the chrysanthemum flower for use in the home, agricultural and pharma markets. There is a shortage of supply of pyrethrum, which can only be produced in a limited number of places around the globe. There is a move away from synthetic versions of the ingredient.
Panther Metals (PALM) has completed its move to the standard list.
Black Sea Property (BSP) has raised €4.79m via a placing at 1.1 cents a share. The cash will be used for property investments. Mamferay Holdings, which is owned by majority shareholder Phoenix Capital Holdings, is swapping €1.4m of debt for shares at the same price.
Equatorial Mining and Exploration has changed its name to Eastinco Mining and Exploration (EM .P).
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) says that the 100p-for-one share consolidation will take effect on 21 January.
EPE Special Opportunities Ltd (ESO) reported a NAV of 273.9p a share for the end of 2019.
AIM
Packaging equipment supplier Mpac (MPAC) says that the 2019 profit is going to be much better than expected. The pension deficit should be eliminated by 2024.
Ultrasound simulation equipment developer Intelligent Ultrasound (MED) expects its 2019 revenues to grow to between £5.7m and £5.9m. There will be a slightly higher loss due to higher development spending. There was £7.3m in the bank at the end of 2019. The agreement signed with FUJIFILM SonoSite Inc will help sales this year in the training market.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) has licenced its Ferracru/ Accrufer iron deficiency treatment to Beijing Aosaikang Pharmaceutical for an upfront payment of $11.4m. This means that there should be net cash of £7.5m at the end of 2020. A further $11.4m payment is due when the treatment gains approval in China, following a clinical trial funded by the licensee, possibly in 2023. There could be further milestone payments of up to $40m depending on sales. Ongoing royalties on sales will be 10% or 15%,
Biopesticide products developer Eden Research (EDEN) says that its three EU-registered active ingredients have been approved for use in organic farming. A one-year exclusive agreement with Corteva Agriscience, will give the company time to evaluate Eden’s Sustaine encapsulation technology for use with seeds. Coreva could be granted exclusive distribution rights in the EU, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine.
Accrol Group (ACRL) management believes it has turned the fortunes of the toilet paper manufacturer around. Even so, it still lost £3m in the six months to October 2019. Net debt was £24.8m and this could fall to £20m by the end of April.
Telecoms services provider Maintel (MAI) has warned that public sector contracts continue to be delayed. finnCap has cut its 2019 pre-tax profit forecast from £10.4m to £8.1m, while the 2020 estimate has been reduced by one-quarter to £8.8m.
Software company CloudBuy (CBUY) wants to leave AIM and it expects to save £100,000 a year in overheads. Lyn and Ronald Duncan subsequently sold 11.1 million shares at 0.414p each. The share price has fallen but it is still 0.6p.
Promotional products software supplier Altitude Group (ALT) has signed a strategic alliance with the Advertising Speciality Institute, which will use its software platform.
Surface Transforms (SCE) expects more contract announcements with OEMs this year. In the seven months to December 2019, revenues were £1.45m, nearly treble the same period in the previous year, but lower than expected due to delays. The new financial year end is March. There was £768,000 in the bank at the end of 2019 and a further £425,000 has already been received.
Asimilar Group (ASLR) has raised £6.8m at 40p each. This will be received in two tranches. Formerly known as YOLO, the company will invest the cash big data, machine learning, telematics and internet of things businesses.
MAIN MARKET
Avation (AVAP) has started a strategic review, which could include the sale of the aircraft leasing business. Avation has 49 aircraft with an average fleet age of 3.7 years. It has also purchased a spare engine that can be leased.
InnovaDerma (IDP) grew interim revenues by 28% to £5m. This represents a slowdown in growth in the later part of the period and is slightly lower than expected. Skinny Tan was responsible for most of the growth. The second half will benefit from the launch of new skincare products in Superdrug.
Pembridge Resources (PERE) says its Minto Explorations business has received a $5.4m payment for copper concentrate produced during December. The Minto mine produced 2,247dmt of copper concentrate in the fourth quarter 2019.
BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) says that its molecular diagnostics business Ador Diagnostics has received its first commercial order from an Italian customer for meningitis testing.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore Quoted Micro 29 July 2019
NEX EXCHANGE
Inqo Investments Ltd (INQO) is investing in the South Lake Medical centre in Kenya. Other investors include Johnson and Johnson’s social impact fund. The total investment is $950,000, but Inqo’s contribution is not quantified. The medical centre was previously owned by a flower growing business and it caters for its workers.
Clean Invest Africa (CIA) has issued £130,000 worth of 8% convertible loan notes. They expire on 24 July 2020. The conversion price is 2.75p a share. Creditors have also agreed to accept payments of £54,000 in shares.
Sport Capital Group (SCG) had nearly £22,000 in the bank at the end of June 2019. There is also a 15% stake in Mighty Oak Exploration, which has exploration licences for cobalt and lithium in Uganda, and 2.4% in KKME, which has nickel and platinum prospecting licences in Botswana. A freehold property is in the books for £204,000.
Panther Metals (PALM) has raised £130,000 at 0.3p a share and the cash will help to finance the development of the company.
AIM
Parcel delivery business DX (DX.) says that figures for the year to June 2019 will be in line with expectations. That means that there will still be a small, but much reduced, loss. Revenues were 8% ahead at £322.5m. The loss of the passport delivery contract will hit this year but that will be offset by growth in the courier market. Net debt was £1.3m at the end of June 2019.
Cyber security services provider GRC International (GRC) has postponed its full year results because it is calculating deferred consideration payable for DQM Holdings. The expected deferred payment is £3.7m, which is higher than the original range. The deferred consideration should be 60% cash and 40% shares at 116.5p each. The share price has fallen to 49p. GRC wants to change the terms. GRC is loss-making and it wants to spread the cash payments. It may need to raise more cash.
Good news from Shield Therapeutics (STX) which has gained FDA approval for Feraccru in the US. The approval covers the treatment of iron deficiency, with or without anaemia, thanks to its high tolerability. This doubles the potential market for the treatment. Shield is in discussions with potential commercial partners. finnCap increased its target share price from 200p to 350p.
Safe credit card payments technology provider PCI Pal (PCIP) says that its full year loss will be in line with expectations of £4.6m. Total contract value in the US is £1.4m, which indicates that progress is being made in that important market. Net cash was £1.5m at the end of June 2019, although PCI Pal is awaiting a tax credit and some additional contract payments in the first quarter of this year. There could be scope to raise funds on the back of recurring revenues.
Document management software provider GetBusy (GETB) is growing its revenues internationally and its eponymous new software product GetBusy is reaching the point of a commercial launch. Net cash is £1.95m, which is plenty for the immediate requirements of the group.
Polarean Imaging (POLX) is raising £2.1m at 18p a share. Last December’s placing was at 14p a share. The medical imaging technology developer will use the cash to finance the phase III clinical trial for its technology, where patient enrolment should be complete in the third quarter of 2019, and preparations for a product launch. There will also be working capital to build polarisers for future orders.
Judges Scientific (JDG) says that order intake was 4% higher in the first half of 2019. Delivery times have also been reduced so the order book has fallen from 14 weeks to 132 weeks.
Tristel (TSTL) has acquired 80% of its Italian distributor for an initial £600,000. This should be earnings neutral this year. The disinfection products supplier generated revenues of £26m in the year to June 2019, which were 17% higher than last year. Underlying pre-tax profit will be £5.5m. Management is waiting for a response from the FDA in the US for the usability and human factors pilot.
