Kerry Group shares jump 5% as firm reports strong 2019
Resolute Mining report higher gold reserves at end of 2019
Resolute Mining sell Ravenswood gold mine
In January, Resolute confirmed that they had sold their Ravenswood gold mine in Queensland. The sale was made to EMR Capital Management and Golden Energy and Resources (SGX:AUE). Resolute said EMR is a “leading” resources-focused private equity company with “outstanding” credentials. Resolute have said that they will receive AUD100 million in cash and notes for the initial sale of the mine. Subject to further terms of the deal, a further AUD200 million could be sent Resolute’s way dependent on gold production figures and gold prices. The sale of Ravenswood comes at no real surprise as the firm was conducting a strategic review of these operations, however Resolute did say that it hopes the mine will produce 200,000 ounces of gold for 15 years from 2022. The update today is not as significant as one may expect, however shareholder will be please nonetheless. There should be an optimistic tone for shareholders and the firm to carry fortunes across 2020 to produce a good run of results. Shares in Resolute Mining trade at 58p (+0.82%). 18/2/20 13:25BST.Ocean Outdoor boasts ‘transformational year’ with 10.5% earnings growth
Ocean Outdoor speaks on its successful year
Offering feedback on his company’s cheery update, CEO Tim Bleakley commented:“In the last 12 months we completed five acquisitions and expanded our presence to seven countries, entering key strategic markets and creating a market leading DOOH offering in both the Netherlands and Sweden, where we are focussed on successfully implementing our Digital Cities for Digital Citizens philosophy. Our expanded geographical presence allows us to build a combination of premium digital assets and quality audience delivery networks across northern Europe that will meet the needs of both customers and advertisers.”
“Whilst we remain focused on expanding our network, creativity and innovation are also core to our growth and we continue to invest in new and engaging ways of using full motion DOOH to bring exclusives to audiences and a powerful broadcast platform for brands to exploit. Our recent Neuroscience based study and YouGov research has provided a greater, quantifiable understanding of the significant impact of the use of innovative content on full motion DOOH screens, underlining the value of our platform.”
“As we progress into 2020 we are excited to work alongside the team at AdCityMedia to fully integrate the latest addition into the Ocean Group and continue to develop our business in the UK and the rest of Europe.”
Investor notes
Following the update, the company’s shares have rallied 0.64% or 0.050p, to 7.90p per share 18/02/20 12:06 GMT. Ocean Outdoor currently has a p/e ratio of 0.46, and a market cap of $424.22 million.What’s next for Sirius Minerals?
Anglo American – Sirius deal
At the start of 2020, it was reported that Anglo American were in advanced talks to acquire Sirius Minerals. This deal was supposedly given the green light, as Anglo said that they will offer 5.5p per shares for Sirius, which shows a 34% rise to the closing price of Sirius on Friday 17th January of 4.1p. Sirius Minerals itself said its directors consider the acquisition to be “fair and reasonable”, and have recommended that shareholders vote in approval of the offer. The offer is conditional on whether 75% of Sirius shareholders decide to vote in favor for the merger deal, which will be done at an upcoming court meeting. Anglo American have remained confident about the acquisition and have said that they expect this to be formally completed by the end of March. The share price offer values Sirius at £404.9 million, and is a deal which Anglo American will be thoroughly excited with. The chairman of Sirius did acknowledge that shareholders may not have been happy with the proposed merger deal, and at the time he commented saying: “We acknowledge that to many Shareholders our decision as a board to recommend this offer will have come as a shock. Your board deeply regrets that we could not deliver the complete stage two financing in 2019 despite a very broad and thorough process. Going into the strategic review the Sirius Board’s strong preference was a solution that allowed current Shareholders to participate as fully as possible in the future development of the Project. Following the strategic review process it is clear that no such options are currently available to us and in that context Anglo American’s offer is the only feasible option.”The future for Sirius Minerals
