Directa Plus has announced that trading in Q1/21 has been strong, with revenues expected to be around €1.8m, up 20% on Q1/20. Its current order book for delivery in FY2021 is c€4.3m which, with the Q1 performance means c75% of our €8.1m revenue forecast for FY21 has been secured before the end of the first quarter. Further to this the company notes it has a ‘strong pipeline of opportunities' for the rest of 2021. Supporting this it notes its environmental division has a healthy and encouraging pipeline of contract tenders across Europe, including a number of high value tenders, with two in the private oil and gas sector and another in a state infrastructure network. In other business areas it has completed the development of a new version of its face mask filter which is compliant to surgical standards (EN14683) and has been successfully validated and certified by an independent testing body. It is continuing to deepen its relationship with NexTech for next generation Lithium-Sulphur batteries with the partners establishing a Joint Laboratory specifically to further develop graphene-based materials for batteries.
Companies: Directa Plus Plc
Directa has released a positive Q1 trading update, confirming a strong start to the new year. Q1 revenue is +20% year on year and FY20 (to Dec) revenue guidance has been increased again (to €6.7m). Good progress is being made in a number of areas, visibility is building over current year forecasts and we remain excited by the Group’s growth prospects thereafter.
Parsley Box, the direct to consumer provider of ready meals to the 60+ demographic, recently announced its AIM IPO plans. Parsley Box provides ready meals, which are not required to be stored in a fridge or freezer, have a shelf life of up to six months and are cooked in minutes. The company reported revenue of £24.4m for the financial year ended 31 December 2020 (unaudited). Deal details TBC and admission is expected to occur late March/ early April 2021. Caerus Mineral Resources, a London based exploration and resource development company focused on developing mineral resources in Europe, recently announced the acquisition of New Cyprus Copper P.A. Ltd and its intention to IPO onto the Standard List. The NCC Acquisition provides Caerus with access to copper - gold exploration licences in the Republic of Cyprus. The company has raised circa £2.25m by way of placing and subscription. First Day of Dealings expected 19 March 2021. 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$64.3m, US$81.9m and US$102.0m 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$50m 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 £35.4m net sales and £3.6m Adjusted EBITDA in the nine months to 31 December 2020, with sales up 159% from £13.7m 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. 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. 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, said to be targeting a valuation of up to $10 billion, intends to opt for a dual-class share structure for three years after the listing, meaning Deliveroo's founders could retain extra voting rights for that period.
Companies: IES CTH IDEA PXEN LVCG NCCL DCTA KMK TRB
Directa Plus has announced that its existing relationship with NexTech Batteries Inc has progressed to a formal supply and strategic R&D agreement. We consider this a very positive development, given the potential for Lithium-Sulphur (Li-S) to disrupt the dominance of Lithium-Ion batteries. Directa will supply NexTech with 300kg of G+® graphene platelets this year, with potentially far higher quantities for delivery in subsequent years linked to NexTech’s anticipated growth.
Directa Plus has announced that it has signed a supply agreement and a Strategic R&D Agreement with NexTech Batteries Inc, a leading company in the field of Lithium Sulphur batteries based in Nevada, US. These agreements follow on from the Memorandum of Understanding entered into between the two companies and announced on 26 October 2020. The Supply Agreement has an initial duration of three years, with an option to extend for an additional two years and under the Supply Agreement, Directa Plus will supply NexTech with 300kg of nanoplatelets in 2021, with quantities for delivery in each subsequent year to be agreed between the parties. Directa Plus and NexTech have also agreed a worldwide bilateral exclusivity between the parties in the lithium battery field for the duration of the Supply Agreement. The three year R&D Agreement provides for Joint Lab activities with the intention of developing new specific grades of G+® graphene nanoplatelets for a next generation of Li-S batteries. Both parties will dedicate selected scientists from their R&D teams and part of their respective facilities to the enterprise. As announced in November 2020, NexTech, using Directa Plus's G+ materials, achieved 410Wh/kg of specific energy in a practical demonstration system at a weight only slightly below 30g. For comparison, standard lithium-ion batteries have a specific energy density of 100-265 Wh/kg.
