Author: Fiona Craig

Shares of Entain PLC (LSE:ENT) slipped 3.5% on Thursday after the sports betting and gaming group revealed that Chief Financial Officer Rob Wood will be leaving the company in 2026, concluding a 13-year tenure.

The FTSE 100 company confirmed that Michael Snape will take over as Group CFO and Executive Director on March 6, 2026. Snape, who brings more than 20 years of senior finance experience, is set to join as CFO Designate in February 2026. Wood will remain at the business until June 2026 to support a seamless handover.

Wood has played a pivotal role in reshaping Entain into a major global operator firmly anchored in regulated markets. His exit comes as the firm continues advancing its strategic agenda across the betting and gaming landscape.
“His expertise and dedication have helped us to successfully transform into the global business we are today,” said Group CEO Stella David, reflecting on Wood’s contributions.

Snape currently serves as Group CFO of International Distribution Services (IDS), a global logistics provider. His background also includes senior finance positions at Walgreens Boots Alliance, Tesco, and Waitrose.

Entain added that trading so far this year remains consistent with market expectations for fiscal 2025. The company plans to publish its FY2025 results on March 5, 2026, with analyst estimates pointing to EBITDA of £1.139 billion.

Geo Exploration Limited (LSE:GEO) has released an update on its recently secured Gorge Project in Western Australia, outlining early-stage exploration efforts aimed at uncovering large-scale gold deposits. The project, supported by a newly granted exploration licence, expands GEO’s portfolio into a historically underexplored region that has previously yielded encouraging indications of mineralisation. With licence acquisition now complete, the company is preparing for high-resolution surveys and a drilling programme scheduled for 2026. These steps mark meaningful progress toward evaluating what could become a significant bedrock gold discovery, strengthening GEO’s position within the gold exploration sector and creating new value opportunities for stakeholders.

More about Geo Exploration Limited

Geo Exploration Limited is active in the mining sector, concentrating on the exploration and development of gold resources. The company’s strategy centres on identifying and advancing large Intrusion-Related Gold Systems (IRGS) across Western Australia, with a focus on expanding its landholdings to support long-term exploration growth.

Anglo Asian Mining (LSE:AAZ) has reported major improvements at its Gedabek flotation plant, where newly installed filter presses and a thickener have contributed to record copper production in November. These upgrades form part of the company’s wider plan to boost operational efficiency and increase overall processing capacity, aligning with the growing global demand for copper and supporting Anglo Asian’s long-term growth strategy.

Although the production gains are encouraging, the company’s broader outlook continues to be shaped by significant financial pressures that require strategic attention. Even so, favourable technical indicators and supportive corporate developments introduce a measure of optimism, suggesting that meaningful recovery could be achievable if financial challenges are effectively addressed.

More about Anglo Asian Mining

Anglo Asian Mining plc is a copper and gold producer with mining and exploration assets across Azerbaijan. The company aims to evolve into a multi-asset, mid-tier producer by 2030, with copper becoming its primary output. This transition is expected to be driven by the development of new mines—including Xarxar, Garadag, and Zafar—alongside the expansion of its existing operations.

Blencowe Resources Plc (LSE:BRES) has secured £3 million through a placement of new ordinary shares, shortly after completing the Definitive Feasibility Study for its Orom-Cross graphite project. The fresh capital will support the company as it moves into the financing and development phase, providing the operational flexibility needed to advance the project toward production. The funding will help progress commercial negotiations, strengthen project readiness, and allow Blencowe to bring in key personnel and expertise. This influx of capital enhances the company’s financial footing and improves its ability to attract strategic partners as Orom-Cross enters its next stage of growth.

Despite this positive milestone, Blencowe Resources continues to face material financial challenges. With no current revenue, recurring losses, and negative cash flow, the company’s overall outlook remains pressured. Bearish technical indicators add to the cautious sentiment, though recent funding success and strategic initiatives offer some longer-term potential.

More about Blencowe Resources Plc

Blencowe Resources Plc is a natural resources company focused on developing the Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda. The project hosts a large, high-quality graphite deposit noted for its coarse flake profile. Blencowe aims to leverage Uganda’s low-cost hydroelectric power and existing infrastructure to position Orom-Cross as a competitive source of graphite for global markets.

PZ Cussons (LSE:PZC) has chosen to retain its Africa operations, outlining plans to drive growth through the strengthening of core brands, diversification across key product categories, and broader expansion into markets across the continent. The decision follows a strategic assessment of the African business and the recent divestment of the company’s stake in PZ Wilmar Limited. Leveraging its established brand presence and operational capabilities, PZ Cussons intends to tap into Africa’s favourable demographic and economic trends while applying enhanced risk management frameworks to support sustainable expansion.

The company’s outlook remains mixed, reflecting ongoing challenges in profitability and cash generation. Nevertheless, encouraging earnings guidance and supportive corporate developments point to potential improvement ahead. Technical and valuation indicators suggest investors are adopting a cautious stance for now.

More about PZ Cussons

PZ Cussons is a global consumer goods company headquartered in Manchester, UK, with operations spanning Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and North America. Founded in 1884, the company offers products across the Hygiene, Baby, and Beauty categories, with well-known brands including Carex, Cussons Baby, and Imperial Leather. It maintains a strong commitment to sustainability and community wellbeing.

