Andrada Mining (ATM), a critical raw materials producer with mining and exploration assets in Namibia, announces an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the V1V2 pegmatite at the Uis tin mine. This is an update on the MRE announced on 6 February 2023, and incorporates analytical results from the final 16 drill holes of the 2022 drilling programme, as well as a volume depletion surface as at 30 August 2024. Measured resource tonnage increases by 30% to c27.3 million tonnes.
Comment: Given ATM’s sprawling attractions, it would have been difficult to keep the share price down even in the current London market. But somehow the company has managed it over the past couple of years. That said, the share price has been stirring in recent sessions, as if someone was waiting for today’s MRE announcement, and one would imagine there will be some follow through towards the 2.5p plus zone.
Zenova Group (ZED), a leading innovator in fire suppression and temperature management solutions, is pleased to announce another important new distributor and customer in the Spanish market. This new distribution channel and preliminary order covers a wide spread of Zenova’s product suit and was secured through its Latin American & Iberian partner, EcoZenova Internacional S.I., which has been successfully displaying the Company’s bespoke products across multiple new markets. This initial order, worth nearly £25,000.
Comment: Those with middle aged eyesight may have thought that the initial order was £250,000 rather than £25,000. Let’s just pretend it is 1975 not 2025, when £25,000 was proper money. At least ZED is expanding its footprint.
Renalytix (RENX), which is commercialising kidneyintelX.dkd, noted the publication of the paper kidneyintelX.dkd: An Innovation in Precision Medicine for Diabetic Kidney Disease in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), the leading journal in the advancement of understanding and treatment of kidney diseases.
Comment: The massive, successful fundraise of £11.8m means that RENX is fully funded, and has time to finesse kidneyintelX.dkd being the only test to be approved by the FDA. The key now will be deal making, JV’s to scale up, especially in the US.
Pulsar Helium (PLSR), a helium project development company, announced that in respect of its brokered private placement, the Company has entered into an agreement with Hovde Group, LLC pursuant to which Hovde Group has been appointed as a co-placement agent with University Bank for the second tranche of the Private Placement to raise up to US$5.5 million.
Comment: As well as the discovery process, PLSR has been keen to ensure that it is fully funded, something the latest RNS underlines.
ANGLE (AGL), a world-leading liquid biopsy company announced the publication of novel research by Professor Dario Marchetti’s team at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, United States. The study used the Parsortix® system to investigate CTC and B cell* clusters in clinical and pre-clinical models of melanoma brain metastasis, and their ability to target additional organs during the spread of cancer.
Comment: Shares of AGL have got off to a flying start so far in 2025, something which is not surprising given the type of progress reported today.
Ananda Pharma (AQSE: ANA), a UK company focused on the development of cannabinoid therapies targeting the treatment of complex, chronic inflammatory pain conditions is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Rust as a commercial adviser. Mr Rust will provide the Company with expert advice on its drug development and commercialisation plans. ANA said Mr Rust is a highly experienced pharmaceutical executive with direct experience marketing and selling licensed drugs in the US and in the pain sector.
Comment: While the market is fully aware of the excellent prospects for ANA in the UK, today’s RNS is another reminder that an even bigger prize could await in the US, something which the latest appointment underlines.
Jubilee, (JLP) a diversified metals producer with operations in South Africa and Zambia, announces progress on restarting its Roan operations following stable power delivery, as well as the processing of new higher-grade copper feed material, in order to accelerate the production of copper. JLP said its Zambian copper strategy remains robust on the back of a vast resource base of copper material already at surface together with two operating Open-Pit mining operations and a fully operational processing and refining footprint. We are reviewing several opportunities to liquidate for value certain of the non-core lower grade assets. Copper guidance will be reviewed following a four to six week operational run on the new material.
Comment: JLP remains a company which is aiming to get back into its stock market groove, a point which may be underlined by the way that the shares are up 13% so far this year. Divesting of non-core lower grade assets may accelerate a possible recovery.
