Author: Fiona Craig

CleanTech Lithium PLC (LSE:CTL) has released its audited 2024 results, showcasing meaningful advancements at its flagship Laguna Verde lithium brine project in Chile. The company confirmed a JORC-compliant resource estimate of 1.63 million tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE), reinforcing the project’s long-term production potential.

Progress on Regulatory Front and Technology Deployment

CleanTech continues to pursue a Special Lithium Operation Contract (CEOL) from the Chilean government, which is vital for progressing to commercial production. Meanwhile, the company is actively advancing its proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, which has yielded high-purity lithium carbonate in early-stage testing. The approach supports CleanTech’s sustainability goals by minimizing environmental impact and water use compared to traditional lithium extraction methods.

Strategic Expansion and Community Engagement

In a move to broaden its capital markets reach, CleanTech is also seeking a dual listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). This initiative is expected to attract increased investor interest, particularly from markets with a strong focus on energy transition and battery minerals. The company has also strengthened its local engagement efforts, emphasizing transparent communication with communities in the Atacama region.

Outlook

Despite a challenging market backdrop for lithium developers, CleanTech Lithium remains focused on delivering long-term value through innovation, environmental responsibility, and regulatory alignment. With a robust resource base and growing technological capabilities, the company is well-positioned to support the accelerating global shift toward electric mobility and renewable energy storage.

About CleanTech Lithium

CleanTech Lithium PLC is a UK-listed exploration and development company with a strategic focus on sustainable lithium production in Chile. Leveraging cutting-edge DLE technology, the company targets high-purity lithium output from brine resources, aiming to supply the rapidly growing electric vehicle and energy storage markets.

Oxford Instruments plc (LSE:OXIG) has reported impressive full-year results for FY2024/25, surpassing the £500 million revenue milestone for the first time. The performance was fueled by strong demand in its core semiconductor and materials analysis divisions, underscoring the company’s successful strategic direction.

Strategic Quantum Exit and Shareholder Returns

As part of a strategic portfolio realignment, Oxford Instruments announced the divestiture of its NanoScience quantum business in a £60 million transaction. The move enables the company to double down on high-growth opportunities, while unlocking capital for a £50 million share buyback program—an initiative designed to deliver enhanced value to shareholders and support its medium-term operating margin objectives.

Financial and Market Outlook

Backed by consistent top-line expansion and solid profitability, Oxford Instruments remains in a strong financial position. Nevertheless, technical indicators suggest some short-term market caution, despite the company’s reasonable valuation and sound fundamentals. The announced share buyback is expected to support investor sentiment amid broader market uncertainty.

About Oxford Instruments

Founded in 1959 as a University of Oxford spin-out, Oxford Instruments has grown into a global FTSE250 technology leader. The company designs and manufactures advanced tools and systems used in research and industry, serving sectors such as semiconductors, materials science, and life sciences. Its commitment to innovation and scientific excellence continues to underpin its reputation as a trusted partner in cutting-edge applications across academia and commercial enterprise.

Ground Rents Income Fund plc (LSE:GRIO) has released its half-year financial update, revealing a £6.4 million decline in its unaudited portfolio valuation and a reduction in net asset value to £50.4 million. Despite ongoing sector headwinds, the company made £9.2 million in asset sales during the period, allowing for meaningful debt repayments.

Navigating Legislative and Cost Pressures

The company continues to face challenges stemming from recent Leasehold Reform measures and the evolving Building Safety Regulations. Efforts to address these include ongoing remediation projects and a judicial review aimed at contesting certain enfranchisement provisions in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.

While operational costs have risen and a recent unsolicited acquisition offer failed to materialize, the company remains focused on stabilizing its portfolio and responding to the shifting regulatory landscape.

Market Outlook and Strategic Positioning

Ground Rents Income Fund maintains a stable balance sheet, providing a degree of financial resilience. However, profitability hurdles and uneven cash flow performance have contributed to negative market sentiment. Technically, the stock reflects a bearish trend, though its dividend yield offers some valuation appeal. Ongoing legal actions and evolving regulatory frameworks introduce uncertainty, complicating the company’s near-term strategic prospects.

About Ground Rents Income Fund

Ground Rents Income Fund plc is a listed real estate investment trust (REIT), trading on the SETSqx platform of the London Stock Exchange and listed on The International Stock Exchange. Specializing in residential leasehold asset management, the fund promotes transparency, fairness, and affordability for leaseholders. It is managed by Schroder Real Estate Investment Management Limited, which has led efforts since 2019 to address complex regulatory and safety challenges within the portfolio.

