The company, which makes and operates speed cameras and associated technology, said it had expanded the scope of a contract originally signed in 2014 for "multi-function enforcement services, doubling the number of trailer-based enforcement units contracted''.

All in one solution

The company said its artificial intelligence-enhanced technology "can simultaneously detect mobile phone usage, seatbelt non-compliance, point speed and average speed, as well as unregistered vehicles''.

The company added:

The expansion will see new trailer-based solutions deployed throughout the state over the coming months, with two of the six trailers already in operation since November 2025, and the balance expected to be deployed from July to September 2026. The expansion will enhance regional coverage and will double the number of transportable multifunction units in operation in Western Australia.

The company said the WA Road Safety Commission had also exercised an option to extend the contract covering all of its existing transportable enforcement camera services by 12 months, with that contract now expiring in late 2028.

Acusensus Managing Director Alexander Jannik said regarding the contract extension:

We are delighted to expand our work with the WA Road Safety Commission. This variation underscores the effectiveness of our unique multi-function trailer platform to change driver behaviours, which allows for various types of life-saving enforcement to be combined into a single solution. By increasing the fleet and extending our partnership for these services through to the end of October 2028, we can further support the WA Road Safety Commission in enhancing road safety outcomes and reducing casualties across both metropolitan and regional areas.

Acusensus shares traded as high as $1.95 on the news before settling back to be 6.4% higher at $1.82.

In other recent news, Acusensus raised $30 million in growth capital in early December at $1.50 per share.

Legal matter settled

It also settled a patent dispute with Redflex Traffic Systems last week, with Acusensus agreeing to pay the other company $16 million.

The companies said in a joint statement last week:

Redflex and the Acusensus parties are pleased to jointly confirm that they have entered into a mutually agreed confidential and worldwide commercial resolution that fully and finally resolves all matters in dispute between the parties. Acusensus has agreed to provide a global non-exclusive licence of relevant patents held by Acusensus IP Pty Ltd to relevant Redflex entities and their affiliates.

The settlement will be made up of $6 million in cash and $10 million worth of Acusensus shares.

The company was valued at $277.6 million at the close of trade on Monday.

The post This speed camera firm's shares are accelerating on a new contract win appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The shares traded as high as $1.74 on Tuesday, up 24.6%, before settling to be changing hands for $1.65 by mid-afternoon, up 17.9%.

Shareholders in the company, which was valued at $197.2 million at the close of trade on Monday, are sitting on healthy gains in recent months, with the stock tripling from levels as low as 55 cents as recently as July.

The company develops artificial intelligence-enabled technology for use in law enforcement, including cameras that can detect illegal driver behaviours such as mobile phone use and speeding.

Critical step up in the US

Acusensus said in a statement to the ASX on Tuesday that it had been awarded its first major, statewide, automated enforcement contract in the US, worth US$22.6 million (about $34 million).

The program, to be rolled out in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, will start in November this year and is expected to run for five years.

It involves the deployment of up to 15 transportable speed enforcement cameras at any given time, the company said.

Under the contract, Acusensus is also required to perform image review services, including licence plate lookups and the preparation of violation notices to be mailed to speeding drivers. As usual, Acusensus will retain ownership of camera assets and is responsible for deploying and maintaining those assets.

Acusensus Managing Director Alexander Jannik said signing such a substantial contract in the US was a significant milestone for the company.

This contract marks a step change in our US business and validates a well thought out strategy that we have set in motion over a number of years to grow the business in multiple sequential stages. Securing our first automated enforcement program is a pivotal achievement. With the relentless focus our team has on delivering programs on time and delighting our customers, I am confident this program will serve as an exceptional reference point to enable further successes in our US business.

Acusensus said it had also recently been awarded contracts to provide five speed enforcement trailers in Kentucky for a pilot program for real-time work zone speed enforcement.

This builds on the contract the company announced in September, under which it would supply multi-function, fixed site enforcement cameras to the WA Road Safety Commission.

Revenue building nicely

Acusensus in August reported revenue of $59.4 million, up 20% on the previous financial year, and a net loss of $2.6 million, up from a loss of $1.5 million.

The company's operating cash flow was positive, increasing 131% to $8.3 million.

The post Why did this small-cap stock jump by nearly a quarter to a new record today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

ASX small-cap stocks are young, developing companies with a market capitalisation of between a few hundred million and $2 billion.

Let's take a look at three ASX small-cap stocks that have captured the attention of brokers this week.

