Vp sales process comes to an end

Andrew Hore
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Vp sales process comes to an end

Plant hire company Vp (LON: VP.) has ended its formal sales process after the board unanimously decided to conclude the process. Proposals were reviewed but the board did not feel that they were in the interest of all stakeholders of the fully listed company.

The process started at the end of April, when 50.3% shareholder Ackers P Investment Company Ltd, which is connected to the Vp chairman Jeremy Pilkington indicated that it wanted to explore selling its shareholding. Ackers P Investment Company Ltd says that it does not intend to sell its shares in the foreseeable future.

The plan was to seek a buyer that would continue the culture of the company and enable it to prosper over the long-term. Vp has been listed since 1973.

In the year to March 2022, revenues were £350.9m and underlying pre-tax profit was £38.9m. This year pre-tax profit is expected to be in excess of £40m.

At the AGM in July, the company stated that activity levels were encouraging, although there is cost inflation and supply chain disruption.

The share price has already lost most of the rise that came after the announcement that the process was commencing. At 840p, the prospective multiple is just over ten and the forecast yield is 4.4%.

Treatt shares decline by one-third after warning

Andrew Hore
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Treatt shares decline by one-third after warning

Flavourings ingredients supplier Treatt (LON: TET) says that profit will be below expectations in the year to September 2022. Restrictions in China have not helped, while costs have increased, and sales of iced and leaf tea in the US have been lower than expected. Currency movements have made things worse. On the bright side, the order book is one-quarter higher.

Peel Hunt has reduced its 2021-22 pre-tax profit forecast from £23.6m to £16.3m, which is down from £22.6m last year. Raw material prices have risen by one-fifth and there is a delay in passing this on to customers. Revenues from tea will be £3m lower than previously forecast and that knocks £2.5m off profit.

There are likely to be £2.5m of currency losses this year, compared with a £1.5m gain last time.  

Management believes that there is potential in the coffee market and this category will be reported separately in the full year figures. Generally, the longer-term outlook for the company’s markets is positive.  

The share price has slumped by one-third to 537p. This is the lowest level for two years. The prospective multiple is 26.

Directors have immediately bought shares. Chairman Timothy Jones acquired 8,944 shares at 555p each and chief executive Daemmon Reeve purchased 3,556 shares at 559p each.

Gresham House CEO calls for greater investment in UK forestry

UK Investor Magazine
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Gresham House CEO calls for greater investment in UK forestry

The CEO of leading Alternative Investment provider, Gresham House, has called for a greater level of investment in UK forestry to help meet burgeoning future demand.

Tony Dalwood, CEO of Gresham House, says demand for timber is set to grow 2.7x by 2050 and highlights the lack of new projects with the capabilities to meet this demand.

The problem is particularly pronounced in the UK with 80% of demand being meet with imports, despite favourable conditions in the UK for domestic supply.

“The UK urgently needs more trees to satisfy its sustainability and economic growth agenda. The Government may have pledged to reach 30,000 hectares of new planting per year by the end of 2024, but with only c. 14,000 achieved by 2021, it is quickly falling short,” said Tony Dalwood, CEO of Gresham House.

Gresham House is a specialist ESG asset manager and naturally seeks to provide positive impact on society or environment , alongside financial gains.

“Investment in forestry generates triple bottom line benefits. It delivers strong financial returns, absorbs more carbon than it releases, and timber is a renewable and climate-friendly raw material which can replace concrete and steel.  Forestry also provides an inflation hedge – timber has historically been positively correlated to inflation while being less volatile,” Dalwood said.

FTSE 100 dips as miners react to Chinese data

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FTSE 100 dips as miners react to Chinese data

The FTSE 100 underperformed European indices on Monday as London’s leading index was dragged by weaker miners following a raft of softer Chinese data overnight.

“Chinese stocks were lower as there was further evidence of the harm the country’s zero-Covid approach is doing to the economy in the short term,” said AJ Bell financial analyst, Danni Hewson.

“This has obvious implications for global growth and, in particular commodities demand, and in this context it was no surprise to see shares in the big mining firms slip a little in early trading.”

