ADVFN UK Market News

Category: Market News

  • Shoe Zone Expects Full-Year Loss Following Weak Start to 2026

    Shoe Zone Expects Full-Year Loss Following Weak Start to 2026

    Shoe Zone (LSE:SHOE) has revised its outlook after a difficult first quarter, citing reduced consumer confidence following recent UK budget measures and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. These factors have weighed on footfall and discretionary spending, while also pushing up logistics costs, leading to lower revenue and profitability. The company now anticipates reporting an adjusted pre-tax loss of between £1.0 million and £2.0 million for the year ending 3 October 2026, compared with its earlier expectation of a £1.0 million profit.

    Management has warned that trading conditions and cost pressures are likely to persist into the second half of the year. Despite these challenges, Shoe Zone highlighted its solid financial position, noting it remains debt-free and ended March with a stronger cash balance than at the previous year-end. The group is scheduled to release its interim results in early May 2026, which should provide further insight into trading trends and cost developments.

    The company’s outlook is primarily constrained by declining profitability and weak technical indicators, with the share price trending below key moving averages and showing negative momentum signals. These pressures are partly offset by relatively stable cash generation and a moderate valuation based on its P/E multiple.

    More about Shoe Zone
    Shoe Zone is a UK-based footwear retailer offering affordable, quality shoes for the whole family through a mix of town centre stores, retail parks, and online channels. The company operates 259 outlets, including both traditional high street locations and larger-format stores that stock additional brands such as Skechers, Hush Puppies, Rieker, and Lilley & Skinner, supported by its e-commerce platform and a workforce of around 2,050 employees.

  • Aberdeen Group Relies on Interactive Investor Strength as Q1 AUMA Declines

    Aberdeen Group Relies on Interactive Investor Strength as Q1 AUMA Declines

    Aberdeen Group (LSE:ABDN) reported a mixed first-quarter performance, with total assets under management and administration falling to £547.7 billion from £556.0 billion. The decline reflects weaker market conditions, the impact of disposals, and net outflows of £2.9 billion. However, its interactive investor platform stood out, delivering record net inflows of £3.0 billion, increasing its customer base by 14% to 513,000, and benefiting from a surge in trading activity, despite a dip in assets under administration linked to market movements and the sale of its financial planning arm.

    Within the adviser segment, net outflows remained negative at £0.6 billion, although higher gross inflows and the forthcoming appointment of new CEO Rich Denning suggest a renewed focus on returning the business to growth. In the investments division, assets under management declined to £383.4 billion as expected equity outflows outweighed gains. Nevertheless, areas such as fixed income, real assets, and insurance mandates showed encouraging progress, supporting management’s confidence in achieving its 2026 profit and capital generation targets and reinforcing its presence in UK wealth and institutional markets despite ongoing volatility.

    The group’s outlook is supported by improving financial fundamentals, including recovering profitability, stronger free cash flow, and declining leverage, alongside an attractive valuation characterised by a low P/E ratio and high dividend yield. These strengths are balanced by weaker technical momentum and risks highlighted in recent earnings commentary, including pressure on adviser profitability, margin challenges, and expectations of continued near-term outflows even as full-year targets are maintained.

    More about Aberdeen Group
    Aberdeen Group plc is a UK-based diversified investment and wealth management firm, serving retail investors, financial advisers, and institutional clients. Its operations span self-directed investing through the interactive investor platform, adviser solutions, and institutional asset management across public markets and retirement-focused strategies.

  • Reckitt Maintains 2026 Guidance as Emerging Markets Drive Q1 Growth

    Reckitt Maintains 2026 Guidance as Emerging Markets Drive Q1 Growth

    Reckitt (LSE:RKT) reported first-quarter 2026 Core like-for-like net revenue growth of 1.3%, with strong performance in Emerging Markets helping to offset weaker conditions elsewhere. Growth of 7.6% in Emerging Markets—supported by double-digit gains in China and India—balanced declines in Europe, the impact of a milder cold and flu season, and disruption linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Excluding seasonal over-the-counter products, Core growth improved to 3.1%, while reported Group IFRS revenue fell 11.8%, reflecting the disposal of the Essential Home business and adverse currency movements.

    In North America, like-for-like revenue declined slightly despite solid volume growth and strong demand for non-seasonal brands such as Lysol. Europe saw a sharper 4.2% decline, driven by softer category demand and heavy promotional activity in auto dishwashing. The non-core Mead Johnson Nutrition business recorded a 2.7% drop against a tough comparison, although underlying trends were described as stable. Meanwhile, Reckitt continues to execute its £1 billion share buyback programme, with around two-thirds completed by mid-April.