Directa Plus has announced the publication of a scientific paper establishing the fire-retardant properties of Directa's G+ materials. The research was undertaken by scientists at the Polytechnic of Turin and was published in the journal Polymers. The research shows the use of water-based G+ graphene ink to coat polymeric foam confers significant flame-retardant properties versus untreated polymeric foam. A simple application of G+ ink to the external faces of the foam increased the time required for flame penetration up to seven times untreated samples.
Directa Plus has announced that it has received a €100k grant as part of the EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. This is for a project to develop the G+® face-mask and G+® filtering system and is expected to be concluded in the next 8 months. The main technical targets of the projects are: To undertake the extensive testing and improvement needed to qualify and market G+ enhanced surgical masks (compliant to European Standard EN 14683). The development of new biodegradable G+® enhanced filters. Development of a sanification process for the face-mask using household items such as an iron or a hairdryer.
Directa Plus has had its contract with OMV Petrom extended and increased. The contract, initially awarded in July 2019, was for the provision of decontamination and oil recovery services using the Company's proprietary Grafysorber® technology. The initial value of the contract was €150k (of which €75k was delivered and invoiced in 2020) and this has now been increased to €410k, the balance of which is expected to be fulfilled by June 2021.
Directa Plus has released a positive trading update, prompting an increase in FY20 revenue forecasts after a strong conclusion to the year. The outperformance has come from Setcar and, again, from better than expected sales of G+ enhanced face masks (one of the drivers of revenue upgrades in early December). The Group enters FY21 with momentum and, in our view, attractive medium term growth potential, having responded very well to the challenges of the COVID pandemic.
Directa Plus has released a trading update guiding to revenue for FY20 of approximately €6.5m. This is 9% ahead of the €6.0m in the trading update from 3 December and 18% ahead of our expectations of €5.5m which were set on 24 September 2020. The strong trading performance has been primarily driven by the sales of G+ enhanced face masks, including Co-Masks, and the strengthening performance of Setcar in the Environmental Division.
Directa Plus has released a trading update guiding to revenue for FY20 of approximately €6.0m, 9% ahead of our expectations of €5.5m. The strong trading performance has been primarily driven by the sales of G+ enhanced face masks, including Co-Masks, which have proven popular with both individual and corporate customers and have generated strong demand. The strengthening performance of Setcar, the Environmental division, has also contributed to the improved revenue expectations for the current year. The company has also announced a new development agreement with the Soft Goods Division of a major international developer and manufacturer of consumer electronics, personal computers and related services. The agreement covers the potential application of G+® graphene on covering materials of consumer devices, exploiting the antiviral-antibacterial properties of G+® graphene as well as its thermal and electrical conductivity. Directa Plus has been granted a new and second patent on its core plasma technology; specifically relating to new machinery with five times the previous capacity and greater durability.
Directa Plus has announced that in the October collaboration agreement with NexTech Batteries, it has achieved above 400 Wh/kg (watt-hours per kilogram, the usual measure of energy density) in a practical system. NexTech produced several full-scale pouch format cell prototypes using its proprietary cathode and electrolyte materials (with Directa plus graphene) producing 410Wh/kg of specific energy at a weight only slightly below 30g. For comparison, standard Lithium-Ion batteries have an energy density of 100-265 Wh/kg.
FY20 has been a year of good strategic progress for Directa. Last year’s Setcar acquisition has supported strong revenue growth and, despite some COVID related disruption, contract momentum has continued. The successful launch of the Co-Mask is an example of the Group’s agility and the performance of its materials in demanding applications. The recent agreement in principle to supply graphene for lithium sulphur batteries adds a new vertical with significant promise. We reintroduce forecasts this morning, anticipating a steady performance in H2 with growth towards EBITDA break even in FY22. In our view, Directa is a well-managed business with proven technology and a significant growth opportunity.
