Checkit has released a strong FYJan21 trading update, detailing impressive progress and inso-doing, has exceeded our forecasts on all metrics: revenue, profit and cash. We now expect FY21 revs of £13.2m (prev. £13.1m) - that’s up from pro-forma FY20 sales of 12.8m. While this ‘just‘ represents 3% LFL growth, within this, recurring software revenue grew +33% LFL to £5.1m (accelerating to +51% in Q4) equivalent to >40%/pro-forma sales, benefitting the overall ‘quality of sales’ and GM% in the process. Meanwhile, we also flag BEMS grew modestly in Q4 – suggesting market conditions continue to stabilise. On profit, CKT reference a 15% AOP beat, implying £-3.2m vs. £3.8mE – driven by both the top-line ‘beat‘ and also lower than expected costs. CKT significantly beat our cash estimates, ending FY21 with £11.5m (net) vs. £9.9mE, so implies £-3m FCF – modest given the company is in ‘investment mode’. We continue to view CKT positively, citing how the company has demonstrated its credentials in the UK, with wins such as BP and John Lewis, driving software growth in the process. In our view, the acquisition of Tutela offers the opportunity to replicate this success, but on a much larger scale in the US. With an EV of just £26m (~4.5x EV/ARR) we think the market doesn’t fully appreciate CKT’s large addressable market and potential to execute.
Companies: Checkit plc
Checkit saw better-than-expected performance in Q421 and closed the year ahead of our forecasts. In FY21, Checkit Connect grew 13% y-o-y on a pro-forma (PF) basis while Checkit BEMS saw business rebound in H2 after lockdown restrictions in the construction sector were relaxed. The company made good progress with its strategy to build its subscription contract base: recurring revenue grew to 39% of FY21 revenue, up from 30% for FY21 PF. We have revised our forecasts to reflect better-than-expected trading in FY21 and the recent acquisition of Tutela in the US.
Checkit has acquired its sole US distributor, Tutela Monitoring Systems for $0.6m (net of cash acquired) equivalent to just ~3x EBITDA. Based in Florida, the company currently resells CKT‘s wireless temperature monitoring systems to a small sub-sector of the US Healthcare market. This acquisition therefore provides CKT with an efficient entry point into the US - a new and large market. At this early stage, we see the opportunities as two-fold: grow the TAM by targeting more Healthcare organisations, or indeed expand into new verticals, for example CKT has proven track record in Food Retail. As per the acquisition rationale of Next Control Systems (now Checkit UK) we also see cross-sell potential i.e. offer more value to existing customers by also offering CKT‘s Connected Workflow Management and/or Connected Building Management solutions too. Driving these new opportunities, CKT also announced two senior hires – Steve Peck (ex. Oracle Netsuite) who will now lead Checkit Inc., while Kit Kyte becomes the UK‘s Chief Commercial Officer. After eliminating for intercompany sales on consolidation, we expect group sales to be c.£1m higher on a pro-forma basis. In all likelihood, we expect to update FY22 forecasts accordingly following CKT‘s FYJan21 trading update – expected imminently. Today‘s key takeaway: CKT has already proven it can land Enterprise deals in the UK, this acquisition provides a launch pad to replicate (or potentially even exceed) this success in the US. Exciting times.
Checkit has acquired Tutela, its US distributor, for $0.85m/£0.62m in cash and intends to use it as a springboard for its plans to grow the wider business in the US. At the same time, Checkit has strengthened its management team, hiring a managing director to run the US operations and a group chief commercial officer (CCO). With a significantly larger addressable market than the UK, Checkit is keen to drive adoption of its connected solutions by large US enterprises.
Checkit has emerged from a period of corporate activity as a pure-play business focused on driving the adoption of its connected SaaS software, in particular its workflow management application. Checkit’s software is designed to enable smarter operations management, exploiting Internet of Things technology to connect people, processes and assets. With a proven ability to sign up blue-chip customers across a number of target verticals, growth in recurring revenues and an expanding customer base should help to close the valuation discount to software peers.
