Remote meetings technology firm LoopUp Group PLC (LON:LOOP) topped market expectations with its performance last year as revenues and profits soared in 2017. The markets had been expecting as much given after LoopUp reported solid first-half results back in September and said the strong performance had continued into the second half. Big Pic in July.
Marketing automation platform operator dotdigital Group PLC (LON:DOTD) traded in line in the second half of 2017, with strong growth in revenues. Big Pic in July.
An independent study has shown a sweetener developed by OptiBiotix Health plc (LON:OPTI) scored well against competitors. The Flavour and Sensory Science Centre at the University of Reading and tested eight different samples. It found Opti’s oligosaccharides were significantly sweeter than the other products tested. Big Pic in December.
Blockchain investor Coinsilium Group Limited (AQSE:COIN) is to launch a new private fund which will hold digital assets and tokens that the company has received in return for advisory services and investment activities. Coinsilium, in a statement, noted that it has advised eight companies on “token generation events” during 2017 - four were successfully completed in the year, and three more are due to complete by the second quarter.
SDX Energy Inc (LON:SDX, CVE:SDX) has unearthed a new gas discovery onshore Morocco, in the ONZ-7 well at the Sebou project. The ONZ-7 well was drilled down to a depth of 1,167 metres and uncovered 5 metres of net conventional gas pay, in the Hoot formation, which as the company highlighted, was found to be “on prognosis”. Reservoir quality was seen to be better than the company expected. Big Pic in November.
Sound Energy PLC (LON:SOU) told investors that it has now received the final results of resource certification, relating to the TE-5 well core, and the findings are “entirely consistent” with preliminary results announced to the market in December. Also, Sound chairman Stephen Whyte has stepped down, and replaced immediately by Richard Liddell, as Whyte plans to spend more time on his non-executive director roles elsewhere. Big Pic in October.
Tlou Energy Ltd (LON:TLOU) has updated investors on its coal bed methane operations in Botswana, as it provides a quarterly report, highlighting a number of project milestones. Big Pic in July.
Base Resources Ltd (LON:BSE) has completed its acquisition of the Toliara Sands project in Madagascar. A US$75mln down payment has now been made, taking Base's stake up to an initial 85%. It will acquire the final 15% on the completion of certain milestones. Big Pic in August.
A quarterly update from Berkeley Energia Ltd (LON:BKY) highlighted that the company is now very close to initiating construction at its Salamanca uranium mine in Spain, following completion of a US$120mln fundraising. Shareholders overwhelmingly approved the raise, and US$65mln is already in. Big Pic in August.
Metal Tiger PLC (LON:MTR) has sold half its stake in Kingsgate Consolidated (ASX:KCN) after a proxy fight. However, Metal Tiger still retains just over 5% of Kingsgate and has said that it's "not going away" and that it will be watching the Kingsgate board "closely" to see if it delivers on its promises. Big Pic in July.
Emerging markets investor APQ Global Limited (LON:APQ) has raised £10mln from a tranche of 3.5% convertible unsecured loan stock repayable in 2024. Big Pic in January.
Tharisa PLC (LON:THS) has said, further to the announcement made on 11 January 2018, its shareholders are advised that the dividend declared will be paid out of income reserves and may therefore be subject to dividend withholding tax depending on the tax residency of the shareholder.
Consultants at CSA Global have estimated that the Hellyer mine owned by NQ Minerals (AQSE:NQMI, OTCQB:NQMLF) has a net present value of US$113.2mln, based on the existing ore reserve and using a discount rate of 10%. The project also boasts a corresponding internal rate of return of 90.94%, or 197%, excluding the acquisition cost.
Bushveld Minerals Limited (LON:BMN) announced that it had received notice from Atlas Special Opportunities, LLC to exercise £700,000 of convertible bonds into 8,620,689 ordinary shares at a conversion price of 8.12p each. Bushveld shares were changing hands at 8.65p today.
Capital Networks has issued a research note on Northbridge Industrial Services Plc (LON:NBI) which argues that the group’s valuation in terms of price/book gives an indication of the potential upside in the future event of a recovery in the demand environment.
Capital Networks has issued a research note on Diploma PLC (LON:DPLM) in which analysts Ed Stacey argues that the business services supplier is well placed to continue delivering shareholder value.
Capital Networks has issued a research note on Morgan Sindall Group PLC (LON:MGNS) in which analysts Ed Stacey argues that given the group’s strong, balance sheet, continued earnings growth, and healthy dividend payout, the current P/E valuation of 12.1x 2017e represents a modest valuation.