Antofagasta slipped 3% as Rio Tinto, Glencore and Anglo American all gave up over 2%.

China took steps to improve economic conditions by cutting interest rates 10 basis points in an effort to stimulate a bounce back from Covid lockdowns, which may have contained some of the pessimism around commodities stocks on Monday.

UK property market

The UK property market was again in focus as Rightmove added to recent comments by Nationwide around the slowing of the UK housing prices.

“In the UK, property website, Rightmove reported that asking prices in August fell by the most for two and a half years. August is a month that often sees a setback with buyers in holiday mode, but this year’s 1.3% August dip is the largest monthly drop for some while,” said Steve Clayton, fund manager at HL Select.

However, the easing in prices varies throughout the market with London and high-end properties seeing the biggest declines.

“Rightmove’s Tim Bannister said the dip was most pronounced in London and top-end properties and said indicators were pointing to a continuing cooling of the market,” said Clayton.

This would suggest that while some areas of the market are feeling the pinch, Rightmoves findings are consistent with other studies that still see strong demand among first time buyers and lower priced properties.

Housebuilding shares were largely unchanged as the slowing UK housing narrative has been building for many months and we are yet to see any meaningful deterioration.

RS Group

RS Group was the FTSE 100’s top riser as speculation around a takeover approach intensified following a report by the Times.

The Times reported an offer of 1,500p could be made, a significant premium to the current 1,146p RS Group share price.

AIM movers: TP Group write-downs and significant Abingdon Health loss

Andrew Hore
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AIM movers: TP Group write-downs and significant Abingdon Health loss

Engineering and consultancy business TP Group (LON: TPG) has finally brought out its 2021 results and reported a loss of £19m. New management will hopefully have got all the write-downs out of the way in this set of figures. However, there is a warning there are still concerns about the resolution of legacy maritime contracts. This year and next year are described as a period of transition. Net debt is £1.6m and bank facilities will be renegotiated over the next 12 months. The share price slumped 25.3% to 1.4p.

Diagnostics company Abingdon Health (LON: ABDX) reported a slump in revenues and they are still significantly lower when Covid-related revenues are taken out – down from £3.6m to £2.8m. This means that there will be a substantial loss in the year to June 2022. A previously announced £2.7m technology transfer deal may not go ahead. There should be more than enough cash for the current financial year and the company is refocusing on contract services. The share price dived 24.3% to 7p.  

Designer and supplier of automotive interior components CT Automotive (LON: CTA) says that although first half revenues of $55m were ahead of expectations gross margin was lower. This was due to Covid lockdowns in China, delays in shipping and problems with UK manufacturing. UK production is being closed and there will be a small exceptional charge. The recovery in vehicle production is stronger than expected. CT Automotive joined AIM at the end of 2021 at 147p a share. Today, the share price fell 17% to 122.5p.

Trading in platinum and precious metals explorer Future Metals NL (LON: FME) shares has been halted on the ASX but continues on AIM. An announcement regarding a fundraising is anticipated. The share price has fallen 6.45% to 7.25p.

International payments company Cornerstone FS (LON: CSFS) has appointed former Equals Group (LON: EQLS) executive James Hickman as its new chief executive. He will start in September. The share price bounced back 16.7% to 10.5p.

Velocys (LON: VLS) believes that new legislation in the US will enable the financing of its sustainable aviation fuel project. The bill includes sustainable aviation fuel tax credits, which should help the Velocys project in Natchez, Mississippi. Southwest Airlines and BA have agreed to buy the fuel and an offtake agreement is being finalised. The share price jumped 14.9% to 5.975p.

Spectra Systems (LON: SPSY) has amended a contract with a bank customer and that means that there will be an additional $4m of revenues, which is likely to be earned in the two years to the end of 2024. The banknote authentication and brand protection technology provider will use some of the additional cash to boost the marketing of machine-readable secure polymer substrate, Fusion. This pushed the share price up 7.36% to 138.5p.

Secure payments technology provider Eckoh (LON: ECK) says that new orders in the first quarter are significantly higher than in the same period last year. This includes a two-year contract with a global hotel company worth at least $1.3m. The share price rose 7.32% to 44p.

