Chris Heminway, Exec-Chair at Time To ACT, explains why now is the right time for the Group to IPO. Watch the video here.
Y� Water is the latest addition to the Y� Group portfolio. The Nottingham-based business recently received its water supply licence (WSL) from Ofwat. The company is too new to have gained any customers yet. It is planning to commence supply to selected business customers in spring 2018, ahead of a wider launch later in the year. From: https://utilityweek.co.uk/new-contenders-six-water-retailers-probably-havent-heard/ I don't expect bad news. Expectations for 2017 revenue are for 40 million. Water this year should give further room for expansion on top of growing electricity business. Price has edged steadily upwards which does not indicate a general expectation of bad news and company claims it will beat expectations in 2017 and 2018. Each person to choose for themself, though, of course!
http://www.nottinghampost.com/news/business/growing-nottingham-energy-firm-enters-1031422 and (on a different topic) Yu Group creating 30 new jobs (and additional office) http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/business/energy-firm-creating-30-new-1065808
Well, I bought in today but it looks as if no-one's really on this board any more. I expect the results at end of Jan to be really good. My main worry is with the water license - can't decide if this will boost the business or if they'll need cash first to get it up and running. Hopefully the next RNS will explain a bit more about this new side to the business. However, it's a good move for the company either way, I reckon. I also think the company's stellar progress hasn't been fully acknowledged by the markets yet. The few shares issued also makes this a bit volatile!
Yes, great RNS with existing plants doing better and better. On track and on budget and hinting at higher income than last time with the higher iodine price. I don't want to tempt fate, but it seems the bad news days are finally disappearing!
Not earth-shattering but very upbeat - good iodine production this quarter and if they repeat that this quarter, they'll beat their targets for H2. IO7 progressing as expected and it appears that iodine prices are still edging upwards. On top of that, we now have improved margins in the chemical business too. The CEO describes it as a landmark quarter. It appears that the market may also believe this to be the case! I hope I haven't spoken too soon! Anyway, nice to see a recovery in the SP, too, even if it's only for a while!
But we've been short on good news for so long, it's nice to repeat the good news when it is there (from 27 Sept).... Global iodine contract prices moved up this week catching up with the spot market, while producers remain bullish on price and sentiment. The global iodine market has continued to rise over the past week on lower producer inventories as consumers stock up on material ahead of further price increases. Consumers told IM they have been shopping for material in the spot market over the past week to avoid anticipated higher prices From: http://www.indmin.com/Article/3753488/Global-iodine-market-strengthens-as-consumers-stock-up.html
Was I the only one cheering yesterday?! The name of the game is now to reduce costs by building more plants. They need to draw down some of the debt facility (but that's what it was there for, not just to keep them afloat!) to fund it, but will gain 40% in production by so doing, plus they'll be re-using as much of IO.3 as they can in the process thereby bringing down build costs, I assume. Higher ppm and more water at the new site which is what yields the better production. If iodine prices go up, all the better, but even if they don't, our costs will end up going down, so it's a win whatever happens. Just need to carry on waiting now until early next year. Roll on 2018 - should be an interesting year (even if I'm a bit fed up of saying that each year).
I think the key message is that IOF is now changing it's focus from cost saving to expansion (which will also reduce production price per kg iodine). The waiting is over, it's now all systems go. Well, IO3 is being moved at any rate! Actually, I think their RNSs are a lot clearer and better structured these days. They are justifiably proud of what they've achieved given the environment (declining iodine prices, earthquake problems, brine supply problems) and I'm glad they took the time to explain everything clearly in the RNS and put it all into the correct perspective. Curious to know whether they think moving IO.3 is expansion or whether there's another plant also in the pipeline. They expect a good year this year and an even better one next year - that should be a no-brainer statement if they expand.successfully.
Good post, Snowman1. I would have liked them to have said a bit more about expansion plans generally, but I guess really this is just an update on IO.3 and not an official production update, which I guess we should get maybe next week? I'm not sure if they'll want to do just one at a time, but we've yet to re-place or replace IO.1 (as far as I can recall) even without expansion as such, so I really think they could forge forward a little more aggressively without being OTT.
Good post, Snowman1. I would have liked them to have said a bit more about expansion plans generally, but I guess really this is just an update on IO.3 and not an official production update, which I guess we should get maybe next week? I'm not sure if they'll want to do just one at a time, but we've yet to re-place or replace IO.1 (as far as I can recall) even without expansion as such, so I really think they could forge forward a little more aggressively without being OTT.
Small world - I'm impressed that you recognised him. At least he was on EasyJet!! I should look him up again - might have seen him wandering round Zurich as one of those people I think I know from somewhere. Oh well, if Sychona is successful, we can make out we just got the names confused when we invested and that actually we did know what we were doing, it was just a little typo that got in the way... it was quite ironic that most of us who invested there didn't actually like mobile phones very much!
