ADVFN UK Market News

Category: Market News

  • Uniphar H1 Adjusted EPS Rises 11% as Net Debt Increases to €275.7 Million

    Uniphar H1 Adjusted EPS Rises 11% as Net Debt Increases to €275.7 Million

    Uniphar Plc (LSE:UPR) reported an 11% increase in adjusted earnings per share for the first half of 2026, alongside higher revenue and EBITDA, while net debt increased following working capital movements and capital investment.

    Adjusted earnings per share rose to 10.9 cents from 9.8 cents a year earlier. Basic earnings per share increased 16.7% to 7.7 cents.

    Revenue for the six months ended 30 June increased 7.2% to €1.59 billion, while gross profit rose 7.7% to €236.5 million. Organic growth accounted for 6.9% of the increase in gross profit.

    EBITDA increased 6.2% to €61.1 million and operating profit rose to €35.4 million from €32.6 million in the prior-year period.

    Net Bank Debt Rises to €275.7 Million

    Net bank debt increased to €275.7 million at the end of June from €171.1 million at 31 December 2025.

    Uniphar attributed the increase primarily to the expected reversal of working capital timing benefits in its Pharma Services business and further strategic capital expenditure.

    The group recorded an operating cash outflow of €53 million during the first half, while free cash flow conversion was negative 77.1%.

    Leverage stood at 2.40 times rolling 12-month adjusted EBITDA, compared with 1.90 times at June 2025.

    Return on capital employed for the rolling 12-month period was 14.7%, within Uniphar’s target range of 12% to 15%.

    Medtech EBITDA Increases 11.5%

    Medtech recorded a 9.0% increase in gross profit to €62.7 million, while EBITDA rose 11.5% to €24.1 million. Uniphar said both increases were entirely organic and were supported by geographic expansion and new supplier relationships.

    The Pharma division generated gross profit of €68.5 million, representing organic growth of 7%, supported by demand in Global Sourcing.

    Supply Chain & Retail, Uniphar’s largest division by revenue, generated €1.07 billion of revenue and increased gross profit by 7.3% to €105.3 million.

    Organic growth contributed 5.6% to the division’s gross profit increase, with a further 1.7% coming from the acquisition of TouchStore in December 2025.

    Uniphar also expanded its pharmacy network by 30 stores to 512 during the period.

    Irish Distribution Facility Launch Moves to February 2027

    Uniphar said its new Irish distribution facility is now scheduled to become operational in February 2027 rather than during 2026.

    The company plans a phased rollout during 2027 to allow additional end-to-end testing and reduce execution risk during the fourth-quarter peak trading period.

    The facility forms part of Uniphar’s plans to reach its target of €200 million in EBITDA by 2028.

    Chief Executive Ger Rabbette said the group remained “confident in our ability to reach our €200m EBITDA target by 2028, with at least 80% of growth expected to be organic.”

    Uniphar Raises Interim Dividend 4.2%

    The board declared an interim dividend of €0.0074 per ordinary share, an increase of 4.2% from €0.0071 a year earlier.

    The dividend is scheduled to be paid on 9 October 2026.

    Uniphar continues to target €200 million of EBITDA by 2028, with management expecting at least 80% of the growth required to reach that target to be organic.

  • Dunelm FY26 Sales Rise 3.1% to £1.83 Billion as New Growth Strategy Launches

    Dunelm FY26 Sales Rise 3.1% to £1.83 Billion as New Growth Strategy Launches

    Dunelm (LSE:DNLM) reported sales of £1.83 billion for the 52 weeks ended 27 June 2026, an increase of 3.1% year-on-year, while profit before tax was unchanged at £211 million.

    The homewares retailer increased its market share to 7.9%, while gross margin improved to 52.5%. The company said inflationary pressures and costs associated with sales volumes affected profitability during the year.

    Free cash flow increased to £154.8 million and net debt declined to £94.6 million.

    Dunelm increased its ordinary dividend, although total distributions to shareholders were lower than in the previous year because of a smaller special dividend.

