Author: Fiona Craig

Mirriad Advertising PLC (LSE:MIRI) has released its unaudited interim results for the first half of 2025, highlighting key strategic initiatives aimed at positioning the company for future growth. During the period, Mirriad focused on reducing its cost base and expanding into new regional markets, despite navigating internal restructuring and challenging external conditions.

The company expects revenue to strengthen in the second half of the year, driven by a leaner cost structure, market expansion, and continued product development. Part of the restructuring involved establishing a joint venture in the US and advancing white-label opportunities for its platform, steps designed to enhance long-term growth and improve financial performance.

About Mirriad Advertising

Mirriad Advertising PLC is a global leader in virtual product placement and in-content advertising. Its multi-patented, award-winning platform allows dynamic insertion of products and brands into television, SVOD/AVOD, music, and influencer content. Operating primarily in Europe and India, Mirriad creates new revenue streams for content owners while enhancing audience engagement and viewing experiences.

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.

Blackbird PLC (LSE:BIRD) has revealed a new collaboration between its browser-based video editing platform, elevate.io, and the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce. The partnership is designed to support Chamber members through initiatives such as the Chamber’s ‘Annual Business Expo,’ interactive webinars, and educational “lunch and learn” sessions. These efforts aim to boost video creation skills within the business community.

The initiative marks an important step in elevate.io’s growth strategy, with a particular focus on entrepreneurs and small businesses across the US East Coast. By offering accessible, collaborative video editing tools, elevate.io is positioning itself as a valuable resource for companies looking to strengthen their digital presence.

Financially, Blackbird continues to face challenges tied to profitability and cash flow, although its equity base remains strong. While valuation concerns linger due to ongoing negative earnings, the company’s strategic moves and recent partnerships highlight potential pathways for growth and broader market adoption.

About Blackbird PLC

Blackbird PLC is active in the Software-as-a-Service, Media, and Entertainment sectors, specializing in cloud-based video editing solutions. Its core offerings include Blackbird, a suite of cloud-native video tools, and elevate.io, a collaborative content creation platform accessed directly through the browser. In addition, the company licenses its technology through the ‘Powered by Blackbird’ model, extending the reach of its patented video editing framework.

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.

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Ltd (LSE:PSDL) has published its interim results for the first half of 2025, reporting strong progress on its shift toward accelerating condominium sales. Both the number and value of transactions have risen sharply, reflecting growing demand and the success of the company’s repositioning strategy.

The transition of properties from the Private Rented Sector into condominiums is running ahead of expectations, giving management confidence in sustaining momentum through the remainder of the year. Alongside this operational progress, refinancing of existing borrowings remains on schedule. The move is expected to expand the sales pool and provide the flexibility needed to resume shareholder distributions, underscoring the company’s commitment to creating long-term value.

About Phoenix Spree Deutschland Ltd

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Ltd is a UK-listed investment company focused on Berlin’s residential real estate market. Its strategy centers on acquiring and managing residential assets in the city, while accelerating condominium sales, reducing debt, and returning capital to shareholders.

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.

Buccaneer Energy PLC (LSE:BUCE) has released its interim results for the first half of 2025, reporting revenues of $888,956 alongside a net loss of $944,232. Despite the loss, the company made operational progress by completing the second phase of its workover program at Pine Mills, which has contributed to increased production volumes.

The company has also secured funding to drill additional wells in the Fouke area, further strengthening its growth pipeline. In addition, Buccaneer is evaluating innovative opportunities, including the potential use of natural gas to power Bitcoin mining operations, which could diversify its revenue base.

Management noted that Buccaneer is working to improve its financial standing by capitalizing on favorable credit terms and pursuing new development prospects. The strategy reflects a focus on balancing operational expansion with long-term financial resilience.

About Buccaneer Energy PLC

Buccaneer Energy PLC is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with assets in Texas, USA. The group concentrates on developing and producing hydrocarbons, with its East Texas properties serving as a key growth driver. The company is also actively reviewing new exploration and development opportunities across Texas and surrounding states.

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.

Zinnwald Lithium plc (LSE:ZNWD) has released its interim results, showcasing notable progress at its flagship Zinnwald Lithium Project in Germany. A recently completed Pre-Feasibility Study confirmed the project’s robust economics, projecting a post-tax Net Present Value of €2.2 billion and a total life-of-mine cash flow of around €12.1 billion. Once operational, the mine is expected to provide enough lithium to support the production of over one million electric vehicles per year, reinforcing the EU’s objectives to strengthen domestic raw material supply chains.

