Author: Fiona Craig

Croda International Plc (LSE:CRDA) has reported a 7% rise in group sales for the first half of 2025 on a constant currency basis, supported by increased volumes across all of its core business sectors. Despite persistent macroeconomic pressures, the company has reaffirmed its full-year outlook and revealed new cost-efficiency initiatives.

Croda is now targeting £100 million in annualized cost savings by 2027, building on its ongoing strategic push to streamline operations and enhance profitability. This focus on operational discipline and innovation helped drive a 12% increase in adjusted operating profit at constant currency during the reporting period.

The company remains confident in its long-term strategy, emphasizing the importance of innovation and sustainability in maintaining its competitive edge. Management believes that these efforts will strengthen Croda’s market positioning and deliver improved shareholder returns over time.

While Croda continues to demonstrate strong financial fundamentals and internal confidence through its corporate actions, some headwinds remain. Challenges include declining headline revenue and profitability figures, a relatively high price-to-earnings ratio, and weak technical indicators. Nevertheless, robust cash flow generation and the impact of operational improvements provide a more optimistic outlook for future performance.

About Croda International

Croda International Plc is a global leader in the specialty chemicals sector, known for developing high-performance ingredients and sustainable solutions. Its product offerings serve a wide range of industries, including Beauty Care, Crop Protection, and Fragrances & Flavours. With a strong emphasis on research, innovation, and environmental responsibility, Croda continues to play a key role in enhancing everyday products across consumer and industrial 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.

Flowtech Fluidpower plc (LSE:FLO) has issued a trading update for the first half of 2025, reporting a 2.1% year-on-year increase in revenue despite ongoing challenges in the industrial sector. The company managed to enhance its gross margins and maintain disciplined cost controls, which helped mitigate market pressures.

Recent acquisitions—including Thorite, Allswage, and Thomas Group—have positively contributed to the company’s performance, bolstering its customer base and expanding capabilities. Flowtech also highlighted a strengthened sales pipeline and the signing of new strategic supplier agreements, which are expected to support growth in the second half of the year.

In addition, the company continues to invest in its digital transformation strategy, with new e-commerce platforms being rolled out to improve accessibility and service, reinforcing its position in the fluid power market.

While Flowtech’s current financial metrics and valuation remain subdued, recent corporate developments provide a more optimistic outlook. Technical indicators point to bearish sentiment, prompting a cautious approach from investors. However, the company’s strategic actions suggest potential for long-term improvement.

About Flowtech Fluidpower

Flowtech Fluidpower plc is the leading distributor of fluid power products, systems, and services across the UK, Ireland, and the Benelux region. With over four decades of industry expertise, the company supports a broad range of sectors by delivering power, motion, and control solutions designed to reduce equipment downtime and enhance operational efficiency.

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.

NWF Group plc (LSE:NWF) has released its audited financial results for the year ending 31 May 2025, reporting performance slightly ahead of market forecasts. The company delivered profitable growth across its portfolio, with solid contributions from the Fuels and Feeds divisions helping to offset weaker results in the Food segment. Leadership changes and restructuring efforts are already underway in Food to improve future performance.

During the year, the Group completed two acquisitions in the Fuels division, furthering its strategy to consolidate the UK fuel distribution market. Although total revenue declined due to lower commodity prices for oil and feed, NWF still managed to grow its operating profit and preserve a strong balance sheet, positioning the company well for future acquisitions and continued organic growth.

The Board has proposed a dividend increase, reflecting its confidence in the Group’s long-term outlook and commitment to shareholder returns.

Market sentiment toward NWF remains generally positive, supported by a healthy financial position and continued strategic execution. While some valuation metrics suggest caution, the company’s recent acquisitions and strong insider support are viewed as encouraging signs. Technical indicators point to a balanced market stance.

About NWF Group plc

NWF Group operates in three core sectors: Fuels, Food, and Feeds, each managed under specialized brands. NWF Fuels Limited handles fuel distribution, Boughey Distribution Limited manages food logistics, and the Feeds business operates under NWF Agriculture Limited and New Breed (UK) Limited. Known for its scale and entry barriers, the Group is recognized as a key player in its respective markets.

NWF continues to pursue long-term growth through a combination of strategic acquisitions, internal investment, and operational improvements.

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.

Forterra (LSE:FORT) has reported a strong performance for the first half of 2025, with revenue rising 20.4% thanks to sustained demand from the housebuilding sector. The company’s strategic alignment with residential construction has enabled it to outperform the broader brick industry, even though its market share remains slightly below 2022 levels.

Operational progress has been a key driver of performance. Forterra has brought new production facilities online and exited certain non-core segments, moves aimed at improving profit margins and boosting cash flow. These efficiency gains and favorable market trends have prompted the company to raise its full-year expectations.

Despite these positive developments, Forterra remains cautious about the potential impact of broader economic conditions in the UK, particularly as they relate to housing demand. Nevertheless, its performance so far reflects both improved operational execution and stronger-than-expected market dynamics.

