We are in strange times, when a down day for the FTSE 100 is a “mini-flash crash. Perhaps this was all the more disappointing off the back storming April UK manufacturing data.
Against such a backdrop and it can be said that small cap companies have needed and will need to pull rabbits out of the hat to resist the sellers, and happily this is what we have seen to start the shortened post Bank Holiday week.
For instance, it was Tirupati Graphite (TGR) that could be set to re-invent Copper by creating a Graphene-Aluminium Composite which has conductivity which is on a par with Copper. This is such a fundamental breakthrough, not only off the back of the uses of the Composite, but also in terms of potentially addressing the shortage of Copper given the way demand in new technology and sustainable power is well beyond supply. Shares of Tirupati closed nearly 10% up at 101p.
There was a similar surprise delivered by Jubilee Metals (JLP) as the metals processor effectively took Cyprus focused mining minnowCaerus Mineral Resources (CMRS) under its wing to allow it to develop its assets of surface-based mining waste and tailings. The goal here is for Jubilee to expand its international footprint beyond Africa, and for Caerus to kickstart not only its life on the stock market, but also its campaign on the Mediterranean island. Jubilee shares rose 2%, while quite understandably Caerus rocketed 47%.
Mass spectrometry instruments specialist Microsaic (MSYS) saw its shares rise 6%, and was “trending” on Twitter off the back of the latest announcement from the company. This was off the back of signing a non-binding Heads of Terms with a Chinese partner of an in-principle agreement to collaborate to supply and market Microsaic's MS technology for use within a point of care medical device monitoring system for hospital diagnostics in the Chinese market. CEO Glenn Tracey said the proposed agreement clearly represents a significant opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment and capacity to position our point-of-need technology in a broader range of key verticals, such as human health.
Digital passport specialist Catenae Innovation (CTEA) did not reveal the big contract that some of its die hard shareholders might have been looking for. However, the latest news was something which will make the day of a contract(s) all the more likely and potentially far more significant than before the company was beefed up by the acquisition of Hyperneph Software. This 51% stake means that not only does Catenea have a beefed up team of technology / Silicon Valley rock stars, it can provide those that use Catenae and its services with strong team support. In addition, with Hyperneph under Catenae’s wing there is both the development and protection of its IP in-house.
Sometimes it is a good idea to give the people what they want, even if it may be seen as something of a U-turn. This state of affairs not only described politics, but also the latest at announcement from international CBD group Zoetic (ZOE). Here the company cancelled what was regarded by many in the market as an unsatisfactory financing agreement with LDA Capital. We were also treated to an example of one of the better stock market rules – a stock closing above its placing price on the day of the announcement. The £6m placing from Zoetic was at 60p, while the shares closed at 67p – indicating that after having things their own way over the past month, the bears have taken something of a slap.