Author: Fiona Craig

Cranswick Plc (LSE:CWK) saw its stock drop over 2% on Monday following fresh allegations of animal mistreatment at one of its facilities.

The U.K.-based food producer described itself as “horrified” by undercover footage depicting pig abuse at its Somerby Top farm, noting that the recordings were made several months ago but only recently came to light.

Earlier in May, similar videos emerged from the company’s North Moor Farm site, which Cranswick said were also “historic.”

The company confirmed that staff implicated in the incidents have since departed and that management adjustments have been implemented at North Moor. In addition, the group has updated its euthanasia policies, banning the use of manual blunt force trauma—commonly referred to as “piglet thumping”—and has begun deploying AI-driven CCTV across its farms to monitor operations.

“While this news is clearly disappointing, CWK does not believe the footage is reflective of current farm standards, and has already taken meaningful steps to ensure this does not repeat,” noted analysts at Jefferies in a client briefing.

The brokerage added: “We note that both farms involved were acquired in 2023, and there have already been mgmt changes at the former.”

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.

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is offering substantial discounts of up to 40% to UK car leasing companies in an effort to boost slowing sales, The Times reported Monday. The electric vehicle giant, led by Elon Musk, has been struggling with a shrinking global market share.

According to The Times, which cited industry insiders, the price reductions—reflected in lower monthly payments for customers—are also motivated by limited storage capacity for Tesla vehicles.

Under the new scheme, a Tesla Model 3, the company’s best-selling model, can now be leased for as little as £252 per month plus VAT on a 36-month contract. By comparison, monthly payments for the same car were as high as £600–£700 just a year ago.

Although Tesla has not cut the sticker prices of its vehicles, it is promoting zero-interest financing deals for buyers. In the UK, such deals could cost Tesla roughly £6,000 over three years on a £40,000 car.

The aggressive discounts come as Tesla navigates a prolonged slowdown in global sales. Much of the decline has occurred in the UK and Europe, where the company faces growing competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers.

European sales have also been hit by public backlash against Musk’s political associations, particularly his links to the alt-right, with some Tesla facilities targeted and sales boycotts reported across the region throughout 2025.

In the UK, Tesla’s sales fell by 60% in July, while China’s BYD Co (USOTC:BYDDY) surpassed the automaker in market share.

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 were mostly lower on Monday as investors awaited a high-stakes meeting in Washington between European leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss Ukraine’s future.

By 07:10 GMT, Germany’s DAX index had fallen 0.3%, France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.2%, while the U.K.’s FTSE 100 edged up 0.1%.

European Leaders Travel to Washington

Following last Friday’s Alaska summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which ended without a ceasefire in Ukraine, attention now turns to a gathering in Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders are expected to discuss potential pathways to a peace deal.

Reports indicate Zelensky may face pressure to accept a settlement that could involve Ukraine giving up portions of its eastern regions, including Donetsk and Luhansk, while Russia withdraws from southern areas such as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine has consistently rejected any proposal to cede territory.

Trump commented on Sunday that Zelensky could end the war with Russia “almost immediately” if he agreed to Moscow’s demands.

The conflict, which has lasted more than three years, has disrupted global supply chains, driven commodity prices higher, and slowed worldwide economic growth.

Jackson Hole Symposium in Focus

On the economic front, Europe will see June trade data released on Monday, while the U.S. market is looking ahead to the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will address the economic outlook and policy framework on Friday, joined by ECB President Christine Lagarde and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey in panel discussions.

Markets are currently pricing in about an 85% chance of a Fed rate cut in September, meaning any less dovish tone from Powell could weigh on investor sentiment.

U.S. Retail Earnings in Spotlight

Although European markets see little corporate earnings activity on Monday, attention will shift to the U.S. retail sector this week, with Home Depot (NYSE:HD), Target (NYSE:TGT), Lowe’s (NYSE:LOW), and Walmart (NYSE:WMT) all scheduled to report. Analysts point to a solid earnings season, with Goldman Sachs noting that S&P 500 EPS rose 11% year-on-year and 58% of companies boosted their full-year guidance.

