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Quoted Micro 27 April 2026
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Silverwood Brands (SLWD) has published delayed results for the 18 months to June 2025. There were delays in consolidating the Japanese subsidiary accounts and the company intends to improve its financial reporting capability. Full year revenues were £23.9m and the reported loss was £18.3m. That was predominantly down to impairment charges. Cash was £3.07m at the end of June 2025, but net debt was just over £11m. The latest interims show a small dip in revenues to £9.2m, which was held back by movements in the Yen.
Purebond has increased its stake in Delta Gold Technologies (DGQ) from 3.1% to 3.7%. An issue of shares after the exercise of warrants at 30p each raised £71,000.
Valereum (VLRM) has agreed terms of a definitive exclusivity agreement with Quorium Global Photonics SPC. The existing $200m medium term loan notes with VGOLD-CORE tokens valued at $279.5m. These will be released at $13.975m each quarter over five years. Valereum has settled its dispute with Blubird and will receive 504,524 shares in Blubird (5.66%), plus two BLU tokens over two years.
Oscillate (SRVL) shareholders approved the move to AIM.
Ajax Resources (AJAX) has had the exclusivity agreement for the purchase of the Paguanta project in Chile extended to 15 May.
Shortwave Life Sciences (PSY) has raised £215.000 at 1.5p/share and is planning to move to AIM. Ut has options over antimony gold and polymetallic licences in Slovakia and the Saturn gold project in Western Australia. Keith Coughlan, a director of European Metals Holdings, has replaced Ron Lipsky on the board. Steve Xerri owns 6.4%.
Adam Back is investing £585,500 in Connecting Excellence Group (XCE) at 1.75p/share. He will own around 8%. The company has bought ten Bitcoin for £585,000.
M3 Helium, which Mendell Helium (MDH) has an option to buy, has secured a trailer to deliver helium from the Rost 1-26 well.
S-Ventures (SVEN) raised £9,382 from its retail offer at 3.5p/share and issued 428,571 shares to new joint broker Oberon Capital. The retail offer takes the total raised to £310,000.
Astrid Intelligence (ASTR) says that earlier in April, a subnet operator withdrew from the Bittensor network and liquidated a substantial part of their holdings, leading to volatility. This led to a decline in value of some subnet tokens. Astrid was not materially impacted at an operational level.
Sulnox Group (SNOX) has been granted a patent in Hong Kong for an improved demulsification methodology.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) raised £1.1m via a placing arranged by Marex Financial at 26.35p/share. Every two shares come with a warrant exercisable at 40p each. A rig has been mobilised for the Red Setter project.
Falconedge (EDGE) shares have started trading on Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Roundhouse Digital (ETHL) has entered into a loan agreement with Payward Oceanic for $350,000 at an interest rate of 9%. This is secured against Ethereum holdings.
S-Ventures (SVEN) raised £9,382 from its retail offer at 3.5p/share and issued 428,571 shares to new joint broker Oberon Capital. The retail offer takes the total raised to £310,000.
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) has appointed AlbR Capital as corporate adviser. Ut had a NAV of 85.5p/share at the end of February 2026.
ASSET MATCH
Asset Match has been approved by the FCA to operate a trading venue in the PISCES framework.
Harrogate Group (HGTE) has agreed to acquire Iceland-based Myntfund ehf, which “owns a blockchain based exchange and ecosystem which offers an opportunity for companies to access capital through tokenised shares”. The payment will be £9.3m in shares at 0.5p/share. That would be 92% of the enlarged share capital.
Brewer Wadworth and Co (WAD) increased its full year pre-tax profit from £923,000 to £1.25m. There has been a solid first quarter performance.
AIM
Helium projects developer Rift Helium (RIFT) joined AIM on Wednesday having raised £8.09m at 10p/share. The shares initially went to a premium but ended the first day at 9.75p but was back at 10p by the end of the week.
Concierge services technology platform provider Ten Lifestyle (TENG) reported interim figures in line with the recent trading statement and said that digital contracts won in recent months mean that profit will be better than expected next year leading to forecast upgrades. Interim revenues were 6% ahead at £33.7m, or 9% in constant currency. Underlying pre-tax profit improved from £1m to £1.6m, although that is before an £800,000 loss on foreign exchange, mainly from Latin American currencies, compared with a £100,000 gain in the corresponding period. Cash was generated after capitalised spending on technology. Net cash was £9.3m at the end of February 2026. Active members that use the service at least once in the year are 23% higher at 436,000. The focus has previously been on high net worth individuals. Investment in digital services will broaden the potential market.
