Author: Fiona Craig

Fusion Antibodies plc (LSE:FAB) has reported notable progress on its OptiMAL® program, developed in collaboration with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI). The platform has successfully identified antibodies with strong commercial binding potential, prompting the NCI to explore broader applications. This advancement reinforces Fusion’s position as a specialist in pre-clinical antibody discovery and could accelerate therapeutic and diagnostic initiatives targeting multiple cancer types, creating value for both the company and its stakeholders.

Despite these scientific achievements, Fusion continues to grapple with financial headwinds. The company faces shrinking revenues and heavy losses, while technical indicators suggest ongoing bearish momentum. Valuation challenges also underscore its unprofitable status. Even so, recent capital raises and strategic partnerships offer some encouragement for future growth, though short-term financial stability remains a pressing issue.

About Fusion Antibodies plc

Headquartered in Belfast, Fusion Antibodies plc is a contract research organization focused on antibody engineering for drug development and diagnostic purposes. Founded in 2001 as a spin-out from Queen’s University Belfast, the company provides end-to-end services including antibody creation, development, production, characterization, and optimization. Fusion’s global client base includes eight of the world’s ten largest pharmaceutical companies by revenue.

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.

M Winkworth Plc (LSE:WINK) has announced a 15% year-on-year increase in network revenues, reaching £32.0 million in the first half of 2025. The performance was fueled by a 27% surge in sales revenues, alongside the opening of three new offices and the refranchising of two locations. The company also raised its dividend, underlining confidence in future growth.

Despite a 19% decline in profit before tax, attributed to exceptional one-off costs, Winkworth reported a doubling of net operating cash and maintained its debt-free balance sheet. Looking ahead, the company expects continued expansion and is on track to surpass its annual goal of opening or reselling at least eight franchises. Market conditions, shaped by government policies and evolving regulations, continue to play a significant role in guiding its strategy.

About M Winkworth Plc

M Winkworth Plc is a prominent London-based franchisor specializing in residential real estate. Operating mainly in the mid to upper-tier sales and lettings markets, the company provides franchise partners with access to its established brand, network, and professional support. Winkworth shares are listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

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.

Moonpig Group plc (LSE:MOON) has kicked off its fiscal year 2026 on a solid note, reporting a 10% year-on-year revenue increase that is in line with company guidance. The online gifting and greeting card platform continues to build momentum through enhanced customer engagement, driven by new personalization tools and a growing subscription base. These initiatives are contributing to higher order values and repeat purchases. The group also plans to roll out additional gifting brands ahead of peak trading seasons, while robust cash generation is expected to support both investment in growth and shareholder returns.

The outlook for Moonpig remains somewhat mixed. Although the company faces financial strain and weak technical indicators, strategic initiatives such as share buybacks provide some support to investor sentiment. Valuation metrics remain subdued, reflecting ongoing profitability challenges.

About Moonpig Group plc

Moonpig Group plc operates leading online platforms for personalized cards and gifts. Its portfolio includes the Moonpig, Red Letter Days, and Buyagift brands in the UK, alongside Greetz in the Netherlands. The company leverages proprietary technology and data insights to enhance personalization, expand gifting options, and deliver next-day services, positioning itself as a key player in the digital gifting sector.

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.

Quadrise Fuels International (LSE:QED) has successfully completed performance trials of its MSAR® and bioMSAR™ fuels at the Sparkle Power facility in Panama. The testing showed both improved engine efficiency and notable reductions in nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions, reinforcing the potential of these fuels as commercially viable options for energy-intensive industries. These encouraging results support the next steps toward commercial supply agreements and regulatory approvals in Panama, representing a key milestone in Quadrise’s push to strengthen its footprint across Central America.

Despite the progress on the technical front, Quadrise’s overall outlook remains mixed. The company continues to face financial headwinds and valuation challenges, although these are partially offset by favorable technical signals and strategic developments. Its commitment to partnerships and low-emission fuel innovation could provide long-term growth opportunities, but persistent revenue constraints and weak financial performance remain significant hurdles.

About Quadrise Fuels International

Quadrise is a technology-driven company focused on the development and commercialization of MSAR® and bioMSAR™ emulsion fuels. These fuels are designed to lower both energy costs and emissions for industries such as power generation, maritime transport, and oil refining. The company’s strategy centers on delivering practical decarbonization solutions for heavy industry and the global power sector.

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 Avalanche Foundation announced the appointment of Chris Holmes, a Conservative member of the UK House of Lords, to its board of directors.

The appointment, revealed on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, could strengthen ties with lawmakers amid growing global blockchain adoption, enhancing the foundation’s political credibility and influence in international regulatory discussions.

Holmes is recognized for his work in shaping policies on emerging technologies, with a focus on governance, regulation, and innovation. He played a key role in passing the Electronic Commercial Documents Bill, which granted digital, blockchain-enabled documents the same legal status as printed versions, and has advocated for standards on artificial intelligence and labor practices.

In a statement, Nicolas Lemaitre, director of the Avalanche Foundation, said Holmes’ presence will be “essential to uphold standards of openness, accessibility, and trust in the digital economy.”

