Interim Results

RNS Number : 1868L
Ascent Resources PLC
09 September 2021
 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

 

9 September 2021

 

 

 

Ascent Resources plc

("Ascent" or "the Company")

 

Interim results for the period ended 30 June 2021

 

Ascent Resources plc (LON:AST), the AIM quoted onshore Caribbean, Hispanic American and European energy and natural resources focussed company ("Company") is pleased to report its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2021.

Highlights:

· Launch of ESG Metals Strategy as a new target sector within its natural resource focussed business with maiden deal expected in H2 2021.

· Signing of a non-binding head of terms with Enyo Law LLP, a specialist arbitration and litigation legal firm, to advance a fully funded non-recourse damages-based agreement for the arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Slovenia.

· Raised £1m before expenses by way of an oversubscribed subscription and placement with existing and new investors.

 

Enquiries:

Ascent Resources plc

Andrew Dennan, CEO

 

Via Vigo Consulting

 

WH Ireland, Nominated Adviser & Broker

James Joyce / Sarah Mather

0207 220 1666

Novum Securities, Joint Broker

John Belliss

0207 399 9400

 

Chairman and CEO's statement

 

Despite the continuing global pandemic, Ascent has advanced across multiple fronts following the restructuring of its Board, strategy, and portfolio last year. The business's new strategic platform is now taking shape, with the opportunities that brings.

 

First, the Company has made a significant step forward in securing funding for its international arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Slovenia with the signature of non-binding heads of terms with Enyo Law LLP.  These heads define the terms under which the specialist arbitration and litigation legal firm shall represent the Company on a fully contingent basis through a damages-based agreement for the pursuit of the claim in arbitration in relation to breaches of relevant investment treaties arising out of and in connection with the Notice of Dispute sent on 23 July 2020.  The Company is currently negotiating final binding documentation for this funding. 

 

Secondly, the Company broadened its strategy to include the ESG Metals asset class and is now in the process of originating and negotiating its maiden transaction. The Directors believe this is a new exciting and burgeoning target sector to grow the Company.

 

Slovenia

 

As announced in March, the Company is advancing towards initiating international arbitration proceedings against the Republic of Slovenia under the Energy Charter Treaty and UK-Slovenia Bilateral Investment Treaty. In June, the Company announced that it had signed a non-binding, heads of terms with Enyo Law LLP, a specialist arbitration and litigation legal firm (the "Firm"). This agreement intends to engage the Firm to pursue the Company's claims on a success-only fee arrangement. Upon completion of definitive documentation, the Firm will only be paid out of the proceeds of the arbitration in the event of a successful damages award or execution of a binding settlement agreement if achieved sooner.  This non-equity dilutive, non-recourse and full funding proposal is the preferred solution from the Company's perspective, notwithstanding that the Company has other alternative offers also under discussion.

 

Operations at the Petišovci project continue to produce gas , albeit at lower levels as a result of the field performance decline and current inability to re-stimulate the producing PG-10 and PG-11A wells. Total production f or the six months to 30 June 2021 was 751.14 thousand cubic metres of gas and 33,512 litres of condensate. Gas sales continue with production being sold to local industrial buyers.  The region is currently experiencing very high gas prices with the average Day Ahead Market gas price being Eur 51.0 / MWh as at 1 September, 2021. The JV expects to continue producing, thereby taking advantage of strong current prices.

 

ESG Metals Strategy

 

As announced in February, the Company has broadened its natural resources mandate to include a focus on ESG Metals, which it sees as a new and burgeoning target sector to grow the Company.  ESG Metals includes secondary mining and re-treatment and recovery opportunities which the Company sees as being consistent with Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") principles.  Typically, these involve the reclassification, through highly efficient recovery techniques, of stockpiled surface mining waste (previously viewed as a liability for mining companies) as a valuable asset for reprocessing and commercial sale to industry, governments and metals traders.

