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23 Sep 20

Strix Group plc (KETL LN) - Accretive acquisition and outlook improving

Strix has announced the strategic acquisition of LAICA a family owned business in Vicenza, Italy for €19.6m in a mixture of cash and shares. It will be earnings accretive in FY21 and is scheduled to complete by the end of FY20, with just Italian government approval outstanding. ZC operating profit estimates are unchanged in FY20 but increase by c. 8% in FY21 to reflect the contribution from the deal, the impact on earnings is smaller due to the issue of shares and higher tax in Italy. Management believe significant synergies, both cost and revenue, will be derived from the deal over the next 2-5 years. The interim results had been well flagged in the comprehensive trading update in late July and today’s statement confirms that profitability remains in line with the guidance of achieving a flat performance yoy in FY20. The interim dividend of 2.6p is in line with last year and in keeping with the commitment to at least meet the 7.7p paid in FY19. Unlike most peers, Strix has maintained guidance as well as its commitment to pay a dividend and today’s acquisition unpins the continuing strategy of diversifying the business into areas offering greater growth.

Companies: Strix Group Plc

23 Sep 20

Confirmation of stellar H1

LoopUp has announced a very strong H1 period, in line with the previous trading update and reflecting a number of months of exceptional performance. This is allowing the business to invest in the major identified new opportunity, to provide telephony within Microsoft Teams, where the early signs are extremely positive. We look forward to further detail on the Teams pipeline and sales levels over time.

Companies: LoopUp Group plc

24 Sep 20

Cenkos: Venture Life Group Plc -- Very strong first half

Venture Life Group has reported on a very strong H1/20A period. Revenues were up 80% with operational leverage delivering c100% growth in gross profit and +350% adjusted EBITDA growth. Performance was supported by the acquisition of PharmaSource, strong sales to China, sales of new brand, DISINPLUS, and the group's ability to maintain production at its Italian manufacturing facility. With this report we have introduced FY21E forecasts, expecting the company to maintain its growth momentum and deliver 10% revenue growth. Venture Life is delivering a strong performance, we maintain our Buy recommendation.

Companies: Venture Life Group Plc

25 Sep 20

Boohoo Group Plc (BOO LN) - Independent Review Complete

Boohoo has released the now complete Independent Review into its UK supply chain in full this morning. Whilst a number of areas for improvement have been identified, there is no suggestion failings were deliberate or intentional and the chances required involve a relatively easily achieved realignment its of governance systems. We believe the Group remains well-positioned to lead the fashion e-commerce market in the future and can successfully implement an agenda for change in UK garment manufacturing.

Companies: boohoo group Plc

21 Sep 20

Interim results show resilience

Augean has reported interims to 30 June 2020. With the first half bearing the full impact of Covid-19, adjusted PBT decreased by 11% to £8.5m, which is in line with our expectation. With radioactive wastes, biomass for EfW and construction impacted by lockdown and depressed activity levels in its North Sea services, due to the low oil price, the results demonstrate the resilience of the Group and also the benefit of its key position in its markets with strategically located hazardous waste treatment and disposal facilities in the UK. Whilst the statement highlights that full year results are expected to be broadly in-line with market expectations, we have conservatively reduced forecasts. Nevertheless, with strong cash generation and sustained growth EV/EBITDA falls to 5.3x and 4.1x for FY21E and FY22E, a level that is substantially below sector constituents and transaction valuations.

Companies: Augean Plc

22 Sep 20

Litigation Capital Management - FY20 Results – Scaling up with strong returns

Litigation Capital Management has announced FY20 results with gross profit up 7% to A$21.7m and PBT of A$9.2m, slightly behind expectations albeit the Group had already flagged that delays to 3 cases during the year would result in resolutions in FY21, thereby impacting FY20 results. That said, excellent strategic progress through the year and good news flow as well as increasing scale suggests more value to come. Reiterate buy

Companies: Litigation Capital Management Ltd.

