Category: Market News

SSP Group plc (LSE:SSPG) has reported a positive start to its 2026 financial year, posting 5% like-for-like sales growth in the first quarter, with total sales rising 6% at constant currency. Performance was led by strong trading in the UK & Ireland and across the APAC and EEME regions, alongside continued expansion within North American airport locations.

In Continental Europe, growth was more modest as subdued consumer confidence and ongoing pressure in the rail channel weighed on results. The rail business remains under strategic review, while the group continues to exit underperforming German motorway service areas. SSP also confirmed changes to its reporting structure in India as part of its broader operational refinement.

Management reaffirmed full-year guidance, indicating an expectation to deliver earnings per share towards the upper end of the targeted range, alongside improved free cash flow and further gains in returns on capital. These objectives are supported by the group’s “Focus 26” operational plan. SSP also confirmed that £24 million of its planned £100 million share buyback programme has been completed, signalling confidence in the group’s medium-term prospects despite ongoing regional volatility.

From an outlook standpoint, SSP’s assessment remains mixed. While operational momentum and sales growth are encouraging, concerns persist around relatively high leverage and the pace of revenue expansion. Technical indicators show strong share price momentum, though overbought conditions suggest some caution, and valuation remains a consideration given the negative price-to-earnings ratio.

More about SSP Group

SSP Group plc is a global operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations, managing more than 3,000 units across 38 countries and employing approximately 49,000 people. The group develops and operates a broad portfolio of restaurants, bars, cafés, lounges and food-led convenience formats in airports, railway stations and other transport hubs, combining international, national and local brands to serve travellers worldwide.

TruFin plc (LSE:TRU) has announced that its gaming subsidiary, Playstack, has secured a multi-year publishing agreement with a major global technology platform for an internally developed game scheduled for release in the second half of 2026. The contract includes a combination of upfront payments and performance-related revenues, with Playstack retaining exclusive ownership of the newly created intellectual property.

The agreement materially strengthens Playstack’s first-party IP portfolio and enhances revenue visibility over the medium term. Management said the deal underpins TruFin’s confidence in delivering another year of profitable growth in 2026. In parallel, the group has introduced a share buyback programme of up to £6 million, reinforcing its capital allocation strategy and commitment to returning value to shareholders.

From an outlook perspective, TruFin continues to be supported by strong financial performance and value-enhancing corporate actions, including the newly announced buyback. Share price momentum remains positive, although valuation metrics indicate a relatively high price-to-earnings ratio, which may imply some overvaluation risk. The absence of detailed earnings call guidance limits additional visibility on longer-term forecasts.

More about TruFin

TruFin plc is a UK-listed holding company with interests in three growth-oriented technology businesses operating in specialised financial and digital markets. Its activities span early payment provision, invoice finance and mobile games publishing. Listed on AIM since 2018 under the ticker TRU, the group owns Playstack Limited, a leading UK-based games publisher focused on the development and publication of mobile gaming content.

C&C Group plc (LSE:CCR) has revised down its profit expectations for the current financial year, citing trading conditions that have fallen short of board forecasts. The company pointed to subdued consumer confidence following the UK November Budget, softer demand across the hospitality sector, and a shift in consumption away from wine and spirits towards beer as key factors weighing on performance.

C&C now expects adjusted operating profit to fall within a range of €70m to €73m, primarily reflecting weaker profitability in its Distribution division. This was partly offset by resilient festive trading across its core Tennent’s and Bulmers brands. The group noted that it remains cash generative, supported by a strong balance sheet, solid liquidity and an ongoing €150m capital return programme, of which €92m has already been delivered.

Looking ahead, management expects macroeconomic and consumer pressures to continue into the next financial year. Profits in FY27 are anticipated to be broadly in line with FY26 as the group exits lower-margin distribution volumes, a move that is expected to temporarily dilute margins. Strategic priorities remain centred on simplifying operations, rebuilding margins within distribution, strengthening core brands and driving efficiency initiatives to underpin a recovery in medium-term profitability.

Overall, C&C’s outlook remains cautiously balanced. While financial performance shows signs of stability and recovery, supported by improving margins and cash generation, technical indicators point to ongoing bearish momentum and potential valuation pressure. Positive sentiment from recent earnings communications and corporate actions offers some support, though challenges around revenue growth and market conditions persist.

More about C&C Group

C&C Group plc is a drinks company engaged in the production, marketing and distribution of alcoholic beverages, with a strong market presence in beer and cider through brands including Tennent’s and Bulmers. The group also operates a sizeable drinks distribution business, supplying the hospitality sector across the UK and Ireland.

Jubilee Metals Group (LSE:JLP) has confirmed that non-executive director Nicholas Taylor has stepped down from the board with immediate effect, ending a tenure that began in 2020. During his time with the company, Taylor served as chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, was a member of the Remuneration Committee, and previously sat on the Safety and Sustainability Committee.

