Nucleus Financial—independent wrap platform provider . FYDec17 revs £40.36m and PBT of £5.1m. Offer TBA. Due late July. Kropz PLC-Intention to float by the emerging plant nutrient producer with an advanced stage phosphate mining project in South Africa and exploration assets in West Africa Immotion Group - aims to become the market leader in "out of home" Immersive Entertainment Experiences. Offer TBA. Due 12 July Yellow Cake will use its expertise to generate value through the ownership of physical U3O8 (Uranium) together with a range of activities and opportunities connected with owning physical U3O8. Acquiring supply contract for up to $170m. Due Early July. Strongbow Exploration (TSX:SBW) intends to dual list on AIM. Holds rights to the South Crofty underground tin mine, a former producing tin mine located in the towns of Pool and Camborne, Cornwall . The project is estimated to require the Company to raise £25 million over the next 18 months to progress to a production decision. Offer TBS. Due June.
Companies: BST MMH EUA ANGS IMO APC UTW
Block Energy—a NEX Listed UK based oil exploration and production company whose main country of operation is the Republic of Georgia, looks to join AIM end of February 2018. Offer TBC | OnTheMarket—Intention to float on AIM to raise c.£50m which will be used to fund the growth of the OnTheMarket.com portal, already the third biggest UK residential property portal provider. Offer raising £30m at 165p with mkt cap of £100m . Due 9 Feb.
Companies: NTBR SDI MAI AUTG KOD ARE GFIN UTW AVN SDX
2018 is the year of the Great Exhibition of the North. This summer, Newcastle and Gateshead will play host to a government-sponsored, 80-day marathon of events. Billed as the largest event in England this year, the Great Exhibition will showcase the best of the North East’s art, culture, design and innovation and we expect it to highlight the region’s ongoing success in high-end engineering, technology and life sciences. It may also reflect on the success of the North East’s plcs, the most striking example of which is Sage’s transition from 1980’s start-up to £9bn FTSE100 stalwart. We remain on the look out for the next Sage and expect the region to continue to produce attractive IPO candidates following Ramsdens’ success last year. Overall 2017 was a positive year for the region’s listed companies, one highlight of which was the takeover of Quantum Pharma, an N+1 Singer client, by Clinigen for £150m. We are confident that 2018 will be another successful year. Our top regional picks this year are Hargreaves Services, Zytronic and Applied Graphene Materials.
Companies: AGM BWY GRI GRG HSP IDH KMK REDD RFX UTW VNET ZYT
Dechra Pharmaceuticals (DPH LN) Significant European acquisition | Northern lights The year of the Great Exhibition
Companies: DPH AGM BWY GRI GRG HSP IDH KMK REDD RFX UTW VNET ZYT
Edison Investment Research is terminating coverage on Utilitywise (UTW). Please note you should no longer rely on any previous research or estimates for this company. All forecasts should now be considered redundant.
Companies: Utilitywise
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Companies: SEECONNADNDSCVBOOTPCFRNWHFOURLOKEAHAMOCLLSTAFWYGUTWBHRDEHGRTHMWATRPPHMYSLFCRM
Companies: CONNDSCVBOOTRNWHCMSLOKLRMCLLSTAFSXXULVRWYGUTWMVRSVCAPRSMPURPVANLWATRPPHTRMRBOOFCRM
We have updated our forecasts to reflect recent announcements from Utilitywise (UTW), including those related to consumption volumes in ‘nominated contracts’, implementation of IFRS 15 and the trading update. While our changes have resulted in lower projections for revenues, profits and dividends, changes to revenue recognition will result in lower levels of accrued revenue and a stronger link between profits and cash flow. Following recent falls, the rating of the shares appears undemanding for a company that we expect to generate profits and cash in FY18.