Tri-Star Resources’ (TSTR) 40%-owned SPMP has produced the first antimony metal from its plant in Oman. There is expected to be a slow ramp up of production until full production is reached in 2020. The gold recovery circuit has yet to produce commercial levels of gold. SPMP needs to raise additional debt in order to cover the upcoming months prior to antimony production reaching breakeven levels. There are negotiations concerning the conversion of mezzanine debt into interest-free shareholder loans or shares. Tri-Star is expected to lose £500,000 this year. Although SPMP is not being consolidated, there will be a share of profit. That could eventually be as much as £10m a year.
CCTV technology provider Synectics (SNX) says that results will be second half weighted this year. Interim profit fell from £1.5m to £1.2m, but Shore still forecasts a rise in full year pre-tax profit from £2.9m to £4m. Net cash was £5.3m at the end of May 2019. The interim dividend was increased by 8% to 1.3p a share.
Trading in United Oil and Gas (UOG) shares has been suspended ahead of the conditional acquisition of the Egyptian oil and gas business of Rockhopper Exploration (RKH) for $16m, with an initial cash payment of $11m. The main asset is a 22% working interest Abu Sennan and share of production was 813 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2018. Net book value was $13.8m at the end of 2018. United needs to raise cash for the deal and it is not expected to complete until the end of this year.
MAIN MARKET
At the AGM of Trifast (TRI) the chairman said that the industrial fasteners supplier was growing strongly in the US, particularly in the electronics and automotive sectors. Debt facilities have been increased and management is seeking acquisitions. The uncertain economic environment in Europe has led to some delays in the production schedules of clients.
Pembridge Resources (PERE) says that its subsidiary Minto Explorations is getting a working capital facility from Sumitomo Corporation as part of an offtake agreement for 55,000 tonnes of copper concentrate. That lasts until the 55,000 tonnes is delivered or the end of 2020. There will be an advanced payment for 90% of the value of concentrate each month. There is an interest charge.
Zen Global has decided not to make a bid for World Trade Systems (WTS) because it could not come to an agreement with major shareholder Suzhou Weibao about buying its shares and convertibles in return for coins issued by ultimate holding company Zen Ltd. Zen wanted to use WTS to use as a shell in which to reverse its blockchain operations.
Spinnaker Opportunities (SOP) had cash of £880,000 at the end of June 2019. The company subsequently received a commitment to invest up to £1.4m from a single investor conditional on the deal to acquire medicinal cannabis company Kanabo Research. The deal documentation is being prepared.
Andrew Hore
Ian Pollard – Stagecoach #SGC regional mileage down but fare revenue up
Stagecoach Group plc SGC updates for the year to the 27th April that it has seen further strong trading in its UK Rail Division, resulting in an increase in expectations for adjusted earnings per share from when interim results were announced in December. The financial performance of UK rail and Virgin rail is ahead of expectations, Regional bus saw a fall of 0.5% in like for like vehicle miles but strangely like-for-like revenue per vehicle mile grew 4.0% and like-for-like revenue per journey also increased 3.6%. which seems to indicate something about fares.
Shield Therapeutics plc STX saw revenue for the year to 31st December grow from £0.6 to £11.9m whilst the annual loss fell from £19.6 million to £19.6 million1.8m. The CEO states that they are now well positioned to deliver further positive news through 2019. A significant highlight for the year was the receipt of £11.0 million upfront from Norgine in respect of a licence agreement.
Gattaca plc GATC Profit before tax and basic earnings per share for the six months to the end of January each rose by 12% and underlying reported EBITDA by 14%. The interim dividend of 3% which was paid last year is, however, not being repeated this year in line with the revised dividend policy. The Board will consider dividends at the year end but this comes with a warning that if they are resumed it would only be at modest levels.
Audioboom Group plc BOOM reports trading ahead of management expectations with quarterly revenue of c.US$4.6 million, up 180% to a record .US$4.6 million, The CEO is delighted with the first quarter start to 2019. and claims that “the potential is now there to deliver significant shareholder value this year”. with key developments including an enhanced global commercial agreements signed with Spotify a strong pipeline of content acqusition and other opportunities, including 11 new shows which were signed during the first quarter.
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