Ferret's Stock to Watch: HYRO LIMITED 08:38, Tuesday, 7 June 2005
STOCK SELLING ON SINGLE DIGIT PRICE NEEDS BIG FORM REVERSAL
Sydney - Tuesday - June 7: (RWE Australian Business News) *********************************************************
OVERVIEW ********
When you are interested in stock selling at less than 10c, a one-cent rise or fall is big news.
A recovery in such a stock is a windfall because in most cases it's unexpected.
At this price the company may survive on an idea that has to be developed or another company joining up to create an opportunity that makes money.
It also may be a signal that the company is at the end of the road.
As one associate commented, "This is a highly speculative stock with a high risk associated with any investment in it."
He is not prone to even name a stock unless there is a serious rustle in the wind.
Things looked even blacker for Hyro Ltd's (HYO) market prospects yesterday after it released 248,024 fully paid ordinary shares held under escrow.
The shares were issued as partial consideration for the purchase of Hyro Thailand (formerly Cyberworks Consulting).
Interestingly, Hyro reported that it has entered into a Memorandum Of Understanding with privately held internet development services company Izilla Pty Ltd.
The MOU considered Izilla providing wholesale development services capacity to Hyro with respect to specific types of internet development and support and maintenance engagements.
Furthermore, the agreement considered by the MOU granted Hyro a first right of refusal and an option to acquire all of the equity of Izilla at any time over the next five years on terms attractive to both parties and callable by Hyro.
Based in Newcastle, NSW, Izilla is a specialist provider of internet development services with key capability in smaller, rapid development projects, backed by well established support and maintenance capability.
Hyro intends to use the services of Izilla for particular types of projects and support engagements and will seamlessly integrate Izilla to the Hyro process management systems to ensure that adequate control and management capability is maintained.
Richard Lord, Hyro's chief operating officer, commented: "In the course of preparing for the ISMC acquisition, the company undertook a review of the Hyro business and determined that there were certain types of engagements in which it was difficult for Hyro to make a profit.
"These were typically smaller engagements which, while an important source of revenue for the Group, require a different method of fulfillment."
He said Izilla, as a smaller, regionally based provider, enjoys a lower cost base and is thus able to support these engagements at a lower cost compared to Hyro and still meet its own profit objectives.
This arrangement allows Hyro to leverage this lower cost base and ensure that an adequate margin accrues to the Hyro business.
Izilla will benefit from an increase in its revenue without an associated increase in sales and administration costs, and thus it is a mutually beneficial arrangement, Mr Lord said.
Chris Johnson, Izilla's managing director, said his company enjoys having access to very talented and capable professionals at costs comparatively lower than its metropolitan competitors.
"To date, Izilla has been able to grow our business into Sydney, but the step to broader representation would require a significant investment which may take an extended period to achieve," Mr Johnson said.
"Through Hyro we may find ourselves servicing clients in Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Auckland and into Asia; markets previously very difficult for Izilla to reach."
SHARE PRICE MOVEMENTS *********************
Shares of Hyro yesterday sold steady at 6c. High for the year has been 15c and low 5.2c. There 96 million shares on issue with a market cap of $5.9 million.
Following shareholder approval of the acquisition of ISM Consulting Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, Hyro announced the appointment of Joseph Calavassy as chief executive officer of the company.
Mr Calavassy has previously acted in the capacity of acting chief executive officer.
The key terms and conditions relating to Mr Calavassy's contract include a total remuneration package of $231,000 per annum inclusive of superannuation and motor vehicle allowance.
It is proposed to grant Mr Calavassy long-term incentives in the form of performance options, subject to Mr Calavassy meeting certain performance conditions to be determined by the board.
Mr Calavassy's performance will be assessed by the board on an annual basis in line with the guidelines set out in Hyro's quality system and processes.
Mr Calavassy's employment contract contains a performance review process and a right for the company to terminate the contract with cause for poor performance.
BACKGROUND **********
Hyro Ltd, formerly BMCMedia Ltd, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on December 3, 1999.
The company provides high-quality strategic solutions and services which bridge the gap between advertising and marketing and the business systems of its clients.
Hyro works with its clients to make sure that their technology systems and solutions integrate seamlessly to their marketing, advertising and customer management programs and deliver commercial benefit to their business.
It utilises technology to deliver more sales, better service and more profits.
With a global headquarters in Sydney, the company has significant strategic, creative, and technological resources distributed across six major centres in Australia and South-East Asia.
ENDS
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I don't hold HYO
HYO Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Not Held