Author: Fiona Craig

Shoe Zone (LSE:SHOE) has reported a 7.6% year-on-year decline in revenue to £149.1 million for the fiscal year ending September 2025, reflecting weaker consumer confidence and a smaller store footprint.

The company closed 39 locations during the year but continued to prioritize its strategy of expanding larger format stores, which are positioned to drive future growth. Despite the challenging economic environment, characterized by high inflation and elevated interest rates, Shoe Zone strengthened its balance sheet—boosting its net cash position by 66.7% to £6 million.

Digital sales posted modest growth, supported by the company’s online platform. However, Shoe Zone remains cautious on the near-term outlook, focusing on disciplined cash management and operational resilience to navigate ongoing macroeconomic headwinds.

Bearish technical indicators and weak financial performance weigh on the company’s overall outlook, though its moderate valuation provides some offset.

About Shoe Zone

Shoe Zone is a UK-based footwear retailer offering affordable, high-quality shoes for families. The company operates 269 stores—68 original high street shops and 201 larger format locations—and also sells through its online platform, shoezone.com. Shoe Zone sells approximately 12.8 million pairs of shoes annually, featuring well-known brands such as Skechers, Hush Puppies, Rieker, and Lilly & Skinner.

GEO Exploration Limited (LSE:GEO) has completed the first phase of drilling at its Juno Project in Western Australia, marking an important step forward in its exploration strategy.

Drill holes JUD001 and JUD002 intersected the targeted rock formations as planned, reinforcing the company’s confidence in the project’s potential. GEO sees strong prospects for a district-scale discovery in this underexplored region, which could significantly enhance its strategic positioning.

Assay results from the initial drill campaign are expected in the near term, with a follow-up drilling program scheduled for early 2026. These developments are expected to provide valuable insights into the project’s resource potential and support the company’s broader growth ambitions.

About GEO Exploration Limited

GEO Exploration Limited is a mining exploration company focused on identifying and developing mineral resources, particularly gold. Operating in underexplored regions, the company aims to unlock new mineral opportunities through targeted exploration programs and strategic project development.

Rentokil Initial (LSE:RTO) has reported a 4.6% year-on-year increase in Group Revenues for the third quarter of 2025, supported by organic growth and strategic execution in North America and key international markets.

The company’s pest control and hygiene divisions continued to perform well, underpinned by stronger sales execution, enhanced digital marketing efforts, and a focus on cost efficiency. In a notable portfolio move, Rentokil Initial completed the sale of its France Workwear business, helping to reduce net debt and further streamline operations.

Management reaffirmed its expectation of delivering full-year financial results in line with market forecasts. While profitability and cash flow challenges remain, the company’s solid revenue performance underpins a constructive near-term outlook.

Technical analysis points to the potential for short-term upside, though high valuation levels and muted momentum temper sentiment.

About Rentokil Initial

Rentokil Initial is a global services company specializing in pest control, hygiene, and wellbeing solutions. With a strong presence in North America and across international markets, the company focuses on delivering essential business services while driving operational efficiency and digital innovation.

Synthomer plc (LSE:SYNT) has reported a steady performance in Q3 2025, demonstrating resilience in the face of ongoing market headwinds. The company’s Adhesive Solutions division played a key role in supporting results, while strategic cost-cutting and transformation initiatives continued to strengthen its operational footing.

To improve its financial position, Synthomer is pushing forward with efficiency measures and an expanded divestment program designed to offset the impact of global trade tensions. The company expects EBITDA for 2025 to remain broadly in line with 2024, with a more meaningful improvement in earnings and cash flow anticipated in 2026 as its strategic actions and investments take effect.

Despite operational progress, Synthomer’s outlook remains constrained by weak financial performance, bearish technical signals, and negative valuation indicators. Addressing these financial and operational pressures will be key to rebuilding market confidence.

About Synthomer plc

Synthomer is a global producer and supplier of high-performance specialty polymers and ingredients used in industries such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and healthcare. Headquartered in London, the company operates 29 manufacturing sites worldwide and serves more than 6,000 blue-chip customers. Synthomer focuses on innovation and sustainable solutions, including patent-protected products that support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Foxtons Group PLC (LSE:FOXT) has reported a 3% rise in revenue for Q3 2025, reaching £49.0 million. The increase was driven largely by a strong performance in its lettings division, which helped offset weakness in the sales market caused by consumer uncertainty and the postponed Autumn Budget.

Lettings continue to serve as a stable revenue foundation for the business, bolstered by recent acquisitions that have contributed positively to results. Despite the softer sales environment, Foxtons remains confident in its medium-term outlook, supported by its acquisition strategy and operational improvements.

The company is also pushing ahead with a cost optimization program, including plans to relocate its head office, and has initiated a share buyback to enhance shareholder returns.

Financially, Foxtons benefits from steady revenue growth and solid profitability, with valuation metrics suggesting a fair P/E ratio and dividend yield. However, technical indicators point to a bearish trend, which tempers overall sentiment.

