|
The following is a round-up of earnings and trading updates by London-listed companies, issued on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News: ---------- James Latham PLC - Hemel Hempstead, England-based distributor of timber, panels and decorative surfaces - Pretax profit rises 3.3% to £25.1 million in the financial year ended March 31 from £24.3 million the year prior, as revenue increases 7.2% to £393.0 million from £366.6 million. Lifts final dividend to 28.6 pence per share from 27.3p, taking total payout up to 36.70p per share from 35.25p. Says it was ‘another year that has felt quite challenging, but actually the group performance improved each quarter in terms of both volume and margin.’ The second half of the financial year saw a ‘significant’ competitor go into administration, which did cause a ‘few short term pressures’ on the margin on some product groups, but these became opportunities in the final quarter of the financial year. The momentum seen in the final quarter of the financial year has carried on into the current financial year, with a slight improvement in the margin and also the volume per working day. ‘We are seeing significant price increases from many of our suppliers, due to increased energy and oil prices caused by the Middle East conflict and increased freight costs,’ it adds. ‘Importantly we are not seeing any supply issues at this moment in time, but there are some concerns in the industry that shortages of certain by-products of oil could cause production issues in the future’, firm says. ‘Customer demand is quite patchy, with some customers reporting strong order books, while others are somewhat quieter,’ it adds. ---------- Sintana Energy Inc - oil and gas company targeting Angola, Namibia and Uruguay, with offices in London and Toronto - Highlights ‘multiple tangible achievements’ across its portfolio in the first six months of 2026. ‘These milestones have been supplemented by a number of value-positive developments across surrounding blocks and jurisdictions, reflecting the quality and strategic positioning of the company’s asset base,’ it says. Management therefore ‘believes that, in aggregate, the company is delivering precisely in line with its stated commitments. A number of important value catalysts are anticipated in the coming six-month period.’ Says the core Namibian portfolio has seen several material milestones achieved during the period, its Uruguay offshore position has ‘progressed materially’ during the period, while in Angola it notes the farm-out process for KON-16 block has been initiated. Chief Executive Robert Bose says: ‘The first half of 2026 has been a period of substantial delivery across every pillar of our business. From the TotalEnergies farm-in and resource upgrade at PEL 83 in Namibia, to the completion of the first season of 3D seismic acquisition at AREA OFF-1 in Uruguay, to the corporate housekeeping that leaves us fully funded and operationally ready, we are doing exactly what we said we would do. We remain focused on continuing to deliver against our commitments, and look forward to a second half that we anticipate will see a number of further important milestones reached across the portfolio.’ ---------- Concurrent Technologies PLC - Colchester, England-based designer and manufacturer of computer products for use in critical embedded applications - Wins a $9.4 million order from a ‘major’ US defence prime contractor for its TR-LBE 3U VPX computing product. The order follows a design win secured by Concurrent in 2024 and marks the transition of that programme into production, the firm explains. Around $6.2 million of the order relates to the supply of standard product computer plug-in cards for delivery during 2026 and 2027, around 400 products in total. The balance relates to a commitment by the customer to procure components to support potential future production requirements, subject to the customer securing further contract funding in the second half of 2026. ‘This programme is a great example of the design wins secured in recent years now converting into production activity, as we previously indicated would begin from 2026 onwards,’ observes Chief Executive Miles Adcock. ‘Based on current programme assumptions, we expect the total lifetime value of this programme to be approximately $18 million, with potential further orders anticipated through to 2030 as deployment continues,’ he adds. In June, Concurrent announced its largest-ever contract worth £17 million from a ‘major’ European defence equipment prime operator. ---------- Trifast PLC - East Sussex, England-based maker of industrial fastenings - Pretax profit falls to £57,000 in the financial year ended March 31 from £4.9 million the year prior. This is after separately disclosed items, including £6.0 million of Project Ignite costs expensed in the year rather than capitalised, reflecting the accounting treatment for cloud-based implementation cost. Revenue declines 6.7% to £208.4 million from £223.5 million, or by 7.3% at constant currency, as anticipated and reflecting softer market demand alongside the strategic decision to focus on the ‘quality’ of revenue. Calls it a ‘resilient’ performance despite a challenging macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop. Raises full-year dividend to 1.90p per share from 1.80p in-year, ‘in line with our progressive dividend policy and confidence in future cash generation.’ Trifast says it enters FY27 with ‘improved operational and financial strength, structurally stronger margins, enhanced earnings visibility and a clear path back to profitable top-line growth, focused on key growth regions of North America and Asia.’ Positive momentum has continued into the new financial year, with the commercial pipeline the ‘strongest since the strategy was implemented.’ Remains confident in achieving the group’s medium-term earnings before interest and tax margin target of greater than 10%, ‘underpinned by structural improvements in efficiency, mix and pricing.’ Ebit margin in the financial year just ended was 7.8%, improved from 6.7% on-year. ---------- ActiveOps PLC - provider of decision intelligence software for service operations - Swings to a pretax loss of £2.0 million in the financial year ended March 31 from a £1.3 million profit a year earlier. Adjusted pretax profit falls 23% to £1.0 million from £1.3 million. Total revenue jumps 48% to £45.0 million from £30.5 million but administrative expenses surge 63% to £39.8 million from £24.4 million. Organic software as a service revenue increases by 21% or 23% at constant currency, with Training & Implementation sales up 89%. The company says trading in the first few months of financial 2027 has been in line with board expectations. ‘The new financial year has begun well, driven by increasing use across our existing customer base and an expanded geographic footprint following the acquisition of Enlighten,’ says Executive Chair Richard Jeffery. ---------- HICL Infrastructure PLC - London-based closed-ended infrastructure investment company managed by InfraRed Capital Partners Ltd - Provides a strategy update at a capital markets seminar. Intends to target a 10% plus total return over the medium term, compared with an 8.5% net asset value total return since initial public offer, reflecting the ‘evolution of the infrastructure market and wider macroeconomic backdrop.’ Dividend distributions remain ‘central’ to HICL’s total return plans, with existing dividend guidance for the financial years ending March 2027 and March 2028 unchanged. Higher total returns are expected to be driven by a greater contribution from NAV growth, alongside continued income generation. ‘Selective’ introduction of higher returning ‘enhancer’ investments alongside yield and growth assets are expected to broaden return drivers and increase exposure to long-term infrastructure ‘megatrends’, with allocation expected to build over the medium-term up to 20% of the portfolio. ‘As HICL marks 20 years since IPO, the board has set a clear strategic direction for the next phase of the company’s development,’ says Chair Mike Bane. ---------- Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
|
