As we celebrate the 200th Weekly Newsletter sent on Share Talk, we take a look at some of the major movements in the small caps world over the last week.
After supply deals with IAG (NYSE: LUV), the owner of British Airways and Southwest Airlines, shares in Velocys PLC rose to the tops this week.
The first covers IAG’s purchase of 73 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), by its constituent airlines. This includes Aer Lingus, Iberia and Iberia. The deal covers one-third of the annual production of the company’s Bayou Fuels plant, while the remainder will be taken by Southwest Airlines. Velocys shares more than doubled to 14.64p
Powerhouse Energy Group PLC, AIM: PHE), jumped 44% to 6.05p following the signing of a framework agreement by Hydrogen Utopia International PLC, (HUI), with Linde Engineering. Linde Engineering is a German company that has been optimizing gas processing, separation, and liquefaction technology for over 140 years.
The deal gives Linde the exclusive right of supply to HUI for HUI’s development and promotion of Powerhouse DMG technology, especially in Poland, Hungary, and Greece.
Sabien Technology Group PLC, (AIM: SNT), a company that focuses on building a portfolio in the heating and cooling sectors, saw its stock rise 27% to 30.5p following its signing heads of terms with Proton Technologies Canada regarding a hydrogen processing license within UK territories.
Although it’s been a difficult year for energy suppliers, with many smaller players going to the wall, it was not so bad for those who survived. Yu Group PLC (AIM : YU.) The independent supplier of water, gas and electricity to the UK corporate sector, jumped 24% to 260p after being appointed by industry watchdog Ofgem to be a supplier last resort for Ampoweruk. It also agreed to take over Ampoweruk’s electricity customer book starting this week.
ProPhotonix is a manufacturer and designer of LED illumination systems as well as laser diode modules.
Each ProPhotonix share is valued at 8.7p. The acquisition was made in US dollars. This week’s 38% increase in share price to 7.75p is a welcome surprise considering that it has been less than four years since shares traded as high as 19.5p.
Another week of strong demand for shares of Bens Creek Group PLC, (AIM: BEN) which is the owner of a West Virginia metallurgical coal mine, continues.
In mid-October, the company was incorporated and the shares doubled in value by November 1. The company used the strength in share prices to pay off a corporate advisor in shares, rather than cash, this week. Although it was only 200,000 shares of the 350mln in issue, it would be enough to impact the share price. However, the shares rose 39% to 27.6p versus a flotation price at 27.6p.
Director buying shares is almost certain to boost a company’s share prices. This was the case with Mycelx Technologies Group PLC, which rose 30% this week to 75p after Thomas Lamb (the company chairman) bought 25,000 shares for 72p each. This was Lamb’s first purchase in Mycelx shares. It gives him a 0.13% share of the company.
Directa Plus PLC, AIM: DCTA) (OTC: DTPKF) a producer and supplier of graphene-based products for industrial and consumer markets, was given a special mention in the “Rising Stars” category of the Italian Chamber of Commerce’s Company Excellence Awards. This was a self-fulfilling accolade as shares rose 26% to 169.5p
Eckoh PLC, AIM: ECK) (OTC: EKTPF) was 23% more than last week after landing a contract for at least US$1.5mln (PS1.1mln), with a global food- and beverage company. Eckoh will offer secure payments services via its Cloud platforms to the new client’s global call centre operations.
Bowleven PLC’s full-year results were about as bad as Oliver Cromwell getting an invite to his Christmas party. Africa focused oil and natural gas exploration group posted a loss of US$2mln. Close to a third of the shares lost value.
Volex, a provider of power products, had a great year, but it was unable to deliver a new surge in its half-year report. This week, Volex made a profit.
The underlying profit before taxes rose 22% to US$25.4mln. The interim dividend was increased to 1.2p from 1.1p. However, the market was hoping for guidance on full-year profits. It was however left unchanged. The shares fell by 14% to 405.25p