 

The Company sees waste management, remediation and restoration of land impacted by historic and ongoing mining activities as a critical element in the global ESG agenda and integral to the transition to a low carbon economy.  The Company is looking at a number of potential projects in Hispanic and Latin Americas, the Caribbean, and South Africa, as well as Europe. In particular, the Company believes there are good opportunities in gold, silver, platinum, base metals and ferrochrome, where the economics are especially attractive and the opportunity set has the ability of delivering lowest cost quartile sustainable metal production from legacy mining tailings, with low geological risk.  Such opportunities have the potential to provide strong cash returns without exploration risk and only require modest upfront capital outlay.

 

Cuba Market Entry

 

The Company continues to retain optionality to enter the Cuban Oil and Gas industry, once COVID 19 restrictions are lifted and possibly after the outcome of recent civil unrest is clarified. As announced in August last year, the Company transmitted the draft documentation in relation to its operating credentials to Union Cuba-Petroleo ("CUPET"), Cuba's national oil company, and the Oficina Nacional de Recursos Minerales ("ORNM") and since then has received positive initial feedback towards accreditation as an onshore operator subject to funding. 

 

Corporate

 

During the period in review the Company raised £1 million at an issue price of 10.1 pence per share by way of an oversubscribed subscription and placing of new shares to institutional investors and existing shareholders to fund the Company's general working capital and ESG Metals business development activity.

 

Outlook

 

The team continue to work diligently across our key corporate priorities which include funding the Slovenia ECT claim and delivering a maiden ESG metals transaction.  We look forward to delivering success for our shareholders at Ascent Resources plc and to re-engaging face to face with them now that COVID restrictions in Europe have eased.

 

 

James Parsons  Andrew Dennan

Executive Chairman  Chief Executive Officer

8 September 2021  8 September 2021

 

 

CEO's report

 

Financial performance

 

Revenue for the first six month of 2021 was £nil, as per the prior period. Closing cash at 30 June 2021 was £766,000 compared to £304,000 in the prior period.

 

During the period the Company raised £1m before costs in an equity placing in February 2021. There was a cash outflow from operations of £824,000 and an inflow of £1,475,000 from financing, resulting in net cash flow of £651,000.

 

Operational performance

 

 

Jan 2021

Feb 2021

Mar 2021

Apr 2021

May 2021

Jun 2021

131.82

136.17

155.10

143.08

99.17

85.80

4.66

4.81

5.48

5.05

3.50

3.03

4.25

4.86

5.00

4.77

3.20

2.86

150.17

171.74

176.69

168.43

112.97

101.00

2,808.00

2,354.00

17,496.00

5,346.00

3,834.00

1,674.00

21.30

17.29

112.80

37.36

38.66

19.51

802.39

828.87

944.09

870.93

603.65

522.26

17.63

14.78

109.87

33.57

24.08

10.51

820.02

843.65

1053.97

904.50

627.73

532.78

Total production for the six months to 30 June 2021 was 751.14 thousand cubic metres of gas and 33,512 litres of condensate.

 

Gas sales to INA remain suspended as wellhead pressure is below the export pipeline pressure. The sales contract remains valid and should the Company increase production gas sales may be able to be resumed. The Company produced gas in the year to date which was sold locally to an industrial buyer through a low-pressure pipeline, however the revenue from this is less than the fixed costs of the field and pursuant to a deal agreed in Q4 2019 the Company is not currently receiving any revenue from this declining production, with the proceeds being retained by the operating service provider to pay towards their fixed costs.

 

Consolidated Income Statement

for the Period ended 30 June 2021

 

 

Period ended

Period ended

 

 

30 June

30 June

 

 

2021

2020

 

Notes

£ '000s

£ '000s

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

-

  -

Cost of sales

 

(25)

(59)

Depreciation of oil & gas assets

 

(194)

(230)

Gross profit

 

(219)

   (289)

 

 

 

 

Administrative expenses

 

(826)

(945)

Loss from operating activities

 

(1,045)

(1,234)

 

 

 

 

Finance income

 

-

  -

Finance cost

 

(10)

(9)

Net finance costs

 

(10)

(9)

 

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

2

(1,055)

(1,243)

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

  -

   -

Loss for the period after tax

 

(1,055)

(1,243)

 

 

 

 

Loss for the period attributable to equity shareholders

 

(1,055)

(1,243)

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

Basic & fully diluted loss per share (£)

4

(0.01)

