Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Viridas plc (AIM:VIR)

Arbuthnot Securities is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Viridas plc, the AIM quoted company which is planning to plant 30,000 hectares of a dedicated energy crop in Brazil, to produce EU compliant sustainable biofuels including oil and biomass.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to WYG plc (AIM:WYG)

Arbuthnot Securities is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to WYG plc, the AIM-quoted international multi-skilled consultancy business. The admission of the Company's shares to AIM marks the end of WYG's financial restructuring and the beginning of the next stage of the Company's development.

New Sales Trader

Michael Harrison joined as a Director, Sales Trading in January 2010. Previously a buy-side dealer at Dresdner RCM, then New Star Asset Management and most recently at Pali International.

New Corporate Broker

Sarah Jukes joined as an Associate Director, within the Corporate Broking team in January. Sarah spent 12 years at Dresdner Kleinwort within their Investor Relations team

New Sales Person

Steve Yelland joined as a Director, Equity Sales in January 2010. Steve has 25 years of experience of equity sales. Latterly with Pali International in London, but previously with Bridgewell and HSBC.

Arbuthnot appointed joint Broker to Vatukoula Gold Mines plc (AIM:VGM)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed joint Broker to Vatukoula Gold Mines plc, the AIM-quoted Fijian gold mining producer.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser to Unitech Corporate Parks PLC (AIM:UCP)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser to Unitech Corporate Parks PLC, quoted on AIM and one of the leading investment companies focusing on commercial real estate in India

Energybuild Group plc (AIM:EBG): £14.5m placing

Institutional placing at 15p per share to raise approximately £14.5m (gross) for EBG. The proceeds will be invested with the aim of increasing production at Energybuild's underground mine from the current 114,000 tonnes per annum of saleable coal to the targeted rate of 750,000 tonnes per annum, by 2013. Arbuthnot acted as Nominated Adviser and Broker to EBG on the placing.

F&C Private Equity plc (LSE:FPEO): £30.0m ZDP issue

Institutional placing by F&C Private Equity Zeros plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FPEO, of zero dividend preference shares at 100p per share to raise approximately £30.0m (gross). Arbuthnot acted as Placing Agent and Broker to FPEO on the placing.

Snacktime plc (AIM:SNAK): £5.8m placing

Institutional placing at 170p per share to raise approximately £5.8m (gross) for SNAK. The proceeds are to be used to fund the acquisition of snack and chilled drink vending machines, to fund further selected acquisitions, to develop the Company's new hot drinks division and to strengthen the Company's balance sheet. Arbuthnot acted as Nominated Adviser and Broker to SNAK on the placing.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Artilium plc (AIM:ARTA)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Artilium plc, the AIM-quoted provider of mobile telecoms software solutions.

Titanium Resources Group Limited (AIM:TXR): $25.0m placing

Institutional placing at 10p per share to raise approximately $25.0m (gross) for TXR. The proceeds are to be used to fund projects intended to increase production and processing capacity at the Company's Sierra Rutile Mine. Arbuthnot acted as Nominated Adviser and Broker to TXR on the placing.

New Analyst

We are pleased to announced that Adam Lawson has joined us as an analyst to work with Robert Sanders and Oliver Cummings to expand the capabilities of the smaller companies team. Previously Adam was at Teathers/Landsbanki, where he was an analyst (and latterly a specialist sales person) on smaller and technology company research.

Arbuthnot appointed Broker to Xcite Energy Limited (AIM:XEL)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Broker to Xcite Energy Limited, the AIM-quoted developer of heavy oil assets in the UK North Sea.

New Sales Person

Sam Banerjee has joined as a Director of Arbuthnot Securities. He will assist with the development of our efforts in India, working with Nicholas Banszky (in Corporate Finance). Previously, Sam worked for ING Barings (Head of Country Funds Research), JP Morgan (Head of Country Funds Research 2001 - 2002, Asia Equity Derivatives Research 2002 - 2003, Asia Equity Proprietary Trading 2003 - 2007) and most recently has been a fund manager with the JK Asia Absolute Fund.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Lok’N Store Group plc (AIM:LOK)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Lok'N Store Group plc, the AIM-quoted leading company in the UK self-storage market

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to eg solutions plc (AIM:EGS)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to eg solutions plc, the AIM-quoted operations management software company.

Randgold Resources Ltd (LSE:RRS): disposal of Kiaka Gold Project

Disposal by Randgold of its interest in the Kiaka gold project in Burkina Faso to Volta Resources Inc for a gross consideration of C$4.0m and 20m shares in Volta. Arbuthnot acted as Financial Adviser to RRS on the transaction.