    Management reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, targeting 4% to 5% Core like-for-like revenue growth, with margin delivery expected to be weighted toward the second half of the year. This outlook assumes a return to more typical cold and flu patterns and benefits from the ongoing “Fuel for Growth” cost-saving programme, which is expected to help offset stranded costs following the Essential Home divestment. The company acknowledged continued uncertainty stemming from the Middle East conflict and the risk of pressure on consumer demand if commodity prices remain elevated, but believes these challenges can be mitigated through pricing, product mix, and supply chain efficiencies supported by a strong gross margin profile.

    Reckitt’s outlook is supported by improving profitability and reduced leverage, alongside a reasonable valuation with a moderate P/E ratio and solid dividend yield. However, weaker technical indicators—such as the share price trading below key moving averages—and near-term concerns around cash flow, leverage, and margin visibility temper the overall picture.

    More about Reckitt Benckiser Group

    Reckitt Benckiser Group is a global consumer health, hygiene, and nutrition company, offering a portfolio of well-known brands across over-the-counter medicines, disinfectants, cleaning products, and infant nutrition. Its product range spans categories including germ protection, surface care, auto-dishwashing, sexual wellness, and paediatric nutrition, with a strong presence across North America, Europe, and fast-growing Emerging Markets such as China and India.

  • GB Group Sees Growth Pick Up as Identity Platform Drives Momentum

    GB Group Sees Growth Pick Up as Identity Platform Drives Momentum

    GB Group (LSE:GBG) reported full-year 2026 results in line with market expectations, posting revenue of £285 million, up 3.2% at constant currency, alongside adjusted operating profit of approximately £67.5 million, equating to a strong margin of 23.7%. Growth across its core Identity and Location divisions accelerated to 6% in the second half, supported by improved trading in the Americas and solid execution across EMEA.

    The company pointed to strong early traction for its GBG Go adaptive identity platform, launched in April 2025, which has already secured 90 customer wins and built a pipeline exceeding 225 opportunities. This momentum highlights the platform’s scalability and cross-selling potential. GB Group also emphasised its disciplined capital strategy, returning value to shareholders through an £11 million dividend and £45 million in share buybacks, while strengthening its financial position with a new £175 million revolving credit facility extending to at least 2030. The group’s transition from AIM to the Main Market further supports its ambition for sustained mid-single-digit growth and enhanced investor appeal.

    Strategically, the company continued to streamline operations toward a unified global model and completed its first bolt-on acquisition since 2022. Management expressed confidence that second-half momentum will carry into FY27, underpinning expectations for mid-single-digit revenue growth, alongside further initiatives aimed at accelerating expansion and reinforcing its global presence.

    GB Group’s outlook is supported by solid financial delivery and proactive corporate actions that enhance shareholder returns. However, relatively high valuation multiples and mixed technical signals suggest some caution. While strategic progress and improving fundamentals provide a positive backdrop, challenges in certain segments and a premium P/E ratio may limit near-term upside.

    More about GB Group plc

    GB Group plc is a global provider of identity verification and location intelligence solutions, enabling businesses to confirm customer identities and addresses in digital environments. Serving over 20,000 clients worldwide, the company’s technology helps combat digital fraud, support compliance, and drive growth. Headquartered in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange as part of the FTSE 250, GB Group combines proprietary technology with extensive global data assets built over more than three decades.

  • Wishbone Gold Secures £1.1m Funding to Progress Western Australia Assets

    Wishbone Gold Secures £1.1m Funding to Progress Western Australia Assets

    Wishbone Gold Plc (LSE:WSBN) has completed a £1.1 million institutional placing, facilitated by Marex Financial, issuing 4,174,573 new shares at 26.35 pence each. The fundraising also includes warrants exercisable at 40 pence over a two-and-a-half-year period. Following admission to trading on AIM and AQSE, the company’s total voting share capital will increase to 34,400,438 shares. Proceeds will be directed toward an expanded drilling campaign at the Red Setter project and early-stage development work at the Silver Lake prospect.

    Chairman Richard Poulden noted that investor interest reflects the strategic positioning of Red Setter, located around 20km from Greatland Resources’ Telfer gold mine, as well as the potential upside from the Silver Lake option. The new funding is expected to accelerate exploration activity across Wishbone’s Western Australian portfolio, strengthening its pipeline and increasing exposure to future drilling outcomes in a highly active gold region.

    The company’s outlook remains constrained by its early-stage financial profile, with no revenue generation, ongoing losses, and negative free cash flow, although there have been some signs of improvement. Market technicals appear mixed, with no clear directional trend, while valuation is limited by negative earnings and the absence of dividend metrics.