To accelerate permitting and technical work, the company has raised £3.4 million, backing its strategy to develop the project in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner. The Government of Saxony has also acknowledged the project as strategically important, adding further weight to its development potential.

Despite these operational achievements, Zinnwald Lithium’s financial outlook remains challenging. The company continues to operate without revenue and posts recurring losses, which tempers enthusiasm around its near-term investment case. While strong technical milestones and government support improve its long-term profile, financial risks and valuation pressures continue to pose hurdles. For investors, the real test will be how effectively Zinnwald can convert these strategic and operational wins into tangible financial progress.

About Zinnwald Lithium Plc

Zinnwald Lithium plc is focused on establishing itself as a major supplier of lithium hydroxide to Europe’s fast-growing battery industry. The company’s Zinnwald Project in Germany is strategically positioned near leading automotive and chemical hubs, with the ambition of becoming one of Europe’s most significant sources of battery-grade lithium.

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.

European equities traded mostly lower on Thursday, pressured by persistent inflation and signs of a cooling U.S. labor market, raising questions over the Federal Reserve’s near-term rate moves.

The losses were somewhat contained after a survey indicated that German consumer confidence could stabilize in October. The forward-looking index climbed to -22.3 from a revised -23.5 in September, reflecting improved income expectations.

At mid-morning, Germany’s DAX fell 1.0%, France’s CAC 40 lost 0.8%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.4%.

Corporate Movers:

• TotalEnergies (EU:TTE) eased in Paris following its announcement to slow the pace of share repurchases for the remainder of the year.
• Defense contractor Babcock International (LSE:BAB) dropped in London after maintaining its full-year guidance.
• European automakers performed well as August car registration data showed a second consecutive monthly increase.
• JD Sports Fashion (LSE:JD.) rallied after unveiling a £100 million share buyback initiative.
• Safety and health technology firm Halma (LSE:HLMA) advanced after raising its full-year revenue growth forecast.

Overall, European markets remain cautious, balancing U.S. economic uncertainties with pockets of corporate optimism.

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.

Stock futures in the U.S. edged lower on Thursday, suggesting Wall Street’s losing streak could extend for a third straight session.

Persistent doubts over the strength of the artificial intelligence trade remain a drag, with Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) and Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) once again underperforming. Ahead of the open, Nvidia was down 1.2% and Oracle slid 3.5%.

The downward momentum picked up after fresh economic data painted a stronger picture of the U.S. economy. The Labor Department reported that initial jobless claims declined to 218,000 for the week ending September 20, down from the prior week’s revised figure of 232,000. Forecasts had pointed to an increase to 235,000.

The drop in claims could raise concerns that the Federal Reserve will see less need to continue with rate cuts.

Adding to the mix, the Commerce Department said durable goods orders rebounded 2.9% in August, after a revised 2.7% decline in July. Economists had expected another small decline of 0.5%.

Traders are now awaiting Friday’s personal income and spending data, which will include the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge.

Midweek Market Recap

On Wednesday, U.S. markets extended Tuesday’s slide. After starting the day mixed, the major indices moved decisively lower as trading progressed.

The Dow dropped 171.50 points, or 0.4%, to 46,121.28. The Nasdaq shed 75.62 points, or 0.3%, to 22,497.86, while the S&P 500 fell 18.95 points, or 0.3%, to close at 6,637.97.

Nvidia fell 0.9% in the session, adding to Tuesday’s 2.8% loss, while Oracle lost another 1.7%.

Powell’s Warning on Valuations

Concerns over valuations also weighed on sentiment after Fed Chair Jerome Powell gave a cautious assessment during remarks in Rhode Island on Tuesday. Powell said equity markets are “fairly highly valued” after their climb to record highs.

He described the rate outlook as a delicate balancing act:

• There is “no risk-free path” for policy.
• Cutting too fast could “leave the inflation job unfinished.”
• But holding rates too high for too long could trigger “unnecessarily” weak job conditions.

Powell called the current environment a “challenging situation,” with inflation risks tilted upward and employment risks tilted downward.

Sector Moves

Tech hardware was the day’s weakest group, with the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index tumbling 2.3% from a record close.

Gold producers also retreated, pulling the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index down 2.2%, while airline shares dropped as the NYSE Arca Airline Index slipped 1.6%.