3 ASX small-cap stocks primed for growth: brokers

EML Payments Ltd (ASX: EML)

Tamim Asset Management maintains its bullish view on this ASX payment solutions provider.

The ASX small-cap financial stock is steady at 94 cents today and up 18% in the year to date.

In a new note this month, Tamim described EML Payments as being at a 'pivotal juncture'.

It noted the company's "strong revenue base" and opportunity to derive more value from its 1,100 customer relationships through cross-selling and expanded partnerships.

Tamim reckons EML shares are also an attractive takeover target, commenting:

…with a $95 million EBITDA target in three years versus a current EV [enterprise value] of approximately $350 million, EML presents itself as a compelling takeover candidate.

A bid in the range of $500-600 million ($1.50 per share) seems highly plausible within the next six months, offering significant upside for shareholders.

Bluebet Holdings (ASX: BBT)

Morgans has maintained its add rating on online sports betting company, Bluebet. It has also raised its 12-month share price target marginally from 35 cents to 36 cents.

The Bluebet share price is 30 cents per share on Tuesday, up 0.67% today and up 51% in the year to date.

Bluebet has a market cap of $170 million, which means it is technically an ASX micro-cap share.

In a new note, Morgans said Bluebet shares remain "attractive at current levels".

The broker explained:

November's net win margin was 12.8%, supported by robust trading and efficient promotions using its proprietary tech platform.

2QTD's margin stands at 11.5% and reassures us that the company is on track to meet earnings targets and build momentum for next year.

BBT confirmed it was EBITDA-positive in November and remains on course for an EBITDA-positive FY25 result.

… we expect 1H25 underlying EBITDA of $0.5m and a NPAT loss of $2.2m.

Our full-year earnings estimates for FY25-26F increase by 3.5% and 1% respectively.

Acusensus Ltd (ASX: ACE)

Acusensus develops AI solutions for road safety. It is also a micro-cap with a valuation of $158 million.

Canaccord Genuity has maintained its buy rating and $1.30 price target on this ASX tech share.

The Acusensus share price is $1.14, down 0.87% today but up 43% in the year to date.

In a new note, Canaccord analysts Owen Humphries and Annabelle Holden said momentum was building across all markets.

The analysts wrote:

ACE is in the early stages of its global expansion, leveraging its patented technology to capture the ~$1.8b global market opportunity.

The company is undertaking a period of investment to seize the opportunity with the global business absorbing cash, while the Australian business remains strongly earnings positive.

We estimate the Australian business generates revenues of $50m, with growth of 15%-20% with look-through EBITDA margins ~20%.

In our view, this implies the domestic business trades on 10x EV/EBITDA, with investors getting the large global expansion for free which we estimate generates >$4m revenue in FY25E at >100% growth rates and could be valued higher than the domestic business over time given the size of the opportunity.

The post 3 ASX small-cap stocks to buy for 2025: brokers appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The ASX reports that $1.1 billion of IPO capital was raised among 45 IPO listings in 2023. The five-year average for ASX IPOs is $5.4 billion among 120 listings per year.

But the total quoted market capitalisation from all new market entrants in 2023 was higher than in 2022.

The total for IPOs, demergers, and new dual and direct listings was $33.7 billion, up 8% from the previous year.

In an article published on asx.com.au today, Alice Nguyen from ASX Listings said this was a global trend because growth companies faced strong economic headwinds last year.

But she said ASX IPO conditions may be better this year.

The biggest ASX IPO of 2023

Redox Pty Ltd (ASX: RDX) was the largest ASX IPO last year, raising $402 million and achieving a market cap of $1.3 billion at the time of listing in July.

Redox is a family-owned chemical and ingredient distributor. The owners sold a 30% stake with the aim of raising capital for offshore expansion.

The biggest new listings by value

The most significant listing by value was the dual-listing of US mining behemoth Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM). This follows Newmont's acquisition of ASX gold mining stock Newcrest.

Another mega-merger was the $11 billion marriage and dual listing of Livent Corp and Allkem to form new ASX lithium share, Arcadium Lithium (ASX: LTM).

A big one on the way this year is the proposed merger of Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) and the unlisted Chemist Warehouse.

The deal will create an $8.8 billion ASX healthcare major, once it is completed in 2H 2024 (assuming regulatory approvals).

Top 10 ASX listings in 2023… and their share prices today

This list represents the top 10 new listings by market cap, including ASX IPOs and major mergers.

The post Fewer ASX IPOs in 2023, but here's how they've performed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.