(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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Synectics PLC - Sheffield, England-based provider of advanced security and surveillance systems solutions - Wins contracts totalling USD2.7 million. The four pacts are with gaming sector partners. "The company will deploy its flagship Synergy software platform into two leading gaming resorts in the Philippines, having signed contracts with two new customers. Synergy was selected for its comprehensive suite of features and tailorable solution, specifically designed for control rooms that require the highest level of surveillance and security. In addition, Synectics has further strengthened its long-standing partnership with PENN Entertainment Inc by securing a further two new contracts to deploy Synergy software at two additional casinos in PENN Entertainment's portfolio. This expansion brings the total number of Synergy installations at PENN Entertainment properties to 25," it adds. The contracts will be delivered in year ending November 30, 2025.
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TruFin PLC - London-based holding company of three growth-focused technology businesses operating in early payment provision, invoice finance and mobile games publishing - Expects financial performance for 2024 "to be significantly ahead of previously guided market expectations". Expects revenue of GBP46 million, jumping from GBP18.1 million, and adjusted pretax loss of GBP1.5 million, narrowing from GBP6.6 million. "As a result of the exceptional performance, TruFin's cash position is expected to be stronger than originally expected and the group remains fully funded to profitability," TruFin adds.
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Aptamer Group PLC - York, England-based biotechnology firm providing Optimer binders for use in therapeutics, diagnostics, bioprocessing and research - Reports progress on three fronts. In partnership with Unilever PLC, for use of Optimer binders in deodorant formulations, it hails findings from in-house testing. They show "Optimer binders remain stable in samples from human skin for over 72 hours, a crucial factor in ensuring efficacy in real-world use". "The current market value for deodorants is more than USD21 billion per annum and growing at 4.5% (CAGR for the next 5 years). Unilever is the leader in the deodorant market, with over 30% market share - compared to its nearest competitor, which has a 10% market share," it adds. It reaches a "key milestone" in Alzheimer's disease diagnostic test work with Neuro-Bio. "Optimer binders targeting Alzheimer's biomarkers have been successfully integrated into a biosensor test and shown positive results in the analysis of clinical samples. Tests using spinal fluid and saliva samples from Alzheimer's patients and healthy controls demonstrated robust biomarker detection and a statistically significant differentiation between Alzheimer's patients and healthy controls," Aptamer says. Finally, in its work with AstraZeneca PLC, it also achieves "significant milestones". The tie-up aims to explore Optimer vehicles for targeted delivery of small interfering RNA, known as siRNA.
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Physiomics PLC - Abingdon, Oxfordshire-based mathematical modelling and data science for new medicines firm - Wins contract with "long-standing, globally recognised pharmaceutical client". The deal is worth GBP157,000. Physiomics will provide pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic services "to inform critical pre-clinical and clinical dosing and scheduling decisions for a novel cancer treatment combination".
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Hargreaves Services PLC - Durham, England-based service provider to the environmental, industrial and property sectors - Expects "strong" results for half-year to November 30. Expects improvement in Services and Hargreaves Raw Material Services arms and "stable" outcome in Hargreaves Land. "The board remains confident of delivering full year results in line with market expectations supported by continued strong performance from Services, improved performance at HRMS and a return to normal profit levels in Land," Hargreaves Services. It puts market expectations at GBP222.6 million for revenue and GBP16.5 million for underlying pretax profit. It is to report interim results on January 29.
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Sabre Insurance Group PLC - Dorking, Surrey-based motor insurance underwriter - Predicts "highest ever gross written premium in 2024, and profit in line with current market expectations". Gives outlook at capital markets event on Thursday, where it set out "ambition 2030" aim. It targets at least GBP80 million in pretax profit in 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate across the period of 10%.
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InvestAcc Group Ltd - pensions administration business - Revenue in 12 months to October 31 rises 15% to GBP10.1 million on-year. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation improve 19% to GBP4.2 million from GBP3.6 million. "We are pleased our first acquisition continues to deliver significant organic growth and excellent customer service which is testament to the InvestAcc team. Given the quality of the acquired business and the strength of our market position, we remain excited about prospects for future growth," Chair Mark Hodges says. In addition, InvestAcc announces it will change financial year-end date to December 31.
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EMV Capital PLC - life sciences focused investor - Nets GBP1.5 million from fundraise. Secures GBP932,752 from subscription and GBP567,248 from retail offer. Fundraise was at 50 pence per share. "We are pleased to close our oversubscribed fundraising, at a notable premium in this difficult macro-economic climate where we are aware of many other fundraisings being at a substantial discount. This has been possible due to EMV Capital Partners and its introduction of supportive existing and qualifying new investors, many of whom frequently participate in the funding of our portfolio companies. I welcome our new shareholders, and we look forward to deploying the funds raised to develop the company's growth strategy," CEO Ilian Iliev says.
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Goldplat PLC - gold miner and producer with recovery operations in Ghana and South Africa - Says results for year ended June 30 "are expected to exceed market expectations". "Due to adjustments identified as part of the year end audit process, some revenue recognised in Q1 FY25 has been brought forward to Q4 FY24, as final assays received in Q1 FY25 relating to provisional revenue recognised in Q4 FY24 were adjusted for," it explains. Expects annual pretax profit of around GBP6 million.
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Cooks Coffee Co Ltd - New Zealand-based coffee chain - Reports Esquires offering expands in Ireland. Strikes deal with Dairygold Agri Business for Esquires to operate and manage four cafes within Co-Op Superstores owned by Dairygold in Ireland. "The contract will be for an initial period of 10 years and is effective immediately. The cafes are based in Midleton, Carrigaline and Mallow in Cork and Raheen in Limerick. Dairygold's retail business operates 26 stores across Munster under the Co-Op Superstores brand. Dairygold is one of Ireland's leading Irish farmer owned co-operatives, consisting of dairy, nutritionals and agri business and employing over 1,300 people. With a rich history spanning decades, Dairygold has been supporting its farmer members for over a century," Cooks says. Cooks owns the global rights to the Esquires brand, save for Australia and New Zealand.
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Calculus VCT PLC - venture capital trust - Net asset value per share at September 30 half-year end declines 7.1% to 57.20 pence from 61.58p at end of March.
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Sure Ventures PLC - venture capital fund, which backs early-stage artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and internet of things companies - Net asset value per share at September 30 half-year end rises to 138.87p from 82.53p at end of March. NAV per share total return is 67% during period, beating prior year's negative 6.7%, and "exceeding expectations".
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By Eric Cunha, Alliance News news editor
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