Author: Fiona Craig

Hercules Site Services Plc (LSE:HERC) has taken a strategic step into the UK power sector with the acquisition of Advantage NRG Ltd, a specialist provider of skilled linesmen for overhead power transmission projects. The deal, valued at up to £15.7 million, positions Hercules to capitalize on the growing demand for electricity infrastructure upgrades driven by the UK’s energy transition and net-zero goals.

This move not only broadens Hercules’ industry reach but is also expected to deliver improved profit margins and earnings growth. The acquisition enhances the company’s workforce capabilities and training capacity, directly addressing the UK’s ongoing shortage of qualified utility infrastructure workers.

In addition to expanding into a new vertical, Hercules continues to benefit from strong revenue growth and disciplined financial management. Its ability to generate attractive dividend yields and reduce debt adds to its investment appeal, even as it navigates challenges in broader market profitability indicators.

About Hercules Site Services Plc

Hercules Site Services is a UK-based labor supply and recruitment specialist serving infrastructure and construction sectors. Leveraging technology-driven solutions, the company delivers skilled workforce support across major national projects. With its recent entry into the power and energy space, Hercules is well-positioned to contribute to the modernization of the UK’s electrical grid.

Tap Global Group Plc (LSE:TAP) has officially joined the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, transitioning from the AQSE Growth Market in a move that marks a key milestone in the company’s expansion journey. The AIM listing underscores Tap Global’s solid growth trajectory and profitability, with the company already serving nearly 400,000 users worldwide through its regulated, cash-generative platform.

The move is expected to boost the company’s visibility in public markets, attract a broader investor base, and support future scaling initiatives. As part of its strategic roadmap, Tap Global also announced the appointment of Steven Borg as Executive Director, strengthening its leadership team as it continues to execute on growth and innovation.

About Tap Global Group Plc

Tap Global is a fintech innovator that seamlessly integrates traditional financial services with blockchain infrastructure. Through its Tap app, users can trade, store, and spend over 50 cryptocurrencies, with built-in access to leading digital asset exchanges. The company’s European arm, Tap Global Limited, holds the distinction of being the first crypto fintech approved by Mastercard in Europe, allowing users to convert crypto to fiat and make global purchases with ease.

Roquefort Therapeutics (LSE:ROQ) has announced a revised timeline for the divestment of its subsidiary, Lyramid Pty Ltd, extending the completion deadline from June 30 to August 31, 2025. The delay follows slower-than-anticipated fundraising progress by the buyer, Pleiades Pharma Limited, which has been impacted by geopolitical uncertainties in the UAE.

Once finalized, the transaction will see Roquefort receive equity in Pleiades along with a potential cash payment of up to $2 million. To enable shareholders to directly benefit from the deal, Roquefort plans to set up a new equity holding company through which Pleiades shares will be distributed. Meanwhile, the company continues to seek acquisition opportunities focused on clinical-stage assets or revenue-generating businesses within the life sciences sector.

About Roquefort Therapeutics PLC

Roquefort Therapeutics is a UK-listed biotechnology firm developing next-generation therapies targeting cancer and immune-related diseases. Its pipeline includes five pre-clinical, patent-protected assets designed to address high-value markets in oncology and immunology.

Arc Minerals Limited (LSE:ARCM) has published its audited financial statements for the year ending December 2024, showcasing notable progress in its exploration initiatives. In partnership with Anglo American, the company began drilling operations in Zambia, where early results from the Cheyeza target point to encouraging copper mineralization.

Further strengthening its footprint in the region, Arc Minerals has signed a deal to acquire the Chingola Project in the heart of the Zambian Copperbelt—an area known for its rich copper deposits. This acquisition is poised to significantly expand the company’s resource base. In Botswana, Arc completed its first-ever exploration campaign and secured extensions to its prospecting licenses. Follow-up exploration activities are already being planned to build on the initial positive outcomes.

These strategic developments underline Arc Minerals’ commitment to becoming a key player in the copper exploration sector, with a focus on unlocking long-term value for shareholders.

About Arc Minerals Limited

Arc Minerals is a resource exploration company with a primary focus on copper assets. Active in Zambia and Botswana, the company is dedicated to discovering and developing high-potential mineral projects to support the global demand for critical raw materials.

Beacon Energy (LSE:BCE) has released its full-year results for 2024, outlining a year of both strategic initiatives and significant headwinds. The company has been actively working to stabilize its financial footing while exploring growth opportunities, including ongoing discussions to acquire a European onshore gas development asset—a move that could reshape its operational trajectory and shareholder value.

Despite these efforts, Beacon’s shares remain suspended from trading as the company prepares its required Admission Document. The situation is time-sensitive, as Beacon must either complete a qualifying reverse takeover or transition into an investing company by January 2026 to avoid delisting from the London Stock Exchange.

About Beacon Energy

Beacon Energy is an upstream oil and gas company committed to acquiring and developing high-impact assets. With a focus on becoming a self-sustaining business, the company seeks to unlock value through strategic acquisitions and operational growth, particularly as the energy sector undergoes structural changes.

Built Cybernetics plc (LSE:BUC) has reported full approval of all resolutions presented at its recent Annual General Meeting, signaling strong confidence from its shareholder base. The AGM also reviewed the company’s interim performance for the six-month period ending March 2025, underlining Built Cybernetics’ focused strategy within the PropTech sector.

