SMALL CHAPTER MOVEMENTS: Trump’s Election Fails to Stop Clean Energy Advances

As the dust settled on Donald Trump’s comprehensive drubbing of his opponent Kamala Harris in the US presidential election, much of the attention focused on the potential implications for US markets and the global economy as a whole.

Given Trump’s climate skepticism and passionate love of fossil fuels, it’s safe to say the renewable energy industry has a lot to worry about, at least in the United States.

But here in the UK, a small alternative energy company on the AIM market ignored the fuss and posted a stylish 25 per cent gain in its market capitalisation.

UK-based green hydrogen technology and manufacturing company Clean Energy Hydrogen plc saw a rise in its valuation after signing a licensing deal with Hidrigin, allowing the Irish company to use Clean Power’s IP-protected membrane-less electrolyser.

Hidrigin has raised €100 million in funding to build numerous renewable energy developments and Clean Power shareholders are clearly hoping it will reap some of the benefits.

Global markets experienced an immediate boost of optimism following Trump’s victory, although it was short-lived and barely reflected in the performance of the AIM market.

The junior market saw a small post-election rise followed by a sharp pullback on Thursday. Not even a 25 basis point rate cut by the Bank of England could send the AIM All-Share index back into the green: it came close on Friday afternoon down 0.45 per cent to 735.4.

The FTSE 100 saw an even sharper pullback. After an initial post-election rally, the blue-chip index fell again to close the week down 1.3 percent at 8,073.

Speaking of hydrogen, AFC Energy plc was another of the biggest risers, adding more than 20 percent after revealing a deal to deploy the first 45 kVA H-Power system in Saudi Arabia with exclusive distributor The Machinery Group (doing business as TAMGO).

On the right side of the periodic table, Helium One Global Ltd confirmed the completion of its acquisition agreement with Blue Star Helium for a 50 percent interest in the Galactica-Pegasus helium project located in Las Animas, Colorado. Shares rose 18 percent.

Bigblu Broadband plc was the biggest increase of the week after confirming interest in acquiring its Salter Brother subsidiary by Australian operator SkyMesh.

“The transaction remains subject to final terms and financing agreements, and there can be no certainty that any transaction will be completed,” management said. Shares rose 61 percent.

B2B Video Streaming Solutions Company aferian plc added 50 percent after reporting that revenue is expected to rise 20 percent this year.

Regarding the issue of disposals, Christie Group plc announced the sale of its subsidiary Orridge Holdings to RGIS Inventory Specialists for £5 million.

Founded in 1846, Orridge is Europe’s oldest inventory company offering inventory management services in the retail, warehousing and pharmaceutical sectors in the UK, Germany and Belgium. Christie’s share price rose 20 percent.

Everyone’s Favorite Model Train Maker Hornby plc added 19 per cent after Frasers-backed AIM constituent confirmed the sale of its wholly owned subsidiary LCD Enterprises, which includes hobby brand Oxford Diecast, to EKD Enterprises for £1.38m.

Africa-focused gold producer hummingbird plc took the crown of this week’s AIM biggest loser in light of a debt restructuring that will likely lead to its delisting.

Continued challenges in its mining operations “have placed significant pressure on Hummingbird’s balance sheet and its ability to meet its near-term debt payment obligations,” management said.

The solution? A debt-for-equity swap that will allow lender CIG to effectively take control of the company at a substantial discount per share, following which CIG intends to delist Hummingbird from AIM. The shares subsequently collapsed 66 per cent to 2.13p.

Clinical infrastructure specialist. Comment plc’s valuation was slashed following full-year results and a diluted equity round.

Feedback’s cash position was almost halved in the reporting period, while a £5.2m share placed at 20p each represented a 55 per cent discount to market prices. The shares continued to fall by 50 per cent to match the offer price of 20p.

Oil and gas explorer Empyrean energy It was also involved in a £1.12m fundraising to support a potential acquisition of an option to participate in the Wilson prospect in Australia. The shares experienced a 40 percent downward technical adjustment.

Also in the energy sector, gas explorer. Sinergia Energía Ltda fell more than 23 percent due to an operational update.

Synergia said “solid progress is being made” in its 50:50 joint venture with Port energyalthough a round of discounted shares (a fairly recurring theme this week) increased pressure on the stock.

In the technology space, chipmaker EnSilica plc Shares fell 24 percent in response to a full-year trading update. While revenue increased 23 percent, gross margins fell from 40 percent to 36 percent due to a “large cancellation contract.”