Author: ADVFN News Studio

Ajax Resources PLC (AQSE:AJAX) announced that drilling activities have commenced at the Eureka Gold and Copper Project, located in the Province of Jujuy, Argentina. The initial drilling programme will comprise of approximately 10 diamond drill holes for a total of 1,500 metres of diamond drilling.

Ippolito Cattaneo, CEO, said: “The commencement of drilling at Eureka represents an important milestone for Ajax. Opportunities to drill test a project with a 400-year history of copper and gold production that has never previously been drilled are uncommon.” Read more

Zentra Group Plc (AQSE:ZNT)has entered into a joint venture with property management professional, Connor Moylan, forming a new subsidiary, ZPAS Limited. The formation of ZPAS is intended to improve the scalability, operational focus and quality of the Group’s Assured Shorthold Tenancy lettings and management activities. Read more

Falconedge PLC (AQSE:EDGE) announced a 1.29% Bitcoin Yield for December, marking the first month of its Bitcoin Yield Strategy.

Roy Kashi, CEO, commented: “These impressive results from our first month of yield allocation, independently verified by NAV Consulting, demonstrate the strength of our treasury strategy and our commitment to disciplined balance sheet enhancement.” Read more

The Smarter Web Company Plc (AQSE:SWC) announced that it has raised gross proceeds of £1.67m in aggregate through the placing of subscription shares in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement announced on 24 December 2025. Read more

Ethtry PLC (AQSE:ETHY) announced the equity investment and partnership with the Liechtenstein Trust Integrity Network (LTIN). LTIN’s delivers sovereign blockchain infrastructure, offering enterprises regulatory certainty, institutional-grade security and data sovereignty through GDPR-compliant data processing, while operating on 100% renewable energy.

Patrick Chopard, CEO, said: “By positioning Ethtry at the forefront of LTIN’s staking process, we will support the integration of advanced technologies and the development of cross-network capabilities that enhance interoperability.” Read more

Sulnox Group PLC (AQSE:SNOX) announced that it has secured a patent in Vietnam.

Ben Richardson, CEO, commented: “Backed by this timely addition to our intellectual property portfolio, we are excited to lend our expertise, experience and innovation to Vietnam’s green transition. This is a fast growing market within Asia, with a forward-thinking mindset.” Read more

For the latest news and updates from Aquis please visit – https://www.aquis.eu/news

In this interview, Craig Marshall, head of investor relations at bp (LSE:BP.), provides investors with a comprehensive update on the company’s strategic transformation and operational momentum. Following bp’s February 2025 strategy update, Craig addresses the disciplined capital reallocation, with oil and gas investment up 20% and transition spending down 70%. He also outlines management’s ambitious targets including $4–5bn in structural cost reductions and 20% CAGR in free cash flow through 2027.

Craig highlights exceptional upstream performance, with plant reliability exceeding 96%, six major project start-ups (four ahead of schedule) and an unprecedented 12 exploration discoveries this year. The standout is Bumerangue in Brazil, which is bp’s most significant discovery in 25 years, a 100%-owned pre-salt find spanning over 300km2 with a kilometre-high hydrocarbon column. Craig also discusses downstream improvements, including 97% refining availability (the best in 20 years), the strategic review of Castrol and how bp is leveraging AI and partnerships with Palantir, NVIDIA and Anthropic to drive efficiency across operations.

With new chairman Albert Manifold driving a portfolio review and clear targets for returns above 16% and at least 4% annual dividend growth, Craig makes the case for why bp is positioned to deliver sustained value for shareholders.

Mila Resources (LSE:MILA) has announced the completion of its diamond drilling program at the Yarrol Gold Project in Queensland, with early indicators pointing to strong potential upside. Speaking on The Watchlist, Chief Operating Officer Alastair Goodship shared insights into the company’s latest exploration progress and what investors can expect next.

“The best place to find a deposit is under an existing one,” said Goodship. “Our goal was to test to depth beneath the historic resource area and carry out more rigorous validation of our deposit model. The indicators we’re seeing from the field are very promising.”

The recently completed diamond drilling program intersected the same host rock with disseminated sulfides seen in the earlier RC drilling campaign — this time down to depths of nearly 300 metres, well below the 80-metre base of the historic resource area. According to Goodship, these results strongly support the company’s view that Yarrol could host a much larger mineralised system than previously recognised.