Andes Energia PLC—Sch1 on admission the Company will change its name to Phoenix Global Resources plc will be an Argentinian independent oil & gas exploration and production company, offer TBC but market cap to be £844m and admission date 10 August 2017 | Verditek PLC—Sch1 update from holding company in the clean technology sector with subsidiaries operating within what it considers are emergent and fast growing sectors (industrial treatment of solids, air purification, water de-odourisation, zero emission, low cost energy), offer raising £2.75m at 9p with market cap of £16.9m. Admission 10 August 2017 | Strix Group PLC—Sch1 from the Company involved with the design, manufacture and supply of kettle safety controls and other components and devices involving water heating and temperature control, steam management and water filtration. Offer TBC admission date 8 August 2017. | Xpediator Plc—Sch 1 from the holding Company for an integrated freight management business operating in the supply chain logistics and fulfilment sector across the UK and Europe with a strong presence in Central and Eastern Europe. Offer details TBC, expected Admission early August 2017. | GetBusy PLC—Sch1 from the holding Company of its subsidiary undertakings, which operates as a document management software business, headquartered in Cambridge, UK and operating across the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand. Capital to be raised via a rights issues of £3m at 28.3p with anticipated market cap of £13.7m, Admission 4 August. | Altus Strategies—African focused natural resource Company. Offer TBC. Expected early August.
Companies: PHE TRB FA/ PYC SML PREM SRT AAU UTW
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Companies: SOGVP/TEFULVRUTWKWSTET
UTW has developed a range of new strategic initiatives and set itself demanding targets for future growth. The plan will be implemented in the period FY18-21 and evidence of progress towards the targets will be required before any valuation uplift associated with this new growth trajectory is likely to be awarded. However, the current rating remains modest and we suggest it does not yet reflect the current prospects.
Utilitywise’s (UTW) trading statement indicates that it continues to grow. Consultant headcount rose in H117 after a flat performance in FY16 and, despite the seasonal impact on cash flow, we expect UTW to be in a net cash position by year-end FY17. The rating of the shares remains modest for a company that continues to grow and offers an attractive yield.
GBGI—Schedule One update from integrated provider of international benefits insurance. Raising £32m at 150p. Admission expected tomorrow. Anglo African Oil & Gas— Admission expected early March. Acquiring stake in producing near offshore field in the Republic of the Congo. Saffron Energy—Schedule One update. Raising £2.5m, expected Mkt Cap £7.7m. Admission due 24 Feb. Italian Oil & Gas Play Guinness Oil & Gas Exploration—Publication of prospectus. Seeking to raise £50m and invest in 15 exploration companies at launch, with plans to grow the portfolio to 30 positions during its lifetime. Issue closing 23 Feb.
Companies: DOTD ARTA IGE ARBB UTW AIEA GHE GLIF OTC
Ultimate Products—The Telegraph reports Jim McCarthy, former chief of Poundland has been appointed Chairman of Ultimate Products ahead of a £100m listing in H1 2017. Ultimate Products owns the Beldray cleaning brand and the licence to sell Russell Hobbs and Salter electrical products in the UK. ECSC—Schedule 1 from provider of cyber security services. Raising £5m. Vendor sale £0.9m. Target date 14 Dec. Expected market cap £15m, with issue price of 167p. RM Secured Direct Lending - The secured direct lending fund intends to float on the Main Market on 15 December raising up to £100m
Companies: MPM TYM EMH UTW VLS MSYS DDDD SEE BMN BIDS
Research Tree provides access to ongoing research coverage, media content and regulatory news on Utilitywise. We currently have 89 research reports from 7 professional analysts.
The group’s year-end update points to stronger than expected Q4 trading, boosted by robust sales in North America that translated efficiently to upside on profitability expectations. Cash performance has once again been stellar, resulting in net cash of $35m, considerably higher than forecast, partly profit drop-through and partly from tight working capital management. We are therefore upgrading our FY 2020 EPS by 25% to 33.2ȼ. The strong cash position also results in a boost to the total dividend, giving a dividend yield of 6.7%. We raise our price target from 285p to 435p, based on a target P/E of 17.0x offering upside to the current P/E of 13.8x.