Xtract Resources (XTR) announced that it has agreed to purchase dump material, situated in the Zambian Copperbelt, for a consideration of US$300,000 to be funded from Xtract’s existing cash resources. Xtract intends to conduct trial work testing and evaluation of the material. XTR said there are numerous dump opportunities arising in Zambia from previous copper mining operations, both big and small. The Company has a number of potential opportunities to potentially process dump materials and this agreement will enable Xtract to determine grade, quantity and treatability prior to any further acquisitions of material depending on technical and commercial fundamentals.
Comment: It has not been appreciated as much as it perhaps should have been that XTR has been looking to drive earnings, over and above its exploration / discovery strategy. As we read here today, there are plenty of opportunities to choose from in Zambia currently.
AstraZeneca (AZN) announced its final results: Total Revenue up 21% to $54,073m, driven by a 19% increase in Product Sales, continued growth of partnered medicines (Alliance Revenue) and the achievement of sales-based milestones (Collaboration Revenue). AZN said the company delivered a very strong performance in 2024 with Total Revenue and Core EPS up 21% and 19% respectively. We also delivered nine positive high value Phase III studies in the year, which coupled with increasing demand for our medicines in all key regions, will help sustain our growth momentum into 2025.
Comment: Not much of a mention of AZN’s Covid vaccine, or it (understandably) pulling out of investing £450m in Merseyside. Instead, we have the big sweep, long dated, world domination talk that many a blue chip CEO would be proud of.
Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) revealed its Q3 FY25 Trading Update. WOSG said given our trading performance over the first nine months of the fiscal year, visibility of supply in both markets, certainty on the timing of key showroom openings, and expectations of new product launches, we remain confident in delivering our FY25 guidance.
Comment: Presumably watches as an asset class should still benefit from the 7 year rule on inheritance tax, at least for now, something which might explain the recent recovery in the WOSG share price. Today’s update does suggest that last year’s dip for the shares was probably overdone.
Warpaint London (W7L), the specialist supplier of colour cosmetics and owner of the W7 and Technic brands is pleased to provide a trading update for the year ended 31 December 2024. Revenue for the year ended 31 December 2024 is expected to be approximately £102 million (2023: £89.6 million) and profit before tax to be approximately £24 million (2023: £18.1 million). W7L said it expects to see continued growth across the Group in 2025 and we look forward to completing the acquisition of Brand Architekts later this month and integrating the business into the Group.
Comment: W7L remains one of the stock market’s best growth situations, with the company having ensured this remains the case with the Brand Architekts ensuring that this will remain the case. The shares being around £1 below last year’s peak may tempt some to re-enter the fray.
LifeSafe (LIFS), a fire safety technology business with innovative fire extinguishing and prevention fluids and fire safety products, provided a trading update for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Board said it pleased to report that the Group’s trading result for FY24 is in line with its internal expectations. Revenue for FY24 is expected to be approximately £3.3 million. Underlying LBITDA1 is expected to be approximately £0.7 million. This represents a significant improvement on the previous year’s underlying LBITDA of £1.4 million, in line with our journey to profitability.
Comment: The stock market has been particularly hard on LIFS, as it tends to be until a company gets to being EBITDA positive. However, cost cutting, and a growing footprint in the US should now get LIFS on track. The prize of B2B growth this year remains unappreciated in the market.
Bezant (BZT), the copper-gold exploration and development company, announces that IDM International Limited through which the Company holds its interest in the Mankayan Copper Gold project in the Philippines has announced a proposed merger with ASX listed Blackstone Minerals. A copy of the IDM International announcement which is copied in its entirety below and is available on its website at https://www.idminternational.com.au/ BZT said: we are very pleased to announce the proposed merger between IDM and Blackstone Minerals which we believe will be a catalyst for the next stage of development of the Mankayan Copper Gold Project and is a result of the professional and diligent manner in which management in the Philippines supported by IDM have been developing the Mankayan Project. The Mankayan Copper Gold Project is a Tier 1 asset.
Comment: While the share price of BZT may be slow to respond to this latest news, it is certainly a validation for the company, given the quality of Mankayan. Presumably the project will get more love in Oz.
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