Spectral Capital Corp (FCCN) Welcomes Quantum Visionary Dr. Wolf Kohn to Its Quantum Bridge Advisory Board

EQS Newswire / 24/09/2024 / 02:22 PST/PDT Revolutionizing the Future of Quantum Computing and AI with Industry Luminary Dr. Wolf Kohn Spectral Capital Corporation (OTCQB: FCCN), a trailblazer in Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS) and decentralized cloud infrastructure, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Wolf Kohn, Ph.D., a globally recognized leader in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and data optimization, to its Quantum Bridge Advisory Board. Dr. Kohn's deep expertise will play a pivotal role in guiding Spectral's ambitious journey to revolutionize the tech landscape. Photo: Sean Michael Brehm, Chairman of Spectral Capital Corporation This appointment signals a major leap forward for Spectral Capital as it gears up to accelerate the development of its QaaS platform—one that blends quantum computing with green, decentralized data centers. By incorporating cutting-edge innovations such as Green Wave Technology and the Distributed Quantum Ledger Database (DQLDB), Spectral Capital is positioning itself to lead the charge in creating a scalable, energy-efficient quantum infrastructure that promises not only to redefine cloud computing but also to reduce carbon footprints. A Quantum Pioneer Joins the Mission Dr. Kohn’s illustrious career includes over 25 patents, four authored books, and more than 300 academic papers spanning topics from optimal hybrid control to quantum systems. His recent contributions to Optimal Meta-Control Theory have been published in the Encyclopedia of Optimization, underscoring his role as one of the foremost thought leaders in his field. His deep understanding of AI and quantum control will be instrumental in guiding Spectral Capital’s expansion into the quantum-enabled future. "We are honored to welcome Dr. Wolf Kohn to our advisory board," said Jenifer Osterwalder, CEO of Spectral Capital. "His unparalleled expertise aligns perfectly with our mission to transform industries through quantum computing and decentralized cloud systems. Dr. Kohn’s insights will accelerate our mission to solve complex, real-world challenges across sectors, from finance to healthcare, through the power of quantum technology. We are confident that his contribution will significantly accelerate our progress and create substantial value for our investors and partners." Forging a Sustainable Quantum Future With its Quantum Bridge Program, Spectral Capital is building a powerful link between classical computing and quantum technologies, enabling industries to transition smoothly into this new frontier. Dr. Kohn’s leadership will guide the program’s evolution, ensuring the creation of secure, sustainable, and forward-thinking solutions. His work will be particularly vital as Spectral continues to attract top-tier talent and strategic partners to solidify its leadership position in the quantum revolution. Dr. Kohn’s expertise extends beyond academia. As Chief Scientist of CrowdPoint Technologies, he continues to push the boundaries of quantum control and optimization. His previous roles at Veritone, Inc., and Citigroup’s SEQA Capital Advisors, along with his academic appointments, provide a foundation of experience that will help Spectral navigate the future of quantum computing and decentralized data systems. Building Tomorrow’s Quantum Leaders Spectral Capital is positioning itself as a driving force behind the quantum revolution. With the addition of Dr. Kohn, the company is now more equipped than ever to deliver cutting-edge solutions for enterprise AI, cybersecurity, and climate-focused data optimization. Through the Quantum Bridge Program, Spectral is setting the stage for a future where quantum computing becomes an everyday reality, delivering transformational benefits to industries around the globe. For more information about Spectral Capital and its Quantum Bridge Initiative, visit Spectral Capital Website. Company Contact Jenifer Osterwalder contact@spectralcapital.com Media Contact Anna Stukkert Phone: +49 162 2328333 About Spectral CapitalSpectral Capital Corporation is a pioneer in Quantum as a Service (QaaS) creating a bridge from classical technologies to quantum computing, focused on creating profitable, sustainable, secure, and scalable solutions for global industries. The company is committed to revolutionizing the future of quantum computing through its Quantum Bridge Initiative. For more information, please visit Spectral Capital. For more information about investment, please visit Invest Spectral Capital. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and FCCN's growth and business strategy. Words such as "expects," "will," "intends," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "hopes," "estimates," and variations on such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although FCCN believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of FCCN. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in FCCN's business; competitive factors in the market(s) in which FCCN operates; risks associated with operations outside the United States; and other factors listed from time to time in FCCN's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. FCCN expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in FCCN's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. 24/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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ActusRayPartners, a Quantitative Hedge Fund Manager Wins HFM APAC and European Performance Awards

EQS Newswire / 24/09/2024 / 09:00 UTC+8 On 16 September 2024, ActusRayPartners (“ARP”) has been awarded the prestigious “New Fund of the Year” at the With Intelligence HFM APAC Performance Awards 2024. This accolade recognizes the outstanding performance of the ActusRayPartners Asian Alpha Fund for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, marking the Fund’s success in its inaugural year of operations. In addition, on 12 October 2023, ARP received the “Equity Newcomer” award at the HFM European Performance Awards 2023. This award highlighted the strong performance of the ActusRayPartners European Alpha Fund for the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. Since its launch in March 2021, the Fund has consistently been nominated for performance awards each full year. ARP is a quantitatively orientated but ultimately discretionary hedge fund manager seeded and supported by Sun Hung Kai Capital Partners, the funds management platform of Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited (“SHK & Co”, SEHK: 86). Established in 2019, ARP has achieved significant growth, with its assets under management (AUM) increasing over 35 times from inception to approximately US$770 million as of 31 August 2024. “Winning performance awards for both our European and Asian Funds showcases our team’s ability to effectively apply our Discretionary Probabilistic Investing process across different geographic regions,” said the co-founders of ARP. Tony Edwards, Deputy CEO of SHK & Co, expressed his congratulations: “Congratulations to the ARP team on winning these HFM Performance Awards! At SHK & Co, we are committed to supporting and nurturing specialist emerging asset managers in Asia, empowering them to excel. ARP is a prime example of this successful partnership, demonstrating resilience and strong performance even in volatile markets. We look forward to achieving more milestones with ARP in the future.” The HFM Performance Awards are highly regarded in the hedge fund industry, honouring excellence in various categories such as fund performance, operational capabilities, and service providers. Organized by HFM Global, a leading source of hedge fund intelligence, these awards have a long history of celebrating firms that demonstrate exceptional performance and innovation. – End – ActusRayPartners’ equal co-founders Patrick Cheung, Andrew Alexander, and Raymond Chan (left to right). ActusRayPartners’ Executive Committee, ActusRayPartners Business Manager Joey Wong, and representatives from Sun Hung Kai & Co. About ActusRayPartners ActusRayPartners is a Hong Kong headquartered asset management company equally co-founded by Andrew Alexander, Raymond Chan, and Patrick Cheung in 2019. Several members of the team previously worked together in the Quantitative Hedge Funds division of Macquarie Group. Today, ActusRayPartners comprises 26 members based in Hong Kong and Sydney, managing ~US$770 million (as of 31 August 2024) across Europe and Asia. ActusRayPartners employs a Discretionary Probabilistic Investing process which is a synthesis of: (1) a quantitative base, and (2) discretionary adjustments to address quantitative deficiencies. The quantitative base uses fundamental, sentiment, technical and alternative data, and employs advanced statistics, natural language processing and artificial intelligence techniques. The discretionary work focuses on addressing challenges with purely systematic processes and is not fundamental, macro or flow driven. About Sun Hung Kai & Co and Sun Hung Kai Capital Partners Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited (SEHK: 86) (“SHK & Co” / the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) is a leading Hong Kong-based financial institution recognised for its expertise in alternative investments and wealth management. Since 1969, the Company has built a diversified investment portfolio across public markets, credit and alternatives strategies including real estate and private equity, delivering long-term risk-adjusted returns. Leveraging on its deep-rooted Asian heritage, SHK & Co supports and nurtures specialist emerging asset managers in the region, empowering them to excel. SHK & Co also utilises its long-standing investment expertise and resources in providing tailored investment solutions to like-minded partners and ultra-high-net-worth investors through its Family Office Solutions. As at 30 June 2024, the Group held about HK$39.5 billion in total assets. For more information about SHK & Co, please visit www.shkco.com / follow the Company on LinkedIn. Founded in 2020, Sun Hung Kai Capital Partners (“SHKCP”) is the Hong Kong SFC regulated subsidiary of SHK & Co, with Type 1, 4 and 9 licenses. For more information, please visit: www.shkcapital.com / follow SHKCP on LinkedIn. For media enquiries, please contact: Hill and Knowlton Joanne Lam +852 9839 6552 Lynn Zhang +852 9794 5751 Email: SHKCo@hkstrategies.com 24/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Grand Huangshan Shines on the International Stage in Paris

EQS Newswire / 23/09/2024 / 17:45 UTC+8 From September 17 to 19, 2024, the International Tourism Industry Expo in Paris opened at the Versailles Gate Exhibition Center in France. Grand Huangshan, a world-class leisure, vacation, and wellness tourism destination, made a stunning debut, attracting travel merchants and visitors from various countries to the Anhui booth for inquiries and discussions. Wang Jing, Deputy Director of the Anhui Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, attended the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion and delivered a speech. Ambassador Lu Shaye and Minister Chen Li from the Chinese Embassy in France visited the Anhui booth, offering high praise. The unique Anhui cultural and tourism promotion captivated travel merchants and visitors alike, while the promotional video "Encounter Grand Huangshan" showcased the region's unique charm. Classic performances of Huangmei Opera’s "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl" and a tea ceremony demonstration won widespread acclaim. Key cultural and tourism representatives from Lu’an and Shou County also delivered presentations at the event. On September 18, the 2024 Anhui Culture and Tourism (Paris) Exchange and Promotion Event was grandly held at the Peony Pavilion of the European Satellite TV Paris Cultural Exchange Center. The event, hosted by Wang Jing, Deputy Director of the Anhui Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, gathered cultural and tourism elites from both China and France to explore international opportunities for Anhui's tourism development. The highlight of the event was the promotion of Grand Huangshan as a world-class leisure, vacation, and wellness tourism destination. UNWTO Special Advisor Boucher Hollier Marie-Pierre and former Secretary General of the French Tourism Development Agency Boulandraud Jean Louis both expressed admiration for Anhui's tourism resources and culture, eagerly anticipating future visits to the province. This promotion not only enhanced Anhui’s international presence but also established a new platform for cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, solidifying Anhui’s position as an international tourist destination. By integrating culture, wellness, and tourism, Anhui is focused on developing Grand Huangshan into a world-class destination, inviting more people to discover its unique cultural and natural beauty. Media Contact: Company Name:Anhui Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism Contact Person:Cheng Longcan Email:icanc@yahoo.cn Website:https://ct.ah.gov.cn/ 23/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Newborn Town(SEHK:9911)included in the FTSE Russell Global Stock Index Series, expecting more global funds

EQS Newswire / 23/09/2024 / 12:49 UTC+8 Newborn Town(SEHK:9911)included in the FTSE Russell Global Stock Index Series, expecting more global funds [23 September 2024 – Hong Kong] Newborn Town Inc., a leading global social-networking company (‘Newborn Town’ or Company, Stock Code: SEHK 9911), is pleased to announce that it has been included in two indices of the FTSE Russell Global Stock Index Series, namely the FTSE All-Cap (LMS) and the FTSE Global Small Cap indices, which officially took effect today. According to the latest semi-annual FTSE Global Equity Index Series (FTSE GEIS) review report, FTSE Russell disclosed the adjustments to the constituents of the China regional index (GEIS China). Newborn Town has been included in two FTSE indices in this adjustment. The inclusion is expected to further enhance the company's visibility and influence in the international capital markets and attract global funds tracking these indices for stock purchases. FTSE Russell is the world's second-largest index provider, with its index products covering over 70 countries and regions, totaling about US$20 trillion in assets benchmarked against its index products. The FTSE Global Stock Index Series includes more than 19,000 stocks from 49 developed and emerging markets worldwide, making it one of the most authoritative global stock indexes. Companies included in the FTSE GEIS index must demonstrate outstanding performance in listing compliance, profitability, corporate governance, high liquidity, and growth potential. The FTSE indices are crucial references for global investors, and index adjustments often attract significant passive funds from overseas. The inclusion of many companies in the FTSE indices has been viewed positively, as it is believed to attract increased foreign investment and is often considered a positive signal for stock prices. Looking at past index constituent changes, market capitalization is one of the core factors for adjustments, particularly the phased stock price performance. In this adjustment, the stocks newly included have generally shown significant gains this year. Newborn Town has achieved a 42.78% increase in stock price from the beginning of the year. In the first half of 2024, Newborn Town reported a total revenue of RMB 2.27 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of approximately 65%; a net profit of RMB 388 million, indicating a 28% year-on-year increase; and an adjusted EBITDA of RMB 448 million, showing a 29% year-on-year growth. In recent years, the company has consistently achieved success in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with the core social products of the company experiencing a year-on-year revenue increase of approximately 44% in the first half of the year. Over the past two years, global investors have paid greater attention to the MENA market, which has significant potential. While Newborn Town has been profoundly cultivating the MENA market for many years, it is one of the few companies with profound localization capabilities. With the strong growth of the company's business and the increasing international capital focus, the long-term investment value of Newborn Town is expected to manifest further. About Newborn Town Newborn Town has grown into a leading technology company which was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) in 2019 under the stock code 9911.Committed to creating positive emotional values worldwide, Newborn Town has developed a diverse portfolio of applications in the social networking and entertainment sectors. Its social apps include MICO, YoHo, TopTop, SUGO and HeeSay, together with gaming products like Alice's Dream: Merge Games. These applications have achieved widespread acclaim, reaching over one billion users in over one hundred countries and regions.Newborn Town considers the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region a key market and has also extended its influence in Southeast Asia, Europe, the United States, Japan, and South Korea. The company aims to become the world's largest social entertainment company. For enquiries, please contact DLK Advisory pr@dlkadvisory.com File: Newborn Town (SEHK 9911) included in the FTSE Russell Global Stock Index Series, expecting more global funds. 23/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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ETUNNEL Enters Into Partnership with International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Protecting the UN’s ID Security

EQS Newswire / 23/09/2024 / 10:34 UTC+8 Seoul, Korea - September 23, 2024 - (SeaPRwire) - ETUNNEL Inc. has secured a contract with the International Telecommunication Union, an affiliate of the United Nations, to supply advanced biometric smart cards, marking a significant advancement in global ID security over the next five years and could generate up to $75 million in sales. In a decisive move to enhance global security, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), an affiliate of the United Nations (UN), has chosen ETUNNEL Inc. to supply its Next-Generation Biometric Smart Card, Smart Card Holder, and Fingerprint Registration Software. This initiative, focused on strengthening identification (ID) security, will see the deployment of ETUNNEL biometric smart cards across ITU member organizations. The ETUNNEL biometric smart card is designed to combine traditional ID features with advanced fingerprint recognition. The front displays a photo and name, while the back integrates a microchip and fingerprint recognition device to authenticate the cardholder's identity. This technology not only prevents identity theft and counterfeit IDs but also supports PC authentication, email encryption, electronic document signing, and electronic voting—vital functions for the UN's operations. By introducing this advanced biometric technology, ETUNNEL strengthens the protection of sensitive information within the UN. As identity theft continues to rise globally, precise user authentication has become increasingly crucial. The ETUNNEL biometric smart card provides reliable identity verification across various scenarios, playing a vital role in the day-to-day activities of the UN and its affiliates. ITU Partnership Elevates Global Security Standards The ITU, established in 1856, is the world's oldest international organization, boasting 193 member nations and over 1,000 corporate members, including industry leaders like Google, Intel, and Samsung. ETUNNEL's collaboration with this influential organization positions the company as a key player in global communication and security standards, emphasizing the importance of the ETUNNEL biometric smart card. This partnership not only solidifies ETUNNEL's role in international security but also sets new benchmarks for ID security worldwide. By aligning with the ITU, ETUNNEL contributes to developing effective security protocols that can be adopted globally. The ETUNNEL biometric smart card is expected to serve as a model for other countries and organizations seeking to enhance their security measures. The UN and its 40 affiliated organizations plan to use ETUNNEL's biometric smart card for up to 1 million people. ETUNNEL expects $75 million in sales over the next five years, driven by initial demand and a three-year replacement cycle. Regular updates will keep security strong, making the ETUNNEL biometric smart card effective in combating identity theft. The ITU's endorsement of ETUNNEL's technology will likely inspire similar initiatives across other international organizations and governments. As the ITU sets communication standards for many countries, adopting ETUNNEL's biometric smart cards could lead to broader use of similar security technologies, helping to combat global threats and protect sensitive information. P2N2 Engine Drives Biometric Security ETUNNEL's success hinges on its P2N2 Integrated Biometric Recognition AI Engine, which supports various authentication methods, including fingerprint, face, palm vein, and iris recognition. This versatility makes it ideal for the diverse security needs of the UN and its affiliates, enhancing the ETUNNEL biometric smart card's accuracy and reliability. The P2N2 engine allows ETUNNEL to offer flexible biometric security solutions, whether for securing physical access, verifying online identities, or authenticating electronic documents. Its ability to integrate multiple biometric inputs into a single platform sets it apart from other solutions. ETUNNEL plans to expand its product line with offerings like the PC LOG-ON finger vein authentication device, finger vein door locks, and self-ID devices using facial and fingerprint recognition. These products will boost security across UN operations and further establish ETUNNEL's biometric smart card as a leader in global ID security. ETUNNEL Leads Global ID Protection ETUNNEL's partnership with the ITU marks a major advance in global ID security, positioning the company as a leader in biometric technology. As the UN and its affiliates implement these solutions, the ETUNNEL biometric smart card is set to become the standard for protecting sensitive information and ensuring secure access. The widespread adoption of the ETUNNEL biometric smart card across this extensive network highlights the company's expertise and the reliability of its technology. As more organizations recognize the need for strong ID security, ETUNNEL's biometric smart cards are likely to see even broader use, serving as a model for other international organizations. ETUNNEL sets the benchmark for a more secure world by leading in global ID protection. Their innovations are not just about keeping pace with trends; they define them. As ETUNNEL's influence grows, the impact of its biometric smart cards and related technologies will resonate across industries, contributing to a safer world for all. Media contact Brand: ETUNNEL Contact: Media team Email: support@etunnel.net Website: https://etunnel.net/ 23/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Solidcore Resources plc: Green Energy Project Approval