Surgical instruments supplier Surgical Innovations (SUN) reported a slightly higher loss in 2025, but it expects a much lower loss this year. There has been a good start to the new financial year. New product launches and increased sales from distribution of third party products provide potential for the future. Manufacturing efficiency is improving.
Atome (ATOM) has raised £6.59m via a placing at 60p/share in addition to an £18m subscription by Casale, the EPC contractor for the planned Villeta green fertiliser facility, directors and existing shareholders. A retail offer raised £1m, which was double the original intention. Once shareholders approve of the share issues the final investment decision will be declared. Atome will have enough cash to take a 29.8% in the Villeta project. Atome will receive 100% of revenues until it has a 15% IRR on its $60m carried value in the project and after that 29.8% of revenues.
Oil and gas company Kistos (KIST) says pro forma production for the first quarter was 21,800boe/day, while full year guidance is 19-21,000boe/day. Net debt was $78m. There are plans to issue a $300m four-year senior secured bond to refinance the existing $282m. The acquisition of producing assets in Oman is near completion and this oil and gas is exported via the Arabian Sea and not through the Strait of Hormuz.
In content advertising technology developer Mirriad Advertising (MIRI) says trading conditions are difficult, and the US joint venture partner has performed below expectations. Costs have been reduced, but cash is running out. The board believes it may have to place operating subsidiaries in administration or liquidation if no new capital is raised. That would lead to a suspension in trading of the shares. Omar Ahmad has a 6.18% stake.
Microchip designer and supplier EnSilica (ENSI) has won two new space contracts and one could be worth more than $50m over its life. There should initially be $6,8m of non-recurring engineering revenues in the next three years and potential UK Space Agency funding of up to $3m on top.
Retailer Shoe Zone (SHOE) says trading conditions continue to be difficult because of the weak consumer market that has been made worse by concerns relating to the Middle East conflict. Guidance has been downgraded to a loss of between £1m and £2m for this year with another loss expected next year. Net cash should be £7m at the year end.
Health and beauty brands owner Creightons (CRL) is changing its name to Potter & Moore, which has always been the main trading name, as part of a corporate rebrand. Full year revenues were flat at £53.8m with problems at customers and reduced contract manufacturing business hampering the progress of the business. Gross margin was maintained as NI and other cost increases were offset by improved efficiency. Even so, pre-tax profit is expected to decline from £3.5m to £2.7m. Cash was £3.6m at the end of March 2026.
Billing and CRM software provider Cerillion (CER) reported an 14% dip in first half revenues to £18m, but new order intake doubled to £39.6m. This means that there will be an even greater second half weighting this year. Management believes it can still achieve the forecast full year pre-tax profit improvement from £21.8m to £23.2m. The interims will be published on 1 June.
Quicklime producer Firering Strategic Minerals (FRG) is raising £2.5m at 1p/share. The cash will fund an increase in ownership of main subsidiary Limeco and help progress to exercising the final tranche of the Limeco option. Two more kilns could be brought online in the future.
Alien Metals (UFO) joint venture partner West Coast Silver announced a JORC compliant 2.79 million ounces mineral resource estimate for the Elizabeth Hill silver project. The cut off was 20g/t.
Professional services provider Diales (DIAL) says interim operating profit will be 43% higher at £1m on revenues up 10% at £23.7m. Cash was £3.9m at the end of March 2026. The interims will be published on 1 June.
Caledonian Holdings (CHP) is changing its investing policy and plans to consolidate 1,000 shares into one new share on 12 May. Caledonian Holdings intends to acquire financial services and payments company, and this requires the change in investing policy. Aspire will provide an operating and technology platform, which can be used to deploy products of investee companies.
MAIN MARKET
Motor dealer software provider Pinewood Technologies (PINE) reported 2025 revenues of £40.5m, up 30% year-on-year, while underlying pre-tax profit was £8.8m. Total contracted value is £64.5m. Implementations are taking longer than expected because of delays by customers. Zeus has trimmed its 2026 pre-tax profit forecast from £18m to £12m.
Hydrogen Utopia International (HUI) has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia waste management company RECYCLEE for the supply of waste feedstock in that country. The feedstock will be unrecyclable plastics and old tyres, and this will be used to generate energy in a planned facility.
Nanoco (NANO) increased interim revenues from £3.4m to £7.7m. There was an operating profit of £4.1m. This reflects recognition of part of the Samsung settlement. Net cash is expected to be £8.8m at the year end.
