Hybridan Research: Sector Review: Artificial intelligence in UK cybersecurity: the human uplift 17/04/2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a double-edged sword in cybersecurity. Whilst new AI models, architectures, and innovations are emerging to protect the security posture of organisations, attackers are also benefiting from deepfakes, sophisticated phishing, and automation of malicious codes. To ensure the impact of AI on cybersecurity to be a net-positive, we need to pit good AI against bad AI. Point solutions enhanced with machine learning: Global cybersecurity has been built with point soluti

Hybridan Small Cap Feast - 26 Mar 24

26th March 2024 @HybridanLLP Status of this Note and Disclaimer This document has been issued to you by Hybridan LLP for information purposes only and should not be construed in any circumstances as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument, nor shall it, or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract relating to such action. This document has no regard for the specific investment object

Major £135m contract award

Cohort announces that its subsidiary SEA (Systems Engineering and Assessment Ltd.) has been awarded a major contract by the UK’s Ministry of Defence to provide Electronic Warfare Counter Measures (Increment 1a) (EWCM 1a) to the Royal Navy with a total value of at least £135m. This includes provision and support of SEA’s Trainable Decoy Launcher System, Ancilia. At the FY 24 interim results Cohort had commented on an overall “increased tempo” of order intake. The Group reported a closing order b

Hybridan Small Cap Feast - 29 Jan 24

29th January 2024 @HybridanLLP Status of this Note and Disclaimer This document has been issued to you by Hybridan LLP for information purposes only and should not be construed in any circumstances as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument, nor shall it, or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract relating to such action. This document has no regard for the specific investment obje

Hybridan Small Cap Feast

13th December 2023 Small Cap Team will take a break until Monday 8 January 2024 after this Friday 15th December. Merry Christmas to all our readers. @HybridanLLP Status of this Note and Disclaimer This document has been issued to you by Hybridan LLP for information purposes only and should not be construed in any circumstances as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument, nor shall it, or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be

Strong H1 24 results backed by a record order book

For the six months to 31 October 2023 Cohort reported revenue of £94.3m, +22%YoY, EBIT (adj.) of £6.0m, +20%YoY and (adj.) EPS of 10.36p (adj. dil., 10.33p). The closing order book further increased to £353.9m (FY23, £329.1m). With £90m of orders deliverable in H2 the Group reports that 95% of market consensus revenue outlook is covered, whilst the order book has longevity to 2033. The net cash position was £13.3m compared to £15.6m at year-end FY23 and H1 23 net debt of £0.6m boosted by operat

AGM update on growing momentum in orders

In a statement to accompany today’s AGM, Cohort PLC reported that, following a year of record earnings in FY23, the Group has continued to build its order book, adding a further £90m in contract wins since the start of FY24. Consequently, as of 22 September the order book had risen to £370m, representing revenue cover of 93%. Compared to a year-end FY23 net cash position of £15.6m, net funds at the end of August were £15.2m, providing sufficient cash in conjunction with banking facilities to b

Record results in FY23 and positive outlook

For the year to 30 April 2023, Cohort reported record revenue of £182.7m +33%YoY, matched by record (adj.) EBIT of £19.1m, +23%YoY. The closing order book of £329.1m (FY22: £291.0m) was also at a high, boosted by order intake of £220.9m; by June this had reached £360m. EPS rose 17%YoY to 36.48p/share, with the proposed total dividend of 13.4p/share +10%YoY. Notwithstanding a strategically firm defence outlook – based on the conflict in Ukraine, tensions in the South China Sea, and cohesion amon

FY 23 trading update: ahead and unified

In a Trading Update for the year to 30 April 2023, Cohort plc expects performance to be slightly ahead of market expectations based on higher revenue. We note FY23 net funds reported at c.£15.0m - well ahead of ED estimated, at £4.6m - strong order intake of c.£218m (FY22: £186.7m), and a closing order book of £325m - at the Interim £304.2m. This underpins £145m, i.e. 83%, of our FY 24 estimated revenue, compared with 69% in FY23 (E). Overall, the update confirms the strength of momentum into th

Closing FY23 orders highlight group attractions

Finland joining NATO; the leak of classified US documents relating to the war in Ukraine; recent Chinese military drills around Taiwan: defence-related news flow has remained prominent in areas of present military tension. Following a strong first half, Cohort PLC itself is closing FY23 with contract extensions at MASS and CHESS totalling c. £30m over periods of up to 7 years, with a focus on e-warfare. We noted at the Interim that over £80m of orders deliverable in the second half equates t

Cohort - Defence remains an increasing priority

Cohort’s expertise in innovative defence and security products and services are increasingly suitable for a wide range of global customers whose budgets are likely to rise. It is in a prime position to benefit from the growth in global defence spending that should result from increased geopolitical tension. We expect a return to sustainable organic growth in the current year accompanied by strong cash flow. An FY24e P/E multiple of 11.8x is undemanding, accompanied by 10% dividend income growth.