EQS Newswire / 19/09/2024 / 09:30 MSK Solidcore Resources plc (“Solidcore” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has approved the construction of green energy power plants at Varvara mine. “Our path to net zero along with Kazakhstan’s decarbonisation efforts underpin Solidcore’s full transition to clean energy sources. Today the Board approved the construction of solar and gas power plants at Varvara, which will result in significant carbon footprint and energy cost reductions”, said Vitaly Nesis, Group CEO of Solidcore Resources plc. The Company plans to invest approximately US$ 55 million in the construction of a 23 MW solar power plant and a 40 MW gas piston power plant at Varvara. The gas piston station aims to maintain a steady power supply by balancing uneven solar energy generation. The plants are expected to be launched in Q2 2026 and will almost fully replace third-party electricity from coal power stations, reducing dependence on external power sources and mitigating the impact of rising energy tariffs. Next year, the Board will be considering construction of a 17 MW solar power plant at Kyzyl. With its commissioning planned by the end of 2026, both of the Company’s mines will switch from purchased grid to self-generated clean energy, leading to a projected 27% reduction in the Company’s GHG emissions compared to 2023. Enquiries Investor Relations Media Evgeny Monakhov Alikhan Bissengali +44 20 7887 1475 (UK) Kirill Kuznetsov Alina Assanova +7 7172 47 66 55 (Kazakhstan) ir@solidcore-resources.com Yerkin Uderbay +7 7172 47 66 55 (Kazakhstan) media@solidcore-resources.kz FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this release. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “targets”, “believes”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “will”, “may”, “anticipates”, “would”, “could” or “should” or similar expressions or, in each case their negative or other variations or by discussion of strategies, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements all include matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the company’s control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the company will operate in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. There are many factors that could cause the company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. 19/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Tuya Smart Sets Sail on A New Course with First-Time Quarterly Non-GAAP Operating Profit and Declaration of Special Dividend

EQS Newswire / 19/09/2024 / 11:48 UTC+8 The commercial value of the global intelligent industry is transitioning from concept to reality. Recently, Tuya Smart ("Tuya" or the "Company") released its Q2 2024 financial results. According to the results, the total revenue for the second quarter reached US$73.3 million, a year-on-year increase of approximately 28.6%; The non-GAAP operating profit was US$7.4 million, with a non-GAAP operating margin of 10.0%, achieving quarterly non-GAAP operating profit for the first time in its history. From Q2 of 2023 to Q2 of 2024, Tuya has maintained positive net cash generated from operating activities for five consecutive quarters. The Company also declared a special cash dividend of approximately US$33 million, equivalent to its non-GAAP net profit for the first half of the year, marking the first cash dividend. A positive response was revealed to the market in the financial report: Tuya holds the ability to share long-term value, and has returned to the upward curve, driven by favorable factors such as going global. 01 Embracing Milestone Financial Results, Tuya Embarks on New Start for Smart Technology Three highlights can explain why this financial report is considered a milestone: 1. Strong Growth Momentum of Previous Quarters Continues Despite of A Relatively High Revenue Base Tuya delivered a year-on-year revenue growth of approximately 28.6% in Q2 2024, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth, with the growth rate exceeding 30% if the impact of exchange rate fluctuationsis excluded. If calculated in RMB, the Company's quarterly revenue was very close to its historical high. In 2021, benefiting from special subsidies during the epidemic period in the European and American markets, as well as optimistic expectations for the industrial chain, downstream enterprises significantly prestocked their inventory under the stimulation of a chip shortage and price increases, resulting in a concentrated outbreak of performance in the consumer electronics technology service industry and supply chain in the two quarters of 2021, with a "superficial prosperity". In contrast, these days the Company’s revenue under normal conditions has approached the historical high point of the special period. In addition to approaching all-time highs in revenue, the Company's non-GAAP net profit broke records by US$20.8 million, with a non-GAAP net profit margin of 28.4%. 2. Ushering in a Profitable Era for Third-Party Intelligent Cloud Platform. During the reporting period, Tuya achieved a non-GAAP operating profit of US$7.4 million and a 10.0% non-GAAP operating margin, which is a positive financial performance. Operating profit, which refers to the net profit directly contributed by a company's core operating activities, demonstrates the Company's ability to maintain stable profitability without relying on other non-operating income. In the start-up and growth stages of the technology industry, facing the uncertainty of business models, companies often need to constantly explore to establish market positioning, optimize product iterations, diversify revenue streams, and adjust cost structures. This process is inherently challenging and unpredictable. The importance of operational profitability is self-evident as a key indicator for evaluating the effectiveness and sustainability of business model execution. Tuya’s achievement of operating profitability signifies that its business is proven and demonstrates its highly sustainable and stable profit-generation capability. Furthermore, a 10.0% non-GAAP operating margin indicates that Tuya can create additional economic value with its revenue fully covering its operating costs and expenses, which is not only a solid foundation for the Company's sustainability and sustained growth, but also reflects the advantages of its business model in creating market value, accurately meeting customer needs, and effectively participating in market competition. The sustainable profitability of the Company is thereby indicated. 3. First-ever Dividend, Sharing Long-term Value with the Market Thanks to its continuous improvement in profitability, Tuya realized a net cash generated from operating activities of US$11.8 million in the second quarter, marking the Company's fifth consecutive quarter of positive operating cash inflows. Also, the Company's net cash reserves reached US$1 billion as of the first half of the year, highlighting its strong financial condition and abundant cash flow. This number, however, even exceeded the Company's total market value, indicating a valuation slump in its stock price. Stable profitability and sufficient cash reserves formed a solid foundation for high dividends. Tuya announced its first-ever cash dividend of US$33 million, demonstrating the Company's determination to deliver consistent returns for its shareholders. Revenue and profit hit all-time highs, with non-GAAP operating profit and dividends of large amounts for the first time. These data indicated both the basic completion of its previously promised short-term business goals, and a qualitative leap in its development. Technological innovation is a life and death journey, and the climbing process is full of hardships and uncertainties. Even if a company shows great potential in the early stage, countless challenges and obstacles may still fall upon in the ever-changing market and competitive environment. Tuya was faced with a rapidly frozen industry environment amid a major reshuffle in the entire industry brought by the downward cycle of the past two years. The management team focused on and adjusted their strategies while steadily expanding their business, moving towards the vision of "realizing the Internet of Everything and Intelligence of Everything through technology". As a result after lots of tempering, the Company took the lead in ushering in the era of cloud platform profitability. Mr. WANG Xueji (Jerry), the founder and CEO of Tuya, noted that the Company will continue to focus on long-term revenue growth and profit margin improvement. 02 Enhancing Smart Products Capabilities, Tuya Teams up with Customers to Accelerate Success To answer whether a company's profit model is sustainable, it not only depends on its past operating conditions, but also on its foundation for future development. From a future perspective, Tuya is also well-positioned to continue innovating and growing in new directions. It can be seen based on the inherent context in this financial report that the "ecological card" in Tuya’s hand is far from being played. The "Tuya Smart Ecosystem" consists of three parts: First is the IoT platform-as-a-service ("PaaS") business, a set of underlying architectures that directly serve upper level intelligence. The IoT PaaS business facilitates strong "customer stickiness" by helping them circumvent weaknesses of traditional IT infrastructure with lower requirement for programming skills and more favorable conditions for rapid development. The success of this strategy is clearly reflected in the financial report. The 12-month Dollar-based net expansion rate (DBNER) has rebounded for three consecutive quarters and climbed to 127% in Q2; Meanwhile, the number of registered IoT device and software developers on the Tuya Developer Platform has also seen significant growth, exceeding 1.192 million as of Q2, an increase of 20.1% compared to the end of last year. Although it is the earliest business area that Tuya has entered, IoT PaaS’s potential is still being deeply explored and released. In Q2, the Company continued to accelerate its global layout and promote the widespread implementation of IoT PaaS business. In Europe, the Company collaborated with AX Tech Group, a renowned energy integator company in France, to explore a new chapter in smart energy; In Latin America, the benchmark project of the Company has rapidly expanded to top service provider customers in Central America, Colombia, Chile, and other regions, and has helped emerging smart home brands in Brazil jump to the forefront of market shipments. In the Asia Pacific region, the Company has partnered with Vietnam's largest telecommunications operator to further expand its market boundaries. This series of successful collaborations not only consolidates the market position of the Company as one of the world's largest smart solution cloud platforms, but also drives the IoT PaaS business to achieve a 32% year-on-year revenue growth in Q2. Beyond the IoT PaaS business, Tuya continued to broaden its business boundaries and elevate its capability circle to new heights. In 2020, the Company expanded its space intelligence business. In 2023, the Company started to focus on the development of its Smart Solution business. The Smart Solution business combines generative AI, embedded operating systems, and cloud software capabilities to create high-value smart solutions that integrate software and hardware. “We select high-value, software-intensive categories to deliver complete smart products," Wang said. In the second quarter, the revenue of the Smart Solution business increased by about 44% year-on-year, and the gross profit margin increased to nearly 27%. The Company reached cooperation agreements with 6 European brand customers, with Smart Solution cooperation orders exceeding 500,000 units valued at approximately US$5 million. The Company has also secured orders for temperature control valves, gateways, and other devices from a leading German food retailer, and signed a multi-million-dollar annual framework contract with Dutch industry leader Firefly. Wang also emphasized that IoT PaaS and Smart Solution formed a synergistic and complementary business logic loop. This ecosystem enabled the Company to not only focus on the full scenario needs of diversified customers, further explore vertical industry value maximization, but also quickly replicate successful experiences in more fields, helping customers swiftly capture the market share. At present, Tuya has served customers in over 200 countries and regions. It is expected to accelerate on its growth path with higher penetration rates, growing user base, more comprehensive customer lifecycle services, and more diverse vertical landing scenarios. 03 Comprehensive Layout of GenAI, Tuya Solidifies Intelligent Connotation Generative AI is becoming the most fundamental production tool, driven by various technology giants, accelerating the empowerment of various industries in society, and revolutionizing the improvement of production efficiency and technological level. As an industry bellwether, Tuya actively embraces AI technology, integrating GenAI with IoT platforms and the "Tuya Ecosystem" to generate new innovation sparks and lead the industry forward. Tuya released its first AI spatial model at the TUYA Global Developer Conference in Q2 2024. The AI product matrix and solutions are gradually emerging to the public. If the spatial large model aims to reshape the underlying technological power, then the AI development tools and AI mini app development base of Tuya directly help customers achieve hardware innovation. For example, the Company has launched an AI pet mini app that seamlessly integrates GenAI technology with pet hardware such as feeders and pet teasers. It also provides users with a comprehensive pet care and companionship solution. Looking ahead, the Company will continue to deliver software technology, strategic algorithms, and platform capabilities driven by GenAI, and provide smart device solutions to help partners enhance their advantages in their respective fields. 04 Conclusion Back to the perspective of investors, for every tech firm, major events such as profit breakthroughs and technological innovations will reshape the market's judgment of the company's value potential. Now the time comes for Tuya to shine. Currently, profound changes have taken place in the competitive landscape of the global third-party cloud platform market. After years of striving, only a few companies like Tuya and Amazon have stood out from competitors that were knocked cold, and the once crowded track is no longer crowded. Wang also stated that Tuya is at a new starting point in the smart sector and in the entire industry. This new starting point includes a better external competitive environment, as well as a restart of smart consumer electronics and smart business scenarios. As the industry returns to a pro-cyclical trend, the Company may make greater breakthroughs in the commercial ecosystem in the future with good cards in hand. 19/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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“Grand Huangshan” Shines at the United Nations: Anhui Cultural and Tourism Promotion Events Held in Switzerland and Belgium

EQS Newswire / 18/09/2024 / 21:37 UTC+8 The "Wonderful Anhui in Dialogue with the World" 2024 Anhui Cultural and Tourism Promotion Conference was held on September 16 at the Palais des Nations, United Nations Office at Geneva. More than 100 diplomats, including ambassadors from over 30 countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Cuba, along with representatives from various United Nations agencies, were present at the event. Keynote speakers at the event included Sun Yong, Vice Governor of Anhui Province; Ambassador Chen Xu, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland; and Francesco Pisano, Chairman of the United Nations Cultural Committee in Geneva. The conference was chaired by Wang Chunming, Deputy Secretary-General of the Anhui Provincial Government. The event highlighted Anhui's efforts to integrate culture, wellness, and tourism to establish the Grand Huangshan region as a world-class destination for leisure, vacations, and wellness tourism. This initiative aims not only to preserve cultural heritage but also to contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive global future. The promotion event underscored Anhui's charm and energy, demonstrating the power of culture in fostering international cooperation and friendship. Anhui looks forward to strengthening collaboration with the United Nations and countries worldwide in cultural exchange and shared development. Zhou Mingjie, Director of the Anhui Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, introduced the world-class leisure, vacation, and wellness tourism offerings in the Grand Huangshan region to the gathered diplomats. Wang Huixiao, Director of the Anhui Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, promoted Anhui's wellness and health industries. During the event, artisans from three renowned Anhui tea companies—Xie Yuda, Liubaili, and Tianzhihong—showcased Huangshan Maofeng, Taiping Houkui, and Qimen Black Tea. Guests were also gifted traditional Hui-style fish lanterns, offering them a glimpse of Anhui’s cultural heritage and unique Chinese elegance. Additionally, the "Wonderful Anhui in Dialogue with the World" 2024 Anhui Cultural and Tourism Promotion Symposium was successfully held on September 12 at the European Travel Commission in Brussels, Belgium. Media Contact: Company Name:Anhui Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism Contact Person:Cheng Longcan Email:icanc@yahoo.cn Website:https://ct.ah.gov.cn/ 18/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Prime Group Announces Game-Changing $60 Billion Investment Fund to Revolutionize Oil, Mining, and Agriculture in Africa

EQS Newswire / 18/09/2024 / 19:19 UTC+8 Singapore, Prime Group, under the leadership of CEO Karim Bouhout, proudly unveils its $60 billion investment fund, designed to supercharge oil exploration, mining, and agriculture across the African continent. This unprecedented initiative is not just about capitalizing on Africa’s rich natural resources—it’s about positioning Africa as a global powerhouse, with sustainable growth and strategic political influence at its core. Prime Group’s fund is engineered to unlock Africa's vast potential, bolstering economic independence while forging stronger partnerships with international players. The fund will be a key driver in reshaping Africa’s standing on the global stage, ensuring that the continent’s resource sectors no longer play a secondary role but take center stage in shaping the future of global trade and industry. “This is more than an investment fund—it’s a political and economic catalyst for Africa,” said Karim Bouhout, CEO of Prime Group. “We are committed to transforming Africa into a cornerstone of global energy and agricultural supply chains. This fund is a statement: Africa’s time is now. By empowering local economies and driving innovation in oil, mining, and agriculture, we are building a future where Africa’s resources are developed sustainably, and its people are empowered politically and economically.” A New Era of Global Partnerships and African Leadership Prime Group’s $60 billion fund is not just an investment—it is a strategic instrument aimed at driving political influence and economic sovereignty for African nations. By prioritizing partnerships with local governments, businesses, and stakeholders, Prime Group is fostering a new model of African growth that aligns with global sustainability goals while ensuring that African countries remain key players in the resource-based global economy. The company has spent more than a decade laying the groundwork for this initiative. Under the leadership of Karim Bouhout, Prime Group has successfully bridged global investment with African markets. Now, with this transformative fund, the group is doubling down on its commitment to African leadership in global resource development. Sustainability as a Political Strategy At a time when global environmental policies are increasingly shaping economic decisions, Prime Group is aligning its investments with international sustainability frameworks to ensure that African resources are developed responsibly. This fund prioritizes projects that meet the highest environmental standards, while also adopting cutting-edge technologies in resource extraction and modern agricultural practices. By doing so, Prime Group is sending a powerful message: Africa will not only be a global supplier of resources but will do so on its own terms—leading the world in sustainable development. This approach positions African nations as key political allies in the global effort to address climate change, making Africa a pivotal player in future international negotiations on energy, trade, and environmental policy. Africa’s Emergence as a Global Resource Leader The geopolitical significance of Africa’s resources cannot be overstated. As global demand for energy and agriculture surges, Africa is uniquely positioned to supply these critical commodities. Prime Group’s investment strategy will enable African nations to seize this moment, becoming central to global supply chains and influencing the political discourse on resource management. This fund aims to reposition Africa as a global resource leader, not just a beneficiary of external aid or foreign investment. By fostering self-sufficiency and economic independence, Prime Group is helping African nations build their own wealth, while establishing strong diplomatic and trade ties with key global powers. About Prime Group Prime Group is a trailblazing investment firm, specializing in resource development with an unwavering commitment to sustainability and geopolitical impact. The firm operates across diverse sectors, including commodity trading, infrastructure, agriculture, logistics, and hospitality, with a strong focus on driving long-term value for both shareholders and local communities. Prime Group’s mission is to deploy capital strategically in Africa’s most promising industries, ensuring that economic growth is inextricably linked with political empowerment. By consistently delivering returns through its strategic investments, Prime Group has established itself as a leader in aligning profit with political influence, setting a new standard for responsible resource development. For more information about Prime Group and its bold vision for Africa, visit: https://www.primeinvestmentslimited.net. Media Contact For interviews with CEO Karim Bouhout or more details on this initiative, please contact: Email: business@stankeviciusmgm.com. Stankevicius MGM provides comprehensive media marketing services, including strategic PR and global advertising solutions. 18/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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The 16th China (Liuyang) International Fireworks Cultural Festival Ends up a Success

EQS Newswire / 18/09/2024 / 19:46 UTC+8 From September 14 to 15, the 16th China (Liuyang) International Fireworks Cultural Festival was successfully hosted in Liuyang. By the brilliantly lit Liuyang River gathered tens of thousands of visitors to admire the visual spectacle of fireworks. This year’s festival launched eight thematic activities. While enhancing industrial linkage through "fireworks +" and delivering an immersive consumer experience to tourists, it also offered a free viewing area for the first time, allowing tourists to adore fireworks, visit the night market and feel the unique charm, so as to inject momentum into the night economy. On the evening of September 14, nearly 100,000 fireworks products and more than 8,500 fireworks shells were launched into the air from 32 points outside the city, turning the city into a world of light and colors. Liuyang Fireworks Conference (LFC) has become the world's top fireworks competition and a key platform for global industry exchanges. This year’s LFC gathered four world-class fireworks displaying teams from the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines and Canada. They showed their skills by the Liuyang River, displaying new display arrangement creativity and performance art of fireworks products. After intense competition, the Canadian team won the championship, the Netherlands team finished second, and the Philippines and New Zealand teams were winners of excellent prize. In recent years, Liuyang has accelerated the transformation and upgrading of fireworks industry. By pushing the "fireworks +" integration, enhancing brand value and influence, and rolling out the "tour the countryside during the day, watch fireworks at night" leisure mode, Liuyang has grown into the world's largest production and trade base of fireworks, seeing the industrial output value exceed RMB 50 billion in 2023. Media Contact: Organization Name: Liuyang Municipal Publicity DepartmentContact Person: JasonEmail: 2719431560@qq.comWebsite: http://www.liuyang.gov.cn/ztzl/dwzt/czj39/lyczyjsgk7/bmyjs9662/zglyswxcb/ 18/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Solidcore Resources plc: Half-year report for the six months ended 30 June 2024