Vatukoula Gold Mines plc (AIM:VGM): £9.0m placing

Placing at 1.2p per share to raise £9.0m (gross) for VGM from institutional and other investors. The net proceeds will be used to assist the Company in increasing its' pro rata annual production to in excess of 100,000 ounces by the beginning of the 2011 calendar year. Arbuthnot acted as lead Broker to the placing.

Sabien Technology plc (AIM:SNT): £1.5m placing by Arbuthnot

Arbuthnot raised £1.5m (gross) for SNT following a placing at 30p per share with institutional and other investors. The proceeds are to be used to support the Company's growth and working capital requirements. Arbuthnot acted as Nominated Adviser and Broker to SNT on the placing.

Clarity Commerce solutions plc (AIM:CCS): £2.7m placing by Arbuthnot

Arbuthnot raised £2.7m (gross) for CCS following a placing at 40p per share with institutional and other investors. The proceeds are to be used to fund part payment of the deferred consideration due to the vendors of MATRA, to repay bank debt and to strengthen the Company's balance sheet. Arbuthnot acted as Nominated Adviser and Broker to CCS on the placing.

The Directors’ Dealing Investment Trust plc (LSE:DDIT): tender offer

DDIT announced a tender offer for up to 41% of the company's issued share capital. Arbuthnot acted as financial adviser.

Xcite Energy Ltd (AIM:XEL): £2.1m placing

Placing at 21p (C$0.37) per share to raise £2.1m (gross) for XEL from institutional and other investors. The net proceeds will be used to assist the Company in securing the necessary industry partners, and to further the commercial arrangements, that are expected to enable the Company to move forward to the next phase of its development of the Bentley field, and for general working capital purposes. Arbuthnot acted as UK Broker to the placing.

Getting the mix right

In her 76-page report, Getting the mix right, Kate Moy argued that while public sector spending cuts and the decimation of private commercial and industrial new build have cast a shadow over the contractors, the sector was generally well-placed to ride out the storm.

Continuing to climb

Gerald Khoo published a 48-page report, Continuing to climb, in which he examined how the low cost airline business model has proven robust in the current recession and initiated coverage on two stocks.

Advance Developing Markets Trust plc (LSE:ADD): re-domicile proposals

In September 2009, proposals were announced to re-domicile ADD through a voluntary winding up of the company and a rollover of shareholders' interests into a newly-established Guernsey fund, Advance Developing Markets Fund Limited (“ADMF”). In October 2009, ADD published a circular setting out further details of the re-domicile together with a prospectus in connection with the proposed issue of ordinary shares and subscription shares by ADMF. Arbuthnot acted as sponsor and financial adviser.

Arbuthnot appointed Broker to Xcite Energy Limited (AIM:XEL)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Broker to Xcite Energy Limited, the AIM-quoted developer of heavy oil assets in the UK North Sea.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser to Daniel Stewart Securities plc (AIM:DAN)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser to Daniel Stewart Securities plc, the AIM-quoted investment bank.

Indochina Capital Vietnam Holdings Limited (LSE:ICV): portfolio split and realisation

In September 2009, ICV announced that valid forms of election in respect of a proposed portfolio split into a continuation portfolio and a realisation portfolio had been received in respect of ordinary shares representing 67.7% of the issued share capital. As a result, ICV has now begun an orderly realisation of its entire portfolio with a view to distributing the net proceeds of the realisation in a timely manner by way of compulsory repurchase(s) of shareholders' interests. Arbuthnot is acting as financial adviser in relation to the proposals.

San Leon Energy plc (AIM:SLE): £6.3m placing

Institutional placing at 15p per share to raise approximately £6.3m (gross) for SLE. The proceeds are to be used towards providing SLE with the capital to carry out the Company's exploration and development programme across its portfolio of projects in Morocco, Poland, Italy and the USA. Arbuthnot acted as Nominated Adviser and joint Broker to SLE on the placing.

Oryx International Growth Fund Limited (LSE:OIG): Rule 9 whitewash

At the Company's AGM, shareholders approved a waiver resolution in respect of a Rule 9 whitewash in connection with the holdings of Christopher Mills and North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc. Arbuthnot acted as financial adviser in relation to the proposals.

Hunting for the big four

In his 56-page report, Hunting for the big four, Oil & Gas analyst Dr. Dougie Youngson initiated coverage on four African E&P companies and looked at what makes Africa an attractive investment opportunity.

Public sector spend – the cupboard is bare

On 22 September, David Brockton published a 72-page report, Public sector spend - the cupboard is bare, which looks at how likely impending cuts to public sector spending will impact the Support Services Consultants.

Eclectic Investment Trust Plc (LSE:ECIT): transfer to AIM

On 8 September 2009, ECIT published a circular in connection with a proposed transfer of the Company's ordinary shares from the Official List to AIM. Arbuthnot acted as financial adviser.

