Rockpool Acquisitions Share Discussion Threads

[hedgehog 100] 01/8/2022 17:27

Share Price: 5.75 Bid: 5.00 Ask: 6.50 Change: 1.00 (21.05%)

An interesting late surge, of 21.05%, has taken ROC onto the top risers board again.

ROC's coming final results for their year end 31.3.22 should provide an update on the company's deal progress, I am optimistic of something really juicy in the pipeline.

There's very little ROC stock available, and the share is still valued at well below cash.

[hedgehog 100] 28/7/2022 17:47

There appear to be just three active N.I. businesses listed in London (UTV left the market in 2016, and ROC has no active business).

Considering this tiny number, it seems remarkable that they include a former 10-bagger and 150-bagger amongst them; and with even the third having more than doubled at one point, and still being well above its floatation price.

And it suggests that there could be an untapped pool of quality NI businesses ripe for a floatation, but overlooked by the London-centric investment hub.


I would think that any sensible investor would want a piece of this action, which makes ROC an almost heaven-sent opportunity.

And at it's current share price of just 4.75p, a massive discount to its cash, ROC could also be a way of getting into a future stellar growth stock at a quite massive discount.

RTOs are almost invariably priced at a significant premium to the shell's cash, so it's hard to see how a good RTO here soon would be priced at less than about 10p/share - and it could even be significantly higher than that.


Then if the RTO excites the interest of the wider market, it could start trading at a significant premium to the RTO price.

And with ongoing share price growth potential on top of that going forward.

[hedgehog 100] 28/7/2022 12:52

And the fourth NI company currently listed in London that I'm aware of is First Derivatives (FDP) - renamed FD Technologies last year, which has been another stunning IT stock success on the London stock market.

The stock more than 90-bagged from its 2002 IPO price of 50p, to its 2018 high of over 4600p.

In fact, the FDP share price actually more 150-bagged from low to high: from its brief 2002 low of below 30p, to its 2018 high of over 4600p.


"First Derivatives to float on AIM

08 February 2002

Northern Ireland-based banking software developers First Derivatives is looking to raise £2 million through a listing on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

The company is issuing four million new ordinary shares under the offer at a price of 50p per share, capitalising First Derivatives at £7 million. The issue will represent approximately 28.57% of the enlarged share capital of the company. Trading on AIM is expected to commence on 25 March 2002.

Brian Conlon, managing director, First Derivatives, and a former capital markets consultant for SunGard, says the AIM listing will enable the company to exploit opportunities for future development requiring capital investment and selective acquisitions which may arise. Opportunities for expansion outside the financial markets are also being pursued, he adds.

The company's client list currently includes US software houses and a number of large European investment banks."




"08/02/2002

Award winning Newry firm moves to issue shares

Newry-based software firm First Derivatives is set to float on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in order to raise necessary funds for further investment and acquisition.

The company, which designs software for the financial sector, will issue four million shares on AIM, the London Stock Exchange market which lists recently formed companies. The share release represents just under 30 per cent of the company's share capital, which means First Derivatives is valued at around £7 million.

First Derivatives can be considered one of the province's best-kept success stories in the IT sector, as the company has continued to increase its client lists despite the current downturn in both the software and hardware industries. The company's customer roster includes numerous European names as well as clients in the UK, who have helped Financial Derivatives increase its market share.

Speaking about the decision to offer shares, company MD Brian Conlon, said: "We believe the AIM listing will provide access to the financial markets which will enable the company to exploit opportunities or future development requiring capital investment and selective acquisition."

During 2001, First Derivative was awarded the number one position in the Deloitte and Touche Fast 50 listing after the IT firm revealed a growth rate of 891 per cent during the previous three years. (CL)"




FD Technologies (FDP):-

[hedgehog 100] 28/7/2022 12:02

Another successful NI company float in London was Kainos (KNOS), which ten-bagged within about six years of its 2015 IPO:-


"Belfast IT firm Kainos to float on London Stock Exchange

By Clodagh Rice
Business Reporter, BBC News NI

Published
7 July 2015

Belfast-based IT firm Kainos is set to float on the London Stock Exchange.

The initial public offering on Friday is set to raise £52m in shares, and values the company at £161m.

Kainos is headquartered in Belfast and has approximately 730 staff across its seven offices.

