Small Cap Feast

MJ Hudson Group PLC, the financial services support provider to Alternatives fund managers and asset owners, is planning an AIM IPO. Deal details TBC but expected admission date mid-December.

US industrial production misses in Oct, Diploma expects “moderately lower u/l growth,” IQE issues warning but “cautiously optimistic” on 2020

Diploma (DPLM LN, £1.9bn) FY19 results (30/09) – u/l rev growth 5% y/y vs. +7% y/y in FY18; adj. operating margin +30bps y/y from stronger GM and cost controls; adj. PBT +14% y/y; DPS +14% y/y; outlook expects “moderately lower underlying growth” from political & economic uncertainty to be offset by strong acquisition contributions | IQE (IQE LN, £609m) FY19 trading update revises down rev guidance by ~7% (mid-point), expecting “mid-single digit adj. operating loss”; expects seasonally weak Q1 2

Eddie Stobart Logistics - Suspension of estimates

For the purposes of the Takeover Code, Edison Investment Research is deemed to be connected with Eddie Stobart Logistics plc. Under Rule 20.1 Edison must not include any profit forecast, quantified financial benefits statement, asset valuation or estimate of other figures key to the offer, except to the extent that such forecasts, statements, valuations or estimates have been published prior to the offer period (as defined in the Takeover Code) by an offeror or the offeree company (as appropriat

Eddie Stobart Logistics - Suspension of estimates

For the purposes of the Takeover Code, Edison Investment Research is deemed to be connected with Eddie Stobart Logistics plc. Under Rule 20.1 Edison must not include any profit forecast, quantified financial benefits statement, asset valuation or estimate of other figures key to the offer, except to the extent that such forecasts, statements, valuations or estimates have been published prior to the offer period (as defined in the Takeover Code) by an offeror or the offeree company (as appropriat

Small Cap Feast

Brickability - The br icks supplier , w hich a lso ha s a hea ting a nd plumbing business a s w ell a s a roofing division, expects to join the junior market at the end of this month with a market cap of circa £150m

Eddie Stobart Logistics - Forecasts reduced, material value upside remains

We prudently cut our FY19 and FY20 EBIT forecasts for Eddie Stobart Logistics (ESL) by 5% and 6% respectively post the H1 trading update highlighting solid revenue growth, but EBIT at the low end of management expectations and a 4% downward revision to the last reported adjusted EBIT. Despite this, our forecast FY19 EBIT margin remains at the top end of logistics peers and, even on our revised numbers, the stock is trading at a significant discount to peers, offering an attractive c 9% dividend

Eddie Stobart Logistics - An attractive dividend yield with growth

Recent strategic acquisitions have transformed Eddie Stobart Logistics (ESL) into a full end-to-end logistics provider. This strategy has resulted in strong FY18 revenue (+35% y-o-y, of which +18% y-o-y organic growth) and earnings growth (EBIT +14% and EPS +15%), reflecting the strength of its pay-as-you-go model and its ability to achieve synergies. We expect ESL to focus on margin improvement and cash flow generation in FY19, and now forecast a 13% EPS CAGR in FY18–20. Following recent share

Small Cap Feast

United Oil & Gas (UOG.L) an oil and gas exploration and development company brought to the Official List (Standard Segment) in July 2017 by way of a reverse takeover of Senterra Energy plc. No capital to be raised, expected market cap of £17m and expected 28 Feb Techniplas –global producer and support services company providing highly engineered and technically complex components, making the supply chain to original equipment manufacturers more efficient. FYDec17 rev $515m. Polemos, to be rename

Eddie Stobart Logistics - Growth accelerating in H218

We believe Eddie Stobart Logistics’ (ESL) trading statement shows that the consumer and retail sector trend for companies to outsource their logistics operations to achieve savings continues to support organic growth for the company. FY18 revenues were 3% above market expectations, while EBIT was broadly in line.

Small Cap Feast

Circassia Pharma (CIR.L) - specialty pharmaceutical company focused on respiratory disease transferring from the Main Market. No funds being raised. Due 4 Feb. Greenfields Petroleum (TSX-V:GNF) production focused company with operated assets in Azerbaijan seeking AIM dual listing including $60m private placement. Mkt cap $12.6m CAD. Expected late January 2019. Chaarat Gold Holdings—RTO, the Company intends to acquire Kapan Mining and Processing CJSC, which owns the Shahumyan medium-sized

Eddie Stobart Logistics - Outsourcing and e-commerce boosting growth

Eddie Stobart Logistics (ESL) saw a strong level of new contract wins in H118, which contributed to its 25% revenue growth, of which 10% was organic. We believe that new opportunities are arising as customers look to outsource their logistics to both save money and cope with the shift to e-commerce. ESL’s e-commerce revenues rose from 5% of the total in FP14 (8M14) to 21% in H118. As well as organic growth, the company is seeing a good revenue and profit contribution from acquisitions as it look

Eddie Stobart Logistics - Strong revenue growth boosted by contract wins

Eddie Stobart Logistics (ESL) published its H1 results on 30 August, reporting 25% revenue growth, including 10% organic. Organic growth was boosted by a higher than average level of contract wins and a good performance from the e-commerce division. A flip side of the contract wins was that they incurred network reoptimisation costs and this was the main reason that the EBIT margin declined from 5.9% to 5.0%. Management maintained full-year guidance.