Carnival Corporation & plc (LSE:CCL) has announced that it will host its second-quarter earnings call on June 24, 2025. The upcoming conference call is expected to provide a detailed overview of the company’s financial results, offering critical insights for investors, analysts, and industry watchers.

Market Expectations and Financial Outlook

The cruise industry giant is navigating a strong post-pandemic rebound, with improved earnings forecasts and encouraging financial momentum bolstering its outlook. Strategic corporate decisions and favorable technical indicators further support the company’s recovery narrative. However, Carnival continues to grapple with a substantial debt load, which remains a focal point for market observers.

About Carnival Corporation

Carnival Corporation & plc is recognized as the world’s largest cruise operator and one of the premier global leisure travel companies. It oversees a diverse portfolio of renowned cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Cunard, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, and P&O Cruises. The company offers vacation experiences to millions of passengers annually across all major international cruise markets.

Haydale Graphene Industries PLC (LSE:HAYD) is making notable headway in the commercialization of its JustHeat product—a graphene-enhanced, low-energy heating system designed for efficiency and sustainability. Since its April 2025 debut, JustHeat has received UL certification, paving the way for sales and deployment across the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Strategic Distribution and Pilot Programs Underway

In the UK, the company has secured initial pilot installations and signed key distribution agreements with Quidos Protect and Jersey Energy Technologies to drive regional adoption. Haydale also reports active discussions with prospective partners in multiple countries, signaling a growing global appetite for alternative heating technologies.

Path to Scaled Deployment

The company is leveraging partnerships and cost-optimization strategies to position JustHeat for broad commercial rollout. With both regulatory approval and market interest now established, Haydale aims to scale the system across a variety of residential and commercial settings internationally.

Business Outlook: Innovation Meets Financial Pressure

Despite its technological progress and encouraging partnerships, Haydale continues to face headwinds in profitability and cash flow, which weigh heavily on investor sentiment. Technical indicators reflect strong momentum, although some metrics, such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI), suggest caution due to potential overvaluation. Strategic board appointments and the attainment of regulatory milestones have strengthened its corporate narrative, even as the company navigates restructuring complexities.

About Haydale Graphene Industries

Haydale Graphene Industries PLC is a UK-based advanced materials company specializing in the development and functionalization of nanomaterials—particularly graphene. Its proprietary HDPlas® plasma process enhances the performance of materials for a range of applications, with current focus areas including energy-efficient heating, composites, and sustainable infrastructure. The company is at the forefront of developing smart solutions for the built environment, aiming to merge innovation with real-world functionality.

AFC Energy (LSE:AFC) has unveiled a major breakthrough in cost efficiency, announcing an approximate 85% reduction in the production costs of its 30kW hydrogen fuel cell generators. This achievement is credited to innovations in low-cost stack design and strategic value engineering, aimed at accelerating adoption of hydrogen-based power without dependency on government incentives.

Strategic Supply Agreement and Manufacturing Expansion

Alongside this cost milestone, AFC Energy has finalized a new supply agreement for its fuel cell systems and is moving forward with establishing a global manufacturing partnership with Volex Plc. The collaboration is expected to enable further cost reductions through scale efficiencies, positioning AFC Energy for significant growth as it ramps up production volumes.

Market Potential and Corporate Outlook

While the company’s technological progress and partnerships reflect a strong strategic direction, analysts note that its financial metrics—particularly recurring losses and a high cash burn rate—remain areas of concern. Still, the recent developments have added momentum to investor confidence in the firm’s long-term prospects.

About AFC Energy

AFC Energy is a UK-based innovator in hydrogen-powered energy solutions, offering clean and sustainable electricity for a wide range of on-grid and off-grid uses. The company’s hydrogen fuel cells are already being deployed in electric vehicle charging, remote construction power, and temporary site energy. Future applications are being explored in sectors such as maritime transport, data centers, and rail infrastructure.

In addition, AFC Energy is advancing ammonia-to-hydrogen cracking technology, targeting industries such as mining, cement, and heavy engineering—sectors where decarbonization is both critical and complex. The firm’s expanding portfolio reflects its ambition to be a leader in clean energy technologies addressing industrial and commercial power needs worldwide.

Phoenix Copper Limited (LSE:PXC) has entered into a Letter of Intent with a U.S.-based investor for a proposed $75 million corporate copper bond issuance. The funds are earmarked for advancing construction at the company’s Empire open-pit mine and initiating a new phase of underground exploration drilling. While the financing deal marks a major step forward in Phoenix’s expansion plans, it remains subject to completion of legal documentation and final due diligence.