Additional losses hit telecom, networking, and brokerage firms, though energy stocks rose alongside another jump in crude oil prices.

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.

London equities slipped on Thursday, with the pound easing against the dollar as investors digested a wave of corporate earnings and broader weakness across European markets.

By 11:25 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 0.5%, while GBP/USD lost 0.1% to trade just above 1.34. On the continent, Germany’s DAX slid 1.1% and France’s CAC 40 declined 0.7%.

Earnings Highlights

• Halma PLC (LSE:HLMA) lifted its full-year revenue growth outlook after posting “strong progress” in the first half of fiscal 2026. Strong demand in its photonics business drove the upgrade, with the company now projecting low double-digit organic constant-currency revenue growth versus earlier guidance for high single digits.
• Cohort (LSE:CHRT) reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 sales and earnings guidance at its AGM. The defense technology group continues to target £291 million in revenue, up 7.7% year-on-year, and adjusted EBIT of £35 million, up 28%. However, management cautioned that first-half EBIT will likely come in softer. Shares slipped 3.5% in morning trading.
• IG Group Holdings PLC (LSE:IGG) reported a 7% year-on-year drop in first-quarter revenue to £259.9 million. Net trading revenue declined 4% to £231.9 million, while net interest income plunged 24% to £28 million. Despite weaker activity, the platform noted strong customer acquisition.
• Babcock International Group PLC (LSE:BAB) described trading in the first five months of fiscal 2026 as “encouraging.” Solid growth in its Nuclear and Aviation arms helped offset a slower Land segment. The company flagged organic revenue growth and ongoing improvements in operating margins, following a 7% margin reported in the first half of fiscal 2025.
• DFS Furniture PLC (LSE:DFS) announced profit before tax and brand amortization jumped to £30.2 million from £10.5 million a year ago, topping analyst forecasts of £27.9 million. Revenue advanced 4.4% to £1.03 billion, while like-for-like order intake rose 10.2%. Gross margin widened 70 basis points to 56.5%.

Corporate Moves

• Petershill Partners PLC (LSE:PHLL) said it will delist from the London Stock Exchange, with the board citing concerns over valuation. Shares soared more than 33% after the firm pledged to return $921 million to investors as part of its strategic review.
• JD Sports Fashion PLC (LSE:JD.) launched a share repurchase program worth up to £100 million, running until January 31, 2026.
• The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) signaled that Heathrow Airport Ltd may recover planning costs incurred in 2025 and early 2026. The regulator added that other project promoters could also qualify if their proposals are sufficiently advanced.
• The CAA also unveiled a consultation on reforms to the UK’s airspace change process, part of the country’s modernization initiative. The consultation, open until December 18, 2025, aims to streamline decision-making while maintaining transparency.

Policy Outlook

Bank of England policymaker Megan Greene warned Wednesday that inflation risks in the UK have tilted higher, calling for restraint on further rate cuts.

“I believe an appropriate response to the uncertainty and risks we are currently facing should involve a cautious approach to rate cuts going forward,” Greene said. She added that “the risks to our inflation outlook have shifted to the upside,” citing lingering cost pressures from the pandemic and the energy price shocks triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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.

U.S. stock futures showed little movement Thursday as investors awaited a series of important economic indicators, trying to gauge the likely direction of Federal Reserve interest rate policy. Accenture and Jabil are scheduled to release earnings before the opening bell, while President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to sign an executive order related to a potential deal involving TikTok’s U.S. operations.

Futures steady

By 03:44 ET, futures linked to the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100 were largely flat, following a pullback in equities during Wednesday’s session. Wall Street averages had retreated slightly as investors digested remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who offered no clear signal on the path for interest rates after last week’s 25-basis point cut.

Market participants also processed robust U.S. single-family home sales data for August, which some analysts interpret as a sign of an economy that may require less monetary support. Attention now turns to a key inflation reading on Friday, closely monitored by the Fed.

Shares of Micron (NASDAQ:MU) fell 2.8% despite reporting solid quarterly results and strong guidance. Observers noted that the decline reflects concerns about AI-driven valuation spikes in the technology sector.

Accenture earnings in focus

Accenture (NYSE:CAN) is among the pre-market corporate reporting highlights. The consultancy is expected to post fourth-quarter adjusted EPS of $3.00 on revenue of $17.36 billion, with guidance for the current quarter’s revenue at $18.46 billion, according to Bloomberg consensus estimates.

