Category: Market News

Oil markets were relatively stable in Tuesday’s Asian session, maintaining gains from the previous day as investors balanced concerns over potential supply disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict against rising output from OPEC+ members.

At 21:03 ET (01:03 GMT), November Brent crude futures were up 0.3% at $68.33 per barrel, following Monday’s gain of over 1%. WTI futures, which did not trade Monday due to the U.S. Labor Day holiday, rose 1.3% from Friday’s close to $64.81 per barrel.

Supply Risks from Russia in Focus

Prices climbed on Monday amid reports of renewed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refining and export infrastructure. Expectations for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine have cooled after U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged direct talks between President Zelenskyy and President Putin last month, prior to a potential trilateral summit in Washington.

The intensified attacks have increased the likelihood of additional sanctions on Russia, potentially disrupting oil supplies and pushing prices higher. The U.S. and its allies have also reinforced secondary sanctions on Russian crude, although these measures have so far only modestly affected shipments to Asia. Washington recently imposed an extra 25% tariff on Indian imports of Russian crude, raising total duties to 50% from August 27, in response to New Delhi’s increased purchases.

OPEC+ Meeting in the Spotlight

Offsetting these concerns, production gains from OPEC+ in recent months have sparked worries of a global supply surplus. Market participants are now eyeing the cartel’s upcoming meeting on September 7 for guidance on production policy.

Bloomberg surveys suggest that OPEC+ is likely to maintain current output levels, pausing after a period of accelerated supply increases. Traders are also watching for U.S. nonfarm payrolls data due Friday, which could reinforce expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut this month. Lower interest rates tend to support oil by stimulating economic activity, weakening the dollar, and making commodities more appealing to investors.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

U.S. stock futures pointed lower ahead of a shortened holiday week, with investor attention focused on key economic indicators that could influence the path of U.S. interest rates. Meanwhile, Swiss food giant Nestle saw its shares fall after the sudden exit of its CEO, and gold surged to record levels amid expectations of lower U.S. rates and trade-related uncertainties.

Futures Drop

Tuesday saw U.S. futures decline as traders returned from the Labor Day holiday. By 03:37 ET, Dow futures were down 113 points (0.3%), S&P 500 futures lost 15 points (0.2%), and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 65 points (0.3%).

Although August is traditionally a challenging month for equities, the S&P 500 rose 1.9% over the month, lifting its year-to-date gain to around 10%, and keeping the index near record highs. The rally follows an extended recovery since April, when concerns over sweeping U.S. tariffs briefly weighed on markets.

ISM Manufacturing PMI in Focus

Investors are now awaiting key economic reports, including Friday’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls data. Analysts suggest that a weak reading for August—after July’s surprisingly soft numbers and revisions to prior months—could strengthen expectations that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates at its September 16-17 meeting. Economists forecast a modest addition of 74,000 jobs for August, up slightly from July’s 73,000.

Other data, such as Tuesday’s Institute for Supply Management (ISM) manufacturing index, are also in focus. The August reading is projected at 49.0, up from 48.0 in July but still below the 50-point threshold signaling expansion.

Nestle CEO Departure Shakes Shares

Nestle (LSE:0RR6) shares dropped more than 3% in early trading following the abrupt exit of CEO Laurent Freixe. The board announced his departure on Monday after an investigation found a violation of company policy due to an undisclosed romantic relationship with a subordinate.

Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestle executive who previously led the Nespresso division, has been appointed as Freixe’s replacement effective immediately. The leadership shake-up comes amid ongoing challenges for Nestle, including muted sales growth and the departure of former CEO Mark Schneider last year. Long-time Chair Paul Bulcke has also indicated plans to step down in 2026.

Gold Reaches New Heights

Gold prices hit all-time highs on Tuesday as investors sought safe-haven assets amid expectations of U.S. rate cuts and uncertainty around trade policies. Spot gold surged 0.8% to $3,508.54 per ounce, while December gold futures touched $3,578.20 per ounce. By 03:27 ET, spot prices moderated slightly to $3,482.28 per ounce.

Silver rose to a near 14-year peak, and platinum remained close to an 11-year high. The dollar fell to a five-week low as markets priced in potentially lower borrowing costs. Non-yielding assets such as precious metals tend to benefit from lower interest rates, making them more attractive relative to government debt.