Anglo Asian Mining* (AAZ LN) - BUY – 200p – Vejnaly Contract Area under control of Azerbaijan | Amur Minerals* (AMC LN) – NRR shareholders invest $10m in equity | Bluejay Mining* (JAY LN) – Extension to offtake negotiations for Dundas titanium mineral sands | Condor Gold* (CNR LN) – Detailed geotechnical investigations underway at La India | Directa Plus (DCTA LN) – Directa Plus agrees to supply graphene nanoplatelets to NexTech | Empire Metals* (EEE LN) – Deal offers stake in new Mexican gold mine and cash flow while retaining interest in Georgian assets | IronRidge Resources* (IRR LN) – Final Phase-two drilling results at Zaranou Gold Project | Adriatic Metals* (ADT1) – $28m financing to progress Vareš Silver Project | Kodal Minerals* (KOD LN) – Drawdown of financing | Pure Gold Mining (PUR LN) – Drilling results from Red Lake | Sunrise Resources (SRES LN) – Progress reports on Nevada projects | Vast Resources* (VAST LN) – Mining license extended at Manaila and Carlibaba
Companies: AAZ AMC JAY CNR DCTA EEE IRR ADT KOD PGM SRES VAST
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AFC Energy announced a fundraising of £36m consisting of an oversubscribed placing with institutional shareholders amounting to £31.2m and a £4.8m strategic investment from ABB (£3.25m) and Dutco (£1.50m). The equity capital raise was priced at 64.5p representing a modest discount of approximately 5% relative to the prior day's closing price. The robust support shown by the capital raise suggests, in our opinion, that the strengths of AFC Energy's technology, its commercial positioning and the growth opportunity afforded by each of AFC Energy's addressable markets have been recognised by the institutional market. The expansion of AFC Energy's strategic partnership with ABB, now a shareholder, into the data centre market is potentially transformative. We outline in this note the potential implications of that development, while deferring the implications of that development on our fair value estimate until we have undertaken more analysis. We place our fair value estimate under review for an upgrade.
Companies: AFC Energy plc
Semper Fortis Esports* recently announced its intention to IPO onto the Access Segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market. Semper is a multi-operational Esports organisation focusing on gaming technology solutions, brand enhancement and high growth team infrastructures. The company plans to raise £2.5m to develop their three core areas of establishing an esports team, forming partnerships with brands for sponsorship and B2B consultancy services. The Board are highly experienced in sports and corporate deal making (Keith Harris, former Chairman of The Football League), technology and electronic gaming (Nolan Bushnell, founder of the pioneering company, Atari), esports and game tech (Kevin Soltani and Jassem Osseiran) and as FD Max Deeley. Target Admission Date of 26 April. Dispersion Holdings PLC, an investor in the high growth FinTech sector within the UK, the USA and Canada, has announced its intention to IPO on the Access Segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market. The Board intends to deploy the majority of the Company’s cash resources in the acquisition of minority interests in a number of different, yet to be identified, companies in the broad FinTech sector, and to apply expertise to the business operations and strategic plans of these companies. Target Admission Date of 30 April. Darktrace plc. Intends to float on the main market of the London Stock Exchange (premium). Darktrace was founded in 2013 with a mission to fundamentally transform the ability of organisations to defend their most critical assets in the face of rising cyber threats. Darktrace is a world-leading provider of AI for the enterprise, with the first at-scale in-the-enterprise deployment of AI in cyber security Due early May, musicMagpie is a leader in re-commerce in the UK and US in the circular economy of consumer technology (including smartphones, tablets, consoles and personal computers), books and disc media (including CDs, DVDs and video games). Expected 28 April. Offer details TBA Wickes to demerge from Travis Perkins and list on the Main Market. Expected 28 April. Thor Explorations (TSXV:THX) seeking a secondary listing on AIM. The Company is targeting Admission during Q2 21. Segun Lawson, President & CEO, stated: “Thor Explorations has advanced significantly, in both project development and capitalisation since the acquisition of Segilola in 2016. This year, the Company is well positioned to achieve two major milestones with the commencement of gold production at Segilola in Nigeria and a maiden resource at Douta in Senegal, as well as continuing to progress our highly prospective Nigerian exploration portfolio on the Ilesha Schist belt.” PensionBee