Author: Fiona Craig

CleanTech Lithium PLC (LSE:CTL) has confirmed that its application for a Special Lithium Operating Contract (CEOL) covering the Laguna Verde project remains under active review by Chilean authorities. The chief executive has recently held meetings with the Ministry of Mining, which the company described as constructive, and management reiterated its confidence that the project will meet the requirements necessary for approval. Securing the CEOL is a pivotal step for Laguna Verde, a cornerstone asset in CleanTech Lithium’s Chile growth strategy and its ambition to supply lithium materials into the global battery value chain.

Separately, the group announced that former chief financial officer and director Gordon Stein, who had been scheduled to step down on 11 February, will continue supporting the business under a consultancy arrangement through at least the end of June 2026 in a non-board CFO capacity. Stein will work alongside newly appointed project finance adviser Cutfield Freeman & Co as the company seeks to secure a strategic funding partner. The arrangement is intended to maintain financial stability and continuity as the company advances toward its next development phase.

From a financial standpoint, the outlook remains constrained by the company’s pre-revenue status, widening losses and ongoing negative operating and free cash flow, underscoring continued reliance on external capital despite moderate leverage levels. Technical indicators provide some counterbalance, with the share price trading above key moving averages and momentum metrics such as MACD and RSI showing supportive trends. Nonetheless, valuation remains pressured by negative earnings and the absence of dividend support.

More about CleanTech Lithium PLC

CleanTech Lithium PLC is an exploration and development company focused on building sustainable lithium operations in Chile to support the global clean energy transition. Listed on AIM and in Frankfurt, the company controls the Laguna Verde and Viento Andino projects, along with the Arenas Blancas exploration asset in the lithium-rich Atacama region. It intends to utilise direct lithium extraction technology to reduce environmental impact while supplying battery-grade lithium to international markets.

Physiomics plc (LSE:PYC) has been awarded a new contract by a South Korea-based clinical-stage biopharma group focused on next-generation antibody-drug conjugates and immuno-oncology treatments. Valued at up to £66,600, the assignment will involve applying pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling and simulation to support dose selection for one of the client’s oncology candidates. The work is set to begin immediately and is expected to conclude within two months.

The agreement expands Physiomics’ footprint in Asia and aligns with its strategy to grow its international client base beyond core markets. It also reflects increasing demand for advanced quantitative modelling tools to reduce risk and improve decision-making in cancer drug development. Management described the mandate as further evidence of the company’s ability to deliver data-driven insights at pivotal clinical stages, where accurate dose optimisation can materially influence outcomes.

Despite the strategic progress, the company’s broader outlook continues to be shaped by financial challenges. Persistent losses and ongoing cash outflows weigh on performance, even as revenues showed a rebound in 2025 and the balance sheet remains debt-free. Technical indicators offer a more constructive picture, with the share price trading above key moving averages, though overbought signals suggest potential short-term volatility. Valuation metrics remain constrained by negative earnings and the lack of dividend support.

More about Physiomics plc

Physiomics plc is a UK-based specialist in mathematical modelling, biostatistics and data science, supporting biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the development of new medicines and personalised therapies. Through computational approaches, custom-built models and its proprietary Virtual Tumour platform, the company helps streamline drug development across discovery, pre-clinical and clinical phases. Its client roster includes Merck KGaA, Astellas and Bicycle Therapeutics.

THG PLC (LSE:THG) has unveiled a new licensing agreement between its Myprotein brand and convenience food manufacturer Greencore, paving the way for a range of protein-packed salads and wraps to launch in Sainsbury’s stores. The move is designed to accelerate Myprotein’s push beyond its traditional sports nutrition base, increasing its exposure in everyday, high-frequency food-to-go occasions.

The partnership forms part of THG’s broader strategy to scale Myprotein’s offline distribution and licensing network to 100,000 retail outlets. It builds on existing collaborations with Müller, Iceland and Jimmy’s Coffee, which collectively delivered more than 43 million units into retail channels during 2025. Management believes that a growing roster of partners, combined with sustained consumer appetite for convenient, protein-rich and “clean label” products, could drive licensed product volumes above 60 million units in 2026. The initiative is expected to further embed the brand within the expanding healthy convenience segment.

From a financial perspective, THG continues to navigate material headwinds. Elevated leverage levels and ongoing losses remain key constraints on the investment case. However, recent strategic developments and supportive technical indicators point to improving momentum, offering some balance to the pressure from underlying fundamentals.

More about THG PLC

THG PLC is a Manchester-headquartered global e-commerce platform operating across THG Beauty and THG Nutrition. Its portfolio includes leading consumer brands such as Lookfantastic, Dermstore, Cult Beauty and Myprotein. THG Beauty provides digital retail infrastructure for more than 1,000 third-party brands, while THG Nutrition, led by Myprotein, delivers health and wellness products through direct-to-consumer channels and an expanding network of offline retail partnerships worldwide.