It was founded in April 1986 as a joint venture between ICL and QUBIS Ltd. Kainos reported profit before tax of £11.8 million last year.

The firm's floatation is being supported by the bank Investec.

The flotation will make it one of three publicly listed companies in Northern Ireland, along with First Derivatives in Newry and UTV.

Kainos's chief executive Brendan Mooney said the company had been "delighted" by the response to the initial public offering.

"The task for us now is simple - to maintain our growth trajectory," he added.

"We have a clearly defined strategy in place to see that happen and are looking forward to life as a listed company."

Law firm Pinsent Masons aided Kainos with the process.

Paul McBride, the head of its Belfast office, said that although the number of listed companies in Northern Ireland was small, there is "potential fit for many more firms to access investment via the markets"."




Kainos (KNOS):

[hedgehog 100] 27/7/2022 20:13

I wonder if ROC are talking to this currently unlisted NI company, based in Newtownabbey in North Belfast, County Antrim:-

"Precision inspection machines for industrial applications

Specialists in the design and manufacture of computer vision-based measurement systems for industrial applications"



"Revenue
$10.4 M

Employees
53

Founded
2003"

[hedgehog 100] 27/7/2022 19:50

"Rockpool is seeking a company or business:

Run by an exceptional senior management team with a proven track record in their industry or sector

With the desire and ability to grow significantly in its existing markets and/or in new markets

Which could perhaps act as a platform for acquisition and/or consolidation in its sector

Which could benefit greatly from better access to capital in the short and long-term

Whose reach, reputation and credibility with customers and suppliers alike may be enhanced by a public listing"




ROC seems to have a quite exacting set of RTO criteria.

But this should mean that any company they choose to RTO is absolutely top notch.

And you would certainly expect a quality RTO to be priced a significant premium to ROC's cash; whereas ROC's share price is currently at a significant discount to the company's cash.

Ergo, a good successful RTO here should yield great gains to investors at the current level.

And there's no real reason why the company can't achieve that, given the quality of ROC's management, and the breath of contacts that they doubtless have.


And I would expect an update on this quite soon, given that the company said six months ago:-

21/01/2022 07:00 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) Rockpool Acquisitions PLC Termination of proposed acquisition of Greenview LSE:ROC Rockpool Acquisitions Plc

" ... The Board has already identified and is considering potential alternative acquisition targets, and preliminary discussions have been held regarding the terms of a potential deal with the management of one of those. However, the Board recognises the level of frustration that some of the Company's shareholders will likely be feeling at the length of time that the Company has been suspended and wants to ensure, not just that it can complete an alternative transaction quickly, but that the transaction the Company pursues offers the best possible returns to its shareholders. ..."

[hedgehog 100] 26/7/2022 14:48

"Economy: Northern Ireland output 'now at 15-year high'

By John Campbell
BBC News NI Economics & Business Editor

Published 7 July

The Northern Ireland economy continued to grow in the first quarter of 2022, official figures from Nisra suggest.

Output was up by 0.4% compared to the final quarter of 2021 and by 7.8% compared to the same period a year ago.

NI economic output is now at a 15-year high and just 0.1% below the record output level recorded in the middle of 2007.

From late 2007, Northern Ireland experienced a housing crash which caused significant economic damage.

Northern Ireland's performance in the first quarter was weaker than the UK average: UK GDP grew by 0.8% quarter-on-quarter and by 8.7% year-on-year.

However, the NI Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) says that over a three-year time period Northern Ireland has grown more strongly with output up by 4.8% compared to UK GDP growth of 1.3%.

Nisra uses the three-year comparison in an attempt to mitigate the economic volatility arising from the pandemic.

Service sector growth
In recent months, Northern Ireland's economic data has become intensely political as supporters and opponents of the NI Protocol attempt to construct economic arguments to support their positions.

However, the data is inconclusive with Northern Ireland doing better than the UK average on some metrics and worse on others.

In the first quarter of the year, growth in Northern Ireland was largely driven by the service sector which had a positive contribution of 0.4 percentage points (pps).

The Public Sector and Production/manufacturing sector also had positive contributions with 0.2 pps and 0.1 pps.

However, the Construction sector had a negative contribution of 0.3 pps; construction has faced some of the biggest problems with cost inflation and supply chain delays."