Positive update today, reveals that recurring revenue continues to progress strongly within Checkit Connect: +30% LFL in Q3 or +24% YTD (now ~37%/group sales), driven by new wins, the implementation of the landmark BP deal and also the conversion of existing annual calibration and maintenance contracts into subscription-based income. It‘s also encouraging to note that Checkit BEMS had a more robust quarter - revs fell just -5% vs. -9% in H1, as government restrictions eased and field engineers returned to customer sites for installation projects. Update on cash too – this remains strong at £12.4m vs. £13.4m at 1H21 and £14.3m at FY20, so burn is minimal. Based on this strong cash management, CKT looks well placed to outperform vs. forecasts (£10.1m expected at y/e). The company also looks in a strong position on revenue, as with £9.8m generated YTD, CKT requires just £3.3m in Q4 to hit forecasts (versus £3.4m in Q3). We therefore view this as reassuring update and evidence that CKT continues to trade robustly, despite an uncertain business environment…When this backdrop does improve, we‘re optimistic that the company‘s proven and differentiated product-set is well placed to capture new business opportunities and drive both revenue and growth higher.
Checkit has deepened its relationship with John Lewis, by signing a three year framework agreement with this existing customer. This provides all John Lewis shops with the opportunity to benefit from Checkit’s three proprietary software products: Connected Workflow Management (CWM), Connected Automated Monitoring (CAM) and Connected Building Management (CBM). Out of these three, it is CWM which is a new service offering for John Lewis. We find this product particularly interesting given the broad number of (previously manual and paper-based) operational workflows the platform can automate - increasing efficiency. Additionally - through Checkit’s cloud-based dashboard – managers can track tasks in real-time and also respond to critical issues. Lastly, analytical tools can be used to spot operational weaknesses or non-compliance. This contract therefore provides further validation of these products and how they are resonating with large enterprises, as they look to drive greater efficiency within their organisations. This news follows-on from us recently reinstating forecasts. For FYJan21, we’re looking for £13.1m of sales i.e. modest LFL growth (PY pro-forma: £12.8m), within this though, expect to see strong ‘recurring‘ growth – driven by contracts such as this. Should also see decent progress on profitability (FY21E EBITDA: £-2.0m) indeed such progress was highlighted in H1, as cash-burn fell to £-1.4m
Interims to July are consistent with an earlier update and demonstrate a robust performance, with LFL sales +2% to £6.4m. Looking deeper, momentum continued into Q1, following a strong FY20, with 1Q21 LFL sales: +13%. Meanwhile, Covid’s impact was greater in Q2, as sales fell 11%. Notwithstanding, CKT’s SaaS division (‘Checkit Connect’) grew throughout H1: +15% to £3.4m, now 54%/sales. Management‘s response to macro uncertainties has been proactive and costs tightly managed. A lower adj. operating loss reflects this: £-1.5m (PY: £-2.9m) as does FCF: £-1.4m after strong working capital management. Closing net cash remains very strong at £13.4m. July‘s disposal of EET will add to cash resources – £0.9m consideration is due over 2 years. Despite costs receiving close attention, product development continues at pace and is driving opportunities, particularly within resilient sectors - we view ‘Healthcare‘ as one and is now a strategic focus for the Group. It is also positive to hear market activity is resuming in other sectors too, and a reintroduction of forecasts reflects our confidence. FY21E sales: £13.1m, so we anticipate modest sequential H1/H2 growth or +2% LFL for the full-year. FY21E AOP £-3.8m i.e. £-2.3mE in H2, as government support measures winddown. Closing cash should remain strong (£10.1mE), leaving significant resources for future periods. While early in the company’s transition (so full potential is hard to grasp) we continue to be impressed with progress to date: new product innovation has led to significant deals and in-turn has generated strong ‘recurring‘ growth. Meanwhile, we think CKT’s valuation (<2x EV/sales) reflects an overly cautious assessment of this progress and future opportunities.