has confirmed its intention to float on the High Growth Segment of the Main Market of LSE. The online pension provider had approximately 130,000 Active Customers and £1.5bn of assets under administration as at 28 February 2021. The Offer will comprise new Shares raising gross proceeds of approximately £55m and existing Shares to be sold by certain existing small minority shareholders of up to £5m. None of the founders, directors or members of senior management of PensionBee are selling any existing Shares. Expected in April. Imperial X (AQSE:IMPP) to join the Main Market (standard). It is also proposed that on Admission to the Official List, the Company will change its name to Cloudbreak Discovery Plc. With effect from Admission, Imperial X will hold equity positions and royalties in a variety of projects in the natural resources sector across multiple jurisdictions, primarily in the Americas and Africa. The Company is proposing to raise up to £1.5m by way of placing of new Ordinary Shares to support further prospect acquisitions. Current Mkt cap £4.7m Expected April. 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. Due 27 April.
Companies: KIBO MTW GWI MTR DUKE ITM GDR MSMN CMCL PTRO
Spectra Systems Corporation, a leader in machine-readable high speed banknote authentication, brand protection technologies, and gaming security software, has announced that it has executed an agreement with a major central bank customer, in addition to the sensor agreement announced on 2 February 2021, to include a new capability in those sensors to detect “exotic counterfeit” bank notes.
Companies: Spectra Systems Corporation
Volex’s y/e update points to revenue and adj. operating profit of over $440m and $41m, 9% and 5% ahead of our expectation. Results have benefited from 187% revenue growth in EVs and strong consumer electronics demand. Operating margins grew to 9.3% (FY20: 8.1%) and, absent higher margin acquisitions, we now expect gradual progress towards management’s 10% target, as an appropriate balance is struck between revenue growth and profitability. The drive to be the lowest cost producer of quality product, leveraging the Group’s global platform, is a core objective underpinning growth ambitions. Our updated adj. EPS growth - 14% for FY22E and 9% for FY23E - is cautiously framed in the context of the increased investment now being committed to drive revenue growth. The recent DE-KA acquisition is performing strongly and alongside further accretive moves, Volex should continue to deliver.
Companies: Volex plc
AFC has announced a £36m equity issue with £3.3m from ABB, £1.5m from Dutco and £31.2m from institutional investors. It has also announced that its partnership with ABB will develop a new product offering to serve the data centre market. While the extra share count marginally dilutes our existing valuation (from 191p to 184p) we expect this to be more than offset by the profit opportunity in data centres and in the marine/rail markets that are being explored in conjunction with Ricardo. We will quantify these issues in a future report, but we are confident that the addressable markets for AFC are vast and it has a good chance of succeeding in them.
The UK market showed a continued recovery in the first quarter albeit the indices are still well short of their all-time peaks, unlike many of their international peers. The FTSE 100 has risen by 1,186 points (21.4%) since the end of October and the FTSE 250 by 4,304 points (25.0%). The comparable performance since the start of the year is less spectacular- the FTSE 100 has risen by 253 points (3.9%) and the FTSE 250 has risen by 1,070 points (5.0%). The factors behind the sustained rally are familiar. The belief that the roll-out of the vaccine and some relaxation of lockdown limitations will lead to a significant economic recovery, compared to the collapse seen in the first half of 2020, due to lockdowns. Indeed, the recent economic picture is becoming more optimistic than previous expectations. According to the ONS, the economy grew a little more than initially estimated in Q4 last year. This means GDP for 2020 as a whole contracted by 9.8%, revised up marginally but still the worst contraction on record. Markets, in general, have focused upon the potential scope and extent of the recovery. The sectors and stocks that have outperformed have been seen as ‘recovery’ plays with a rotation from stocks seen as ‘lockdown’ winners into those set to benefit from the ‘unlocking of society’ and/or exposed to the consumer. We expect 2021 will continue to be a “stock-picker’s” market. The sharp increase in the household savings ratio in Q4 highlights the scope for a recovery driven by expenditure. As further lockdown limitations are lifted, evidence of this growth will help to underpin the more optimistic outlook for Q2 and beyond.