S and U (SUS) increased full year pre-tax profit from £24m to £31.8m even though revenues declined. The impairment charge fell from £35.6m to £13m. The dividend was raised by 12.5% to 45p/share. The main improvement was in the motor finance business, but Aspen Bridging also raised its profit after a lower impairment charge. Peel Hunt has a target price of 95p.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 17 February 2025
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Music management and event promotion company All Things Considered (ATC) more than doubled 2024 revenues to £50m and EBITDA was £1.5m. Growth is coming from adding managers and new clients, plus acquisitions. Further acquisitions are planned. An agreement has been reached to take the stake in livestreaming platform Driift from 32.5% to 100%. All Things Considered is assessing a move to an unspecified London Stock Exchange market.
Broker and investment manager Oberon Investments Group (OBE) has raised £2.5m in an oversubscribed placing at 4.5p/share. The cash will be used to accelerate growth, particularly in the broking business, which is expected to increase revenues by more than 50% in the current year. Mergers among larger broker provide potential to add to clients. There are also opportunities to add teams of investment and wealth managers. The Oberon AIM VCT (OVCT) is trying to raise a further £5m, plus over-allotment facility of £3.4m. Oberon Investments gets a fee based on the amount subscribed.
Cardiogeni (CGNI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the private office of Sheikh Al Qassimi for funding of clinical trials. A joint venture will be formed, and it will receive £20m over a period up to 2027 to complete research and clinical trials in the UAE. There will be an initial cash injection of £5m. The cash will fund phase 2b/3 clinical trials and commercialisation of Cardiogeni’s heart failure treatments. The deal could be signed by the end of March 2025.
In the year to January 2025, EPE Special Opportunities (EO.P) NAV edged up to 328p/share. That includes cash of £11m. Trading was tough for all of the businesses in the portfolio. Investee company Whittard of Chelsea increased like-for-like sales by 6%. Pharmacy2U also grew organically and acquired a business in the pet care market.
ChallengerX (CXS) has entered into conditional agreements to acquire NYCE International for £1.6m, Virya VC for £280,000 and an instance of Reelsof AB’s remote gaming software and game aggregation platform for £160,000. These payments will be satisfied by the issue of 510 million shares at 0.4p each. There will also be a £600,000 fundraising. Virya founder Farzad Peyman will be appointed chief executive and NYCE founder Harmen Brenninkmeijer will become executive chairman.
Marula Mining (MARU) has signed the first copper sales agreement for the Kinusi copper mine with a European commodity trader. The initial delivery is 250 tonnes of copper concentrate based on 20% copper grade. The income is linked to the LME copper price with additional payments for gold and silver content. The first revenues should be received in this quarter. After successfully delivery, there will be more each month that will total up to 1,000 tonnes. There are three other potential offtake agreements. Kinui has reached a milestone, so $200,000 of shares have been issued to Takela Mining Tanzania at 6p each. Marula Mining has also paid the final consideration of £625,000 for Northern Cape Lithium and Tungsten in the form of 20.83 million shares at 6p each. Modifications to the plant at the Kilifi processing plant in Kenya should be completed in the second quarter. As part of the drawdown agreement, AUO Commercial Brokerage has subscribed for £500,000 worth of shares at 3.75p/share.
Valereum (VLRM) is not proceeding with the £2m option agreement with Blue Sky Ventures. Blue Sky was going to subscribe for shares at 10p each. It was previously announced that the option had been exercised. The proposed subscription may be taken on by another investor.
Inteliqo Ltd (IQO) wants to cancel the admission to the Aquis Stock Exchange. Inteliqo has been developing and marketing the Langaroo app for a client. It wants to save the costs of the quotation. Trading could end on 14 March if shareholders agree at the general meeting on 27 February.
Early-stage businesses investor MaxRets Ventures (MAX) is also seeking shareholder approval at a general meeting on 4 March to leave the Aquis Stock Exchange. There has been limited liquidity in the shares, and it can be difficult to trade. It has not been possible to raise additional cash.
Ormonde Mining (ORM) has secured three-year renewals for two gold exploration licences in Zamora Province in western Spain. Ormonde Mining plans to acquire the other 51.3% interest in the licences from AIM-quoted cyber security company Shearwater Group (SWG) for five million shares. That is a discount to the implied book value.
EDX Medical (EDX) has appointed Martin Walton as deputy chair. He has worked for other life sciences companies, including former AIM company ReNeuron.
One Heritage Property Development has reduced its stake in Zentra Group (ZNT) from 65.2% to 53.8% and Jason Upton, a director of the company, has raised his shareholding from 3.5% to 14.85%.
DXS International (DXSP) chairman Bob Sutcliffe bought 60,000 shares at 2.89p each, taking his stake to 2.08%. Gowin New Energy Group (GWIN) director Chen Chih-Lung has been transferred 9.73 million shares by Choice Only International Ent Co at a price of 0.00012894p each.