EQS Newswire / 16/09/2024 / 05:47 MSK “Solidcore Resources reports robust financial results, demonstrating growth in sales and positive free cash flow in the first half of the year, underpinned by reliable operating performance and inventory release against the backdrop of strong commodity prices. Despite limited available bank funding this strong financial footing allows the Company to finance substantial capital expenditures, which are expected to exceed US$ 285 million in 2024, above our initial estimates. In 2025-2029, the Company’s investment programme will top US$ 1 billion with a large part of it going towards our ambitious Ertis POX project”, said Vitaly Nesis, Group CEO of Solidcore Resources plc, commenting on the results. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS The discussion below covers the results of continuing operations. The comparatives are restated in the same way. Cash flows include amounts of discontinued operations, as required by IFRS 5, unless otherwise stated. In 1H 2024, revenue increased by 79% year-on-year (y-o-y), totalling US$ 704 million (1H 2023: US$ 393 million). The average realised gold price increased by 17%, tracking market dynamics. Gold equivalent (“GE”) production was 252 Koz, an 18% increase y-o-y on the back of higher concentrate shipment volumes to China and production from toll-treated concentrate at Kyzyl. Gold equivalent sales increased by 56% y-o-y to 321 Koz due to substantial progress in unwinding of Kyzyl concentrate stockpiles, previously accumulated due to logistical challenges. Group Total Cash Costs (“TCC”)[1] for 1H 2024 were US$ 960/GE oz, within the Group’s full-year guidance of US$ 900-1,000/GE oz, while being up 10% y-o-y, owing to continuously high domestic inflation. All-in Sustaining Cash Costs (“AISC”)1 remained broadly unchanged at US$ 1,281/GE oz, and within the full-year guidance range of US$ 1,250-1,350/GE, while also reflecting the increase in sales volumes, driven by de-stockpiling and resulting in the spread of sustaining capital expenditure over a larger amount of ounces sold. Adjusted EBITDA1 was US$ 346 million, an increase of 73% y-o-y, driven by higher sales volumes and higher commodity prices. The Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by 3 percentage points to 49% (1H 2023: 51%). Underlying net earnings[2] increased by 72% to US$ 243 million (1H 2023: US$ 141 million). Net earnings[3] were US$ 238 million (1H 2023: US$ 272 million due to large forex gains). Capital expenditures on continuing operations were US$ 107 million[4], up 25% compared with US$ 85 million in 1H 2023. The increase is mainly related to the Ertis POX development project. Full-year capex is expected to be approximately US$ 60 million above the original guidance of US$ 225 million, due to prepayments for the green energy projects (solar and gas power plants at Varvara). The Company confirms its earlier announced plans for a massive investment programme exceeding US$ 1 billion in 2025-2029, which will be focused on the implementation of the Ertis POX project. Net operating cash inflow from continuing operations increased by 86% to US$ 344 million (1H 2023: US$ 184 million). The Group reported positive free cash flow1 of US$ 47 million on continuing and discontinued operations, a significant improvement over 1H 2023 negative FCF of US$ 341 million. Free cash flow from continuing operations excluding disposal of Russian business amounted to US$ 240 million (1H 2023: US$ 101 million). Given the cash proceeds from the disposal of the Russian business and strong cash inflow from the sale of inventory, the Company recorded a net cash position of US$ 357 million versus pro forma net debt of US$ 174 million at the end of 2023. The Company notes that financing from Western banks remains constrained with small or no credit limits offered to borrowers in Kazakhstan due to long onboarding duration and existing compliance hurdles. As a result, the Company estimates that its cost of debt is set to rise from its current levels and considers other available options for funding its investment programme. The Company reiterates its full-year guidance for production and costs: production of 475 GE Koz, TCC in the range of US$ 900-1,000/oz and AISC in the range of US$ 1,250-1,350. However, the management does not expect comparable half-on-half results in H2 2024, given the following detrimental factors: high base effect of de-stockpiling, which is not likely to be repeated in the near future, stronger than budgeted year-to-date KZT/USD rate, inflationary pressures, shortage of railcars and congestions of eastbound railroads. Financial highlights [5] 1H 2024 1H 2023[6] Change Revenue, US$m 704 393 +79% Total cash cost[7], US$ /GE oz 960 871 +10% All-in sustaining cash cost3, US$ /GE oz 1,281 1,285[8] 0% Adjusted EBITDA3, US$m 346 200 +73% Average realised gold price[9], US$ /oz 2,267 1,934 +17% Net earnings, US$m 238 272 -13% Underlying net earnings3, US$m 243 141 +72% Return on Assets3, % 14% n/a n/a Return on Equity (underlying) 3, % 14% n/a n/a Basic earnings/(loss) per share, US$ 0.50 0.57 -12% Underlying EPS3, US$ 0.51 0.30 +70% Net (cash)/debt3, US$m (357) 174[10] n/a Net (cash) debt/Adjusted EBITDA (0.61) 0.40[11] n/a Net operating cash flow from continuing operations, US$m 344 184 +86% Capital expenditure on continuing operations, US$m (107) (85) +25% Free cash flow from continuing operations excluding disposal of Russian business, US$m 240 101 +240% Net cash outflow on disposal of subsidiaries, US$m (215) - n/a Free cash flow3, total on continuing and discontinued operations, US$m 47 (341) n/a OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS No fatal accidents occurred among the Group’s workforce and contractors in H1 2024 as well as no lost time injuries were recorded (consistent with H1 2023). GE output for H1 was up by 18% y-o-y to 252 Koz. 1H 2024 1H 2023 Change PRODUCTION (Koz of GE[12]) 252 213 +18% Kyzyl 169 128 +32% Varvara 83 86 -3% SAFETY LTIFR[13] (Employees) 0 0 n/a Fatalities 0 0 n/a CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST The Company will not hold a webcast in relation to 2024 half-year financial results. The Company’s Investor Relations team will be available for all questions related to its financial results disclosure. Please see the contacts below. Investor Relations Media Evgeny Monakhov Alikhan Bissengali +44 20 7887 1475 (UK) Kirill Kuznetsov Alina Assanova +7 7172 47 66 55 (Kazakhstan) ir@solidcore-resources.com Yerkin Uderbay +7 7172 47 66 55 (Kazakhstan) media@solidcore-resources.kz FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this release. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “targets”, “believes”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “will”, “may”, “anticipates”, “would”, “could” or “should” or similar expressions or, in each case their negative or other variations or by discussion of strategies, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements all include matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the company’s control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the company will operate in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. There are many factors that could cause the company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. TABLE OF CONTENTS Financial review Principal risks and uncertainties Going concern Directors’ responsibility statement Report on Review of Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements Condensed Consolidated Income Statement Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes In Equity Notes to the Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements Alternative Performance Measures Financial review market summary Precious metals In 1H 2024, the spot gold price continued its upward movement, reaching new records due to the continuous deterioration of the geopolitical environment (including uncertainty related to the upcoming US election) and persistent, although lower, inflation. The gold price bottomed in February, reaching US$ 1,985 after a better-than-expected U.S. inflation report, before reaching a record price of US$ 2,444 in May. The average LBMA gold price for the period was US$ 2,204/oz, up 14% y-o-y. Demand for gold (excluding OTC) for 1H 2024 was mildly down, falling 5% y-o-y to 2,044 tonnes . The key factors of the decrease were a sharp decline in jewellery consumption and net outflows from exchange-traded funds (ETFs), partially offset by steady central bank accumulations. Accounting for a little below 50% of the overall gold demand, jewellery consumption in 1H reached a two-year low volume of 870 tonnes, which is 10% lower y-o-y, as the gold price peaked in May; notably Chinese jewellery demand reached its lowest volume, even when compared to the period during the COVID pandemic. Bar and coin investment demand remained on par with the 1H 2023 at 574 tonnes, only dropping by 4 tonnes, as Western investors demonstrated selling interest, unlike consistent accumulation across Asia, despite record prices. Central banks continued to accumulate gold throughout 1H 2024 and added 483 tonnes to reserves, a significant growth of 25% y-o-y. Gold demand in technology and electronics sectors rose by 11% y-o-y to 162 tonnes on the back of rapid growth in demand for AI and high-performance computing infrastructure. Total 1H 2024 gold supply remained largely stable at 2,441 tonnes, compared to 2,414 in 1H 2023. Foreign exchange The Group’s revenues are denominated in US dollars, while the majority of the Group’s operating costs are denominated in local currency (Kazakhstani tenge). As a result, changes in exchange rates affected our financial results and performance. In 1H 2024, the Kazakhstani tenge stood at 449 KZT/USD on average, which is 1% lower y-o-y (1H 2023: 452 KZT/USD) and dropped by 4% y-o-y to 471 KZT/USD at the end of the period (1H 2023: 454 KZT/USD) due to the seasonal increase of demand for USD. The annualised inflation rate in the country remained stable, amounting to 8.5% by June 2024. Revenue (US$m unless otherwise stated) 1H 2024 1H 2023 Сhange Volume variance, US$m Price variance, US$m Gold 694 380 +83% 222 92 Average realised price[14] US$ /oz 2,267 1,934 +17% Average LBMA price US$ /oz 2,203 1,933 +14% Share of revenues % 99% 97% Other metals 10 13 -23% (4) 1 Share of revenues % 1% 3% Total revenue 704 393 +79% 218 93 In 1H 2024, revenue grew by 79% y-o-y, primarily driven by the growth of gold sales on the back of substantial progress in unwinding of Kyzyl concentrate stockpile, previously accumulated due to logistical challenges. The Group’s average realised price for gold was US$ 2,267/oz in 1H 2024, up 17% from US$ 1,934/oz in 1H 2023, and 3% above the average market price of US$ 2,203/oz. Revenue, US$m Gold equivalent sold, Koz OPERATION 1H 2024 1H 2023 Сhange 1H 2024 1H 2023 Сhange Kyzyl 456 214 +113% 207 113 +84% Varvara 189 179 +5% 85 93 -9% Other[15] 59 - n/a 29 - n/a Total revenue 704 393 +79% 321 206 +56% The Company’s efforts to unwind the previously accumulated concentrate stockpiles had a positive impact on revenues at Kyzyl. Sales volumes at Varvara decreased as a result of planned grade decline at the leaching circuit, following production dynamics, which was more than offset by the increase in commodity prices during the period. Cost of sales (US$m) 1H 2024 1H 2023 Сhange On-mine costs 81 83 -2% Smelting costs 58 60 -3% Purchase of ore and concentrates from third parties 59 35 +69% Mining tax 43 38 +13% Cash operating costs 241 216 +12% Depreciation and depletion of operating assets 49 37 +32% Costs of production 290 253 +15% Сhange in metal inventories 67 (67) n/a Idle capacities and abnormal production costs 1 - n/a Total cost of sales 358 186 +92% CASH OPERATING COST STRUCTURE 1Н 2024 1Н 2023 US$m Share US$m Share Services 68 28% 54 25% Consumables and spare parts 48 20% 70 32% Labour 21 9% 16 7% Mining tax 43 18% 38 18% Purchase of ore from third parties 59 24% 35 16% Other expenses 2 1% 3 1% Total cash operating cost 241 100% 216 100% The total cost of sales almost doubled in 1H 2024 to US$ 358 million, reflecting a combination of factors throughout the year: volume-based increase in production and sales (+56% in gold equivalent terms); domestic inflation in Kazakhstan (8% y-o-y); higher cost of services; increase in depreciation charges; price-driven increase in mining tax. The cost of services was up 26% y-o-y, caused mostly by higher volume of transportation services at Kyzyl. The cost of consumables and spare parts was down 31% compared to abnormally high level of insurance stocks in 1H 2023. The cost of labour within cash operating costs was up 31% y-o-y, mainly stemming from annual salary increases (tracking domestic CPI inflation). The increase in purchases of third-party ore by 69% is attributable to Varvara which was treating higher volumes of third-party purchased ore, which generated additional margin and allowed to partially offset decrease in Komar ore grade at the leaching circuit. Mining tax increased by 13% y-o-y to US$ 43 million, mainly driven by an increase in production volume combined with an increase in average realised prices. Depreciation and depletion was US$ 49 million, up 32% y-o-y attributable to expansion of mining. In 1H 2024, a net metal inventory decrease of US$ 67 million (1H 2023: US$ 67 million increase) was recorded. General, administrative and selling expenses (US$m) 1H 2024 1H 2023 Change Labour 22 15 +47% Services 5 1 n/a Share based compensation 2 9 -78% Depreciation 1 1 - Other 5 4 +25% Total general, administrative and selling expenses 35 32 +9% General, administrative and selling expenses (“SGA”) increased by 9% y-o-y from US$ 32 million in 1H 2023 to US$ 35 million in 1H 2024, mainly caused by the increased headcount of administrative personnel with the commencement of Ertis POX project development, as well as regular salary reviews and one-off transaction fees related to divestment of Russian operations and post-divestment restructurings. Other operating expenses (US$m) 1H 2024 1H 2023 Change Social payments 10 2 n/a Exploration expenses 2 1 +100% Taxes, other than income tax 4 2 +100% Other expenses 3 2 +50% Total other operating expenses 19 7 +171% Other operating expenses increased to US$ 19 million in 1H 2024 compared to US$ 7 million in 1H 2023 mainly due to a scheduled increase in social payments in accordance with existing partnership agreements. TOTAL Cash costs In 1H 2024, total cash costs per gold equivalent ounce sold (“TCC”) were US$ 960/GE oz, up 10% y-o-y and 3% higher compared to 2H 2023. Domestic inflation combined with KZT rate strengthening and mining tax increase had an overall negative impact on cost levels. The table below summarises major factors that have affected the Group’s TCC and AISC dynamics y-o-y: RECONCILIATION OF TCC AND AISC MOVEMENTS TCC, US$/oz Change AISC, US$/oz Change Cost per AuEq ounce 1H 2023 871 1,285[16] Domestic inflation 56 +6% 84 +6% KZT rate change 5 +1% 7 +1% Mining tax change 5 +1% 5 0% Sustaining capex decrease - 0% (114) -9% Other 23 +3% 14 +1% Cost per AuEq ounce 1H 2024 960 +10% 1,281 -2% Total cash cost by segment/operation, US$/GE oz OPERATION 1H 2024 1H 2023 Change 2H 2023 Change Kyzyl 799 649 +23% 743 +8% Varvara 1,353 1,138 +19% 1,239 +9% Total Group TCC 960 871 +10% 928 +3% Kyzyl’s total cash costs were at US$ 799/GE oz, up 23% y-o-y and 8% half-on-half due to inflationary headwinds. At Varvara, TCC were up 19% y-o-y and up 9% half-on-half at US$ 1,353/GE oz on the back of a planned grade declines, combined with a 9% decrease in sales volumes and processing additional feed from higher cost third-party ore. ALL-IN SUSTAINING AND all-in cash costs All-in sustaining cash costs[17] remained broadly unchanged at US$ 1,281/GE oz, reflecting the temporary increase in sales volumes as inventory levels normalise, resulting in the spread of sustaining capital expenditure over a larger amount of ounces sold. AISC by operations were as follows: All-in sustaining cash cost by segment/operation, US$/GE oz OPERATION 1H 2024 1H 2023 Change Kyzyl 1,015 883 +15% Varvara 1,745 1,629 +7% Total Group AISC 1,281 1,285[18] 0% Total, US$m US$ /GE oz RECONCILIATION OF ALL-IN COSTS 1H 2024 1H 2023 Change 1H 2024 1H 2023 Change Cost of sales, excluding depreciation, depletion and write-down of inventory to net realisable value (Note 2 of condensed financial statements) 246 160 +54% 840 776 +8% adjusted for: Idle capacities (1) - n/a (3) - n/a Treatment charges deductions reclassification to cost of sales 18 5 +221% 60 26 +131% SGA expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and share based compensation (Note 2 of condensed financial statements) 18 14 +26% 62 70 -11% Total cash costs 281 180 +57% 961 871 +10% SGA expenses for Corporate and other segment and other operating expenses 33 19 +72% 112 91 +23% Capital expenditure excluding development projects 36 48 -25% 123 232 -47% Capitalised stripping 25 19 +36% 86 91 -5% All-in sustaining cash costs 375 265 +41% 1,281 1,2852 -0% Finance costs (net) (1) 9 -111% (4) 44 -109% Capitalised interest 1 - n/a 3 - n/a Income tax expense/(benefit) 49 51 -4% 167 248 -33% After-tax all-in cash costs 423 325 +30% 1,446 1,577 -8% Capital expenditure for development projects 46 - n/a 159 - n/a SGA and other expenses for development assets - 4 -90% 1 19 -95% All-in costs 469 329 +43% 1,605 1,596 +1% Adjusted EBITDA[19] and EBITDA margin (US$m) 1H 2024 1H 2023 Change Profit for the period 238 272 -13% Finance cost (net)[20] (1) 9 -111% Income tax expense 49 51 -4% Depreciation and depletion 52 27 +94% EBITDA 338 359 -6% Net foreign exchange loss/(gain) 6 (165) -104% Share based compensation 2 5 -60% Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability - 1 n/a Adjusted EBITDA 346 200 +73% Adjusted EBITDA margin 49% 51% -2% Adjusted EBITDA per gold equivalent oz 1,078 971 +11% Adjusted EBITDA by segment/operation (US$m) OPERATION 1H 2024 1H 2023 Change Kyzyl 294 143 +106% Varvara 70 70 -1% Attributable corporate and other costs (18) (13) +41% Total Group Adjusted EBITDA 346 200 +73% In 1H 2024, Adjusted EBITDA was US$ 346 million, 73% higher y-o-y, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 49%, reflecting a 42% increase in gold equivalent sold as inventory levels normalise, combined with 17% increase in gold average realised price. Other income statement items Solidcore Resources recorded a net foreign exchange loss in 1H 2024 of US$ 6 million compared to an exchange gain of US$ 165 million in 1H 2023. The Group does not use any hedging instruments for managing foreign exchange risk, other than a natural hedge arising from the fact that the majority of the Group’s revenue is denominated or calculated in US Dollars. Income tax expense for 1H 2024 was US$ 49 million compared to US$ 51 million expense in 1H 2023, charged at an effective tax rate of 20% (1H 2023: 16%), The increase was mainly attributable to the increased profit before foreign exchange and tax. For details refer to Note 12 of the condensed consolidated financial statements. Net earnings, earnings per share and dividends The Group recorded net profit of US$ 238 million in 1H 2024 versus US$ 272 million in 1H 2023. The underlying net earnings attributable to the shareholders of the parent were US$ 243 million, compared to US$ 141 million in 1H 2023: Reconciliation of underlying net earnings[21] (US$m) 1H 2024 1H 2023 Change Profit for the financial period attributable to the shareholders of the Parent 238 272 -13% Foreign exchange loss/(gain) 6 (165) n/a Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability - 1 n/a Tax effect (1) 33 n/a Underlying net earnings 243 141 +72% Basic earnings per share was US$ 0.50 compared to US$ 0.57 earnings per share in 1H 2023. Underlying basic EPS[22] was US$ 0.51, compared to US$ 0.30 in 1H 2023. Capital expenditurE[23] (US$m) Sustaining Development Capital stripping and underground development Total 1H 2024 Total 1H 2023 Ertis POX - 46 - 46 19 Kyzyl 16 - 17 33 25 Varvara 20 - 8 28 42 Total capital expenditure 36 46 25 107 85 Total capital expenditure increased by 25% y-o-y at US$ 107[24] million in 1H 2024. The increase is mainly related to Ertis POX development project. Capital expenditure excluding capitalised stripping costs was US$ 82 million in 1H 2024 (1H 2023: US$ 67 million). The major capital expenditure items in 1H 2024 were as follows: Development projects Capital expenditure of US$ 46 million was related to initial investments into the Ertis POX facility. Stay-in-business capex at operating assets At Kyzyl, capital expenditure in 1H 2024 comprised US$ 16 million, mainly represented by scheduled technical upgrades, expansion of the concentrator capacity to 2.6 Mtpa and expansion of tailings storage facility. At Varvara, capital expenditure of US$ 20 million was mainly related to the construction of a tailings storage facility and upgrading the mining fleet. Cash flows Cash flows include amounts of discontinued operations as required by IFRS 5, unless otherwise stated. (US$m) 1H 2024 1H 2023 Сhange Operating cash flows before changes in working capital 350 382 -8% Changes in working capital 167 (347) -148% Total operating cash flows 517 35 n/a Continuing operations 344 184 +86% Discontinued operations 173 (149) n/a Capital expenditure (174) (375) -54% Net cash outflow on disposal of subsidiaries (215) - n/a Loans advanced (78) (14) n/a Other (3) 10 -130% Investing cash flows (470) (379) +24% Continuing operations (319) (83) +283% Discontinued operations (151) (296) -49% Financing cash flows Net changes in gross debt (100) 127 -179% Repayments of principal under lease liabilities (1) (12) -92% Total financing cash flows (101) 115 -188% Continuing operations (96) (39) +144% Discontinued operations (5) 154 -104% Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (54) (229) -76% Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 842 633 +33% Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (27) (20) +35% Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 761 384 +98% Total operating cash flows in 1H 2024 strengthened y-o-y on the back of a reduction in stockpiles of concentrate inventory. Operating cash flows increased significantly year-on-year to US$ 517 million, as a result of an increase in sales volumes and adjusted EBITDA. Total cash and cash equivalents almost doubled compared to 1H 2023 and comprised US$ 761 million, with the following items affecting the cash position of the Group: Operating cash flows of US$ 517 million; Net cash outflow on disposal of subsidiaries of US$ 215 million, see Note 3 of the condensed consolidated financial statements); Capital expenditure of US$ 174 million[25]; Loans advanced of US$ 78 million[26]; and The gross borrowings decrease of US$ 101 million. The Group reported positive free cash flow of US$ 47 million, a significant improvement over 1H 2023 negative FCF of US$ 341 million. balance sheet, Liquidity and funding NET DEBT 30-Jun-24 31-Dec-23 Change Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt 219 1,005 -78% Long-term debt 185 2,220 -92% Gross debt 404 3,225 -87% Less: cash and cash equivalents 761 842 -10% Net debt (357) 2,383 -115% Continuing operations (357) 174 n/a Discontinued operations 2,209 n/a Adjusted EBITDA (continuing operations) 346 439 -21% Net (cash)/debt / Adjusted EBITDA[27] (continuing operations) (0.61x) 0.40x n/a Due to the cash proceeds from the disposal of the Russian business and strong cash inflow from sale of inventory, the Company recorded a net cash position of US$ 357 million versus pro forma net debt of US$ 174 million as at the end of 2023. The proportion of long-term borrowings to total borrowings was 46% as at 30 June 2024 (69% as at 31 December 2023). As at 30 June 2024, the Group had US$ 100 million (31 December 2023: US$ 100 million) of available undrawn facilities. The average cost of debt decreased to 4.5% in 1H 2024 (1H 2023: 5.2%) due to de-consolidation of the Russian business with higher interest rate levels. The Group is confident in its ability to repay its existing borrowings as they fall due. INVENTORY Inventory levels decreased by US$ 41 million to US$ 233 million for the 1H 2024. (US$m) 30 June 2024 Change 1H 2024 31 Dec 2023 Change 2H 2023 30 June 2023 Сoncentrate 30 -36 66 +7 59 Ore stock piles 78 -8 86 0 86 Doré, work in-process, metal for refining and refined metals 64 +13 51 -3 54 Non-metal inventories 61 -10 71 +3 68 Total inventory 233 -41 274 +8 267 Payable metals in inventory accumulated at 30 June 2024 were as follows: (GE Koz) 30 June 2024 31 December 2023 Concentrate 30 65 Doré 10 12 Total payable metals 40 78 2024 YEAR-END outlookThe Company reiterates its full-year guidance for production and costs: production of 475 GE Koz, TCC in the range of US$ 900-1,000/oz and AISC in the range of US$ 1,250-1,350. However, the management does not expect comparable half-on-half results in H2 2024 given the following detrimental factors: high base effect of de-stockpiling, which is not likely to be repeated in the near future, stronger than budgeted year-to-date KZT/USD rate, inflationary pressures, shortage of railcars and congestions of the eastbound railroads. Principal risks and uncertainties There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact on the Group’s performance and could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group are categorised as follows: Operational risks: Production risk Construction and development risk Supply chain risk Exploration risk Sustainability risks: Health and safety risk Environmental risk Human capital risk Political and social risks: Legal and compliance risk Political risk Taxation risk Financial risks: Market risk Currency risk Liquidity risk A detailed explanation of these risks and uncertainties can be found on pages 68 to 84 of the 2023 annual report which is available at www.solidcore-resources.com. The directors consider that these principal risks and uncertainties have not changed materially since the publication of the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2023 and continue to apply to the Group for the remaining six months of the financial year. Further updates will be presented in the full annual financial report for 2024. Going concern In assessing its going concern status, the Group has taken account of its principal risks and uncertainties, financial position, sources of cash generation, anticipated future trading performance, its borrowings and other available credit facilities, its forecast compliance with covenants on those borrowings, and its capital expenditure commitments and plans. To assess the resilience of the Group’s going concern assessment in light of the macroeconomic volatility, management performed the stress downside scenario that is considered plausible over the next 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements. As such, this does not represent the Group’s ‘best estimate’ forecast, but was considered in the Group’s assessment of going concern, reflecting the current evolving circumstances and the most significant and plausible changes in macro assumptions identified at the date of approving the press-release. The Group has already taken precautionary measures to manage liquidity and provide flexibility for the future. Under the stress scenario, the Group’s income and profits are affected by simultaneous decrease of gold prices by 10% and local currency appreciation by 10%, as well as 10% overrun of development capital expenditure. At the reporting date, the Group holds US$ 761 million of cash and US$ 100 million of undrawn credit facilities, which when combined with the forecast net cashflows under the stress scenario above, is considered to be adequate to meet the Group’s financial obligations as they fall due over the next 12 months. No borrowing covenant requirements are forecast to be breached in the stress scenario. The Group expects to settle obligations as they fall due but also has mitigating actions available such as reducing production volumes and variable mining costs where possible, reducing and deferring non-essential and non-committed capital expenditure. The Board is therefore satisfied that the Group’s forecasts and projections, including the stress scenario above, show that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next 12 months from the date of this report and that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended 30 June 2024. DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT Directors are responsible for the preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Solidcore Resources plc (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”), which comprise the condensed consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 2024, and the condensed consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended 30 June 2024, in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, Interim Financial Reporting. In preparing the interim condensed consolidated financial statements, directors are responsible for: properly selecting and applying accounting policies; presenting information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information; providing additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the Group’s consolidated financial position and financial performance; and making an assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. Directors also are responsible for: designing, implementing and maintaining an effective and sound system of internal controls throughout the Group; maintaining adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the consolidated financial position of the Group, and which enable them to ensure that the interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group comply with IAS 34; taking such steps as are reasonably available to them to safeguard the assets of the Group; and preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 13 September 2024 and signed on its behalf by Omar Bahram Chairman of the Board of Directors Vitaly Nesis Group Chief Executive Officer REPORT ON REVIEW OF INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS To: management and shareholders of Solidcore Resources plc Introduction We have reviewed the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Solidcore Resources plc and its subsidiaries, which comprise the interim condensed consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 2024 and the related interim condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the six-month period then ended, and selected explanatory notes (interim financial information). Management is responsible for the preparation and presentation of this interim financial information in accordance with IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on this interim financial information based on our review. Scope of review We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2410, Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity. A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion. Conclusion Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the accompanying interim financial information of Solidcore Resources plc and its subsidiaries is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting. License for carrying on ancillary services in accordance with the Acting Law of the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC), No. AFSA-A-LA-2020-0007 issued by AFSA on 28 February 2020. State Audit License for audit activities on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan: series МФЮ–2, № 0000003, issued by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 15 July 2005 050660, Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty Al-Farabi ave., 77/7, Esentai Tower 13 September 2024 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT Period ended Period ended Note 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m Continuing operations Revenue 4 704 393 Cost of sales 5 (358) (186) Gross profit 346 207 General, administrative and selling expenses 9 (35) (32) Other operating expenses, net 10 (19) (7) Operating profit 292 168 Foreign exchange (loss)/gain, net (6) 165 Change in fair value of financial instruments 18 - (1) Finance costs 11 (9) (16) Finance income 10 7 Profit before income tax from continuing operations 287 323 Income tax 12 (49) (51) Profit for the period from continuing operations 238 272 Discontinued operations Net loss from discontinued operations 3 (2,045) (82) Net (loss)/profit (1,807) 190 (Loss)/profit for the period attributable to: Equity shareholders of the Parent (1,807) 190 (1,807) 190 Earnings per share for continuing operations (US$) Basic 0.50 0.57 Diluted 0.50 0.57 Earnings per share for discontinued operations (US$) Basic (4.32) (0.17) Diluted (4.32) (0.17) Loss/(Earnings) per share for continuing and discontinued operations (US$) Basic (3.81) 0.40 Diluted (3.81) 0.40 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Period ended Period ended Note 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m (Loss)/profit for the period (1,807) 190 Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of income tax 924 (499) Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss Effect of translation to presentation currency (55) - Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss Fair value gain arising on hedging instruments during period (1) (4) Exchange differences on translating foreign operations (4) (445) Currency translation recycling on disposal of foreign operation 984 - Currency exchange differences on intercompany loans forming net investment in foreign operations, net of income tax - (50) Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period (883) (309) Total comprehensive loss for the year attributable to: (883) (309) Equity shareholders of the Parent (883) (309) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION Note 30 June 2024 31 December 2023 Assets US$m US$m Property, plant and equipment 14 832 2,998 Right-of-use assets 3 76 Goodwill - 11 Investments in associates and joint ventures 6 129 Non-current accounts receivable 28 107 Other non-current financial assets 8 9 Deferred tax assets 5 192 Non-current inventories 15 39 115 Total non-current assets 921 3,637 Current inventories 15 194 1,178 Prepayments to suppliers 30 180 Income tax prepaid 17 46 VAT receivable 47 131 Trade and other receivables 37 261 Other financial assets at FVTPL 1 5 Cash and cash equivalents 20 761 842 Total current assets 1,087 2,643 Total assets 2,008 6,280 Liabilities and shareholders' equity Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (71) (240) Current borrowings 16 (219) (1,005) Income tax payable (33) (20) Other taxes payable (31) (81) Current portion of contingent consideration liability (3) (15) Current lease liabilities (1) (18) Total current liabilities (358) (1,379) Non-current borrowings 16 (185) (2,220) Contingent and deferred consideration liabilities (13) (29) Deferred tax liabilities (54) (252) Environmental obligations (15) (69) Non-current lease liabilities (2) (52) Other non-current liabilities (9) (26) Total non-current liabilities (278) (2,648) Total liabilities (636) (4,027) NET ASSETS 1,372 2,253 Share capital 13 14 14 Share premium 13 2,436 2,436 Share-based compensation reserve 13 4 33 Cash flow hedging reserve 7 8 Translation reserve (1,138) (2,063) Retained earnings 49 1,825 Total equity 1,372 2,253 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (2,008) (6,280) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Period ended[28] Period ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 Note US$m US$m Net cash generated by operating activities 20 517 35 Relating to: Continuing operations 344 184 Discontinued operations 3 173 (149) Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property, plant and equipment (174) (375) Net cash outflow on asset acquisitions (6) - Investments in associates - (3) Net cash outflow on disposal of subsidiaries 3 (215) - Loans advanced (78) (14) Repayment of loans provided 3 8 Contingent consideration received - 5 Net cash used in investing activities (470) (379) Relating to: Continuing operations (319) (83) Discontinued operations 3 (151) (296) Cash flows from financing activities Borrowings obtained 20 359 582 Repayments of borrowings 20 (459) (455) Repayments of principal under lease liabilities 20 (1) (12) Net cash (used in)/ from financing activities (101) 115 Relating to: Continuing operations (96) (39) Discontinued operations 3 (5) 154 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (54) (229) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 20 842 633 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (27) (20) Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial period 20 761 384 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY Note Stated capital account Share capital Share premium Share-based compensation reserve Cash flow hedging reserve Translation reserve Retained earnings Total equity US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m Balance at 1 January 2023 (audited) 2,450 - - 35 16 (1,543) 1,284 2,242 Profit for the financial period - - - - - - 190 190 Other comprehensive loss, net of income tax - - - - (4) (495) - (499) Total comprehensive income/(loss) - - - - (4) (495) 190 (309) Share-based compensation - - - 6 - - - 6 Transfer to retained earnings - - - (13) - - 13 - Balance at 30 June 2023 (unaudited) 2,450 - - 28 12 (2,038) 1,487 1,939 Balance at 1 January 2024 (audited) - 14 2,436 33 8 (2,063) 1,825 2,253 Loss for the financial period - - - - - - (1,807) (1,807) Other comprehensive loss, net of income tax - - - - (1) 925 - 924 Total comprehensive income/(loss) - - - - (1) 925 (1,807) (883) Share-based compensation - - - 2 - - - 2 Transfer to retained earnings 13 - - - (31) - - 31 - Balance at 30 June 2024 (unaudited) - 14 2,436 4 7 (1,138) 49 1,372 NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS GENERAL Solidcore Resources (previously Polymetal International) is a leading gold producer based in Kazakhstan and listed on Astana International Exchange. During the six months ended 30 June 2024 the Group completed the divestment of its Russian business through sale of 100% share of JSC Polymetal (Polymetal Russia) (Note 3) and served an application to delist the Company’s shares from Moscow Stock Exchange. Solidcore Resources plc (the “Company”) is the ultimate parent entity of Solidcore Resources. The Company was incorporated on 29 July 2010 as a public limited company under Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 as Polymetal International plc. On 8 August 2023, the Group completed the re-domiciliation of the Company from Jersey to the Astana International Financial Centre ("AIFC") in Kazakhstan. The Company changed its name on 11 June 2024 following the sale of Polymetal Russia, which retained its former name. Significant subsidiaries As of 30 June 2024 the Company held the following significant mining and production subsidiaries: Effective interest held, % Name of subsidiary Deposits and production facilities Segment Country of incorporation 30 June 2024 31 December 2023 Varvarinskoye JSC Varvara Kazakhstan Kazakhstan 100 100 Bakyrchik Mining Venture LLC Kyzyl Kazakhstan Kazakhstan 100 100 Komarovskoye Mining Company LLC Komar Kazakhstan Kazakhstan 100 100 Ertis Hydrometallurgical Plant LLC Ertis POX Kazakhstan Kazakhstan 100 100 Basis of presentation The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. They should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the 2023 Annual Report of Polymetal International plc and its subsidiaries (“2023 Annual Report”) available at https://www.solidcore-resources.com. Accounting policies These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of certain financial instruments measured at fair value. The accounting policies and methods of computation applied are consistent with those adopted and disclosed in the Group’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023, with the exception of new accounting pronouncements, which became effective on 1 January 2024 and have been adopted by the Group. The adoption of these new accounting pronouncements has not had a significant impact on the accounting policies, methods of computation or presentation applied by the Group. New standards and amendments applicable for the current period Classification of liabilities as current or non-current liabilities with covenants (Amendments to IAS 1 "Presentation of Financial Statements") specify the requirements for classifying liabilities as current or non-current. The amendments clarify that a right to defer settlement must exist at the end of the reporting period and that classification is unaffected by the likelihood that an entity will exercise its deferral right. In addition, a requirement has been introduced whereby an entity must disclose when a liability arising from a loan agreement is classified as non-current and the entity’s right to defer settlement is contingent on compliance with future covenants within twelve months. The amendments do not have a material impact on the Group Lease liability in a sale and leaseback (Amendments to IFRS 16 “Leases”) specify the requirements that a seller-lessee uses in measuring the lease liability arising in a sale and leaseback transaction. The amendments do not have an impact on the Group. Supplier finance arrangements (Amendments to IAS 7 “Statement of Cash Flows” and IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures”) clarify the characteristics of supplier finance arrangements and require additional disclosure of such arrangements. The amendments do not have a material impact on the Group. New standards or amendments issued but not yet effective The Group has not early adopted any amendment, standard or interpretation that has been issued but is not yet effective. It is expected that, where applicable, these standards and amendments will be adopted on each respective effective date. Going concern In assessing its going concern status, the Group has taken account of its financial position, anticipated future trading performance, its borrowings and other available credit facilities, its forecast compliance with covenants on those borrowings and capital expenditure commitments and plans. The Board is satisfied that the Group’s forecasts and projections, having taken account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next 12 months from the date of this report and that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Exchange rates Exchange rates used in the preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements were as follows: Russian Rouble/US Dollar Kazakh Tenge/US Dollar As at 30 June 2024 Not applicable 471.46 As at 31 December 2023 89.69 454.56 Average 1H 2024 Not applicable 449.00 SEGMENT INFORMATION The Group’s operating segments are aligned to those businesses that are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (the CODM) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Operating segments with similar economic characteristics are aggregated into reportable segments. In March 2024, following the divestment of Russian business (Note 3), the Company re-assessed the presentation of financial information by segments. It was concluded that production hub-based reporting format is more meaningful from a management and forecasting perspective, as well as better aligned to the management structure, internal reporting and processes of the retained Group. Segment information for the period ended 30 June 2023 was restated accordingly. Therefore the Group has identified two reportable segments: Varvara (Varvarinskoye JSC, Komarovskoye Mining Company LLC); and Kyzyl (Bakyrchik Mining Venture LLP). Minor companies and activities (management, exploration, purchasing and other companies) which do not meet the reportable segment criteria are disclosed within the corporate and other segment. The measure which management and the CODM use to evaluate the performance of the Group is a segment Adjusted EBITDA, which is an Alternative Performance Measure (APM). For more information on the APMs used by the Group, including definitions, please refer to page 40. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with those of the Group’s accounting policies under IFRS. Revenue and cost of sales of the production entities are reported net of any intersegmental revenue and cost of sales, related to the intercompany sales of ore and concentrates. Business segment current assets and liabilities, other than current inventory, are not reviewed by the CODM and therefore are not disclosed in these interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Additionally, net debt is included in performance measures, reviewed by CODM. The segment adjusted EBITDA reconciles to the profit before income tax from continuing operations as follows: Segment information (continued) Period ended 30 June 2024 Period ended 30 June 2023 Varvara Kyzyl Total reportable segments Corporate and other Total Varvara Kyzyl Total reportable segments Corporate and other Total Revenue from external customers 189 456 645 59 704 179 214 393 - 393 Cost of sales, excluding depreciation, depletion and write-down of inventory to net realisable value 105 141 246 61 307 99 61 160 - 160 Cost of sales 120 177 297 61 358 108 78 186 - 186 Depreciation included in cost of sales (15) (36) (51) - (51) (9) (17) (26) - (26) General, administrative and selling expenses, excluding depreciation, amortisation and share-based compensation 9 9 18 14 32 6 8 14 12 26 General, administrative and selling expenses 9 10 19 16 35 7 8 15 17 32 Depreciation included in SGA - (1) (1) - (1) (1) - (1) - (1) Share-based compensation - - - (2) (2) - - - (5) (5) Other operating expenses excluding additional tax charges 5 12 17 2 19 4 2 6 1 7 Other operating expenses, net 5 12 17 2 19 4 2 6 1 7 Share of loss of associates and joint ventures - - - - - - - - - - Adjusted EBITDA 70 294 364 (18) 346 70 143 213 (13) 200 Depreciation expense 15 37 52 - 52 10 17 27 - 27 Share-based compensation - - - 2 2 - - - 5 5 Operating profit 55 257 312 (20) 292 60 126 186 (18) 168 Foreign exchange gain/(loss), net (6) 165 Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability - (1) Finance expenses (9) (16) Finance income 10 7 Profit before tax 287 323 Income tax expense (49) (51) Profit for the financial period from continuing operations 238 272 Current metal inventories 51 90 141 - 141 59 113 172 - 172 Current non-metal inventories 20 32 52 1 53 21 39 60 - 60 Non-current segment assets: Property, plant and equipment, net 253 491 744 88 832 228 509 737 40 777 Non-current inventory 37 2 39 - 39 34 - 34 - 34 Investments in associates - - - 6 6 - - - 11 11 Total segment assets 361 615 976 95 1 071 342 661 1 003 51 1 054 Additions to non-current assets: Property, plant and equipment 32 37 69 46 115 43 27 70 18 88 DIVESTMENT OF THE RUSSIAN BUSINESS AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Оn 18 February 2024 the Group entered into contracts for the divestment of its Russian business through a sale of 100% JSC Polymetal’s shares to a third party, JSC Mangazeya Plus (the Purchaser). On 7 March 2024 the transaction was completed following approval at a the General Shareholders Meeting and receipt of the regulatory approvals. Following this date, the Group ceased to have any interest in JSC Polymetal and therefore determined that it lost control over JSC Polymetal on 7 March 2024. As Polymetal Russia was a separate geographical area of operation and a major line of business, the sale represented discontinued operations for the Group. The transaction entailed US$ 50 million cash consideration which was paid to the Company at completion. Prior to completion, an aggregate dividend of US$ 1,429 million (before tax) was paid by JSC Polymetal to the Company, of which US$ 278 million were retained by the Company for its general corporate purposes and US$ 1,151 million were used to repay, and fully discharge, the intra-group debt and related interest owed to JSC Polymetal. Net cash proceeds from the Purchaser and through dividends retained by the Company (after tax) amounted to US$ 300 million. Major classes of assets and liabilities of JSC Polymetal and its subsidiaries (JSC Polymetal Group), net of dividends payable and intercompany loans receivable as described above, that were settled in March 2024 before the actual disposal date and which were not be part of assets and liabilities of the divested subsidiaries as of disposal date, are presented as follows: US$m Assets Property, plant and equipment 2,227 Right-of-use assets 79 Goodwill 11 Investments in associates and joint ventures 124 Non-current accounts receivable 107 Deferred tax asset 194 Non-current inventories 78 Total non-current assets 2,820 Current inventories 939 Prepayments to suppliers 149 Income tax prepaid 16 VAT receivable 46 Trade and other receivables 310 Cash and cash equivalents 265 Total current assets 1,725 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (218) Current borrowings (725) Other taxes payable (185) Income tax payable (38) Other current liabilities (30) Total current liabilities (1,196) Non-current borrowings (1,974) Deferred tax liability (49) Other non-current liabilities (140) Total non-current liabilities (2,163) Total liabilities (3,359) NET ASSETS 1,186 Loss from discontinued operations is detailed as follows: US$m Net assets disposed of (1,186) Cash consideration received 50 Currency translation recycling on disposal of foreign operation[29] (984) Tax expense attributable to disposal of discontinued operations (6) Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (2,126) Profit for the period attributable to the discontinued operations 84 Directly attributable expenses (3) Net loss attributable to the discontinued operations (2,045) Disposed cash and cash equivalents as of 7 March 265 Cash consideration received (50) Net cash outflow on disposal of subsidiaries (215) The rationale for the transaction was associated with the significant political and financial risks that the pre-divestment structure posed to the Group, as well as the extreme difficulty and related uncertainty of executing any alternative transaction. Therefore management believes that the transaction terms do not represent an indicator of impairment of any CGU within the JSC Polymetal Group prior to the disposal date. Re-presentation of Interim Condensed Consolidated Income Statement of the Group The Group’s interim condensed consolidated income statement was prepared in accordance with IFRS 5 “Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations” so that the results of discontinued operations would be excluded from the continuing operations and presented as a single amount. The comparatives in the statement of operations were re-presented in the same way. No adjustments to comparative data were made for the assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position. The consolidated results of the Group were divided into transactions with external parties, which are classified as discontinued operations, and intra-group transactions between continuing and discontinued operations, which were eliminated in the Group’s consolidated financial statements. The Group's intragroup transactions were eliminated, but adjustments were made to reflect how transactions will be reflected in continuing operations going forward. For that purpose, the sales of Kyzyl doré by discontinued operations during six months ended 30 June 2023 to third parties were reclassified to continuing operations. Presentation is in line with the Group segment reporting as presented in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2023 and consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. Therefore the Group recognised revenue and related cost of sales in the operation where the source ore was mined, regardless of whether it was processed on behalf of that segment at production facilities related to another hub. The result of the discontinued operations, which were included in the profit and loss for the period, were as follows: Period ended 7 March 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m Revenue 415 922 Expenses (315) (1,010) Profit/(loss) before tax 100 (88) Attributable tax expense (16) 6 Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to the discontinued operations 84 (82) Cash flows from discontinued operations are presented on the face of the cash flow statement. REVENUE Six months ended 30 June 2024 (unaudited) Six months ended 30 June 2023 (unaudited) Thousand ounces/ tonnes shipped Thousand ounces/ tonnes payable Average price (US Dollar per troy ounce/tonne payable) US$m Thousand ounces/ tonnes shipped Thousand ounces/ tonnes payable Average price (US Dollar per troy ounce/tonne payable) US$m Gold (Koz) 328 317 2,190 694 204 200 1,904 380 Silver (Koz) 54 52 19.2 1 45 43 23.3 1 Copper (t) 1,019 956 9,410 9 1,529 1,434 8,370 12 Total 704 393 Revenue analysed by geographical regions of customers is presented below: Six months ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m Sales to Kazakhstan 436 327 Sales to Asia 268 62 Other - 4 Total 704 393 Included in revenues for the six months ended 30 June 2023 is revenue from customers with a share of total revenue greater than 10%. These were US$ 381 million and US$ 92 million, respectively (period ended 30 June 2023: US$ 265 million, US$ 63 million and US$ 39 million, respectively). Presented below is an analysis by revenue streams: Six months ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m Doré 381 264 Concentrate 264 125 Bullions 59 4 Total 704 393 COST OF SALES Six months ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m Cash operating costs On-mine costs (Note 6) 81 83 Smelting costs (Note 7) 58 60 Purchase of ore and concentrates from third parties 59 35 Mining tax 43 38 Total cash operating costs 241 216 Depreciation and depletion of operating assets (Note 8) 49 37 Total costs of production 290 253 Increase in metal inventories 67 (67) Idle capacities and abnormal production costs 1 - Total 358 186 ON-MINE COSTS Six months ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m Services 42 37 Consumables and spare parts 25 34 Labour 12 9 Other expenses 2 3 Total (Note 5) 81 83 SMELTING COSTS Six months ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2024 US$m US$m Services 26 17 Consumables and spare parts 23 36 Labour 9 7 Other expenses - - Total (Note 5) 58 60 Depletion and depreciation of operating assets Six months ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m On-mine 39 29 Smelting 10 8 Total in cost of production (Note 5) 49 37 Less: absorbed into metal inventories 2 (11) Depreciation included in cost of sales 51 26 Depletion and depreciation of operating assets excludes depreciation relating to non-operating assets (included in general, administrative and selling expenses) and depreciation related to assets employed in development projects where the charge is capitalised. Depreciation expense, which is excluded in the Group’s calculation of Adjusted EBITDA (see Note 2), also excludes amounts absorbed into unsold metal inventory balances. General, administrative and selling expenses Six months ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m Labour 22 14 Services 5 8 Share-based compensation 2 5 Depreciation 1 1 Other 5 4 Total 35 32 Other operating expenses, net Six months ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m Social payments 10 2 Taxes, other than income tax 4 2 Exploration expenses 2 1 Other expenses 3 2 Total 19 7 Finance Costs Six months ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m Interest expense on borrowings 7 15 Unwinding of discount on environmental obligations 1 1 Unwinding of discount on contingent consideration liability (Note 20) 1 - Total 9 16 Interest expense on borrowings excludes borrowing costs capitalised in the cost of qualifying assets of US$ 1 million during the six months ended 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023: US$ 1 million). These amounts were calculated based on the Group’s general borrowing pool and by applying an effective annualised interests rates of 3.83% and 4.86%, respectively, to cumulative expenditure on such assets. Income Tax Six months ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m Current income taxes (204) (53) Deferred income taxes 155 2 Total (49) (51) Current income taxes recognised during six months ended 30 June 2024 include withholding income tax paid of US$ 143 million (2023: nil) related to the dividends from Polymetal, which were remitted as a part of divestment from the Russian operations (Note 3). The provisional amount of the withholding income tax was recognised as a deferred tax liability of US$ 152 million as of 31 December 2023 and was released during six months ended 30 June 2024. No deferred tax liabilities for taxes that would be payable on the unremitted earnings of the Group subsidiaries was recognised as of 30 June 2024 as the Group determined that the undistributed profit of its subsidiaries would not be distributed in the foreseeable future (judged to be one year). shareholders’ Equity and Earnings per share The movements in the Stated capital account in the period were as follows: Share capital Share capital Share premium Treasury shares no. of shares US$m US$m no. of shares Balance at 31 December 2023 473,645,141 14 2,436 41,614,678 Own shares exchanged during period - 14,424,003 - - 14,424,003 Own shares issued in exchange 14,424,003 - - - Deferred shares issued 45,179 - - - Balance at 30 June 2024 473,690,320 14 2,436 56,038,681 On 23 November 2023, the Board announced its intention to conduct an exchange offer, which was approved by Shareholders at the General Meeting on 8 December 2023. The exchange offer invited shareholders whose rights have been affected by the sanctions imposed on NSD, subject to fulfilling eligibility criteria, to tender such shares for exchange in consideration for the issuance of a certificated share, on a one-for-one basis. In total, 14,424,003 shares were repurchased since the beginning of the Exchange Offer during the six months ended 30 June 2024. The exchange of shares did not give rise to any cash settlement and hence does not give rise to any financial liability. The shares were exchanged at par, on a one-for-one basis and the exchange does not affect the Company's net asset and resources position or capital structure. As of 30 June 2024 total number of voting rights in the Company amounted to 473,690,320 ordinary shares of nominal value US$ 0.03 each (31 December 2023: to 473,645,141 ordinary shares with no par value), each carrying one vote, and additionally the Company held 56,038,681 shares in treasury and such shares did not enjoy any voting or economic rights (31 December 2023: 41,614,678 shares). The ordinary shares reflect 100% of the total issued share capital of the Company. The calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per share is based on the following data: Weighted average number of shares: Diluted earnings per share Both basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated by dividing profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares before/after dilution respectively. The calculation of the weighted average number of outstanding common shares after dilution is as follows: Six months ended 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 Weighted average number of outstanding common shares 473,666,489 473,626,239 Weighted average number of outstanding common shares after dilution 473,666,489 473,626,239 There were no adjustments required to earnings for the purposes of calculating the diluted earnings per share in the current period (period ended 30 June 2023: nil). There were no adjustments to weighted average number of shares for the purposes of calculating the diluted earnings per share in the current period (period ended 30 June 2023: none), as there are no outstanding Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) awards which represent dilutive potential ordinary shares with respect to earnings per share from continuing operations as these awards are out of money as of the reporting date (30 June 2023: no dilutive potential ordinary shares). The LTIP tranche, granted in 2020 lapsed during first half 2023 and accordingly, the related balance of US$ 24 million in the share-based payment reserve was transferred into retained earnings (2023: US$ 13 million was transferred into retained earnings in related to 2018 LTIP tranche). Additionally, the balance of US$ 7 million, related to the LTIP tranche, granted in 2021 to the employees of the divested Russian business (Note 3) was transferred into retained earnings. property, plant and equipment Development assets Exploration assets Mining assets Non-mining assets Capital construction in-progress Total Cost US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m Balance at 31 December 2023 (audited) 165 111 3,725 74 1,058 5,133 Additions 7 2 74 4 111 198 Transfers (4) (6) 18 1 (9) - Change in environmental obligations - - (6) - - (6) Acquisition of assets - 13 - - - 13 Eliminated on disposal of subsidiary (Note 3) (163) (100) (2,550) (63) (1,005) (3,881) Disposals and write-offs including fully depleted mines - (1) (12) 1 - (12) Translation to presentation currency (1) (1) (62) (3) (12) (79) Balance at 30 June 2024 (unaudited) 4 18 1,187 14 143 1,366 Development assets Exploration assets Mining assets Non-mining assets Capital construction in-progress Total Accumulated depreciation, amortisation US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m Balance at 31 December 2023 (audited) (7) (11) (1,930) (44) (143) (2,135) Charge for the period - - (89) (5) - (94) Transfers - - - - - - Eliminated on disposal of subsidiary (Note 3) 7 11 1,452 44 140 1,654 Disposals and write-offs including fully depleted mines - - 9 - - 9 Translation to presentation currency - - 31 - 1 32 Balance at 30 June 2024 (unaudited) - - (527) (5) (2) (534) Net book value 31 December 2023 158 100 1,795 30 915 2,998 30 June 2024 4 18 660 9 141 832 Inventories 30 June 2024 31 December 2023 US$m US$m Inventories expected to be recovered after twelve months Ore stock piles 31 51 Consumables and spare parts 8 43 Work in-process - 13 Сopper, gold and silver concentrate - 8 Total non-current inventories 39 115 Inventories expected to be recovered in the next twelve months Ore stock piles 47 208 Work in-process 61 146 Сopper, gold and silver concentrate 30 324 Doré 3 70 Metal for refining - 25 Refined metals - 45 Total current metal inventories 141 818 Consumables and spare parts 53 360 Total current inventories 194 1,178 BORROWINGS The Group has a number of borrowing arrangements with various lenders. As of 30 June 2024 these borrowings consist of unsecured and secured loans and credit facilities denominated in US Dollar and Euros. Effective interest rate at 30 June 2024 31 December 2023 Type of rate 30 June 2024 31 Dec 2023 Current Non-current Total Current Non-current Total Secured loans from third parties US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m US$m U.S. Dollar denominated fixed 4.58% 4.32% 32 93 125 27 114 141 Total secured loans from third parties 32 93 125 27 114 141 Unsecured loans from third parties U.S. Dollar denominated floating 2.17% 6.74% 40 80 120 240 100 340 U.S. Dollar denominated fixed 2.17% 3.50% 145 - 145 432 274 706 Euro denominated floating 4.13% 4.32% 2 12 14 2 18 20 RUB denominated floating n/a 17.95% - - - 20 694 714 RUB denominated fixed n/a 13.17% - - - 19 142 161 CNY denominated fixed n/a 5.54% - - - 265 808 1,073 CNY denominated floating n/a 4.95% - - - - 70 70 Total unsecured loans from third parties 187 92 279 978 2,106 3,084 Total loans from third parties 219 185 404 1,005 2,220 3,225 Movements in borrowings are presented in Note 20 below. The table below summarises maturities of borrowings: Period ended 30 June 2024 31 December 2023 US$m US$m Less than 1 year 219 1,005 1-5 years 181 1,752 More than 5 years 4 468 Total 404 3,225 There are financial and non-financial covenants attached to the Group’s borrowings. As at 30 June 2024 and for the period then ended the Group had no violations of covenants. Commitments and Contingencies Capital commitments The Group’s budgeted capital expenditure commitments as at 30 June 2024 amounted to US$ 42 million net of VAT (31 December 2023: US$ 171 million). Social commitments In accordance with a memorandum with Kostanay Oblast Akimat (local Kazakhstan government), the Group participates in financing of certain social and infrastructure development project of the region. The total social expense commitment as at 30 June 2024 amounts to US$ 7 million, payable in the future periods. Taxation Kazakh tax, currency and customs legislation is subject to varying interpretations, and changes, which can occur frequently. Management’s interpretation of such legislation as applied to the transactions and activities of the companies of the Group may be challenged by the relevant regional and federal authorities and as a result, significant additional taxes, penalties and interest may be assessed. Fiscal periods remain open to review by the authorities in respect of taxes for five calendar years preceding the year of review. Under certain circumstances reviews may cover longer periods. Management has not identified any tax exposure in respect of contingent liabilities (31 December 2023: US$ 41 million), mainly related to income tax. Change in the amount is attributable to the divestment of Russian operations (Note 3). Fair Value Accounting The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable as follows: Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs). At 30 June 2024 and 31 December 2023, the Group held the following financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL): 30 June 2024 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total US$m US$m US$m US$m Receivables from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales - 26 - 26 Interest rate swap - 7 - 7 Shares held at FVTPL 1 - - 1 Contingent consideration liability - - (16) (16) 1 33 (16) 18 31 December 2023 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total US$m US$m US$m US$m Receivables from provisional copper, gold and silver concentrate sales - 135 - 135 Interest rate swaps - 8 - 8 Contingent consideration receivable - - 4 4 Shares held at FVTPL 2 - - 2 Royalty liabilities payable (24) (24) Contingent consideration liability - - (44) (44) 2 143 (64) 81 During both reporting periods presented, there were no transfers between levels of fair value hierarchy. Additionally, as of 30 June 2024 the Group held an interest rate swap contract, recognised within non-current accounts receivables and other financial instruments in the amount of US$ 7 million (31 December 2023: US$ 8 million). An interest rate swap contract exchanging floating rate interest amounts for rate interest amounts is designated as cash flow hedges to reduce the Group’s cash flow exposure resulting from variable interest rates on borrowings. As the critical terms of the interest rate swap contracts and their corresponding hedged items are the same, the Group performs a qualitative assessment of effectiveness and it is expected that the value of the interest rate swap contracts and the value of the corresponding hedged items will systematically change in opposite direction in response to movements in the underlying interest rates. As of 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2023 it was determined that there is no hedge ineffectiveness identified and therefore change of fair value was recognised within other comprehensive income. The estimated fair value of the Group’s debt, calculated using the market interest rate available to the Group as at 30 June 2024 is US$ 384 million (31 December 2023: US$ 2,699 million), and the carrying value as at 30 June 2024 is US$ 404 million (31 December 2024: US$ 3,225 million). The fair value of receivables arising from copper, gold and silver concentrate sales contracts that contain provisional pricing mechanisms is determined using the appropriate quoted forward price from the exchange that is the principal active market for the particular metal. As such, these receivables are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Valuation methodologies used in the measurement of fair value for Level 3 financial liabilities The main level 3 inputs used by the Group in measuring the fair value of contingent consideration assets and liabilities, represented by net smelter returns (NSR), are derived and evaluated as follows: The relevant valuation model simulates expected production of metals at respective mines and are based on life of mine models prepared using applicable ore reserves and mineral resource estimations. Commodity prices - Commodity prices are based on latest internal forecasts, benchmarked against external sources of information. The Group used flat real long-term silver price of US$ 27 per ounce (2023: US$ 23 per ounce), respectively. Discount rates – The Group used a post-tax real discount rate of 14.5% (31 December 2023: 12.5%). For the Monte-Carlo modelling, where inflation is incorporated into volatility estimation, a nominal discount rate of 17.2% (31 December 2023: 15.2%) is applied. Where the percentage of net NSR or royalty receivable or payable depends on commodity prices or foreign exchange rates reaching certain levels, the Group applies the Monte-Carlo modelling to incorporate the volatility measure into the valuation, which is applied to the prevailing market prices/rates as of the valuation date. The key assumptions used in the Monte-Carlo calculations are silver price of US$ 28.85 per ounce and silver price volatility of 31%. During six months ended 30 June 2023 the Group recognised the loss from revaluation of its Level 3 financial instruments at FVTP of US$ 4 million (30 June 2023: US$ 1 million), representing loss on contingent consideration payable revaluation. The Directors consider that a reasonably possible change in a valuation assumption would not have a material impact on the interim condensed consolidated financial statements for contingent considerations receivable and payable. Related Parties Related parties are considered to include shareholders, associates, joint ventures and entities under common ownership and control with the Group and members of key management personnel. During the period ended 30 June 2024 there were no transactions with the related parties (30 June 2023: miscellaneous purchases of US$ 1.1 million and various sales to the related parties of US$ 0.3 million). Outstanding balances with related parties as of 30 June 2023 are nil (31 December 2023: US$ 1 million). Supplementary cash flow information Period ended[30] Period ended Notes 30 June 2024 30 June 2023 US$m US$m Loss/(Profit) before tax (1,736) 235 Adjustments for: Depreciation and depletion recognised in the statement of comprehensive income 82 123 Impairment of non-current assets - 12 Loss on disposal of subsidiaries 3 2,120 - Write-down of inventories to net realisable value 2 10 Share-based compensation 2 6 Finance costs 83 69 Finance income (19) (8) Change in fair value of financial instruments 18 - 5 Foreign exchange gain/(loss), net 8 105 Other non-cash items (1) (2) 541 555 Movements in working capital Change in inventories 29 (205) Change in VAT and other taxes 172 26 Change in trade and other receivables (37) (130) Change in prepayments to suppliers (1) (7) Change in trade and other payables 4 (31) Cash generated from operations 708 208 Interest paid (38) (79) Interest received 16 7 Income tax paid (169) (101) Net cash generated by operating activities 517 35 During the period ended 30 June 2023, the capital expenditure related to the new projects, increasing the operating capacity amounts to US$ 46 million (period ended 30 June 2023: US$ 89 million). Cash and cash equivalents 30 June 2024 31 December 2023 US$m US$m Bank deposits -USD 457 17 - CNY - 364 - KZT 89 104 US treasury bills -USD 201 39 Current bank accounts - USD 7 159 - CNY 1 107 - other currencies 6 52 Total 761 842 Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities The table below details changes in the Group's liabilities arising from financing activities, including both cash and non-cash changes. Liabilities from financing activities are those for which cash flow were, or future cash flows will be, classified in the Group's consolidated cash flow statements as cash flows from financing activities. Period ended 30 June 2024 Borrowings Contingent consideration payable at fair value Royalty payable Lease liabilities 1 January 2024 3,225 44 24 70 Cash inflow 359 - - - Cash outlow (459) - - (1) Changes from financing cash flows (100) - - (1) Disposal of subsidiary (Note 3) (2,699) (34) (24) (72) Additions - 6 8 Unwind of discount - - - 1 Lease termination - - - (2) Net foreign exchange losses (16) 1 - - Exchange differences on translating foreign operations (6) (1) - (1) Other changes (2,721) (28) (24) (66) 30 June 2024 404 16 - 3 Less current portion (219) (3) - (1) Total non-current liabilities at 30 June 2024 185 13 - 2 Period ended 30 June 2023 Borrowings Contingent consideration payable at fair value Deferred consideration payable at amortised cost Royalty payable Lease liabilities 1 January 2023 3,027 36 85 24 131 Cash inflow 582 - - - - Cash outflow (455) - - - (12) Changes from financing cash flows 127 - - - (12) Unwind of discount - 2 3 - 4 Lease modification - - - - (14) Lease termination - - - - (2) Net foreign exchange losses 293 4 - 6 - Exchange differences on translating foreign operations (473) (4) - (6) (23) Other changes (180) 2 3 - (35) 30 June 2023 2,974 38 88 24 84 Less current portion (1,024) (9) - (5) (19) Total non-current liabilities at 30 June 1,950 29 88 19 65 Subsequent Events On 4 September 2024 the Group received approval from the Moscow Exchange to delist the Company’s shares, effective on 15 October 2024. Alternative Performance Measures Introduction The financial performance reported by the Group contains certain Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), disclosed to complement measures that are defined or specified under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). APMs should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance, financial position or cash flows reported in accordance with IFRS. The Group believes that these measures, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide the readers with valuable information and an improved understanding of the underlying performance of the business. APMs are not uniformly defined by all companies, including those within the Group’s industry. Therefore, the APMs used by the Group may not be comparable to similar measures and disclosures made by other companies. Purpose APMs used by the Group represent financial KPIs for clarifying the financial performance of the Group and measuring it against strategic objectives, given the following background: Widely used by the investor and analyst community in the mining sector and, together with IFRS measures, provide a holistic view of the Group; Applied by investors to assess earnings quality, facilitate period to period trend analysis and forecasting of future earnings, and understand performance through eyes of management; Highlight key value drivers within the business that may not be obvious in the financial statements; Ensure comparability of information between reporting periods and operating segments by adjusting for uncontrollable or one-off factors which impact upon IFRS measures; Used internally by management to assess the financial performance of the Group and its operating segments; Used in the Group’s dividend policy; and Certain APMs are used in setting directors’ and management’s remuneration. APMs and justification for their use Group APM Closest equivalent IFRS measure Adjustments made to IFRS measure Rationale for adjustments Underlying net earnings Profit/(loss) for the financial period attributable to equity shareholders of the Group Write-down of metal inventory to net realisable value (post-tax) Impairment/reversal of previously recognised impairment of non-current assets (post-tax) Foreign exchange (gain)/loss (post-tax) Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability (post-tax) Gains/losses on acquisition, revaluation and disposals of interests in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures (post-tax) Excludes the impact of key significant one-off non-recurring items and significant non-cash items (other than depreciation) that can mask underlying changes in core performance. Underlying earnings per share Earnings per share Underlying net earnings (as defined above) Weighted average number of outstanding common shares Excludes the impact of key significant one-off non-recurring items and significant non-cash items (other than depreciation) that can mask underlying changes in core performance. Underlying return on equity No equivalent Underlying net earnings (as defined above)[31] Average equity at the beginning and the end of reporting year, adjusted for translation reserve The most important metric for evaluating the Company’s profitability Measures the efficiency with which a company generates income using the funds that shareholders have invested. Return on assets No equivalent Underlying net earnings (as defined above)1 before interest and tax Average total assets at the beginning and the end of reporting year A financial ratio that shows the percentage of profit the Company earns in relation to its overall resources. Adjusted EBITDA Profit/(loss) before income tax Finance cost (net) Depreciation and depletion Write-down of metal and non-metal inventory to net realisable value Impairment/reversal of previously recognised impairment of non-current assets Share based compensation Bad debt allowance Net foreign exchange gains/losses Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability Rehabilitation costs Additional mining taxes, VAT, penalties and accrued interest Gains/losses on acquisition, revaluation and disposals of interests in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures Excludes the impact of certain non-cash elements, either recurring or non-recurring, that can mask underlying changes in core operating performance, to be a proxy for operating cash flow generation. Net debt Net total of current and non-current borrowings[32] Cash and cash equivalents Not applicable Measures the Group’s net indebtedness that provides an indicator of the overall balance sheet strength. Used by creditors in bank covenants. Net debt/EBITDA ratio No equivalent Not applicable Used by creditors, credit rating agencies and other stakeholders. Free cash flow Cash flows from operating activity less cash flow from investing activities Excluding acquisition costs in business combinations and investments in associates and joint ventures Excluding loans forming part of net investment in joint ventures Excluding proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries Reflects cash generating from operations after meeting existing capital expenditure commitments. Measures the success of the company in turning profit into cash through the strong management of working capital and capital expenditure. Free cash flow post M&A Cash flows from operating activity less cash flow from investing activities Not applicable Free cash flow including cash used in/received from acquisition/disposal of assets and joint ventures. Reflects cash generation to finance returns to shareholders after meeting existing capital expenditure commitments and financing growth opportunities. Total cash costs (TCC) Total cash operating costs General, administrative & selling expenses Depreciation expense and depletion Rehabilitation expenses Write-down of inventory to net realisable value Intersegment unrealised profit elimination Idle capacities and abnormal production costs Exclude Corporate and Other segment and development assets Treatment charges deductions reclassification to cost of sales Calculated according to common mining industry practice using the provisions of Gold Institute Production Cost Standard. Gives a picture of the Company’s current ability to extract its resources at a reasonable cost and generate earnings and cash flows for use in investing and other activities. All-in sustaining cash costs (AISC) Total cash operating costs General, administrative & selling expenses AISC is based on total cash costs, and adds items relevant to sustaining production such as other operating expenses, corporate level SG&A, and capital expenditures and exploration at existing operations (excluding growth capital). After tax all-in cash costs includes additional adjustments for net finance cost, capitalised interest and income tax expense. All-in costs include additional adjustments on that for development capital. Includes the components identified in World Gold Council’s Guidance Note on Non‐GAAP Metrics – All‐In Sustaining Costs and All‐In Costs (June 2013), which is a non‐IFRS financial measure. Provides investors with better visibility into the true cost of production. [1] The financial performance reported by the Group contains certain Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) disclosed to compliment measures that are defined or specified under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). For more information on the APMs used by the Group, including justification for their use, please refer to the “Alternative performance measures” section below. [2] Adjusted for the after-tax amount of impairment charges, write-downs of metal inventory, foreign exchange gains/losses and other change in fair value of contingent consideration. [3] Profit for the period. [4] On a cash basis, representing cash outflow on purchases of property, plant and equipment in the consolidated statement of cash flows. [5] Totals may not correspond to the sum of the separate figures due to rounding. % changes can be different from zero even when absolute amounts are unchanged because of rounding. Likewise, % changes can be equal to zero when absolute amounts differ due to the same reason. This note applies to all tables in this release. [6] The amounts were restated to reflect adjustments made in connection with presentation of discontinued operations. [7] Defined in the “Alternative performance measures” section below. [8] Allocation factors for corporate costs were revised, 1H 2023 were restated accordingly. [9] In accordance with IFRS, revenue is presented net of treatment charges which are subtracted in calculating the amount to be invoiced. Average realised prices are calculated as revenue divided by gold and silver volumes sold, without effect of treatment charges deductions from revenue. [10] As at 31 December 2023. [11] On a last twelve months basis. Adjusted EBITDA for 2H 2023 was US$ 239 million. [12] Based on 80:1 Au/Ag conversion ratio and excluding base metals. Discrepancies in calculations are due to rounding. [13] LTIFR = lost time injury frequency rate per 200,000 hours worked. Company employees only are taken into account. [14] Without effect of treatment charges deductions from revenue. [15] Commission sales of third-party materials [16] Allocation factors for corporate costs were revised, 1H 2023 were restated accordingly. [17] All-in sustaining cash costs comprise total cash costs, all selling, general and administrative expenses for operating mines and head office not included in TCC (mainly represented by head office SGA), other expenses (excluding write-offs and non-cash items, in line with the methodology used for calculation of Adjusted EBITDA), and current period capex for operating mines (i.e. excluding new project capital expenditure (development capital), but including all exploration expenditure (both expensed and capitalised in the period) and minor brownfield expansions). For more information refer to the Alternative performance measures section below. [18] Allocation factors for corporate costs were revised, 1H 2023 were restated accordingly. [19] Defined in the “Alternative performance measures” section below. [20] Net of finance income. [21] Underlying net earnings represent net profit for the period excluding the impact of key items that can mask underlying changes in core performance. [22] Underlying basic EPS are calculated based on underlying net earnings. [23] On a cash basis. [24] On accrual basis, capital expenditure was US$ 115 million in 1H 2024 (1H 2023: US$ 150 million). [25] Including US$107 million on continuing operations and US$67 million from discontinued operations. [26] Relates to discontinued operations. [27] 1H 2024 – on a last twelve months basis. [28] Consolidated cash flow include amounts of discontinued operations (Note 3). [29] The functional currency of Polymetal is the Russian rouble, which is different from the Solidcore Resources plc functional currency (US dollar to 1 January 2015 and Kazakh tenge from 1 August 2023). The exchange differences arising on translation of the assets, liabilities and income statements of Polymetal were recorded in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the separate component of equity. On disposal of Polymetal the cumulative amount of the exchange differences relating to Polymetal was recycled to the Solidcore Resources plc’s income statement. [30] Consolidated cash flow include amounts of discontinued operations as required by IFRS 5 (Note 3). [31] Annualised basis for half-year results. [32] Excluding lease liabilities and royalty payments. 16/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Tottenham Hotspur Partners with Global Online Trading Platform AIMS