PROGRESSIVE: SDI Group: Solid update reflects strong second half

SDI Group’s trading update for the year ended 30 April 2024 is in line with current guidance for FY24, with good momentum heading into FY25. This reflects the hands-on approach under the new CEO, addressing short-term issues that had led to underperformance in some businesses. The underlying portfolio performed well in terms of profitability and cash generation, with improved trading in a number of businesses. The increased cashflow in H2 and significant headroom within its banking facilities le

Morning Note – 20 May 2024

Likewise (LIKE LN) - FY23 results: taking share

Likewise has reported another year of progress materially outperforming the market, against a tough backdrop, as management continue to invest in the business and execute on its strategy. Revenue for the year was up 12.9% to £139.5m and adjusted operating profit increased c. 6% to £3.5m, both in line with Zeus forecasts. We believe current profitability understates the performance of the business as it continues to invest in capacity and logistics. Likewise has also seen continued strength into

Staffline (STAF LN) - Encouraging momentum

Staffline has released a brief AGM statement confirming that the positive trading momentum from the final quarter of FY23 has continued into the first four months of FY24.

Judges Scientific+ (JDG, House Stock at 11,650p) - AGM trading, forecasts unchanged

Van Elle Holdings plc (VANL LN) - FY24 profit in line, net cash ahead

Van Elle’s FY24 profit (April y/e) is expected to be in line with market expectations, confirming a resilient performance during tough market conditions. Aligning to the figures in today’s statement, we increase FY24 revenue by 1% to £140m and net cash (ex. leases) by 27% to £5.5m, with underlying PBT unchanged at £5.0m. We continue to believe Van Elle has substantial growth opportunities in sectors such as energy, water and rail (including internationally), as well as being well positioned to b

Epwin (EPWN LN) - Continuing to perform

Epwin’s AGM statement confirms it is continuing to trade in line with expectations despite the volatile operating environment. Competitors, as well as other building products peers, have warned recently that trading in the first months of 2024 has been below expectations, putting pressure on estimates. The fact Epwin has not warned is testament to how well the business has been managed. It came out of the pandemic in a strong commercial position providing flexibility to manage the business in th

Judges Scientific - Cautious AGM Statement – no change to estimates

Judges Scientific is a group involved in the buy and build of scientific instrumentation businesses. Today's trading update yields no changes to our FY2024 estimates, given they were cautiously set on the basis of there being no material contribution of ‘coring' contract revenue from subsidiary Geotek in the financial year. With negotiations now commencing on a new coring expedition, Judges anticipate a new contract will likely commence towards the end of the financial year, with the substantial

Mpac Group+ (MPAC, House Stock at 490p) - Clean energy advances

Smiths News - Refinancing releases dividend shackles

Smith News’ H124 results highlighted the robustness of the underlying business, but also revealed the success that management is achieving in creating long-term shareholder value. For example, 74% of revenue is now contracted until 2029, the recent refinancing saves costs and removes the dividend restriction, and the organic growth initiatives are gaining significant momentum. Furthermore, the revised capital allocation policy raises the possibility that modest, self-funded M&A could add further

Morning Note – 22 May 2024

LIBERUM: Clarkson: An underappreciated global market leader

Velocity Composites H1 Trading Update

The Velocity Composites update has assured that 2024E trading remains in line with expectations that continue to assume a break-even year at the PBT level.

Likewise - Full year results reflect continued growth trajectory; on track for FY24

Likewise is a fast-growing distributor of residential and commercial floor coverings in the UK. This morning, the group has reported full year results for the year ended 31 December 2023, which illustrate a year of further progress on its path towards building a distribution business of significant scale. Revenue increased 12.9% YoY to £139.5m, a strong outturn considering the current industry backdrop, and reflecting market share gains for the group. With the impact of higher utilisation of the

Invinity Energy Systems - Funded to Cash Generation and More

Re-issued to correct for typographical errors.Invinity’s major equity fundraising is targeting a minimum of £56m with £25m already committed by the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB). A second strategic investment of £3m has been committed by Korean Investment Partners.  The raise will see Invinity to net cash generation, with over £30m of the raise supporting the company’s scale up ahead of this year’s launch of the next generation Mistral flow battery. The raise will boost the balance sheet, reduci