[hedgehog 100] 26/7/2022 14:10

A Northern Ireland company like Diaceutics (DXRX), but currently unlisted, could clearly be an ideal opportunity for ROC.

And DXRX has performed relatively well since its 2019 floatation at 76p, in some quite challenging stock market conditions: currently 91.5p, and it has been over double that.

ROC's final results for their year end 31.3.22 should be issued soon, and should provide an update on ROC's deal progress.


"DIACEUTICS TO BECOME FOURTH NORTHERN IRISH COMPANY LISTED ON LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE

RONAN LEONARD MARCH 18, 2019

Diaceutics plc, a revenue-generating, and profitable diagnostics data analytics and implementation services company which services the global pharmaceutical industry, today announces that it is seeking a listing on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. This will make Diaceutics the fourth Northern Irish company currently listed on the London Stock Exchange. The company is expected to have a market capitalisation on admission of approximately £53M.

Diaceutics has conditionally raised £17M by way of a Placing of 22,368,427 Ordinary Shares of 76p each through its nominated adviser and broker, Cenkos Securities plc. It is expected that Admission will become effective at 8am on or around 21st March 2019 and shares will trade under the AIM symbol ‘DXRX’.

Diaceutics was founded in 2005 by Belfast man and 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, Peter Keeling, and operates in the global diagnostics commercialisation market. With offices in Belfast, UK; Dundalk, Ireland; Parsippany, New Jersey; and Singapore, the organisation’s services result in more effective pairing of patients with specific treatments, which in turn leads to better patient healthcare outcomes. In 2018, the Group had an average of 65 full-time employees in 17 countries. The Group has achieved compound annual revenue growth in sales of over 50% in the past two years. ..."




Diaceutics (DXRX):

[hedgehog 100] 26/7/2022 12:44

The cash shell TMTA released its final results today, and here are a couple of key points from the Chairman's statement:-

26/07/2022 07:00 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) TMT Acquisition PLC Final Results LSE:TMTA Tmt Acquisition Plc

"Results for the period 25 March 2021 to 31 March 2022

... The recent resets of pricing in technology stocks in our view works to the company's advantage. ...

... we look forward to updating the market on our progress. ..."




That first point supports the view that I set out at the start of post 4 above:-

Hedgehog 100 23 Jul '22 - 10:17 - 4 of 6 Edit 0 0 0
"Poor stock market conditions tend to make it harder to IPO, increasing the attractions of the RTO route, and increasing the bargaining power of shells like ROC.
And meanwhile, the valuations of RTO targets for shells tend to be depressed.
So ironically, the s.p.s of shells like ROC can become depressed at the same time as they are in effect becoming more valuable: more capable of cutting a cracking RTO deal on great terms - i.e. a better shell valuation and lower target valuation, and great quality targets. ..."


As regards deal progress, TMTA is keeping its cards close to its chest, as is to be expected re such negotiations.

But 'reading between the lines', positive progress seems to have been made, and the company may well issue some good news in the near future.

This bodes well for ROC also having made positive deal progress.

[hedgehog 100] 23/7/2022 17:23

The poster MG1982, who created this thread, has created just one other thread in his nearly 12 years on ADVFN ... which was in March 2016:-

Cerillion plc - Billing, Charging and CRM Solutions CER



And interestingly, CER has been a crackingly good performer, more than ten-bagging from its March 2016 floatation price:-




Could this perhaps bode well for ROC?

Nothing is guaranteed of course, but MG's early identification of CER's interesting prospects just might be a sign of very shrewd judgement on his part.

[hedgehog 100] 23/7/2022 12:48

It's interesting to compare ROC's value with that of another shell - one that floated recently - which has a similar amount of cash to ROC: GSC (GS Chain).

GSC floated at 1p, but has risen to its current share price of 6.6255p, despite not even announcing any news, giving it a market capitalisation of £26.5M.

Which is over 46 times more than ROC's current market cap.: £572,625, at 4.5p.


13/05/2022 08:00 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) GS Chain PLC Admission to trading and first day of dealings LSE:GSC Gs Chain Plc

"GS Chain is pleased to announce that admission of its shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market ("LSE") will take place and dealings will commence at 8.00 a.m. today, under the ticker GSC and ISIN number 984500K398M8C508B642.

The Company is direct listing 399,985,888 Ordinary Shares on the Official List. Market capitalisation at 1p is GBP3,999,858.88.