The appointment comes as regulatory debates around blockchain intensify in major economies. Governments are seeking to establish clear frameworks for cryptocurrencies and decentralized protocols, and having an experienced British legislator on Avalanche’s board exemplifies this effort.

Holmes also emphasized that technological innovation must go hand in hand with proper safeguards. He noted that blockchain has the potential to revolutionize financial systems and data management, provided it is supported by responsible regulation and consistent institutional dialogue.

The Avalanche Foundation, a non-profit organization, supports the Avalanche ecosystem through grants and projects focused on blockchain, artificial intelligence, and Web3.

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.

Openbank, the fully digital bank of the Santander Group (LSE:BNC), began offering cryptocurrency trading to retail clients in Germany on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

Investors can now buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin (COIN:BTCUSD), Ether (COIN:ETHUSD), Litecoin (COIN:LTCUSD), Polygon (COIN:MATICUSD), and Cardano (COIN:ADAUSD) directly on the same platform used for stocks, ETFs, and funds.

This move is a significant step for Santander in expanding into digital assets, providing clients with an environment regulated under European Union rules following the implementation of MiCA, which ensures greater protection and transparency in crypto financial operations.

According to Coty de Monteverde, Santander Group’s Head of Cryptocurrencies, “the inclusion of these assets on the platform responds to growing customer demand and reinforces the bank’s commitment to offering diversified, agile solutions supported by one of the world’s largest financial groups.”

The bank has set a 1.49% fee per transaction, with a minimum of €1 (US$1.18), and no custody fees, aiming to make the service competitive with independent exchanges while providing the added security of a regulated financial institution.

Openbank plans to expand the list of tradable cryptocurrencies and introduce new features in the coming months, including the ability to convert between different digital assets. The expansion will also include clients in Spain.

Recent reports indicate that Santander has been evaluating the creation or integration of euro- or dollar-pegged stablecoins since May.

With this launch, Openbank joins a growing trend among major European and American banks exploring the crypto sector following regulatory advances. In the United States, new stablecoin legislation and political support have accelerated traditional lenders’ entry into the market.

Openbank continues to expand its digital portfolio. Currently, it offers an automated investment service via Robo Advisor, more than 3,000 stocks, 3,000 funds from 123 managers, over 2,000 ETFs, and a brokerage platform equipped with artificial intelligence for analyzing more than 1,000 global securities.

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. index futures are signaling a mostly flat open on Tuesday, suggesting that stocks may struggle to find direction following a session that ended with modest gains.

Traders appear cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting, which kicks off today.

While a 25-basis-point rate cut is widely anticipated, market participants will closely examine the Fed’s accompanying statement and updated economic projections for hints about the future path of interest rates.

CME Group’s FedWatch Tool currently shows a 96.0% probability of a quarter-point cut, with only a 4.0% chance of a half-point reduction.

Looking ahead, another 25-basis-point rate reduction is expected at both the October and December meetings, though Fed Chair Jerome Powell is likely to emphasize that future cuts will hinge on incoming economic data.

Futures remained largely unchanged even after the Commerce Department reported that retail sales in August rose far more than economists had forecast.

Retail sales climbed 0.6% in August, matching the upwardly revised gain from July. Analysts had anticipated a smaller increase of 0.2%, compared with the initially reported 0.5% growth for the prior month.

Stocks ended mostly higher on Monday, extending strong gains from the previous week. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 both closed at record levels, with the Nasdaq advancing 207.65 points, or 0.9%, to 22,348.75, and the S&P 500 up 30.99 points, or 0.5%, to 6,615.28. The Dow posted a smaller gain, rising 49.23 points, or 0.1%, to 45,883.45.

Market strength followed encouraging remarks from President Donald Trump regarding U.S.-China trade negotiations.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the talks have “gone VERY WELL!” and added that a “deal was also reached on a ‘certain’ company that young people in our Country very much wanted to save,” likely referencing TikTok.

Trump also noted he plans to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, describing the relationship as “a very strong one.”

Investors remain focused on Wednesday’s Fed announcement, with expectations of at least a 25-basis-point rate cut fueled by recent data showing moderate inflation and a weakening labor market.

On Monday, computer hardware stocks were among the top performers, with the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index rising 2.5% to a record closing level. Networking stocks also performed well, reflected by a 2.3% gain in the NYSE Arca Networking Index.

Gold, steel, and software sectors saw notable strength, while airline, oil services, and housing stocks experienced downward pressure.

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 in the red on Tuesday, while the U.S. dollar slipped to its weakest level in more than two months. Investors are bracing for the Federal Reserve’s two-day policy meeting beginning later today, where markets widely expect a 25 basis point rate cut.

On the data front, the U.K.’s latest labor figures showed the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.7% in the three months to July, according to the Office for National Statistics. Wage growth cooled slightly, with average earnings excluding bonuses rising 4.8% compared to 5.0% in the previous period, in line with forecasts. Payroll employment in August declined by 127,000 year-over-year and was down 8,000 from July, leaving the total at 30.3 million.