Companies: Somero Enterprises, Inc.
Inspiration Healthcare has announced it expects revenues and profits for the year ending January 2021 to be ahead of market expectations. Revenues are expected to be at least £36.5m and adjusted EBITDA at least £4.9m. We have moved our FY21E forecasts into line with these expectations, which are c3% and c11% ahead of our previous forecasts for sales and adjusted EBITDA, respectively. We note the key driver of the upgrade was performance at S.L.E., which Inspiration Healthcare acquired in July 2020. We reiterate our Buy recommendation on Inspiration Healthcare.
Companies: Inspiration Healthcare Group PLC
Last night, Qualcomm delivered a keynote speech at its Automotive Redefined event where it iterated its partnership with Seeing Machines for DMS on its ‘Snapdragon Ride' platform. In the same keynote speech Qualcomm noted that it has won 20 different OEMs (through many different tier 1 suppliers and partners, including Seeing Machines) which are going into production in 2021 with its Gen 3 Snapdragon Ride platform. We do not see this as meaning that these OEMs will automatically adopt Seeing Machines DMS in 2021 for these platforms (other PR materials imply the optimised DMS solution is not yet ready), but the implication from the Qualcomm slide (on the page 2) is that a number will. We also believe it is unlikely that these OEMs will chose an alternative DMS solution for these vehicles when they want or require it. With regulatory compliance needed for NCAP and EC by 2024, it is our view that most of these OEMs will eventually source Seeing Machines DMS for at least their EU sales using the scalable Gen 3 Snapdragon Ride platform. In a separate press release Seeing Machines and Qualcomm have also announced a deepening collaboration with Seeing Machines further optimising its technology stack for the Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit Platform architecture as the two companies market the combined framework to automotive Tier-1s and OEMs. In addition, Seeing Machines's previously announced Embedded Development Kit (EDK) for Qualcomm's Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit Development is now available to select Tier 1 and OEM customers. We increase our target price to 12.9p from 8.6p based on increased confidence in our long-term automotive market share expectations.
Companies: Seeing Machines Limited
TP Group experienced a material improvement in trading in H2/20, with the period accounting for nearly two thirds of the group's £3.8m FY20 Adj EBITDA, mainly due to the timing of some larger contracts. The order book remains robust at c£69m (up c20% YoY); however, the pandemic continues to create uncertainty around the timing of contract deliveries, and consequently, our forecasts remain withdrawn and our rating Under Review. Notwithstanding, we believe the significant operational changes made over the past year help to accelerate the business' software and consulting services, and leave the group well positioned for future growth.
Companies: TP Group Plc
Today’s FY20 trading update indicates that the business did not miss a step in FY20. Underlying profitability was very marginally ahead yoy and net debt has peaked and, with the factory move completing later this year this, will fall increasingly quickly. Looking forward, FY21 will see significant growth, underpinned by the LAICA contribution, but importantly underlying organic growth is expected to be c.10%. Trading has started well in the new financial year providing confidence in forecasts at this early juncture. Strong organic and acquisitive growth drives an 10% increase in profitability and the dividend for FY21. With the platform to deliver significant growth in revenue and earnings over the next five years, 15.5x current year earnings is appealing. Particularly for a business with such defensive cash flows. This is evidenced by a prospective dividend yield of 3.6%. We increase FY20 profit forecasts marginally to reflect guidance in today’s statement and lower net debt.
Companies: Strix Group PLC
Although 2020 will probably go down in history as one of the most challenging years experienced during our lifetime, it will also likely be chronicled as one of the best years for the recognition and appreciation of science. As we entered 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was in its infancy. However, it rapidly evolved through the exponential rise in infections and mortality globally. Much has been achieved during the past 12 months in the fight against COVID-19, but, as we enter 2021, there are considerable concerns about the emergence of a mutant version of the virus and the second wave that we are now facing.