About GS Chain

GS Chain intends to identify opportunities within the technology sector, to conduct the necessary due diligence and subsequently complete an Acquisition. While the Directors will consider a broad range of technology sectors, those which the Directors believe will provide the greatest opportunity and which the Directors will initially focus on include the use of technologies in real estate, banking, finance, fintech, telecommunications, automotive and blockchain industries. The Directors may consider other sectors if they believe such sectors present a suitable opportunity for the Company.

The Company's objective is to generate attractive long term returns for Shareholders and to enhance value by supporting sustainable growth, Acquisitions and performance improvements within the acquired companies. The Directors will also use their knowledge and experience across a wide range of industry sectors in acquiring, investing and integrating businesses, which allows them to assess the viability of acquisition opportunities and their management teams, which is fundamental to finding the right Acquisition.

The Company's admission document is available to view on its website hxxps://gschain.world/"




GS Chain (GSC):

[hedgehog 100] 23/7/2022 10:17

Poor stock market conditions tend to make it harder to IPO, increasing the attractions of the RTO route, and increasing the bargaining power of shells like ROC.

And meanwhile, the valuations of RTO targets for shells tend to be depressed.

So ironically, the s.p.s of shells like ROC can become depressed at the same time as they are in effect becoming more valuable: more capable of cutting a cracking RTO deal on great terms - i.e. a better shell valuation and lower target valuation, and great quality targets.


Which makes a shell like ROC - with both great cash underpinning and great deal prospects - a great place to 'park funds' at the moment.

Many investors may wish to reduce their exposure to shares in companies with trading businesses, but holding cash for months doesn't give any real direct upside - certainly in the short term.

ROC though has both underpinning, and great potential upside - it could easily double from this level on a good deal.

And you don't have to worry about funds being tied up here for a while if you won't be using them anyway.


In addition, ROC's large discount at the moment to its cash, despite its extremely low cashburn, looks like a temporary discrepancy - and one that is gradually being addressed by ROC's share price rise, as the market wakes up to the opportunity.

The root of this discount clearly lies in ROC's return to market, after a lengthy suspension, in very bad stock market conditions. Combined with a lack of investor awareness of this share.

It looks like there there could well have been a forced seller being forced to dump at silly prices. But with this supply of shares now gone, there's a good chance that ROC could now re-rate back up to around the level of its cash.

[hedgehog 100] 18/7/2022 14:19

ROC was previously aiming for a Northern Ireland RTO.

But interestingly, earlier this year it expanded its criteria to include companies from elsewhere too, which clearly widens the range of RTO options considerably.


"A listed acquisition vehicle seeking opportunities in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland has a good availability of high quality, often internationally-focused, companies. Despite having an estimated 70,000 registered businesses, there are only two other publicly-listed companies predominantly based in Northern Ireland and Rockpool believes that more Northern Ireland businesses could benefit from the ability to tap into deeper pools of capital which access to the public markets provides.

With extensive knowledge and experience of the Northern Ireland market, the directors are seeking to identify and acquire a highly ambitious, Northern Ireland-based company that is focused on significant growth, and provide it with that access, helping that company meet its aspirations and full potential. Target companies will have a valuation of up to £20m."




21/01/2022 07:00 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) Rockpool Acquisitions PLC Termination of proposed acquisition of Greenview LSE:ROC Rockpool Acquisitions Plc

" ... The Board has already identified and is considering potential alternative acquisition targets, and preliminary discussions have been held regarding the terms of a potential deal with the management of one of those. However, the Board recognises the level of frustration that some of the Company's shareholders will likely be feeling at the length of time that the Company has been suspended and wants to ensure, not just that it can complete an alternative transaction quickly, but that the transaction the Company pursues offers the best possible returns to its shareholders. The Board is therefore open to considering alternative transactions with suitable targets, including those that may not have a direct connection with Northern Ireland.

Targets would be considered that are active in any sector of the economy and, whilst the Board would ideally like to acquire a business that is already profitable at an EBITDA level, it is willing to look at companies that are on the cusp of reaching profitability, have the potential for rapid growth, and could benefit from the access to capital markets that a transaction with Rockpool would afford them. The Board would therefore welcome approaches from target companies that meet these criteria. ..."

[hedgehog 100] 18/7/2022 13:52

ROC has about £950K. cash, with extremely low cashburn.