EQS Newswire / 13/09/2024 / 18:30 UTC+8 Tottenham Hotspur has today announced a new multi-year partnership with AIMS, a leading global trading brokerage, to become the Club’s Official Online Trading Partner. The partnership will see AIMS engage with the Club’s global fanbase through a variety of digital and social media campaigns. The official launch took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 13th September, where representatives from both AIMS and Tottenham Hotspur were present to celebrate the new collaboration. Ryan Norys, Chief Revenue Officer at Tottenham Hotspur, said: “We are delighted to welcome AIMS as our Official Online Trading Partner. Their commitment to innovation and excellence aligns perfectly with our Club values. We look forward to working together to deliver exciting and engaging content that will resonate with our supporters globally.” Aaron Chang, CEO of AIMS Group, said: "We are incredibly excited to partner with Tottenham Hotspur, a club that embodies the same values of ambition, integrity, and excellence that we uphold at AIMS. This partnership is not just about brand alignment; it's about creating meaningful connections with football fans and trading communities around the world. We look forward to a successful collaboration that will drive mutual growth and success." Founded in 2015, AIMS is dedicated to providing innovative financial solutions to clients worldwide. With a strong focus on integrity and customer success, AIMS offers a comprehensive range of trading services tailored to meet the diverse needs of both individual and institutional investors. For more information, visit the official AIMS website or follow AIMS on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For media enquiries, please contact: Benson Low Global Brand & Marketing media@aimsfx.com 13/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Tottenham Hotspur Partners with Global Online Trading Platform AIMS