Overall performance shows resilience to the impact of COVID-19, with comprehensive restructuring and a focus on recurring, software-driven, revenue streams. H1’21 revenue grew 2.3%YoY (normalised basis) to £6.4m. Checkit UK, acquired on 24 May 2019, contributed 2.5 months of earnings, in H1’20 equivalent to £6.2m on an annualised basis. Notably, gross profitability improved significantly from 21.9% at July 2019 to 35.9% by July 2020. Checkit reorganised into two divisions: Checkit Connect, providing workflow management (CWM), automated monitoring (CAM), and building management services (CBM); and Checkit BEMS, responsible for building installation and maintenance projects. Checkit Connect contributed 53% of H1’21 revenue, growing 15%YoY (normalised), of which 68% was recurring, growing 23%YoY. Checkit Connect is the focus of a SaaS-based products and services business model; its recurring revenue base contributed almost 100% of divisional growth, driven by firmed pricing and a major contract. Checkit BEMS revenue declined 9%YoY (normalised) reflecting the impact of COVID-19 in limiting on-site access. Checkit’s operating loss was reduced from £2.9m in H1’20 to £1.5m, or £2.0m inclusive of exceptional items (H1’20: £3.1m loss). Investment in development was maintained, at £1.0m in H1’21 compared to £1.2m a year earlier. Elektron Eye Technology (EET) was sold in July for £0.9m, paid over 24 months. The cash position as of 31 July was £13.4m, compared to £14.3m on 31 January.
Checkit has released another positive update, one that reveals robust trading has continued into Q2 (possibly the business’ most challenging quarter). This thereby provides optimism that growth may rebound sooner than anticipated (FY20 CKT Europe growth: +30%). The update splits out Q1 & Q2: LFL revs +13% in Q1. For Q2 – and as anticipated - progress did moderate: LFL sales c.-11%. Importantly however, this outcome is better than internal expectations and worth noting also: even during Q2, recurring revenue grew – both y/y and sequentially. For H1 as a whole, LFL recurring revs grew an impressive 23% to £2.3m, total sales meanwhile grew +2% to £6.4m. Success in ‘recurring growth‘ can be attributed to CKT UK (acquired 2019) and its strong presence within the healthcare sector. Here the division has benefitted from new installations and the conversion of existing annual calibration and maintenance agreements to all-inclusive subscription contracts. CKT also updates the market on cash – currently £13.4m. Through this reflects a £0.5m benefit of a repaid loan (so u/l: £12.9m) this still means that YTD cash burn has been modest – evidencing that CKT has responded actively to CV19. We leave forecasts U/R for now and look forward to interims (16/09/20) for a further update on trading. The company continues to fascinate following its landmark BP deal and wider mission: to become a leading provider of cloud-based Connected Workflow Management and Automated Monitoring solutions.
In a Trading Update for the six months to 31 July 2020 Checkit reports that, on a normalised basis, recurring revenue rose 23.4% YoY to £1.9m, whilst non-recurring revenue, on the same basis declined by 6.8% YoY to £4.3m. Normalised data is based on ownership of Checkit UK for the whole period - Checkit UK was acquired on 14 May 2019. Facing the circumstances occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic the Group continues to base planning on recurring revenues which have remained resilient, in contrast to a contraction in installation and project-based non-recurring revenue streams. Total H1 ‘20 revenue rose 2.3% YoY to £6.4m compared to £6.2m, normalised, in H1 ‘19 (£3.2m on an actual basis).
Blackbird plc* (BIRD.L, 19.25p/£64.7m) | Mirada plc* (MIRA.L, 92.5p/£8.2m) | Tern plc* (TERN.L, 10.75p/£29.0m) | Checkit plc (CKT.L, 39.5p/£24.5m)
Companies: BIRD MIRA TERN CKT
Checkit plc today announced FY20 Preliminary Results following restructuring, the highlights of which were: the sale of Bulgin and return of £81.0m to shareholders; acquisition of Next Control Systems for £8.8m, subsequently renamed Checkit UK Ltd.; renaming of Elektron Technology plc as Checkit plc; and a renewed focus on cloud-based Software-as-a-Service operational management solutions.