Investment Evolution Credit (IEC) has appointed Oberon as broker.
ASSET MATCH
The i-nexus Global (INX) auction has closed, and 49,220 shares were traded at 1.5p each.
AIM
Agricultural products supplier Wynnstay (WYN) reported a small dip in gross profit for the year to October 2024, but higher energy and labour costs meant that pre-tax profit reduced from £10.3m to £7.6m. Higher prices for milk and other agricultural products provide a more favourable background for this year. Even after a £600,000 National Insurance cost increase, pre-tax profit is expected to recover to £8.5m this year. A three-year programme called project Genesis will help to improve efficiency and there will be investment in additional feed capacity.
Cavendish has upgraded Filtronic (FTC) due to another contract from SpaceX. The 2024-25 pre-tax profit estimate has been raised from £11.5m to £11.9m, while the 2025-26 figure has been edged up from £8m to £8.3m. This £16.8m order is part of the framework agreement to supply technology for the Starlink Low Earth Orbit satellite network.
Specialist staffing provider Gattaca (GATC) has offset a small decline in net fee income in the first half through cost control. This is a better performance than the sector. Interim net fee income is 3% lower at £18m following a 10% decline in permanent net fee income. There are signs of recovery in permanent net fee income. Interim pre-tax profit is likely to be flat at £800,000. The full year pre-tax profit forecast is £3m. The forecast dividend of 3.1p/share should be twice covered by earnings.
Distribution Finance Capital Holdings (DFCH) has received authorisation from the FCA to conduct consumer lending. The core business is providing finance to distributors and manufacturers. The new retail products should be launched by the end of the first half of 2025. They can be offered through dealers that already work with the company.
Lord Ashcroft is trying to remove another of his companies from AIM. A general meeting has been requisitioned at wine maker Gusbourne (GUS), where he owns 66.8%. Talks with potential acquirers have ended and the strategic review has been terminated. This follows Lord Ashcroft’s success in getting Merit Group and Jaywing to leave AIM.
Genetics company GENinCode (GENI) is raising £4m at 3.7p/share and a retail offer could raise up to £500,000 more. The retail offer closes on 17 February at 5pm. There will be £1.5m set aside for commercialising its diagnostic products in the US. The US regulatory and reimbursement programmes will be completed. There will also be cash spent on expansion in the UK and the EU. There could be other funding options, such as partnerships and distribution agreements. Lipid inCode and Cardio inCode are the two main products. Lipid inCode diagnoses family hypercholesterolemia, which has a low rate of diagnosis with four-fifths of sufferers estimated to be undiagnosed. Cardio inCode focuses on genetic risk.
Optimisation software provider Checkit (CKT) has agreed a merger with Crimson Tide (TIDE). Shareholders will receive six Checkit shares for each Crimson Tide share. This ratio is based on the relative annual recurring revenues of each company. Checkit has been interested in a merger for four years and an indicative offer was made and rejected. Following the decision of Ideagen last July not to make a cash bid for Crimson Tide the two companies commenced discussions. The deal will increase the scale of the workflow management business. The Checkit chief executive and finance directors will remain in their roles. Crimson Tide was valued at £6.5m (99p/share) at the Checkit closing price last Monday.
Healthcare services provider Totally (TLY) has lost the NHS 111 Resilience support contract. The 12-month contract was worth around £13m and it ends on 15 February. This is due to the ending of national services for excess demand. Totally is still expected to make a pre-tax profit of £700,000 for the year to March 2025, but Canaccord Genuity has cut its 2025-26 forecast from £1.6m to £700,000. The 10-year government plan for the NHS should be published in the spring.
Medical imaging technology developer IXICO (IXI) announced the completion of the analysis of more than 6,000 images within its Huntington’s disease patient MRI datasets. This puts IXIXO in a strong position to be selected as a contract research organisation on Huntingdon’s disease clinical trials. This is part of the Huntington’s Disease Imaging Harmonisation consortium. This data should identify imaging biomarkers. This will help with improving clinical trial design, patient selection and drug development. IXICO has 25 clinical trials in its order book and ten of them are for Huntington’s disease. They account for 50% of the order book that was worth £15.4m at the end of September 2024. Globally, there are a total of 58 active Huntington’ disease clinical trials.
Avingtrans (AVG) subsidiary Booth Industries has won a £4.5m contract to supply pressure rated fire doors to HS2. These doors provide access to railway tunnels in emergencies. Booth Industries already had a £36m contract with HS2 for cross-tunnel sliding doors that seal off passageways between tunnels. Production for the latest contract is not expected to start until the year to May 2027. Interim results are due to be published on 26 February.
