22nd Sep 2023 11:22
(Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers on AIM in London on Friday.
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AIM - WINNERS
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Mothercare PLC, up 20% at 5 pence, 12-month range 3.5p-11p. The retailer for parents and young children reports its annual results for the 52 weeks that ended March 25. Loss before tax narrows to GBP2.2 million from GBP11.1 million the year before, despite 11% fall in turnover to GBP73.1 million from GBP82.5 million. Adjusted operating profit falls 44% to GBP6.2 million from GBP11.1 million, but Mothercare notes that retail sales and adjusted earnings from continue markets grows. After a rocky period with the loss of Russian sales and the five-month tenure of its CEO, Mothercare Chair Clive Whiley says, "there is still work to do" but the firm is ready to "leave behind the turmoil of recent years". The firm plans to complete a refinancing shortly and is still in talks with a number of key stakeholders and finance partners. "Mothercare remains in an unparalleled position of being a highly trusted British heritage brand, with a significant opportunity to leverage this brand equity and grow our global presence beyond our existing franchise network," Whiley adds.
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AIM - LOSERS
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Katoro Gold PLC, down 15% at 0.072p, 12-month range 0.06p-3p. The strategic and precious minerals exploration and develop firm warns that cash may run out by the end of the month, and it is reliant on completing a fundraise to fund its ongoing working capital. Cites net liability position of GBP303,280, but available cash reserves of just GBP25,443 as at June 30. "In the past the group has raised funds via equity contributions from new and existing shareholders...There can be no assurance that such funds will continue to be available on reasonable terms, or at all in future," it says. Katoro reports no revenue for the first half of 2023, unchanged from a year prior, as pretax loss narrows to GBP311,094 from GBP540,225.
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Comptoir Group PLC, down 14% at 6.15p, 12-month range 4.25p-8p. The owner and operator of Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurants reports its interim results. In the six months to July 2, revenue edges up 2.1% year-on-year to GBP14.8 million from GBP14.5 million, but Comptoir swings to a pretax loss of GBP1.3 million from a GBP1.3 million profit. CEO Nick Ayerst says the board has "every confidence" in Comptoir's prospects for the remainder of the year and into 2024. "Despite the challenging macro environment, trading and the overall outperformance of our peers is encouraging. The group has a strong base to continue to operate from, and we will look to grow in H2 and into 2024 and beyond," he says.
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By Elizabeth Winter, Alliance News senior markets reporter
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