The company continues to position itself as a leader in smart building technologies, leveraging its integrated solutions to drive scalable and recurring revenue streams. By embedding advanced technical systems directly into modern infrastructure, Built Cybernetics aims to expand its reach by cross-selling its services alongside architectural and property development projects.

About Built Cybernetics plc

Built Cybernetics plc is a UK-listed PropTech enterprise specializing in Smart Building solutions. The company designs and integrates intelligent systems within building structures, targeting long-term growth through innovative property technologies and bundled service offerings.

Pristine Capital PLC (LSE:PRIS) has announced plans to acquire a UK-based regional property portfolio valued at around £20 million. The company has signed non-binding heads of terms for the purchase, which includes three income-generating office buildings. The strategic acquisition is designed to support an annual dividend yield of at least 8% for shareholders.

The deal will be financed through a combination of equity and debt and marks a significant step in Pristine Capital’s growth strategy. In line with the transaction, the company intends to shift its listing from the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market to AIM, the exchange’s market for smaller, high-growth companies. As a result, trading in Pristine Capital’s shares has been temporarily suspended until the acquisition process is finalized.

About Pristine Capital PLC

Pristine Capital PLC is a listed investment vehicle focused on the UK real estate sector. Currently operating as a cash shell on the Main Market, the company targets property acquisitions and real estate investments that offer strong income potential.

Savannah Resources (LSE:SAV) has reinforced its financial footing by successfully raising at least £4.24 million through an accelerated bookbuild and subscription process. This fresh capital injection will support the ongoing advancement of the company’s flagship Barroso Lithium Project in Portugal.

The fundraising round received strong backing from both current stakeholders and new investors, including significant commitments from institutional investors in Portugal, France, and the UK. The proceeds will primarily fund the completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), while also laying the groundwork for post-DFS activities such as securing construction financing and acquiring necessary land.

About Savannah Resources

Savannah Resources PLC is a key player in Europe’s lithium sector, focused on developing the Barroso Lithium Project. The company aims to supply essential lithium materials to support Europe’s growing battery manufacturing industry and broader energy transition goals.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher start on Thursday, with markets appearing poised to build on recent gains following the release of encouraging economic data.

Early momentum was supported by a report from the Labor Department showing that initial jobless claims fell unexpectedly in the week ending June 21. Claims dropped by 10,000 to 236,000, surprising economists who had expected the figure to hold steady at 245,000.

Meanwhile, a separate report from the Commerce Department showed durable goods orders surged 16.4% in May, far outpacing expectations for an 8.5% increase. This follows a downwardly revised 6.6% decline in April. Even when excluding the volatile transportation sector, orders still rose by 0.5%, indicating broad-based strength in manufacturing demand.

However, there was also a note of caution as revised GDP figures revealed the U.S. economy contracted more than previously thought in the first quarter of 2025. Real GDP fell by 0.5%, a steeper drop than the initially reported 0.2% decline. The revision was mainly due to weaker consumer spending and exports, though this was partially offset by lower imports.

On Wednesday, stocks had started strong, building on gains from earlier in the week, but the rally faded by the close. The Nasdaq managed to notch a new four-month high, ending up 0.3% at 19,973.55. The S&P 500 closed flat at 6,092.16, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3% to 42,982.43.

The early strength in the markets was attributed to ongoing positive sentiment, though traders later shifted focus to geopolitical developments following reports of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, prompting some profit-taking after recent highs.

In housing news, the Commerce Department reported a sharp drop in new home sales for May, which fell 13.7% to an annual rate of 623,000. This followed a 9.6% jump in April and came in below expectations for a 7.1% decline.

Real estate-related stocks took a hit following the housing data. The Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index fell 2.4%, while the Philadelphia Housing Sector Index dropped 1.9%. Weakness also emerged in oil service, airline, and natural gas stocks. On the other hand, networking stocks provided a boost to the Nasdaq, helping the tech-heavy index outperform the broader market.

European stock markets edged higher on Thursday, showing resilience despite investor concerns about central bank autonomy in the U.S. and unease ahead of an approaching deadline for potential American tariffs.

The broader mood was cautious as market participants weighed mixed economic signals. In Germany, consumer confidence took an unexpected dip heading into July. According to a joint survey from GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions, the forward-looking sentiment index slipped to -20.3 from -20.0 the previous month, falling short of expectations for an improvement to -19.1. The decline was attributed to a rise in savings intent, which outweighed improved income expectations.

Despite the soft economic data, key European indices posted gains. Germany’s DAX climbed 0.5%, the UK’s FTSE 100 added 0.4%, and France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.2%.

Among individual movers, investment firm 3i Group (LSE:III) saw its shares rise after reporting continued strong sales momentum at its majority-owned discount retailer, Action, which posted year-to-date like-for-like sales growth of 6.9%.

Topps Tiles (LSE:TPT) gained ground following executive leadership changes, including the appointment of a new CEO and interim CFO. Retailer Next (LSE:NXT) also traded higher after delivering a strong first-quarter update and raising its full-year guidance for the second time.

Construction group Balfour Beatty (LSE:BBY) rose after securing a major £833 million contract from Technip Energies, marking a win in the large-scale infrastructure space.

Meanwhile, shares of Swedish fashion giant H&M rallied sharply as the company posted better-than-expected profits for its second quarter, offering a rare bright spot in the sector.