22 Sep 20

Strong results plus transformational acquisitions

Full-year results to 31 May 2020 deliver revenue of £15.0m (+10.3%) and EBITDA of £6.8m (+36.0%) as noted at the acquisition of Quantuma Advisory. We continue to believe a key value driver of owning K3 shares is an investor’s exposure to the positive disruption being wrought by the company’s model, which now has the ability to be applied to synergistic markets across the addressable professional services SME sector as a result of the two recent acquisitions. The already proven restructuring and insolvency practice specifically has the potential to deliver significant upside in the current environment. We reiterate our estimates, noting EPS growth of 63% between 2020A and 2023E. Target price remains 300p, offering 100% upside from the placing price of 150p.

Companies: K3 Capital Group Plc

21 Sep 20

H1 2020 Interim Results

Central Asia Metals (CAML LN) reported robust interim results in the context of the H1 2020 backdrop; solid production and the company’s fundamentally low cost base meant that CAML remained profitable despite the sharp pullback in commodity prices during the period which led to a 17% YoY decline in revenue to US$70.8m. Consequently, EBITDA was down 25% YoY to US$42.5m despite a decline in unit costs of 6% YoY at Kounrad and 9% YoY at Sasa to US$0.48/lb and US$0.43/lb respectively which cushioned the impact of the weaker the top line. With no significant one offs in the period, EPS of US$0.10/sh. was 33% lower YoY.

Companies: Central Asia Metals Plc

23 Sep 20

Cenkos: Equals Group Plc -- Revenue growth through the headwinds

To achieve YoY revenue growth over H1/20A despite the challenges of Covid-19 and its impact on the travel sector is testament to Equals' resilience and increasing focus on B2B and International payments services. While weaker gross profit and EBITDA margins have impacted profitability in H1/20, we see potential for an earnings recovery in H2/20 given cost reduction measures currently being undertaken. This should lead Equals to cash breakeven in Q4/20 and FCF positive by early FY21.

Companies: Equals Group Plc

24 Sep 20

Upgrades after results and strategic deal

Strix has published reassuring interims and announced the acquisition of LAICA, conditional upon approval from the Council of Ministers in Italy. Against a backdrop of global disruption caused by COVID 19, Strix’s H1 performance is in line with expectations. Net sales down 21% YoY, with a much smaller impact on net profits on the back of strong cost management. Encouragingly, FY 20 profit expectations are now underpinned, at around £28.9m PAT. Taking into account the LAICA deal, we provisionally upgrade FY 21 PAT/EPS by 6%. The shares are already up materially YTD, but the Strix growth story remains compelling.

Companies: Strix Group Plc

18 Sep 20

Cenkos: Trinity Exploration Production P

Trinity has announced a strong set of interim results during a highly volatile period, with production increasing by 9% year-on-year to 3,282bopd (H1/19 3,007bopd). Operating break-even's post hedging in H1/20 reduced to US$22.3/bbl, a 15% year-on-year reduction and a 65% reduction since 2014. Similarly, a relentless drive to improve efficiencies and reduce costs has seen G&A and opex fall by 67% and 65% respectively since 2014. Despite the dramatic fall in oil prices, Trinity's strong production performance combined with its receipt of VAT receivables via a VAT Bond sale and the drawdown of a small working capital facility facilitated cash balances increasing by 43% to US$19.7m from YE2019. Trinity is well positioned to grow both organically and inorganically, with Trinity signing MoU's and submitting EOI's (in consortium with Cairn Energy Plc) to pursue new opportunities of scale. We set our price target a 31p/share, a 248% premium to the current share price and reiterate our BUY recommendation.

Companies: Trinity Exploration & Production Plc

18 Sep 20

Growing long-term subscription revenues

Crimson Tide has reported a strong set of H1 results evidencing very strong sales momentum backed by long-term contracts and cash flow. H1 sales grew by 40% and EPS by 154%. Net cash has improved to £0.8m at June 2020 from nil at December 2019. The strategic focus on transportation and supermarkets is working well, partnerships are improving routes to market, and there is growing traction from investments in innovation. We have left our forecasts unchanged for now, but recognise positive pressure and have upgraded our target price from 3.1p to 4.3p. We reiterate our view that Crimson Tide’s valuation will be dictated by its ability to convert the significant opportunity rather than short-term metrics. H1 results show the group is nicely on track to do exactly that.

