(Alliance News) – The FTSE 100 was called to open higher on Tuesday, while the UK unemployment was reported to have held steady. Meanwhile in the US, Trump has suggested that he might temporarily exempt the motor industry from tariffs on the sector, to give carmakers time to adjust their supply chains.
Comment: It should be physically impossible for someone to drop their trousers twice in one go, but it would appear that President Trump has achieved this. King Canute will be pleased to know he finally has a replacement.
London South East (LSE.co.uk), a UK investor platform providing live share prices and financial news to over a hundred thousand investors daily, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with JP Jenkins, the private marketplace offering pension funds, institutions and high-net-worth individuals access to unlisted companies. In addition, LSE.co.uk will offer companies on the JPJ venue access to advanced digital Investor Relations services via its sister company, focusIR – empowering them to better educate and engage with their shareholders and new investors to help support a fair valuation.
Comment: Given the speed of the exodus from the London stock market, it makes absolute sense that JP Jenkins, one of the main beneficiaries of the ongoing failing of listed companies being listed, should tie up with an investor platform and an IR platform. It remains to be seen how much of an impact this partnership will make for the companies on JPJ, given the current impact the LSE/focusIR duo has for listed companies. Equally, one would love to know who else was in the frame on this deal, if anyone.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) advised that, further to the Company’s RNS dated 19 March, the Company has paid out all of its legal liabilities and completed the reorganisation of its Western Australia subsidiary, Wishbone Gold WA Pty Ltd. Management has been strengthened by the appointment of Edward Mead as a director of WSBN WA.
Comment: While it may seem overdoing it to suggest that Ed Mead is the Steve Irwin of his particular field, he is certainly a steady ship, and a safe pair of hands, something that the newly re-jigged WSBN can certainly do with.
Kooth (KOO), a global leader in youth digital mental health, announced unaudited results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2024. 598% increase in adjusted EBITDA to £15.8 million, driven by the ramp up of Soluna usage and lower practitioner costs. Significant investment and projected growth throughout 2025 will see EBITDA margins return to more typical mid teen levels going forward.
Comment: Given that most of Gen Z seem to be off their trolley, with such ideas as not wanting to work, not using capital letters when texting, pretending to be sociopaths, and post-ironically holding extremist views, it may not be surprising that KOO is doing so well at the moment. It is a shame that the market has not cottoned onto this rare well hidden gem.
Oriole Resources (ORR), the AIM quoted gold exploration company focused on West and Central Africa, provided an update on its 90% owned Mbe orogenic gold project in Cameroon. 23.10m at 0.71g/t Au from 76.00m, including 7.20m at 1.02g/t Au and 2.00m at 2.48g/t Au. ORR said “As we approach the halfway mark in the planned programme’s metreage, we very much look forward to reporting the next set of results.”
Comment: Given that shares of ORR have recently bounced off one year lows, one would think that the latest update today shall be well received. The market will need rather more though, to really move the dial here.
Oracle Power (ORCP), an international project developer, is pleased to announce that Apex Geoscience has completed the maiden geochemical sampling programme to progress exploration at the Blue Rock Valley Copper and Silver Project, located in the Ashburton Basin in the northwest region of Western Australia. 277 geochemical samples and 3 rock chip samples have been taken and are en route to ALS laboratories in Perth, with assay results expected in around 3-4 weeks. The Project is located 165km southeast of Onslow, the main port for the region’s iron and LNG exports, which is a multi-user port.
Comment: Given that the company raised over £400k back in December, the longer it can no go and build value via its Australian projects the better. The run up to the next assay results should be helpful to the stock.
OptiBiotix Health (OPTI), a life sciences business developing products which reduce hunger and food cravings, enhance the gut microbiome, and sweet fibres as healthy sugar substitutes, announces it has received its first order from a leading weight management brand in the United States of America. The order is for SlimBiome® as an ingredient which will be incorporated into a range of flavoured drinks.
Comment: Given that everyone and their mother is now on weight loss jabs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, one would have thought that OPTI might as well change its name to WeightWatchers.
Beowulf Mining (BEM), the mineral exploration and development company, provides a statement of its financial position as at the end of February 2025. In relation to the ongoing Capital Raise and specifically the Rights Issue as announced on 4 April 2025, the Company intends to publish a prospectus shortly.
Comment: In terms of its financial position, it would appear that the company is in the corporate equivalent of “should have gone to Specsavers” and done so long ago. It will be interesting to see how BEM digs itself out of its hole, and what kind of deal emerges.
Halfords (HFD) issued a trading update for the 52 weeks to 28 March 2025. A strong finish to FY25: expected profit around top of range; outstanding performance at new Fusion locations; Halfords Motoring Club exceeds 5m members. Appointment of Henry Birch as CEO as Graham Stapleton leaves Halfords after seven years. Positive group like-for-like sales +2.3% vs. strong prior year comparatives (FY24: +5.0%).
Comment: Given the lay of the land in the High Street, the performance here has been impressive. The question is whether it can be maintained, and therefore the CEO has work to do.
