RNS Hotlist September 3: Andrada, Ashtead, Atlantic Lithium, Bakkavor, Cora, Ecora, Jangada, Naked Wines, Ondo, Vulcan Two, Watches of Switzerland
The Telegraph: Starmer attacks Met after Father Ted creator arrested over trans posts. PM tells police to concentrate on serious crime as Graham Linehan is detained over gender-critical tweets.
Comment: It was traditional in medieval times that, even in the most brutal regimes, the Court Jester of which one could say Linehan is the modern equivalent of, had a degree of license in terms of what they could say. Clearly, this is no longer the case. The Praetorian Guard police force will no doubt be arresting people for going over 5mph in mobility scooters, or wilfully stepping on the cracks in pavements, on suspicion that this may incite others to commit a crime. A fine example of the rule of law becoming the tyranny of law.
Jangada Mines (JAN), a Brazil focussed natural resource development company, announced that exploration work has now commenced at the highly prospective 7,211-hectare Paranaíta Gold Project located in Brazil’s historically significant Alta Floresta-Juruena Gold Province following the recent capital raise. Exploration launched: Fully funded programme underway at Paranaíta to validate the existing 210.000 oz gold and targeted expansion to ~350,000 oz Au, under JORC reporting.
Comment: With gold at record highs and threatening to go higher, any drilling, even under your local Ernest Jones has to be well received by the market. That said, this is JAN, and it will have to deliver El Dorado to shake off its somewhat chequered history / share price performance.
Ondo InsurTech (ONDO), the claims prevention technology company for home insurers, announced that Admiral has signed a new two-year agreement to continue offering LeakBot to its home insurance customers. As part of this renewed partnership, Admiral will deploy an additional 10,000 LeakBot devices in 2025. Admiral is one of the top five UK home insurance providers and has been working with LeakBot since 2022.
Comment: What a rip-off Admiral is. If the relationship between it and Ondo can lower premiums this would be great. Alas, Admiral will probably just pocket the savings itself.
Cora Gold (CORA), the West African focused gold company, announced Updated Reserves and the results of an updated Definitive Feasibility Study (‘DFS’) for its flagship Sanankoro Gold Project in southern Mali. Updated Probable Reserve of 531 koz at 1.13 g/t gold (‘Au’) based on a gold price of US$2,200/oz (a 26% increase over the Maiden Probable Reserve of 422 koz at 1.30 g/t Au based on a gold price of US$1,650/oz (see announcement dated 21 November 2022)). 2025 DFS economics (post tax, based on a gold price of US$2,750/oz). 65% internal rate of return (‘IRR’). 1.1 year payback period. US$479m free cash flow (‘FCF’) over life of mine.
Comment: It has been quite a journey for CORA, and given third world countries’ propensity to steal back proven assets, this could still have the odd twist and turn. Nevertheless, full marks at this stage.
Ahead of the Company’s AGM being held later today, Naked Wines (WINE) announced that trading to date in the current financial year, FY26, continues to be in line with the Company’s communicated FY26 Guidance. This Guidance indicates progressive growth in adj. EBITDA (excluding inventory liquidation and assoc. costs) and further cash generation compared with FY25.
Comment: The New Strategic Plan is either working well, or the good people of Britain are simply drowning their sorrows, something which is as understandable as it is sensible given the prognosis for the economy.
Andrada Mining (ATM), the critical minerals producer with mining and exploration assets in Namibia, announced the commencement of exploration drilling at the Lithium Ridge project in partnership with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA through its subsidiary SQM Australia (Pty) Ltd. This milestone represents part of the stage 1 workplan of the three stage earn-in agreement with SQM. Under this first stage, SQM will fund up to US$7 million in exploration to secure an initial 30% interest at project level with the potential to fund up to US$40m million over the three stages.
Comment: Given ATM’s brilliant ongoing ability to not be able to communicate its wonders to the market, one can be sure that most totally missed the sugar daddy funding the company has from SQM regarding Lithium Ridge. Hopefully, this mention helps.