Oil and gas producer Serinus Energy (LON: SENX) increased interim revenues from $15.9m to $29.3m and this enable it to move from loss to a $4.35m pre-tax profit. This was partly thanks to strong sales in April when the oil price was near its high. Cash generated was ploughed back into capital investment. A full year pre-tax profit of $8.9m is forecast. The share price was 6.5% higher at 12.25p.

Phoenix Group shakes off market uncertainty in positive first half

UK Investor Magazine
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Phoenix Group shakes off market uncertainty in positive first half

Phoenix Group,  the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement business, had a robust start to 2022 as cash regeneration grew and market volatility was managed with efficient hedging activities.

Phoenix Group cash generation rose 9% to £950m while New Business Long Term cash generation jumped 107% £430m.

“Phoenix has performed very strongly in the first half of the year despite the challenging macro environment. We have once again delivered a record set of financial results, which was underpinned by the strong progress we have made across our strategic priorities,” said Phoenix Group CEO, Andy Briggs.

Hargreaves Lansdown’s Steve Clayton shared the CEO’s sentiment and highlighted the positive impact of hedging throughout the business, as well as the possibility of additional acquisitions.

“These are a solid set of numbers from Phoenix that show the company executing well against all of their key targets. Cash generation is up and acquisitions have delivered their synergy expectations. The group have cash surplus and capital, so expect further acquisitions down the line,” said Steve Clayton, fund manager at HL Select.

“The business hedges risks to the maximum extent possible and saw little impact when markets tumbled in the first half. Crucially, Phoenix say this morning that they have almost no exposure to inflation, having hedged out their costs and product exposures. No doubt analysts will quiz them later on how long this hedging will run for. But right now, that protection from rising costs puts Phoenix in an enviable position relative to most UK companies.”

MTI Wireless orders set up stronger second half

Andrew Hore
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MTI Wireless orders set up stronger second half

MTI Wireless Edge (LON: MWE) maintained its pre-tax profit in the first half of 2022, helped by a strong second quarter performance by the antennas division, which returned to profit in the period. Recent contract wins by the group mean that it already has momentum in the second half.

In the six months to June 2022, revenues improved from $21.3m to $22.7m, while pre-tax profit barely changed from $2.05m to $2.04m, due to a higher interest charge and amortisation related to the recent acquisition of communication and monitoring systems developer PSK WIND Technologies.

It should be remembered that Russia accounted for 6% of revenues and 5% of profit in 2021. That business is no longer part of the group. PSK contributed revenues of $2m and made a small profit contribution after amortisation.

Net cash has fallen to $5.2m after paying the final dividend and acquiring 51% of PSK. The disposal of the Russian assets meant that a prepayment had to be returned and that knocked $2.79m off the cash pile. There is contingent consideration of $1.43m and bank debt of $187,000.

Divisions

Antennas lost money in the first quarter but made a profit in the six months, even though military demand was slow. In the 5G backhaul market, the company is working with five of the seven main telecoms equipment manufacturers. There is also new technology that can adapt to different climate conditions. The timing of orders is uncertain, but the potential is large.

Distribution is the largest profit contributor. PSK has renewed a contract with the Israeli Ministry of Defence which will be worth $1.4m a year over seven years. This is more than previously. At the end of June, PSK won two other contracts valued at $850,000 for delivery this year.

Irrigation technology supplier Mottech Water Solutions gained €1m of orders in Italy at the end of June, also to be delivered this year. Mottech reported a flat profit in the first half because of a planting sabbatical in Israel. The second half outlook is positive.  

The share price fell 5.79% to 57p. Shore Capital expects a 10% rise in 2022 pre-tax profit to $4.4m, but flat earnings per share. That means the shares are trading on 17 times prospective earnings and the forecast yield is 4.2%. MTI Wireless is expected to have net cash of more than $10m by the end of the year.

Tekcapital confirms pricing for Lucyd NASDAQ IPO, shares soar

UK Investor Magazine
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Tekcapital confirms pricing for Lucyd NASDAQ IPO, shares soar

Tekcapital shares jumped on Monday after the university technology investment company announced the pricing details for the Innovative Eyewear IPO, a subsidiary of portfolio company Lucyd.

