Stock Spirits Group PLC (LON:STCK) have received questioning from a private investor over their decision to not pay out a special dividend.

Western Gate Private Investments Ltd have responded to the decision as the firms Annual General Meeting fast approaches.

Western Gate holds a 10% stark in the spirits focused business, requisitioned the resolution. Known as resolution 20, it calls for a €0.1219 per share special dividend to be paid March 20.

Notably, this would be a large ruse that the €0.0631 per share final dividend recommended by the Stock Spirits board.

Stock Spirits declared that under its own articles of association, no dividend declared by shareholders via an ordinary resolution can exceed the amount recommended by its board. Given that Stock Spirits does not recommend the special dividend, an AGM vote in favor of resolution 20 would not compel Stock Spirits to pay.

Stock continued to defend their decision saying that this would limit the firms ability to grow through mergers, acquisitions and organic growth.

Western said that Stock Spirits would not be pausing the special dividend even if shareholders approved it, believing it “shows a total disregard for shareholder rights and is a further red flag to shareholders that the company is run for the board and management rather than for the shareholders themselves”.

According to Western Gate, “there is no economic behind the decision to recommend voting against the resolution” given that Stock Spirits would still have a net debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation ratio 20% below the upper level defined by the Stock Spirits board and 33% below the sector average.”

Stock Spirits speak out following an impressive update

“We do not believe that this is the right time, both from an M&A perspective and an organic business perspective. On the latter point, the expected excise duty increases in Poland and Czech from the start of 2020 require us to maintain our financial strength to ensure we can respond to market developments, which we expect will only become fully apparent by May 2020. Payment of a special dividend would place the company at a disadvantage at a particularly sensitive time,” said Stock Spirits.

In December, the firm saw a good year of growth as its successful strategy of premiumisation continues to make progress.

Stock Spirits said said for the financial year ended September 30 its revenue rose 9.2% to €312.4 million from €282.4 million in a comparative period a year ago.

Another impressive figure which caught shareholder interest was that pretax profit had risen 24% from €282.4 million to €312.4 million.

The company increased its annual dividend by 5.1% which would have put the icing on the cake for shareholders, however this does not seem to have satisfied Western Gate.

“While there are challenges in certain areas of our business, notably in managing any impact that might result from the proposed excise tax increases in the Czech Republic and Poland, we remain confident in the strength of our brands, the quality of our people and the viability of our strategy. As a result, we feel well positioned for future success,” the company said.

Stock continues to outperform market

Shareholders of Stock Spirits should be very pleased with the recent update, however pressures from Western Gate have only come about due to the impressive performance.

Stock have managed to outperform competitors such as Fever-Tree (LON:FEVR) who saw their revenues bruised for the full year.

Fever-Tree said that it expects revenue for the full year to lie within the £266 million to £268 million range, which represents a year-on-year growth of 12-13%.

Additionally, the company previously warned in July that the UK had seen a moderation in growth rates for the first half of 2019.

Shares of Stock Spirits trade at 209p (-0.95%). 6/1/20 11:45BST.

Plus500 Ltd (LON:PLUS) have speculated on lower annual earnings on Monday, which has seen shares in red.

Plus500 is an international financial firm providing online trading services in contracts for difference, across more than 2,000 securities and multiple asset classes.

The firm has seen its shares dip 4.9% to 811p on the announcement. 6/1/20 11:20BST.

The firm said that shareholders can expect a substantial drop in earnings and revenue across 2019, following a “period of change within the industry”.

The firm said that its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation is expected to be $190 million, on revenue of $354 million, which will worry shareholders.

This would see the firm drop its earnings by over 62% from 2018, and a 50% fall in revenue.

However, it was not all gloomy news for shareholders as the firm said that it gained a boost in the second half of the year which allowed results to recover, it still seems there is much work to do where competitors such as CMC Markets (LON:CMCX) have seen stability.

Chief Executive Asaf Elimelech said, “We finished the year in good financial and operational shape following a period of change for the industry, which has provided a more certain regulatory outlook for Plus500. I am encouraged by the momentum we have shown in the second half, reflecting continued optimisation of our marketing spend, enhancements to our customer service, and improvements in our proprietary technology platform.”

“Looking to 2020 we are confident of the prospects for the group as we focus on further strengthening our customer offering and market positions”, he added.

Third Quarter seems to have saved Plus500

At the end of October, the firm saw revenue and earnings grow in their third quarter, something which the firm alluded to today.

For the quarter ending September 30th, the online contracts-for-differetnt trading service reported revenue of $110.6 million, showing a 10% climb from the $100.1 million figure posted a year before.

