Member Info for rivaldo

Nice - another £100m of contracts in the bag for RNWH's QTS subsidiary:

Https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/rail-projects-contracts/51245/

"Network Rail has announced that BAM Nuttall and QTS Group have won framework contracts to deliver a range of rail projects across Scotland and North East England over the next five years

BAM Nuttall has been awarded a renewals and enhancements framework covering Scotland and North East England valued at £320m.

The rail projects framework will see BAM Nuttall, currently the main contractor delivering the Aberdeen-Inverness Improvement Project, complete a wide range of schemes including replacing and refurbishing structures and delivering improvements at stations across the Scotland route.

QTS has been awarded a geotech framework contract valued at £100m.

The contracts have been awarded as Network Rail Scotland prepares to invest over £4bn in the country’s infrastructure during the next railway control period (CP6) between 2019 and 2024.....

....Alan McLeish, QTS managing director, added: “We are exceptionally proud of the collaborative work QTS has carried out during the last control period, with some outstanding geotechnical projects delivered across Scotland. It is a testament to the hard work of our team during the CP5 contract, and the strong relationship that we have built with Network Rail, that has allowed us to be successful in this CP6 tender process.

“Our expertise and commitment to finding further efficiencies for Network Rail by using innovative plant and methods, stands us in excellent stead to continue providing a high standard of work over the next five years.”

today. Which bodes well.

News - another "major M&E contract" win:

Https://www.tclarke.co.uk/south-west-wins-st-sidwells-point-a-uk-first-for-ultra-high-environmental-standard-on-large-scale/

"South West wins St Sidwell’s Point: A UK first for ultra-high environmental standard on large scale

The St Sidwell’s Point PassivHaus Leisure Centre in Exeter is the first of its kind in the UK. TClarke has won a major M&E contract to deliver the project with Kier as principal contractor. Rob Faro, TClarke MD for the South West, introduces the win:

The PassivHaus concept is a holistic approach, aiming for high efficiency with regard to all aspects and facilities hosted by a building; it prioritises high thermal comfort and energy efficiency. Each swimming pool or leisure centre project will vary significantly in terms of its energy consumption, largely due to different usage patterns and available facilities. Due to the complexity of the topic, standardised certification criteria for PassivHaus leisure centres are not yet available; accreditation is instead awarded based on compliance with energy demand requirements and specific efficiency measures that are pre-defined for the individual project.

This is the first time PassivHaus standards have been attempted on this scale in the UK and for TClarke, this is a full MEP installation. The challenge of achieving PassivHaus standards in a building which has three swimming pools, a gym, spin and dance studios is considerable and requires a multizone PHPP model, taking into account cool and dry areas and warm and humid areas. The ventilation, heating and cooling systems need to be precisely controlled and monitored by the Building Management System to ensure the thermal comfort of occupants whilst minimising the energy use. Because of the higher quality of the build, humidity levels in the pool halls are allowed to be much higher, thus reducing the normally very high air change rates, reducing heating and ventilation costs. So for all these reasons, it is perfect for TClarke’s engineers to apply their skills, attention to detail and ingenuity.

It showcases our expertise in sustainability and energy efficiency, something we have been working on for several years with standards such as BREEAM, PassivHaus, Building Biology and Well.

Once again, we’re working with our long-term partner Kier and are able to announce our success in winning one of the major M&E contracts in the region.

etc"

Growth is accelerating per Jefferies:

"Keywords Studios' organic revenue growth accelerated in the second half of 2018, showing market panic late last year was excessive, Jefferies says. Investors were doubtful about whether the Irish provider of services to the videogames industry could deliver on its goal of achieving 10% organic growth over the medium term, the bank says. Keywords now confirms organic growth came in at 10% in 2018, which implies a second-half acceleration from the 8.6% increase it posted in the first half, Jefferies says. "The associated share price collapse now looks wholly overdone to us," analysts at Jefferies say. Shares rise 8.7% to 1,174 pence."

...and similarly today, an £11k sale is taken without a problem, whilst an £11k buy causes a small tick up.

Berenberg are positive going forwards:

"Keywords Studios is set to benefit from tailwinds in the year ahead, which should give its equity story plenty to run, Berenberg says. "The headwinds that held back the entire video game industry in 2018 are unlikely to have the same impact in 2019," analysts at the investment bank say. China has already lifted its gaming-license freeze, the impact of the "Fortnite effect" has passed its peak and game launches delayed to 2019 from 2018 should boost the first-half performance of the Irish provider of services to the videogames industry, Berenberg says. Shares rise 8.9% to 1,176 pence"

Here's the main thrust of Singer's note FYI:

"Strategy delivering with record order book

TClarke continues to deliver on its strategy, with strong momentum in earnings and the order book, whilst maintaining a healthy balance sheet (the Group carries no debt). Both revenue and operating profit are expected to be in line with expectations after the upgrades in November (EPS estimates increased 12%/15% in FY18/19). The order book hit another record high at £411m in December 2018. This is a 22% increase year on year and a 2% increase on the figure reported in November. The Technologies sector, a key growth area for the Group, has been the main driver of this increase. Our FY19 revenue forecast is now 88% covered by the order book. The outlook statement is confident and we believe that positive earnings momentum will continue to drive the share price. We also see the rating as undemanding, with the shares trading on a substantial discount to peers."