Guardian Metal Resources Plc (LSE:GMET) has outlined accelerated progress across its Nevada tungsten portfolio, supported by a US$6.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense and a US$21 million equity placing. During the interim period, the company finalised an updated Technical Summary and Mineral Resource Estimate for its Pilot Mountain project, lifting open-pit constrained indicated resources by 16% compared with the 2018 assessment and moving the asset closer to a pre-feasibility stage.

Field activity remains active at Tempiute, where drilling campaigns and environmental baseline studies are under way. The group has also expanded its land position at both Pilot North and Tempiute through additional claim acquisitions, strengthening the broader tungsten opportunity. Beyond tungsten, Guardian Metal progressed exploration work targeting copper, gold and lithium across its Garfield, Golconda, Kibby Basin and Stonewall properties.

Financially, total assets increased to US$37.6 million during the period, despite a wider interim loss, as capital inflows bolstered the balance sheet. The company also became a participant in several U.S. defense-aligned industry groups, reinforcing its ambition to help rebuild a domestic tungsten supply chain amid heightened strategic focus on critical minerals.

From an outlook perspective, performance continues to be constrained by limited revenue generation, expanding losses and rising cash outflows, although the group maintains a debt-free position. Market technicals offer more constructive signals, with a sustained upward trend and positive price momentum. Nevertheless, valuation metrics remain pressured by negative earnings and the absence of dividend support.

More about Guardian Metal Resources Plc

Guardian Metal Resources Plc is a strategic minerals exploration and development company focused on restoring U.S.-sourced tungsten production and enhancing American supply chain security for defense-critical metals. The company is advancing two flagship Nevada projects: Pilot Mountain, one of the largest undeveloped tungsten deposits in the United States, and Tempiute, historically the nation’s largest producing tungsten mine.

Thruvision Group plc (LSE:THRU) has recorded its first UK orders under its newly introduced “Screening as a Service” offering, a subscription-based model that provides customers with access to its walk-through security systems, along with ongoing support and training, in exchange for a fixed monthly payment. The structure is intended to eliminate significant upfront capital expenditure, enabling organisations to implement advanced screening capabilities more rapidly and with greater budget flexibility.

The initial contracts represent an important step in the deployment of the company’s revised commercial strategy. Management views the early uptake as evidence of growing appetite for more adaptable procurement frameworks within the security screening sector. By shifting toward a subscription format, Thruvision aims to widen adoption of its technology and attract organisations seeking to modernise security infrastructure without committing to large capital outlays.

From a financial standpoint, the company’s near-term outlook remains constrained by weaker fundamentals, including falling revenues and ongoing losses. While technical indicators suggest a broadly neutral trend, valuation metrics continue to reflect the pressure associated with sustained negative earnings. The absence of recent earnings call disclosures or major corporate events means those elements do not materially affect the overall assessment.

More about Thruvision Group plc

Thruvision Group plc is an international designer, manufacturer and supplier of walk-through security screening solutions deployed by government and commercial customers across more than 30 countries. Its AI-enabled systems are capable of identifying concealed metallic and non-metallic threats in real time, facilitating efficient and non-intrusive people screening. The company operates offices and production facilities in both the UK and the United States.

Alkemy Capital Investments Plc (LSE:ALK) has moved to strengthen the operational and compliance profile of its Tees Valley Lithium (TVL) project by entering into new UK-based partnerships focused on lithium recovery, recycled supply, and digital traceability. The agreements are designed to lift processing efficiency, cut waste, and reinforce the refinery’s credentials as a low-carbon, regulation-ready supplier to Europe’s battery and automotive industries.

TVL has signed a memorandum of understanding with Watercycle Technologies to introduce modular, on-site lithium recovery systems at its proposed refinery. The initiative could enable the recovery of roughly 800 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent each year—representing an estimated $16 million in potential value. In parallel, a separate framework arrangement outlines the supply of up to 50,000 tonnes of recycled lithium feedstock over a five-year period beginning in 2028, bolstering long-term feedstock security.

In addition, TVL has partnered with Circulor to implement batch-level digital tracking across its materials supply chain. The system will monitor provenance and recycled content, positioning the company to surpass upcoming EU Battery Regulation requirements for recycled lithium. The traceability platform is also aligned with standards adopted by major original equipment manufacturers, including Volvo, Ford, and Panasonic, enhancing TVL’s appeal to leading battery and EV producers.

From an investment perspective, the company’s outlook remains weighed down by financial headwinds. Alkemy continues to report limited revenue generation, sustained operating losses, negative free cash flow, and a balance sheet showing negative equity alongside rising debt levels.

However, market technical indicators provide some counterbalance, pointing to a firm upward trend and strengthening price momentum. Despite this, valuation metrics remain under pressure due to the group’s loss-making position and the absence of dividend support.