Abigail (UK) Limited: £25.2m offer for ARC International plc (LSE:ARK)

Recommended cash offer by Abigail (UK) Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Virage Logic Corporation) for ARC International plc, valuing ARC International at £25.2m. Arbuthnot acted as joint Financial Adviser to Abigail and to Virage Logic.

INVESCO Asia Trust Plc (LSE:IAT): subscription share issue

Issue of 18,767,485 subscription shares by IAT to existing shareholders by way of a bonus issue. Arbuthnot acted as sponsor and financial adviser.

Imaginatik plc (AIM: IMTK): £1.575m placing by Arbuthnot Securities

On 13 August 2009, dealings commenced following an institutional placing by Arbuthnot Securities of 26.3m new shares at 6p per share to raise approximately £1.575m (gross) for IMTK. The proceeds are to be used to provide IMTK with the resources to pursue its growth plans and for general working capital purposes.

Invu plc (AIM: INVU): £1.5m placing by Arbuthnot Securities

On 12 August 2009, dealings commenced following an institutional placing by Arbuthnot Securities of 50.0m new shares at 2p per share, and the issue of £500,000 nominal of Convertible Loan Notes, to raise £1.5m (gross) for INVU. The proceeds are to be used to repay debt, for general working capital purposes and will provide INVU with the resources to execute its revised strategy.

Randgold Resources Ltd (LSE: RRS): Global Offer

On 29 July 2009, Randgold Resources Limited announced the successful result of a Global Offer, following the issue of 5.75m shares at £36.35 each, raising a total of £209m (gross) for the Company. Arbuthnot Securities acts as joint UK Broker to RRS.

Public Transport report

Gerald Khoo published a 60-page report, 'Differentiating risk', which recaps and updates his view on Public Transport following recent activity in the sector. The report also explores the differences in the risks faced by the individual groups, as whilst similar, the groups are not identical. In particular, the report looks at the distribution of risks in the rail industry, which are far from evenly distributed.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Ultimate Finance Group plc (AIM: UFG, Market cap. £2m)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Ultimate Finance Group plc, the AIM-quoted factoring, invoice discounting and financial solutions provider to the SME sector.

Minera IRL Ltd (AIM: MIRL): £8.5m Placing

On 7 July 2009, trading commenced on AIM following a placing of 13.6m new shares in Minera IRL Limited at 67p each, to raise £8.5m (gross) for the Company. Arbuthnot Securities acted as Broker and Nominated Adviser to MIRL on the transaction.

Arbuthnot appointed Broker to Northbridge Industrial Services plc (AIM: NBI, Market cap. £11m)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Broker to Northbridge Industrial Services plc, the AIM-quoted industrial service and rental company.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to VANE Minerals plc (AIM: VML, Market cap. £10m)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to VANE Minerals plc, the AIM-quoted mining exploration and production company, with a producing gold mine in Western Mexico, a portfolio of uranium exploration assets in Arizona and Utah and a copper exploration licence in Arizona.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser to Titanium Resources Group Limited plc (AIM: TRG, Market cap. £10m)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Titanium Resources Limited, the AIM-quoted Mineral Sands (principally Rutile) exploration and production company operating in Sierra Leone. Arbuthnot is the continuing Broker to TRG.

New analyst

Dr Dougie Youngson joined us in July 2009 from Ambrian Partners where he was the Energy & Agriculture analyst. Prior to joining the City, Dougie was a Management Consultant for six years working for Arthur D. Little, Wood Mackenzie and CRA International where he focused on the petroleum and chemical sectors. He has a PhD in Microwave Chemistry from The University of Edinburgh. Dougie will be focusing on developing Arbuthnot's oil and gas franchise.

Oromin Explorations Ltd (TSX: OLE): C$20m Private Placement

On 19 June 2009 Oromin Explorations Limited announced the successful closing of a Private Placement of 28.5m new common shares at C$0.70 per share, to raise C$20m (gross) for the Company. Arbuthnot Securities acted as UK Placing Agent to Oromin on the transaction.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser and joint Broker to San Leon Energy PLC (AIM: SLE, Market cap. £69m)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and joint Broker to San Leon Energy PLC, an international group of companies focused on the exploration and production of oil and gas projects in North America, Morocco and Europe.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Imaginatik plc (AIM: IMTK, Market cap. £9m)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Imaginatik plc, the AIM-quoted leading provider of enterprise collaborative software and processes.

Public Transport report

In his report 'Sidetracked by rail', Transport analyst Gerald Khoo looks at how the outlook for the rail industry continues to dominate investor sentiment as slower passenger revenue growth combines with aggressive subsidy profiles at the more-recently awarded franchises to deliver losses at certain franchises. With the recession resulting in a marked slowdown in passenger revenue and volume growth, Gerald considers whether or not the problems in rail are serious enough to distract attention from the defensive and cash-generative bus operations that underpin most of the groups in the public transport sub-sector.