Strengthening the Foundation for Growth

The proposed bond placement is poised to significantly bolster Phoenix Copper’s financial resources, enabling the company to ramp up its development activities and reinforce its position in the copper production market. The capital will specifically support the infrastructure build-out at Empire Mine and facilitate deeper geological assessment through targeted drilling.

About Phoenix Copper

Phoenix Copper is a growth-focused metals exploration and development firm with a primary focus on copper, gold, and silver. Its operations are centered in the western United States, where it oversees the Empire Mine project in Idaho—an area with a long history of high-grade mineral production, including copper, zinc, silver, gold, and tungsten.

Since acquiring the project in 2017, Phoenix has significantly expanded its open-pit resource estimates and continues to pursue additional exploration opportunities in the surrounding area. The company is positioning itself as a future U.S.-based copper producer with a diversified asset base and a focus on sustainable development.

Gold prices continued their upward trajectory in Asian markets on Friday, fueled by a spike in safe-haven demand following a significant Israeli military strike on Iran. The attack targeted multiple nuclear and military facilities, raising fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East.

Earlier in the week, gold had already been gaining ground due to ongoing U.S.-China trade uncertainty. While some progress was reported, the lack of concrete details left investors on edge.

By 22:50 ET (02:50 GMT), spot gold had climbed 1.5% to $3,436.97 per ounce, while August gold futures advanced 1.6% to $3,459.60.

Israel’s Preemptive Strike Triggers Market Jitters

The precious metal’s rally accelerated after Israel launched a wide-reaching airstrike early Friday, hitting dozens of Iranian installations. Media reports noted widespread explosions in Tehran, prompting Iran to activate its air defense systems. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel, which had entered a state of emergency in anticipation of potential retaliation.

According to Reuters, two U.S. officials confirmed that the military operation was conducted solely by Israel, with no involvement from the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also emphasized that Israel acted independently, describing the strike as an act of self-defense.

Macroeconomic Drivers Strengthen Gold’s Appeal

Beyond geopolitical risk, gold’s gains were also supported by recent U.S. economic data. A rise in jobless claims and subdued producer price inflation increased bets that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates sooner than expected. These expectations have enhanced the attractiveness of gold, a non-yielding asset, in uncertain times.

With tensions escalating between Israel and Iran, analysts suggest gold prices could continue to climb as investors seek shelter amid rising geopolitical risk.

Elsewhere in the metals market, platinum futures slipped 0.8% but remained close to four-year highs. Silver futures gained 1%, hitting $36.625 per ounce — near a 13-year peak. Industrial metals showed a mixed performance, with benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange edging down 0.3% to $9,678.70 a ton, while U.S. copper futures dipped 0.5% to $4.8195 per pound.

Oil markets saw a dramatic surge in early Asian trading on Friday, following a significant Israeli military operation targeting Iran. The escalation has heightened concerns about a wider conflict in the Middle East and potential disruptions to global oil supply.

As of 21:22 ET (01:22 GMT), July contracts for Brent crude jumped 8.5%, trading at $75.15 per barrel — the highest level recorded since early February. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures climbed 8.4% to $73.68 per barrel.

Tensions Soar as Israel Launches Strikes on Iran

According to media sources, Israel carried out a large-scale preemptive air assault on Iranian territory early Friday, targeting numerous military and nuclear installations. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned of an imminent retaliatory response, stating that missile and drone attacks on Israeli civilians were anticipated.

Tehran was rocked by multiple explosions, and Iranian state media confirmed the full activation of air defense systems across the capital.

Despite the scale of the assault, two U.S. officials told Reuters that the United States was not involved in the operation, emphasizing that Israel acted independently. CNN also reported that former President Donald Trump had convened a cabinet meeting in response to the unfolding situation.

The sharp increase in oil prices reflects investor anxiety over the geopolitical fallout, with fears that any prolonged conflict between Israel and Iran could severely impact crude production and shipping routes across the region — a key artery for global energy supply.

WH Smith PLC (LSE:SMWH) saw its stock price gain up to 2.9% on Thursday amid news that activist investor Palliser Capital has acquired a significant holding in the company.

According to a report from Sky News, Palliser has accumulated close to a 5% stake in the British retailer, with the investment valued at roughly £65 million ($88.3 million) based on current market prices.

The disclosure of Palliser’s position was expected to coincide with a major industry event taking place Thursday.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that Palliser views WH Smith’s expansion in the U.S. as a key driver of future growth and believes the retailer’s shares could nearly double in value over the next three years.