(0.03)

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the Period ended 30 June 2021

 

 

Period ended

Period ended

 

30 June

30 June

 

2021

2020

 

£ '000s

£ '000s

 

 

 

Loss for the period

(1,055)

(1,243)

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation differences for foreign operations

(776)

1,835

 

 

 

Total comprehensive gain / (loss) for the period

(1,831)

592

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

for the Period ended 30 June 2021

 

Share capital

Share premium

Merger Reserve

Equity reserve

Share based payment reserve

Translation reserve

Retained earnings

Total

 

£ '000s

£ '000s

£ '000s

£ '000s

£ '000s

£ '000s

£ '000s

£ '000s

Balance at 1 January 2020

7,604

72,330

570

-

1,873

(300)

(41,964)

40,113

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,243)

(1,243)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currency translation differences

-

-

-

-

-

1,835

-

1,835

Total comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

-

1,835

(1,243)

592

Transactions with owners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of shares during the year net of costs

113

678

-

-

-

-

-

791

Issue of shares on acquisition

30

173

-

-

-

-

-

203

Share-based payments and expiry of options

-

-

-

-

206

-

-

206

Balance at 30 June 2020

7,747

73,181

570

-

2,079

1,535

(43,207)

41,905

Balance at 1 January 2020

7,604

72,330

570

-

1,873

(300)

(41,964)

40,113

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

(2,831)

(2,831)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currency translation differences

-

-

-

-

-

1,327

-

1,327

Total comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

-

1,327

(2,831)

(1,504)

Transactions with owners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of ordinary shares

324

1,713

-

-

-

-

-

2,037

Costs related to share issues

-

(180)

-

-

-

-

-

(180)

Equity value of convertible loan note

-

-

-

73

-

-

-

73

Share based payments

-

-

-

-

256

-

200

456

Balance at 31 December 2020

7,928

73,863

570

73

2,129

1,027

(44,595)

40,995

Balance at 1 January 2021

7,928

73,863

570

73

2,129

1,027

(44,595)

40,995

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1,055)

(1,055)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currency translation differences

-

-

-

-

-

(776)

-

(776)

Total comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

-

(776)

(1,055)

(1,831)

Transactions with owners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

Issue of shares during the year net of costs

70

1,176

-

-

-

-

-

1,246

Share-based payments

-

-

-

-

16

-

-

16

Balance at 30 June 2021

7,998

75,039

570

73

2,145

251

(45,650)

40,424

 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 June 2021

 

 

30 June

31 December

 

 

2021

2020

Assets

Notes

£ '000s

£ '000s

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

5

21,865

22,783

Exploration and evaluation costs

5

18,604

18,5763

Goodwill

 

653

653

Prepaid abandonment fund

 

300

300

Total non-current assets

 

41,422

42,489

Current assets

 

 

 

Inventory

 

-

-

Trade and other receivables

6

119

66

Cash and cash equivalents

 

766

115

Restricted cash

 

-

-

Total current assets

 

885

181

Total assets

 

42,307

42,670

 

 

 

 

Equity and liabilities

 

 

 

Attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company

 

 

 

Share capital

10

7,998

7,928

Share premium account

 

75,039

73,863

Merger reserve

 

570

570

Equity reserve

 

73

73

Share-based payment reserve

 

2,145

2,129

Translation reserves

 

251

1,027

Retained earnings

 

(45,650)

(44,595)

Total equity attributable to the shareholders

 

40,424

40,995

 

 

 

 

Total equity

 

40,424

40,995

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

Borrowings

8

505

197

Provisions

 

317

328

Total non-current liabilities

 

822

525

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Borrowings

8

5

5

Contingent consideration due on acquisitions

9

450

450

Trade and other payables

7

606

695

Total current liabilities

 

1,061

1,150

Total liabilities

 

1,883

1,675

Total equity and liabilities

 

   42,307

   42,670

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

for the six months ended 30 June 2021

 

Period ended

Period ended

 

30 June

30 June

 

2021

2020

 

£ '000s

£ '000s

Cash flows from operations

 

 

Loss after tax for the period

(1,055)

(1,243)