New Director of Corporate Broking

Andrew Fairclough joined as a Director of the Corporate Broking team at Arbuthnot in May 2009 from Merrill Lynch. Andrew has 14 years of investment banking experience, latterly as a director in corporate broking at Merrill Lynch, and prior to that as a corporate financier at Rothschild and Flemings.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to B.P.Marsh & Partners plc. (AIM: BPM, Market cap. £25.6m)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to B. P. Marsh & Partners PLC, a specialist private equity investor in early stage financial services businesses which will consider investment opportunities based in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and occasionally elsewhere.

New Head of Equity Sales appointed

Simon Wickham joined Arbuthnot as Head of Sales in May 2009 from Dresdner. Prior to this, Simon has worked at JP Morgan Cazenove, Investec, HSBC, and initially (in Research) at RZH - Numis Securities.

New analysts

Sneha Shah joined us in March 2009 from Deutsche Bank where she was an Associate in their Equity Special & Relative Value Situations Group, researching event-driven strategies such as risk arbitrage, de-mergers and dual listings. She has an MBA from the University of Chicago and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Sneha initially worked for Citibank in Singapore, and Deutsche Bank (New York & London).

Gerald Khoo joined us in April 2009 as an analyst covering the Transport sector and focusing on Public Transport, Airlines/Aviation and Ports & Shipbroking. He is a CFA charterholder with more than 11 years' experience in equity research. Gerald joined us from Credit Suisse, prior to which he successfully established the Transport sector franchise at Oriel Securities.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Advisor and Broker to Volvere PLC (AIM: VLE, Market cap. £8.2m)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Volvere PLC, a turn-around investment fund listed on AIM.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Advisor and Broker to Hertford International Group PLC (AIM: HIG, Market cap. £7.5m)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Advisor and Broker to Hertford International Group PLC, an AIM listed financial services company and the holding business for CrewCard Network Limited, CrewCall Network Limited and Cheque Exchange Limited.

Arbuthnot Newsletter: On The March

By any standards, 2008 was a difficult and unprecedented year in the markets, with widespread volatility and uncertainty. Against this backdrop however, Arbuthnot:

• Admitted 4 companies to AIM
• Advised on 16 M&A mandates, with a combined value in excess of £500m
• Acted for 92 corporate clients with an average market cap of over £100m
• Won 26 new clients (Hemscott cited Arbuthnot as a 'name to watch, marching relentlessly up the table, quarter by quarter')
• Additionally, one of our corporate clients, Randgold Resources (RRS.L) was included into the FTSE 100 in Q4 of last year

Today we advise 96 listed companies with an average market cap of over £100m, and research over 120 companies.
Through our affiliate in New York, Auerbach Grayson, we continue to be able to access opportunities in the United States, as well as those in the Middle East, with Arbuthnot's membership of the Dubai International Financial Exchange and local contacts.
2009 will remain challenging, but we are continuing to see exciting opportunities. We are optimistic about prospects for the Group and our ability to raise money for the right projects.

To read the rest of this newsletter please click here: ASL: On The March

Recruitment in Equity Sales

Darren Winter joined the Equity Sales team in March 2009. He is an experienced small company salesperson, with particular strengths in housebuilders and real estate. Darren joined us from Fairfax and previously worked at Collins Stewart, initially as a smaller companies salesperson, but then as Head of Sales, Capital Markets.

Arbuthnot appointed Nominated Advisor and Broker to Hurlingham plc (AIM: HRL, Market cap. £ 1.16m)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Nominated Adviser and Broker to Hurlingham plc, an investment company.

Arbuthnot appointed Financial Adviser and Corporate Broker to The Vitec Group PLC. (LSE: VTC, Market cap. £66.5m)

Arbuthnot is pleased to announce that it has been appointed Financial Adviser and Broker to The Vitec Group PLC, an international Group, principally serving customers in the worldwide media sector with products and services designed to facilitate the production of video programmes or still images.

The Directors' Dealing Investment Trust (LSE:DDIT) - Tender Offer and refinancing

On 11 March 2009 Eaglet Investment Trust announced the approval by shareholders for a change of investment policy, change of name to The Directors' Dealing Investment Trust, amendments to the Articles of Association, Tender Offer to purchase up to 58% of the Shares in issue, granting of Authority to make Market Purchases, New Investment Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement, Management Warrants Deed, cancellation of the Company's share premium account and re-election of N Jeffrey as a Director. Arbuthnot acted as Financial Adviser and Broker to the company.