Author: Fiona Craig

Eco Buildings Group plc (LSE:ECOB) is widening its overseas reach through the creation of Eco Buildings Indonesia LLC, a new subsidiary established alongside local partner Messrs Cooper & Accors. The initiative is designed to tap into Indonesia’s significant demand for modular housing, as the group looks to roll out its GFRG-based building systems in markets grappling with housing shortages and escalating construction costs.

Under a binding memorandum of understanding, Messrs Cooper & Accors will commit $5 million in exchange for a 49% stake in the Indonesian entity. The investment will cover the installation of a new production line as well as all local operational expenses and working capital requirements. This structure enables Eco Buildings to expand without placing additional financial strain on the wider group.

The new facility is targeted to become operational by the end of 2026 and is expected to support major residential development initiatives, including Indonesia’s programme to deliver millions of affordable homes. By funding the expansion at subsidiary level, the arrangement could enhance group revenue visibility and cash flow potential while limiting capital outlay at the parent company.

From an investment perspective, the outlook is shaped by strategically positive corporate developments that suggest meaningful growth prospects. However, these are balanced against ongoing financial and valuation challenges. Technical indicators point to a mixed picture, with longer-term trends appearing constructive but shorter-term movements reflecting some uncertainty.

More about Eco Buildings Group

Eco Buildings Group is a UK-listed modular construction specialist focused on environmentally sustainable prefabricated housing. The company utilises glass fibre reinforced gypsum (GFRG) panel technology to deliver factory-built homes aimed at both affordable and premium segments. Its model emphasises cost control, faster build times and lower environmental impact in response to growing global demand for off-site construction solutions.

Kazera Global plc (LSE:KZG) has started expanding output at its Whale Head Minerals heavy mineral sands operation, introducing a 1.5-shift working pattern from 9 February. The revised schedule is expected to lift production beyond 4,000 tonnes per month as the company works to scale activity at the site.

Operational enhancements are also under way, including an upgrade to the project’s trommel screen aimed at improving processing throughput and increasing titanium dioxide grades. In parallel, Kazera and its state-owned partner Alexkor SOC Ltd are preparing to move toward a full double-shift structure, which could provide an additional boost to capacity.

Higher mining rates at Whale Head are generating increased volumes of diamondiferous gravel for the group’s Deep Blue Minerals venture. A newly identified inland block, recognised for its strong grades, has now reached the target gravel horizon and is set to begin processing in the near term.

The company is strengthening its South African technical team while allocating funds raised in late 2025 to expand both mining and processing activities. These steps are intended to enhance operational resilience and prepare the business for a potential 2A Mining Right, marking what management views as a new stage of development across its mineral sands and diamond assets.

Despite the operational progress, Kazera’s investment case remains pressured by weak financial metrics, including an absence of revenue, substantial losses and continued cash burn. Technical indicators also point to a negative trend, with the shares trading below key moving averages and momentum signals remaining subdued. While recent corporate developments offer some encouragement, valuation is constrained by ongoing losses and the lack of dividend support.

More about Kazera Global plc

Kazera Global is an AIM-listed resource investment company focused on heavy mineral sands and diamond production in South Africa’s Northern Cape. Through its Whale Head Minerals and Deep Blue Minerals operations, the group seeks to drive value through increased production while assessing further resource opportunities to broaden its development pipeline and support long-term investor returns.

Iomart Group plc (LSE:IOM) has confirmed that Chief Financial Officer Scott Cunningham will leave the business after more than seven years to take up a position in a privately owned company outside the IT industry. He will stay on through the March 2026 year-end reporting process to support a smooth handover, with his board exit anticipated in June. The company has initiated a search for a successor.

The leadership update comes as the group reported softer trading conditions in December and January. Performance was affected by increased customer churn in certain higher-margin segments and growth that fell short of expectations, despite continued progress in Azure, security offerings and Microsoft 365 services.

While iomart continues to generate positive net order bookings and has implemented more than £5 million in annualised cost efficiencies, it now expects full-year revenue to be broadly in line with current market forecasts. EBITDA, however, is projected to come in slightly below the lower end of consensus expectations. The company said it remains focused on disciplined cash management within its existing banking facilities.

From an investment perspective, the outlook is constrained by financial pressures, including a move into loss-making territory, elevated leverage and weaker free cash flow. Technical indicators present a mixed picture, with some short-term support offset by negative momentum signals and the share price trading below its 200-day moving average. Valuation metrics are also mixed: a negative price-to-earnings ratio reflects current losses, while a notably high dividend yield may point to elevated risk.

More about Iomart Group plc

Iomart Group is a UK-based specialist in secure cloud managed services, deriving the majority of its revenue domestically. With more than 600 employees, the company supports organisations managing complex IT environments through cloud infrastructure, modern workplace solutions and managed security services.

Its capabilities are underpinned by partnerships with major technology providers, enabling delivery of hybrid cloud, data protection and cyber-resilience solutions tailored to enterprise and mid-market customers.

Metals One Plc (LSE:MET1) intends to commit up to A$1 million to a renounceable entitlement offer launched by Evolution Energy Minerals Ltd, which is seeking to raise approximately A$4 million at A$0.015 per share. The funds are earmarked for the advancement of copper and graphite assets, including the Chikundo Copper and Chilalo Graphite projects.

