EARNINGS: Metals Exploration gold-boosted interim profit skyrockets

(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of earnings of London-listed companies, issued on Wednesday and not separately reported by Alliance News:

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Aquila Energy Efficiency Trust PLC - London-based closed-ended investment company, focusing on small-to-medium-sized energy efficiency projects - Net asset value per share as at June 30 declines to 93.54 pence from 95.23p at December 31. NAV total return is negative 0.5%, swung from positive 0.5% a year prior. Looking ahead, Chair Miriam Greenwood says: "We are now exploring a portfolio sale process which inevitably will take some time given the complexity of the asset portfolio and the board's intention to carefully consider the potential options for realising value for shareholders. As such, it is not possible, at this early stage, to provide further clarity on the timescale for realisation."

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Boston International Holdings PLC - London-based special purpose acquisition company - Pretax loss in the first half of 2023 narrows 27% to GBP196,000 from GBP269,000 a year prior. Generates no revenue in either half-year. Continues to aim to buy an operating business.

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Life Settlement Assets PLC - London-based closed-ended investment company which manages portfolios of whole and fractional interests in life settlement policies issued by life insurance companies operating predominantly in the US - Net asset value per share as at June 30 falls 1.9% to USD2.16 from USD2.21 at December 31. Pretax profit in the six months to June 30 jumps to USD863,000 from USD101,000. Estimates actual to expected ratio of HIV segment at 80% and non-HIV segment at 147%. Actual to expected ratio is linked to the company's total maturities key performance indicators, a key method by which it monitors the level of maturities, with a percentage of 100% matching the actuarial model, over 100% meaning maturities are higher than anticipated, and under 100% meaning maturities are lower than anticipated. Looking ahead, Chair Michael Baines says the company remains focussed on assessing mortality risk in its portfolio. "Controlling costs against the background of the inflationary environment remains a core priority for the board," he says.

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Metals Exploration PLC - Philippines-focused gold producer - Pretax profit in the first half of 2023 ascends to USD37.0 million from USD857,321 a year prior, and is far higher than USD8.7 million recorded for all of 2022. Revenue jumps 55% to USD89.6 million from USD57.6 million a year prior. Cost of sales increase 26% to USD53.7 million from USD42.5 million. Administrative costs decrease 17% to USD4.8 million from USD5.7 million. Sells 46,186 ounces of gold in the six months to June 30, up 51% from 30,676 ounces a year prior. Average gold price of sales increases 3.2% to USD1,939 per ounce from USD1,878. Gold grade of mined ores are 1.59 grams of gold per tonne, improved from 1.10 grams of gold per tonne a year before. Expects to produce between 78,000 and 81,000 ounces of gold in 2023, up at least 7.5% from 72,537 ounces in 2022.

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Panther Securities PLC - London-based property investor - Pretax profit in the first half of 2023 falls 34% to GBP8.8 million from GBP13.3 million a year prior. Revenue grows to GBP6.7 million from GBP6.4 million. Finance costs regarding interests however increase to GBP2.6 million from GBP1.4 million. Maintains interim dividend at 6 pence per share and aims to maintain full year dividend of 12p. Looking ahead, Chair Andrew Perloff says: "We are in a strong position to take advantage

of any exciting opportunities that become available which the current economic headwinds might bring to the market."

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Skillcast Group PLC - London-based e-learning software and content company - Pretax loss in the first half of 2023 widens to GBP771,836 from GBP285,188 a year prior. Revenue climbs to GBP5.2 million from GBP4.5 million. Cost of sales however increase to GBP1.7 million from GBP1.4 million, and administrative costs increase to GBP4.3 million from GBP3.4 million. Maintains interim dividend at 0.168 pence per share. Looking ahead, Chief Executive Officer Vivek Dodd says: "Trading in the second half of the year has started well, and the sales pipeline remains strong."

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Surface Transforms PLC - Liverpool-based maker of carbon‐ceramic material automotive brake discs - Pretax loss in the six months to June 30 widens to GBP5.5 million from GBP2.5 million a year prior. Revenue climbs to GBP3.3 million from GBP2.9 million. Total administrative expenses however increase to GBP6.6 million from GBP4.2 million. Company notes that the first half of 2023 was "operationally challenging". Looking ahead, says it has continued to invest to reach a GBP50 million sales capacity in 2024 and GBP75 million in 2025.

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By Tom Budszus, Alliance News reporter

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