Serinus Energy (SENX) has won a legal case against the Romanian tax authorities over VAT refunds. The company has been awarded a VAT refund of $1.73m for 2018 and 2019, as well as interest of $750,000. This has to be paid within 45 days. The Romanian operation is loss-making, but there are gas projects that could be developed. The 2024 results are due to be published in March and there should be news concerning how the money will be invested in the business.
Empire Metals (EEE) has achieved a 91% extraction rate of titanium dioxide at the Pitfield project in Western Australia. The test work results suggest that the processing method is straightforward. Development of the processing flowsheet is continuing, and further refining could increase recovery. The main titanium-bearing minerals are anatase and rutile.
Surveillance technology developer Thruvision (THRU) says potential contracts have been delayed. This means expected 2024-25 revenues will be between £5m and £6m. The previous expectation was £9m. Cash should last until May and talks have commenced with potential acquirers or providers of additional cash.
Surgical instruments manufacturer Surgical Innovations (SUN) has returned to profit in the second half of 2024, although the full year loss could still be £300,000. Trading was broadly in line with expectations. Net debt was £300,000 at the end of 2024. Brent Greetham has been appointed as finance director. The business restructuring of the business will benefit the 2025 figures.
Wound healing technology developer AOTI Inc (AOTI) says 2024 revenues will be in excess of $58.1m, up from $43.9m. The Veterans Association accounted for less than three-fifths of revenues as new markets are developed, and they will become increasingly important. However, payments are slower. The full figures will be published on 26 April. Growth is expected to be more than 30% in 2025.
Strategic Minerals (SML) has identified additional mineralisation at the Redmoor tungsten and copper project in Cornwall. This will add to a future update of the mineral resource estimate, which is six years old. The total inferred resource was 11.7 million tonnes at 0.82% tungsten equivalent. Further drill core from 2017 will be relogged to support the remodelling of the deposit.
MAIN MARKET
Fintech Asia has completed the reverse takeover of Mongolia-based ICFG and changed its name to ICFG Ltd (ICFG). The payment was 177.84 million shares at a valuation of 64p each, which was higher than the market price. The main subsidiary InvestCore NBFI is listed on the Mongolian Stock Exchange, but ICFG owns more than 80%. This subsidiary has operations in Mongolia and Kyrgystan and is opening additional operations in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. There are plans to open up in other countries in Asia. Investment in software and AI helps ICFG to be competitive. Other operations include investment banking and property investment. Trading in the shares resumed and the share price ended the week at 50.5p.
ACG Metals (ACG) is planning a cash tender offer for 30% of warrants in issue. The offer is 50 cents for each warrant. It already announced an offer for the other 70% of warrants of 0.1 of a share for each warrant. Both tenders close on 28 February. The Gediktepe mine increased gold equivalent production by 49% to 57,000 ounces. Costs fell 2% to less than $1,150/ounce.
Shares in royalty company Cloudbreak Discovery (CDL) returned from suspension following publication of the accounts for the year to June 2024.
Andrew Hore
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
Ian Pollard – A Thousand Years Of History, plus #QLT, #DOM, #CCC and #SUN
Today may see the last dying days of a nation whose history was peppered with stirring speeches which matched the mood of the people just at the times when they were most needed, from Agincourt to Shakespeare, the singeing of some minor king of Spains beard, to Waterloo and to Churchill. All men with fire in their bellies who loved their country and would never think of profiteering from a cheap trick. Look at the disgraceful sight of those who now, to their shame and ours, stalk the corridors of power, always ready for the quick buck. Who won the war? Surely it can not have been us, now ready to roll over and make way for a new unelected dictatorship of European bureaucracy, a Europe which would not be recognisable to the people of all countries who fought and died, believing in vain that they were fighting for freedom.
Quilter plc QLT Despite increasingly challenging market conditions as the year progressed. Quilter report record profits with a rise of 11% for the year to the 31st December. Diluted earnings per share rose by 15% and the final dividend is recommended at 3.3p per share in line with the company’s dividend policy. On a like for like basis profit before tax came in at £5m. compared to the previous years loss of £5m.