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Final results from AFC are very close to our projections, with net cash slightly ahead of our expectations. There is no new news in this announcement, and we marginally edge up the losses in 2021E and 2022E due to increased activity levels as the Group looks to capitalise on the vast opportunities available. We remain excited about the long-term investment thesis we set out recently and maintain our target valuation of 191.5p per share. As we have previously highlighted, our valuation excludes what we consider to be significant growth opportunities highlighted in the note.
Companies: AFC Energy plc
AFC Energy's Final Results for the year ended 31 October 2020 indicate the company is in a position of strength and at inflection point of sales growth. Results were better than we had forecast with a reported loss of £4.2M (WHIe £4.5M) and cash flow from operations of £4.3M (WHIe £4.2M). Most importantly, the company ended the period with a stronger cash balance than we had expected of £31.6M (WHIe £29.9M) reflecting the capital light strategy the company is applying. The year-end confirmed order book of £1.1M indicates that AFC Energy, after decades of investment, is past the inflection point that is translating its globally unique technology into a highly-compelling, long-term commercial growth opportunity.
tinyBuild— a leading video games publisher and developer with global operations. tinyBuild's strategic focus is in creating longlasting IP by partnering with video games developers, establishing a stable platform on which to build multi-game and multimedia franchises is to join AIM. Offer details TBC. Due mid-March. AMTE Power, a developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion battery cells for specialist markets, announced its intention to seek admission to trading on AIM. Admission is expected to take place during March 2021. The Company intends to raise approximately £7m by way of a placing of new ordinary shares in the capital of the Company. Timing TBC. Samarkand Group Limited, the cross-border eCommerce technology and retail group opening up the world's largest market for brands and retailers, intends to IPO on the Apex Segment Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market. Admission is targeted for March 2021. Cellular Goods a UK-based provider of premium consumer products based on biosynthetic cannabinoids announced its intention to join the main market (standard). Has raised £13M in an oversubscribed placing. £25m mkt cap. Due 26 Feb. NextEnergy Renewables to launch an IPO on the Main Market. NREN is a differentiated renewables investment Company that aims to capture the most attractive private renewables and energy transition infrastructure investment opportunities globally. Targeting a £300m raise. NREN is targeting total returns of 9-11 per cent. per annum (net of all fees and expenses but including the Target Dividend and capital appreciation) . The Company's target dividend yield for the first full financial year to 31 December 2022 is 5.5 pence. Due Early March 2021. Digital 9 Infrastructure launch an initial public offering on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, by way of an initial placing and offer for subscription for a target issue £400m. Digital 9 Infrastructure plc is a newly established, externally managed investment trust. The Company will invest in a range of digital infrastructure assets which deliver a reliable, functioning internet. The IPO Prospectus is expected to be published in March 2021. Team PLC announced their plans for an AIM IPO. Team owns Theta Enhanced Asset Management Ltd, trading as Team Asset Management. This is a Jersey-based active fund manager providing discretionary and advisory portfolio management services to private clients, trusts and charities. Assets under management were GBP291m in November, up from GBP140m in December 2019 . The Company is seeking to raise no less than £5m. The Placing will be priced on a pre-money valuation for the Company of £7m. Targeting March Admission. Virgin Wines UK Plc has out their plans for an AIM IPO. Virgin Wines is a direct-to-consumer online wine retailer that sells products to retail customers in the UK through two subscription schemes and a pay-as-you-go offering. The Group also sells a range of beers and spirits and operates a B2B sales channel for corporates. Anticipated mkt cap £110m. Raising £13m in new money and vendor sale of £34.9m . Due 2nd March. Fix Price announces its intention to float on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Fix Price is one of the leading variety value retailers globally and the largest in Russia, with more than 4,200 stores. Fix Price has revenues of RUB 190.1bn, RUB 142.9bn and RUB 108.7bn for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA for the same years was RUB 36.8bn, RUB 27.2bn and RUB 14.2bn, respectively. The Offer would consist of an offering of GDRs by certain existing shareholders of the Company. Great Point Entertainment Income Trust PLC announced its prospectus has been approved by the FCA. Great Point Entertainment Income Trust PLC is a newly established, externally managed closed-ended investment company. The Company will provide project finance to content makers and commissioners in the global television and film production industry via senior loans secured against pre-sold intellectual property (IP) rights. GPEIT's investment objective is to provide Shareholders with dividend income and modest capital growth through exposure to media content finance. According to media reports, Deliveroo, are expecting to release their IPO plans on 8th March. The company raised more than $180m in January with a valuation of more than $7bn.