Companies: AMYT ARBB BPC BAG BVC BEG BONH BLVN BRSD CML CWK CRPR EYE ECHO FDM FAR FA/ GPH GSF HUW INSE JDG KAPE KP2 MACF MPAC MNZS NESF NBI OTMP OBD PREM QFI RUA SCS SEN SOS SUR TON TOU TXP TGL TCN UEM VLS WYN
Ince has announced a trading update for the year ended March 2021 with revenue of £97m, up slightly on a like-for-like basis vs. FY20, a good performance considering the impact of COVID. With net debt down to £7.1m and available cash and facilities of £10.8m, up substantially year-on-year vs. £5.3m in FY20, the Group is in position to fund growth through FY22.
Companies: Ince Group plc
Despite the pandemic causing major disruption to many of the group's customers, Filta navigated FY20A well, generating positive Adj EBITDA (£1.1m) and FCF (£0.8m). Successful vaccination programmes in Filta's core USA and UK markets are enabling venues to steadily reopen. With consumers sitting on record levels of savings, and there being significant pent-up demand for leisure activities that Filta service (eg restaurants, sports venues etc), the outlook appears increasingly positive for the group. Filta enters FY21E with a stronger business profile, having launched new products and services, and expanded its customer list (c1700 added in FY20A). Given the improving prospects, we believe Filta remains attractively valued on a FY22E EV/EBITDA of 9.7x. We leave FY21E and FY22E forecasts unchanged and reaffirm our Buy rating.
Companies: Filta Group Holdings PLC
Semper Fortis Esports* recently announced its intention to IPO onto the Access Segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market. Semper is a multi-operational Esports organisation focusing on gaming technology solutions, brand enhancement and high growth team infrastructures. The company plans to raise £2.5m to develop their three core areas of establishing an esports team, forming partnerships with brands for sponsorship and B2B consultancy services. The Board are highly experienced in sports and corporate deal making (Keith Harris, former Chairman of The Football League), technology and electronic gaming (Nolan Bushnell, founder of the pioneering company, Atari), esports and game tech (Kevin Soltani and Jassem Osseiran) and as FD Max Deeley. Target Admission Date of 26 April. Darktrace plc. Announcement of Intention to Publish a Registration Document and Potential IPO on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Darktrace was founded in 2013 with a mission to fundamentally transform the ability of organisations to defend their most critical assets in the face of rising cyber threats. Darktrace is a world-leading provider of AI for the enterprise, with the first at-scale in-the-enterprise deployment of AI in cyber security Timing TBA musicMagpie is a leader in re-commerce in the UK and US in the circular economy of consumer technology (including smartphones, tablets, consoles and personal computers), books and disc media (including CDs, DVDs and video games). Expected 28 April. Offer details TBA Wickes to demerge from Travis Perkins and list on the Main Market. Expected 28 April. Advance Energy to complete an RTO on AIM indirectly acquiring up to 50% of Carnarvon Petroleum Timor which holds a 100 per cent. working interest and is the contractor under the Buffalo PSC, offshore Timor-Leste. Carnarvon Petroleum Timor is a subsidiary of ASX listed company, Carnarvon Petroleum Limited. The net proceeds of the Placing of approximately £20.01m (approximately US$27.51m) will be used to fund the Acquisition. Due 19 April. Thor Explorations (TSXV:THX) seeking a secondary listing on AIM. The Company is targeting Admission during Q2 21. Segun Lawson, President & CEO, stated: “Thor Explorations has advanced significantly, in both project development and capitalisation since the acquisition of Segilola in 2016. This year, the Company is well positioned to achieve two major milestones with the commencement of gold production at Segilola in Nigeria and a maiden resource at Douta in Senegal, as well as continuing to progress our highly prospective Nigerian exploration portfolio on the Ilesha Schist belt.” PensionBee has confirmed its intention to float on the High Growth Segment of the Main Market of LSE. The online pension provider had approximately 130,000 Active Customers and £1.5bn of assets under administration