    Digital Sales Reach 42% of Revenue

    Digital sales accounted for 42% of group revenue during the year as Dunelm continued to invest in its online operations.

    The company launched the Dunelm app and introduced a beta version of an artificial intelligence-powered shopping assistant.

    Dunelm also reported higher online conversion, increased store footfall and improved customer satisfaction.

    The group opened two new stores during the financial year and reopened its Yeovil location following a fire. Dunelm operates 204 stores across the UK and Ireland alongside its digital channels.

    Dunelm Launches Winning Hearts & Homes Strategy

    Following a review of the business, Dunelm launched a new customer-focused growth strategy called Winning Hearts & Homes.

    The company said the self-funded strategy is intended to support growth and strengthen its position in the homewares market. Investment will focus on capabilities and customer experience across its stores and digital operations.

    Chief executive Clo Moriarty said the review identified additional growth opportunities for the business.

    Dunelm plans to provide analysts and investors with further details on the strategy, including medium-term targets and guidance for the 2027 financial year.

    Hot Weather Affects Early FY27 Trading

    Dunelm reported softer trading during the opening weeks of FY27, which the company attributed to unusually hot weather.

    Management said it remains confident in the underlying characteristics of the business as it begins implementing the Winning Hearts & Homes strategy.

    The company’s next trading update is scheduled for mid-October, when it is expected to provide further information on current trading.

    More about Dunelm Group plc

    Dunelm Group plc is a UK homewares retailer offering products across furniture, soft furnishings, kitchenware, lighting, outdoor living, decoration and DIY, with a large proportion of its range sold under its own brands.

    Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Leicester, the group operates 204 stores across the UK and Ireland and employs around 12,000 people.

    Its omnichannel operations include home delivery, Click & Collect, the Dunelm app and its store network. The company also provides specialist services including made-to-measure window products.

  • OptiBiotix Advances SweetBiotix Sugar Substitute Towards Commercial Production

    OptiBiotix Advances SweetBiotix Sugar Substitute Towards Commercial Production

    OptiBiotix Health (LSE:OPTI) has reported progress in the development of its SweetBiotix range of sweet fibres, including validation of a new manufacturing process and preparations for commercial-scale production.

    SweetBiotix is being developed as a portfolio of sugar substitutes designed to provide sweetness while also functioning as fibres that support gut health.

    The company is targeting potential applications across the food, beverage and confectionery industries.

    New Manufacturing Process Validated

    OptiBiotix said it has validated a new enzyme-based manufacturing process for SweetBiotix that provides higher yields and lower production costs than its previous approach.

    According to the company, the process also produces a cleaner-tasting product.

    Independent testing has identified a sweet fibre approximately 100 times sweeter than sugar, OptiBiotix said. The company described the structure of the fibre as unique and said this provides an opportunity for intellectual property protection.

    SweetBiotix Samples Sent to Food and Beverage Companies

    OptiBiotix has begun supplying laboratory-scale samples of SweetBiotix to major food and beverage brands for evaluation.

    The company has also negotiated manufacturing agreements with three producers as it prepares to move the technology towards larger-scale production.

    OptiBiotix is targeting the production of initial commercial-scale samples around the end of 2026. The timing remains a company target and commercial adoption will depend on subsequent development and customer decisions.

    Company Targets Sugar Reduction Applications

    SweetBiotix forms part of OptiBiotix’s portfolio of microbiome-focused technologies and is intended for applications where manufacturers are seeking alternatives to conventional sugar.

    The company is developing the product for potential use in food, beverages and confectionery, with its combination of sweetness and fibre content forming the basis of its proposed commercial applications.

    The current programme is focused on progressing from laboratory-scale samples to commercial-scale manufacturing.

    More about OptiBiotix Health plc

    OptiBiotix Health plc is a UK-listed life sciences company developing products and ingredients focused on the human microbiome.

    Its portfolio includes SlimBiome, WellBiome and SweetBiotix, alongside other prebiotic, probiotic and microbiome-related products.

