PageGroup (PAGE) shares ticked up 7.59% to 658.75p as momentum continues into 3Q
This morning, the Company released a 3Q21 trading update in which it stated that the recent improvement in results that it had recorded for 2Q21 has continued into 3Q.
Group gross profit came to £228.1m, up 65.4% compared to 2020 and up 12.9% from 2019. ‘Given the magnitude of the impact of COVID-19 on 2020, we are continuing to compare our results to 2019, our record gross profit year,’ the Company highlighted to its shareholders
"We exited the quarter strongly with September up 26% on 2019 compared with July and August, up 4% and 9% vs. 2019 respectively. This noticeable improvement and record performance in Q3 was seen throughout the Group and was achieved despite the backdrop of continued restrictions or lockdowns in many of our markets,” said CEO, Steve Ingham.
Falanx Group (FLX) shares jumped 16.00% to 1.45p as it sells its Strategic Intelligence division
Today, the cybersecurity firm announced that it has entered into an agreement to dispose of its Assynt Strategic Intelligence Division for £4.6m to Cross Atlantic Solutions LLC (“CAS”).
In a statement to shareholders, Falanx acknowledged that the sale was largely as a result of the differences between its Cyber Security and Strategic Intelligence (through Assynt) divisions.
Cyber focuses on SME's while Assynt is focused on global corporate and governmental users. As a result of this, there has only been limited cross-selling, it explained. It added that there is also limited scope for operational efficiencies outside of basic back-office sharing.
Accordingly, Flanx believes that its best prospects for future growth are by focusing as a pure play business focused on the fast-developing cyber security market, particularly given the sector's strong macro-economic drivers which have taken off since the start of the pandemic.
Zinnwald Lithium (ZNWD) shares rose 15.94% to 20p as it continues to progress lithium project
Shares in the German-focused lithium development firm rose despite having no news out. Last month, in its half-year results, the Group informed investors that it had continued to progress the Zinnwald Lithium Project ‘on both a corporate and operational level’ in 1H21.
At the time, Zinnwald told its shareholders that it was ‘positioned to capitalise on unlocking the full potential of the project after acquiring the remaining 50% of Deutsche Lithium GmbH.
Just before period-end, Zinnwald acquired Deutsche Lithium for €1.5 million cash and 50 million new ordinary shares. By taking full ownership, the Company believes it is in a much stronger position to capitalise on unlocking the full potential of the Zinnwald Lithium Project.
During 1H21, stronger than expected electric vehicle production and sales volumes and only modest battery raw material supply response resulted in a tightening lithium market situation.
Aura Energy (AURA) shares rise again by 12.73% to 15.5p following trading halt
On Monday, the Australian based minerals company received approval to have its shares on the ASX halted pending release of an announcement relating to a finalised offtake agreement.
The Company’s pending off-take agreement involves the pre-sale of output from a mine. Aura informed its shareholders that trading of the shares on London’s junior AIM market is unaffected, and that it expects share trading in Australia to resume by tomorrow morning.