TRADING UPDATES: DX Group And BATM Expect To Beat Market Forecasts

Mon, 01st Feb 2021 11:16

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

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DX Group PLC - Slough-headquartered courier - Says trading over 27 weeks to January 2 was tracking "materially ahead" of last year up until Christmas. Since then momentum has remained "encouraging" though B2B volumes have been "modestly impacted" by England's national lockdown. "Nonetheless, the board now anticipates that DX will materially exceed current market expectations for adjusted profit before tax for the financial year," says DX Group.

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BATM Advanced Communications - provides technologies for networking solutions and medical laboratory systems - Expects revenue for 2020 to be at least USD180 million, being significantly ahead of upgraded market expectations and representing annual growth of over 45%. Consequently, Ebitda is expected to be "substantially" ahead of market expectations. "The substantial growth over the previous year was driven by the Bio-Medical division. In particular, the Diagnostics unit rapidly developed testing kits in response to the outbreak of Covid-19 and received strong demand throughout the year for its reagents and instruments," BATM notes.

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Staffline Group PLC - Nottingham-based recruitment and training firm - Says company made "significant progress" in 2020, and expects to report underlying operating profit marginally ahead of expectations. Despite the national lockdown in November and restrictions in December, the group still experienced a strong Christmas trading peak, with significant demand from food retail customers. While outlook in the near-term is "not without its challenges", Staffline says it is "cautiously optimistic".

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Gusbourne PLC - Kent, England-based, sparkling wine producer - Says net revenue for 2020 expected to be up 29% to GBP2.1 million from GBP1.7 million in 2019, reflecting previously reported 24% like for like growth in the first half and expected growth of 33% in the second half. "We are delighted to have achieved another year of strong overall sales growth with particularly pleasing performance in the DTC and overseas sales channels," says Chief Executive & Chief Winemaker Charlie Holland.

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IDE Group Holdings PLC - Croydon-based cloud and IT managed services provider - Expects to report revenue of GBP23.6 million for 2020, down from GBP28.2 million in 2019, and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of GBP500,000 versus GBP1.1 million the year before. "During the year ended 31 December 2020 the group underwent a programme of cost rationalisation which included further redundancies to reflect the decrease in certain service lines as a result of the Covud-19 pandemic, as well as the ongoing data centre consolidation exercise, the benefits of which are expected to fall in the current year," IDE adds.

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Venture Life Group PLC - Bracknell, Berkshire-based consumer health products - Expects to report 2020 revenue of GBP30.1 million, up 49% on 2019, and adjusted Ebitda "not less" than GBP6 million, which would be more than double 2019's adjusted Ebitda. "Despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, revenues across the business grew significantly in 2020, notably in sales of the VLG Brands, which now represent 50% of revenues, compared to 33% in 2019," Venture Life says.

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Netcall PLC - Hemel Hempstead-based customer engagement software firm - Says the company traded comfortably in line with management expectations during first half of financial year, anticipating year-on-year revenue growth of 9% to GBP13.4 million for six months to December 31. Adjusted Ebitda to grow 38% to GBP2.9 million. "Netcall enjoyed another strong trading performance in the first half of the year, with good demand for both our Intelligent Automation and Customer Engagement offerings across our main markets of financial services, healthcare and public sector," says Chief Executive Henrik Bang.

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United Oil & Gas PLC - oil and gas explorer - Says group working interest production 2,195 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2020, with total revenue around USD9.0 million to USD9.2 million. Says working interest production in Egypt is forecast to average between 2,300 and 2,500 barrels per day for the first half of 2021. "2020 was a successful year for United, delivering an excellent operational and financial performance, despite a challenging commodity price environment and the global pandemic," says Chief Executive Brian Larkin.

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Seeing Machines Ltd - computer vision technology company headquartered in London - Expects to report revenue of AUD18.1 million for the six months to December 31, up 15% year-on-year. Total connected Guardian units at the end of December was 26,597, securing forward annualised recurring revenue including royalties of AUD15.5 million. Company says it continues to trade in line with expectations for the full-year.

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Jadestone Energy Inc - Asia Pacific-focused oil and gas company - Says it achieved its revised 2020 production guidance target, with full-year output averaging 11,438 barrels per day. The company realised an average oil price of USD44.75 per barrel in 2020, excluding hedging, and generated net revenue of USD217.9 million. Says it has entered into an agreement to hedge around 30% of its production in the first quarter of 2021.

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Oilex Ltd - oil & gas explorer focused on "super basins" in India, Australia and UK - Says plans at Cambay Field, India, to drill two vertical wells are well advanced and sale process being conducted by GSPC for its 55% interest in the Cambay PSC remains ongoing, however, subject to "significant delay" due to the Covid-19. Says gas production from the Cambay Field is currently shut-in and company hopes to reinstate production in the near future.

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Totally PLC - healthcare services provider - Says wholly-owned subsidiary Vocare Ltd has been awarded two additional 12-month contract extensions worth a total of around GBP16.8 million. Vocare will continue to provide Integrated Urgent Care services for the Staffordshire & Stoke Clinical Commissioning Groups and one of Vocare's contracts for the provision of GP Out of Hours services in Yorkshire has also been extended.

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Aura Energy - Australia-based minerals company - Says during quarter ended December, business activities were largely on hold pending discussions to settle ongoing legal disputes and a recapitalisation plan for the company. "With the assistance of a major shareholder, Aura Energy commenced settlement negotiations on the outstanding legal disputes with the shareholder activists and this has been largely successful," says Aura. Company adds that Covid-19 continues to restrict access to its projects.

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By Lucy Heming;Â lucyheming@alliancenews.com