as at 28 February 2021. The Offer will comprise new Shares raising gross proceeds of approximately £55m and existing Shares to be sold by certain existing small minority shareholders of up to £5m. None of the founders, directors or members of senior management of PensionBee are selling any existing Shares. Expected in April. Imperial X (AQSE:IMPP) to join the Main Market (standard). It is also proposed that on Admission to the Official List, the Company will change its name to Cloudbreak Discovery Plc. With effect from Admission, Imperial X will hold equity positions and royalties in a variety of projects in the natural resources sector across multiple jurisdictions, primarily in the Americas and Africa. The Company is proposing to raise up to £1.5m by way of placing of new Ordinary Shares to support further prospect acquisitions. Current Mkt cap £4.7m Expected April. 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. Due 27 April.
Companies: GAL AXS IDH GWMO AGL YEW INFA HE1 PPC CASP
Semper Fortis Esports* recently announced its intention to IPO onto the Access Segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market. Semper is a multi-operational Esports organisation focusing on gaming technology solutions, brand enhancement and high growth team infrastructures. The company plans to raise £2.5m to develop their three core areas of establishing an esports team, forming partnerships with brands for sponsorship and B2B consultancy services. The Board are highly experienced in sports and corporate deal making (Keith Harris, former Chairman of The Football League), technology and electronic gaming (Nolan Bushnell, founder of the pioneering company, Atari), esports and game tech (Kevin Soltani and Jassem Osseiran) and as FD Max Deeley. Target Admission Date of 26 April. Dispersion Holdings PLC, an investor in the high growth FinTech sector within the UK, the USA and Canada, has announced its intention to IPO on the Access Segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market. The Board intends to deploy the majority of the Company’s cash resources in the acquisition of minority interests in a number of different, yet to be identified, companies in the broad FinTech sector, and to apply expertise to the business operations and strategic plans of these companies. Target Admission Date of 30 April. Darktrace plc. Intends to float on the main market of the London Stock Exchange (premium). Darktrace was founded in 2013 with a mission to fundamentally transform the ability of organisations to defend their most critical assets in the face of rising cyber threats. Darktrace is a world-leading provider of AI for the enterprise, with the first at-scale in-the-enterprise deployment of AI in cyber security Due early May. musicMagpie is a leader in re-commerce in the UK and US in the circular economy of consumer technology (including smartphones, tablets, consoles and personal computers), books and disc media (including CDs, DVDs and video games). Expected 28 April. Offer details TBA Wickes to demerge from Travis Perkins and list on the Main Market. Expected 28 April. Thor Explorations (TSXV:THX) seeking a secondary listing on AIM. The Company is targeting Admission during Q2 21. Segun Lawson, President & CEO, stated: “Thor Explorations has advanced significantly, in both project development and capitalisation since the acquisition of Segilola in 2016. This year, the Company is well positioned to achieve two major milestones with the commencement of gold production at Segilola in Nigeria and a maiden resource at Douta in Senegal, as well as continuing to progress our highly prospective Nigerian exploration portfolio on the Ilesha Schist belt.” Imperial X (AQSE:IMPP) to join the Main Market (standard). It is also proposed that on Admission to the Official List, the Company will change its name to Cloudbreak Discovery Plc. With effect from Admission, Imperial X will hold equity positions and royalties in a variety of projects in the natural resources sector across multiple jurisdictions, primarily in the Americas and Africa. The Company is proposing to raise up to £1.5m by way of placing of new Ordinary Shares to support further prospect acquisitions. Current Mkt cap £4.7m Expected April. 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. Due 27 April.