EQS Newswire / 13/09/2024 / 20:38 UTC+8 Tottenham Hotspur has today announced a new multi-year partnership with AIMS, a leading global trading brokerage, to become the Club’s Official Online Trading Partner. The partnership will see AIMS engage with the Club’s global fanbase through a variety of digital and social media campaigns. The official launch took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 13th September, where representatives from both AIMS and Tottenham Hotspur were present to celebrate the new collaboration. Ryan Norys, Chief Revenue Officer at Tottenham Hotspur, said: “We are delighted to welcome AIMS as our Official Online Trading Partner. Their commitment to innovation and excellence aligns perfectly with our Club values. We look forward to working together to deliver exciting and engaging content that will resonate with our supporters globally.” Aaron Chang, CEO of AIMS Group, said: "We are incredibly excited to partner with Tottenham Hotspur, a club that embodies the same values of ambition, integrity, and excellence that we uphold at AIMS. This partnership is not just about brand alignment; it's about creating meaningful connections with football fans and trading communities around the world. We look forward to a successful collaboration that will drive mutual growth and success." Founded in 2015, AIMS is dedicated to providing innovative financial solutions to clients worldwide. With a strong focus on integrity and customer success, AIMS offers a comprehensive range of trading services tailored to meet the diverse needs of both individual and institutional investors. For more information, visit the official AIMS website or follow AIMS on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For media enquiries, please contact: Benson Low Global Brand & Marketing media@aimsfx.com 13/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Unveils New Concept Store in Central Hong Kong, Advancing Brand Transformation Through Elevated Customer Experience