    The company’s products target applications including weight management, gut health and sugar reduction, while affiliated businesses also operate in probiotic and skincare markets.

  • Funding Circle H1 Profit Before Tax Rises to £24.1 Million as 2026 Guidance Increases

    Funding Circle H1 Profit Before Tax Rises to £24.1 Million as 2026 Guidance Increases

    Funding Circle (LSE:FCH) reported first-half 2026 revenue of £138.2 million, an increase of 50% year-on-year, as lending activity increased across its term loan, FlexiPay and credit card products.

    Profit before tax rose to £24.1 million, approximately four times the prior-year level, while total credit extended increased 52% to £1.69 billion.

    Assets under management reached £3.25 billion during the period.

    Term Loan Originations Rise 43%

    Funding Circle’s term loan originations increased 43% to £1.05 billion in the first half.

    The division generated profit before tax of £28.6 million and a PBT margin of 26.4%.

    Activity across FlexiPay and credit cards also increased, with transaction volumes rising 71% to £640 million. Funding Circle said these businesses moved closer to breakeven during the period.

    The company expanded funding capacity for these products through an increased facility with Citi.

    Funding Circle Raises 2026 Guidance

    Following its first-half performance, Funding Circle increased its financial guidance for 2026.

    The company now expects full-year revenue of more than £255 million and profit before tax of more than £40 million.

    Funding Circle also announced plans for an additional share buyback of up to £25 million. The programme would take total share repurchases since March 2024 to £100 million.

    The company reported £2.4 billion of committed forward-flow funding arrangements and renewed funding lines to support future lending activity.

    Funding Circle Targets £300 Million to £350 Million Revenue by 2029

    Funding Circle uses proprietary data and artificial intelligence-based models in its credit assessment processes. Management said its AI-powered credit models outperform traditional credit scores.

    The group continues to focus on expanding its products and reaching additional small and medium-sized businesses.

    Funding Circle’s medium-term targets include revenue of £300 million to £350 million by 2029 and a profit-before-tax margin in the low-to-mid-20% range.

    These figures remain management targets and are not established future results.

    More about Funding Circle Holdings plc

    Funding Circle Holdings plc is a UK-based financial technology company providing financing products to small and medium-sized enterprises.

    Its products include term loans, FlexiPay and credit cards. The company’s platform uses proprietary data and automated credit-decision technology, with lending funded largely through institutional capital.

    Funding Circle’s business model is focused on providing multiple financing products to SMEs while using external funding arrangements to support lending activity.

  • Computacenter H1 Revenue Rises 71.6% as Group Raises 2026 Profit Guidance

    Computacenter H1 Revenue Rises 71.6% as Group Raises 2026 Profit Guidance

    Computacenter (LSE:CCC) reported revenue of £6.8 billion for the six months ended 30 June 2026, an increase of 71.6% year-on-year, as demand for digital infrastructure contributed to higher technology sourcing activity.

    Adjusted operating profit increased 86.5%, with North America accounting for more than 60% of the group’s adjusted operating profit during the period.

    The UK recorded increased activity during the half, while Computacenter said Germany delivered underlying growth alongside costs associated with efficiency measures.

    Gross Profit Increases 30.5%

    Group gross profit rose 30.5% year-on-year, although gross margin declined as the revenue mix shifted towards higher-volume technology sourcing activity, particularly in North America and the UK.

    Computacenter added 18 major customers that each generate more than £1 million of annual gross profit.

    The group’s product order backlog reached £9.3 billion at the end of the period, which the company described as a record level.

    Computacenter ended the first half with adjusted net funds of £308.7 million and increased its interim dividend.

    Computacenter Expands North American Operations

    During the period, Computacenter expanded its North American operations through the acquisitions of AgreeYa and GAI.

    The acquisitions increased the group’s professional services capabilities, while GAI provided access to the U.S. federal government market.

    Computacenter said its capital allocation approach continues to include investment in organic growth, acquisitions and shareholder returns.