Dominos Pizza Grp DOM Admits that 2018 was a mixed year. In the UK and Ireland, which account for around 90% of the business, the excellent record of growth continued Internationally, growing pains were experienced which hampered the overall financial performance. Total revenue rose by 14.5% but total profit before tax fell by over 22% and statutory basic earnings per share by 23.7%. The record of increasing dividends continues with a rise of 5.6%
Computacenter CCC Total revenues for the year to the end of December, exceeded over £4 billion for the first time, with Germany delivering yet another record performance as revenue grew by 8.3 per cent. 2018 was a record year for the group in revenue, adjusted operating profit and adjusted diluted earnings per share and the foundations have been paid for further growth in the years ahead.
Surgical Innovations SUN has delivered the strong rebound which was expected in the second half and revenues for the year to the end of December grew strongly by 25% andadjusted profit before tax rose by 30%
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Ian Pollard – JD Sports Grows Internationally With Significant US Progress
JD Sports Fashion JD reports total sales growth of 15% for the cumulative 48-week period to 5 January as it makes further significant progress in its international development. Gross profit margins have been maintained at last year levels. In the second half the first two stores in Thailand were opened plus the first five JD stores in the United States. Group profit before tax for the year ended 2 February will be at the upper end of published market expectations.
Page Group plc PAGE The fourth quarter Group gross profit growth of 15.4% was a record. All four regions delivered growth,with 20 countries growing by over 20% each. Gross profit before tax of 15.9% for the full year was also a record.and expected to be at the upper end of published market expectations. the UK proved a laggard but still managed to deliver a second consecutive quarter of marginal growth, up 2.1% whilst Michael Page declined by 1%, compared to Brazil and Latin America with rises of 25% and 28%. In Europe, Germany managed growth of 28%.
Dechra Pharmaceuticles DPH traded strongly during the six months to the end of December, with reported net revenue up by 18% and both Europe and North America showing identical increases. The CEO confirms that the company is contining to deliver above market revenue growth in both its existing business and in its acquisitions, in line with the Board’s expectations.
Surgical Innovations SUN enjoyed significantly stronger trading in the second half of the year to 31st December and Group revenue for the full year should represents growth of approximately 25% or £11.0m.
Avingtrans AVG has continued to perform well in the first half of the financial year and is trading in line with market expectations. The prospect pipeline for the HT businesses is robust. Recent acquisitions are also integrating well. and Brexit is Brexit is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s operations operations
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Ian Pollard: JD Sports #JD – More Records
JD Sports Fashion JD delivered another record result with profit before tax for the 26 weeks ended 4 August 2018 increasing by a further 19%.and revenue up by 35% despite reports of market conditions continuing to be challenging. Like for like revenue rose by 3% and basic earnings per share by 24%.The interim dividend is to be increased by 4%.
Ashtead Group AHT delivered a strong first quarter and with the added help of weaker sterling, anticipates that full year results will be ahead of expectations. On a statutory basis revenue for the quarter to the end of July rose by 22% and profit before tax by 23%. Earnings per share were up by 44% and profit a. fter tax by 44%.
Hilton Food Group HFG achieved strong volume and profit growth during the twenty eight weeks to the 15th July and the interim dividend is to be increased by 12% to 5.6p per share.Turnover for the half year was up by 24.5% on a constant currency basis, basic earnings per share rose by 10.4% and profit before tax was up by 20.3%.
Surgical Innovations SUN delivered growth in revenue and profit in the first half of the year despite what it describes as significant headwinds in the market and regulatory environment. Revenue for the six months to the 30th June. were up by 52.4% albeit primarily due to the acquisition of Elemental Healthcare. On an adjusted basis EBITDA rose by 13.3% and operating profit by 35.5%.The Chairman concludes that the the group has now emerged from a challenging period with improved financial results and a strong balance sheet.
Team17Group plc TM17 Celebrates its maiden interim results with a record first half performance which saw revenue rise by 48%. On an adjusted basis earnings per share more than tripled from 0.56p. per share to 1.93p and EBITDA rose by 36%.Performance for the full year will as in previous years be weighted towards the second half. Revenue growth in the second half will be driven by new product launches and continued growth in the business.
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Ian Pollard – Cropper Excited About Prospects
Cropper (James) plc CRPR enjoyed double digit organic growth across its target markets in the year to 31st March . Despite a fall in pre tax profits from from £5.5m to £4.5m.as the impact of higher pulp prices added some £3.5m to material costs for the year, the Board is increasing the final dividend by getting on for nearly 20% with a rise from 11.8p to 13.5p per share and expresses itself as being excited about future prospects for the Group.
Surgical Innovations SUN Despite challenging market conditions, total group revenue for the six months to the end of June is expected to exceed £5m.with gross margins and profitability, slightly ahead of last year. The second half is expected to produce much stronger results as NHS hospitals start to show signs of a return to normalised activity levels and the government beings to make promises of a long term funding increase for the NHS
HML Holdings plc HML has concentrated on maximising synergies and efficiency during the twelve month to 31st March with the result that revenue rose by 24% and profit before tax by 12%. adjusted basic earnings per share rose from 3.9p to 4.2p per share and the dividend is to be increased from 0.37p. to 0.42p.