Among major European benchmarks, Germany’s DAX dropped 0.7%, London’s FTSE 100 lost 0.3%, and France’s CAC 40 eased 0.1%.

In corporate news, Trustpilot (LSE:TRST) surged in London after reporting stronger revenues and profitability in the first half of 2025, alongside the launch of a new share repurchase plan. Mining giant Anglo American (LSE:AAL) also advanced after striking a definitive agreement with Chile’s Codelco to coordinate activities at Los Bronces and Andina. Hochschild Mining (LSE:HOC) climbed after naming Cassio Diedrich as its new Chief Operating Officer.

On the downside, recruitment firm SThree (LSE:STEM) slumped sharply after warning that its full-year pre-tax profit will fall well short of market expectations.

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.

Fintel Plc (LSE:FNTL) saw its stock rise more than 4% on Tuesday following the release of strong half-year financial results, with revenue boosted by recent acquisitions and higher subscription income.

For the six months ending June 30, the group reported revenue of £42.4 million, up from £35.7 million a year earlier, representing an 18.6% increase. Organic growth contributed £37.2 million, a 4% rise compared with the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA climbed 17% to £11.2 million, reflecting a margin of 26.4%, while statutory EBITDA increased 26.5% to £8.6 million. Adjusted earnings per share rose to 5.7 pence from 5 pence, and statutory EPS reached 2.3 pence, up from 2.0 pence.

The company reported £8.4 million in cash at the end of the period, while net debt increased to £30.1 million from £8.6 million a year ago. In July, Fintel expanded its revolving credit facility from £80 million to £120 million, extended its maturity by four years, and reduced borrowing costs.

Breaking down by division, Software & Data revenue grew 17% to £18.4 million, with £12.3 million from recurring streams. Services revenue climbed 20% to £24 million, including £11.9 million from recurring sources.

Fintel also completed its acquisition of Rayner Spencer Mills Research in January for £6.4 million in cash. The newly acquired unit contributed £1.7 million in revenue and £0.6 million in EBITDA in the half-year period.

The board approved an interim dividend of 1.3 pence per share, marking an 8.3% increase from 1.2 pence in the previous year.

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 eased to its lowest level in over two months on Tuesday as traders positioned ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision and the release of U.S. retail sales figures.

At 04:25 ET (08:25 GMT), the Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, fell 0.2% to 96.727, marking its weakest point since July.

Dollar starts week “softish”

The market widely anticipates a 25-basis-point rate cut from the Fed at the conclusion of this week’s meeting, following recent signs of weakening in the U.S. labor market and softer-than-expected inflation for August.

“The dollar has started the week on the softish side,” noted analysts at ING. “This may partly involve some pre-positioning ahead of tomorrow night’s Fed rate cut. But it will also be a function of the benign external environment.”

CME FedWatch data shows traders are pricing in a 96.4% probability of a 25-basis-point cut on September 17, with a 3.6% chance of a larger 50-point reduction. Investors are also watching August retail sales closely for insights into U.S. consumer resilience amid the uncertainty created by the Trump administration’s trade policies.

“Today’s release of import price data will be closely examined to determine who is absorbing the cost of tariffs. Are exporters to the U.S. reducing their prices, or are U.S. businesses either absorbing the costs through margins or passing them on to consumers?” ING added.

Euro climbs

In Europe, EUR/USD rose 0.3% to 1.1794 ahead of September’s German ZEW economic sentiment data.

“These might nudge higher on the back of the positive equity environment seen this summer, but look unlikely to be a market mover,” ING said. “EUR/USD is pretty close to resistance at 1.1800/1830 now. The most likely trigger for a breakout would be tomorrow night’s Fed – but let’s see if it happens earlier.”

GBP/USD gained 0.2% to 1.3630, with sterling hitting a two-month high against the dollar. Earlier data showed the U.K. unemployment rate held near a four-year high at 4.7% in the three months to July, while wage growth, excluding bonuses, slowed slightly to 4.8% in the three months to June.

The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates steady on Thursday after five reductions over the past 13 months.

“We’re still narrowly favoring a November rate cut but a surprise spike in inflation tomorrow (one that’s not driven by volatile categories) would probably change our mind on that,” ING added.

Yen strengthens ahead of BOJ decision

USD/JPY fell 0.5% to 146.73, with the yen recovering after a long weekend. The Bank of Japan is scheduled to announce its policy decision on Friday and is widely expected to maintain rates around 0.5%, despite political upheaval following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. Analysts note that persistent domestic inflation could still prompt a rate hike as early as October, pending August consumer inflation data.

USD/CNY slipped 0.1% to 7.1147, with the yuan receiving a modest boost from Beijing’s pledge of further stimulus measures, including the rollout of “15-minute convenience living circles” in major cities to support private consumption. Recent weak economic data for August underlines ongoing pressures on the Chinese economy. Trade discussions between Washington and Beijing, particularly on semiconductors, continue to influence the currency.

AUD/USD inched up 0.1% to 0.6671, approaching a 10-month high.

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.