Companies: YEW IKA UPR WYN ENW BWNG TRAK DBOX HZM G4M
Results were well trailed in January’s trading update. In the event, adjusted PBT emerged marginally ahead of FY2020, despite material impacts from Covid-19 and a depressed oil price. Although biomass incinerators were closed for much of the second quarter, the Group grew sales from residues from Energy from Waste (‘EfW’) by 15% and signed a further 6 new contracts, maintaining its high win rate. The outlook for EfW remains very strong with c.40 plants in planning or construction that provides the opportunity for Augean to double its current EfW revenues and profits of c.£20m and c.£14m over the longer term. Group operating margins are forecast to reach 25% and cash generation is strong, supporting a 3.5% yield on a resumed forecast dividend. EV/EBITDA multiples for FY2021E, FY2022E and FY2023E are 6.2x, 5.3x and 4.3x, which are well below established industrial sector metrics.
Companies: Augean PLC
UK railway privatisation, which was launched in the mid-1990s, has finally turned full circle: the Department of Transport has recently confirmed that its controversial railway franchise system will be scrapped. In this month's feature article, Nigel Hawkins, the Infrastructure analyst at Hardman & Co, examines the 25-year history of railway privatisation and chronicles its ups and its downs. The successes of railway privatisation, such as new rolling stock, are addressed, along with the many shortcomings, which included minimal vertical integration. With the winding up of the franchise system, the UK railway sector is effectively reverting to its former status as a nationalised industry, a shift started with the renationalisation of the collapsed Railtrack – later re-badged as Network Rail – in 2001.
Companies: ARBB BBGI CLIG DNL FLTA ICGT OCI PCA PIN PXC RECI SCE TRX SHED VTA YEW
Proposed move to AIM from the main market (standard) by Emmerson (EML.L) to provide Emmerson with access to a market and environment which is more suited, in the Board's view, to the Company's current size and strategy ahead of pivotal period for the Company with the commencement of mine construction at the Khemisset Potash Project expected by end of 2021. Follows recent award of Mining Licence granting Emmerson exclusive right to develop and mine the potash deposit and £5.5m raise to fund ongoing project development work. Subject to EGM on 21st March. Rogue Baron plc have announced its application for admission to the AQSE growth market. Rogue Baron owns five subsidiaries, namely: Shinju Spirits, Inc., Shinju Whiskey LLC, Mazeray Corporation, STI Signature Spirits Group LLC and Legacy Retail Group LLC. The Company’s goal is to build each of its brands that makes them a buyout target. Deal size TBC an expected admission date 12th March 2021. Global review platform, Trustpilot has announced its intention to float on the premium list of the LSE. Trustpilot provides an open platform, which creates a place where businesses and consumers can gain actionable insights and collaborate. Consumers are able to share feedback, at any time, about any business with a website and review feedback left by other consumers. Total revenues were US$64.3 million, US$81.9 million and US$102.0 million for the years ended 31 December 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. The Offer would comprise new Shares to be issued by the Company (raising gross proceeds of approximately US$50 million to support Trustpilot's growth plans and repay indebtedness) and an offer of existing Shares to be sold by certain existing shareholders, directors and employees. Timing TBC. In The Style, the e-commerce womenswear fashion brand with an influencer collaboration model, announces their intention to float on AIM. In The Style is a pure-play e-commerce fashion brand with a l customer base of women predominantly aged between 16 and 35. Founded in 2013, the group has delivered £35.4 million net sales and £3.6 million Adjusted EBITDA in the nine months to 31 December 2020, with sales up 159% from £13.7 million for the nine months to 31 December 2019. Admission is expected to take place on or around 17 March 2021. Deal size TBC. Media reports video game firm, Catalis is mulling a London IPO, just over a year after being bought by a private equity firm. Catalis’s accounts are reportedly expected to show revenues increasing to £60m