2017 AIM IPO Review

2017 was an outstanding year for stock markets, perhaps somewhat unexpectedly given the levels of pessimism about the state of the world a year ago. But such views turned out to be well off the mark, as rising corporate earnings and economic growth pushed major global indices to all-time highs. While the UK small cap indices were unable to scale new peaks in 2017, the mood of general investor bullishness did not elude them, with annual gains of well over 20%. This was reflected in a solid year o

Interims show delivery on growth plans

Eddie Stobart Logistics’ (ESL) H1 numbers, well trailed at the trading update in July, showed high levels of growth (13% revenues and 14% EBIT) consistent with management guidance and market expectations. New contract wins, which totalled £25m in the first half, were bolstered by organic growth in key business units. The iForce acquisition is integrating well, with the post-period acquisitions of Speedy Freight (announced at the trading update) and the remaining 50% of the Logistics People (anno

Renold - Strong end to FY24: EPS up 11%. Robust FY25: EPS up 27.6%

The FY24 year-end update is very upbeat signalling trading being materially ahead of expectations, with a better-than-expected profit out turn and stronger cash generation. It continues to strengthen margins through efficiencies and investment in modern equipment. The order book remains close to record levels providing a robust view of future forecasts. In FY24E we upgrade EPS by 11% and in FY25E a significant upgrade of 27.6%. It looks capable of declaring a dividend in FY25 as well as manageme

Q1 Operating Results

Another Good Year of Diversified Growth with More to Come in 2024 CCapital have released their Q1 operating results. Overall, revenue has come in slightly lower than expected at $80.2m vs TamE of $85.9m but is largely tracking in line with our FY24 annual estimate and we note the company has maintained guidance. Drilling revenue for this quarter was impacted by a fall in utilisaztion rates as well as general remobilisation geographically but we expect a strong recovery throughout the year as k

Morning Note – 16 April 2024

Billington Holdings - Record result boosts dividend; forecasts upgraded

FY23 results show very strong growth over FY22, driven by strong Structural Steel activity, with results slightly ahead of upgraded profit expectations, while stronger than expected cash flow resulted in an unexpectedly generous dividend of 33p (offering a FY23 yield of 7.0%). The group now has net cash of £22.1m and is debt free and is therefore in a strong position for potential M&A activity. Following the recent £90m of new orders to increase the order book to record levels we conservatively

Plant Health Care - China distribution with AMVAC

Plant Health Care announced it has signed a distribution agreement with AMVAC, an American Vanguard Company, to support commercialisation of novel fertiliser products incorporating Plant Health Care's Harpinαβ in China starting in 2024. The novel product combines Harpinαβ technology with an AMVAC fertiliser and is expected to help growers improve crop quality and yield as part of an integrated and environmentally responsible crop production programme. AMVAC continues to evaluate Plant Health Car

Morning Note – 15 April 2024

discoverIE - Back to organic growth

discoverIE’s March year-end update confirms a strong operational performance in challenging markets. Following two years when sales increased by +48%, FY 2024 Group sales were +1% ahead of 2023 at CER (reported -3%) driven by a +2% contribution from acquisitions and organic -1%. As expected, organic growth returned in the later part of the year (Q4 +2%, +11% sequentially) and the order book has reverted to normalised levels of c.4.5 months’ sales, which – combined with a continuing strong pipeli

Severfield - Multiple positives should excite investors

Severfield’s trading update indicates that FY23 results are expected to slightly exceed market expectations and the company ends the year with a record UK and Europe order book. Furthermore, with a positive trading outlook and net debt coming in lower than expected, Severfield has announced a £10m share buyback, highlighting the cash-generative nature of the company and management’s confidence in its position. The stock trades on an FY25 P/E of less than 6x and yields 7%, which we believe appear

Warns on brine supply costs

SP Angel . Morning View . Copper prices hold higher as China processing fees fall below $0/t amid low feedstock availability

PROGRESSIVE: Severfield: Targeted acquisition strategy aids growth path

Acquisitions have been an important element of Severfield management’s growth strategy, with the aim of adding new products, sectors and regions to what we have identified as exciting long-term organic opportunities. In this Spotlight report, we focus on the group’s targeted M&A approach, highlighting three significant deals.

Hardman & Co Insight: 2023 was an annus horribilis for Quoted UK Infrastructure and Renewable Energy

The focus of Hardman & Co Research is on the nine quoted Infrastructure Investment Companies (IICs) and on the 22 Renewable Energy Infrastructure Funds (REIFs): the stocks analysed are all members of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC). We are updating our publication of January 2023, assessing both the lacklustre share price performances during 2023 and the key issues, including interest rates, inflation and power prices. As a 31-strong group, its combined market capitalisation is no

LIBERUM: Severfield: Erratum: Better EPS and cashflow, and buyback

Invinity Energy Systems - Update on Strategic Investment

Invinity’s update on discussions with strategic investors reveals interest from multiple parties. While this has slightly delayed finalising an agreement it increases the potential for a better outcome. Although details are unknown at this stage, we think there is enough in the statement to be comfortable that any agreements will be consistent with the company’s strategy of growing market share in core markets and using a licencing and royalty model in other markets.

Clean and competitive fertiliser