    More about Wishbone Gold

    Wishbone Gold Plc is a precious metals exploration company listed on the AIM and Aquis exchanges, focused on gold opportunities in Western Australia. Its key assets include the Red Setter project near the Telfer gold mine and an option over the Silver Lake project, both of which are being advanced through ongoing exploration and development efforts.

  • hVIVO Secures Major Phase III Human Challenge Trial for Whooping Cough Vaccine

    hVIVO Secures Major Phase III Human Challenge Trial for Whooping Cough Vaccine

    hVIVO (LSE:HVO) has been awarded a contract by ILiAD Biotechnologies to conduct what is set to be the world’s first pivotal Phase III human challenge study for a whooping cough vaccine. The trial will evaluate ILiAD’s intranasal candidate, BPZE1, against the current Tdap vaccine standard. Expected to enrol more than 500 participants through FluCamp, the study will be the largest human challenge trial ever undertaken by hVIVO and will be supported by its specialist bacterial laboratory in Canary Wharf.

    The multi-year agreement is anticipated to begin contributing revenue in the first half of 2026, with the majority of income recognised across 2026 and 2027. This contract is expected to provide a meaningful uplift to both near- and medium-term revenues. Management noted that the project highlights increasing regulatory acceptance of human challenge trials as a faster pathway to generating pivotal efficacy data, potentially reinforcing hVIVO’s competitive position while accelerating vaccine development for diseases with unpredictable transmission patterns, such as whooping cough.

    Despite this significant contract win, the company’s broader outlook remains constrained by ongoing losses, substantial cash burn, and concerns around liquidity and forward visibility, as flagged in recent earnings commentary. Technical indicators point to a supportive upward trend, although overbought signals suggest some caution in the near term. Valuation continues to be pressured by negative earnings and the suspension of dividend payments.

    More about hVIVO plc

    hVIVO plc is a specialist clinical development company and a global leader in human challenge trials, partnering with seven of the world’s ten largest biopharmaceutical firms. The group provides a full-service platform spanning early-stage strategy through to Phase II trials, supported by its own clinical facilities, laboratories, and its FluCamp volunteer recruitment arm operating across the UK and Germany.

  • Bunzl Maintains 2026 Outlook as Q1 Revenue Shows Modest Growth

    Bunzl Maintains 2026 Outlook as Q1 Revenue Shows Modest Growth

    Bunzl (LSE:BNZL) reported a steady performance in the first quarter of 2026, with group revenue rising 1.5% at constant exchange rates and underlying revenue increasing by 2.0%. Growth was supported by higher volumes and pricing adjustments linked to tariffs, although this was partly offset by a lower number of trading days during the period. North America delivered slightly stronger underlying growth than the group average, while acquisitions contributed a small uplift. Adjusted operating profit remained in line with expectations for a more stable trading year.

    Despite a backdrop of heightened macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, the company reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance. Bunzl continues to expect moderate revenue growth at constant exchange rates, alongside a modest decline in operating margin compared with the previous year. Management described 2026 as a transitional year laying the groundwork for future profit expansion and pointed to a robust pipeline of acquisition opportunities, highlighting ongoing consolidation potential and long-term value creation prospects.

    The company’s outlook is underpinned by solid financial fundamentals, particularly strong free cash flow generation, though this is balanced against leverage and some recent pressure on profitability and margins. Technical indicators remain supportive, with positive momentum in the share price, while valuation appears reasonable given a mid-teens P/E multiple and an approximate 3.3% dividend yield. However, management commentary reflects a degree of caution, citing expectations for slightly lower margins and continued regional and execution challenges.

    More about Bunzl plc

    Bunzl plc is a global distribution and services group specialising in non-food consumables. Its product range includes packaging, cleaning and hygiene supplies, as well as safety and healthcare products. The company serves business customers across sectors such as grocery, foodservice, healthcare, and industry, with a particularly strong footprint in North America alongside operations in other international markets.

  • MTI Wireless Edge Secures $1m in Defence Antenna Contracts

    MTI Wireless Edge Secures $1m in Defence Antenna Contracts

    MTI Wireless Edge (LSE:MWE) has announced two new defence-related contracts within its antenna division, together valued at approximately $1 million. The first order, worth $0.7 million, comes from an existing European defence customer and is scheduled for delivery within five months. The second contract, awarded by a domestic defence company, will be fulfilled over a two-year period. These agreements add to the company’s military antenna backlog and strengthen ties with both international and local defence clients.

