Author: Fiona Craig

Finseta plc (LSE:FIN) posted a 16% increase in revenue during the first half of 2025, reaching £5.9 million, driven by a growing active customer base. Although there was a slight dip in gross margin, the company continues to invest in key growth areas, including its corporate card program and expansion efforts in Canada and Dubai. These initiatives are expected to drive further revenue gains and improved profitability in the latter half of the year as market conditions normalize and new customer transactions pick up.

Finseta’s outlook is supported by a solid financial recovery and focused growth strategy. While technical indicators hint at some short-term volatility, positive corporate developments and a reasonable valuation underpin a constructive future view. Continued attention to managing leverage and broadening operational reach could further enhance the company’s prospects.

About Finseta plc

Finseta plc is a London-based foreign exchange and payments firm offering multi-currency accounts and payment solutions for businesses and individuals. Utilizing a proprietary technology platform, the company operates across more than 165 countries and supports over 150 currencies. With over 15 years of industry experience, Finseta is regulated by several authorities, including the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, Canada’s Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre, and the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

Close Brothers Group plc (LSE:CBG) has announced a strategic realignment of its Premium Finance division, shifting focus towards commercial lines insurance premium finance. This sector offers stronger risk-adjusted returns and greater growth prospects compared to personal lines, which the company plans to scale back due to increasing costs and changing market dynamics.

As part of this transition, Close Brothers intends to enhance operational efficiency by modernizing its technology infrastructure and streamlining processes, targeting annual cost savings of around £20 million by 2030. This shift will also involve exiting certain broker partnerships, affecting a small segment of the business, but is expected to drive improved profitability and long-term returns.

The company’s outlook benefits from solid technical signals and positive corporate developments that support investor confidence. However, challenges remain in revenue generation and cash flow stability, coupled with a weak valuation reflected in a negative price-to-earnings ratio, highlighting the need for ongoing financial improvements.

About Close Brothers Group

Close Brothers is a prominent UK merchant banking group offering a range of services including lending, deposit-taking, and securities trading. With a workforce of approximately 3,000 employees primarily across the UK and Ireland, the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 250 index.

Union Jack Oil plc (LSE:UJO) has entered into a farm-in agreement with Reach Oil and Gas Inc to acquire a 60% working interest in the Sark well located in Oklahoma, USA. Scheduled for drilling in early Q3 2025, the project targets an estimated 1.44 million barrels of recoverable oil resources.

This move aligns with Union Jack’s strategic goal to grow its footprint in the U.S. onshore oil sector following recent achievements. The addition of the Sark well is expected to bolster the company’s asset base and enhance its position within the North American energy market.

About Union Jack Oil plc

Union Jack Oil is a UK and U.S.-focused oil and gas company engaged in hydrocarbon production, exploration, development, and investment. The firm aims to expand its portfolio and operations in the U.S. to complement its established UK activities, driving growth and diversified revenue streams.

Galliford Try Holdings plc (LSE:GFRD) has signaled that its financial results for 2025 are set to outperform market forecasts, with both revenue and adjusted profit before tax expected to come in slightly above the highest analyst predictions. This robust showing is driven by sustained success across its core divisions and specialist services, notably within water and highways projects.

The company is targeting sustainable margin improvements by 2030, supported by a strong balance sheet free of pension obligations and bank debt. With an order book valued at £4.1 billion, approximately 90% of projected revenue for the coming year is already secured. Galliford Try remains optimistic about ongoing opportunities in the UK’s social infrastructure and economic development sectors.

Financial indicators reflect a solid recovery and appealing valuation, while technical analysis points to positive momentum, though the stock may be approaching overbought territory. Additionally, a recent share buyback program underscores management’s commitment to enhancing shareholder returns and confidence.

About Galliford Try Holdings plc

Galliford Try is a prominent UK-based construction and infrastructure group, publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. Operating under the Galliford Try and Morrison Construction brands, the company delivers a broad range of building and infrastructure projects, including environment, highways, and social infrastructure, serving clients across public, private, and regulated markets throughout the UK.

Impax Asset Management (LSE:PX) saw its assets under management rise by 3.1% in the third quarter, reaching £26.1 billion as of June 30, 2025. This increase was supported by the acquisition of European assets from SKY Harbor Capital Management, which contributed £1.1 billion to its fixed income portfolio.

The company also highlighted strong investment performance that surpassed benchmark returns, alongside a marked improvement in its listed equities division, where net outflows significantly decreased. These trends signal renewed investor confidence and growing institutional support.

With solid financial results and a favorable valuation, Impax maintains a positive outlook. Technical indicators reflect moderate bullish sentiment, although the lack of recent earnings call details limits further visibility.

About Impax Asset Management Group plc

Impax Asset Management specializes in sustainable investing, focusing on opportunities tied to the transition toward a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy. Listed on the AIM market, the firm manages diversified strategies across listed equities, fixed income, and private markets, catering to institutional and retail clients globally.

Tharisa plc (LSE:THS) posted a robust performance for the third quarter of FY2025, driven by a substantial increase in mining output and favorable commodity market conditions. Reef mining volumes rose by 27.7%, fueling higher production levels of platinum group metals (PGMs) and chrome.