With the diamond program complete, attention now turns to the next phase of RC drilling. “We’re still refining our understanding of Yarrol — whether it’s a focused high-grade deposit or a larger, lower-grade system,” Goodship explained. “Both deposit types exist in the region. The upcoming RC drilling will provide the data we need to decide which model fits best.”

The next campaign will combine data from both RC and diamond holes to refine the deposit model further. Mila also plans “drill-to-kill” work to define the boundaries of mineralisation and determine the most prospective zones for future exploration. “Every hole we’ve drilled so far has hit,” Goodship said. “That gives us confidence to expand with the next RC program and better define the mineralisation’s shape.”

Investors can expect several key milestones in the coming months, including assay results from both the diamond and RC programs. “For keen investors, pay attention to where we’re finding the gold — the depths and along strike,” Goodship advised. “They can probably start doing their own calculations from that.”

Importantly, Phase 2 exploration remains on budget — a testament to Mila’s disciplined capital management approach. “Our focus is on maximising ounces discovered per dollar spent,” Goodship noted. “The team is incentivised on results, not big salaries, which helps us stay lean, efficient, and focused on value creation.”

As Mila Resources continues to build momentum at Yarrol, shareholders will be closely watching the next round of results and updates. For more information on the company’s projects and exploration plans, visit milaresources.com

LONDON, 20 October 2025 — Investa, the UK’s first zero-commission options trading app (other fees may apply), has announced the early access opening of its second crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube, beginning Monday, 20 October.

The fintech startup is aiming to raise at least £1 million in this new round, building on the success of its 2024 Crowdcube campaign, which was overfunded by 220% and attracted nearly 500 investors. That raise became the most participated-in UK fintech campaign on the European equity crowdfunding platform last year, reaching its target within four hours and closing six days ahead of schedule.

Investa plans to use the funds from this latest campaign to accelerate its growth and product development, including launching its Android app, scaling customer acquisition, expanding trading infrastructure, and strengthening operations following the successful rollout of its iOS platform. The company also intends to continue enhancing accessibility and transparency in options trading for retail investors across the UK.

Early access registrants will have the opportunity to express investment interest ahead of the Private Live round, which takes place on 27–28 October. The campaign will then open to the public on 29 October.

Since completing its first fundraising round, Investa has launched its iOS app—achieving over 1,000 downloads on day one—and facilitated more than 2,000 stock and options trades. The platform now offers access to over 100,000 tradable options contracts and recently introduced Open Banking integration to simplify funding accounts. Investa was also named a finalist in the Wealth category at the 2025 FF Awards.

“The support we received from the Crowdcube community last year was phenomenal,” said Alec Beasley, Co-Founder and CEO of Investa. “It validated our mission to make options trading accessible to UK retail investors and showed that everyday traders want the same opportunities long enjoyed by professionals. With this next crowdfunding campaign, we’re building on that momentum to deliver the UK’s best options trading experience.”

Matt Cooper, Co-CEO of Crowdcube, added: “Investa’s 2024 fundraise was really well supported. The team’s mission to democratise options trading in the UK clearly resonated with investors. It’s exciting to back companies that are expanding financial inclusion and opening new pathways for retail participation.”

More information on the fundraise can be found on Investa’s Crowdcube page.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

1. Apple Warned: GenAI Strategy Now Critical

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is under mounting pressure to present a clear generative AI strategy, according to Needham analyst Laura Martin. In a note published Friday, Martin warned that Apple risks falling further behind competitors in the GenAI space if it doesn’t outline a concrete plan during its upcoming Q3 earnings.

“We do not believe Apple can stay on the sidelines without a clearly articulated GenAI strategy and action plan,” Martin wrote.

She emphasized the growing technological gap between iOS and Android, calling it an “existential risk” for a company so dependent on iPhone sales and related services. Martin also raised concerns about rising costs, speculating Apple may soon announce a multi-billion-dollar licensing agreement with Anthropic or another large language model provider—or increase capital expenditures to build out its own GenAI infrastructure.

Failure to move quickly could also result in the loss of top AI talent to rivals such as Meta (NASDAQ:META), OpenAI, and Anthropic.

