Vox Markets Logo

Movers of Tuesday 3 August 2021

15:30, 3rd August 2021
Francesca Morgan
Market Report
TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

Babcock International (BAB) shares ticked up 5.66% to 278.1p as it sees light relief 

Shares in the engineering services company are recovering after the Group posted a £1.72 billion loss last week for the year to 31 March 2021, sending the stock as low as 255.1p. 

CEO, David Lockwood, said the group’s 2021 performance reflected both the new financial baseline for the business as well as the impact of COVID-19 on its operations and markets.  

‘The last few years have seen a move to in-source civil nuclear work in the UK, increased customer demands on each new programme, the need for a more agile supply chain and the requirement for more innovative solutions to the evolving threats in international defence. We did not adapt to the changing world around us quickly enough,” Babcock wrote. 

“Looking forward, Babcock will be a simplified and more focussed group with a renewed emphasis on the exceptional engineering skills of its people. We will be well placed to take advantage of the many opportunities we see in both UK and international markets, leading to improved cash generation and profitability in the medium term,” added Lockwood.   

BAB price chart

Aeorema Communications (AEO) shares soared 26.32% to 36p as it remains profitable  

In a trading update released today, the AIM-traded live events agency said it continues to remain profitable in 2H21 following its return to profit in the final three months of 1H21. 

Aeorema said it continues to maintain a strong cash position of more than £1m with ‘a very strong pipeline’ which is said is expected to result in a marked revenue increase in 1H22. 

Commenting on the events landscape, Mike Hale, Chairman of Aeorema Communications said: “We will see an increasing return to live events, but I believe the landscape has changed for the long term and with Aeorema's combination of both virtual and physical events in the form of hybrid events, clients will be provided with the best of what both have to offer.” 

He added, “With our reach into the US as well, we are ideally structured to maximise on the opportunities in the UK, Europe and the US and I look to the future with confidence.” 

AEO price chart

Applied Graphene (AGM) shares jumped 13.46% to 29.5p as it launches sustainable range 

The specialty graphene nanoplatelet dispersion producer told investors last week that it has launched a ground-breaking new range of eco-friendly graphene nanoplatelet dispersions.

The new range will enable paints, coatings and composite materials customers to improve the sustainability of their product formulations in response to growing market pressures, it said. 

The Genable® 1700 series of eco-friendly graphene nanoplatelet dispersions is already proven to deliver significant performance uplifts such as chemical resistance, barrier and anticorrosion properties and is based on the Genable® graphene dispersion technology. 

The Group said the new range reflects its own sustainability commitment to align with the principles of the UN Sustainability Development Goals; a framework which the Company says is integral to the environmental work of the global sectors in which it operates. 

AGM price chart

URU Metals (URU) shares rose 12.56% to 475p as it completes sale of subsidiary 

This morning, URU unveiled the completion of its sale of Zebediela Nickel Co, a subsidiary of the firm that is developing the Zebediela project in South Africa, to Blue Rhino Capital Corp. 

Following the sale which was first announced last week, Uru now holds 41.0 million shares in ZEB Nickel, representing a 75% stake. As part of the agreement, ZEB Nickel (formerly Blue Rhino) has conducted a share consolidation and completed a CAD$2.8m raise.  

"The transaction with Zeb Nickel provides much needed capital for the continued development of the Zebediela project. Uru remains committed to the Zebediela project, which the board believes can become a globally significant nickel deposit," said URU’s CEO. 

URU price chart

Rotork (ROR) shares fell 6.62% to 338.6p as CEO resigns after three years 

Shares in the British-based manufacturing firm fell on Tuesday afternoon after the Group confirmed to investors that CEO Kevin Hostetler is to resign after three years into his tenure. 

"On leaving, he will have overseen the vast majority of this 5-year programme, which has fundamentally reshaped our core platform and processes, strengthened our management team, and positioned Rotork for a bright future,” said Chairman, Martin Lamb in response. 

The announcement was made whilst the Group also posted its half-year results for 1H21 in which revenue grew 1.8% year-on-year while pretax profit rose 8.4% to £54.1m from £50m.  

Rotork reinstated its interim dividend at 2.35p per share. Meanwhile in FY20, Rotork paid a total of 6.30p per share as a final dividend while its last interim dividend in FY19 was 2.3p.  

ROR price chart

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest

The information, investment views and recommendations in this article are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this article should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engaging in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the writer but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. Vox Markets may receive payment from companies mentioned for enhanced profiling or publication presence. The writer may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.

Watchlist