Current market cap. at 4p: £509K.

The company's full year results are due by the end of July, and should update on its RTO progress.


01/04/2022 14:11 Alliance News IN BRIEF: Rockpool Acquisitions receives GBP1.2 million from void deal LSE:ROC Rockpool Acquisitions Plc
01/04/2022 13:38 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) Rockpool Acquisitions PLC Termination of Greenview Acquisition LSE:ROC Rockpool Acquisitions Plc

"Termination of Greenview Gas Limited Option Agreement

Further to the announcement dated 11 January 2022, in which the Company announced that it had decided not to proceed with the acquisition of Greenview Gas Limited ("Greenview"), an alternative party has been found who is willing to step into Rockpool's shoes to acquire Greenview and/or refinance the debt which the Company is owed by Greenview. The Board is pleased to announce that it has now terminated the option agreement pursuant to which its acquisition of Greenview would have been made (the "Termination").

The Company has received the sum of GBP1,200,000 from Greenview as a result of the arrangements in connection with the Termination. This sum settles all of Greenview's liabilities to the Company, and represents a small premium on the amount of the loan provided by the Company to Greenview and the accrued interest thereon. This sum will enable the Company to settle all its current obligations, and is anticipated to be enough to cover the transaction costs of making, in due course, an alternative acquisition (on the assumption that the consideration for such an alternative acquisition would consist wholly of new shares in the Company) and of the Company's subsequent readmission to the market, and leave it with funds for working capital.

As the proposed reverse takeover of Greenview by the Company will no longer proceed, it is the Board's intention to apply to the FCA for the current suspension of the Company's shares to be lifted as soon as possible. If that application is successful, then trading in the ordinary shares would recommence and continue until the Company announces that it is pursuing a particular alternative reverse takeover transaction."




26/01/2022 07:00 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) Rockpool Acquisitions PLC Half-year Report to 30th September 2021 LSE:ROC Rockpool Acquisitions Plc

" ... This means that, should the proposed Refinancing Transaction successfully complete on the timeline anticipated, and should Greenview Gas agree to the termination of the acquisition by Rockpool on the terms indicated, the Company would be able, by March of this year, to pursue an alternative acquisition with around GBP950,000 of cash at its disposal (having settled its outstanding obligations).

... In the half year to 30 September 2021 the Company made a loss of GBP13,004 (loss in the six months ended 30 September 2019 : GBP5,887). The loss is attributable mainly to the administrative expenses of the Company, together with interest payable on a loan and the costs associated with maintaining its Standard Listing on the London Stock Exchange, exceeded interest accruing during that period on the loan made to Greenview Gas. ..."

[hedgehog 100] 18/7/2022 13:42

LSE % GainersTop Lists
EPIC Name %
ROC Rockpool Acquisit... +23%

This share is certainly ROCking today: currently number one on the top risers board, up 23.1% to 4p.

[mg1982] 13/9/2017 11:22

!FOLLOWFEED

[markfrankie] 21/12/2014 21:05

well that's the end of roc..... swallowed up by a china co' I held on and didn't accept the offer in the hope I may get a riding share of some sort in the hungry growing 'fosun'
got letter today stating a forced buy at 69c, may take a couple of months?

bye :-)

[markfrankie] 11/11/2014 18:40

Santander will accept the cheque under a certain $£ value and with only a £10 fee (although you may have to have a Santander account ??)

[steve73] 02/10/2014 09:36

OK - package rec'd today - Fosun...offering A$0.69, approx 50% premium to recent range - now what to do with an Assie $ cheque? Anyone know if I can cash it to a UK bank?

[steve73] 25/9/2014 06:53

Seg - who was the buyer, and what is the closing date? I live in SE Asia, and usually get my mail about 3-4 weeks late...so would be unlikely to be able to take up such offer... even if I wanted to.

NAI

[segilla] 20/9/2014 12:17

I live in UK and today I recd a fat package with an offer to buy my 1596 shares which wd give me about £130 before bank charges.

Any advice very welcome. Thanks.

[markfrankie] 29/8/2014 14:01

I think there may well be a counter bid from someone else, I don't think we are fosun's just yet

[steve73] 07/8/2014 09:02

if anyone's still around here...

[p@] 25/6/2014 08:42

ROC OIL bid-