Oil Prices Stabilize After Trump-Putin Meeting

Oil markets steadied Monday following last week’s declines, as concerns over Russian supply eased after the Trump-Putin summit. By 03:10 ET, Brent crude rose 0.1% to $65.87 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures climbed 0.2% to $62.09 per barrel. Both benchmarks had dropped nearly 1.5% on Friday, ending the week with notable losses ahead of the summit.

After meeting with Putin, Trump opted not to apply additional pressure on Russia to end the conflict through measures targeting its oil exports.

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.

Oil prices remained steady in Asian markets on Monday following last week’s losses, as worries about Russian crude supply eased after the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As of 00:15 ET (04:15 GMT), Brent crude for October delivery was nearly flat at $65.84 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures inched up 0.1% to $62.87 per barrel. Both contracts had dropped around 1.5% on Friday, finishing the week with notable losses ahead of the U.S.-Russia summit.

Trump Signals Softer Stance Toward Russia

At last week’s Alaska summit, Trump indicated alignment with Moscow’s goal of a comprehensive peace agreement in Ukraine, rather than prioritizing a ceasefire first. This shift lowered expectations for new energy sanctions and reduced fears of tighter Russian oil flows.

Previously, Trump had called a ceasefire his “key demand,” even threatening to walk out of the talks and impose tougher measures on Moscow—a stance that had raised concerns over constrained supply.

“While talks failed to secure a ceasefire, the tone and the absence of ’severe consequences’ for the lack of a truce, reduce, or at least delay, the risks of stricter sanctions,” ING analysts noted in a statement.

Trump also said on Friday that he was in no hurry to levy tariffs on countries such as China for buying Russian oil but warned he could act within weeks if progress on ending the Ukraine conflict is not made. China and India remain Russia’s top crude buyers. Meanwhile, Trump has imposed an additional 25% duty on Indian goods, effective August 27, citing the country’s Russian oil imports.

Trump to Meet Zelenskiy and European Leaders

On Monday, Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and leading European leaders in Washington, aiming to fast-track a peace deal for Ukraine. European leaders are focused on blocking any agreements that could compromise Ukraine’s territorial integrity, adding geopolitical uncertainty for markets.

Trump posted on social media Sunday that he expects “BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA,” without elaborating further.

“Ultimately, Russia still wants Ukraine to cede territory, something Ukraine will be very hesitant to do, particularly without very strong security guarantees from the US and Europe,” ING analysts said.

“Ultimately, the reduced risk of tougher sanctions and secondary tariffs should allow bearish oil fundamentals to become the dominant driver for oil prices moving forward,” they added.

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 were largely flat ahead of a key Washington meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Investors are also closely watching the Federal Reserve’s interest rate path, with July meeting minutes and a speech by Fed Chair Jerome Powell scheduled later this week. Meanwhile, cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW) is set to release earnings after the market closes.

Futures Show Little Movement

On Monday, U.S. futures were steady as traders prepared for potential Fed rate developments and monitored the upcoming U.S.-Ukraine summit. As of 3:23 a.m. ET (07:23 GMT), Dow futures were down 97 points (-0.2%), S&P 500 futures fell 7 points (-0.1%), and Nasdaq 100 futures were essentially unchanged.

Last Friday, major indexes ended the session mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a new intraday high, joining the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, which had set record highs during the week. However, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed lower, dragged down by losses in the technology, financial, industrial, and utilities sectors.

Fed Minutes and Powell Speech in Focus

Attention now shifts to the release of July Fed meeting minutes, where the central bank held rates steady at 4.25%–4.5%. The decision saw a rare dissent from two officials. Fed governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman both argued for a rate cut, citing the need to support a slowing labor market.