Although the transaction qualifies as a related-party deal, Metals One’s independent directors have determined that the terms are fair and reasonable for shareholders. The investment is expected to bolster Evolution’s financial position and support development progress across its key battery metal projects, potentially expanding Metals One’s exposure to commodities central to the energy transition.

Evolution’s capital raise features renounceable and tradeable entitlements, free attaching options and partial underwriting. This structure is designed to encourage broad investor participation while increasing the likelihood that the full subscription target is achieved.

For Metals One investors, the proposed subscription may lift the company’s equity stake in Evolution and reinforce its strategic footprint in critical minerals. However, this increased exposure comes as Evolution remains in a pre-revenue phase and continues to operate at a loss.

More about Metals One PLC

Metals One is a developer and investor in critical and precious metals projects, with listings on AIM and OTCQB. The company focuses on exploration and development-stage assets, particularly in copper and graphite. It currently holds a 16.9% interest in Evolution Energy Minerals, aligning its portfolio with early-stage resource opportunities linked to electrification and battery supply chains.

Zinc Media Group plc (LSE:ZIN) reported unaudited revenue of £41 million for 2025, alongside adjusted EBITDA of £1.9 million, with both figures rising 27% year-on-year. The results mark the company’s fifth straight year of growth in revenue and profitability, achieved against a challenging backdrop for the wider television production market.

The group said the performance reflects continued demand for its content across domestic and international broadcasters, reinforcing its standing in the TV and content production sector. Despite industry headwinds, the business delivered its strongest annual outcome to date.

Looking ahead, Zinc has entered 2026 with £3 million of new contracts already secured. A further £21 million is either contracted or at an advanced negotiation stage, while discussions are ongoing regarding an additional £10 million in commissions and several potential seven-figure projects.

Management believes efficiency measures, alongside a robust development pipeline spanning intellectual property creation, expansion within entertainment formats, and geographic growth in the Middle East, will help drive progress toward its medium-term objectives of £50 million in revenue and £5 million in EBITDA. The outlook has strengthened confidence among investors and commissioning partners.

From a market perspective, the company’s stock profile remains shaped by financial pressures, including past profitability constraints and elevated leverage levels. That said, strategic progress and successful programme launches have supported its longer-term growth case. Technical signals currently indicate a bearish trend, while valuation measures continue to reflect underlying financial challenges.

More about Zinc Media

Zinc Media is a premium television and content producer focused on award-winning factual programming for UK and global broadcasters. Its portfolio includes production labels such as Atomic, Brook Lapping and Tern Television.

Beyond broadcast production, the group operates commercial content divisions including The Edge Picture Company, a specialist in branded films, and Zinc Audio, which produces podcast and radio programming.

Gold prices edged lower on Tuesday, easing from the previous session’s strong advance as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of a busy run of U.S. economic releases later in the week.

Other precious metals also traded weaker. Silver and platinum slipped despite some overnight support from a softer dollar, which later stabilized during Asian trading.

At 08:15 ET (13:15 GMT), spot gold was down 0.3% at $5,042.29 an ounce, while April gold futures fell 0.3% to $5,064.31 per ounce. Spot silver dropped 0.8% to $81.575 per ounce, and spot platinum declined 1.1% to $2,094.35 per ounce.

Volatility persists as traders hesitate to buy the dip

Precious metals have seen sharp price swings over the past week, with profit-taking and crowded positioning driving prices down from record highs. Heightened uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy — particularly ahead of a potential change in leadership at the Federal Reserve — has further fueled market volatility.

Safe-haven demand has also been uneven amid conflicting signals from U.S.-Iran relations. While officials cited progress in nuclear talks over the weekend, Washington nevertheless issued a warning on Monday urging U.S.-flagged vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to exercise caution.

Although gold and other metals have clawed back some recent losses, prices remain well below late-January peaks, as investors appear reluctant to chase the rebound.

“Dip-buying has been selective rather than aggressive, indicating participants are still sensitive to macro signals,” OCBC analysts said in a note.

They added that while de-dollarization trends have supported gold over the past year, near-term direction will still hinge largely on developments in the U.S. labor market and their implications for monetary policy.

Analysts at Heraeus said gold and silver have shifted away from their traditional role as safe havens and are now trading in a high-volatility environment.

“The seeds of the price decline were sown in the preceding rally that for a supposedly low-volatility safe-haven asset was exceptional,” Heraeus said. “The price of gold has gone up 5x in 10 years but the dollar index is at the same level that it was in 2015. With such a sharp price drop there was likely an element of leveraged positions being unwound, with stop losses being hit and rising margin requirements. Exchanges are still raising margin requirements for futures’ positions.”

U.S. data calendar takes center stage

Investors are now turning their attention to a packed U.S. economic calendar that could provide clearer signals on growth and interest rate prospects.

December retail sales data are being watched closely for insight into consumer spending trends amid signs of cooling in the labor market. January nonfarm payrolls figures are due Wednesday, followed by the consumer price index on Friday. Both reports are expected to influence Federal Reserve policy expectations, given the central bank’s focus on inflation and employment.

Markets are also assessing the outlook for monetary policy under Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair when his term ends in May.

Seen as less dovish, Warsh’s nomination previously triggered steep sell-offs across precious metals markets — losses that have yet to be fully reversed. Gold fell from near-record highs around $5,600 per ounce, while silver retreated from levels above $120 per ounce.