Looking good | Hard to Judge | As flat as it gets
News covered here includes fabulous interim results from a supplier of colour cosmetics, whose shares have been flying in 2023, but can they keep it going. Elsewhere, a consistent performer in the world of digital instruments has some catching up to do in the second half, while a youth publisher looks compelling value, if only we could better relate to their offering! Read on here for our thoughts on this and other news. (Free to read)
Judges: orders up but cash flow lags Judges Scientific (AIM:JDG), which acquires and develops companies in the scientific instrument sector, reported interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2023. Revenue climbed 32% to £61.3m, of which organic growth was 28%, with the results bolstered by the contribution from the large acquisition of Geotek (initial cost £45m). They also made 2 smaller acquisitions in the period. Organic revenues increased in all territories, particularly in North America where revenues rose 43%. Adjusted pre-tax profit progressed 33% to £12.8m with a big increase in the interest expense resulting from the debt…