Recent data paints a mixed picture: U.S. job growth was much weaker than expected, with downward revisions for May and June, while retail sales surged following an unexpected rise in producer prices. These indicators suggest a cooling labor market alongside moderate inflationary pressures, partly linked to tariffs.

Trump’s actions have added uncertainty, raising doubts about the reliability of government data. Some analysts expect increased attention to private sector figures. Trump fired the head of the federal statistics agency, claiming—without evidence—that recent downward revisions to the jobs report were politically motivated. He subsequently appointed the Heritage Foundation’s chief economist to lead the agency.

Powell is expected to address these issues in his Friday speech at the annual Jackson Hole symposium in Wyoming. Traditionally cautious, Powell’s comments will be closely watched by markets that are anticipating a possible rate cut in September.

Zelensky Meets Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet Trump in Washington on Monday to discuss a potential path toward peace. Concerns remain that Trump could pressure Zelensky into an agreement favorable to Russia. Zelensky has already rejected proposals from Putin presented in Anchorage, which included ceding part of the eastern Donetsk region.

Zelensky, accompanied by leaders from several European nations, said he supports a “swift and reliable end” to the conflict, but emphasized that Russia must be willing to end the war “that it started.” Trump stated on Truth Social: “Zelensky can ‘end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants, or he can continue fighting.’”

“[T]he situation in Ukraine appears to be entering a very fluid state, and there may be further developments in the days, weeks, and months ahead,” analysts at Vital Knowledge noted. They added that, from a market perspective, the Trump-Putin discussions in Anchorage did not yield major outcomes such as a full ceasefire or “draconian secondary tariffs on China.”

Palo Alto Networks Earnings

Cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks is set to report results for the July quarter after the market closes. Analysts expect adjusted Q4 EPS of $0.89 on $2.5 billion in revenue, according to Bloomberg.

This will be the first report following the $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk Software, the largest in the company’s history. CEO Nikesh Arora views the deal as a way to capitalize on AI-driven demand for digital security solutions, though analysts caution about integrating a platform of CyberArk’s size. Over the past two years, Palo Alto has completed at least seven acquisitions.

Gold Gains

Gold prices rose during European trading on Monday, rebounding from a more-than-two-week low, supported by safe-haven demand amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Anticipation of the Jackson Hole symposium also helped gold and weakened the dollar, as markets priced in potential Fed rate cuts.

Spot gold rose 0.6% to $3,355.47 an ounce, while October futures climbed 0.5% to $3,400.55/oz as of 3:22 a.m. ET. Last week, gold had fallen to a more-than-two-week low.

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.

Pantheon Resources (LSE:PANR) has reported that its Dubhe-1 appraisal well on Alaska’s North Slope has outperformed pre-drill expectations. The well confirmed a substantial hydrocarbon column in the primary SMD-B target and revealed additional resources in secondary zones. This success enhances the company’s operational outlook and underscores potential co-development opportunities within the Ahpun field, supporting Pantheon’s progression toward field development planning and cost-efficient commercial production.

Despite operational achievements, Pantheon faces financial challenges, with negative profitability and cash flow weighing on valuation. Nevertheless, recent corporate milestones and strategic initiatives provide potential upside, offering cautious optimism for the company’s near-term prospects.

About Pantheon Resources

Pantheon Resources plc is an AIM-listed oil and gas company developing its fully owned Ahpun and Kodiak fields on Alaska’s North Slope. The company holds independently certified contingent recoverable resources of approximately 1.6 billion barrels of ANS crude and 6.6 trillion cubic feet of associated natural gas. By leveraging its proximity to existing infrastructure, Pantheon aims to accelerate development timelines, reduce costs, and achieve sustainable market recognition of $5–$10 per barrel of recoverable resources by 2028.

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.

