(Alliance News) – London’s FTSE 100 is called to open lower on Thursday, following underwhelming trade in Asia, and a slump in New York, where US fiscal worries weighed. A weak 20-year bond auction compounded the worries on Wednesday.
Comment: While this time may be different, equity markets getting into a tizz regarding the bond market, tends to be a false sunset. This is especially true given the way that the initial trigger for the bond market panic was the US having its debt downgraded, a political, rather than an economic move as the debt agencies are part of the woke / Anti Maga establishment.
World Chess (CHSS), a chess organisation committed to expanding the global appeal of chess, noted a recent media report published by Kommersant that former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik has submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission regarding the conduct of Chess.com, the world’s largest online chess platform.
Comment: This is almost as exciting as the episode of Columbo featuring the game in the wake of the Fischer / Spassky duel in Reykjavik in 1972.
Thruvision (THRU), the leading international provider of walk- through security technology, today announced its first sale into a UK Prison. THRU said “We are pleased to announce that this week saw the installation of a Thruvision 81 Series system for the first time in a UK Prison.”
Comment: Who needs Officer Mackay from Porridge, when you havethe Thruvision 81 Series System. Interesting the amount of buying / speculation in the stock ahead of today’s news. Almost as if someone new it was coming.
Incanthera plc (AQSE: INC), the Company focused on innovative technologies in dermatology and oncology, provided the following commercial update regarding the launch of Skin + CELL, its premium skin care range. The Company advised that it is in the process of finalising the terms of a business agreement (the “Agreement”) with a global Direct To Customer (“DTC”) marketing agency (the “Agency”), anticipated to be signed in the next week.
Comment: After the patent induced bump in the road, it would appear that INC is finally on its way. Perhaps second time around there will be more stock market appreciation.
Defence Holdings (ALRT), the first specialised next generation publicly traded defence company, announced the proposed appointment of James Norwood to its Board of Directors as Non-Executive Chairman. The proposed appointment is subject to the completion of due diligence checks by the Company’s advisers.
Comment: A very decent looking appointment of someone from the military / industrial complex, especially as it did appear that Mr Stockbridge could not do the job of running the first specialised next generation publicly traded defence company on his own.
Powerhouse Energy Group (PHE), a company pioneering integrated technology that converts non-recyclable waste into low carbon energy, together with a revenue generating engineering consulting division (Engsolve), updated in relation to Patents it has applied for and successfully been granted during the first half of 2025.
Comment: A welcome piece of news from PHE given the way that the trail has gone somewhat quiet as far as the company has been concerned of late, with the share price suffering in consequence.
Helix Exploration (HEX), the helium exploration and development company with near-term production assets within the ‘Montana Helium Fairway’, announced the results of flow testing at Linda #1 well in Rudyard Project, Montana. Linda #1 has capacity to generate pre-tax cashflow of c.USD$4m a year in line with projections. HEX said “The Linda #1 result confirms that the Rudyard Field is not only productive – it’s scalable. With exceptional flow rates, a large structural footprint, and strong early gas quality, we now have a foundation to build a long-life domestic helium supply project. We intend to move forward with development quickly and efficiently.”
Comment: A decent result so far. But it is clear that the market really wants the production, rather being teased with it, to get the share price on the right side of highs above 25p.
TheWorks.co.uk (WRKS), the retailer of affordable, screen-free activities for the whole family, announces a trading update for the 52 weeks ended 4 May 2025. The Works made significant financial and strategic progress in FY25 against a challenging consumer backdrop.
Comment: Although screen free activities sound painfully 20th century, it would appear that some people do have the appetite for such masochistic fayre. That said, the shares have risen vertically over the past month, and one would guess that this underlines potential / actual institutional interest in the company, as it is the kind of group funds would go for.
Further to the 1 May 2025 announcement of the execution of a Share Purchase Agreement in respect of the acquisition of uranium and vanadium exploration projects in the USA, Metals One (MET1), a minerals exploration and development company, confirmed the initiation of its Phase 1 uranium exploration programmes in Colorado and Wyoming, USA.
Comment: The newsflow here has been as relentless as the share price rise, with the naysayers / mudslingers so far seeing that the bulk of the stellar gains at MET1 have been retained.