Depreciation

  194

  231

Change in receivables

  53

  170

Change in payables

(89)

80

Increase in share-based payments

  38

  206

Exchange differences

25

11

Finance cost

10

9

Net cash used in operating activities

(824)

  (536)

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

Payments for fixed assets

  -

(3)

Payments for investing in exploration

-

-

Net cash used in investing activities

-

(3)

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

Interest paid and other finance fees

-

  -

Loans repaid

(125)

(12)

Proceeds from borrowings

375

 

Proceeds from issue of shares

   1,265

  848

Share issue costs

(40)

  (70)

Net cash generated from financing activities

   1,475

  736

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year

651  

227

Effect of foreign exchange differences

-

  -

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

  115

   77

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

  766

  304

 

 

 

Notes to the Interim Financial Statements

For the six months ended 30 June 2021

1.  Accounting Policies

Reporting entity

 

Ascent Resources plc ('the Company') is a company domiciled in England. The address of the Company's registered office is 5 New Street Square, London EC4A 3TW. The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of the Company as at 30 June 2021 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the 'Group').

 

Basis of preparation

 

The interim financial statements have been prepared using measurement and recognition criteria based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS and IFRIC interpretations) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as adopted for use in the EU. The interim financial information has been prepared using the accounting policies which were applied in the Group's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.

 

New Standards adopted as at 1 January 2021

 

Accounting pronouncements which have become effective from 1 January 2021 are:

· IFRS 3 Business Combinations - definition of a business

· IAS 1 and IAS 8 - definition of material

· IFRS 9, IFRS 7 and IAS 39 - interest rate benchmark

· IFRS 7 - Insurance contracts

 

These accounting pronouncements do not have a significant impact on the Group's financial results or position.

 

All amounts have been prepared in British pounds, this being the Group's presentational currency.

 

The interim financial information for the six months to 30 June 2021 and 30 June 2020 is unaudited and does not constitute statutory financial information. The comparatives for the full year ended 31 December 2020 are not the Group's full statutory accounts for that year. The information given for the year ended 31 December 2020 does not constitute statutory financial statements as defined by Section 435 of the Companies Act. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019 have been filed with the Registrar and are available on the Company's web site www.ascentresources.co.uk. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified. It did not contain a statement under Section 498(2)-(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

Going Concern

 

The Financial Statements of the Group are prepared on a going concern basis.

 

COVID-19 has had limited direct impact on Ascent's assets in Slovenia but there may be delays in obtaining the necessary governmental approvals and processes. Production operations in Slovenia have been unaffected to date.

 

The forecasts are sensitive to the timing and cash flows associated with the continuing situation in Slovenia, and discretionary spend incurred with executing on the ESG Metals Strategy through acquisition and advancing the Cuban initiative, including deferred consideration that would become payable if the Company elects to enter a PSC for Block 9b. As such, the Company will need to raise new capital within the forecast period to fund such discretionary spend.

 

Based on historical and recent support from new and existing investors the Board believes that such funding, if and when required, could be obtained through new debt or equity issuances.

 

However, there can be no guarantee over the outcome of these options and as a consequence there is a material uncertainty of the Group's ability to raise the necessary finance, which may cast doubt on the Group's ability to operate as a going concern. Further, the Group may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.

 

Principal Risks and Uncertainties:

 

The principal risks and uncertainties affecting the business activities of the Group remain those detailed on pages 11-12 of the Annual Review 2020, a copy of which is available on the Company's website at www.ascentresources.co.uk. 

 

2.  Operating loss is stated after charging

 

Period ended

Period ended

 

30 June

30 June

 

2021

2020

 

£ '000s

£ '000s

Employee costs

475

241

Share based payment charge

16

206

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included within Admin Expenses

 

 

Audit Fees

40

35

Fees payable to the company's auditor other services

-

-

 

40

35

3.  Earnings per share

 

Period ended

Period ended

 

30 June

30 June

 

2021

2020

 

£ '000s

£ '000s

Result for the period

 

 

Total loss for the period attributable to equity shareholders

  (1,055)

  (1,243)

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

 Number

 Number

For basic earnings per share

 106,483,897

 42,776,190

 

 

 

Earnings per share (£)

