Researchanalyst
02.05.2022, Author: Stefan Feulner

Stock news: Aspermont with enormous potential — Live events generate exceptional growth

  • B2B
  • Media
  • Mining
  • Digital

Last year, the leading media services provider for the commodities industry completed its transformation into a B2B digital media company, distributing high-quality content to a rapidly growing global audience through its XaaS model. Although the live events division slipped away due to the Corona pandemic, the Australians successfully navigated the period marked by COVID-19, and the Company made significant strides toward growth and profitability. The Future of Mining Australia event has now heralded a return to physical events, enabling Aspermont to generate exceptional returns. The figures for the second quarter clearly show the enormous potential for the future.


Time to read: 4 minutes

Unabated growth

In the second quarter of the current fiscal year 2022, the leading media services provider in the global commodities industry continues its growth momentum. As detailed in the initial Report 01/2022, the Company is headquartered in Perth, Australia, with offices in London/UK, Belo Horizonte/Brazil, Manila/Philippines and Singapore, distributes high-quality content to a growing global clientele. The business model is highly scalable and can be expanded to include new areas and languages.

With the publication of the figures for the second quarter, Aspermont once again exceeded the forecasts it had set itself. Compared to the second quarter of the previous year, total revenues increased by 39% to EUR 3.21 million, while gross profit climbed by 43% to EUR 2.08 million. The increase of the gross margin to currently 65% is to be emphasized. The analysts of GBC AG expect the margin to further increase to up to 72% for the full year 2022.

CEO Alex Kent on second-quarter financials: "The resumption of live events contributed to an exceptional 72% growth in our services business this quarter, and we expect a similar impact in the fourth quarter as more live events take place." Source: Aspermont Ltd.

Live events as a kicker

In this regard, the services sector grew disproportionately by 72% due to the resumption of live events. Management expects a similar impact in the fourth quarter, where even more events are in the pipeline. The return of lucrative live events was heralded by the "Future of Mining" Sydney at the end of March. With more than 700 registered attendees and over 300 companies in attendance, FOM was Aspermont's largest event to date. Through events of this magnitude, Aspermont generates more than EUR 700,000 in new revenue with secured gross margins.

Further continuous growth with a strong 19% was also shown by the XaaS segment. Here, the Australians generate recurring revenues through a central premium subscription. In addition, it is possible for existing customers to book further premium content services, adopt new content formats or add more members to their account. The third segment, data, also performed according to plan, with higher revenues expected here in the fourth quarter as part of the two-year lead generation process.

Overall, Alex Kent, Managing Director of Aspermont, believes that as the product development program progresses according to plan, there is an increased likelihood that financial growth expectations in terms of revenue and earnings targets will be exceeded.

Continued strong momentum

In addition to the increases in sales and earnings, Aspermont was able to initiate important operational and personnel changes. With the appointment of Dean Felton as Non-Executive Director, extensive expertise was brought on board. Dean has more than 25 years of experience in the mining industry, having held senior management and consulting positions with major companies Rio Tinto, BHP and Vale. Dean also brings additional expertise and technical knowledge to Aspermont from his recent leadership roles at Accenture and Ernst & Young.

"This EUR 1.54 million grant is confirmation that the Australian Federal Government recognizes and supports Kondinin as a brand leader in the Australian agricultural sector." Source: Company announcement Aspermont, 08.03.2022

Another positive note is a EUR 1.654 million government grant to Aspermont's subsidiary, Kondinin Group, for drought resilience. Through this, Australian farmers can receive extensive information and guidance on strategies and technologies to better cope with drought.

Several launches are also planned for the next few weeks. "Our technical development continues to progress. We should be able to launch our next generation investor outreach platform, which will be renamed "Resource Stocks," as well as our new "Content Work" platform and our highly anticipated "Blu Horseshoe" financing platform in the third quarter," said Company director Alex Kent. At "Blu Horseshoe", a joint venture with two partners Spark Plus and International Pacific Capital, the first step is to develop a platform to raise capital for professional investors in the ASX market. Currently, a pre-registration phase is underway for interested investors.

New advisor and possible major shareholder

An agreement has been signed with investment bank SooChow CSSD Capital Markets SCMM, which focuses on young, high-growth companies in the Asian region, for corporate advisory services. Aspermont, which recently established a Singapore office, expects the new partner to help develop its investor base and increase awareness in the region.

In addition, SCCM plans to subscribe to unlisted transferable stock options that can be exchanged for Aspermont common stock. In total, there are up to 250 million shares with a maturity date of only September 30, 2022, and an exercise price of AUD 0.0432 per share. Exercising the options would inject AUD 10.8 million, the equivalent of EUR 6.84 million, into Aspermont's coffers.

Interim conclusion

Aspermont continues on a steep growth path. The reopening of the live events will also flush considerable special income into the coffers. For this reason, revenue and earnings forecasts are likely to be adjusted upward significantly once again in fiscal 2022 and 2023. With a high cash balance, operational flexibility and management infrastructure, the focus should be on increased scaling in addition to growth. The analysts at GBC AG assigned a price target of EUR 0.07 in their latest study, which would mean more than a fivefold increase compared to the current price of EUR 0.013. However, the live events are not even fully included in the study.


Conflict of interest

Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") currently hold or hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies and speculate on their price developments. In this respect, they intend to sell or acquire shares or other financial instruments of the companies (hereinafter each referred to as a "Transaction"). Transactions may thereby influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.
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