EQS Newswire / 10/09/2024 / 12:27 UTC+8 (Hong Kong, China, 10 September 2024) Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (“Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group”, the “Group” or the “Company”; SEHK stock code: 1929), the leading Chinese jeweller built on nearly a century of trust and innovation, is excited to announce the grand opening of its new concept store in Hong Kong. This revitalised retail presence and elevated customer experience marks a significant milestone for the Group as it continues to deliver on the multi-year brand transformation announced in April 2024. Celebrating Legacy, Delivering a Contemporary Retail Experience The new concept store meticulously showcases Chinese culture and exquisite craftsmanship, paying homage to the values which are deeply rooted in Chow Tai Fook’s brand. At the dawn of the brand’s 95th anniversary, the new concept store is a celebration of Chinese history and design, while infusing modernity across the collections and overall customer experience. Located at 42-46 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong, the reimagined store delivers an evolved, end to end customer experience. Embracing a gallery-like aesthetic, the concept store showcases the jewellery collections as treasures, while allowing customers to fully immerse themselves in the contemporary allure of Chinese heritage and design. "The new store opening in Hong Kong marks a pivotal milestone in the evolution and contemporising of the Chow Tai Fook Jewellery brand. We take immense pride in unveiling a space that epitomises modern elegance while embracing our rich heritage, a story that began in Guangzhou in 1929," said Ms. Sonia Cheng, Vice-chairman of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group. "Through this new concept store, the launch of our five-storey Shanghai flagship store in 2025 and the reimagined retail spaces to follow, we are delivering on a commitment to bring Chinese culture and craftsmanship to the global customers. The new concept store masterfully translates our legacy into contemporary jewellery, inviting customers to immerse themselves in the intricate allure of our creations." Transformative Retail Experience The new concept store, occupying 2,880 square feet of prime retail space on Queen’s Road, Central — one of Hong Kong's most iconic and historically significant streets— is designed to provide an immersive retail journey. The store's interior, crafted in collaboration with renowned designer Ms. Sue Loughry, has a collection-based layout and prominently features the iconic ‘Chow Tai Fook Timeless Red’ as its signature colour. The colour palette reflects the brand’s Chinese heritage and cultural significance of red in Chinese tradition. Sue brings over 30 years of experience in luxury retail design in Asia. Her career, deeply rooted in the world of luxury and retail architecture, is marked by a commitment to precision and creativity. Her deep expertise and unique vision have significantly shaped the luxury retail industry. "Designing the store involved a complete brand reimagining, to invoke emotions of comfort and discovery in the customer,” Sue said. “We removed physical barriers to create an alluring atmosphere, with dedicated associates offering a bespoke experience for customers.” Distinctive wall features and graceful curves create a spacious and stylish atmosphere, while soft lighting and elegant wooden accents elevate the presentation of Chow Tai Fook’s jewellery, inviting patrons to perceive the pieces as true works of art in a welcoming environment. Celebrate With Us The Group cordially invites everyone to celebrate this milestone for Chow Tai Fook Jewellery. Discover and experience the future of jewellery at the concept store in Central. To enhance the celebratory experience, the Group is excited to launch an in-store exhibition from 10 to 24 September, showcasing selected artifacts that are steeped in history and reaffirming the Group’s commitment to showcasing Chinese artistry and cultural heritage to the world. Details: Location: 42-46 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong Opening Hours: 10:15 – 19:00 Photos / Captions The new concept store prominently features the iconic ‘Chow Tai Fook Timeless Red’ as its signature colour. Distinctive wall features and graceful curves create a spacious and stylish atmosphere, while soft lighting and elegant wooden accents elevate the presentation of Chow Tai Fook’s jewellery, inviting patrons to perceive the pieces as true works of art. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited Founded in 1929, the Group’s iconic brand “CHOW TAI FOOK” has become an emblem of tradition, celebrated for its bold designs and an unwavering attention to detail. Building upon a rich heritage and a foundation of trust, the Group is not only widely recognised for honouring traditions but also for fostering deep, meaningful connections with a diverse customer base through its products. The Group’s long-standing commitment to innovation and craftsmanship has been integral to its success over time and has become synonymous with excellence, value and authenticity. As a leading Chinese jeweller, the Group believes in blending contemporary cutting-edge designs with traditional techniques to create jewellery that can be passed down from generation to generation. Every collection is thoughtfully conceived and crafted to reflect the stories of our customers, celebrating the special moments in their lives. Committed to growing alongside our customers, the Group embraces a spirit that aspires to inspire and captivate generations to come, weaving the story of CHOW TAI FOOK into the fabric of their lives. Offering a wide variety of products, services and channels, the Group’s brand portfolio comprises the CHOW TAI FOOK flagship brand with curated retail experiences, and other individual brands including HEARTS ON FIRE, ENZO, SOINLOVE and MONOLOGUE. The Group is committed to delivering sustainable long-term value creation for its stakeholders by enhancing the quality of earnings and driving higher value growth. With an extensive retail network of nearly 8,000 stores across China as well as multiple locations globally, and a growing e-commerce business, the Group is implementing targeted online-to-offline (“O2O”) strategies to strengthen its competitiveness in today’s omni-channel retail environment. Media Enquiries: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited Haide Ng Associate Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Tel: (852) 3115 4402 Email: haideng@chowtaifook.com Acky Chan Senior Manager, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Tel: (852) 3115 4403 Email: ackychan@chowtaifook.com 10/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Will Jinxin Fertility (01951. HK) Preempt the Market Upon Policy Certainty & Performance Elasticity?

