Small Cap Catch-Up: Ports, Transport and Entertainment

Global Ports Holding (LON:GPH) – 100% Up In Less Than Two Months

Yesterday saw a very heavy dealing volume in my ‘wonder stock’ of the last two months.

Over 281,000 shares were traded in the group that is the world’s largest independent cruise port operator.

The £97m capitalised company, 62.5% controlled through a Turkish investment group, covers ports in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Asia-Pacific regions and it is expanding fast as it bids for more locations globally.

Analyst Greg Johnson at Shore Capital estimates that the current year to end March 2023 will see the group’s revenues increasing to $106.5m ($40.3m) with pre-tax losses dropping by two-thirds to just $15.4m down.

For the coming year he has pencilled in $153.3m revenues helping to turn the group into $15.5m profits, worth 5.8c per share in earnings.

In an obviously tight market, the group’s shares have risen impressively from 81.5p when I first Profiled the company on 11 November – with a meagre 100p Target Price.

Last night they closed at 156p, after having hit 167p during the day.

Is it time for cautious punters to sell half holdings, then ride the balance with free excitement.

(Profile 11.11.22 @ 81.5p set a Target Price of 100p*)

Iofina (LON:IOF) – Price Nibbling Looks Very Shrewd

I thinking he is playing a sensible hand in adding to his holding in this iodine and halogen-based specialty chemicals business.

Former fund manager Richard Sneller, following a small purchase on Wednesday of this week, now has an 18.2% stake in the group’s 192m shares equity.

The £40m capitalised group is expected to rule off sales of $41.7m for the year to the end of this month, with EBITDA of $8.7m, worth 2.5c per share in earnings.

For the coming year market expectations are for $44.5m sales, $10.5m EBITDA and 3.2c earnings.

Analyst Alex Brooks at Canaccord Genuity has a 35p price objective on the shares, which closed last night at 20.75p, up 0.75p on the back of 576,306 shares traded on the day.

(Profile 29.07.20 @ 13.5p set a Target Price of 18p*)

Journeo (LON:JNEO) – Last Week’s Acquisition and Funding Boosts Shares

The performance in the share price of this transport information systems group, since it announced the proposed £8.7m acquisition of IGL and its subsequent £7.35m fundraising, has been impressive.

The funding, by way of an issue of 7m new shares @ 105p each, was swift and very successful.

Its price went into a gentle rise from 125p to close last night at 140p, up another 2p on the day.

That does not happen very often nowadays – an effortless funding issue and an ensuing price rise.

Perhaps it underlines just how cheaply rated the group’s shares are at the current price.

These shares are for buying and certainly not selling at these levels.

(Profile 07.04.21 @ 95.5p set a Target Price of 120p*)

The Brighton Pier Group (LON:PIER) – Is a 2023 Bid Possible?

Slightly, very slightly, perky dealing in the shares of this pier, mini-golf, drinking bars and entertainment park operator, has left the group’s shares up 15% over the last week or so.

In late September analyst Peter Renton at Cenkos Securities had the £24m capitalised entertainment venues group’s shares as a Buy at the then 76p.

They have since been down to 54p and looking somewhat friendless.

So, the closing price last night of 63.5p has certainly perked up my interest in what might be going on – is an announcement of sorts due shortly?

In April this year the group’s shares hit 116.5p, which seems a level significantly far away currently.

With its profile of corporate interests, it is not outlandish to suggest that it could be attractive to a cash-laden predator.

(Profile 30.06.21 @ 61p set a Target Price of 75p*)

(Asterisks * denote that Target prices have been achieved since Profile publication)