Author: Fiona Craig

Surface Transforms (LSE:SCE) has appointed Steve Harrison as its permanent Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Harrison, who brings extensive experience in senior finance roles, will also join the board of directors. His expertise in financial management and strategic leadership is expected to strengthen the company’s growth initiatives and support operational excellence.

The company’s outlook is shaped by financial challenges and mixed technical signals, tempered by positive corporate developments. While ongoing financial instability and negative profitability weigh on overall performance, recent operational improvements and strong insider confidence suggest potential for future growth.

About Surface Transforms

Surface Transforms plc is a UK-based manufacturer specializing in carbon-ceramic automotive brake discs. It is the only UK company—and one of just two globally—producing these advanced brake systems for major OEMs. Using proprietary technology, the company delivers lightweight, high-performance discs suitable for both internal combustion and electric vehicles, offering benefits such as enhanced durability, superior heat conductivity, and reduced weight compared with traditional iron discs.

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.

Investec Group (LSE:INVP) has provided a pre-close trading update for the interim period ending September 2025, signaling stable financial performance despite challenging market conditions. Earnings for 1H2026 are expected to mirror the previous period, supported by strong capital generation and targeted growth investments. While results in Southern Africa were mixed, the UK operations remained steady. The Group continues to optimize capital management through a share buy-back program and aims to enhance shareholder returns by FY2030. Key financial metrics, including earnings per share, credit loss ratio, and cost-to-income ratio, are anticipated to stay within target ranges, highlighting the company’s resilience and strategic focus.

Investec’s outlook is balanced: strong profitability contrasts with revenue declines and liquidity pressures. Technical indicators show a bearish trend, but valuation metrics suggest potential undervaluation. Recent earnings commentary underscores solid business growth and improved shareholder returns, despite ongoing cost challenges.

About Investec

Investec is a financial services provider operating in banking, investment, and asset management. The company offers specialist banking, wealth and investment management, and asset management services, with a strong presence in both South Africa and the UK. Its strategy focuses on leveraging client franchises and strengthening its market position.

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.

Predator Oil & Gas Holdings Plc (LSE:PRD) has released its interim results for H1 2025, reporting notable operational and financial progress. In Trinidad, the company achieved its first oil revenues and completed the acquisition of Challenger Energy Group’s operations, a move expected to enhance production and revenue. In Morocco, Predator advanced its exploration programs, completing successful drilling operations and preparing for further development. Despite increased operational activity, administrative costs were kept below last year’s levels, and the company remains fully funded for the next 12 months.

About Predator Oil & Gas

Predator Oil & Gas Holdings Plc is a Jersey-based oil and gas company focused on near-term hydrocarbon projects in Trinidad and Morocco. Its operations span exploration and production, with a strategy centered on expanding its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and the development of existing assets.

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.

Close Brothers Group (LSE:CBG) has announced a revised timeline for its preliminary results for the fiscal year ending 31 July 2025, moving the release from 23 September to 30 September 2025. The delay follows additional time requested by the group’s auditors to complete routine audit procedures.

The company’s outlook is influenced by solid technical indicators and positive corporate developments, supporting generally favorable market sentiment. However, concerns around financial performance and valuation temper the overall perspective, with future stability depending on effective revenue growth and cash flow management.

About Close Brothers

Close Brothers Group is a leading UK merchant banking group providing lending, deposit-taking, and securities trading services. Headquartered in the UK, the company employs around 3,000 staff across the UK and Ireland and is listed on the London Stock Exchange as part of the FTSE 250.

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.

Sabien Technology Group plc (LSE:SNT), a specialist in energy efficiency solutions, has reported a strong start to its financial year. Within the first 10 weeks, sales revenue from its M2G operations has already surpassed 50% of the total achieved in the previous full year. The performance reflects successful execution of Sabien’s growth strategy, driven by expanded channel partnerships and increased uptake of its cloud-based service subscriptions.

Despite this momentum, the company’s outlook remains tempered by a history of weak financial results and bearish technical signals. Even so, its recent push into CO₂ mitigation technologies introduces potential growth avenues that may help offset ongoing financial challenges.

About Sabien Technology

Sabien Technology Group plc provides energy reduction and carbon efficiency technologies designed to support businesses in meeting sustainability objectives. Its solutions focus on lowering energy consumption and emissions, and the company has been awarded the London Stock Exchange’s Green Economy Mark in recognition of its commitment to environmentally sustainable products and services.

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.

Savannah Energy PLC (LSE:SAVE) has agreed to acquire a 50.1% stake in Klinchenberg BV from Norfund, marking a strategic expansion into East Africa’s hydropower sector. The transaction, worth up to $65.4 million, includes interests in three large-scale projects: Bujagali in Uganda, Mpatamanga in Malawi, and Ruzizi III, which spans Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda. Once completed, the deal is expected to strengthen Savannah’s role in Africa’s energy transition, providing access to affordable electricity for more than 30 million people and laying the groundwork for long-term regional growth.

