TRADING UPDATES: Avation sells Airbus jet; Mode Global's bitcoin deal

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

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Avation PLC - Singapore-based aircraft leasing company - Completes sale of a 20-year-old Airbus A321-200 aircraft for an undisclosed sum. Executive Chair Jeff Chatfield says: "Avation has a policy of focusing on new design, young and fuel-efficient aircraft. This A321 was Avation's oldest aircraft at about 20 years old, and thus was an ideal candidate for disposal".

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Mode Global Holdings PLC - London-based payment services app - Teams with payroll provider PayEscape. Partnership will launch a pilot of the UK's first bitcoin payroll product. "Bitcoin payroll is a monthly deduction of net pay that is converted into bitcoin and deposited directly into a user's Mode bitcoin wallet," Mode Global says.

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Best of the Best PLC - online competitions provider - Says trading for six months to October 31 in line with guidance given in August. Company says: "Customer acquisition costs have stabilised, albeit at the higher levels previously reported. Engagement from the enlarged player base has also normalised, with average order values and frequency similar to pre-pandemic levels. Trading for the period has, therefore, been consistent with management's revised expectations." In August, Best of the Best warned full-year sales and profit are set to plunge as marketing costs rise and customer demand falls with the easing of lockdown restrictions.

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Restore PLC - Redhill, England-based document management and IT recycling business - Says performance in 10 months to October 31 "in line with the board's expectations". Revenue run rate at GBP255 million, topping pre-virus levels by 19%. Annual Ebitda tracking at GBP74 million. "I am delighted with the organic momentum the business is achieving and the major contribution we are seeing from the successful acquisitions we have completed over the past 10 months," Chief Executive Charles Bligh says. Separately, company says it is committed to going net zero by no later than 2035.

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Ocean Wilsons Holdings Ltd - Bermudian investment company with subsidiary providing maritime services in Brazil - Says third quarter revenue at Wilson Sons' unit improves 18% year-on-year to USD104.0 million from USD88.1 million. Puts this down to "strong towage volumes and growth in logistics and container terminals over the previous year". Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation 18% higher year-on-year at USD44.9 million from USD38.1 million.

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SEC Newgate Spa - Milan-based communications, advocacy and research firm - Says results for nine months to September 30 "ahead of management expectations and substantially above the comparable period for the prior year". Says all major businesses had a strong showing.

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Regional REIT Ltd - London-based real estate investment trust - Rent roll at end of third quarter expands to GBP75.7 million from GBP61.1 million in June. EPRA occupancy down to 83% from 86% a year earlier. "As expected, EPRA occupancy was impacted by the GBP236.0 million portfolio acquisition made in Q321," company says. Will pay 1.60 pence per share third quarter dividend. Targets 6.5p payout for year, up from 6.4p.

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Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC - London-based private and commercial lender - Disposes of remaining 399,538 shares in Secure Trust Bank PLC, raising GBP4.8 million.

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Helios Underwriting PLC - London-based investment vehicle, which acquires and consolidates underwriting capacity at Lloyd's - Acquires further limited liability vehicles. Says Queensberry Underwriting Ltd acquired for GBP795,000. Has syndicate capacity of GBP2.2 million.

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Gulf Marine Services PLC - Abu Dhabi-based provider of support vessels for offshore oil, gas and renewables industries - Announces two contract extension for a K and S Class vessel. "The extension period on both vessels will commence 1 January 2022, in direct continuance and run for 12 months on the K Class and 24 months for the S Class vessel," Gulf Marine says.

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Bezant Resources PLC- copper-gold exploration and development company - Signs joint-venture deal with London-based exploration & resource development company Caerus Mineral Resources PLC. Joint venture covers the Troulli, Kokkinapetra and Anglisides licences held by Caerus in Cyprus. Duo commit initial sum of USD1.0 million towards resource development and taking projects to feasibility status. Caerus manages exploration and resource development phase, while Bezant charged with feasibility studies, mine development and arranging funding. Caerus says: "Once in production, Caerus will, as a priority, be refunded for all direct exploration expenditure committed to getting the projects to the feasibility stage and will receive 20% free-carried interest over the life of mine."

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Mkango Resources Ltd - Vancouver-based explorer for rare earth elements - Renews uranium licences in Malawi for five years until October. "With the recent significant increase in international uranium prices, Mkango is currently reviewing strategic exploration and development options, including opportunities for joint ventures and other potential avenues to create further project value," company says.

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Oriole Resources PLC - exploration company operating in west Africa - Updates on 25%-owned investee Thani Stratex Resources Ltd. Thani holds 93% interest in Hodine exploration licence in Egypt. After signing binding heads of terms with Red Sea Resources Ltd in March, a licence has been successfully renewed. "Drilling has now commenced on the licence as part of RSR's first option to spend USD1.2 million on exploration within 12 months in return for a 51% interest in Hodine," Oriole says.

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Caledonia Mining Corp PLC - gold miner in Zimbabwe - Says revenue in third quarter up 32% annually to USD33.5 million from USD25.4 million. Gross profit improves 26% to USD12.5 million. Adds 18,965 ounces produced during quarter, up from 15,155 ounces a year earlier.

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Synairgen PLC - Southampton, England-based drug discovery and biotechnology company - Completes recruitment for Sprinter phase 3 study investigating SNG001 in hospitalised Covid-19 patients.

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PureTech Health PLC - Massachusetts, US-based biotechnology company - Says US Food & Drug Administration grants orphan drug designation to PureTech's LYT-200 therapeutic candidate, for treatment of pancreatic cancer. Orphan drug designation is given to treatments which affect fewer than 200,000 US patients.

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By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

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