Analysts view Forterra’s outlook as a balanced one, combining solid financial metrics with stable technical indicators. The company’s robust revenue growth and firm capital structure are viewed as strengths, although rising leverage and pressure on profit margins present risks. Still, recent corporate actions lend optimism to its growth trajectory.

About Forterra

Forterra is a major UK-based manufacturer of clay and concrete construction materials. Its product lineup includes clay bricks, precast concrete flooring, and aircrete blocks, serving primarily the new build housing market. Among its flagship offerings are the well-known Fletton brick and Thermalite blocks, which are staples in British residential construction.

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.

Restore PLC (LSE:RST) has reported a solid financial performance for the first half of 2025, with revenue climbing 15% to £160.1 million, largely fueled by recent acquisitions. The company also achieved a 17.7% adjusted operating margin, while adjusted profit before tax rose 10% year-on-year to £18.0 million.

Although net debt increased as a result of acquisition activity, Restore maintained healthy cash flow generation and announced a 10% boost to its interim dividend, underscoring management’s confidence in the business.

Key strategic developments during the period included the award of a major medical record digitization contract with Oxford University Hospitals, as well as progress in consolidating its Information Management real estate footprint. These initiatives are aligned with the company’s medium-term ambition of achieving a 20% adjusted operating margin.

Looking ahead, Restore remains optimistic, supported by a strong operational track record and strategic growth drivers. However, some market analysts note that the company’s elevated valuation and technical indicators signal potential caution. Despite this, Restore’s continued focus on integration, operational efficiency, and high-margin services offers a compelling long-term investment case.

About Restore PLC

Restore PLC is a UK-based leader in secure and sustainable business services, specializing in the management of data, communications, and physical assets. The company’s Information Management division generates recurring revenue through storage services and has been bolstered by recent acquisitions, including Synertec—a high-growth addition that broadens Restore’s capabilities in digital transformation and communications.

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.

Novacyt S.A. (LSE:NCYT) has released an unaudited trading update for the first half of 2025, indicating group revenue of approximately £9.8 million. While this represents a modest year-on-year decline, the company highlighted notable progress in its clinical division and growing adoption of its non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) technologies, especially within the Asia-Pacific region.

The company emphasized its strong financial footing, remaining entirely debt-free and maintaining a robust cash reserve. This financial strength is expected to support its trajectory toward achieving EBITDA profitability in the near term.

A key highlight of the period was the launch of LightBench® Discover, a new genomics platform designed to accelerate research capabilities. This innovation marks a significant step forward for Novacyt following its recent corporate restructuring and strengthens its position in the genomic research field.

About Novacyt

Novacyt is a global molecular diagnostics provider specializing in genomic medicine. The company offers a comprehensive range of integrated technologies and services, supporting diagnostic applications across human and animal health as well as environmental monitoring.

Its operations span three core segments: Clinical, Instrumentation, and Research Use Only. With a commercial footprint in more than 65 countries, Novacyt continues to serve a diverse and growing international 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.

Ariana Resources plc (LSE:AAU), a company focused on gold exploration and development, has finalized the institutional bookbuild process ahead of its proposed dual listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), according to an announcement released on Monday.

The upcoming ASX offering will involve the issuance of between 35.7 million and 53.6 million Chess Depositary Interests (CDIs), priced at A$0.28 per CDI. The company expects to raise between A$10 million and A$15 million before expenses. Each CDI will represent 10 ordinary shares in Ariana Resources.

The offering is structured to include several components: a Broker Firm Offer aimed at Australian retail investors, an Institutional Offer available to investors in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, and the UK, and a General Offer for eligible Australian residents.

Shaw and Partners Limited has been appointed as Lead Manager for the ASX offering, with Leeuwin Wealth Pty. Ltd. joining as Co-Manager.

Ariana is planning to lodge a formal prospectus with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on July 29. Subject to regulatory approvals and minimum subscription thresholds being met, the company anticipates that trading on the ASX under the ticker “AA2” will commence around September 15.

This dual listing initiative received the green light from shareholders during the company’s Annual General Meeting held on July 9. It remains subject to final approval from the ASX.

Ariana Resources holds a diversified portfolio of gold and copper-gold assets, including a major development project in Zimbabwe, operational gold production in Türkiye, and ongoing exploration and development ventures in Cyprus and Kosovo.

This update is based on a press release issued by the company on Monday.

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 stocks were broadly mixed on Monday, giving up early gains after a closely watched trade agreement between the United States and the European Union helped ease fears of escalating tensions.

The deal, which averted a potential trade conflict, initially provided a lift to investor sentiment. However, markets have since settled into a more cautious stance as attention shifts to a busy week filled with major catalysts — including a U.S. Federal Reserve rate decision, important economic data, and high-profile tech earnings.