Iofina chemical doing well - sales of iodine-based increased over last year, non-iodine products exceeded expectations. Iodine production slowed due to fraccing and water issues and will not meet this year's target. Expected to recover very soon. At least production has slowed down while iodine prices are low! It would be more annoying if this happened just as iodine prices decided to shoot up. Doesn't seem to be a big deal.
Solid RNS today - good production for Q2 despite unexpected difficulties (weather, brine diversion). Same guidance for H2 as for H!. IO4 almost adapted to receive more brine and then "completion of a project" at IO.2 to follow shortly after that. This makes it sound as if the IO.2 adaption is different from the IO.4 adaption? The scenario modeling for the other plants makes it sound as if some might be moved rather than just having the brine increased? Or maybe it's just whether they use the model used for IO.4 or the model used for IO.2 if they are different methods used? Iofina Chemical continues its stellar performance with revenues up again. Having said that, this could be due to the large contract I think they recently had (renewed). Still focusing on cost reductions. They will be super efficient by the time the price of iodine turns, so maybe all this pain will be a good thing in the end.... Anyway, can't complain. Iofina is on solid ground just now (let's hope I don't live to regret saying that!).
I had 6 characters left and it still cut me off!!! I wanted to say something like iofina have always had successful negotiations and current improved SP should assist "The Group will continue to optimise, control costs and move forward our vision of growth." So, in 2016, do intend to move forward with growth... (I think this means more than just connecting to pipelines, although IO.1 and mobiles seems to be being explored only at this point so maybe not....)
Only now had time to read through the RNS properly. Here are some random reactions, FWIW: "Overall the Board is pleased with the progress made during 2015 and is looking forward in 2016 and beyond to maximise production at current IOsorb® plants, continue conservative controlled long-term expansion, and is planning for a more robust expansion once iodine prices return to previous historic levels." I read this as meaning there will be some expansion in 2016 and then faster expansion (next year?) once iodine prices have risen. The ii interview also seemed to suggest that there would be expansion this year with the stabilisation of iodine prices, if I recall correctly. "Furthermore, the Group is in active discussions with potential partners .... The Group continues to have discussions with these operators as potential partnerships for the drilling and operating of SWDs. " This is good, but I guess any outcomes will have to wait for an increase in iodine price to justify expansion "Simply put the water has to go somewhere." Simply put - whatever happens, the brine will still be there to be processed? "Future iodine production expansion using the Company's IO#1 equipment, mobile IOsorb® technology or other means is being explored." It seems that currently expansion is favoured via re-using existing equipment and using mobile technology (in the ii video TB explained that this would be near current plants for economy of scale).Still being explored so won't happen in the near future, IMO. I'm quite surprised that they mentioned Atlantis as this has gone off the radar a bit, although the message is basically that it's another trick up their sleeve but for now they have better cards to play with anyway. Water "The ruling, while not certain, is expected in late Q2 2016." - might be in June or maybe even later "IC is well positioned for 2016 and anticipates record iodine consumption and raw iodine sales in 2016." IC, Tom's baby, continues to be a stonking success - hopefully record sales will mean record profit or at least maintain levels due to lower pricing "Recent R&D has focused on a series of iodine based products that have a synthesis route related to one another thus providing a pathway for numerous new products for the Group." We don't really focus much on IC, but the above is exciting and IC has been a brilliant asset for Iofina (much to TB's credit) "As we look into 2016 and beyond, an immediate task for the Group is to ensure brine supply to our IOsorb® plants" So, near-term, we can expect news on successfully tapping into pipeline for all plants? On Debt: "The Board is actively working towards solutions and is encouraged by the progress it is making and confident it can negotiate a positive outcome." News soon, maybe - iofina have always had successful negotiations and current improved SP should a
The SP has had a good run and I've been waiting for it to take a step back and have a breather. It had a valiant try at 20p, but it needs a rest now, probably. I'd be happy with an 18p support but I don't expect it to go back down to single figures, personally (having said that, I never expected it to go there in the first place!). EOY results soon, so we may hear more about their plans to increase brine and production. May also hear about loan extensions, and the water at some point. News season now (which can work both ways)!
Strange to think that the current SP is still 10% below what it was right at the beginning of this year, yet it's been so depressing for months on end that it feels like a lifetime ago that it was last 15p (and originally I would never have believed it would have gone that low!!). I feel a sense of relief to see the SP rise - even if it drops back now, at least we know that the SP can actually go up as well as down. I was beginning to wonder! I did buy - against my better judgement - quite a few at 6.25 and I sold half today at 13p to get a free carry on the other half - don't really want to be more top heavy than I already am which is why I sold to get my money back. I still have a load more here than I really should have invested, but still believe the original promise will return to be a reality at some point (but not tomorrow, obviously!).