MicroSalt plc (LSE:SALT) has reported record first-half sales of $0.9 million in its B2B bulk segment, reflecting a 72% increase compared with the prior half-year. The company projects further growth, driven by higher volume orders from a major North American client, which could result in total sales surpassing $5 million in 2026. Regulatory delays affecting food colorings have tempered 2025 sales expectations to $2 million, but MicroSalt remains confident in its growth trajectory, supported by a strong sales pipeline and ongoing market expansion.

Financially, MicroSalt faces significant challenges, including negative equity, lack of profitability, and a weak valuation. Technical indicators signal bearish momentum, with the stock currently oversold. While recent corporate developments are positive, they are tempered by these financial and market headwinds.

About MicroSalt plc

MicroSalt plc is an innovative food manufacturing company specializing in a patented, full-flavour, low-sodium salt product. Containing roughly 50% less sodium than conventional salt, it addresses rising demand for healthier alternatives and helps combat cardiovascular health risks. Established in 2018, the company holds a US patent and has 14 additional patent applications globally, positioning itself as a potential disruptor in the reduced-sodium market.

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.

BATM Advanced Communications (LSE:BVC) has announced solid interim results for the first half of 2025, reporting revenue growth and stronger gross margins across its key divisions. During this period, the company achieved notable milestones, including the rollout of new products in its network division and the delivery of its inaugural commercial encryption platform. Strategic initiatives, such as divesting non-core businesses and introducing a refreshed brand identity, have reinforced BATM’s focus on its core strengths in networks, cybersecurity, and diagnostics.

While the company faces ongoing financial pressures, including revenue volatility and profitability challenges, recent strategic developments offer potential growth opportunities. Technical indicators are mixed, and valuation concerns persist due to negative earnings, yet corporate progress highlights BATM’s commitment to strengthening its market position.

About BATM Advanced Communications

BATM Advanced Communications is a global technology company specializing in advanced network infrastructure, cybersecurity, and diagnostic solutions. The company develops innovative products and services aimed at diverse markets worldwide, focusing on delivering high-value technological solutions.

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.

Wishbone Gold Plc (LSE:WSBN) has revealed a substantial new discovery at its Red Setter Gold Dome Project in Western Australia. Recent drilling intersected more than 130 meters of breccia containing sulphides, located in close proximity to the Telfer gold mine. This find is expected to significantly enhance the company’s exploration potential and could positively impact its market valuation.

The ongoing drilling program is focused on delineating the full extent of this mineralized zone, with core samples being fast-tracked for analysis. This development strengthens Wishbone Gold’s position in the mining sector and provides valuable data for investors and stakeholders.

About Wishbone Gold

Wishbone Gold Plc is a mining exploration and development company with a primary focus on gold and copper projects in Australia. The company’s portfolio emphasizes high-potential mineralized zones, supporting its growth strategy in the resource 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 shared updates on its key initiatives, outlining both progress and ongoing challenges. The company continues to advance agreements with MSC and Cargill for marine trials, although delays have pushed the anticipated start of commercial-scale trials beyond Q3 2025. Trials in Panama with Sparkle Power SA concluded successfully, potentially paving the way for new Fuel Supply Agreements. In Morocco, the company is awaiting OEM approval for a commercial trial with OCP, while production growth by Valkor in Utah has lagged, affecting mid-stream operations. Quadrise remains actively engaged in developing its bioMSAR™ and bioMSAR™ Zero products despite these project setbacks.

Outlook

Quadrise’s financial position is currently weak, and valuation challenges persist, but positive technical indicators and strategic corporate events provide some balance. Its emphasis on partnerships and innovation in sustainable fuels could support future growth, although current revenue limitations and financial constraints pose significant risks.

About Quadrise Fuels International

Quadrise is a technology-driven company offering MSAR® and bioMSAR™ emulsion technology, fuels, and biofuels. It focuses on delivering solutions that reduce energy costs, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions across global power generation, shipping, industrial, and oil sectors.

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.