EQS Newswire / 06/09/2024 / 10:21 UTC+8 Jinxin Fertility Group Limited has always been highly regarded by market investors as a stock featured scarcity on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In recent years, however, Jinxin Fertility's performance has been under pressure in the capital market, but from a fundamental perspective, the Group's overall performance is still commendable. In addition, the assisted reproductive industry is facing policy benefits, especially from provinces that have already included assisted reproductive in medical insurance, greatly increasing the business volume of assisted reproductive services (ARS). So, what are the expected differences in the market behind the lack of resonance between fundamentals and valuation? How should we view the current opportunities in the context of the certainty of favorable industry policies? 1. Profitability continues to rise with sustained operating results Looking at the mid-term financial report recently submitted by Jinxin Fertility, it can be said that the business situation presented in this semi-annual report is still stable. According to financial report data, Jinxin Fertility achieved a revenue of RMB 1.44 billion in the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of 8.2%; Adjusted EBITDA of 418 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.1%; Net profit after adjustment of 260 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.8%. While the core performance indicators remained stable, the Group's operating cash flow performance was also quite good, which directly demonstrated its impressive endogenous ability to generate revenue. In the first half of the year, its net cash income from operating activities reached 384 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.0%. In the face of a complex external market environment, the Group continued to maintain a solid financial foundation and optimize its debt structure. Its interest bearing debt ratio decreased to 13.7% for the half year, a year-on-year decrease of 0.6 percentage points. In terms of domestic and international business, the Group created different development strategies based on the geographical characteristics and development stages of its medical institutions to promote the upward development of domestic and international business. From a domestic business aspect For mature institutions, Jinxin Fertility took its Chengdu operations as a paradigm to build a one-stop integrated business with ARS as core services, to support the entire fertility and health management, to better serve patients. The Group strengthened core departments such as reproductive medicine and obstetrics, while further diversified discipline construction to expand business network for better brand awareness with wider customer bases, thereby reserving patients with longer conversion cycles for core businesses. For incubation institutions, the Group continued to focus on its core ARS business, took stringent measures to improve its quality and safety system, and shifted its operating model to operation-driven from marketing-driven. From an overseas perspective As regards US business, the Group continued to anchor the development trend of the assisted reproductive industry in the United States, and constantly strengthened its 36-year brand history and implemented the “physician as partner” mechanism to grant outstanding physicians with equity ownership as partners. The team expansion of medical professionals has also laid a solid foundation for the HRC expansion. 4 new doctors joined the HRC in 2023, and 5 new doctors are expected to join in 2024. The number of reproductive doctors owned by HRC is expected to reach 24 by the end of the year. In the first half of 2024, HRC obtained a year-on-year increase of about 22% in total cycle volume. The integration of new and old doctors not only promoted the increase of HRC business volume, but also provided a reserve of medical talents for HRC's expansion. As of now, HRC Medical holds 4 core clinics and 7 satellite centers in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas of the United States. At the same time, in response to the development trend of egg freezing in the United States, the Group has launched sets of egg freezing medical services to further increase the influence of HRC in the assisted reproductive market in the United States. Furthermore, outside of the United States, Jinxin Fertility also promoted the development of its overseas business in light of actual conditions based on region-specific approach. Among them, Jinrui Medical Center in Laos has created a "small yet beautiful" self-built operating model with high-efficiency, which has achieved profitability in less than a year of operation, providing a feasible reference model for the Group's expansion in other emerging markets in Southeast Asia. Also worth mentioning is that in April of this year, the Group signed a contract with Morula, the largest ARS group in Indonesia, becoming its largest strategic investor. Morula has a wide service network in Indonesia, with 10 IVF clinics. Through this cooperation, the Group was able to inject its advantageous resources in medical technology, doctor training, information technology, and customer relationship management into Morula, further improving its service quality and operational efficiency. The first step taken by the Group through strategic investment in Southeast Asia not only helps to deepen its development in the Indonesian market, but also provides valuable experience and models for future strategic expansion in other Southeast Asian countries. Through innovative operating models, strategic investments, and collaborations, the Group has been gradually building a global ARS network to meet the needs of patients in different regions and promote the sustained growth and international development of the company's business. 2. Driven by Policy & Industry Innovation, Features Certainty & Growth Potential On the whole, Jinxin Fertility has manifested its high-quality development path to the outside world both in terms of performance and business strategy. In the meantime, the Group is also facing a series of favorable catalysts, which continue to bring new opportunities for development with certainty and high growth. Firstly, policies are continuously forming a positive driving force for the development of the assisted reproductive industry. In respect of the domestic market, favorable policies for the industry are being implemented one after another. These certain policies for medical insurance have brought optimistic expectations for the future business development of the Group. It is worth noting that currently, under the promotion of the National Healthcare Security Administration of China, 19 provinces including Beijing, Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps have included assisted reproductive technology in the scope of medical insurance reimbursement. The subsidiary institutions of the Group located in Sichuan, Guangdong, Hubei, and Yunnan have all issued consultation letters related to the inclusion of assisted reproduction in medical insurance reimbursement or pricing, and are expected to be implemented in the near future. With the implementation of medical insurance policy, the demand for assisted reproduction market is expected to be released, driving a significant increase in the number of infertility patients seeking medical treatment and providing momentum for the sustained growth of the assisted reproduction industry. According to the "Assisted Reproduction Research Report in China 2023" released by YuWa Population Research, 55.7% of infertile patients gave up using assisted reproductive treatment due to its high cost. When the subsidy ratio reached 20%, the willingness of potential patients to receive treatment will increase from 71% to over 80%. Moreover, the policy has greatly stimulated the number of assisted reproductive visits based on the regions that have already been included in healthcare insurance. Previously, a person in charge of the medical security bureau of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region responded to an interview with China Youth Daily and mentioned that from the implementation of the policy in November 2023, the outpatient volume of assisted reproductive institutions in the entire autonomous region reached 607700 times, a year-on-year increase of 35.6%. And when it comes to the US market, the innovation in the assisted reproductive industry is on the rise, and the continuous innovation in the industry has brought greater imaginative room for the future development of HRC. Sustained driving force has been brought to the development of the industry nowadays no matter what new innovations in products, operating models, or payment methods. Progyny, who sits at the forefront of American infertility insurance, has driven innovation in payment methods. The company is able to provide reproductive welfare solutions such as IVF for employees of corporate employers, by combining technology, insurance, and medical practice to provide personalized treatments and financial support, which has also established a strong market position in the ARS field. Further, KindBody, a bellwether in product and operating innovation, provided reproductive health solutions such as IVF and egg freezing through online, offline, and collaborative models. This not only improves service accessibility but also reduces costs through technological means, making advanced reproductive services affordable for more families. In view of the aforesaid, the active promotion of policies and continuous innovation in the industry have brought tremendous development opportunities for ARS providers such as Jinxin Fertility. The market opportunities in the assisted reproductive industry will still be full of prospects with the release of market demand and the continuous innovation and progress of products, technologies, and service models. 3. Conclusion The pharma sector receives ongoing optimistic views in performance from institutions on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as the Federal Reserve enters a interest rate cut cycle nowadays. The recent research report by CITIC Securities pointed out that it is recommended to focus on the healthcare industry that benefits from the reduction in borrowing costs based on the industry performance during the rate cut cycle. In fact, companies with stable cash flow are more likely to stand out in past interest rate cut cycles, due to their defensive nature and the potential for sustained expansion brought by their solid cash flow. As a leading ARS provider, Jinxin Fertility has demonstrated in its past financial performance the company's stable cash flow and good business growth capabilities. Through steady expansion both at home and abroad, as well as continuous promotion of innovative businesses, the Group has established a strong brand influence and market competitiveness in the field of ARS. Meanwhile, the Group has shown a positive side in both management's increase in holdings and repurchases, continuously releasing market confidence. Significantly, the Group spent HKD 9.57 million to repurchase 4 million shares in the market on August 30th, and it had also spent HKD 21.84 million to repurchase 9 million shares at the end of July. Through consecutive repurchase actions, it is not difficult to see the Group's confidence in its own value and optimistic expectations for future development prospects. 06/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Hong Kong E-Commerce Logistics Association (HKELA) Joins Forces with OPENeX 2024 and WMX Asia Conference to Promote Cross-Border International E-Commerce

EQS Newswire / 05/09/2024 / 09:00 UTC+8 Hong Kong, September 5, 2024 — Hong Kong E-Commerce Logistics Association (HKELA) is proud to announce its strategic partnership with the upcoming OPENeX 2024 and the World Mail & Express Asia Conference (WMX Asia). This collaboration aims to enhance cross-border international trade within the e-commerce and logistics sectors.With the theme "Where Tech Meets Cross Border eCommerce Logistics," OPENeX 2024 will take place from September 16 to 18, 2024, in Hong Kong. The conference will feature a dynamic agenda filled with keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, attracting industry leaders from around the globe.Additionally, the WMX Asia Conference, scheduled for September 18 to 20, 2024, at the Cordis Hotel, Hong Kong, will bring together senior post and parcel professionals for insightful discussions on the latest trends and innovations in the logistics industry.HKELA President, Suki Cheung, will represent Asia as a key speaker at both conferences, sharing insights on the evolving landscape of e-commerce logistics and the critical role of collaboration in driving growth. "This partnership is a significant step towards strengthening Hong Kong's position as a global hub for e-commerce and logistics," said Cheung. "By joining forces with OPENeX and WMX Asia, we aim to foster dialogue and innovation that will benefit stakeholders across the region."The collaboration will provide HKELA members with exclusive access to international insights, networking opportunities, and innovative solutions that can streamline operations and enhance service delivery in the competitive landscape of cross-border trade.For more information about the conferences and to register, please visit OPENeX 2024 https://nex-network.com/openex/hkg/ and WMX Asia at https://www.wmxasia.com.For media inquiries or further information, please contact:Shirley ChuVice President - Partnershipsshirleychu@hkela.org###About Hong Kong E-Commerce Logistics Association (HKELA)Hong Kong E-Commerce Logistics Association (HKELA) is the first logistics association established for professionals in the online sales and e-commerce logistics industry in Hong Kong. Its members consist of professionals from various industries, including cross-border logistics, e-commerce logistics, supply chain management, logistics consulting, transportation, and warehousing. The association is dedicated to promoting and enhancing the development of the e-commerce logistics industry by connecting logistics experts, practitioners, and students.The association advocates for business growth and development among its members through collaboration. It provides a platform for members to connect and interact, with members from different specialties sharing knowledge and industry insights and exchanging market analysis and trends to maximize cooperation opportunities among members. The main goal is to unite stakeholders in the industry, actively connect with different local and overseas units and organizations, promote exchanges, and expand strategic cooperation. Through technological innovation, it aims to develop and create opportunities together, strengthen Hong Kong's position as a hub for e-commerce logistics in the Asia-Pacific region, and enhance the prospects of the Hong Kong e-commerce logistics industry.https://www.hkela.org/### 05/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Ficus Technology Entered into Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Subsidiary of Shanghai Hero (Group)

