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(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Tuesday and not separately reported by Alliance News:
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AVI Japan Opportunity Trust PLC - invests in portfolio of 20 to 30 Japanese stocks - Will provide exit opportunities to shareholders in two years. AJOT had indicated back in 2018 that a full or partial exit opportunity would be presented to shareholders in October 2022, and every two years thereafter. The firm says its shareholders have expressed support for the company " forgoing the administrative burden and expense of an exit opportunity at this time". AJOT's share price continues to trade at, or close to, net asset value, it notes.
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EPE Special Opportunities Ltd - private equity investor - NAV per share falls to 259.74 pence at the end of July, a 43% decrease from 455.66p at the end of January, due to a "challenging" first financial half, with "macro-economic headwinds felt across the portfolio". Cites headwinds from inflation, lower consumer demand and geopolitical risk. Notes it has "ample" liquidity to support investment pipeline and existing portfolio. Will maintain a "prudent" approach in light of these challenges, which it expects to continue over the medium term.
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Benchmark Holdings PLC - Sheffield, England-based aquaculture genetics, health and nutrition company - Says it may issue up to NOK925 million, around GBP800,000, in new five-year floating rate green bonds, and launch a connected conditional buyback of outstanding senior secured bonds with the "BHMH01", which mature in June 2023. This will be contingent upon subscription in the new bond issue, it says. Should the potential new bond issue complete, it will call the remaining BHMH01 in whole.
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Aura Energy Ltd - Australia-based minerals company with polymetallic and uranium projects in Europe and Africa - Submits draft key management plans in relation to its 85% owned Tiris uranium project in Mauritania, to the National Authority for Radioprotection, Safety & Nuclear Security. "These plans form the core information assessed as part of the ARSN's authorisation for uranium production at Tiris and for the export of uranium oxide concentrate from Mauritania," it explains. Says the development is a "key step" in accelerating the start of uranium production at Tiris.
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Highcroft Investments PLC - real estate investment trust - In the first half of 2022, says net rental income fell 7% to GBP2.5 million from GBP2.7 million, as pretax profit remains flat year-on-year at GBP6.5 million. Interim dividends increase slightly to 23p from 22p a year prior. NAV per share rises 7.0% year-on-year to 1,364p at the end of June, led by a 5.6% rise in portfolio valuation. "While the first half has been very strong leading to our highest ever net assets per share the second half has already started showing increasing signs that the impact of rising interest rates, soaring inflation and increasing negativity surrounding the economic outlook are starting to push out valuation yields which could negatively impact valuations," the firm warns.
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SulNOx Group PLC - London-based supplier of fuel conditioners - Signs memorandum of understanding with Rominserv, which is part of the Romanian oil firm Rompetrol Group. The MoU covers use of SulNOx products in the Rominserv's refinery processes, including Heavy Fuel Oil in burners, tank cleaning and waste oil processing in refineries, and developing "green" Marine Gas Oil product line. The MoU is the first large agreement with a major petroleum company, SulNOx says.
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Wishbone Gold PLC - Gibraltar-based precious metals trading and exploration company with assets in Australia - Plans to raise GBP2.4 million in issue of 22.9 million shares at 10.35p. Will put progeeds towards working capital for its expanded exploration programme. "We are gaining a much greater understanding of the mineralised formations at Red Setter with each hole we drill there. Drawing on knowledge from other proximate drilling campaigns in the Patterson Ranges, we are now expanding our exploration efforts in the coming weeks and this funding is to cover this," says Chair Richard Poulden.
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McBride PLC - Manchester-based manufacturing company - Says non-executive director Elizabeth McMeikan will become senior independent director from the annual general meeting, which is now scheduled for November 16, moved from October 18 previously.
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Riverstone Energy Ltd - Guernsey-based energy and power-focused private investment firm - Commits USD10 million to portfolio company Tritium DCFC Ltd to extend Tritium's USD90 million senior debt facility from Cigna & Barings by USD60 million to USD150 million. Tritium manufactures direct current fast charging technology for electric vehicles. Also commits USD75 million equity facility with B Riley Principal Corp.
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By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com
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