A key focus will be Accenture’s perspective on AI, as the firm has prioritized consulting on the technology to offset economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs. Generative AI bookings reached roughly $1.5 billion last quarter, while total bookings—a measure of future secured revenue—stood at $19.70 billion.

CFO Angie Park said in June that slowing government spending would reduce fiscal fourth-quarter and annual revenue by about 2%.

Jabil earnings ahead

Electronics manufacturer Jabil (NYSE:JBL) is also scheduled to report pre-market results. The Florida-based Apple supplier has surged over 57% year-to-date, driven by strong demand for data center infrastructure and AI-related services.

Earlier this year, Jabil announced plans to invest $500 million in U.S. operations over the next several years to support cloud and AI infrastructure clients. Bloomberg estimates forecast fourth-quarter core EPS at $2.92 and net revenue at $7.58 billion.

TikTok deal executive order

Separately, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Thursday affirming that a deal being negotiated for TikTok’s U.S. operations meets the requirements of a 2024 law, Reuters reported.

The order reportedly extends the deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, to divest its U.S. assets or face a shutdown. Trump has delayed enforcing the law to allow time for U.S. investors and ensure compliance. Reports suggest the agreement will give U.S. investors—including Susquehanna International, Oracle, and Silver Lake—around 80% ownership of TikTok U.S., while the algorithm would be retrained but the app remains operational.

Gold steady

Gold prices remained largely unchanged, supported by a slightly weaker dollar, as investors awaited additional U.S. economic data this week. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold, enhancing its appeal.

Weekly jobless claims, expected later Thursday, are forecast at 230,000. The second estimate of second-quarter GDP is also due Thursday. The Fed’s preferred inflation measure, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index for August, is projected to rise 0.2% month-on-month.

Spot gold last rose 0.4% to $3,750.99 an ounce by 03:43 ET, after slipping from Tuesday’s record of $3,790.82/oz. U.S. December gold futures edged up 0.3% to $3,780.80.

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 U.S. dollar found footing on Thursday as traders approached key economic releases with caution, amid uncertainty over the pace of further easing by the Federal Reserve.

At 03:00 ET (08:00 GMT), the Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, inched up slightly to 97.552 after rising 0.6% overnight to a two-week peak.

Focus on Fed commentary

The dollar’s gains on Wednesday were supported by Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who reiterated a cautious approach to additional policy easing, describing the central bank’s position as a “challenging situation” amid higher-than-expected inflation and slower job growth.

Some of that momentum eased early Thursday as investors turned their attention to a series of U.S. economic reports that may clarify the Fed’s next steps.

Weekly jobless claims, scheduled for release later in the session, will be closely watched after Fed officials highlighted a cooling labor market as a key factor behind the recent rate cut.

An advance estimate of second-quarter GDP is also expected today, with Friday’s release of the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index—the Fed’s preferred inflation measure—capping the week.

A number of Fed officials are slated to speak during the day, keeping markets alert for further guidance.

“The dollar is a little stronger as investors reassess the immediacy of a U.S. slowdown and what it means for interest rates,” said analysts at ING in a note. “The focus will probably be on the weekly initial jobless claims data,” they added. “Another low (dollar bullish) number is expected near 230k as this data continues to correct lower from 264k a fortnight ago. That spike was attributed to fraudulent claims in Texas.”

SNB maintains rates at zero

In Europe, EUR/USD traded mostly flat at 1.1738, struggling for direction in the absence of major eurozone economic data or ECB commentary.

“EUR/USD will be dragged around by U.S. events today. A move under 1.1725 in EUR/USD could damage the short-term picture and see the correction extend towards the 1.1660 area,” ING noted.

GBP/USD remained largely unchanged, while USD/CHF ticked up 0.1% to 0.7958 after the Swiss National Bank kept its key interest rate at zero as expected.

This decision marked the SNB’s first hold in seven meetings since it began cutting borrowing costs in March 2024, following the Trump administration’s imposition of a 39% tariff on Swiss exports to the U.S. in August.

BoJ minutes and Asia-Pacific currency moves

Elsewhere, USD/JPY dipped 0.1% to 148.69 after surging nearly 1% overnight. The Bank of Japan’s July policy meeting minutes revealed that some board members favored considering future rate hikes, highlighting internal divisions.

USD/CNY edged down 0.1% to 7.1266, while AUD/USD rose 0.2% to 0.6592, lifted by hotter-than-expected Australian inflation data released earlier this week.

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.