Roxi reaches 1,360 metres 23/05/2012
Kazakhstan-focused Roxi Petroleum (RXP) has declared that its NK7 well in the Galaz aea has drilled to a depth of 1,360 metres.
Redundancy costs of £320,000 nearly wiped out interim pre-tax profits at business and IT consultant Charteris.
The acquisitive AIM-quoted company, which offers public and private sector clients specialisations in such fields as enterprise resource planning, e-commerce and business change, made £353,000 in the six months to January, against £666,000 a year earlier, before redundancy costs and a £17,000 share-based payment charge took the pre-tax figure down to a mere £17,000. Continuing revenues fell six per cent to £10.5 million, but Charteris was able to increase overall revenues 3.5 per cent to £11.6 million thanks to the contribution of enterprise resource planning concern SIG, bought for £1.9 million in September.
The company, which funded that deal with a £2.5 million mortgage on its London head office, ended January with £1.2 million net cash, down from £2.5 million at its July financial year-end. First-half earnings fell from 1.09p to 0.03p a share.
Chief executive officer David Pickering says Charteris is weathering the recessionary storm better than some thanks to its presence in the public sector, where demand has been strong for its services in secure government. He also cites new orders from local and regional government.
According to Pickering, the company’s long-term relationships with clients in the retail and distribution sectors have helped to some extent, though competition and price sensitivity are keener than in more benign business climates. Charteris seek to help clients improve their efficiency and, argues Pickering, ‘clients will spend to save’.
But he concedes they are taking longer to take decisions to spend. ‘Our pipeline is good, but when will clients make up their minds?’
With analysts going for breakeven in the second half-year, full-year profits will be well down on 2007-08’s £1.3 million pre-tax. Floated at 90p nine years ago, Charteris shares now languish at 4.62p, valuing the company at almost £2 million.
Save 50% off your first year’s subscription to Growth Company Investor magazine, and gain immediate access to all the recommendations online. Click here.
Gain instant access to some of the best-performing and fastest growing companies in the small cap arenaClick here
Advertisement
Gain instant access to some of the best-performing and fastest growing companies in the small cap arena. Sign up NOW!
This unique study analyses the shareholdings of companies listed on AIM, extracting trends including rankings of the value and number of their investments.
Please click here to order your copy of the report or call 0207 250 7056.
Informative features and research on fast-growing companies, small-cap and growth stocks, penny shares, stock market tips and share recommendations, directors' dealings, company news and analysis, new issues and upcoming IPOs.
If you're interested in business tax updates visit our specialist tax guide website.
Daily coverage of small-cap company stocks on London's junior markets AIM and PLUS, breaking news, stock research and latest share price information for investors. Full sector coverage with all the latest news on smaller listed companies, updated several times a day with financial reports, trading statements and links to further web resources.
Advertisement
Kazakhstan-focused Roxi Petroleum (RXP) has declared that its NK7 well in the Galaz aea has drilled to a depth of 1,360 metres.
Steered by sector veteran Algy Cluff, North-Sea focused cash shell Cluff Natural Resources (CNR) has joined AIM.
Somalia-focused oil explorer Red Emperor Resources (RMP) has exercised its option to take part in the drilling of the Shabeel North well.
Oil concern Heritage Oil (HOIL) has reported its Miran West-3 well in Iraq could deliver 1,000 barrels per day of condensate.
Software specialist WANdisco has announced its intention to join AIM this June in an IPO that will raise £10 million.
Oil outfit Wessex Exploration (WSX) has updated investors on progress with its Guyane Maritime Permit.