Impax Asset Management Group (IPX) the specialist investor focused on the transition to a more sustainable global economy, today announced interim results for the six months to 31 March 2025. The company also announced a £10m share buyback.
Comment: When the going gets tough, or when the market gives a company tough love, a share buyback is the best way to get revenge on the shorters, market makers, and anyone else one does not like.
Nativo Resources (NTVO), which has interests in gold mines in Peru, provided the following operational updates. NTVO said “Having got Bonanza up and running in December, it was disappointing to have had to pause activity in February, effectively foregoing half a year of cash flow development. This has however catalysed an improved, more cost-effective road map for our mining operations. This should allow us to resume activity in July with a lower cost, higher margin operation, and bring the neighbouring Morrocota mine on stream with the same approach, benefitting from economies of scale.”
Comment: It sounds as though NTVO is finally getting its ducks in a row, something which should feed into the share price, sooner rather than later.
Fulcrum Metals (FMET), a technology led company focused on the recovery of precious metals from mine tailings in Canada, announced that it has signed a Master Licence Agreement with Extrakt Process Solutions LLC for the exclusive licencing of Extrakt’s technology on legacy gold mine waste (tailings) to develop the Companies tailings projects in Kirkland Lake and across the mining regions of Timmins and Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada.
Comment: FMET needs to do more work with the market in explaining the joys and wonder of converting tailings into gold, especially when it is priced at well above $3,000. When it does so, the shares should finally get back to where they belong, above 10p.
Vinanz Limited (BTC), the London Stock Exchange Main Market listed Bitcoin company with North American Bitcoin operations, announced the appointment of Hewie Rattray as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This is an important senior management role within the Company but is a non-director role.
Comment: Although one would have thought that Chairman David Lenigas could do it all on his own, he has brought in industry expert to help deliver the “monetary revolution.”
BT Group (BT.A) reported a higher pretax profit for its fiscal year, though revenue fell due to a decline in international sales. The U.K. telecommunications company said Thursday that pretax profit for the year ended March 31 rose to 1.33 billion pounds ($1.78 billion) from 1.19 billion pounds a year earlier. This missed company-compiled consensus of 1.80 billion pounds. This reflects a goodwill impairment in the prior year that was offset by higher specific costs and net finance expense. (Wall Street Journal)
Comment: A rather flat update rather questions the strong share price performance of recent months, as well as the way that in terms of its markets the company has reached something of a semicolon.
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its Catalyst Technologies business (“CT”) to Honeywell International, Inc. (“Honeywell”) at an enterprise value of £1,800m on a cash and debt-free basis. The Transaction is expected to deliver net sale proceeds of c.£1.6bn to the Group, subject to customary closing adjustments.
Comment: Shares of JMAT have been rising for the past 4-6 weeks off the lows, exactly the historic timeframe when “expected” deals come to pass. The market typically hits a low a month or so before big positive news, ensuring that no ositive trading update for the four months ended 30 April 2025, ahead of its Annual General Meeting to be held today. Trading in the period has been strong, with the Group maintaining the positive momentum seen in FY24 to deliver overall sales growth in the period of 8% and record revenue of £50.7m.
Comment: Shares of JMAT have been rising for the past 4-6 weeks off the lows, exactly the historic timeframe when “expected” deals come to pass. The market typically hits a low a month or so before big positive news, ensuring that no one is in the stock by accident.
Zotefoams (ZTF), a world leader in supercritical fluid foaming, provided a positive trading update for the four months ended 30 April 2025, ahead of its Annual General Meeting to be held today. Trading in the period has been strong, with the Group maintaining the positive momentum seen in FY24 to deliver overall sales growth in the period of 8% and record revenue of £50.7m.
Comment: ZTF used to be regarded as a safe pair of hands fundamentally. In fact, it still is, as can be seen from the latest update. One would expect the stock to win back the 8% slide we have seen so far this year.
Aurrigo International (AURR), a leading international provider of transport technology solutions, is pleased to announce it has entered into a three year strategic partnership agreement with Swissport International AG, the world’s leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling, to deploy autonomous solutions at Zurich Airport. The partnership agreement includes a six-month project agreement, which will be signed in the coming days.
Comment: AURR already caught the eye in recent weeks, with the share price nearly doubling, as someone sniffed, guessed, was told, a big and decent deal was on the way. One would expect the existing technical target of 85p plus to be hit soon.