More about Alkemy Capital Investments Plc

Alkemy Capital Investments Plc is a UK-based developer of infrastructure projects tied to critical minerals essential for the energy transition. Through its wholly owned Tees Valley Lithium subsidiary, the company is progressing plans to establish what is intended to be Europe’s first standalone lithium hydroxide refinery, supplying battery-grade lithium chemicals to the region’s electric vehicle supply chain.

U.S. stock futures were trading higher early Wednesday, pointing to a positive start on Wall Street after a muted and directionless session the day before.

The move comes in response to fresh data from the Labor Department showing that job growth in January significantly outpaced expectations.

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 130,000 last month, following a downward revision to December’s figure, which now shows a gain of 48,000 jobs.

Forecasters had anticipated an increase of 70,000 positions, compared with the originally reported 50,000 for December.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.3% from 4.4%, defying expectations that it would remain unchanged.

The stronger-than-expected employment figures may boost confidence in the resilience of the U.S. economy, though they could also dampen hopes for imminent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

Attention now turns to Friday’s release of consumer price index data, which may provide further insight into the direction of monetary policy.

On Tuesday, markets struggled to gain traction after two prior days of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average briefly touched a new intraday record, but broader indices failed to build sustained momentum.

At the close, the Dow rose 52.27 points, or 0.1%, to 50,188.13. In contrast, the S&P 500 declined 23.01 points, or 0.3%, to 6,941.81, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 136.20 points, or 0.6%, to 23,102.47.

The lack of conviction reflected investor caution ahead of the monthly jobs release.

Traders also largely dismissed a Commerce Department report showing retail sales were unexpectedly flat in December.

Retail activity showed virtually no change after a 0.6% increase in November, missing projections for a 0.4% gain.

Excluding motor vehicles and parts, sales were similarly stagnant following a 0.4% rise the previous month. Economists had looked for a 0.3% increase.

“The December retail sales report shows that consumers paused their spending at the end of the holiday season after a strong spending spree in October and November,” said Nationwide Chief Economist Kathy Bostjancic.

She added, “The stagnant retail sales in December provides a soft hand-off to Q1 consumer spending, but we look for a surge in tax refunds, estimated to be $50 billion higher than last year, and the still strong wealth effect will buoy consumer spending in Q1 and support solid GDP growth.”

In separate data, import prices edged higher in December, in line with market expectations.

Housing-related stocks led gains as Treasury yields declined, pushing the Philadelphia Housing Sector Index up 3.4% to its highest close in five months.

Other rate-sensitive sectors also advanced, with the Dow Jones Utility Average climbing 1.9% and the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index rising 1.3%.

On the downside, brokerage shares retreated sharply, sending the NYSE Arca Broker/Dealer Index down 2.5% after reaching a record high in the prior session.

Technology hardware, airline, and oil services stocks also posted notable losses during the day.

Oil prices climbed on Wednesday, supported by persistent geopolitical tension surrounding delicate negotiations between the United States and Iran, while improving demand from India and signs of a shrinking supply surplus also lent support.

Brent crude futures rose 57 cents, or 0.83%, to $69.37 a barrel by 0711 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 56 cents, or 0.88%, to $64.52.

“Oil retains a bullish tail-risk bid as US-Iran talks continue but remain fragile, keeping the Strait of Hormuz risk premium supported amid ongoing sanctions pressure, tariff threats tied to Iranian trade, and heightened U.S. regional military posture,” LSEG analysts said in a report.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday that recent nuclear discussions with Washington allowed Tehran to evaluate the seriousness of the U.S. stance and revealed enough common ground to maintain diplomatic engagement.

Officials from Iran and the United States met in Oman last week in an attempt to revive negotiations, after President Donald Trump deployed naval forces to the region — a move that raised concerns about potential military escalation.

Prices initially dipped after Oman’s foreign minister described the talks as productive. However, sentiment shifted after reports suggested the U.S. could send a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East if negotiations fail, according to ANZ analysts.

Trump confirmed on Tuesday that he is considering dispatching another carrier, even as both sides prepare to resume talks aimed at avoiding renewed conflict.

Beyond geopolitical risks, supply fundamentals also provided support. The market has been gradually absorbing excess crude that accumulated in the final quarter of 2025.

“With mainstream oil on water returning to normal levels and demand for it in India rising, oil prices are likely to remain supported in the near term,” said Xavier Tang, a market analyst at Vortexa.

Indian refiners are reportedly curbing purchases of Russian crude as New Delhi seeks to finalize a trade agreement with Washington, leading to higher imports from the Middle East and West Africa.

Investors are also watching for weekly U.S. inventory figures from the Energy Information Administration.

A Reuters survey showed analysts expect crude stockpiles to have increased by around 800,000 barrels in the week to February 6, while distillate and gasoline inventories are seen falling by roughly 1.3 million and 400,000 barrels, respectively.

Separate data from the American Petroleum Institute indicated that U.S. crude inventories surged by 13.4 million barrels in the same week, according to market sources.