The board indicated that appointments to fill the resulting committee vacancies, including a new Audit and Risk Committee chair, will be made in due course. Jubilee Metals expressed its appreciation for Taylor’s contribution to the group’s governance framework over more than five years of service.

From an outlook perspective, the company continues to face pressure following a sharp deterioration in financial performance during FY2025, marked by a collapse in revenue, a substantial net loss and negative free cash flow. Technical indicators offer some offsetting support, with the share price showing strong momentum and trading above key moving averages, although overbought signals introduce additional risk. Valuation impact remains neutral to slightly negative, reflecting the absence of meaningful price-to-earnings and dividend yield metrics.

More about Jubilee Metals Group

Jubilee Metals Group is a Zambia-focused copper producer listed on AIM and Altx. The company operates within the mining and metals sector, with activities centred on copper production and related processing operations across Southern Africa.

Bluebird Mining Ventures Ltd (LSE:BMV) has admitted 1,149,983,767 new ordinary shares to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, raising approximately £626,228 through a combination of a placing, direct subscription and WRAP retail offer. Additional shares were also issued to a trust, to directors and consultants in lieu of salary, and as consideration under an acquisition agreement.

The capital raise is intended to strengthen the company’s balance sheet and provide funding support for its growing pipeline of gold streaming and treasury opportunities. In parallel, Bluebird has outlined plans to expand its board in early 2026 through the appointment of additional non-executive directors, a move aimed at enhancing corporate governance and aligning board composition with the company’s longer-term growth ambitions. Following admission of the new shares, total voting rights now stand at 2,013,667,471 ordinary shares, establishing a revised base for shareholder disclosure thresholds.

Despite the balance sheet support, the company’s near-term outlook remains constrained by weak financial performance, characterised by the absence of revenue, ongoing losses and continued negative operating and free cash flow. Technical indicators also remain unfavourable, with the share price trading below key moving averages and momentum signals pointing lower. While low leverage provides some financial flexibility, valuation confidence is limited by the negative price-to-earnings ratio and the lack of dividend income.

More about Bluebird Mining Ventures

Bluebird Mining Ventures Ltd is a gold streaming and treasury company focused on building and managing a gold-backed treasury through streaming agreements. The model provides investors with exposure to physical gold without the operational and capital intensity of mining. The company targets streams linked to producing assets across the ore concentrate-to-bullion value chain, aiming to secure long-term gold flows that can be recycled into new transactions under a disciplined capital allocation and treasury management framework.

Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. (LSE:ECO) has secured US$10 million through a non-brokered private placement backed by Israeli institutional investors. The financing involved the issue of approximately 26.9 million new common shares at a price of 27.5 pence per share, together with an equal number of three-year warrants exercisable at 40 pence.

The fundraising will result in dilution of around 8% of the company’s existing issued share capital. Proceeds are intended to reinforce the balance sheet and fund accelerated geological and geophysical studies, new venture evaluation, and general corporate purposes across Eco Atlantic’s offshore licence portfolio in Guyana, Namibia and South Africa. Completion of the placement remains subject to regulatory approvals and the admission of the new shares to trading on AIM and the TSX Venture Exchange.

The capital raise provides Eco Atlantic with additional financial flexibility as it progresses exploration activity across the Atlantic Margin, positioning the company to advance technical work programmes and pursue disciplined growth opportunities in its core basins.

More about Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas

Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. is an exploration-focused oil and gas company listed on AIM and the TSX Venture Exchange, with offshore licence interests in Guyana, Namibia and South Africa. The group concentrates on Atlantic Margin basins, including the Guyana–Suriname, Walvis and Orange basins, targeting relatively low carbon intensity oil and gas prospects in emerging markets with access to existing infrastructure and a focus on disciplined capital deployment.

GSTechnologies Ltd (LSE:GST) has completed the acquisition of 100% of Polish payment services firm Metapay sp. z o.o., strengthening its presence within the European regulated payments market. Metapay operates under a Small Payment Institution licence granted in accordance with the Polish Act on Payment Services, providing GSTechnologies with an established regulatory platform within the EU.

Following completion, the acquired business has been renamed Angra Limited sp. z o.o. The company is expected to play a key role in supporting the continued expansion of Angra Global’s product offering and geographic footprint, alongside ongoing licensing initiatives. The transaction forms part of GSTechnologies’ broader strategy to scale its regulated payment services across multiple European jurisdictions.

Despite the strategic rationale, the company’s overall outlook remains challenged. GSTechnologies continues to face declining revenues, sustained losses and unfavourable valuation metrics, which weigh heavily on investor sentiment. Technical indicators point to ongoing bearish momentum in the share price, underscoring the need for operational improvements and stronger financial performance to restore market confidence.

