Sainsbury’s (SBRY) revealed another Christmas period of market share gains and the grocer said it expects annual profit at the mid-point of guidance. In the 16 weeks to January 4, its third-quarter, total retail sales advanced 2.7% year-on-year. The measure excludes fuel. Including fuel, sales were flat. Excluding fuel again, like-for-like sales rose 2.8% on a year prior.
Comment: It would appear that the UK groceries cartel is doing better than ever, passing on cost / inflation to the customer, maintaining margins and increasing sales. SBRY follows Tesco (TSCO) and M&S (MKS), with a stellar Christmas. Long live rip off Britain.
Panthera Resources (PAT), with assets in West Africa and India, provides the following update in relation to the Company’s Australian subsidiary, Indo Gold Pty Ltd’s claim against the Republic of India over the latter’s breach of the 1999 Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of India on the Promotion and Protection of Investments. PAT said that following the Initial Hearing, the Company now announces that the parties and the tribunal have executed the terms of appointment to the Arbitration. Amongst other terms and conditions outlined in the ToA, the parties and the tribunal have agreed to the Permanent Court of Arbitration to administer the Arbitration.
Comment: The reminder in this RNS that the Indian Government actually auctioned off part of the Bhukia Project, reminds us once again that developing countries seem to have a compulsion to behave like developing countries. This should be an open and shut case for PAT, even though there are certainly more than four stages to reach this particular arbitration nirvana.
Georgina Energy (GEX), a helium, hydrogen and natural resources development company in Australia, provides an operational update on EP513 Hussar and EPA155 Mt Winter. GEX said it was very pleased the Hussar opportunity is bigger than initially thought, and all within our existing asset area. However, while unforeseen weather and revisions of the Environmental Impact Report have shifted its timeline, it remains systematically focused on unlocking the significant value potential of our assets. This temporary shift does not alter our long-term vision or strategy, and it remain confident in achieving our objectives at Hussar and Mt Winter.
Comment: It has been said here that the best way of GEX answering the personal, defamatory and generally psychotic slurs against the company, that indeed, too many small cap companies have to face from those seeking to profit from clickbait / shorting, was and is to deliver solid operational progress. This strategy continues to be delivered by GEX.
Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group (PR1) announced that it will be hosting a live online investor presentation hosted via the London Stock Exchange’s SparkLive platform at 9:00am GMT on Friday 10 January 2025. Chief Executive Officer James Sheehan and Founder Daniel Gee will give a short presentation to existing and potential investors, followed by a Q&A session. Attendees are encouraged to register for the event and submit questions in advance through the link: LSE Welcomes Pri0r1ty Intelligence | SparkLive | LSEG.
Comment: PR1 is a standout currently on the basis of it being a new and enthusiastic stock market listing, as well as a company with a cutting edge offering which can materially benefit small cap / growth companies. It is also good to see the company using a proper investor platform, rather than the plethora of cowboy / Mickey Mouse ones around these days. An appearance on Radio 4 this morning was not shabby either.
Equipmake (AQSE:EQIP), a market leader in engineering-driven differentiated electrification technologies, products and solutions across the automotive, truck, bus and speciality vehicle industries, announced its unaudited results for the six-month period ended 30 November 2024. Operating losses before exceptionals of £3.95m, (H1 24: loss of £2.97m), in line with expectations.
Comment: It is a shame that a company which is in such an exciting and new economy space should have hit the buffers. If nothing else, it underlines the volatility of the sector it operates in, and the costs.
Thor Explorations (THX), a West African-focussed minerals exploration and mining Company, that is currently producing gold from its wholly owned Segilola Gold Mine in Nigeria and is advancing the Douta Gold Project in Senegal towards development. THX said it pleased to start the year with additional encouraging drill results of the on-going diamond drilling programme which is targeting projections of the Segilola ore body outside the current open pit design. In particular, the significant intersection of 1.8m grading 39.7g/tAu is encouraging as it potentially suggests the formation of a high-grade shoot in the northern parts of the deposit. This intersection is supported by the previously reported intersection of 1.3m grading 3.35g/tAu located 40m to the south in hole SNMDD019.