in 2020, up from £43m, with adjusted earnings of £15m. Deal details and timing TBC. tinyBuild— a leading video games publisher and developer with global operations. tinyBuild's strategic focus is in creating longlasting IP by partnering with video games developers, establishing a stable platform on which to build multi-game and multimedia franchises is to join AIM. Offer details TBC. Due mid-March. AMTE Power, a developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion battery cells for specialist markets, announced its intention to seek admission to trading on AIM. Admission is expected to take place during March 2021. The Company intends to raise approximately £7m by way of a placing of new ordinary shares in the capital of the Company. Timing TBC. Samarkand Group Limited, the cross-border eCommerce technology and retail group opening up the world's largest market for brands and retailers, intends to IPO on the Apex Segment Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market. Admission is targeted for March 2021. NextEnergy Renewables to launch an IPO on the Main Market. NREN is a differentiated renewables investment Company that aims to capture the most attractive private renewables and energy transition infrastructure investment opportunities globally. Targeting a £300m raise. NREN is targeting total returns of 9-11 per cent. per annum (net of all fees and expenses but including the Target Dividend and capital appreciation) . The Company's target dividend yield for the first full financial year to 31 December 2022 is 5.5 pence. Due Early March 2021. Digital 9 Infrastructure launch an initial public offering on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, by way of an initial placing and offer for subscription for a target issue £400m. Digital 9 Infrastructure plc is a newly established, externally managed investment trust. The Company will invest in a range of digital infrastructure assets which deliver a reliable, functioning internet. The IPO Prospectus is expected to be published in March 2021. Team PLC announced their plans for an AIM IPO. Team owns Theta Enhanced Asset Management Ltd, trading as Team Asset Management. This is a Jersey-based active fund manager providing discretionary and advisory portfolio management services to private clients, trusts and charities. Assets under management were GBP291m in November, up from GBP140m in December 2019 . The Company is seeking to raise no less than £5m. The Placing will be priced on a pre-money valuation for the Company of £7m. Targeting March Admission. Fix Price announces its intention to float on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Fix Price is one of the leading variety value retailers globally and the largest in Russia, with more than 4,200 stores. Fix Price has revenues of RUB 190.1bn, RUB 142.9bn and RUB 108.7bn for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA for the same years was RUB 36.8bn, RUB 27.2bn and RUB 14.2bn, respectively. The Offer would consist of an offering of GDRs by certain existing shareholders of the Company. Great Point Entertainment Income Trust PLC announced its prospectus has been approved by the FCA. Great Point Entertainment Income Trust PLC is a newly established, externally managed closed-ended investment company. The Company will provide project finance to content makers and commissioners in the global television and film production industry via senior loans secured against pre-sold intellectual property (IP) rights. GPEIT's investment objective is to provide Shareholders with dividend income and modest capital growth through exposure to media content finance. According to media reports, Deliveroo is expecting to release its IPO plans on 8th March. The company raised more than $180m in January with a valuation of more than $7bn.
Companies: LND GDR GAMA SOLI SHED RLE CRU WRES SBI MNO
Bacanora Lithium (BNC LN) has fulfilled its funding requirements for the Sonora project in Mexico and is on its way to being a major lithium producer. With equity raises totalling US$96m in the form of a placing after which BCN’s strategic partner opted to exercise its pre-emptive rights and then increase its stake to 28.8%. The support from investors and Ganfeng Lithium, one of the world’s top lithium producers, is a major validation of the project and confirms our long-held view that Sonora would be built.