Morses Club plc MCL Trading in the first four months of the current financial year has been strong. High quality customer numbers are well ahead of last year.
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Galliford Try Blames Caution On Impact Of Politicians !!
Galliford Try GFRD When the best that a company can find to say about its annual results is that they show a strong underlying performance, then you know that something went wrong. Otherwise it would be claiming a strong financial performance, and that is something which Galliford can not claim. Profit before tax for the year to 30th June fell by 57% and earnings per share by 55%, even though it had the benefit of robust market conditions. The financial performance for the year was impacted by legacy costs in Construction – so that’s alright then ? Can’t be laid at the door of management, that sort of thing, can it ? The shareholders are kept happy with a 17% rise in fully year dividends. To cover itself for the future it is even reduced to blaming the politicians and a board of directors can not sink much lower than that. It is cautious about the future it says, because of the impact of current political uncertainty. That does not seem to be a worry or even a concern for other house builders and in any event politicians and the uncertainty they create have been with us since the dawn of time.
Dunelm Group DULM went ex growth in the year to 1st July with a fall of 0.5% in like for like revenue and profit before tax down by 28.3%, as it tried to cope with a challenging and subdued Homeware and Furniture Market. EBITDA fell by 7.8% and earnings per share by 28% from 50.3p to 36.1p. The ordinary dividend is to be raised by 3.6%. Things improved with the start of the new financial year and sales growth in the first two months is described as being good. What exactly “good’ means in round figures is for some reason being kept a closely guarded secret.
Adv. Medical Solutions AMS continues to go from strength to strength as profit before tax for the six months to 30th June rose by 27% and the interim dividend is increased by 17%. Group revenues grew by 8% at constant currency rates with US revenue rising by 52% and sales of Liquiband strong in all its markets. the company is optimistic about future organic growth.
Surgical Innovations SUN produced strong growth in both revenue and profits in the half year to the 30th June. Revenue rose by 14.1% and last years first half loss of £0.6m was turned into a profit of £0.3m. both sets of figures being at the upper end of the board’s expectations. The acquisition of Elemental Healthcare on the 1st August is regarded as being transformational for the company.
Alliance Pharma APH is increasing its interim dividend by 10% following strong growth from its international brands and an 8% rise in revenue. The integration of Sinclair Pharma has now been completed and “bolt on” acquisitions are now being pursued.
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Quoted Micro 5 September 2016
ISDX
Guild Acquisitions (GAQO) has invested £30,000 in NOMAN Ventures Ltd, which is seeking investments in areas such as block chain, artificial intelligence, drones and virtual reality. The cash is being invested in convertible loan notes that will either be convertible at a 40% discount to the share price of the next fundraising of at least £250,000 or after 12 months. Guild plans to ask its shareholders to vote to change its name to Kryptonite 1.
St Marks Homes (SMAP) increased its NAV to 137p a share by the end of June 2016. A Richmond development was completed in March and three sales have been completed since June. Sutton and St Margarets sites will be completed this month, with all of the Sutton residential units already sold and the commercial space under offer. The merger with St Marks Contracts Ltd happened after the period end. Carbury Property Holdings has increased its stake in St Marks to 19.1%.
Via Developments (VIA1) says that it expects to start generating revenues in the final quarter of 2016. Cash raised from debenture issues has been used to buy three development sites – two in Manchester and one in Luton – costing £4.1m and with a development value of £18.3m within 18 months. The marketing of the first development in Manchester has begun. The company says that it is seeing more interest from foreign investors since the EU referendum. Via Developments has issued more ordinary shares but Pyramid Court Investments Ltd, which is owned by John Kahn, still holds 100% of these unquoted shares.
Secured Property Developments (SPD) has agreed to lend £600,000 for development finance to Space Property, which is 29.15% owned by Secure Property Developments director R Shane. This means that shareholders have to agree to the deal. The cash will lent for 12 months at 10.2% a year and it will be secured on a freehold commercial property in York. Secured Property Developments had £760,000 in the bank following the sale of its property asset.
Black Sea Property (BSP) has joined ISDX and 50,000 shares were traded at 0.01p each on the first day of trading (31 August). The former AIM company has a new strategy, which is to build up a portfolio of Bulgarian property assets. This could be residential, commercial or hotel properties, or it could be investments in distressed companies that need to be restructured.