Comment: After the odd bump in the road last year, 2025 should be the year when THX proves itself both in ongoing production, as well as fresh discovery in the way that has been announced today.
Pulsar Helium (PLSR), helium project development company, is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of the brokered private placement previously announced on December 30th, 2024 through the issuance of 5,263,160 common shares (at a purchase price of US$0.38 per Common Share (equivalent to approximately C$0.55/ GBP£0.30) for gross proceeds of US$2.0 million.
Comment: It was smart of PLSR to deliver a fundraise ahead of what should be the next momentous and imminent drilling / discovery news. This allows those who are new to the party to get a potentially material near term win.
Jangada Mines (JAN), a natural resources development company with interests in Brazil and elsewhere, is pleased to note the announcement released by Blencowe Resources (BRES) in which it holds a c. 7% interest. JAN said the commencement of this drilling programme marks a pivotal step forward in realising the full potential of the world-class Orom-Cross Graphite Project. We anticipate that Blencowe’s comprehensive programme, which includes infill drilling, new resource identification, and geotechnical studies, will support expanded operations at Orom-Cross, further de-risking it while driving significant value for shareholders.
Comment: It is perhaps not surprising that so far a listed entity appreciates the progress by BRES, and the prospects for its investment in the company, than retail investors currently do. One would imagine the market’s appreciation though, will catch up pretty quickly as 2025 progresses.
Anpario (ANP), the independent manufacturer of natural sustainable animal feed additives, updated for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Group, including three months of trading for Bio-Vet Inc., delivered a stronger than expected operating performance in the second half of 2024. Year-end sales were higher than anticipated, and the Group now expects revenue for the 12 months ended 31 December 2024 to be approximately £37.5m* (31 December 2023: £31.0m). This strong performance in revenue combined with the Group’s high operational gearing and favourable year-end foreign exchange movements, will result in adjusted EBITDA being ahead of current market expectations.
Comment: A good old fashioned strong RNS from ANP, something which should be more than enough to extend last year’s 52% share price gain, and potentially take the stock up to a 470p chart target early in Q1 2025.
Tower Resources (TRP), the AIM-listed oil and gas company focused on Africa, is announced that it has executed two farm-out agreements and associated documentation with Prime Global Energies Limited for minority, non-operated interests in its Thali license, offshore Cameroon, and PEL96 offshore Namibia. TRP said it was delighted to announce the execution of these transformational farm-out agreements for our Cameroon and Namibia licenses. In Prime, it has secured a partner with substantial technical and financial resources and a track record of operational success, and it was very pleased to be working closely with them on these two highly valuable projects.
Comment: Shares of TRP have been rising strongly, and covered on Zakstraderscafe.com several times from the 0.025p zone in early December, as a technical buy within a broadening triangle and an implied 0.047p target. This has been blown out of the water today, something which suggests not only that the charting worked, but that everyone and their mother was expecting today’s news.
Poolbeg (POLB) said the following amendment has been made regarding Gilead Sciences Inc.’s participation in the proposed concurrent Fundraise. Gilead has indicated its intention to vote consistent with the HOOKIPA Board’s recommendation if a formal offer were to be made and to participate in the proposed concurrent Fundraise in an amount up to $8.7495 million, consistent with its current contractual obligations.
Comment: It could be argued that the share price of POLB went the wrong way in a big way following the announcement of what should have been regarded as a stellar deal with HOOKIPA. It seems that the market is starting to warm to the proposed combo.
Vast Resources (VAST), the AIM-listed mining company, announce that, whilst continuing to finalise its various funding options as previously announced, the Company has accepted an interest free, unsecured loan of €500,000 from its Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Prelea, repayable when the Company finalises funding and can afford to do so. The loan will be applied towards the Company’s general working capital requirements.
Comment: Although it may be said that occasionally in the past the management of VAST has been on the receiving end of some stick, the CEO leading from the front and putting his hand in his pocket to the tune of half a bar is something that even the most cynical bear cannot fault.
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.
