YouGov (LON: YOU) annual pre-tax profit was slightly better than expected, although it fell 21% to £45m due to higher staff and technology costs. However, the auditor has requested more time to complete the audit, so this is an unaudited figure. There was underlying revenue growth of 3%. Annualised cost savings of £20m are being made and 70% will be achieved in the current financial year. Trading has not picked up, but this could happen in the second quarter. This year’s profit will be second half weighted. The share price is recovered 11.8% to 445p.
Alba Mineral Resources (LON: ALBA) is continuing blasting at the Clogau St David’s mine in North Wales. The volume of ore found in situ at levels four and five from historic mining operations has exceeded expectations. Around 25 tonnes of ore has been extracted, which will be processed. A limited number of commemorative coins will be auctioned. The operational timetable is being extended due to delays relating to extracting the ore. The share price is 11.1% higher at 0.05p.
Oracle Power (LON: ORCP) has completed a ground-based gravity survey at the Blue Rock Valley copper and silver project in Western Australia. Multiple gravity highs have been identified for potential drilling. The company is assessing drill targets. The share price improved 8.82% to 0.0185p.
Construction dispute and expert witness services provider Diales (LON: DIAL) says that there will be a small improvement in revenues and profit in the year to September 2024. Pre-tax profit will be at least £1.1m, up from £1m. The cost base has been reduced. Net cash is £4.3m. Diales is pulling out of the US. It will still have a Canadian operation, and South America is handled from Spain. The share price increased 7.69% to 28p – the highest level since February
FALLERS
IQE (LON: IQE) chief executive Americo Lemos is leaving the semiconductor wafer manufacturer after three years in the role and Mark Cubitt becomes executive chair. Finance director Jutta Meier will become interim chief executive. The focus will be on cash generation and the proposed flotation of the business in Taiwan next year. The share price dipped 16.4% to 12.21p.
Translation and IP services provider RWS (LON: RWS) says it returned to growth in the second half making up for the first half decline. The 2023-24 pre-tax profit will be around £112m. Net debt was £14m at the end of September 2024. The full year results will be published on 12 December. There should be modest organic growth in revenues this year. The share price declined 17.4% to 131.5p.
Shield Therapeutics (LON: STX) generated $7.2m from 43,500 ACCRUFeR prescriptions in the third quarter, which was slightly lower than forecast. The average net selling price is $167, and this could rise to $192 in the fourth quarter. Total nine-month revenues are $20m and the 2024 figure should hit $31.5m. Management admits that more cash will be required, and costs are being reduced. Sallyport is providing a $15m facility, up from $10m previously, and AOP Health has agreed to subscribe $10m for shares at 4p each. The share price slipped 14.5% to 3.25p.
Mobile data computing services provider Touchstar (LON: TST) says trading is below expectations. Orders are taking longer to convert, and one major deal has been delayed until 2025. The strategic review is continuing. The share price fell 11.9% to 92.5p.