(0.01)

(0.03)

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Property, plant & equipment and Exploration and Evaluation assets

 

Computer Equipment

Developed Oil & Gas Assets

Total Property Plant & Equipment

Exploration & evaluation

Cost

£000s

£000s

£000s

£000s

At 1 January 2020

6

23,483

23,489

18,576

Additions

4

-

-

653

Effect of exchange rate movements

-

1,592

1,592

216

At 30 June 2020

10

25,075

25,085

19,445

At 1 January 2020

6

23,483

23,489

18,576

Additions

-

3

3

-

Effect of exchange rate movements

-

1,111

1,111

177

At 31 December 2020

6

24,494

24,600

18,753

At 1 January 2020

6

24,494

24,600

18,753

Additions

-

-

-

-

Effect of exchange rate movements

-

(624)

(624)

(149)

At 30 June 2021

6

23,870

23,876

18,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2020

(6)

(1,414)

(1,420)

-

Charge for the year

(1)

(231)

(232)

-

Effect of exchange rate movements

-

55

55

-

At 30 June 2020

(7)

(1,618),

(1,625)

-

At 1 January 2020

(6)

(1,414)

(1,420)

-

Charge for the year

-

(397)

(397)

-

Effect of exchange rate movements

-

-

-

-

At 31 December 2020

(6)

(1,811)

(1,817)

-

At 1 January 2021

(6)

(1,811)

(1,817)

-

Charge for the year

-

(194)

(194)

-

Effect of exchange rate movements

-

-

-

-

At 30 June 2021

(6)

(2,005)

(2,011)

-

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying value

 

 

 

 

At 30 June 2021

-

21,865

21,865

18,604

At 31 December 2020

-

22,973

22,873

18,753

At 30 June 2020

4

23,457

23,460

19,445

 

 

5.  Trade & other receivables

 

30 June

31 December

 

2021

2020

 

£ '000s

£ '000s

Trade receivables

-

-

VAT recoverable

53

49

Prepaid abandonment liability

300

300

Prepayments & accrued income

9

17

 

362

366

Less non-current portion

(300)

(300)

Current portion

62

66

 

6.  Trade & other payables

 

30 June

31 December

 

2021

2020

 

£ '000s

£ '000s

Trade payables

538

573

Tax and social security payable

68

56

Other payables

-

-

Accruals and deferred income

66

66

 

606

695

7.  Borrowings

 

30 June

31 December

 

2021

2020

Group

£ '000s

£ '000s

Non-current

 

 

Convertible loan notes

505

197

 

55

197

 

 

 

 

30 June

31 December

Group

2021

2019

 Current

£ '000s

£ '000s

 

 

 

Convertible loan notes

5

5

Borrowings

-

-

Liability at the end of the period

5

5

 

The non-current borrowings relate to the loan arrangement with Riverfort Global opportunities that was refinanced in February 2020. The outstanding loan of £375,020 as at February 2020 was re-negotiated to a two-year coupon free bullet with conversion rights for the lender at 7.5 pence per share. No conversion can occur until the share price exceeds 10 pence per share for five consecutive days. The Group made convertible loan note repayments in the year of £105,000 to Riverfort Global opportunities, resulting in an ending convertible loan note balance of £270,000, comprising £197,000 recognised as the debt component and a further £73,000 recognised in Equity Reserve.

 

The current borrowings relate to the loan facility arrangement with Align Research. The outstanding loan of £307,500, of which £57,500 was received subsequent to the period end.

 

8.  Contingent consideration due on acquisitions

 

30 June

31 December

 

2021

2020

Group

£ '000s

£ '000s

Non-current

 

 

Ascent Hispanic Resources UK Limited

450

450

 

450

450

 

 

 

The fair value of contingent consideration was based on the present value of cash flows and the market value of the shares to be issued.

 

9.  Share Capital

 

30 June

31 December

 

2021

2020

 

£ '000s

£ '000s

Authorised

 

 

2,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 0.5p each

10,000

10,000

 

 

 

Allotted, called up and fully paid

 

 

3,019,648,452 deferred shares of 0.195p each

5,888

5,888

1,737,110,763 deferred shares of 0.09p each

1,563

1,563

109,376,804 ordinary shares of 0.5p each (2020: 95,283,281 ordinary shares of 0.2p each)

547

477

 

 

7,998

 

7,928

 

Reconciliation of share capital movement

Ordinary shares No.