The gains were also driven by legal uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade tariffs, following a court ruling that found certain tariffs imposed by President Trump illegal. The ruling allows tariffs to remain until mid-October, but Trump has pledged to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.

Oil Extends Gains

Crude prices advanced, with Brent November futures up 0.9% to $68.74 per barrel, building on Monday’s 1% gain. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 1% to $65.24 per barrel following the U.S. holiday.

Traders weighed potential supply disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict against rising output from OPEC+ members. Hopes for a peace deal have faded after calls for direct talks between Ukrainian President Zelensky and Russian President Putin. Increased airstrikes have raised the risk of sanctions on Russia, potentially affecting supply, while OPEC+ production increases have sparked concerns about oversupply. Markets now await the September 7 OPEC+ meeting for signals on future output.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Shares of Johnson Service Group Plc (LSE:JSG) jumped 11% on Tuesday following the release of robust first-half results and the announcement of a new £25 million share buyback program by the textile rental and laundry services provider.

The company recorded an adjusted operating profit of £28.7 million for H1 2025, up 13.9% from £25.2 million in the same period last year. Revenue grew 5.5% to £257.5 million, including 1.4% organic growth across its operations. Adjusted earnings per share increased 17.9% to 4.6p.

Johnson Service Group also saw its adjusted operating profit margin improve by 80 basis points to 11.1%, despite significant labor cost pressures. The company successfully counterbalanced a 170 basis point rise in labor costs with a 160 basis point drop in energy costs and a 90 basis point reduction in other expenses.

“I am pleased to report that we have delivered further progress in the first half of 2025,” said Peter Egan, Chief Executive Officer. “Our continued focus on operational excellence and margin improvement has positioned us well to achieve our target of at least a 14.0% adjusted operating profit margin in 2026.”

The interim dividend was increased by 23.1% to 1.6p per share. In addition, the company confirmed plans for a further £25 million share buyback, following the completion of a £30 million program announced in March.

In the HORECA division, which serves hotels, restaurants, and catering businesses, revenue rose 7.2% to £185.4 million. The Workwear division reported a 1.3% revenue increase to £72.1 million, with customer retention improving to 94%, up from 93% at the end of 2024.

Looking ahead, Johnson Service Group remains confident in achieving its full-year adjusted operating profit targets and reaching its goal of at least a 14% margin by 2026.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Delek Group (USOTC:DLKGF) and Italy’s Eni (BIT:ENI) have sold shares worth approximately £106 million ($143 million) in Ithaca Energy (LSE:ITH), reducing their holdings in the London-listed oil and gas producer. The announcement triggered a drop of over 12% in Ithaca’s share price during London trading by 07:50 GMT on Tuesday.

Through their U.K. subsidiaries, the two major shareholders sold 49.6 million ordinary shares at 213.75 pence each via an accelerated bookbuild, arranged by Peel Hunt. The transaction represents roughly 3% of Ithaca’s total share capital. Following the sale, Delek retains a 50.5% stake, while Eni holds around 36%.

The share disposal comes shortly after Ithaca raised its 2025 production guidance for the second time in three months. Production in the first half of the year more than doubled to 123,600 barrels of oil equivalent per day, up from 53,000 boepd a year earlier, driven by acquisitions including Eni’s U.K. portfolio and an increased stake in the Cygnus gas field. The company reported adjusted EBITDAX of $1.1 billion for H1, up from $533 million, and now forecasts full-year production between 119,000 and 125,000 boepd, compared with the previous guidance of 109,000–119,000 boepd.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Centrica plc (LSE:CNA) confirmed that the Heysham 1 and Hartlepool nuclear power stations in the UK have been approved for a one-year life extension, allowing operations to continue until March 2028. Centrica holds a 20% stake in both facilities, with EDF owning the remaining 80%.

The extensions are expected to generate approximately 3 terawatt-hours of additional electricity. The decision followed a licensee board review on 1 September, which considered the 2025 inspection results of the graphite cores, supporting continued operation. Heysham 1, located in Lancashire, has a capacity of 1.1 GW, while Hartlepool in County Durham can produce 1.2 GW, forming part of Centrica’s nuclear energy portfolio in the UK.