Notably, there was a significant increase from the second quarter results where revenues increased 18% from the $94.1 million figure in Q2.

Chief Executive Asaf Elimech commented on the third quarter, saying: “Underlying operational performance and new customer acquisition metrics remain robust. We are confident we can continue to outperform our peer group in terms of customer acquisition, by maintaining the level of highly targeted marketing investment to exploit market opportunities as they appear, with these new customers expected to provide incremental revenues in due course”

There was also consumer gains, where revenue per user increased 1.6% to $997 from 2018’s third quarter figure of $981 and a bigger increment of 15% from the second quarter’s $866.

EBITDA also increased by 39% year-on-year to $70.1 million whilst Ebitda margin widened to 63% from 50% the year before and 57% in the second quarter.

Where Plus500 seem to have struggled, the second half performance of last year will give shareholders something to hold onto.

Plus500 are set to release their 2019 results on February 12, where they will be scrutinized by shareholders and executives.

Anglo African Oil & Gas PLC (LON:AAOG) have seen their shares crash on Monday, in a speculative update to shareholders.

The firm said that it has agreed a deal with both Riverfort (LON:RGO) and Zenith Energy (LON:ZEN) for two separate financing deals to allow the company to continue operating.

Zenith are set to purchase an 70% stake in Anglo African Oil & Gas’s Congo subsidiary for £1 million under a sale and purchase agreement.

The deal has been put on hold however as Anglo African Oil & Gas shareholders have yet to approve the deal.

Anglo already hold a 56% interest in the Tilapia field in the Republic of the Congo. Once the transaction is complete, Anglo African Oil & Gas will become a cash shell on AIM.

It intends to use the proceeds from the disposal to finance its day-to-day operations and consider potential reverse takeover options.

The firm said that due tot timing, it will not have sufficient cash to allow it to continue as a going concern beyond the start of February.

Anglo African ask Riverfort for guidance

Following the lack of funds and a recent share subscription, Anglo African entered negotiations with Riverfort for a convertible note loan.

However, a deal has not be struck. Riverfort have agreed terms where Anglo will receive an initial tranche of £250,000, if shareholders approve the Zenith deal, and a further £50,000 every month until negotiations over the convertible notes concludes, which leaves shareholders will power.

Zenith has also agreed to advance a £250,000 loan to AAOG to help with its cashflow position. This loan, whilst subject to shareholder approval, is not contingent on the sale of AAOG Congo. The loan is for an initial six month period but may be extended for an additional three months.

Anglo American comments

“When the board entered into the sale and purchase agreement on December 24, the reality facing the company and its shareholders was that AAOG had very limited cash resources, a large debt owing from Societe Nationale des Petroles du Congo with no certainty as to when the debt would be repaid, a significant creditor position both at the plc level and at AAOG Congo, a work programme at Tilapia that was not fully funded and the likelihood of a significant signature bonus attaching to reattribution of the Tilapia Licence which expires in July 2020,” AAOG said.

“The company’s preference had always been to unlock the sums owed by SNPC in order to finance any signature bonus on the licence, regularise the creditor position and initiate the planned work programme. This has not been possible,” AAOG added.

Zenith Chief Executive Andrea Cattaneo added: “We have a bona fide intention to assist AAOG and its shareholders. As announced on December 27, we believe the Tilapia asset has potentially transformational productivity and we look forward to completing the deal in order to begin preparations for drilling activities in TLP-103C as soon as we assume operational control of the asset.”

Shares of Anglo American trade at 0.48p, crashing 16.52% on the announcement. 6/1/20 11:03BST.

KEFI Minerals plc (LON:KEFI) have told the market that they have seen approval for their Tulu Kapi subscription agreement in an update on Monday morning.

Partner firm, ANS Mining have given the go ahead for the subscription to take place and this has seen shares in green.

The Tulu Kapi project is based in Ethiopia with a Probable Ore Reserve of 1.0 million ounces and Mineral Resources totaling 1.7 million ounces.

KEFI said that the Ethiopia Government would be investing $20 million into this project, with ANS adding a substantial $38 million.

The firm said the company operating the project, Tulu Kapi Gold Mines Share Co, will now receive the first tranche of ANS Mining funding of $9.5 million.

“Kefi greatly appreciates the confidence and commitment demonstrated by ANS Mining, its board of Ethiopian business leaders and its underlying shareholders, which comprise a broad syndicate of strong organisations in the local banking, insurance and investment sectors,” the company said.