    Computacenter Raises Full-Year Profit Guidance

    The company reported increased activity at the beginning of the second half, alongside further growth in its committed order backlog, particularly in North America.

    Following the first-half performance and start to the second half, Computacenter raised its full-year guidance.

    The group now expects adjusted profit before tax for 2026 to be significantly ahead of market expectations and at least £380 million.

    The forecast remains management guidance and is subject to performance during the remainder of the financial year.

    More about Computacenter

    Computacenter is a technology and services provider serving large corporate and public-sector customers.

    The group provides technology sourcing, professional services and managed services focused on digital infrastructure. It employs more than 21,000 people globally and is listed on the London Stock Exchange as a constituent of the FTSE 100.

  • Journeo H1 Revenue Rises 53% as Sales Pipeline Reaches £200 Million

    Journeo H1 Revenue Rises 53% as Sales Pipeline Reaches £200 Million

    Journeo plc (LSE:JNEO) reported revenue of £37.6 million for the six months ended 30 June 2026, an increase of 53% year-on-year, reflecting organic growth and contributions from acquisitions.

    Gross profit increased 57% to £14.5 million, while the group recorded a gross margin of 39%.

    Adjusted profit before tax rose 10% to £3.0 million and diluted earnings per share increased 9% to 13.60 pence.

    Information Systems Revenue Increases 40%

    Journeo’s Information Systems division generated revenue of £13.9 million, up 40% from the prior-year period.

    Infrastructure Protection, which joined the group in late 2025, contributed £10.6 million of revenue and recorded what the company described as robust margins.

    Revenue from Integrated Services was broadly unchanged during the period.

    Journeo continued to integrate its acquired businesses during the first half, including consolidating Infrastructure Protection operations into a new regional headquarters and making changes to operational leadership.

    Journeo Sales Opportunity Pipeline Expands to £200 Million

    The group’s sales opportunity pipeline increased to approximately £200 million, compared with £80 million a year earlier.

    The pipeline covers opportunities across Journeo’s transport and critical infrastructure markets and represents potential business rather than contracted revenue.

    Journeo reiterated its medium-term objective of increasing annual revenue to more than £150 million through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, while maintaining margins and continuing investment in its workforce, systems and intellectual property.

    The £150 million figure remains a management objective rather than financial guidance for a specific reporting period.

    Group Trials Agentic AI Development Tools

    Journeo is also trialling agentic artificial intelligence tools within its software development activities.

    The company said the technology is already accelerating software releases and expects its use to increase engineering productivity. These anticipated productivity benefits remain management expectations.

    Journeo continues to invest in research and development across its hardware, software and software-as-a-service products.

    More about Journeo plc

    Journeo plc is a UK-based provider of technology systems for transport networks and critical national infrastructure.

    The group operates through Information Systems, Infrastructure Protection and Integrated Services. Its products and services include passenger information displays, security and access-control systems, on-vehicle telematics and CCTV.

    Journeo supplies customers including towns, cities, airports and public transport operators and develops integrated hardware, software and SaaS products using IoT and open-standard technologies.

  • Itaconix H1 Revenue Rises 72% as Adjusted EBITDA Reaches Break-Even

    Itaconix H1 Revenue Rises 72% as Adjusted EBITDA Reaches Break-Even

    Itaconix (LSE:ITX) reported unaudited revenue of $8.3 million for the six months ended 30 June 2026, an increase of 72% year-on-year, as sales of its plant-based specialty polymers increased.

    Revenue from Itaconix Performance Ingredients rose 104% compared with the prior-year period.

    Gross profit increased 74% to $3.0 million, while adjusted EBITDA reached break-even. The company also reported positive operating cash flow and ended the period with $5.1 million in cash and investments.

    Detergent Business Adds Two Large Customers

    Itaconix reported increased sales of its multi-functional scale inhibitors and odour neutralisers for use in solid unit-dose detergents across North America and EMEA.

    During the period, the company secured two large new detergent customers and reported repeat orders from existing customers.