Companies: AVO ARBB ARIX BBGI CLIG DNL FLTA ICGT OCI PCA PIN PHP RECI STX SCE TRX SHED VTA YEW
Itaconix has confirmed a positive conclusion to FY20, with revenue, EBITDA and net cash all slightly ahead of expectations. This builds on the positive trends reported in October’s interims, driven by successful customer product launches. Itaconix enters FY21 with good momentum and strong sustainability credentials. We plan to introduce FY21 forecasts alongside full year results.
Companies: Itaconix plc
Filta's FY20 trading update confirms a much stronger performance for the group in H2 versus that in H1, boosted by an increasing number of customers opening up during the summer period. Despite Covid-19 significantly affecting the restaurant and leisure sector, a strong focus on cash management meant that Filta reduced its net debt (excluding leases) by £0.4m YoY to £0.5m. With a healthy sales pipeline, solid balance sheet cash position (£4.2m), and vaccine roll-out progress, management has more certainty in the business' outlook than at any time over the past 12 months. Notwithstanding, the speed at which trading conditions will return to normal remains unclear (eg potential impact from new strains of the virus emerging, unexpected delays in vaccine production etc). As such, we refrain from reinstating forecasts, and maintain our Hold rating.
Companies: Filta Group Holdings PLC
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.
Companies: Directa Plus Plc
The Group made strategic progress in FY20A despite the onset of COVID-19. Management acted swiftly implementing a strict cost reduction programme, ensuring robust cash management. This combined with strengthening the Board and management teams, exploring new revenue streams and investing in technology to drive efficiency gains has positioned the Group to overcome short-term demand fluctuation. We are confident the Group will capitalise on the operational gearing within the business as demand levels revert to pre-pandemic levels. Corollary to this we expect financial performance to materially improve in H2/21 and beyond.
Companies: Velocity Composites Plc
Capital Limited has released its Q4 and FY2020 trading statement this morning. Overall it shows 2020 was a strong year for the company with revenue growing 18% and most other operating metrics growing positively with it – see Fig 1. We have adjusted our forecasts accordingly and also to take into account the mining services contract for the Sukari Mine which the company won late last year. The latter is a game changer for Capital and its investment case in our view; turbo charging revenue growth, enhancing margins and diversifying cashflow all of which should lead to materially higher valuation multiples. We raise our PT to 127p.
Companies: Capital Limited
Journeo is a specialist provider of information systems and technical services to the transportation sector. This morning, the group has announced that under its existing Transforming Cities Fund framework contracts, it has received further orders for its advanced public transport information systems.
Companies: Journeo plc
Journeo is a specialist provider of information systems and technical services to the transportation sector. Following on from Friday's announcement confirming a further £1.3m order under the Transforming Cities Fund framework, the group has this morning announced a 1-year extension to its existing framework agreement with First Bus, worth an estimated £1.8m, the majority of which is expected to fall into the current financial year.
Initiating with a Buy rating. We initiate our coverage of Proton Motor Power Systems (“Proton Motor”) with a BUY rating and a target price of 201p. Our valuation equates to a market capitalisation of £1.47bn, compared to a current share price of 65.5p and a market cap of £479m.
Companies: Proton Motor Power Systems Plc
Today’s trading update indicates that revenue continued to recover during the second half of FY20. For the year it declined 15%, to £95.1m, but H2 saw an improvement with it declining 8% yoy. This indicates that trading in the final quarter improved materially and is likely to have been low single digit down yoy. Net debt of £11.7m is significantly better than the £14.5m reported at the end of June and shows a continuation of the improvement seen over the previous 18 months. The Company has already stated that it will fall again in FY21. £1.6m of cost savings had initially been identified and an additional £1.0m announced at the interims. Good progress has been made on the initial target, albeit lockdown restrictions are causing a delay in some areas.
Companies: Flowtech Fluidpower plc