Apple shares are down 14% year-to-date, significantly underperforming the S&P 500’s 8% gain. Martin said the underperformance reflects investor frustration with Apple’s slow AI rollout. Unlike peers such as Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Apple has yet to establish a clear revenue stream from GenAI. Still, its forward P/E remains high at 27.7x, despite slowing growth.

“We believe Apple’s stock could decline once investors fully grasp the level of investment required to catch up with other Big Tech players who adopted GenAI early,” Martin concluded.

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2. Amazon Price Target Raised by BofA on Strong Q2 Outlook, AI Tailwinds

Bank of America raised its price target on Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) to $265 from $248 while maintaining a Buy rating, citing strong second-quarter results and strengthening AI-driven growth in Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The bank now projects Q2 revenue of $164 billion, ahead of the $162 billion consensus, and net profit of $17.8 billion—surpassing the Street’s $17.0 billion estimate and Amazon’s own high-end guidance of $17.5 billion.

BofA said this confidence stems from internal credit card data and Bloomberg Second Measure, both of which point to stronger-than-expected retail sales momentum in North America.

International results may also benefit from currency effects. “The euro was up 5% year-over-year and 8% quarter-over-quarter vs. the U.S. dollar, which should help boost international revenue,” analysts noted.

For Q3, BofA expects revenue guidance between $169 billion and $174 billion, and GAAP EBIT guidance between $14.0 billion and $18.0 billion—below the consensus of $19.4 billion. Recent AWS job cuts could help support margins, while ongoing AI demand and backlog growth continue to serve as major tailwinds.

“AWS will be the key stock driver in the second half of 2025,” the bank wrote.

Amazon’s valuation at 13.4x 2026 EV/EBITDA still leaves room for multiple expansion, BofA added.

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3. AMD Upgraded to Buy on Strong Demand for CPUs and GPUs

Erste Group upgraded AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) from Hold to Buy, citing robust demand for high-performance computing in data centers as a major growth catalyst.

Analyst Hans Engel said AMD is well-positioned heading into 2025, with strength expected across both CPUs and GPUs.

“AMD anticipates continued growth in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-performance processors and graphics chips in the data center space,” Engel noted.

He added that operating margins are likely to improve over the medium term, which should accelerate profit growth.

“The stock should continue to rise on the back of these solid growth prospects,” Engel concluded.

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4. ASML Named Top Semicap Pick for 2026 by New Street

New Street Research upgraded ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) to Buy, setting a price target of €790. The firm believes ASML is best positioned within the semiconductor equipment space for long-term outperformance.

While market consensus forecasts just 2% revenue growth for ASML in 2025—well below the 6% to 12% growth range expected for peers—New Street called that view overly cautious. The firm said ASML’s strong exposure to leading-edge wafer fabrication tools gives it a clear competitive edge.

The analysts also noted limited risk of market share loss in China, which should help ASML grow at the high end of its peer group range.

Valuation was another factor supporting the upgrade. ASML shares currently trade at 25x forward earnings, below historical averages and cheaper than peers like KLA. This suggests limited downside risk from further multiple compression.

The €790 price target is based on a 25x multiple of projected 2027 earnings of €31.90 per share.

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5. BCA: AI Will Disrupt Domestic Politics and Global Security

BCA Research warned that artificial intelligence is likely to destabilize both domestic political landscapes and global security dynamics. In a new note, Chief Geopolitical Strategist Matt Gertken cited recent moves by former President Trump to accelerate U.S. AI leadership and pressure the Federal Reserve on policy.

“Artificial intelligence will destabilize domestic politics and international security,” Gertken wrote, warning that rapid AI advances may worsen polarization in the U.S. and deepen mistrust between world powers.

He anticipates increased corporate taxation and “more creative fiscal policy” targeting tech firms as part of the U.S. response. On the global stage, AI-driven military advances may heighten strategic tensions, while faster access to information won’t necessarily lead to better international cooperation.

These developments could raise market volatility and hasten shifts in economic policy, Gertken concluded, with AI acting as a long-term destabilizing force.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

The S&P 500 reached a new record closing high on Tuesday, though gains were limited as investors weighed a busy slate of earnings reports and a pullback in semiconductor stocks.