Vulcan Two Group (VUL), the company aiming to create the UK’s leading regulated ePharmacy through buy-and-build, will today be admitted to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Dealings will start at 08:00 a.m. today under the ticker “VUL”. In connection with the Admission, the Company has successfully raised gross proceeds of £12.0 million, for a market cap of £13.6m.
Comment: It is amazing when someone who writes about the stock market every day, and probably for the rest of their life, finds out about a new company listing on AIM, just an hour before the event. Whether this is careless, or deliberate (service providers guarding the new client after getting them through the back door), it is not great for the market. Still, Leonard Nimoy would almost certainly have been an investor in the IPO.
Ashtead Group (AHT) released Unaudited results for first quarter ended 31/07/25. AHT said, “We are reaffirming our revenue and capex guidance for the year, while raising it for free cash flow. Lastly, we continue to progress our relisting on the NYSE that is currently scheduled for March 2026.”
Comment: As the company is leaving the sinking ship of the UK stock market next year, they are already off our Christmas card list, and it is pleasing that most of the key metrics are down. Really unpatriotic.
Ecora Resources (ECOR) announced half year results for the six months ended 30 June 2025. ECOR said “The continued growth from our critical minerals portfolio is the highlight of these results, with our base metals portfolio delivering an 81% increase in contributions compared to the same period last year. This growth has been driven by the strong on-going ramp up at Voisey’s Bay, the acquisition of a copper stream over the producing Mimbula copper mine, and record performance at the Mantos Blancos copper mine.
Comment: Hot on the heels of the $20m Dugbe Gold Royalty sale yesterday, it is clear that this is a decent growth company. It has so far rather hidden its light under a bushel, which must have been quite difficult, but somehow the company has managed it.
Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) announced an AGM Trading Update. WOSG said “We are pleased with our performance in the 18 weeks to 31 August 2025 and are on track to deliver a good H1 FY26 in line with our expectations. We have seen consistently strong trading throughout the period, particularly in the US despite the announcement of increased tariffs on Swiss imports. The stability we saw in the UK luxury watch and jewellery markets during H2 FY25 has continued, and we have delivered good year on year growth. Registration of Interest lists continue to grow in both markets. “
Comment: Shares of WOSG are down 43% so far this year, as the market has missed the fact that the company caters to people with more money than sense, who will always buy an overpriced watch to show off, or hide from the taxman for IHT purposes.
Narf Industries (NARF), a leading U.S.-based cybersecurity group specializing in advanced threat intelligence and software system security, today announced that its Ranger.ai Agentic AI threat and remediation platform has achieved “Awardable” status through the Platform One (P1) Solutions Marketplace. The P1 Solutions Marketplace is a digital repository of post-competition, 5-minute, readily-awardable pitch videos that address the U.S. Government’s most urgent requirements in hardware, software, and service solutions.
Comment: We all love the DoD, especially when it is not directed in our direction. We already know that NARF has great relations with the U.S. Government. Arguably, they are one and the same. By the way, Narf’s Company video “Narf Ranger: Social Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform and Data Feed”, accessible only by government customers on the P1 Solutions Marketplace, https://p1-marketplace.com/. One can bet this is better viewing than the Thursday Murder Club.
Atlantic Lithium Limited (ALL) the Africa-focused lithium exploration and development company targeting the delivery of Ghana’s first lithium mine, announced that it has entered into the following binding financing agreements with Long State Investments Ltd, a global investment company specialising in funding growth-orientated companies, providing the Company with the necessary funds to advance its flagship Ewoyaa Lithium Project.
Comment: Although it is common practice to hide future funding requirements, so as to protect the share price, it would appear that with the shares already in the bin, and a £50m, this perhaps does not really matter. What matters more is visibility on funding.
Bakkavor Group (BAKK), the leading international provider of fresh prepared food , today announced its unaudited results for the 26-week period ended 28 June 2025. Further upgrade to FY25 guidance: clear strategy underpins strong H1 25 and further improvement in H2 25.
Comment: Although no one really cares about, or has even heard of the name, I have included BAKK, as another platform thinks it is a highlight today. To be fair, the £1.3bn company is just coming off record share price highs…
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.