Companies: Crimson Tide Plc

22 Sep 20

Ergomed - Adj EBITDA upgrade despite industry challenges

H120 adjusted EBITDA of £9.1m was the main positive surprise for us in Ergomed’s full interim report released today. We have increased our adjusted EBITDA forecasts to £18.3m (up 8.6%) in 2020 and £20.1m (up 6.8%) in 2021. A strong order book (£151.4m, up 22.0% from the end of 2019) with high visibility into 2021, continued overall business growth and a strong balance sheet should allow Ergomed to successfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, invest in organic growth and look for potential strategic acquisitions. Our valuation is upgraded to £409m or 845p/share.

Companies: Ergomed Plc

22 Sep 20

Cenkos: 1pm Plc -- Positive signs emerging over recent months

FY20 results reflect a year of trading in-line with earlier expectations, until being significantly interrupted in Q4/20 by the impact of Covid-19. Despite this, 1pm remained profitable throughout, despite accepting forbearance requests and prudently lifting bad debt provisions for the future. Post-period, there has been a noticeable pick-up in trading as the UK economy recovers, which 1pm is currently positioning itself for. A P/TNAV of 0.55x materially undervalues 1pm, hence we remain at “Buy”.

Companies: 1pm Plc

17 Sep 20

Cenkos: Duke Royalty Ltd - Improving trading – increasing cash receipts

FY20A results largely reflect a period prior to the Covid-19 lockdown, yet show Duke entering a more challenging FY21E with momentum. Yesterday's trading update demonstrated another notable rise in quarterly cash receipts for Q2/21, as royalty partner trading continues to improve. As some partners' forbearance measures will expire this month, Q3/21 receipts should continue this upwardly momentum. This opens the door to a return to cash dividends at some future point. Today, Duke also confirms it is now seeking new royalty partners, alongside follow-ons.

Companies: Duke Royalty

25 Sep 20

Alastair Ford says new Trident Royalties' Lake Rebecca acquisition is a 'significant deal'

25 Sep 20

Tesla's failure to impress investors had 'ripple affect across mining industry'

25 Sep 20

Market report: Flat Friday as raft of sobering news dampens spirits

25 Sep 20

More than ever in the middle of a speculative battle

Lagardère’s share price is up more than 30% this morning after Group Arnault announced it had taken a 5% direct stake in the group. The speculative battle is at its height with a number of players around.

Companies: Lagardère SCA

25 Sep 20

Directa Plus reports triple revenue growth and success of new mask launch

25 Sep 20

Exasol - Winning new business despite COVID-19

Exasol made solid progress in H120, growing annual recurring revenue (ARR) by 18% half-on-half and 30% year-on-year. Overall revenue declined 8% year-on-year as the number of perpetual licences signed fell, in line with the company’s strategy to focus on subscription licensing. Cash proceeds from the recent IPO contributed to the €40m net cash position at the end of H120, providing more than adequate funding to support the growth of the company until it reaches cash flow profitability.

Companies: Exasol AG

25 Sep 20

Building for a new normal

As with the wider real estate investment trust (REIT) sector, Standard Life Investments Property Income Trust’s (SLI) share price has been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rent collection rates have been impacted with many tenants struggling during the crisis and property values have fallen.

Companies: Standard Life Investments Property Income Trust Ltd

25 Sep 20

Panther Metals CEO talks wider interest around Big Bear gold project and exploration plans