Companies: ADME RTC SAV DFCH HUW TEG ANIC KOO MIRI SPSY
Recovery and outperformance have been hallmarks of the building materials and merchants sector since lockdown ended and whilst Brickability may not have been in the vanguard of this re-appraisal by investors it has certainly made up for it over recent months doubling in value since last November and rising over 20% in the past month to a new high. There will probably be few surprises that it is moving FY21 (to March) guidance up for a second time, nor that management is expecting to deliver growth in FY22 but we believe price upside exists from here based on the possibility of future upgrades driven by either continuing market trends, organic growth initiatives or acquisition accretion, of course coupled to its strong cash flow characteristics. A current year (conservative) rating of 14x PER, 10x EV/EBITDA and 2.5% yield remains undemanding in actual and sector relative terms.
Companies: Brickability Group PLC
Anglo Asian Mining* (AAZ LN) - BUY – Anglo Asian extends the Gedabek contract area PSA for another five years Mkango Resources* (MKA LN) – Mkango appoints US advisory firm to help connect with US government strategy BHP (BHP LN) – Record year-to-date iron ore production from W Australia Hummingbird Resources (HUM LN) – Q1 production results Savannah Resources* (SAV LN) – Proposed placing to raise up to £10.3m Shanta Gold (SHG LN) – Quarterly production results Vast Resources (VAST LN) – Proposed share consolidation & director purchase Tirupati Graphite (TGR LN) – Vatomina Mine opens
Companies: MKA AAZ BHP HUM SAV SHG TGR VAST
Byotrol released a positive trading update for the year to March 2021, indicating adjusted EBITDA of over £1.7m, which was in line with our forecasts, based on revenues of more than £11.0m (FC est. £11.5m). After a volatile FY 2021, both in terms of revenue and input prices, a degree of normality has returned to monthly trading patterns. The secular shift towards the increased importance of infection prevention in its market, however, is expected to drive sustained demand for its products. Having signed a number of multi-year licensing agreements in 2021, the company is confident also of further licensing and intellectual property agreements this year, across both its Professional and Consumer businesses, prompting us to introduce FY 2022 forecasts, which indicate c.16% and 23% adjusted EBITDA and EPS growth, respectively. We reiterate our target price of 11p, which still does not fully reflect the exploitation of its long-acting sanitisers by Solvay and Integrated Resources, and also offer upside to our new forecasts.
Companies: Byotrol plc
Spectra Systems Corporation has announced that its Secure Gaming Transactions (SGT) division (a global provider of sophisticated auditing software to lottery providers and backers) has been selected by a new client, a Canadian lottery, to provide its Premier64 Integrity internal control system (ICS) over an initial period of five years (plus optional renewal). In addition, Spectra has renewed (for a four year term) a contract with a long-term US lottery customer that will also convert the Premier64 Integrity ICS. Combined, the contracts are worth an estimated $1.0m over the full term excluding additional game-specific development revenue and again demonstrate the long-term recurring nature of revenues in the business.
Kier has announced the much anticipated disposal of Kier Living (KL). The gross cash consideration is £110m, in line with book value and our valuation. The disposal also removes an undisclosed amount of JV debt from the balance sheet and reduces working capital volatility. Net debt will be reduced by £90m and gross debt by £75m. The price seems reasonable and the disposal will strengthen the balance sheet and improve focus. KL was already excluded from continuing EBIT, but we estimate 3% accretion to FY 22 FD EPS from reduced interest. We estimate a revised FY 21 covenant net debt / EBITDA of 1.9x, noting the other liabilities still on the balance sheet and hump adjustment. A CY 21 EV/ EBITDA of 3.7x is cheap, BUY, TP 120p.
Companies: Kier Group plc
