Author: Fiona Craig

Helical PLC (LSE:HLCL) has confirmed that it will publish its half-year results for the period ended 30 September 2025 on 26 November 2025. The company plans to host an in-person presentation for analysts, which will also be accessible via webcast, enabling broader participation from investors and other stakeholders. This approach underscores Helical’s focus on transparency and active engagement with the market.

Helical’s current outlook presents a mixed picture. Its low P/E ratio and dividend yield may signal potential value for investors, but these are offset by high leverage levels and inconsistent cash flow, which introduce financial risk. From a technical perspective, the stock is positioned neutrally, indicating neither strong bullish nor bearish momentum in the near term.

More about Helical

Helical PLC is a real estate investment and development company specializing in commercial properties in urban markets. Through strategic acquisitions and developments, the company aims to generate strong, sustainable returns for its stakeholders while maintaining a focused portfolio of high-quality assets.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Focus Xplore PLC (LSE:FOX) has reported major progress in its AI-powered mineral exploration program in collaboration with Planetary AI Limited. Using advanced technology, the partnership has identified high-potential mineral targets in Ontario, Canada. To accelerate this initiative, the company has successfully raised £387,000 through an oversubscribed financing round, issuing new shares to support further development of its proprietary AI Discovery Engine. This platform is designed to transform the exploration process by harnessing data-driven insights and advanced artificial intelligence tools.

More about Focus Xplore PLC

Focus Xplore operates within the strategic energy and critical minerals exploration sector. Its approach centers on integrating AI technologies to improve exploration efficiency, with a particular focus on discovering critical mineral resources in underexplored regions such as Ontario. The company aims to leverage these technological advantages to position itself at the forefront of next-generation mineral exploration.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Mkango Resources Ltd (LSE:MKA) has announced the exercise of 1,200,000 warrants over common shares, which will be admitted to trading on AIM and TSX-V. This brings the company’s total issued share capital to 347,192,907 shares. The warrant exercise signals investor confidence and is expected to provide Mkango with greater financial flexibility as it advances its rare earth projects and recycling operations. The company believes this step will help reinforce its position in the clean energy supply chain.

More about Mkango Resources

Mkango Resources is listed on AIM and TSX-V and focuses on producing recycled rare earth magnets, alloys, and oxides. Through its interest in Maginito, the company is involved in rare earth magnet recycling across the UK, Germany, and the USA. It also holds advanced-stage rare earth projects in Malawi and Poland, which have been designated as strategic under the European Union Critical Raw Materials Act. These initiatives align with Mkango’s strategy to build a secure and sustainable supply chain for critical raw materials essential to the energy transition.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Milton Capital PLC (LSE:MII) has published its unaudited interim results for the six-month period ended 31 July 2025, reporting a pre-tax loss of £165,631 and cash reserves of £262,711. The company confirmed that its exclusivity agreement with Horizon Energy Corporation LLC expired after capital-raising efforts proved insufficient. In response, Milton Capital has revitalized its business development strategy, trimmed overhead expenses, and raised £149,500 through a placement and subscription to strengthen its financial base. Executives believe these steps will position the company to secure an Initial Transaction in the near term.

However, Milton Capital continues to grapple with structural challenges, including a lack of revenue and ongoing cash outflows. Although its debt-free balance sheet provides some resilience, the absence of recurring income remains a major vulnerability. Technical analysis signals the possibility of a price rebound, but bearish momentum still dominates. A potential acquisition of Horizon Energy’s subsidiaries could offer a strategic boost, though its impact remains uncertain. Given these factors, the company’s stock currently represents a high-risk investment with limited visibility on future performance.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open on Thursday, indicating Wall Street may extend its gains from Wednesday’s volatile but mostly upbeat session.

A renewed wave of enthusiasm around artificial intelligence is driving early momentum. Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE:TSM) climbed 2.3% in pre-market trading after reporting stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings, powered by robust demand for AI chips.

The company, a key supplier to Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), also lifted its full-year revenue outlook and reaffirmed plans to invest up to $42 billion in capital expenditures by year-end. The upbeat outlook sent shares of Nvidia and Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) higher in pre-market trading as well.

Another notable gainer was Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), a component of the Dow. Shares jumped 6.5% before the opening bell after the cloud software company forecast more than $60 billion in revenue by 2030, beating Wall Street expectations.

Wednesday’s trading session saw large swings, continuing the heightened volatility from earlier in the week. The major indexes fluctuated around the flat line throughout the day before finishing mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 17.15 points, or less than 0.1%, to 46,253.31. The S&P 500 advanced 26.75 points, or 0.4%, to 6,671.06, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 148.38 points, or 0.7%, to 22,679.08.

This volatility reflected investors balancing upbeat earnings reports with concerns over U.S.–China trade tensions and stretched equity valuations.

Financial stocks helped support the broader market. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) rose 4.7% to a record close after beating third-quarter earnings estimates. Bank of America (NYSE:BAS) added 4.4% after reporting results that topped analyst forecasts on both revenue and profit.

