Industrial product distributor, Vulcan Steel (ASX:VSL) & (NZX:VSL):

has signed a conditional sale and purchase agreement […] to acquire 100% of [Ullrich Alumnium Company] for approximately A$149 million

Another acquisition today! Who is Ullrich Aluminium Company?

Established 60 years ago, Ullrich is a major integrated distributor of industrial aluminium products in Australasia …

Pretty decent purchase for a $1.09 billion company. The acquisition will add an additional A$244 million in top-line revenue.

LINK

Insurance underwriter, Ensurance (ASX:ENA):

has entered into a non-binding agreement to sell its UK operations to ASX-listed PSC Insurance Group (ASX:PSI) for A$8.2 million.

The deal funded by:

A$6.15 [million] in cash and the balance of A$2.05 [million] in PSC shares …

Deal non-binding at this point.

LINK

Iron ore producer, Fenix Resources (ASX:FEX):

has today completed the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in haulage joint venture company, Fenix-Newhaul Pty Ltd resulting in the consolidation of 100% ownership of the haulage business into Fenix

Payment completed in:

A$7.5 million in cash and 30,000,000 Fenix fully paid ordinary shares.

Additionally:

Mr Craig Mitchell, the founder of Newhaul, has been nominated to join the Board of Fenix …

LINK

Vertically integrated oyster producer, East 33 (ASX:E33):

announce[d] that it has completed the acquisition of […] oyster farm management software, Oyster Cloud …

I had to read this sentence many times before I realised they’re actually talking about oysters, like the seafood oyster. I was thinking this is something new cloud platform with a funny name like Kubernetes.

An $11 million company focussed on oysters — there ya go!

LINK

Biotechnology company, Starpharma (ASX:SPL) & (OTCQX:SPHRY):

announced new results demonstrating the high level of protection afforded by the VIRALEZE antiviral nasal spray against the highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in vivo

Shares up 1.52% on the announcement — has COVID lost its charm?

LINK

Cybersecurity company, Mobilicom’s (ASX:MOB):

planned NASDAQ dual listing is at an advanced stage.

I heard someone say the other week, that if you look at all dual-listed ASX companies, they’ve all failed. Especially those going to America. It was the combination of the being completely lost in the size of the US market, halving your liquidity, and split shareholder priority.

The NASDAQ dual listing plays a key role in Mobilicom’s longer-term growth strategy.

They’re definitely going full guns blazing.

LINK

Concussion management technology company, HITIQ (ASX:HIQ):

announces a summary outline of its [FY23] Business Strategy / Operating Plan.

If you were interested in the HIQ announcement yesterday — this strategic update might be interesting.

LINK

FinTech lender company, Plenti (ASX:PLT):

load portfolio increased to $1.55 billion at 30 June 2022 …

The graph in the announcement is even more impressive.

90% above PCP and 11% above prior quarter.

Plenti is an interesting company, its growth is unbelievable consistent but down 50% flat since IPO and down 57.96% over the last year — I might take a deeper look.

LINK

Battery materials company, Euro Manganese (ASX:EMN):

has become a member of the Global Battery Alliance …

What is the Global Battery Alliance?

Global Battery Alliance members collaborate on key initiatives related to ensuring a sustainable and responsible battery value chain, through the formation of Action Partnerships.

Word soup.

LINK

Mining exploration company, Marmota (ASX:MEU):

has been successful in its application to participate in the Federal Government’s Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive (JMEI) program …

How much do they get?

The Commissioner of Taxation has allocated $951,000 in JMEI tax credits …

Today I learned the JMEI program exists — kind of like a specialist franking credit — worth $100 million over four years to 2025.

In the event that there is no tax liability to offset, then the tax credits are issued as a tax refund by the Tax Office.

LINK