"Shares attractively valued

On an FY19 P/E rating of 6.6x, TClarke trades at a substantial discount to peers (8.2x). We believe that earnings momentum and revenue visibility should support a higher share price. Whilst Brexit is likely to dictate near term sentiment, we see re-rating potential as uncertainty clears. We believe a sector P/E rating is justified – this would imply a share price of 134p. We believe the shares could exceed this level as continued growth is delivered."

SCH are to move into the regulated gaming market in the USA - this looks really good given the huge potential (see GAN for this too):

Https://www.onlinecasino.co.uk/news/2019/01/safecharge-to-conquer-us-gaming-market/

Interesting conclusion:

"However, what SafeCharge is able to do through its partnership with Mazooma is verify a user’s age, location, identity and credit rating.

Although this technology isn’t unique, SafeCharge’s entrance to the US market should help the fight for regulation. With states and operators preparing to push back against the Wire Act, tech innovation will only bolster their defence. With that being the case, SafeCharge’s move into the US could benefit more than its shareholders."

N+1 Singer now see a 134p share price as justified.

They go for historic 14.7p EPS, with 3.7p divi, and this year 16.3p EPS with a 3.9p divi.

Peel Hunt have today reiterated their Buy and 500p target, whilst Finncap have a 488p target.

If Carling did trading statements.....

Excellent stuff. Trading in line with now historic 14.7p EPS.

Plus £12.4m net cash (30% of the m/cap).

Margins are improving. Order books are up 22% - and Technologies are racing upwards.

And there's already confidence about meeting 2019 expectations.

Looking very strong.

Trading is nicely in line, order books are at record highs, acquisitions are performing well, cross-selling is increasing fast and margins are firm.

The share price should climb on today's news, and the more that the market recognises DSCV's consistency and transformation, the higher the rating will go.

Excellent trading statement - revenues, PBT and EPS are all above Edison's latst expectations.

EPS in particular at 47.0c is well ahead of Edison's forecast 44.6c, helped by a reducing tax charge.

Good to see KWS heavily involved in cloud-based gaming too.

Hopefully we could see quite a sharp rise today.

Tipped here:

Https://www.fool.co.uk/investing/2019/01/30/buy-to-let-could-damage-your-wealth-heres-why-id-invest-in-marks-spencer-instead/

"Therefore, it could be worth buying alongside another stock which appears to also offer a low valuation and that reported an encouraging update on Wednesday.
Improving prospects

The stock in question is energy procurement consultant Inspired Energy (LSE: INSE). Its trading update showed revenue for the 2018 financial year is expected to be 21% ahead of the previous year. Its core Corporate Division recorded sales growth of 29% and contributed 84% of group revenue. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) is expected to be 24% up on the previous year, with trading having been strong throughout the year.

The company also reported that the strong momentum of 2018 has continued into 2019. It’s on track to deliver a rise in earnings of 7% this year, which suggests its recent acquisitions are performing well. With scope for further M&A activity, the business could generate an improving financial performance.

Since Inspired Energy trades on a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 10, it seems to offer good value for money too. With an improving profit outlook, it could be a strong performer over the long term."

An intriguing series of small buys have repeatedly pushed the price up. News soon?

As posted elsewhere, "it was late January when AML announced the Valkyrie so we could be due some info on the RB003 release. We could also hear on OEM3 or OEM5 at any time too."

Good to see a £20k+ sell at 1012p happily accepted into the market. Either there's a buyer out there, or perhaps VLE are re-starting the buybacks (davidelliott, did you buy in?).

Intriguing news - what's behind the change of advisers from N_1 Singer to Cairn and Hobart.....

Https://www.investegate.co.uk/volvere-plc--vle-/rns/change-of-adviser/201901290700093151O/

Forthcoming corporate activity? Or just that Singer were to expensive? Whatever, it certainly isn't because VLE need to raise money :o))

Good to see a recovery taking hold.

Https://www.aol.co.uk/news/2019/01/20/searching-for-income-ia-d-take-a-look-at-these-small-cap-divid/

"Searching for income? I’d take a look at these small-cap dividend stunners

Still cheap

Laser-guided product manufacturer Somero Enterprises(LSE: SOM) impressed the market last week with an encouraging update on trading.