Chip equipment maker ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) also traded higher. Although its quarterly results were mixed, the company said it expects 2026 sales to surpass 2025 levels, lifting sentiment across the semiconductor sector.

Investors also remained attentive to any remarks from Donald Trump regarding U.S.–China trade relations, a key driver of recent market moves.

On the economic front, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported a sharp rebound in regional manufacturing activity in October. Its general business conditions index jumped to 10.7 from -8.7 in September, well above the forecast of -1.8. A reading above zero signals growth.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book indicated that overall U.S. economic activity has remained mostly unchanged since early September. Three districts reported slight to modest growth, five saw no change, and four noted a slight softening.

Gold and tech stocks added strength to the market. Gold miners rallied as the precious metal hit record highs, sending the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index up 4.1% to an all-time closing high. Hardware and semiconductor shares also advanced, with the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index and Philadelphia Semiconductor Index climbing 4.0% and 3.0%, respectively.

Additional gains were seen across commercial real estate, oil services, and biotechnology, underscoring broad-based market strength ahead of the opening bell.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

European equity markets posted a mixed performance on Thursday, as investors balanced escalating U.S.-China trade frictions over rare earth export controls against rising expectations of imminent rate cuts from the U.S. Federal Reserve.

The CAC 40 climbed 0.9%, supported by gains in major French names, while the DAX hovered just below flat and the FTSE 100 slipped 0.2%.

Among individual movers, Dragerwerk (TG:DRW3) rallied after the German medical and safety technology group upgraded its full-year outlook, buoyed by stronger quarterly results. Sartorius (EU:DIM) also rose sharply after lifting its annual guidance.

In France, Pernod Ricard (EU:RI) advanced as the spirits group signaled an improved sales outlook for fiscal 2026 following a challenging first quarter.

Swiss food and beverage giant Nestlé (BIT:1NESN) spiked after unveiling a restructuring plan that includes 16,000 job cuts worldwide over two years, part of a strategy to trim costs and boost revenue.

Conversely, (LSE:WTB) slumped after reporting a 7% decline in half-year profit, weighing on the FTSE 100.

The broader market mood remains cautious, with geopolitical risks and monetary policy expectations pulling investor sentiment in opposite directions.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

U.K. equities edged lower on Thursday afternoon as the pound gained ground against the U.S. dollar, with fresh economic data pointing to a slight rebound in economic activity.

By 11:44 GMT, the FTSE 100 had dropped 0.3%, while the pound rose 0.2% to trade at 1.34 against the dollar. On the Continent, Germany’s DAX slipped 0.1%, whereas France’s CAC 40 advanced around 1%.

U.K. economy shows slight uptick

The U.K. economy returned to modest growth in August, expanding 0.1% month-on-month after stagnating in July, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics. The improvement comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to unveil the autumn budget.

Corporate highlights: Whitbread weighs on index

• Whitbread PLC (LSE:WTB) shares fell after the hospitality group released first-half 2026 results. Although adjusted profit before tax came in at £316 million — 4% above consensus estimates of £305 million — the company flagged higher domestic costs and lowered its outlook for Germany. Revenue for the six months to September declined 2% year-on-year to £1.54 billion, slightly exceeding the £1.53 billion expected. Adjusted earnings per share stood at 133.7p, down 2% annually but above the 129p consensus.
• Travis Perkins PLC (LSE:TPK) delivered a stronger-than-expected performance in Q3, with like-for-like sales rising 1.8% compared to analyst expectations of 0.5%. The Merchanting division grew like-for-like sales by 1.7%, underpinned by a 2.5% increase in volumes, offsetting a 0.8% decline in price and mix.
• Croda (LSE:CRDA) shares climbed after the chemical producer posted better-than-expected third-quarter results and reiterated its full-year outlook. Group sales reached £425 million versus expectations of £417 million, marking a 4.4% annual increase and 6.5% growth at constant currency, supported by steady demand.

Regulatory developments

In regulatory news, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a consultation on revised merger remedies guidance. The updated framework aims to increase flexibility while preserving consumer protections, aligning with the CMA’s “4Ps” strategy — pace, predictability, proportionality and process — designed to foster economic growth and boost business confidence.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Endeavour Mining plc (LSE:EDV) expects to release its Q3 2025 financial results on Thursday 13 November 2025, before the LSE market open.

Management will host a conference call and webcast on the same day, Thursday 13 November, at 8:30 am EST/ 1:30 pm GMT to discuss the Company’s financial results, providing an opportunity for analysts and investors to engage with the management. This announcement is part of Endeavour’s ongoing efforts to maintain transparency with its stakeholders and could impact investor sentiment and market performance.

The webcast can be accessed here.

Analysts and investors are invited to participate and ask questions by registering for the conference call dial-in by clicking here.

The conference call and webcast will be available for playback on Endeavour’s website.