In early afternoon trading, France’s CAC 40 edged up by 0.1%, while Germany’s DAX slipped 0.1%. Meanwhile, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 gained 0.2%.

Technology stocks showed relative strength, with ASML Holding NV (EU:ASML) soaring nearly 5% amid renewed enthusiasm for the sector.

Among corporate movers, Dutch brewing giant Heineken Holding (EU:HEIA) sank 4% despite posting first-half earnings that beat analyst forecasts.

Pernod Ricard (EU:RI) dropped 1.4%, while beer conglomerate Anheuser-Busch InBev (EU:ABI) also fell 1.2%, contributing to weakness in the beverage sector.

On the upside, German wind turbine maker Nordex (TG:NDX1) rallied 5% after announcing it had secured 2.3 gigawatts of new orders in Q2 2025 — an 81.7% increase over the same quarter last year.

British retail giant Tesco (LSE:TSCO) declined more than 1% following an update on its ongoing share repurchase initiative.

With several high-impact events still to come this week, including the Fed’s policy statement and earnings from companies like Apple and Microsoft, markets may continue to show volatility and sector rotation.

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 indicate a slightly higher open on Monday, suggesting that the positive momentum from recent sessions may carry forward.

Investor optimism follows news of a last-minute trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union, alongside reports that the U.S. and China are expected to prolong their tariff ceasefire by an additional 90 days.

The new U.S.-EU agreement features a 15% tariff on European imports, a significant reduction from the initially proposed 30%.

In return, the EU has pledged to purchase $750 billion in U.S. energy and boost investments in the American economy by $600 billion.

Despite the upbeat trade news, trading volume might remain muted as investors await the Federal Reserve’s upcoming monetary policy announcement later this week.

Although the Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates steady, the statement could influence future rate expectations.

Market attention will also turn to the Labor Department’s upcoming jobs report and earnings releases from key tech giants including Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META).

Last week ended on a high note for U.S. markets, with the Dow recovering losses from the previous day, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 closed at new record highs.

On Friday, all three indexes opened modestly higher and maintained gains throughout the session.

The Dow added 208.01 points, or 0.5%, finishing at 44,901.92. The Nasdaq rose 50.36 points, or 0.2%, closing at 21,108.32, and the S&P 500 gained 25.29 points, or 0.4%, ending at 6,388.64.

This strength reflects growing confidence that trade agreements will be finalized ahead of President Donald Trump’s August 1 deadline for extending “reciprocal tariffs.”

With just days remaining, several U.S. trade partners are racing to negotiate deals to avoid steep tariff increases on their exports starting August 1.

In contrast, European markets showed less enthusiasm, weighed down by uncertainty surrounding the trade talks and some disappointing earnings reports.

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.

On Monday afternoon, British equities softened following an initial boost fueled by the weekend’s U.S.-EU trade agreement, while wider European markets maintained their upward momentum.

By 11:55 GMT, the FTSE 100 index had slipped 0.2%, with the British pound easing 0.1% against the U.S. dollar, trading near 1.34. In continental Europe, Germany’s DAX hovered near unchanged levels, and France’s CAC 40 rose modestly by 0.3%.

Details of the U.S.-EU trade agreement

Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen finalized a trade framework that introduces a 15% import tariff on most European goods entering the U.S. In exchange, the EU committed to investing $600 billion in the American economy.

This agreement, reached during talks in Scotland, represents a compromise following the EU’s initial hopes for zero tariffs. The agreed 15% levy is notably lower than the 30% tariff threat previously floated.

Cranswick delivers robust Q1 results

Cranswick PLC (LSE:CWK), the UK-based food producer, posted a strong start to the year, with like-for-like revenues climbing 7.9%, driven by solid demand for its premium meat lines and recent contract wins.

The company’s total revenue rose 9.7% during the quarter, surpassing its fiscal 2026 guidance of 7%. Growth was further supported by acquisitions such as sausage manufacturer Blakemans, which was integrated earlier this year.

Computacenter lifts profit outlook, shares gain

Shares of Computacenter (LSE:CCC) advanced after the IT services firm upgraded its full-year profit forecast. The company cited unexpectedly robust growth in North America and the UK markets, even as it faces challenges in Germany and France.

Computacenter now anticipates its adjusted EBIT for 2025 to exceed the previous year’s results.

STV Group shares tumble following profit warning

Conversely, STV Group plc (LSE:STVG) shares tumbled more than 23% after the media company issued a profit warning. STV warned that its 2025 revenue and earnings would fall “materially below consensus” due to a weakening advertising and commissioning environment.

The company now forecasts full-year revenue between £165 million and £180 million, with an adjusted operating margin near 7%.

Tasty shares soar as ex-PizzaExpress CEO considered for board role

Meanwhile, Tasty Plc (LSE:TAST) stock jumped over 54% after confirming ongoing advanced talks with former PizzaExpress CEO David Page about a potential board appointment. The casual dining operator issued the statement amid recent share price volatility and media speculation.

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.