EQS Newswire / 04/09/2024 / 22:26 UTC+8 Ficus Technology Holdings Limited(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability) (Stock Code: 8107) Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Subsidiary of Shanghai Hero (Group) to Expand Market Presence and Product Line of E-commerce Platform Generating Leads for its Innovative SCM Solutions (Hong Kong – 4 September 2024) Innovative supply chain management service provider – Ficus Technology Holdings Limited (“Ficus Technology” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) is pleased to announce that on 4 September 2024, it has reached a strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai Hero (Group) Cultural Products Sales Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Hero”), a subsidiary of a well-known state-owned enterprise, Shanghai Hero (Group) Co., Ltd. (上海英雄(集團)有限公司, the ‘‘Shanghai Hero (Group)’’) in China, for a period of three years. Pursuant to the agreement, the Group will provide innovative supply chain management solutions (“Innovative SCM Solutions”) to Shanghai Hero. The Group intends to create mutual benefits, bolstering revenue for both parties by diversifying the product mix of the e-commerce, Ficus Discovery (www.ficusdsc.com) (“Ficus Discovery Platform”), by introducing premium products from Shanghai Hero. Moreover, Shanghai Hero allows the Group to utilize its distuibution channels in increasing the Group’s brand recognization, achieving a win-win situation. About Shanghai Hero Established in 2011, Shanghai Hero is a state-owned enterprise in China with expertise in stationery, computers, as well as hardware components. Shanghai Hero operates as a subsidiary of Shanghai Hero (Group) which is a distinguished manufacturer renowed for its fountain pen, with its ‘‘Hero’’ brand well recognized in China. About Ficus Discovery Platform Ficus Discovery Platform is an e-commerce platform operated by the Group together with its strategic partner, utilizing a disintermediation model to establish connections between manufacturers and consumers (“M2LC”), thereby facilitating transactions and cultivating a long-term loyal customer base. Leveraging the Group’s extensive supply chain resources, innovative supply chain management solutions, digital marketing capabilities, authentication and traceability technologies, the Ficus Discovery Platform is well-positioned to be a trustworthy gateway for brands and manufacturers to access target customers. Mr. Chan Ting, Chairman and Executive Director of Ficus Technology Holdings Limited commented: “After our recent collaboration with Beijing Ruida, a subsidiary of China Supply and Trade Group Co., Ltd. (中國供銷商貿流通集團有限公司), we are delighted to reach another strategic agreement with Shanghai Hero, an established state-owned enterprise. Their adoption of our Innovative SCM Solutions clearly highlights our capability as well as market potentials. The addition of their products to e-commerce platform operated by us, Ficus Discovery, is also expected to further diversify our product offerings and strengthen our fulfillment capability. We are also looking for additional opportunities and collaborations to further expand our reach and market penetration. We will continue to work hard, and remain optimistic in delivering improving financial results and returns for our shareholders.” - END - About Ficus Technology Holdings Limited(8107.HK) Ficus Technology Holdings Limited (formerly known as Vision International Holdings Limited) is an innovative supply chain management service provider, mainly focusing on the sales of apparel products along with the provision of relevant supply chain management services. The Group’s advanced supply chain management services include anti-counterfeit, traceability, and marketing functions, capable of protecting brand equity for both apparel and other products. File: 8107_SHHero Collaboration Press Release_EN_20240904_FINAL 04/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Unity Group’s Subsidiary (Synergy ESCO) Receives HKD90 million (RM50 million) from Maybank’s ESG Funding for Energy Efficiency Projects in Malaysia

EQS Newswire / 03/09/2024 / 11:45 UTC+8 (Hong Kong, September 3, 2024) – Synergy ESCO (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (“Synergy ESCO” or the “Company”), a leading provider of energy-saving solutions and a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-listed Unity Group Holdings International Limited (“Unity Group” or the “Group”, stock code: 1539.HK), has achieved a significant milestone in its Malaysian operations. The Company has entered a strategic partnership with Malayan Banking Berhad (“Maybank”), Malaysia’s largest financial institution, and secured bank facilities of RM 50,000,000 (around HKD 90 million) for its portfolio of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)-aligned energy efficiency projects nationwide on August 24, 2024. The collaboration underscores Unity Group’s commitment to further expand its presence in Malaysia, and fully ramp up the delivery of energy-efficient solutions to strata and commercial properties, and promoting environmental sustainability with the Malaysian government. Unity Group and Maybank executives seal a strategic partnership with a signing ceremony "We are thrilled about the prospects that this collaboration with Maybank, the largest bank in Malaysia, presents," said Mr. Mansfield Wong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Unity Group. "This partnership endorses our ESG footprints in Malaysia and make meaningful financial support to “turbo-charge” our implementation of efficient and sustainable energy solutions to our clientele and the environment", he elaborated. Lyana Jessie Lim, Client Coverage Managing Director, Maybank said, "We anticipate that this first batch of funding will enable the Unity Group to expand its services to a broader range of stratified and commercial buildings across the nation." She further remarked, "This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable development goals and demonstrates both the Unity Group and Maybank’s dedication to driving positive change in Malaysia's energy landscape, aligned with the Bank’s Myimpact commitment to reinforce and expand values-based and sustainable solutions in our offerings". The partnership was first officially announced during Synergy ESCO’s “The Rise of Green ESG” event, which was attended by representatives from Maybank, Selangor Housing and Property Board (Lembaga Perumahan dan Hartanah Selangor [LPHS]), Subang Jaya City Council (Majlis Bandaraya Subang Jaya [MBSJ]) and Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya [MPAJ]) on August 24, 2024. Management attended the “ESG Fund Partnership” Signing Ceremony include: From left to right: 1.Mr. Lim Choon Seng from Maybank; 2. Mr. Chan Chee Wei, Head of Commercial Banking Centre Klang from Maybank;3. Mr. Romesh Arulananda, Senior Manager, Client Solutions Group from Maybank;4. Mr. Hiew Yit Shiong, Director of Client Solutions Group from Maybank;5. Ms. Lyana Jessie Lim, Managing Director of Client Coverage Group Global Banking from Maybank;6. Mr. Mansfield Wong, Chairman & CEO from Unity Group;7. Ms. Eva Yim, Executive Director of Synergy ESCO;8. Mr. Stephen Cheung, Executive Technical Director of Synergy ESCO;9. Ms. Aaly Tai, Chief Operating Officer of Synergy ESCO;10. Mr. Don Tan, ESG & Green Program Director of Synergy ESCO The event also celebrated the achievements of Strata Properties under the purview of MBSJ and MPAJ, honoured with “The Green Pioneer” award in recognition of their support for the program and their commitment to environmental sustainability. Over the past twelve months, Synergy ESCO has been partnered with LPHS to reduce carbon emission for the Selangor state, known as "The Green Initiative Programme ", the conversion of 6,000 stratified condominiums to Unity Group’s LED lights. This program offered by the Group has already significantly benefited numerous strata condominiums in Selangor with the deployment of our proprietary Ultra High Energy-Efficiency LED lights. This initiative aligns with Selangor’s Sustainable Development Goals for carbon neutrality by 2035, not only delivering hassle-free savings to clients but also contributing substantially to reducing carbon emissions. To date, the Company has successfully deployed approximate 500,000 high energy-efficient LED lights, which is approximately 8.33% of our total target in Selangor, Malaysia. We have achieved energy savings of up to 72%. Our proprietary LED lights boast a lifespan of 150,000 hours at a defect rate of 0.01%, significantly contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions, labours, and wastages in support of Malaysia's goals to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. - Ends – About Unity Group Holdings International Limited Founded in 2008, Unity Group became the first energy service company to list on the mainboard of Hong Kong Stock Exchange. At the core of its operations is the Energy Management Contract (EMC) business model, implements investment-free customized solutions to achieve optimal energy efficiency and maximize returns for clients, utilize our proprietary products designed and developed by our research and development team. Unity Group operates in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa and the U.A.E. Middle East. For more information, please visit: https://www.unitygroup.eco/index.php About Malayan Banking Berhad The holding group of Maybank (the “Maybank Group”) is one of the biggest banking groups in Asia and the fourth biggest in the Southeast Asia. The Maybank Group has an international network of 2,400 offices in 20 regions, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, Laos, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, Great Britain, the USA, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit: www.maybank.com This press release is distributed by LBS Communications Consulting Limited. For media inquiries, please contact: Joanne Chan Tel: (852)3679 3671 Email: jchan@lbs-comm.com Jason Ho Tel: (852)3752 2675 Email: jho@lbs-comm.com 03/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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Spectral Capital Corporation (FCCN) Led by Sean Michael Brehm Finalizes Acquisition of Node Nexus Co. LLC

EQS Newswire / 02/09/2024 / 01:57 PST/PDT Spectral Capital Corporation (OTCQB:FCCN) is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Node Nexus Co. LLC, a pioneering leader in decentralized edge and hybrid computing technologies, now enhanced with cutting-edge quantum computing capabilities. Photo: Sean Michael Brehm Strategic Significance of the Acquisition The acquisition of Node Nexus represents a strategic milestone for Spectral Capital, reinforcing its position at the forefront of the rapidly advancing quantum computing sector. Quantum technology is poised to address critical global challenges, including cybersecurity, climate change, and the evolution of enterprise AI applications. With the integration of Node Nexus, Spectral Capital is now equipped to offer a comprehensive suite of quantum computing solutions to enterprises and governments worldwide. Key offerings include: - Vogon Cloud: The rebranded Node Nexus Network, now known as Vogon Cloud, delivers decentralized edge and hybrid cloud solutions across 16 global regions. Vogon Cloud integrates distributed quantum ledger technology, providing enhanced data security and sustainability that surpass traditional cloud services. - QuantumVM: This groundbreaking platform seamlessly bridges legacy data management with advanced containerization technology, enabling decentralized data operations on state-of-the-art ledger and database systems. - Expanded IP Portfolio: Spectral now possesses an extensive intellectual property portfolio, featuring over 100 pending patents and applications, further establishing its leadership in the quantum computing industry. - Expert Team: The acquisition includes a team of 20 quantum computing specialists whose expertise will be instrumental in advancing Spectral’s initiatives. -Innovative Technologies: Node Nexus’s advanced IBA Technology ensures secure transactions, while its TVF Technology is poised to revolutionize the sustainability of data centers. - Government Partnerships: Spectral has secured over 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with various governments for deploying TVF data centers dedicated to quantum computing. Financial and Operational Overview As part of the acquisition, Spectral Capital issued 40,000,000 shares of its common stock in exchange for 100% ownership of Node Nexus. This acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings in the near term, driving significant cost synergies and operational efficiencies. Node Nexus will now operate under the Vogon Cloud brand, aligning with Spectral’s broader service offerings. CEO’s Vision "With the acquisition of Node Nexus, Spectral is not just expanding its quantum computing capabilities but establishing itself as a leader in the quantum revolution," stated Jenifer Osterwalder, CEO of Spectral Capital. "The early success of Vogon Cloud technologies highlights the transformative potential of our quantum solutions, and we are excited about the future." Investor Information For detailed financial information and risk factors associated with this acquisition, please refer to our most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Investors are encouraged to consult with their financial advisors to fully understand the implications of this acquisition. About Spectral Capital Corporation Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Spectral Capital Corporation (OTCQB:FCCN) is a technology startup accelerator and quantum incubator. Specializing in Quantum as a Service (QaaS), Spectral leverages its proprietary Distributed Quantum Ledger Database (DQ-LDB) to deliver secure, advanced storage and computing solutions. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future events and FCCN's business strategy. While FCCN believes the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable, they are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company’s control. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations. FCCN disclaims any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. For more information, please visit www.spectralcapital.com. Photo: Anna Stukkert and Sean Michael Brehm Spectral Capital Corporation media relations arranged by Stukkert’s Company Anna Stukkert is an investment and technology expert. She is the esteemed President of the International Investment Congress and CEO of Stukkert&Co, and is known for her insightful discussions with prominent figures in global business and politics. PR Contact Anna Stukkert Phone: +49 162 2328333 02/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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High Growth, High Dividends, High Potential: China Hongqiao (01378.HK) Achieves Leapfrog Development in H1 2024

EQS Newswire / 02/09/2024 / 10:15 UTC+8 Recently, China Hongqiao (01378.HK), a global market leader in the aluminum industry, released a remarkable interim results announcement, attracting significant market attention. China Hongqiao has demonstrated accelerated development in the first half of 2024, various performance indicators of the company showed a substantial year-on-year growth, with figures increased far exceeding those announced during the positive profit alert released by the Group in June. In particular, the company’s profit has surged by over three times, setting a historic peak. Remarkable Growth in Financial Performance and Dividends In the first half of the year, China Hongqiao achieved a revenue of RMB 73.592 billion, representing a 12.0% year-on-year increase. The net profit attributable to equity holders was RMB 9.155 billion, representing a significant increase of 272.66% year-on-year. The net profit excluding extraordinary profit and loss was RMB 10.77 billion, representing a substantial year-on-year increase of 352.68%. Basic earnings per share increased by approximately 273.0% year-on-year to RMB 0.966. In addition to the growth in revenue and net profit, China Hongqiao also saw a significant increase in gross profit and gross profit margin. In the first half of the year, the company's gross profit increased by approximately 202.1% year-on-year to RMB 17.802 billion, while the overall gross margin was about 24.2%, showing a significant increase of 15.2 percentage points compared to 9.0% in the same period last year. China Hongqiao’s rapid performance growth is driven by both increased product volume and prices, alongside a reduction in cost of key raw materials. "The average selling prices of the Group's aluminum alloy products and alumina products increased compared to the same period in 2023, at the same time, the increase in sales volume and the reduction in purchase prices of key raw materials such as coal and anode carbon blocks were also the favorable factors, thus the Group's gross profit saw a significant increase compared to the same period in 2023," said Mr. Zhang Bo, Chairman of the Board of China Hongqiao. The rising demand in the aluminum industry also contributed to the improvement in China Hongqiao's performance. As inflation continues to moderate globally, and major central banks contemplating potential rate cuts, better than expected improvements in economic performances for major countries are observed, with key growth indicators exhibiting an upward trend. In the context of a slow economic recovery, there are renewed expectations for increased demand for metals like copper and aluminum, driven by industries such as photovoltaics and electric vehicles. Additionally, the supply capacity for certain types of ore and smelting process is experiencing a periodic weaknesses, leading to a significant overall increase in the prices of non-ferrous metals, including aluminum, in the second quarter of 2024. According to Guosheng Securities, with the completion of China Hongqiao’s relocation on electrolytic aluminum production to Yunnan Province, the production cost of electrolytic aluminum is expected to reduce further. Meanwhile, aluminum prices are expected to remain high due to rigid domestic supply and the post-interest rate hike cycle. The increase in both prices and sales volume is foreseen under the expectation of the US Federal Reserve’s rate cuts and increased use of aluminium in green energy applications. All these positive factors further enhance the company’s performance elasticity. As profits surges, China Hongqiao also highly focused on delivering strong returns to its shareholders, China Hongqiao also places great emphasis on shareholders’ returns and continues to increase its dividend payout ratio. In the first half of the year, the company declared a dividend of HKD 0.59 per share, showing a year-on-year increase of 73.5%, with a dividend yield of approximately 5.72% and a payout ratio of 56%. The company's average dividend payout ratio has consistently ranked among the top tier within the industry, providing a stronger secured margin to its shareholders since it became a listed company in HKEX from 2011. Moreover, China Hongqiao currently has a strong cash flow. As at June 30, 2024, the company held approximately RMB 37.502 billion in cash and cash equivalents, which also helps ensuring the stability and flexibility of its business operations. Integrated Industry Chain Highlights Advantages with Strong Momentum for Performance Growth The significant growth in China Hongqiao's performance is not only a result of the overall improvement in industry demand but also the outcome of the company's commitment to building an integrated industry chain and continuously enhancing its internal innovation capabilities. Chairman of the Board Mr. Zhang Bo highlighted that the company is currently at a critical stage of transforming and upgrading from traditional industries, developing and expanding emerging industries, and exploring future industry layouts. During this period, China Hongqiao continued to cement its presence in the aluminum industry, further strengthening its full industry chain from bauxite, alumina, primary aluminum, aluminum deep processing, to recycled aluminum. The company has continuously deepened the conversion of new and old growth drivers, leveraging new technologies to empower sustainable development, and consistently increasing the role of “Green” in business growth. As China Hongqiao continues to enhance its industrial chain, it is also proactively expanding into international markets. The company is currently cooperating with countries and regions such as India, Europe, Malaysia, North America, and other Southeast Asian regions. The key materials for electrolytic aluminum production are alumina, electricity, and prebaked anodes. China Hongqiao has made arrangements for bauxite resources in Guinea and Indonesia while expanding its sources of raw materials from Australian bauxite, this ensures the diversification of raw material supply to reduce exposures to raw material risks. As at March 2024, China Hongqiao's project in Guinea has maintained an annualized production capacity of approximately 50 million tonnes of bauxite, with a total alumina production capacity of 19.5 million tonnes per year (including 17.5 million tonnes per year of domestic alumina production capacity and 2 million tonnes per year of Indonesian alumina production capacity). The company has become fully self-sufficient in alumina, highlighting its advantages through all-round integration. Currently, China Hongqiao's total electrolytic aluminum production capacity has reached 6.46 million tonnes per year, and the company plans to relocate a total of 3.96 million tonbes per year of capacity to Yunnan, which is expected to further reduce the overall electricity costs of the company's total production capacity. While China Hongqiao previously relied primarily on coal-fired power for its energy consumption, in response to national policies and with the support of the Yunnan government, the company has relocated part of its capacity to Yunnan to fully utilize the local hydropower advantages. Additionally, the company is vigorously investing in clean energy projects such as photovoltaics in both Yunnan and Shandong, increasing the proportion of clean energy. China Hongqiao continues to build itself as a global market leader in the integrated aluminum industry chain, with industry chain advantages bringing cost advantages to the company. At the same time, the company's capacity relocation actively adapts to the on-going low-carbon development trends. Along with the company's internal initiatives to enhance both the quality and the efficiency, and external efforts to expand international markets, China Hongqiao is further unleashing its strong development momentum and continuously unlocking its potential for significant performance growth. 02/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.Media archive at www.todayir.com
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