The company reported strong growth in the second half of 2018 and, as such, expects full-year revenue to be “moderately ahead” of the $90m previously expected by the market. Positively, this will also be higher than the five-year target set by management in 2014.

To make things even better, earnings and net cash are also likely to be “moderately” and “more significantly” ahead of market predictions, respectively.

Somero reported growth in three of its six regions with operations in North America leading the charge. Efforts to crack China are “yet to gain full traction” but it continues to see “meaningful growth opportunities” in this and other territories. Decent progress has also been made on its push to innovate new products with one launch, the SkyScreed 25, scheduled for later this month.

As a result of all this, Somero confirmed that it has no plans to change its dividend policy. It still intends to pay out 50% of adjusted net income for the full year, and a special dividend equating to 50% of excess net cash over the target of $15m.

Having done so well over 2018, investors were no doubt also pleased to learn that management was bullish on the £190m-cap’s prospects over 2019, particularly in North America where it currently has a “strong pipeline of construction projects.”

Despite a storming double-digit percentage rise to the share price on the day, Somero still looks cheap to buy, on a little more than 10 times earnings, in the new financial year.

Taking into account the seriously-high operating margins and returns on capital it has achieved over the years, not to mention the 6.2% yield, and I’m sorely tempted to take a position."

Peel Hunt retain their Buy and 25p valuation. There's some analyst comment here:

https ://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/213600/inspired-energy-jumps-as-it-forecasts-strong-2018-results-213600.html

"Inspired Energy jumps as it forecasts “strong” 2018 results
09:19 30 Jan 2019

Inspired Energy plc (LON:INSE) shares jumped in early trading Wednesday after the firm said it expected a “strong set of results” for the 2018 fiscal year.

The firm, which helps companies negotiate their energy packages, said revenues for the year were expected to be 21% higher than 2017, with adjusted underlying earnings (EBITDA) forecast to be up 24% and pre-tax profits up 22%, both in line with expectations.

The core corporate division, which contributed 84% of earnings for 2018, was expected to report revenue growth of 29% year-on-year.

The year-end procurement order book had also increased 36% during the year to £53mln while cash generation was expected to be 37% higher than in 2017.

Inspired said trading had been strong throughout the year and had continued into 2019 underpinned by the order book.

The company also said it had made five strategic acquisitions during the year which would enhance “growth opportunities” and its service offering.

Mark Dickinson, chief executive, said 2018 had seen the “acceleration of our next growth phase with five complementary and value-enhancing acquisitions completed, whilst the Group has continued to deliver sustained organic growth in the Corporate Division”.

He added that he was confident 2019 would be “another year of significant progress for the Group with trading in line with expectations”.

In a note to clients, analysts at broker Peel Hunt said the update had confirmed a positive finish to the year with “good underlying growth.

“Importantly, the business momentum has been sustained through a period of acquisition integration and operating structure simplification” the broker said, adding that the outlook was “confident given positive market trends, recent acquisitions and Inspired’s superior positioning”."

Good new article on KWS:

Https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/213433/keywords-studios-on-course-to-meet-full-year-expectations-as-it-continues-expansion-213433.html

Extract:

" Inflection points:

Keywords expects to post full-year adjusted profit before tax of around €37mln on revenues of about €250mln, representing increases of 61% and 65% on the prior year, respectively.
Keywords selectively reviewing a strong acquisition pipeline
Strengthened management team with newly created positions of chief commercial officer, chief marketing officer, global operations director, engineering service line director
In the first half, the group spent €3.8mln in new or expanded facilities in Montreal, Dublin, London, Liverpool, Madrid, Katowice, New Delhi, Chengdu, Manila and Tokyo, adding 660 workstations
Credit facility for up to €105mln secured in the first half to help fund acquisitions


What analysts think

Investment bank Citi has a ‘buy’ recommendation and target price of £21.50 on Keywords. Citi thinks the recent addition of 660 new workstations is a “lead indicator of growth momentum” and sees “higher acquisition assumption”.

“We increase our annual revenue contribution from acquisitions to €35mln, which results in an increase to our acquisition upside valuation to £5.65,” it said.

“This compares to an average of c.€40m since listing in FY14 and is in line with the mid-point guidance range for bolt on acquisitions, excluding any larger transactions.”

Numis also has a ‘buy’ rating on Keywords and a target price of £24.20.

The broker said it continues to view Keywords as a “top technology sector pick”. The broker noted that management is confident of meeting market expectations for the full year, meaning organic growth of 13%, and thinks this demonstrates “ongoing market share gain within an already attractive market”."