Executive Chair Harry Anagnostaras-Adams added: “I am delighted to confirm the signed subscriptions of ANS Mining into the project company. Whilst we have been working closely with ANS Mining for some time and developed an excellent relationship, I am now pleased to be able to welcome them formally as partners.

“Following first funds flow this month we will commence phase one of the community resettlement, trigger debt implementation and detail the final procurement and contractual arrangements with the principal project contractors. These are exciting times and I look forward to updating shareholders over the coming weeks and months as we move forward with the development of Tulu Kapi.”

The development of Tulu Kapi

At the end of November, KEFI were reportedly considering their finance options to fund their Tulu Kapi Project.

The firm said the company operating the project, Tulu Kapi Gold Mines Share Co, has recently been offered a bank-based project finance proposal, which would be an alternative to bond-based financing.

However, it seems that the combination of ANS and governmental funding has given KEFI exactly what they needed to get the operations up and running.

Harry Anagnostaras-Adams, executive chair of both KEFI and TKGM, said: “I am delighted the project has reached this stage, after so many delays and setbacks as the country and the sector were going through quite an amazing change. We have shared the frustrations of our shareholders and our partners, but I now believe the project has encouraging momentum.

“As first mover for modern mining in Ethiopia, we have done the heavy lifting with the authorities and the community and we can now all share the benefits as we advance. It is especially pleasing to see the strengthening of capital market interest and support from capital providers both inside and outside the Ethiopia for the project.”

Finally, the green light was officially given in the first week of December, which saw shares surge.

The firm said that the The first six months of work will be funded by project partners, including the Ethiopian government. KEFI would then plan to draw the bank loan mid-2020.

“We have been very well supported by the bond-lease proposal and now we also have an attractive bank-loan based alternative because capital market support for our project has recently improved markedly, both inside and outside Ethiopia,” said KEFI Finance Director John Leach.

“The expected savings from the preferred bank-based infrastructure finance proposal provide our project subsidiary, Tulu Kapi Gold Mines, with the opportunity to develop and further explore the underground Tulu Kapi deposit and significantly increase value for shareholders, without reducing net cash flows available for other purposes,” he added.

It seems that shareholders of KEFI should remain optimistic on the update provided today.

Share Price

Shares in KEFI trade at 1.57p (+13.60%). 6/12/19 10:47BST.

AstraZeneca PLC (LON:AZN) have received a positive start to 2020, updating the market on two of its drug programs.

AstraZeneca said that the Lokelma drug has been approved in China for the treatment of hyperkalaemia and Farxiga granted a priority review by the US Food & Drug Administration.

Lokelma was approved by the National Medical Products Administration, based on positive results from the clinical trial program. The results showed that patients receiving the product experienced a sharp, sustained reduction of potassium in the blood.

Lokelma is used to treat conditions such as hyperkalaemia which is diagnosed by high level of potassium in the blood, which can lead to many other long term health complications.

Additionally, Farxiga had received the green light from the Food & Drug Administration in the United States.

The drug also granted the medication a priority review for reducing the risk of death in patients with heart conditions.

The new drug application was based on results from the phase III DAPA-HF trail publishing in September 2019, which demonstrated that Farxiga reduced the outcome of heart failure worsening, compared to placebo.

Astra Comments

“This approval marks an important milestone for more than two million patients in China who suffer from hyperkalaemia. Lokelma will offer the opportunity for patients and physicians to achieve long-term disease control and potentially reduce the risk of acute episodes, which can have serious, even life-threatening consequences,” said Mene Pangalos, executive vice president for Biopharmaceuticals R&D.

“Farxiga is well established in the treatment of type-2 diabetes and this Priority Review shows its potential to also impact millions of patients with heart failure. If approved, Farxiga will be the first and only medicine of its kind indicated to treat patients with heart failure,” Pangalos concluded.

AstraZeneca continue the good form into 2020

In December, Astra announced two updates which would have pleased shareholders.

Deepmatter Group PLC (LON:DMTR) saw their shares rally following a pharmaceutical technology collaboration with AstraZeneca. The firm joined forces with the FTSE 100 giant in a digital technology venture, designed to speed up the drug delivery process.

Additionally, the firm have continued their expansion into China. Astra told shareholders that they had joined forces with Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK) to receive marketing authorization from China’s National Medical Products Administration for their Lynparza drug.

As well as receiving the marketing approval, Astra also told shareholders that they had planned to create a both a research centre and am artificial intelligence innovation center both in Shanghai, and a “first-of-its-kind” healthcare industrial fund with China International Capital Corp Ltd (HKG:3908).

Shares in AstraZeneca trade at 7,572p. (-1.81%). 6/1/20 10:31BST.