It is important to remember that the deal is yet to get clearance, and the court procedures are still set to be debated between the parties involved. Shareholders do not seem pleased with the deal that has been struck between Sirius and Anglo American. However, some optimism has to remain within the firm. Anglo American are a mining titan, and certainly will be able to heavily invest into the operations and procedures of Sirius Minerals. Sirius Minerals had to find a finance option from somewhere – the firm did run into problems when financing their Yorkshire potash project and it seems that the deal was a case of ‘need’ rather than ‘want’. The firm did announce a new strategy last November, which involved less upfront capital with the hope that the Sirius could move onto the second phase in the near future. Sirius looked to have the right procedures and plans in order to commercialize their Potash project. Most small mining companies do not make as much progress before they are taken out a large discount to the supposed value of the project. The deal with Anglo American is subject to clearance, and shareholders will be keen to voice their opinion. However, it is important to remember that at a time where Sirius Minerals needed a bigger partner to help finance their ongoing operations, Anglo American did answer that call. If the deal goes through, there will be an initial feeling of pessimism. However – with the backing of Anglo American, there is much hope for Sirius Minerals and shareholders should fully evaluate both the costs and benefits before making their opinions heard when the deal is being considered by all stakeholders involved. On January 14, Berenberg reiterated a stance of ‘Hold’ for Sirius Minerals. This followed two ‘Buy” stances on the 11th and 12th November issued by Liberum Capital.Pan African Resources’ profit rises despite ‘challenges’ in financial year
Pan African build from July update
The update from the gold miner today shows positive growth from the update which the firm gave in July. The Company told investors that gold production from its continuing mining operations spiked 54.1% to 172,442oz and said production from its continued and discontinued operations was up by 7.5%. Its largest operation, Baberton Mines, saw production rise 9.6% to 99,636oz of gold, while Evander mines’ volumes grew from 21,250oz to 26,878oz year on year. Its Elikhulu tailings retreatment plant operation produced 46,201oz of gold, which exclude pre-production gold volumes of 736oz. Pan African Resources added that the plant processed 10.85 million tonnes from the period between September 2018 and June 2019. Shares in Pan African Resources trade at 12p (+1.73%). 18/2/20 12:33BST.GMB reports 622 staff injured in Amazon UK warehouses
GMB union attempts to tackle the behemoth
A few of the cases described in the report included an incident in London, where a warehouse worker appeared to lose consciousness and stop breathing after a head injury. The GMB added that in Manchester, another employee had fractured their hand after being caught in a gate. Mick Rix, GMB national officer, commented: “Amazon are spending millions on PR campaigns trying to persuade people its warehouses are great places to work. But the facts are there for all to see – things are getting worse.” “Hundreds of stricken Amazon workers are needing urgent medical attention. Conditions are hellish. We’ve tried over and over again to get Amazon to talk to us to try and improve safety for workers. But enough is enough – it’s now time for a full parliamentary inquiry.” The GMB said it obtained the figures through a Freedom of Information request, and found that the situation for Amazon employees had worsened over time. While serious injuries stood at 152 for the 2017 financial year, these were up to 240 for 2019. The situation will likely deteriorate further over time, as Amazon expands on its current holding of 22 warehouses across the UK. However, proportionally the company’s safety record has improved, with injuries not increasing in line with its warehouse acquisitions, which have more than doubled from 10 to 22 between 2015 and the present day.Amazon fires back a limp shot
A spokesman for Amazon responded: “Amazon is a safe place to work. Yet again, our critics seem determined to paint a false picture of what it’s like to work for Amazon. They repeat the same sensationalised allegations time and time again.” “Our doors are open to the public, to politicians, and indeed to anyone who truly wants to see the modern, innovate and, most importantly, safe environment we provide to our people.” The company’s PR machine is certainly alive and well – it has already run TV ads using its warehouse staff to highlight a happy working environment (we can only hope this didn’t clash with one of their sanctioned toilet breaks), and it seemed happy to brush ignore the protests run by the Shadow Cabinet and TUC last December.Bezos the bogeyman or the benevolent?