Companies: Bacanora Lithium Plc
SMS has announced new contract wins with two of the fastest growing independent energy suppliers in the UK to provide meter installation and Meter Asset Provider (MAP) services. Minimum contracted order commitments will see the SMS contracted pipeline increase to 2.5m (December 2020: 2.0m), indicating an addition of at least 500k smart meters. SMS has also announced the acquisition of a portfolio of 15,000 I&C electricity meters and 20,000 meter point data collection contracts, adding £3.1m ILARR for a cash consideration of £8.25m.
Companies: Smart Metering Systems PLC
DX has reported a strong H1, building on the return to profit last year. High service levels and improved operational efficiency have enabled continued volume growth at DX Freight, which has supported H1 group sales growth of 7.4% and an increase in adjusted operating profits from £0.4m to £5.9m − all achieved despite Covid. We have left our FY 2021 EPS unchanged (maintaining some caution on the impact of the lockdown) but upgrade FY 2022 by 11% (which assumes the share price exceeds 40p and consequently maximum dilution from option schemes). With the £10m capital investment programme providing support for continued strong long-term growth, the June 2023 PER of 12.4x and free cash flow yield of 7.4% offer significant share price upside (our new target is 42p).
Companies: DX (Group) Plc
XP Power reacted quickly to pandemic-related disruption early in 2020, so well positioned to benefit from a sustained uptick in orders as COVID-19 generated demand for critical care equipment and semiconductors. The company reported a record year for revenue and earnings while reducing net debt; the dividend was reinstated from Q220 as visibility improved. Despite expecting demand to normalise, XP still expects growth in underlying revenues in FY21.
Companies: XP Power Ltd.
Affected by volumes which were lower than their long-term average and weak commodity prices for the upstream division, the group published a disappointing set of FY20 figures. Although the group’s efforts on its cost structure are notable, we maintain a cautious view on inventory due to the economic uncertainty that could erode cash generation (due to an increase in working capital requirements, among other things).
Companies: Centrica plc
Today's news & views, plus announcements from RIO, TW, CRDA, TPK, PHP, MGGT, SHI, WHR
Companies: PHP RIO SHI TPK
Further media reports that Dr Martens, the British Boot brand is planning an IPO on the LSE. It is currently owned by PE group, Permira who is expected to sell down its stake at the IPO. March 2020 YE the group had revenues of £672m and EBITDA of £184m. Deal size TBC. Upon Admission to AIM, Nightcap will acquire The London Cocktail Club Limited (the "London Cocktail Club"), which is an award winning independent operator of ten individually themed cocktail bars in nine London locations and one location in Bristol. Offer TBC Due mid Jan. HSS Hire Group, HSS.L transfer from Main to Aim. Mkt Cap c. £70m. Recently raised £52.6m. Leading supplier of tool and equipment for hire in the United Kingdom and Ireland and has provided equipment hire services in the United Kingdom for more than 60 years, primarily focusing on the B2B market. Due 14 Jan. VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities plc, a closed-ended investment Company focused on making sustainable energy infrastructure investments, today announces intends to launch an initial public offering of shares on the Official List (Premium) of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Due by Early Feb.
Companies: SAG DXRX CALL BBSN ASTO DNL FIPP IIG GROW TCN
AFC Energy has this morning announced (RNS Reach) that it has launched its Anion Exchange Membrane (“AEM”) Fuel Cell test facility at the Company's Surrey headquarters. This facility will test and optimise AFC Energy's high energy-density fuel cell technology, HydroX-Cell(S)™, that is currently in development. The design of the new dedicated AEM fuel cell facility was completed in the second half of 2020 with full fit out now complete in advance of full operation.
Plant Health Care has announced that its first PREtec product to be commercialised, PHC279, has been named “Saori” for seed treatment in Brazilian soybeans. With a planned commercial launch in H2 2021, highly promising current trials and demonstrable financial benefits for growers, we continue to believe that the stock price should start to reflect the Group's substantial opportunity in patented, biological crop treatments and sustainable agriculture. Buy.
Companies: Plant Health Care PLC