    Management maintained its medium-term objective of generating $30 million in detergent revenue as it continues to expand its presence in the unit-dose detergent market.

    The company works with brand owners and contract manufacturers as well as distribution and commercial partners across its target markets.

    Itaconix Raises 2026 Revenue Guidance

    Following its first-half performance, Itaconix increased its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to at least $14.8 million.

    The company also expects to report a small positive EBITDA for the full year. These figures represent management guidance and remain subject to the company’s performance during the remainder of 2026.

    Itaconix is expanding production capacity to support anticipated demand and is developing its SPARX formulated solutions alongside its existing performance ingredients portfolio.

    The company is also pursuing early-stage applications for its plant-based technologies in paints and agriculture.

    More about Itaconix plc

    Itaconix plc is a specialty chemicals company that develops and manufactures plant-based polymers used in consumer products, with a particular focus on homecare detergents.

    The company uses proprietary processes based on itaconic acid fermentation to produce ingredients including scale inhibitors and odour neutralisers.

    Its operations include performance ingredients and formulated solutions for brands and private-label products in North American and EMEA detergent markets. Itaconix is also developing applications in paints and agriculture.

    The company works directly with brand owners and contract manufacturers and uses commercial partnerships, including relationships with Croda in homecare and Nouryon in personal care, to reach additional geographic and end-use markets.

  • Gear4music Sales Rise 7.3% in Five Months to August

    Gear4music Sales Rise 7.3% in Five Months to August

    Gear4music (Holdings) plc (LSE:G4M) reported a 7.3% year-on-year increase in sales for the five months ended 31 August 2026, with trading in line with the board’s expectations.

    The musical instruments and equipment retailer provided the figures in a trading update issued alongside its annual general meeting.

    Gear4music said sales growth slowed during July and August, which it attributed to unusually prolonged hot weather and more demanding comparisons with the same period a year earlier.

    Gear4music Cites £200.2 Million Full-Year Revenue Consensus

    The company highlighted market consensus for the financial year ending 31 March 2027 of £200.2 million in revenue.

    Consensus expectations also stand at £16.0 million for EBITDA and £6.0 million for profit before tax.

    Gear4music did not provide revised financial guidance in the update, with trading for the first five months remaining in line with the board’s expectations.

    The company plans to issue a further trading update in October, followed by its half-year results in November.

    More about Gear4music (Holdings) plc

    Gear4music (Holdings) plc is a UK retailer of musical instruments and music equipment, selling its own-brand products alongside third-party brands including Fender, Yamaha and Roland.

    Headquartered in York, the group operates a proprietary multilingual and multicurrency e-commerce platform serving customers in more than 190 countries.

    Gear4music also operates distribution centres and showrooms across the UK and Europe, with facilities in the UK, Sweden, Germany, Ireland and Spain supporting its logistics and customer service operations.

  • Mobico Q2 Revenue Rises 5% as Alsa and German Rail Record Growth

    Mobico Q2 Revenue Rises 5% as Alsa and German Rail Record Growth

    Mobico Group (LSE:MCG) reported a 5.0% year-on-year increase in group revenue for the second quarter of 2026, with growth at Alsa and German Rail offsetting declines in UK Coach, WeDriveU and UK Bus.

    The passenger transport group maintained its full-year guidance as it continued to adjust its portfolio, including the exit from loss-making WeDriveU contracts and reductions to unprofitable routes within UK Coach.

    Alsa Revenue Increases 8%

    Alsa recorded an 8.0% increase in revenue during the quarter, with its long-haul, regional and urban operations benefiting from higher passenger volumes and improved yields.

    Revenue from Alsa’s international and diversified activities increased 21.3%, despite a reduction in the scale of its operations in Morocco.

    UK Coach revenue, meanwhile, declined 16.7%. Mobico attributed the decrease to lower demand and its decision to reduce loss-making routes as it focuses on improving the profitability of the network.

    German Rail Revenue Rises 19.3%

    German Rail reported a 19.3% increase in revenue as operations returned to normal and revised contracts supported the business during the quarter.