Ordinary shares No.

Opening

95,283,281

3,019,648,452

Share consolidation

Issue of Trameta consideration shares

-

 

(2,989,451,968)

91,167

Issue of shares during the year

14,093,523

64,995,630

Closing

109,376,804

95,283,281

 

     

 

The deferred shares have no voting rights and are not eligible for dividends.

 

Shares issued during the year

Issuance of equity throughout the year:

· On 6 January 2021, the Company issued 208,991 ordinary shares ('Consultancy Shares'), to a supplier for financial modelling and business development services rendered in the months of November and December, at an average issue price of 5.74 pence per share being calculated as the monthly volume weighted average price calculations for the respective months in which the services were rendered.

· On 11 January 2021, the Company received a Warrant Exercise notice over 833,333 new ordinary shares for a consideration of 62,500.  The Warrants are being exercised by Align Research in consideration for surrendering an equivalent value of loan notes. Additionally, the Company has agreed to issue 66,667 new shares at 7.5 pence, being the coupon conversion price, in lieu of the 8% cash coupon that is incurred on the converted loan amount.

· On 4 February 2021, the Company received a warrant exercise notice over 1,000,000 new ordinary shares for a consideration of £55,000.

· On 4 February 2021, the Company received a Warrant Exercise notice over 833,333 new ordinary shares for a consideration of 62,500.  The Warrants are being exercised by Align Research in consideration for surrendering an equivalent value of loan notes. Additionally, the Company has agreed to issue 66,667 new shares at 7.5 pence, being the coupon conversion price, in lieu of the 8% cash coupon that is incurred on the converted loan amount.,

· On 4 February 2021, the Company received a Warrant Exercise notice over 900,000 new ordinary shares for a consideration of 67,500.  The Warrants are being exercised by Align Research and the Company has therefore today issued 900,000 new shares.

· On 10 February 2021, the Company received a warrant exercise notice over 187,500 new ordinary shares for a consideration of £7,500.

· On 11 February 2021, the Company issued 9,997,032 new ordinary shares of 0.5p at a price of 10.1p through an oversubscribed placing, raising gross proceeds of £1,009,700.

10.  Share based payments

The Company has provided the Directors, certain employees and institutional investors with share options and warrants ('options').  Options are exercisable at a price equal to the closing market price of the Company's shares on the date of grant.  The exercisable period varies and can be up to seven years once fully vested after which time the option lapses.

 

Details of the share options outstanding during the year are as follows:

 

Shares

Weighted Average price (pence)

Outstanding at 1 January 2020

  152,576,254

2.38

Outstanding at 31 December 2020

  7,348,142

253.72

Exercisable at 31 December 2020

1,450,763

248.72

 

 

 

Outstanding at 1 January 2021

  7,348,142

253.72

Granted during the year

-

-

Outstanding at 30 June 2021

7,348,142

253.72

Exercisable at 30 June 2021

1,450,763

248.72

 

The value of the options is measured by the use of a binomial pricing model.  The inputs into the binomial model made in 2020 were as follows. 

 

Share price at grant date

2.9p - 778p

Exercise price

5.0p - 2000p

Volatility

50%

Expected life

3-5 years

Risk free rate

0.5%

Expected dividend yield

0%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group's share price over the previous 5 years.  The expected life is the expiry period of the options from the date of issue.

Options outstanding at June 2020 have an exercise price in the range of 2.9p and 778p (and a weighted average contractual life of 4.5 years.

Details of the warrants outstanding during the year are as follows:

 

Shares

Weighted Average price (pence)

Outstanding at 1 January 2021

  22,068,420

5.44

Granted during the year

-

-

Exercised during the year

(3,754,166)

6.79

Outstanding at 30 June 2021

18,314,254

5.44

Exercisable at 30 June 2021

17,889,772

5.45

 

 

11.  Events after the reporting period

There have been no significant events subsequent to the reporting period.

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