25 January 2024
Aquis Exchange
PLC
("Aquis",
the "Company" or the "Group")
Trading Update
and
Notice of Results
Aquis Exchange PLC (AQX.L), a creator
and facilitator of next-generation financial markets, provides an
unaudited trading update for the year ended 31 December 2023
("FY23").
Aquis is pleased to confirm that it
expects to report performance for FY23 in line with Board
expectations.
Expected Group financial
highlights:
-
Net revenue up 12% to £22.6m (FY22
£20.1m)
-
Profit before tax up 16% to £5.2m (FY22
£4.5m)
-
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2023 up
4% to £14.8m (31 December 2022: £14.2m)
Expected net revenue split by
division:
|
FY23 (£m)
|
FY22
(£m)
|
|
Markets
|
11.0
|
10.3
|
+7%
|
Technologies
|
6.2
|
5.2
|
+19%
|
Data
|
3.7
|
3.0
|
+23%
|
Aquis Stock Exchange
|
1.7
|
1.6
|
+6%
|
|
22.6
|
20.1
|
+12%
|
Business highlights:
-
Aquis
Markets increased market share
following change to proprietary trading rule in November 2023. The
overall pan-European market share for December 2023 was 4.97%, up
from 4.76% in November and 4.58% in October 2023. The January 2024
average to date is 5.21%.
-
Aquis
Technologies was awarded two new
technology contracts in 2023, including one for a central bank. In
addition, an existing contract moved from design and consultancy to
exchange delivery stage. The division now has nine contracts, seven
of which have recognised revenue.
-
Aquis
Data increased revenue by over 20%
from the sale of Aquis Markets and Aquis Stock Exchange data to
non-Member market participants. We continue to expect significant
benefit from the advent of EU and UK consolidated
tapes.
-
Aquis Stock
Exchange admitted 16 new companies
in 2023 - the most of any growth exchange in the UK for the second
year running.
Alasdair Haynes, CEO, Aquis Exchange
PLC said:
"In
a year marked by uncertainty and difficult market conditions, I am
really pleased to report another year of double-digit revenue
growth for Aquis Exchange, alongside many successful strategic
developments for the Group for which we expect to see the benefits
in both near and long term. We are well positioned for the future
and look forward to delivering throughout 2024 and
beyond."
The Group expects to announce its
audited results for FY23 on 21 March 2024.
-ends-
Enquiries:
Aquis Exchange PLC
|
Tel: +44 (0)20 3597 6321
|
Alasdair Haynes, CEO
|
|
Richard Fisher, CFO
Adele Gilbert, Head of Marketing
& Investor Relations
|
Tel: +44 (0)20 3597 6329
|
Investec Bank plc (Nominated Adviser and
Broker)
|
Tel: +44 (0)20 7597 4000
|
David Anderson
|
|
Bruce Garrow
|
|
Lydia Zychowska
St John Hunter
Canaccord Genuity Limited (Joint
Broker)
Emma Gabriel
George Grainger
VSA
Capital Limited (AQSE Corporate Adviser)
Andrew Raca
|
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 8000
Tel: +44(0)20 3005 5000
|
Alma Strategic Communications (Financial PR
Adviser)
|
Tel: +44 (0)20 3405 0209
|
Josh Royston
Rebecca Sanders-Hewett
|
aquis@almastrategic.com
|
Kieran Breheny
|
|
Notes to
editors:
About Aquis
Exchange PLC
Aquis Exchange PLC ("Aquis") is a creator and
facilitator of next-generation financial markets, through the
provision of accessible, simple and efficient stock exchanges,
trading venues and technology.
Aquis consists of four divisions:
Aquis
Markets operates lit and dark order books, covering 16 European
markets. For its lit books, Aquis uses a subscription pricing model
which works by charging users according to the message traffic they
generate, rather than a percentage of the value of each stock that
they trade.
Aquis
Technologies is the software and technology division of Aquis.
It focuses on building better markets via the creation and
licensing of cutting-edge, cost-effective exchange infrastructure
technology and services, including matching engine and trade
surveillance solutions.
Aquis
Data generates revenue from the sale of data derived from Aquis
Markets and Aquis Stock Exchange to non-Member market
participants.
Aquis Stock
Exchange (AQSE) is a stock market providing primary and
secondary markets for equity and debt products. It is authorised as
a Recognised Investment Exchange, which allows it to operate a
regulated listings venue. The AQSE Growth Market is divided into
two segments 'Access' and 'Apex'; the Access market focuses on
earlier stage growth companies, while Apex is the intended market
for larger, more established businesses.
Aquis is authorised and regulated by the UK
Financial Conduct Authority and France's Autorité de contrôle
prudentiel et de résolution and L'Autorité des marchés
financiers to operate Multilateral Trading Facility businesses in
the UK & Switzerland markets and in EU27 markets respectively.
Aquis Exchange PLC is quoted on the Aquis Stock Exchange and on the
AIM Market (AIM) of the LSE. For more information, please go
to www.aquis.eu.