More about GSTechnologies

GSTechnologies Ltd is a London-listed fintech group focused on domestic and cross-border payment services. The company operates through its Angra Global platform, targeting the expansion of digital payments infrastructure and regulated financial solutions across European markets.

Upland Resources Ltd (LSE:UPL) has secured a US$100 million strategic funding commitment from Wild Mustang Midstream, a subsidiary of Lost Soldier Oil and Gas II Master Series, to support its upstream oil and gas activities across Southeast Asia from 2026 to 2030. The funding is intended to underpin farm-in transactions across selected assets in Sarawak, Brunei and Indonesia, forming part of a multi-year drilling programme targeting up to 10 wells.

The programme spans more than 5 billion barrels of oil equivalent of gross unrisked prospective resources alongside 2C contingent resources, and builds on an expanded strategic framework agreement covering capital provision, technical cooperation and operational delivery. By combining Upland’s regional asset base with Lost Soldier’s access to capital, drilling rigs and midstream infrastructure, the partnership is expected to materially enhance execution capability, financial flexibility and scale as the company positions itself as a growing operator in the region. The strategy aligns with improving fiscal terms and renewed upstream interest across Southeast Asia, driven by strong regional energy demand and increasing focus on both unconventional and stacked conventional plays.

Despite the strategic progress, Upland’s outlook remains constrained by weak financial fundamentals, including the absence of revenue, ongoing losses and widening cash outflows reported in 2024, which continue to imply elevated funding risk. Technical indicators offer only partial support, with the share price trading above longer-term averages but showing softer near-term momentum. Valuation metrics provide limited reassurance, given the negative price-to-earnings ratio and the lack of dividend yield.

More about Upland Resources

Upland Resources Ltd is an upstream oil and gas company focused on building a scalable asset portfolio across Southeast Asia. The group targets exploration, appraisal and development opportunities in Sarawak (Malaysia), Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia, seeking to combine regional expertise, technical capability and access to integrated drilling and midstream infrastructure to advance conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon prospects in under-explored basins.

Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group PLC (LSE:PR1) has reported a strong opening to its 2026 financial year, with contracted revenue already exceeding the total achieved across the whole of 2025. The growth has been driven by increasing uptake of the group’s proprietary AI platforms, including Advisor, Fan Sonar, Vox and Compass ID, as demand accelerates for data-led customer intelligence solutions.

Recent customer wins such as World Aquatics, Untamd and Love Mondays, together with expanded deployments among existing clients including Aston Villa FC, Leukaemia Care and Great British Racing, have lifted the company’s paying customer base beyond 100. Management is targeting 500 customers by the end of the year as it scales its SaaS platforms and consultancy-led offerings across defined sector verticals. The group also highlighted a significant addressable opportunity within the UK’s more than 5 million SMEs investing in customer data and engagement technologies.

Expansion is being pursued through the company’s specialist operating units Halfspace, Metr1c and the Pri0r1ty platform, while investor engagement is set to increase via an upcoming webcast and the launch of a refreshed corporate website. Alongside the growth narrative, the company reiterated that a material portion of its treasury reserves is held in Bitcoin, introducing exposure to cryptocurrency price volatility and related regulatory and operational risks that investors must consider alongside the group’s AI-driven growth ambitions.

More about Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group

Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group PLC is a UK-listed data, AI and marketing services company focused on enabling SMEs and customer-centric organisations to better monetise and optimise their first-party data. The group operates across three divisions: Halfspace, a sports-focused, data-driven marketing and growth business; Pri0r1ty, an AI SaaS and consultancy platform aimed at improving SME operational efficiency; and Metr1c, an AI-enabled brand partnerships and growth specialist serving the entertainment and lifestyle sectors. The company targets large UK SME markets, particularly within sports, music and entertainment, where revenues are underpinned by fan and audience engagement.

CAP-XX Limited (LSE:CPX) has confirmed that it will publish its interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2025 on 2 February 2026. The announcement reinforces the company’s commitment to regular market updates as it continues to build its presence in the global supercapacitor and energy storage sector.

On the same day, chief executive officer Lars Stegmann and interim chief financial officer Anthony Guarna will host a live online presentation for existing and potential investors via the Investor Meet Company platform. The session is intended to provide insight into recent trading, operational developments, and strategic priorities, highlighting management’s focus on transparency and shareholder engagement.

From an outlook perspective, CAP-XX continues to face pressure from weak financial performance and challenging valuation metrics. Technical indicators point to a bearish share price trend, weighing on overall sentiment. In the absence of recent earnings call data or additional corporate catalysts, these factors currently have limited influence on the broader assessment.

More about CAP-XX

CAP-XX Limited specialises in the design and manufacture of thin, flat supercapacitors and associated energy management systems. The company supplies solutions for portable and small-scale electronic devices, while increasingly targeting larger applications including automotive and renewable energy markets. Its products are characterised by high power density and compact prismatic form factors, serving consumer, industrial, transportation, and clean energy end markets.