Diversified Oil & Gas (DOIL) has raised a further £715,000, taking the value of bonds in issue to more than £10.6m. That is after buying back £197,000 worth of 8.5% unsecured bonds from a bondholder fund.
Crossword Cybersecurity (CCS) has appointed former chief of the secret intelligence service Sir Richard Dearlove as non-executive chairman.
AIM
EMIS (EMIS) reported flat interim revenues but profit improved. The GP and pharmacy software operations grew their profit but the specialist operations produced disappointing results due to the extra costs for taking on additional contracts. There were cost savings in the first half and the benefits will start to come through in the second half. Full year profit is expected to improve from £36.1m to £39.3m even though revenue forecasts have been shaved.
Facilities management and security services provider Mortice (MORT) grew its revenues by 51% to $133.5m in the year to March 2016 and even if acquisitions are stripped out underlying growth is still 13%. There were initial contributions from the UK and Singapore businesses acquired during the year but they will make a much bigger contribution this year – particularly as the UK facilities management business has won a major contract. India remains the main revenue generator but further acquisitions are likely. There should be a large increase in pre-tax profit in 2016-17 – house broker finnCap forecasts $4.2m.
Surgical instruments developer and supplier Surgical Innovations (SUN) has returned to profit at the operating level and there is still scope to improve gross margin. A small pre-tax profit is expected for the full year as new product launches boost second half sales. A sharp fall in inventories and debtors has helped to cut net debt to around £700,000. The underlying business is back on a firmer footing and management can turn its attention to building up the group via acquisition.
Bond International Software (BDI) says that it has received a bid approach from ESW Capital but no figure has been put on the potential offer. The Bond board has advised shareholders not to accept the Constellation Software bid of 105p a share. The offer document has been sent to shareholders.
MAIN MARKET
Investment in new products is starting to pay off for BATM (BVC) but the real benefits are unlikely to show through until next year’s figures. BATM reduced its interim loss and it is on course to move back into profit this year. Revenues declined in the first half because of reducing sales of legacy products, particularly in the networking sector, but newer products will boost second half revenues. The diagnostics business grew its revenues and it has secured a partner in China. A pre-tax profit of $2.7m is forecast for 2016 and that profit should double in 2017 as the newer products build up sales.
Cathay International Holdings (CTI) has investments in China-based healthcare businesses and a hotel. Revenues dipped slightly to $61.1m but higher gross margins meant that the company swung from loss to profit in the six months to June 2016. The main improvement came from 50.5%-owned Lansen. Trading would have been even stronger but for the decline in the RMB.
Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has launched an open offer to raise £19.1m at 0.8314p a share as part of its restructuring. The open offer closes on 15 September.
Punch Plays Cards Close To Its Chest
Punch Taverns PUB Todays trading statement for the year to 20th August omits virtually any mention of its trading statistics It says it has produced a solid set of results following completion of its strategic disposal programme but fails to back that up with any meaningful figures, save to say that average profit per pub has risen by 4% and like for like net income from the core estate is up by 1% and the retail divisions 97 pubs are operating ahead of expectations. No doubt all will be revealed in the fullness of time.
Churchill China CHH produced yet another strong performance with profit before tax up by 29% for the half year to 30th June. Group revenue rose by 12% and basic earnings per share by 30%. The interim dividend is to be increased by 12%.
Fisher (James) FSJ is definitely ex growth for the time being , although that has not stopped it raising the interim dividend by 10% and it does expect to see growth resume in the second half, with new contracts and good demand for ship to ship services. Group revenue for the half year to the 30th June was down by some 2% and statutory profit before tax declined slightly from £17.9 to £17.4m. Strong growth was experienced in Marine Support, Tankships and Specialist Technical but this was offset, perhaps not surprisingly, by poor results from Offshore Oil.
HSS Hire Group HSS produced revenue growth of 13.5% in the half year to 2nd July and adjusted EBITDA rose by 11.1% which all helped to bring down the loss before tax from £14.1m to £9.8m and most of that, says the company, was due to what it euphemistically calls “strategy execution”. The interim dividend remains unchanged and the third quarter has started off ahead of last year.
Chemring Group plc CHG Revenue in the three months to the 31st July rose by 20% and the order book was up by 12.6% but £50m of this was due to the collapse of sterling which defintely did not help the company’s US dollar debt.
Surgical Innovations SUN Revenue for the six months to 30th June was robust rising by 16%, led by exports and a particularly strong performance in the US. Increased productivity helped margins rise by 26.6% and the company returned to profitability at the operating level. By the end of the half year net bank borrowings had been eliminated.
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