The IPO is set to raise $7.35m at an offer price of $7.50. Should the offer is fully subscribed, Innovative Eyewear will have a market capitalization of approximately $55m. Tekcapital announced shares would begin trading on the NASDAQ today and the IPO offer would close 17th August.

If the total amount is raised at the offer price, Tekcapital will own retain a 70% stake in Innovative Eyewear, which will be worth be worth roughly $38.5m, through their 100% ownership of Lucyd.

The IPO represents a significant increase in the book value of Tekcapital’s holdings in Lucyd, valued at $27.1 million as of 31 May 2022.

At the time of writing, Tekcapital had a market capitalisation £53m meaning the market is effectively attributing a value of just £21.5m to the rest of their portfolio including London-listed Belluscura, Guident and MicroSalt.

The combination book value of these three holdings totalled $44m, or £35m, as of 31 May 2022, highlighting the deep discount Tekcapital shares trade at compared to their holdings NAV.

Tekcapital are set for another portfolio company IPO in MicroSalt in the coming months which promises to unlock further value in the portfolio.

The Tekcapital share price soared on the news to trade as high as 37p, before easing slightly to 35.8p.

Coats makes second sports footwear acquisition

Andrew Hore
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Coats makes second sports footwear acquisition

Industrial thread manufacturer Coats Group (LON: COA) has made a second acquisition in six weeks. Coats is acquiring Germany-based Rhenoflex for an enterprise value of $117m and this should enhance medium-term earnings.
Rhenoflex trading is back above pre-Covid levels, even though supply chain problems have held back progress. In the year to June 2022, revenues were $76m and operating profit was $10.1m. There could be $6m of cost benefits from the acquisition that will help to improve margins.
There are factories in China, Vietnam and Germany and there is capacity of $100m. Adidas and Nike are...

Aquis weekly movers: Close Asset Management buys Macaulay Capital

Andrew Hore
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Aquis weekly movers: Close Asset Management buys Macaulay Capital

Close Asset Management has taken a 6.5% stake in Macaulay Capital (LON: MCAP), which joined the Access segment on 29 July when £1.9m was raised at 20p a share. This week the share price rose 19% to 25p. The strategy of the company is to originate potential investments and generate fees from these businesses by advising them and helping to raise money, as well as investing alongside other investors. The focus is smaller companies with track records in well-established markets. An initial investment has been made in a food manufacturer.

Invinity Energy (LON: IES) rose 13% to 39p after the commencement of trading on the US OTCQX and new US climate legislation that should boost energy storage demand. The energy storage technology developer says the bill contains $369bn of clean energy investment, including tax incentives and grants.

Hydrogen Utopia International (LON: HUI) has appointed Duncan Snelling as an engineering consultant and granted him options over up to 600,000 shares at 9.275p each. Each month, 50,000 options will vest, and they are exercisable between the first and fifth anniversaries of the appointment. The share price rose 4.23% to 9.25p.

In the three months to June 2022, National Milk Records (LON: NMRP) increased revenues from £5.72m to £6.09m. All parts of the business grew their revenues with genomics testing more than doubling revenues to £111,000. This is the final quarter of the financial year. Milk prices are increasing. The share price edged up 0.5% to 100.5p.

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Fallers

Chapel Down Group (LON: CDGP) has replaced finnCap with Singer as its corporate adviser and broker. The share price of the wine maker fell 3.39% to 28.5p.

Vulcan Industries (LON: VULC) has appointed Darren Taylor as a non-executive director. He was one of the shareholders in Aftech, which was acquired in March, and he has a 12.6% stake in Vulcan Industries. The share price declined 3.24% to 0.895p.

Gathoni Muchai Investments, where Marula Mining (LON: MARU) chief executive Jason Brewer is a substantial shareholder, acquired 1.5 million shares and 1.1875 million warrants exercisable at 4p each for a total of £16,000. Chairman Richard Lloyd bought one million shares at 1.07p each. The current share price is 2.1p, down 2.33%.

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