    Chief executive Moni Borovitz highlighted that the new contracts cap a strong April for the group, during which more than $9 million in defence orders have been secured. This momentum reflects sustained demand for MTI’s defence solutions, while also signalling broader opportunities across its wider operations. The expanding order book enhances revenue visibility within the defence segment and reinforces the company’s role as a supplier of RF and antenna technologies to the global defence communications market.

    MTI’s outlook is supported by solid financial fundamentals, including low leverage and consistent profitability, alongside an attractive valuation with a relatively low P/E ratio and dependable dividend yield. However, this is partly offset by mixed technical signals, with some short-term weakness despite a supportive longer-term trend.

    More about MTI Wireless Edge

    MTI Wireless Edge is an Israel-based technology group focused on radio frequency and communication solutions across multiple divisions, including antennas, water management, and consulting services. Its antenna business develops advanced systems for both military and commercial applications, while its Mottech division delivers irrigation control solutions and MTI Summit provides RF, microwave, and defence engineering services. Serving global markets—from telecommunications and public safety to agriculture and defence—the group offers both standard and customised solutions aimed at high-reliability connectivity and monitoring.

  • Creo Medical Delivers 60% Q1 Revenue Growth and Cuts Costs via Manufacturing Shift

    Creo Medical Delivers 60% Q1 Revenue Growth and Cuts Costs via Manufacturing Shift

    Creo Medical (LSE:CREO) reported a strong opening to 2026, with first-quarter revenue increasing by around 60% year on year, reaching the upper end of management expectations. The performance supports its full-year guidance of 40% to 60% revenue growth, driven by continued commercial traction and growing clinical validation of its technology. At the same time, the company has agreed to divest and outsource its manufacturing operations, a move expected to reduce underlying operating costs by approximately 15% on an annualised basis compared with 2025, while enhancing scalability and efficiency.

    The group is set to release its full-year 2025 results in May, which should provide further clarity on how accelerating revenue growth and cost-saving initiatives are influencing margins and cash consumption. The combination of strong top-line expansion and structural cost improvements is seen as a positive step in strengthening Creo’s position within the minimally invasive endoscopy market, and may offer investors greater confidence in its path toward sustainable profitability.

    Despite this progress, the company’s broader outlook remains constrained by its financial profile, including ongoing losses and continued cash burn. While technical indicators show a supportive trend and positive momentum signals, an elevated RSI suggests the stock may be overbought in the near term. Valuation impact is neutral, as no P/E ratio or dividend yield has been disclosed.

    More about Creo Medical

    Creo Medical Group is a UK-listed medical technology company focused on minimally invasive surgical endoscopy solutions for pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions. Its portfolio includes advanced electrosurgical systems such as the CROMA platform, powered by Kamaptive adaptive energy technology, which aims to provide clinicians with more precise, flexible, and less invasive treatment options while improving patient outcomes and reducing procedural costs.

  • Croda Maintains Q1 Sales as Consumer Care Strength Counters Crop Protection Decline

    Croda Maintains Q1 Sales as Consumer Care Strength Counters Crop Protection Decline

    Croda International (LSE:CRDA) reported first-quarter 2026 sales of £431 million, representing a 1% increase at constant currency and broadly meeting expectations despite a tough comparison with the prior year. Growth across its Consumer Care division—particularly in Beauty Actives, fragrances and flavours, and home care—helped offset weaker performance in Life Sciences, where Crop Protection revenues declined by 8% at constant currency. Industrial Specialties also experienced slight pressure on volumes during the period.

    From a regional perspective, Latin America delivered the strongest performance, supported by steady agricultural demand and robust Consumer Care activity. North America, however, lagged as crop protection markets normalised, compounded by weather-related disruption and softer consumer demand. The company noted that ongoing tensions in the Middle East have not materially affected operations to date. Management reiterated its full-year 2026 guidance and confirmed that its transformation programme remains on track to deliver margin expansion and improved returns, although currency movements are expected to reduce reported operating profit by approximately £4 million.

    Croda’s overall outlook reflects a balance between stable financial fundamentals—such as manageable leverage and positive cash generation—and favourable technical momentum, against the backdrop of a relatively high valuation multiple. Execution risks remain, highlighted by exceptional charges and uneven performance across segments, even as guidance improves and transformation initiatives progress.

    More about Croda International

    Croda International is a UK-based specialty chemicals company providing innovative ingredients and technologies across consumer care, life sciences, and industrial markets. Its offerings include beauty actives, personal and home care ingredients, fragrances and flavours, as well as solutions for pharmaceuticals, crop protection, and seed enhancement, serving a global customer base.