Jefferies described the development as a modest positive for Centrica’s stock, projecting a potential 1–2% uplift in market capitalization. The brokerage maintains a “buy” rating with a price target of 200p, following the shares’ close at 159.60p. Centrica’s market value currently stands at £9.2 billion.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Ryanair Holdings PLC (LSE:RYA) reported a record-breaking August, transporting 21.0 million passengers, marking the highest monthly total for the airline in its history. Traffic grew 2% compared with the same month last year, while the carrier maintained a strong load factor of 96% across its network.

Throughout August, Ryanair operated over 114,000 flights, highlighting the scale of its summer operations during the peak travel season. This milestone reinforces Ryanair’s status as one of Europe’s largest airlines by passenger numbers.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

KEFI Gold and Copper PLC (LSE:KEFI) has provided an update on its Tulu Kapi Gold Project in Ethiopia, outlining a $340 million capital budget and a $240 million debt facility. Full-scale development is scheduled to begin in October 2025, with extensive preparations underway, including community resettlement and infrastructure development. The project is expected to strengthen KEFI’s position in the gold mining sector and support the growth of Ethiopia’s gold industry.

About KEFI Gold and Copper PLC

KEFI Gold and Copper PLC is an exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects within the Arabian-Nubian Shield, operating primarily in Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Everplay Group plc (LSE:EVPL) released its half-year 2025 results, showing a 10% decline in revenue year-on-year, primarily due to the timing of license income and new game launches. Despite this, the company achieved a notable improvement in gross profit margins and maintained stable adjusted EBITDA. Following its rebranding from Team17, Everplay continues to expand its portfolio with new game releases and strategic acquisitions of IP and back-catalog publishing rights. The company expects a strong second half, with multiple game launches anticipated, and full-year adjusted EBITDA projected to slightly exceed market expectations.

The outlook reflects solid financial performance and positive corporate developments. Technical indicators suggest bullish momentum, while moderate valuation levels are supported by the company’s strategic growth initiatives and healthy financial position.

About Everplay Group

Everplay Group plc, formerly Team17 Group plc, is an independent global developer and publisher of premium video games, simulation titles, and children’s educational apps. The company focuses on delivering innovative and engaging content across multiple platforms in the gaming and apps industry.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC (LSE:MBH) reported a resilient performance for the first half of 2025, with revenue slightly higher despite challenging market conditions, particularly in Belgium. Profitability was affected by a temporary shutdown at the Carlton site and broader European market pressures. In contrast, the UK market saw strong dispatch volumes, and the company maintained a solid balance sheet with a net cash position of £1.5 million. Leadership changes include Ryan Mahoney stepping in as CEO and Rachel Warren joining as CFO, reflecting a focus on strategic management and operational stability. The company remains optimistic about the future, emphasizing a balanced order book and effective pricing strategies.

Michelmersh demonstrates financial resilience and proactive corporate actions, such as share buybacks and the new CFO appointment, enhancing its market positioning. Technical indicators show some bearish momentum, suggesting short-term risks, while valuation and an attractive dividend yield present a balanced investment outlook.

About Michelmersh Brick Holdings

Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC is a UK-based manufacturer of premium bricks, pavers, specially shaped bricks, bespoke Terra Cotta products, and prefabricated brick components. The company operates through seven leading brands and includes New Acres Limited, a landfill operator. Established in 1997, Michelmersh has grown through acquisitions and organic expansion, producing over 120 million clay bricks and pavers annually. The company is committed to sustainability and enhancing the architectural landscape with its high-quality products.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Alumasc Group PLC (LSE:ALU) reported a 13% rise in revenue to £113.4 million for the year ended 30 June 2025, including 7% organic growth. The company’s emphasis on sustainability-driven innovation and expanded export activity supported this performance, even amid challenging market conditions. All three divisions delivered record results, with particularly strong contributions from the Building Envelope and Housebuilding Products segments. The Water Management division also recorded notable export growth, including a major project in Hong Kong. Alumasc’s strategic focus on sustainable products and operational efficiency positions the company for continued growth, targeting medium-term operating margins of 15–20%. Legislative initiatives and government infrastructure investments are expected to further support future opportunities.

The company’s outlook benefits from strong financial performance and positive corporate developments, while technical indicators present mixed signals. Valuation considerations, including an unusual dividend yield, slightly temper the overall assessment.

About Alumasc

Alumasc is a UK-based supplier of premium sustainable building products, systems, and solutions. The company operates through three core divisions: Water Management, Building Envelope, and Housebuilding Products, with a significant portion of revenue driven by compliance with building regulations and specifications.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.