About Savannah Energy

Savannah Energy PLC is a UK-based independent energy company with a focus on impactful projects across Africa. The business is expanding from oil and gas into renewable power, with a particular emphasis on hydropower initiatives that support sustainable economic development on the continent.

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.

Firering Strategic Minerals plc (LSE:FRG) has reported key progress at Limeco Resources Limited, its Zambian quicklime venture. The company has successfully upgraded Kiln 1, which is now operating consistently at 45–50 tonnes per day, and refurbishment work is underway on Kiln 2. Additional kilns are also scheduled to be brought online, expanding capacity further. With demand for quicklime remaining strong, Firering has established new sales channels for both premium and lower-grade products. The business has also secured a Mining Licence for its limestone deposit, with mining operations targeted to begin in Q4 2026. These developments strengthen Limeco’s positioning as a reliable supplier of high-quality quicklime across the region, supported by a solid pipeline of sales opportunities.

About Firering Strategic Minerals

Firering Strategic Minerals plc is a growth-stage quicklime producer and critical minerals explorer. Its main focus is scaling production at the Limeco quicklime project in Zambia, where it currently holds a 26.9% interest with the option to increase to 45%. Limeco is expected to supply copper producers in the Central African Copperbelt as well as other regional industries that rely heavily on imported quicklime from South Africa. Alongside this, Firering is advancing the Atex Lithium-Tantalum Project in northern Côte d’Ivoire, which holds significant potential in battery metals, aligning with the transition to clean energy technologies.

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.

Skillcast Group Plc (LSE:SKL) reported a strong first half of 2025, delivering an 18% rise in overall revenue and a 23% increase in subscription revenue. EBITDA climbed to £0.7 million, marking a year-on-year jump of more than 2,000%, while cash reserves expanded by 38% to £11.5 million. Subscription services, which now represent 85% of total revenue, were the main driver of growth, supported by the rollout of Aida, the company’s AI-powered compliance assistant. Reflecting this performance, Skillcast declared an interim dividend of £180,000, up 20% on the prior year, in line with subscription growth. Management reaffirmed its focus on scaling its subscription base and improving profitability amid strong demand for governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) solutions.

The company’s robust financial delivery and positive corporate actions contribute to a bullish outlook, reinforced by technical momentum. While potential overvaluation warrants some caution, Skillcast remains well-positioned to sustain growth.

About Skillcast Group

London-headquartered Skillcast Group Plc provides governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) software and e-learning solutions through a cloud-based SaaS platform. With an operations hub in Malta, the company supports over 1,400 clients, ranging from FTSE 100 firms to SMEs, particularly within regulated industries such as financial services and insurance. Its mission is to simplify compliance processes and help businesses create resilient, regulation-ready workplaces.

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.

Insig AI PLC (LSE:INSG) has released its annual results, reporting a 43% rise in revenue for the year ended March 2025 and a 143% jump in Q1 revenue compared with the prior year. The company also narrowed its operating loss, launched a new Generative Intelligence Engine, and secured a contract with the UK Financial Conduct Authority. Looking ahead, Insig AI is evaluating strategic opportunities, including potential moves into digital assets, as it seeks to capture value from the rapidly developing AI sector. Management highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence in reshaping business operations, underscoring its role as a provider of advanced data-driven solutions.

The outlook for Insig AI is mixed, reflecting both challenges and opportunities. Financial performance remains a concern, but the company’s progress in technology development, client wins, and strong technical indicators point to potential recovery and future growth.

About Insig AI

Insig AI PLC is a machine learning and data science company focused on the asset management industry. Its core offering is built around transforming unstructured data into AI-ready formats, enabling clients to enhance decision-making, automate processes, and gain a competitive advantage in AI-powered 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.

IG Group Holdings (LSE:IGG) has announced changes to how it reports customer metrics beginning in Q1 FY26. The revisions include updated definitions for active customers and first trades, along with the introduction of a new measure: funded customers. These adjustments are designed to bring consistency across the Group’s reporting, reflecting its diversified revenue model and long-term growth strategy. The refreshed metrics will be published in each reporting cycle to give investors clearer insights into performance trends, without altering trading or overall revenue figures.

The company’s outlook remains constructive, supported by solid technical signals and a favorable valuation underpinned by a resilient balance sheet. However, recent declines in revenue and free cash flow present potential headwinds. While there have been no recent earnings calls or corporate events to add further context, the Group’s fundamentals still provide a positive base case.

About IG Group

IG Group Holdings plc is a FTSE 250 financial services company headquartered in the UK. It provides online trading platforms and educational tools, offering clients access to nearly 19,000 markets worldwide.

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.