Serica Energy (LSE:SQZ) has completed its £14.5 million acquisition of Prax Upstream Limited (PUL), bringing the Lancaster field into its portfolio. Production from Lancaster is expected to continue until mid-2026. As part of the transaction, Serica also acquires a $34 million cash balance, of which $12 million is earmarked for FPSO demobilisation obligations. The company anticipates closing additional acquisitions from TotalEnergies and ONE-Dyas during the first half of 2026. Serica has further strengthened its exploration portfolio by farming into a 40% interest in Licence P2530, covering the Wagtail oil discovery alongside several other prospects. The integration of PUL’s workforce — including experienced non-operated asset manager Alessandro Agostini — is expected to enhance Serica’s capacity to manage its growing portfolio.

Serica’s outlook is supported by a solid financial base and ongoing strategic expansion, though technical indicators currently signal bearish momentum. Persistent valuation concerns linked to a negative P/E ratio, along with regulatory and operational risks, continue to weigh on sentiment. Still, strong liquidity and an attractive dividend yield provide meaningful offsets.

More about Serica Energy

Serica Energy is an independent UK oil and gas producer with a broad asset base on the UK Continental Shelf. The company supplies roughly 5% of the UK’s natural gas and plays a key role in supporting the country’s energy transition. Since 2020, Serica has invested more than £1 billion into the domestic supply chain and maintains a balanced portfolio of oil and gas assets. Its core producing hubs include the Bruce, Keith, and Rhum fields in the Northern North Sea, as well as a mix of operated and non-operated interests linked to the Triton FPSO in the Central North Sea. Serica is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

Alien Metals Ltd (LSE:UFO) has completed a £1.8 million equity placement involving the issuance of 2 billion new common shares, providing additional capital to support ongoing operations and strategic priorities. The funding will help advance the company’s iron ore projects in Western Australia and strengthen the balance sheet through debt reduction. The firm also intends to appoint Michael Carter as an independent non-executive director, adding valuable capital markets expertise to the board. Alongside these developments, Alien Metals is progressing multiple exploration initiatives—including silver assays at Elizabeth Hill and PGM drilling at Munni Munni—demonstrating growing operational momentum and setting the stage for further expansion in 2026.

More about Alien Metals Ltd

Alien Metals Ltd is a mineral exploration and development company with a diversified portfolio spanning silver, platinum group metals, copper, nickel, and iron ore. The company operates across the mining sector and often pursues strategic joint ventures to advance and unlock value within its asset base.

NCC Group plc (LSE:NCC) has released its preliminary audited results for the year ended 30 September 2025, reporting solid strategic progress and a renewed shift back into profitable growth. While total revenue saw a modest decline, the company recorded steady expansion within its Escode business and a second-half rebound in its Cyber Security division. The divestment of Fox Crypto further strengthened the balance sheet, eliminating net debt and creating capacity for future strategic investment and potential shareholder distributions. NCC Group is evaluating strategic alternatives for Escode—including a possible sale—and continues to assess its Cyber Security unit as a standalone operation. Despite a difficult macroeconomic backdrop, management remains confident in executing a strategy aimed at delivering sustainable, long-term growth.

The company’s outlook benefits from supportive corporate actions that signal strategic clarity and executive confidence. Even so, concerns tied to financial performance, valuation levels, and bearish technical indicators temper the stock’s overall appeal.

More about NCC Group plc

NCC Group plc is a global provider of cyber security and software escrow solutions, offering technology-driven services designed to strengthen security, resilience, and operational continuity for clients across a wide range of sectors.

Ethernity Networks Ltd (LSE:ENET) has unveiled a series of operational advances, including progress toward a potential partnership centered on its ASSP device, which is positioned for use across multiple sectors such as wireless backhaul and broadband access. The company is also benefiting from rising royalty income tied to an existing OEM customer and has secured further orders from Tier-1 U.S. PON vendors. In parallel, Ethernity is expanding its FPGA product line with a new low-latency solution aimed at defense, mobile, and IoT markets—supported by U.S. Government approval to market the technology to domestic defense and aerospace clients. Collectively, these initiatives are expected to strengthen the firm’s competitive standing and support its plans for improved cash flow and a return to profitability.

Despite these encouraging operational developments, Ethernity Networks continues to face notable financial and valuation pressures, with shrinking revenues and ongoing losses at the forefront of investor concerns. Strategic fundraising efforts and a recently secured patent offer some respite, but the absence of technical analysis data adds uncertainty. Overall, the company remains rated cautiously due to financial instability, although recent corporate actions could help pave the way for future recovery.

More about Ethernity Networks Ltd

Ethernity Networks Ltd develops advanced networking, security, and PON semiconductor technologies designed to increase capacity and efficiency across telco and cloud infrastructure. Its portfolio includes patented wireless access and routing solutions, high-performance data-processing capabilities for networking applications, and PON controllers supported by comprehensive control software. The company’s technologies help accelerate deployment timelines and enable 5G rollout across both wireless and fiber networks.

Avon Technologies (LSE:AVON) has secured a major order from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency for its FM50 respirators and FM61EU filters, with a total value of roughly $20.6 million. Deliveries are scheduled across fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The contract strengthens Avon’s standing as a leading provider of warfighter protection solutions at a time of elevated geopolitical risk, and it aligns with the company’s financial expectations for the medium term.

Avon Technologies continues to benefit from strong financial performance and a confident outlook shared during recent earnings discussions. Even so, technical indicators point to bearish momentum, and the company’s elevated P/E ratio raises questions about valuation. These mixed signals contribute to a moderately balanced overall assessment.

More about Avon Technologies

Avon Technologies is a global supplier of protective gear for military and law enforcement personnel, serving more than four million users across over 70 countries. The company operates through two primary divisions: Avon Protection, which offers advanced respiratory and integrated protective systems, and Team Wendy, known for high-performance ballistic and impact-resistant helmet technologies.