25 Sep 20

Small Cap Feast

Wheaton precious Metals (TSE:WPM) - Proposed secondary listing on bringing one of the world’s largest precious metal streaming companies to the London Stock Exchange. Due Q 2020 AB Ignitis grupe—leading utility and renewable energy company in the Baltic region. Admission of its Shares to the Main Trading List of Nasdaq Vilnius and admission of its GDRs to the Official List of the FCA. Offer Price Range corresponds to a market capitalisation of approximately EUR1,691.7 - EUR2,105.2 million. Due 7 Oct. Calnex, an established provider of test and measurement solutions for the global telecommunications sector, will raise a total of £22.5 million (before expenses), comprising £6.0 million for the Company and £16.5 million for existing shareholders . Due 5 October 2020, under the ticker CLX. Based on the Placing Price, the market capitalisation of the Company will be £42.0 million on Admission. Various Eateries to float on AIM. Admission is expected to take place end of September/early October 2020. The Company intends to raise up to £25 million by way of a placing . Established platform business operating two core brands, Coppa Club & Tavolino, both positioned to benefit from the post-Covid environment. The Directors believe site availability, acquisition opportunities, reduced competition, availability of talent and changes in consumer behaviour provide opportunities to accelerate the Group's growth . Mode Global Holdings to join LSE (standard). Mode is a UK-based Fintech Group, building a modern financial services business to support an increasingly digitised economy and financial system, combining the best of banking, payments, investment, loyalty and digital assets. Targeting £7.5m raise. Guild Esports a UK-based owner and developer of esports teams, has announced its intention to seek a listing of its ordinary shares to the Standard Listing segment of the London Stock Exchange this autumn. its founding shareholders include David Beckham, former football player and captain of England, and now co-owner of new MLS team Inter Miami CF. HOME REIT intends to float to the Main Market raising up to £250m. The Company will seek to contribute to the alleviation of homelessness in the UK, whilst targeting inflation-protected income and capital returns, by investing in a diversified portfolio of assets across the UK which will be dedicated to providing accommodation to the homeless. Due Mid October Sativa Wellness Group—(Canadian Securities Exchange: STIL) renamed from Stillcanna Inc following the conditional acquisition of Sativa Group (AQSE:SATI) to list on the AQUIS Exchange. A fully integrated European seed to consumer CBD group with the pricing, products, and stability to meet the CBD market demand in the medium term. With world-class extraction and formulation experts, an agricultural team that has over 20 years’ experience farming hemp, along with laboratory testing capabilities, the group has established itself globally as a trusted source of high-grade, premium wholesale CBD brands and products. Umuthi Healthcare Solutions Plc, the technology led healthcare business focused on the distribution of pharmaceuticals and the provision of medical facilities in remote areas, seeking admission to the Standard Listing segment of the Official List Kibo Energy PLC, the multi-asset Africa focused energy company, is seeking admission for its 100% owned UK subsidiary Sloane Developments Ltd , which will be renamed Mast Energy Developments PLC (MED), to the Standard List of the London Stock Exchange plc . Targeted for Q4 2020. The MED business strategy is to acquire and develop a portfolio of flexible small-scale power generation assets, exploiting a growth niche market in the UK for Reserve Power generation to balance out the national grid at critical times.

Companies: MRL DBOX GDR CRC KRS BONH JSE ANIC ARK

25 Sep 20

SP Angel . Morning View

Arkle Resources* (ARK LN) – Inishowen soil sampling results | Keras Resources* (KRS LN) – Meeting with Prime Minister of Togo to advance Nayéga Manganese Project | Peak Resources (PEK AU) – Rocky Smith, Peak’s CEO leaving Peak Resources | Predictive Discovery (PDI AU) – Results of further drilling at Bankan

Companies: ARK KRS PEK PDI

25 Sep 20

ECR Minerals' Craig Brown updates on new licence applications in Victoria

25 Sep 20

SP Angel Spec Sits: Salarius Signs Again (Tekcapital Plc)

Salarius Ltd. (91.7% owned by TEK) has signed a distribution agreement with FXM Ingredients Inc. to distribute MicroSalt® in Mexico and Latin America.

Companies: Tekcapital Plc

25 Sep 20

Anglo Pacific announce share buy-back programme of up to £5m

25 Sep 20

Oil & Gas Daily Flow

Jadestone Energy (JSE LN): Maari Project acquisition long stop date extended | Genel Energy (GENL LN): Bond confirmation and oil sales payments received from the KRG | Bahamas Petroleum (BPC LN): BPC secures the Stena IceMAX to spud Perseverance #1

Companies: JSE GENL BPC