More about Endeavour Mining

Endeavour Mining plc is a prominent company in the mining industry, primarily focused on gold production. It operates several mines across West Africa and is listed on the London Stock Exchange, Toronto Stock Exchange, and OTCQX markets.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

Campari (BIT:CPR) is gaining ground on the Borsa Italiana after Pernod Ricard (EU:RI) published its quarterly results, accompanied by a confident forecast for the months ahead.

Campari’s stock rose 3% within the first hour of trading, reaching €5.636 — its highest level since last Friday. This rebound helps trim year-to-date losses to around 8%, compared to €6.10 at the start of January.

Meanwhile in Paris, Pernod Ricard shares are also in the spotlight, up 2% and trading above €85. The world’s second-largest Western spirits producer after Diageo reported revenue of €2.38 billion for its fiscal first quarter, beating consensus expectations. This result came despite a negative currency impact of €143 million and a €54 million perimeter effect linked to the sale of its wine business.

The French group reaffirmed its expectation of stronger sales for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, with growth expected to be concentrated in the second half of the year. It also reiterated its plan to deliver €1 billion in operating efficiencies by 2029, aiming to defend margins and boost cash generation. These forecasts came even as first-quarter sales declined 7.6%, reflecting weak demand and inventory reductions in China and the U.S.

Pernod Ricard anticipates a recovery in the second half of the year, helped by higher cognac sales in duty-free stores and easier year-on-year comparisons. Still, the group remains cautious about China ahead of the Lunar New Year period in mid-February.

The company’s performance was dented by a 16% drop in U.S. sales and a 27% fall in China, partly offset by growth in India (+3%) and solid results in Canada, Turkey, Japan, and South Africa. By region, sales declined 12% in the Americas, 7% in Asia and the rest of the world, 4% in Europe, and 15% in Travel Retail.

“Pernod Ricard’s ‘soft’ results reflect broader inventory reduction trends in the United States and China, confirming the challenging macroeconomic environment for premium spirits at the start of fiscal 2026,” analysts at WebSim Intermonte explained. However, they added, “Pernod’s improved sell-out in the United States and resilience in secondary markets (Canada, Japan, Turkey, South Africa) are encouraging signs that underlying consumer demand remains intact.”

For Campari, “this could imply a relatively better structure, especially if it is able to record positive organic growth in the same period,” according to the company.

“Overall, although short-term challenges persist in the US, the medium-term read-across remains positive, with Campari likely to show greater resilience thanks to its diversified mix of brands and geographies,” Intermonte added.

“Pernod Ricard’s data is weak, although we believe the scenario outlined is already largely priced into the current valuations of the two stocks. Both have been in the red since the beginning of the year and have lost over 60% of their value since their record peak in 2023,” the experts concluded.

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.

The standoff between Washington and Beijing over rare earth exports escalated on Thursday, as Chinese state media pushed back forcefully against U.S. criticism of Beijing’s latest export controls.

In a detailed response, Chinese outlets released a seven-point rebuttal to U.S. demands to scrap the new restrictions, which are set to take effect on November 8. The exchange underscores deepening tensions between the world’s two largest economies as they edge closer to a high-stakes meeting between their leaders.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Wednesday called China’s new rare earth export restrictions “a global supply-chain power grab,” suggesting that Beijing could defuse President Donald Trump’s threat to reimpose triple-digit tariffs on Chinese goods by abandoning the measures.

Beijing insists it gave advance notice to Washington and argues the new licensing system is aligned with export control standards “long in place in other major economies.”

The current war of words has been simmering since a September phone call between Trump and Xi Jinping, after which both sides accused each other of inflaming tensions ahead of their anticipated bilateral meeting.

Beijing attributes the rising hostility to the U.S. Commerce Department’s surprise expansion of its Entity List in late September, targeting Chinese and foreign companies allegedly bypassing U.S. export controls on chipmaking tools and other advanced technologies.

Washington, meanwhile, points to Beijing’s new critical minerals measures, which Trump described as “shocking,” as the trigger for the escalation.

“The United States has long overstated national security concerns and abused controls, adopting discriminatory practices against China,” stated one of the seven infographics published by People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party. It also highlighted that Washington maintains a control list of over 3,000 items, compared to roughly 900 on China’s list.

“Implementing such export controls is consistent with international practice,” the same poster emphasized, reiterating Beijing’s justification for the move.

Washington itself has enforced similar export control measures since the 1950s and has increasingly used them to block foreign semiconductor firms from supplying Chinese customers with U.S.-origin technology.

“Washington should not be surprised by China’s ’tit-for-tat’,” argued an editorial in Global Times, a tabloid affiliated with People’s Daily and often a bellwether for Beijing’s next steps.

“The sudden shift in the trade atmosphere caught many by surprise, yet that’s not surprising,” the editorial continued.

“The direct trigger for this round of tension was Washington’s breach of promises – an all-too familiar pattern.”

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.
Some portions of this content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools and been reviewed for accuracy and quality by our editorial team.