Although the company reported a decline in its cash reserves, Tharisa maintains a healthy balance sheet, supported by rising commodity prices and disciplined financial management. Operationally, the quarter was marked by strong safety performance, with no lost time injuries reported—a key achievement in its commitment to workplace safety.

Tharisa continues to make strategic progress on its long-term projects, including the advancement of the Karo Platinum development in Zimbabwe. These initiatives align with the company’s broader focus on growth, sustainability, and delivering value across its integrated mining and processing operations.

About Tharisa plc

Tharisa is a diversified resources company specializing in the mining, processing, and beneficiation of PGMs and chrome concentrates. With core operations in South Africa and strategic development projects in Zimbabwe, the company plays a key role in supporting the global energy transition. Tharisa is committed to environmental sustainability, targeting a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and aiming for net carbon neutrality by 2050.

Shearwater Group plc (LSE:SWG) has outperformed market forecasts for the 15-month financial period ending June 30, 2025, fueled by a wave of new contract wins and key renewals. The cybersecurity specialist expects to report revenue of approximately £41 million—representing a 45% year-on-year increase—and adjusted EBITDA of around £2.2 million, effectively doubling its prior-year figure.

This strong performance is underpinned by growing demand for cybersecurity and managed security services as organizations continue to prioritize digital resilience in response to evolving cyber threats. Looking ahead, Shearwater is confident in its outlook for FY26, citing a healthy pipeline of opportunities across its service lines.

While the group maintains a solid balance sheet and improved cash flow, challenges remain, particularly around profitability metrics and current valuation pressures. Nonetheless, recent positive developments signal potential for long-term recovery and sustainable growth.

About Shearwater Group plc

Shearwater Group is a UK-headquartered cybersecurity and managed services provider, delivering end-to-end digital security solutions to businesses worldwide. Its portfolio includes services in identity and access management, data protection, governance, risk and compliance (GRC), and managed detection and response (MDR). The company supports clients across various industries and is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker ‘SWG’. Shearwater’s mission is to build a safer digital future by equipping organizations with advanced security tools and trusted advisory services.

LondonMetric Property Plc (LSE:LMP) has completed the integration of its recent acquisitions—Highcroft Investment Plc and Urban Logistics REIT Plc—boosting its total portfolio value to £7.3 billion. The company now generates approximately £410 million in annual net contracted rent, reflecting the strength of its income-led strategy.

In addition to expanding its asset base, LondonMetric has remained active on the investment front, selling 14 properties this financial year for £106 million. Through targeted asset management initiatives, it has also secured an extra £3.1 million in annual rental income.

To support ongoing growth and manage future liabilities, the company has access to £484 million in secured debt facilities and has launched a new £3 billion Euro Medium Term Note Programme, enhancing its ability to finance upcoming transactions and refinance maturing debt.

LondonMetric continues to demonstrate sound financial discipline and strategic execution. While its financial indicators and valuation metrics paint a positive picture, prudent oversight of debt levels remains essential to sustaining momentum.

About LondonMetric Property Plc

LondonMetric is a leading UK-based Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) specializing in triple net lease properties. With a £7 billion portfolio, the company targets high-demand sectors including logistics, convenience retail, healthcare, leisure, and entertainment. Its core objective is to generate consistent, inflation-linked returns by investing in high-quality, income-producing assets across the UK.

WPP plc (LSE:WPP) has revised its financial guidance for 2025, citing ongoing macroeconomic headwinds and underperformance in new business wins. The company now expects a decrease in like-for-like revenue (excluding pass-through costs) and a reduced headline operating profit margin for the year.

Despite the softer outlook, WPP remains focused on balancing strategic long-term investments with disciplined cost management to weather the current market challenges. The company aims to maintain operational flexibility while continuing to support client needs in a rapidly evolving business environment.

While WPP’s recent strategic moves and historical financial strength lend some support to its fundamentals, bearish technical signals and slower revenue momentum across key regions have weighed on sentiment.

About WPP plc

WPP is one of the world’s largest marketing and communications groups, delivering a broad range of services including advertising, media planning and buying, branding, and public relations. Through its global network of agencies, WPP partners with brands to drive creative and digital transformation, helping clients adapt to shifting consumer behavior and technological change.

Caspian Sunrise PLC (LSE:CASP) has secured regulatory approval for the $88 million divestment of its MJF and South Yelemes fields, marking a major milestone in its asset disposal strategy. The transaction is set to strengthen the company’s financial position, with proceeds earmarked for advancing existing operations, launching new projects, and bolstering working capital.

Completion of the sale is also expected to aid in the company’s efforts to resume share trading, currently suspended pending the finalization of financial audits. The move is part of Caspian Sunrise’s broader plan to streamline its portfolio and refocus on high-impact exploration and development assets.

About Caspian Sunrise PLC

Caspian Sunrise is an oil and gas exploration and production company with operations primarily in Kazakhstan. The company is actively involved in developing several energy projects, including the BNG deep structures and the West Shalva Contract Area. With a focus on expanding its resource base and enhancing operational efficiency, Caspian Sunrise aims to position itself for long-term growth in the regional energy sector.