Quantum Blockchain Technologies (LON: QBT) is making progress with the commercialisation of its Bitcoin mining efficiency software technology. There are talks with two companies about them porting the AI technology in their existing control boards. These boards can replace the original ones in the Bitcoin miners. This will open up this market in the near future. There is engagement with two ASIC chip manufacturers about the potential to integrate the technology in their chips. This will take longer to commercialise. The share price is 35.7% higher at 0.95p, having been above 1.2p earlier in the morning.
Harvest Minerals (LON: HMI) says initial sampling for real earth elements at the Arapua project in Brazil has been successful. TiO2 grades range from 12.55% to 15.42%. Further drilling and sampling are planned, and the company will be doing this directly rather than through the third party which managed the initial phase. The share price improved 17.7% to 0.5p.
Directa Plus (LON: DCTA) chief executive Giulio Cesareo has acquired a further 23,500 shares at 18p each in the graphene products developer. This follows the previous purchases of 25,000 shares at 8.15p and 50,000 shares at 11.25p/share. That takes his stake to 4.21%. The share price increased 16.4% to 19.5p.
Oil and gas company Afentra (LON: AET) is increasing its interests in Angolan block 3/05 to 35% and 3/05A to 28%. This costs $23m with up to $11m more payable depending on production and the oil price. The share price rose 6.78% to 50.4p.
First Property Group (LON: FPO) returned to profit in the year to March 2025. Revenues slipped from £7.85m to £7.55m. There have been annualised cost savings of £650,000. The pre-tax profit of £3m was boosted by an increase in the share of associates profit from £1.05m to £2.83m, while the impairment loss on investment properties was reduced from £3.75m to £242,000. Third party assets under management fell from £222m to £164m. NAV is 30.5p/share. The share price edged up 5.77% to 13.75p.
FALLERS
Litigation Capital Management (LON: LIT) has lost a case that it co-funded. It invested £3.4m directly and its Fund 1 invested £8.2m. Total realisations for this year are A$55m, which excludes the Queensland Electricity and Quintis claims where there are appeals. Economic conditions mean that marketing for Fund III has been delayed. Cavendish forecast a A$41.7m loss in the year to June 2025. The share price slumped 26.5% to 32.9p.
Frasers Group (LON: FRAS) has decided not to make an offer for cosmetics supplier Revolution Beauty (LON: REVB). There is continued engagement with other parties interested in a deal, as well as with shareholders about the alternative of a fundraising. The share price dived 20.2% to 6.14p.
Tekcapital (LON: TEK) has reduced its stake in portable oxygen technology developer Belluscura (LON: BELL) from 4.97% to 2.87%. The share price declined 13.6% to 0.925p.
Electro-mechanical and electronics products supplier LPA Group (LON: LPA) has already warned about rail delays hitting the interims and revenues were 18% lower at £9.5m, while the loss more than trebled to £1.1m, excluding an intangible credit. Net debt increased to £3.8m. A full year loss of £500,000 is forecast. The order book increased to £32.8m. NAV is 119.6p/share. The share price slipped 7.77% to 47.5p.
Ex-dividends
Advanced Medical Solutions (LON: AMS) is paying a final dividend of 1.83p/share and the share price decreased 2.5p to 206p.
Animalcare (LON: ANCR) is paying a final dividend of 3p/share and the share price is 2p lower at 276p.
Concurrent Technologies (LON: CNC) is paying a final dividend of 1.1p/share and the share price slipped 1.5p to 195.5p.
GB Group (LON: GBG) is paying a final dividend of 4.4p/share and the share price fell 7.5p to 237.5p.
Gooch & Housego (LON: GHH) is paying an interim dividend of 4.9p/share and the share price decreased 1p to 587p.
Inspired (LON: INSE) is paying a final dividend of 1p/share and the share price is unchanged at 76p.
Tatton Asset Management (LON: TAM) is paying a final dividend of 9.5p/share and the share price increased 4p to 660p.
Vianet (LON: VNET) is paying a final dividend of 1p/share and the share price rose 0.5p to 94.5p.