Outside of the company, tycoon Jeff Bezos announced he’d be dedicating $10 billion of his own money to launch the Bezos Earth Fund. The Fund will aim to finance work by scientists, activists and other groups, starting from the summer of 2020. The move follows wide-scale criticism and satirisation of the individual many have dubbed the ‘frosty lizard man’, owing to Bezos’s unwillingness to make proportionately generous contributions to philanthropic enterprises, or indeed the taxman. Having paid out $2 billion to another charitable venture towards the end of 2018, and having his company pay $162 million (1.3% of its earnings) of income tax in the US in 2019, the last year or so proved a relatively charitable period for the glassy-eyed businessman. This most recent venture is Bezos’s most sizeable gesture to date. After refusing to sign the Giving Pledge – by which billionaires give away half of their wealth during their lifetime – us mere mortals can today thank our favourite financial despot, as he pledges to part ways with 8% of his $130 billion personal fortune. Many will laud the trickle-down effect – even if it drips less frequently than a leaky tap. Following these updates, Amazon’s shares have dipped 0.50% or $10.64 to $2,134.87 during pre-trading. The company currently has a market cap of $1.06 trillion.Euro weakens on Tuesday reflecting weaker investor confidence
Tekmar shares crash 27% as coronavirus continues to dampen business
Tekmar’s fortune falls short
In December, the firm reported that it had seen a positive start to its financial year. The Group’s posted a ‘Record Order Book’ of £15.9 million, which was up 23.26% year-on-year for the same period. Its headline status was earned, however, with its fundamentals. Its revenues widened from £7.1 million to £17.1 million on-year for the six month period, while its EBITDA swung from a £0.8 million loss, to a £2.0 million profit. Tekmar Group continued and said that the long term global outlook for its key markets was improving, with forecasts fro future wind generation up 43.5% year-on-year. The Group also stated that it remains debt-free, with a positive cash balance of £3.9 million.Namaka also hit by the coronavirus
Tekmar joined Namaka (LON:NAK in alluding to the coronavirus as the main factor which led to poor results. The recruitment firm said that trading to the end of March has met expectations, however the final quarter presented challenges. Namaka said that revenue was bruised by the outbreak of coronavirus in both Hong Kong and Singapore, as local businesses look to delay new hiring until the virus assessment has been fully completed. The firm said: “The impact of Coronavirus on revenues for both Hong Kong and Singapore have been immediately felt. As a result of the curbs on movement of people imposed by regional governments, firms are currently choosing to delay, in some cases indefinitely, the start dates of new hires until the full impact of the virus has been determined, directly impacting revenue recognition for the Group.” The coronavirus is now seemingly under control – and there will be a hope that business operating particularly in China can bounce back from the troubles seen in the last few weeks. Shares in Tekmar Group trade at 112p (-27.18%). 18/2/20 11:48BST.Feedback’s loss widens in first half due to rising operating expenses
Feedback agree deal with Imagine Engineering
Feedback said that it had agreed a commercial partnership agreement with Imagine Engineering LLC to support the installation and refitting of a modernized fluoroscopic medical equipment across the US. Imaging Engineering is the manufacturer of an X-ray fluoroscopy product, “Insight Essentials” which enables the capture of fluoroscopy and X-ray images using low-cost hardware. Fluoroscopy is a form of dynamic X-ray capture which enables real time, moving patient imaging and is commonly used for a number of imaging investigations within gastroenterology, orthopaedics and interventional radiology. Under the terms of agreement, Feedback Medical, Feedback’s wholly owned subsidiary, will receive a license fee for each installation performed by Imaging Engineering and will have no commitment beyond maintaining and providing the software. Shares in Feedback trade at 0.81p (-4.71%). 18/2/20 11:32BST.UK Budget set to go ahead on 11th March
Certainly, this is an interesting time for British Politics. The Cabinet now has a fresh look, with a much younger feel or so it seems. Many questioned whether it was too early for Rishi Sunak to step into the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer, however he was Chief Secretary to the Treasury before taking up his position – showing a blend of youth and expertise. Sunak has a wide range of experience and expertise, and certainly the appointment of a younger Cabinet member may allow PM Johnson to advocate policies which connect to a younger audience of British People. British Politics is now in its transition phase – and there is a lot more to come for Boris Johnson. The current epidemic of coronavirus continues to dominate news headlines, whilst yesterday the French Foreign Minister warned the UK Government that Brexit negotiations could turn into a ‘battle’. There are questions which still need answering – however the budget date has remained the same. This will give both MP’s and the British people something to look forward to and finally some consistency in politics.Cracking on with preparations for my first Budget on March 11. It will deliver on the promises we made to the British people – levelling up and unleashing the country’s potential. pic.twitter.com/5msCVfJWN8
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) February 18, 2020