By the close at 4:00 p.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 170 points (0.40%), the S&P 500 edged higher by 0.03% to a record close of 6,307.67, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.4% as tech stocks, especially chipmakers, lost ground.

Chip Stocks Weaken After AI Project Scaled Down

Semiconductor giants like NVIDIA, Broadcom, and AMD declined after The Wall Street Journal reported that SoftBank and OpenAI have significantly scaled back their ambitious $500 billion Stargate AI project.

Originally launched with a planned $100 billion initial investment, the project has now been reduced to a smaller single data center, cooling optimism about the rapid expansion of U.S. AI infrastructure and dragging down the broader tech sector.

Texas Instruments is set to report earnings after the market close.

Earnings Season Heats Up

This week marks a peak in the earnings calendar, with more than 85% of S&P 500 companies expected to report. So far, about 12% have released results, with 86% beating earnings expectations and 67% reporting better-than-expected revenue—factors that helped propel the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to record levels in the previous session.

Notable Stock Moves

• Coca-Cola shares dipped nearly 1%, despite strong Q2 earnings, as tariff-related headwinds weighed on sentiment. The company reaffirmed guidance at the high end of its forecast.
• General Motors fell sharply after reporting a significant year-over-year drop in second-quarter profits, citing weakness in its key North American market.
• Northrop Grumman rose after raising its full-year profit outlook, supported by steady demand for its defense systems and aircraft amid rising geopolitical tensions.
• Philip Morris slipped as Q2 revenue missed expectations, despite continued strength in its smoke-free product lines.
• D.R. Horton gained strongly after beating expectations with fiscal Q3 earnings and delivering 23,160 homes, above the top end of its guidance.
• Intuitive Surgical is expected to post results after the bell.

Spotlight on Tesla and Alphabet

All eyes are on Tesla and Alphabet, the first of the “Magnificent Seven” tech leaders to report this earnings season. Both are due to announce Q2 results on Wednesday.

Tesla is under pressure after California data showed a 21.1% drop in Q2 registrations. Investors are also watching for any early signs of how Trump’s proposed tariffs may be affecting corporate profits.

Tariff Worries and Rate Uncertainty Weigh on Markets

Despite a series of recent record highs, market momentum has slowed amid growing concerns about trade tariffs and uncertainty around future interest rate moves.

President Trump has announced new tariffs—ranging from 20% to 50%—on goods from key U.S. trading partners, set to begin August 1. Additional duties include a 50% tariff on copper and a potential 200% tariff on pharmaceutical imports.

These proposed measures have raised fears of renewed inflation, with the Federal Reserve expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its meeting next week. The Fed has cited tariffs as a major reason for maintaining its current stance.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak at a conference in Washington, D.C., later Tuesday, though it’s unclear whether he’ll address monetary policy due to the Fed’s pre-meeting blackout period.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) analysts are observing a shift in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and global equity markets, suggesting the dollar may no longer offer the same level of diversification benefits for investment portfolios.

In a recent client note, the bank highlighted a modest but increasing correlation between weekly returns of the U.S. Dollar Index and the MSCI World Local Index.

On a correlation scale from -1 to +1, a positive value indicates that two assets tend to move in the same direction. Historically, the dollar and equities have typically shown negative correlations, particularly in the post-pandemic period. However, according to the team led by strategist Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, that relationship has shifted closer to zero this year.

“This movement toward zero or slightly positive correlation appears to reflect a return to normal rather than a structural shift in market behavior,” the analysts wrote, noting that similar periods of positive correlation have occurred sporadically since the 1980s.

Although this trend may suggest that the dollar is currently providing less diversification relative to equities, JPMorgan emphasized that both the direction and the magnitude of the correlation matter. At near-zero or mildly positive levels, the impact on the volatility of an unhedged U.S. equity portfolio remains limited.

In theory, this reduced diversification could eventually weigh on the dollar. However, the analysts noted there is little historical evidence that changes in dollar-equity correlations have significantly affected the dollar’s overall performance.

“One possible explanation is that the decision to hedge currency risk in an equity portfolio is complex,” they wrote. “Unless the correlation becomes persistently and meaningfully positive—such as in the 0.2 to 0.4 range seen from the mid-1980s to 2007—currency hedging is unlikely to provide a substantial or lasting reduction in overall portfolio volatility.”

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.