About Foxtons Group PLC

Foxtons is a leading real estate services company focused on lettings, property sales, and financial services. Known for its strong presence in the London lettings market, the company provides property management and related services, underpinned by a strategy of operational efficiency and targeted acquisitions.

London Stock Exchange Group PLC (LSE:LSEG) has reported robust growth in its Q3 2025 trading update, with strong performance across all business segments prompting the company to lift its EBITDA margin guidance. Alongside this, it unveiled a new £1 billion share buyback program, reinforcing its commitment to shareholder returns.

The group continues to execute on its strategic agenda, rolling out innovative products and deepening partnerships in artificial intelligence and data integration. A key development is the planned sale of a 20% stake in its Post Trade Solutions business to a consortium of leading banks—an agreement expected to enhance profitability and earnings. Meanwhile, partnerships with Microsoft and other technology leaders aim to accelerate digital transformation and broaden market reach.

While the company’s financial performance remains a major strength, technical indicators suggest some market caution due to its elevated P/E ratio and bearish trading signals. A lack of fresh earnings call commentary and corporate event disclosures adds to the neutral sentiment.

About London Stock Exchange Group PLC

London Stock Exchange Group is a global financial infrastructure and data business offering services in analytics, risk intelligence, and market operations. The company is increasingly focused on leveraging AI and trusted data to modernize financial services, working closely with major technology partners such as Microsoft and Databricks to drive innovation and growth.

ImmuPharma PLC (LSE:IMM) has unveiled a newly redesigned corporate website : https://www.immupharma.co.uk/, spotlighting its innovative P140 autoimmune platform. This platform offers a novel therapeutic approach aimed at restoring immune system balance to treat autoimmune diseases more effectively.

Alongside this, the company is developing a companion diagnostic tool to enable more precise patient monitoring. ImmuPharma is actively exploring strategic partnerships to commercialize the P140 platform and aims to secure a deal by the end of 2025.

On the financial front, the company has extended its cash runway into the second half of 2026 and is looking to further strengthen its financial position through potential collaborations and licensing opportunities.

About ImmuPharma PLC

ImmuPharma is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of peptide-based therapies. Its portfolio focuses on innovative treatments for autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases, leveraging novel peptide science to address high unmet medical needs.

Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) has posted a 3.9% increase in underlying sales for the third quarter of 2025, underpinned by strong performances across its business groups, particularly in the beauty and wellbeing category. While overall turnover declined due to currency fluctuations and net disposals, the company remains on track to meet its full-year guidance.

A major strategic milestone is on the horizon with the planned demerger of its ice cream division, which will be spun off as The Magnum Ice Cream Company. The move is designed to streamline Unilever’s structure, sharpen its focus on higher-margin segments, and enhance its overall margin profile. The standalone ice cream business is expected to emerge as a global leader in its category.

Regionally, Unilever continues to show resilience in developed markets, with North America leading growth. In emerging markets, momentum remains strong, driven by expanding operations in Indonesia and China.

The company’s outlook reflects robust earnings and continued profitability, tempered by some technical and valuation considerations. Its ability to sustain growth across mature markets while pursuing strategic expansion in high-potential regions supports a positive investment case.

About Unilever

Unilever is a global consumer goods company with a portfolio spanning beauty and wellbeing, personal care, home care, foods, and ice cream. The company is focused on innovation, premiumization, and expanding its footprint across both developed and emerging markets.

Ariana Resources PLC (LSE:AAU) has announced a major step in the advancement of its Dokwe Gold Project in Zimbabwe, with exploration drilling set to begin shortly.

Recent soil sampling has outlined multiple new target zones, indicating potential gold mineralization along key shear structures. These targets will be the focus of the upcoming drill program, which aims to test areas that have already yielded encouraging historical intercepts. The results could unlock significant upside for further gold discoveries on the property.

About Ariana Resources PLC

Ariana Resources is a mineral exploration, development, and production company with a portfolio of gold-focused projects across Africa and Europe. The company’s strategy centers on advancing high-potential assets through targeted exploration and development.

Metals One PLC (LSE:MET1) has entered into a binding agreement with DISA Technologies to process uranium waste dumps at its Colorado projects, aiming to recover marketable uranium and other critical minerals.

This partnership utilizes DISA’s patented High-Pressure Slurry Ablation technology—a first-of-its-kind in the U.S.—and follows DISA becoming the nation’s first company to secure a Service Providers License for uranium waste treatment. The initiative represents a major step forward in cleaning up legacy uranium sites while unlocking the economic potential of valuable mineral resources.

The agreement could enable Metals One to bring its uranium assets into development within 12 to 24 months, strengthening its market position and supporting both economic and environmental objectives.

About Metals One PLC

Metals One PLC is a London AIM-listed company focused on the exploration and development of critical and precious metals projects. Its strategy centers on supplying responsibly sourced raw materials to meet growing demand in Western markets, with an emphasis on recovering and developing high-value mineral resources.