    WeDriveU revenue fell 11.8%, reflecting the group’s withdrawal from loss-making contracts as well as operational issues earlier in the period.

    Management said corrective measures and additional controls have since stabilised WeDriveU’s operational performance.

    Mobico Plans November Completion of UK Bus Sale

    UK Bus revenue declined 1.8% year-on-year, reflecting lower commercial passenger numbers.

    Mobico has agreed in principle to sell the division’s net assets and operations to the West Midlands Combined Authority. The company expects the transaction to complete in November 2026.

    The proposed disposal forms part of Mobico’s efforts to reshape its portfolio and would reduce its exposure to future changes associated with bus franchising in the West Midlands.

    Across the wider group, Mobico continues to focus on margin improvement, cash generation and asset-light activities while withdrawing from contracts that do not meet its profitability requirements.

    The company maintained its guidance for the full year following the second-quarter trading performance.

    More about Mobico Group PLC

    Mobico Group PLC operates passenger transport businesses across several markets and transport formats.

    Its operations include long-haul and regional coach services, urban transport, international activities, corporate shuttle provider WeDriveU, German Rail and UK Bus.

    The group is adjusting its portfolio through measures including the withdrawal from loss-making contracts and the proposed disposal of its UK Bus operations, while focusing on margin, cash generation and asset-light transport activities.

  • Greenland Energy and 80 Mile Agree Indicative Terms for All-Share Merger

    Greenland Energy and 80 Mile Agree Indicative Terms for All-Share Merger

    Greenland Energy (NASDAQ:GLNDW) and 80 Mile (LSE:80M) have agreed indicative terms for a proposed all-share merger under which Greenland Energy would acquire 80 Mile.

    The proposed transaction values 80 Mile at approximately £61.48 million and represents a premium of more than 40% to recent trading levels, according to the terms outlined by the companies.

    Greenland Energy and 80 Mile are existing joint venture partners in the Jameson Land Basin in Greenland. If completed, the transaction would consolidate 100% ownership of the Jameson Land licences within a single Nasdaq-listed company.

    Proposed Transaction Remains Subject to Pre-Conditions

    The companies said the proposed merger remains subject to several pre-conditions, including satisfactory mutual due diligence and approval by the relevant independent directors.

    There is no certainty that these conditions will be satisfied or that Greenland Energy will proceed with a firm offer for 80 Mile.

    Under the proposed all-share structure, 80 Mile shareholders would receive shares in the combined U.S.-listed group, retaining exposure to the assets through their ownership in Greenland Energy.

    The companies said a combination would bring together 80 Mile’s portfolio with Greenland Energy’s cash resources, capital markets access and operating platform. The transaction could also allow overlapping corporate functions to be consolidated, although the potential benefits remain dependent on completion and subsequent implementation.

    Merger Would Consolidate Jameson Land Ownership

    The Jameson Land Basin is currently held through the existing relationship between Greenland Energy and 80 Mile.

    Greenland Energy has rights to earn a 70% working interest across approximately 2.1 million acres by funding initial wells. A completed acquisition of 80 Mile would bring the Jameson Land licence interests under one corporate structure.

    Greenland Energy recently completed a US$70 million offering, providing additional capital for its activities.

    Independent engineering work cited by the company has identified approximately 13 billion barrels of prospective recoverable oil resources at Jameson Land. These figures represent prospective resources rather than established reserves or production.

    More about 80 Mile plc and Greenland Energy

    80 Mile plc is a London-listed exploration and development company with energy, critical minerals and industrial gas projects in Greenland, Finland and Italy.

    Its portfolio includes the Jameson Land Basin gas and liquids project, the Disko-Nuussuaq copper-nickel-cobalt-PGM project, the Dundas Ilmenite mineral sands project and interests in industrial gases and biofuels in Italy.

    Greenland Energy is a Nasdaq-listed energy exploration company focused on the Jameson Land Basin in East Greenland. Its activities centre on the exploration and potential development of the basin’s hydrocarbon resources.