CleanTech Lithium (CTL), an exploration and development company advancing sustainable lithium projects in Chile, announced that it now expects the ASX listing to launch in April and complete in May. CTL said “While the ASX listing process is taking longer than initially expected, the Board and our advisers believe that waiting for a positive decision by the end of March on entering the streamlined direct negotiation process for the Special Lithium Operating Contract (“CEOL”) for Laguna Verde and completing the Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”) will significantly strengthen our investment case in the Australian market.”
Comment: Although CTL has made decent progress in Chile and has raised cash in the meantime to maintain momentum, it is still the ASX listing which will be taken as the big win for the company, especially in terms of the extra liquidity pool in that market.
Ondine Biomedical Inc. (OBI), a global leader in light-activated antimicrobial treatments, announced the appointment of Michael S. Behlke as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. Recognized in the US MedTech community for his career achievements, Mr. Behlke brings over 30 years of financial and operational leadership experience, positioning Ondine for accelerated growth and commercialization success. OBI said “Ondine is at a critical inflection point as we expand our hospital-based infection prevention solutions. Michael’s extensive MedTech industry experience, operational leadership, and business transformation successes will be key to accelerating our worldwide commercialization efforts, initially within Canada and the UK/EU, and then rapidly expanding into the U.S. post-FDA approval.”
Comment: Recent director share buying has led to shares of OBI already being up 28% so far this year, with the latest blue chip appointment likely to boost the situation still further.
Great Southern Copper (GSCU), the company focused on copper-gold-lithium exploration in Chile, is pleased to report exceptional first assay results from Phase I drilling at the Mostaza Mine, Cerro Negro. GSCU said “This is a tremendously significant result for both copper and silver. These exceptional and exciting assay grades demonstrate that the former Mostaza mine has the potential to be a high-grade high-value Cu-Ag deposit.”
Comment: Today’s news should only boost the post autumn recovery for GSCU shares, which already looked as though they were heading back to last year’s 3p resistance zone before the RNS.
Sovereign Metals (SVML) announced that further test work completed on graphite from the Company’s Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project (Kasiya or the Project) has confirmed Kasiya’s graphite has the key characteristics required for use in expandable (fire retardant) and expanded (gaskets, seals, and brake lining) applications. SVML said “These results along with our industry-low cost position, offers Kasiya the potential to become the world’s dominant natural graphite supplier, whilst remaining a primary rutile project.”
Comment: The drip-drip of positive significant newsflow from SVML regarding Kasiya continues, and in turn the shares squeeze higher towards their best ever levels at 50p plus.
Metro Bank (MTRO) confirmed entering into an agreement to sell a portfolio of approximately £584 million performing unsecured personal loans (the “Portfolio”)[4]. The transaction is expected to result in a 30 June 2024 pro-forma improvement in Metro Bank’s CET1 ratio by c81bps and total capital plus MREL ratio of c129bps from 22.2% to 23.5%. MTRO said “The sale of the Portfolio is in line with Metro Bank’s strategy to reposition its balance sheet and enhance risk-adjusted returns on capital. The transaction is capital accretive and creates additional lending capacity to enable Metro Bank to continue its asset rotation towards higher yielding commercial, corporate, SME lending and specialist mortgages.”
Comment: Shares of MTRO have soared with the sector as it continues to rip off the already pummelled UK consumer. Today’s strong news though may already have been factored into the rally.
Hammerson (HMSO) the UK-listed, pure-play owner and manager of prime retail and leisure anchored city destinations across the UK, France and Ireland, announced its 2024 full year results. HMSO said occupier demand is robust with £8.6m of headline income already exchanged in 2025, 10% above previous passing rent and 11% ahead of ERV – good visibility and a strong pipeline for the remainder of 2025, underpinning our confidence in the outlook.
Comment: Although shares of HMSO are only mid range, the fighting talk and narrowed loss should allow investors to take the view that the fundamental picture is now half full, rather than half empty.
Aston Martin (AML) announced its preliminary results for the year ended December 31 2024. FY 2024 revenue decreased 3% to £1,584m (FY 2023: £1,633m) reflecting the lower year on year volumes and FX headwinds as sterling strengthened against major currencies in FY 2024 compared to FY 2023. There was significant improvement in H2 2024 compared to H1 2024: Record total ASP reflects significant contribution from Valkyrie, Valour and Valiant Specials.
Comment: AML still has the prize for one of the worst / most overvalued IPOs ever, and alas the fundamental performance since then has only rubbed salt into the wound of investors who could not resist the play on this legendary brand.
Silverbullet (SBDS), a provider of AI driven digital transformation services and products, provided a trading update for the year ended 31 December 2024 (unaudited). Revenue from proprietary 4D AI product increased by 25% to £3.5m (FY23: £2.8m). Recent new client wins include Boots, Expo, Universal Music and Rover.
Comment: It is quite a relief that a company which is in AI actually has an expanding business, and is not just one following the flavour of the month which AI certainly is. The big name counterparties gives credibility to the offering and prospects.
Helium One Global (HE1), the primary helium explorer in Tanzania with a 50% working interest in the Galactica-Pegasus helium development project in Colorado, USA, provides an update following the Blue Star Helium (ASX: BNL) announcement issued today regarding the Galactica Project.
Comment: One presumes there is no point asking about what is going on in Tanzania?
Light Science Technologies (LST), the technology and manufacturing business providing real-world solutions targeting issues including global food security and fire safety, is, as previously announced, hosting its Capital Markets Day for analysts and institutional investors this morning. LST said “Building on record Group revenue and gross profit margin for the 12 month period ending 30 November 2024 (unaudited), with increasing quoted pipelines across all divisions worth c.£50m, the Group traded profitably during H2.”
Comment: LST’s Capital Markets Day appears well timed, as the business gathers momentum, both in terms of the pipeline and profitabilty.
Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest:
The information, investment views, and recommendations in this Zaks Traders Cafe interview are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this interview should be construed as a promotion or solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or referred to or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engage in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the commentator but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. The commentators may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.
