Small caps to watch: Updates from EQB, Kraken Robotics, Corby Spirit and Wine and ​​Calian Group

Small caps to watch: Updates from EQB, Kraken Robotics, Corby Spirit and Wine and ​​Calian Group BRENDA BOUW SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. A look at some small-cap stocks making news - or about to. Canada’s S&P/TSX Small Cap Index (TXTW +0.43% increase ) is up by about 47 per cent over the past 52 weeks. It hit a record 1,496.55 on June 2. The Russell 2000 in the U.S. is up about 27 per cent over the past 52 weeks and reached a high of 3,069.71 on Aug. 14. TSX SMALLCAP INDEX 1,467.28+769.18 (110.18%) TSX COMPOSITE INDEX 36,813.65+16,788.51 (83.84%) PAST THREE YEARS 110.18% 83.84% AUG. 28, 2023 AUG. 26, 2026 SOURCE: BARCHART Small-cap summary: EQB Inc. EQB-T -7.78% decrease ) reported higher revenue for its third quarter, which includes one month of results from its PC Financial acquisition, and increased its dividend. The company behind Equitable Bank also reported a big jump in its provisions for credit losses related to PC Financial credit cards. After markets closed on Wednesday, EQB reported revenue of $391.3-million for the third quarter ended July 31, up from $306.1-million a year ago. The result was above expectations of $380.5-million, according to S&P Capital IQ. Provisions for credit losses rose to $303-million from $34-million a year earlier. It said $219-million came from the acquired credit card portfolio from PC Financial credit cards. “In Q3, we continued to execute with discipline: maintaining a strong efficiency ratio, expanding net interest margins, and proactively provisioning for credit losses,” said chief financial officer Anilisa Sainani in a release. Its net loss of $127-million or $3.39 per share compared to a profoit of $73-million or $1.90 last year. Adjusted EPS of $2.12 was up from $2.03 a year ago. “With the closing of PC Financial on Canada Day, EQB has structurally shifted in customer reach, products, revenue mix and growth potential,” said CEO Chadwick Westlake. “Underneath the transaction, earnings were impacted by elevated performing and impaired provisions that reflect the continued pressure many Canadians are facing. Despite a housing market that has yet to turn, our core businesses performed well, and we made great progress growing market share and loans under management. The earnings power of the combined business will become more visible in Q4,…