Category: Market News

Card Factory plc (LSE:CARD) said recent trading has been impacted by continued pressure on UK consumers, resulting in store sales coming in below expectations during a key trading period. The company said the softer performance reflects ongoing cost-of-living challenges affecting discretionary spending.

Despite the near-term headwinds, management said it remains focused on delivering its ‘Simplify and Scale’ strategy, which is aimed at improving operational efficiency and productivity in a high-inflation environment. The board reiterated its confidence in the group’s longer-term outlook and confirmed plans to continue its share buyback programme alongside the payment of a progressive full-year dividend.

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Card Factory plc is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of greeting cards, gifts, and celebration products. The group serves customers primarily in the UK, with additional operations in the Republic of Ireland and North America.

Cadence Minerals Plc (LSE:KDNC) said it has hosted a technical site visit to the Amapá iron ore project alongside its joint venture partner DEV, welcoming the President of the Economic Development Agency of Amapá, Brazil. The visit focused on outlining the proposed development route for the planned 5.5 million tonnes per annum integrated DR-grade iron ore operation, including required upgrades to rail and port infrastructure.

The company also reported progress across key technical workstreams supporting the environmental licensing of the Azteca processing plant, which represents the first phase of the wider Amapá redevelopment strategy. Cadence said the facility is expected to allow for early-stage production and cash generation, helping to fund subsequent studies and capital investments as the project advances.

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Cadence Minerals Plc is a mining investment and development company with a focus on advancing mineral resource projects. Its portfolio includes iron ore developments, with the Amapá iron ore project in Brazil forming a central part of its growth strategy.

Harbour Energy (LSE:HBR) said it has agreed to acquire the majority of the subsidiaries of Waldorf Energy Partners Ltd and Waldorf Production Ltd in a transaction valued at $170 million. The acquisition is expected to enhance Harbour’s free cash flow and reinforce its position in the UK North Sea.

The deal will increase Harbour’s interest in the Catcher field and add a new production hub through the Kraken oil field. The company said the transaction is expected to generate operational and financial synergies, including access to approximately $350 million of cash and the ability to utilise Waldorf’s UK tax losses. Completion is targeted for the second quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

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Harbour Energy is an oil and gas exploration and production company with a strong focus on the UK North Sea. The group is pursuing a strategy of disciplined investment aimed at strengthening operational performance and long-term financial resilience.

Petro Matad Limited (LSE:MATD) said it achieved its highest monthly production to date following successful operations at the Heron-1 and Gazelle-1 wells. The company added that re-testing at Heron-2 has been paused for the winter period, with operations expected to resume when conditions allow.

The group said it is in the process of finalising an Oil Sales Agreement with PetroChina and continues to evaluate a potential farm-in arrangement for Block XX. Alongside its oil activities, Petro Matad noted progress at its renewable energy subsidiary, SunSteppe Renewable Energy, which is advancing a number of projects, including a proposed 200MW hybrid renewable development and Mongolia’s first green hydrogen initiative.

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Petro Matad Limited is an AIM-listed oil and gas company focused on exploration and production in Mongolia, with its core operations located at Block XX. Through its subsidiary SunSteppe Renewable Energy, the company is also developing renewable energy projects aimed at supporting Mongolia’s transition to a more sustainable energy mix.

Aberdeen Group (LSE:ABDN) said it has agreed to acquire the management of approximately £1.5 billion of US closed-end fund assets from MFS, strengthening its position as the world’s fifth-largest manager of closed-end funds. The transaction forms part of the group’s strategy to expand its US closed-end fund platform.

Under the agreement, nine MFS-managed funds and one Aberdeen-managed fund will be combined into two larger vehicles. The consolidation is expected to deliver improved scale, enhanced liquidity, and operational efficiencies for investors. Aberdeen said the acquisition also aligns with its focus on leveraging capabilities in areas such as fixed income and private credit to support future growth.

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Aberdeen Group is a global Wealth & Investments business managing and administering around £542 billion of client and customer assets across its interactive investor, Adviser, and Investments divisions. Aberdeen Investments operates as a specialist asset manager with expertise spanning public and private markets, including credit, specialist equities, and real assets.

ECR Minerals plc (LSE:ECR) said recent drilling at its Blue Mountain project in Central Queensland has delivered encouraging results, supporting the potential for near-term, low-cost alluvial gold production. The programme identified visible coarse gold and extended gold-bearing creek flats, which the company said may point to a nearby primary source.

In addition, wash-plant trials conducted at the Lower Patterson area were described as successful, further demonstrating the technical and commercial viability of a potential start-up operation. Management said the results strengthen the case for progressing Blue Mountain as an alluvial gold development in North Queensland.

More about ECR Minerals plc

ECR Minerals plc is an exploration and development company focused on gold projects in Australia. The group’s strategy centres on identifying and advancing cost-efficient alluvial gold opportunities with the potential for near-term production.

Orosur Mining Inc. (LSE:OMI) said it has made continued progress across its exploration portfolio in Colombia and Argentina, with advances reported at both the Anzá and El Pantano projects. At Anzá, the company is close to completing the Pepas resource drilling programme, with assay results to date described as encouraging.

The group said work is underway to complete a Mineral Resource Estimate for Pepas, which is targeted for January 2026. In Argentina, exploration at the El Pantano project has confirmed the presence of a low sulphidation epithermal mineral system. Recent drilling results have highlighted additional exploration potential, supporting further evaluation of the project’s development prospects.

More about Orosur Mining Inc.

Orosur Mining Inc. is a gold exploration and development company with operations focused on Colombia and Argentina. Its principal asset is the Anzá project in Colombia, which includes the Pepas, APTA and El Cedro prospects, alongside the El Pantano project in Argentina. The company is advancing its portfolio through ongoing exploration and resource definition programmes.

Iofina plc (LSE:IOF) said it has appointed Tim Hughes as a Non-Executive Director, with the appointment set to take effect from 1 January 2026. Hughes brings extensive experience from the specialty chemicals sector, having previously held senior roles at companies including Synthomer plc and Chemtura Corporation.

The board said Hughes’ background in iodine-related businesses and corporate development is expected to support Iofina’s strategy to expand its iodine production capacity and broaden its customer base. The appointment is intended to strengthen the company’s leadership as it continues to invest in growth across its operations.

More about Iofina plc

Iofina plc is a vertically integrated producer of iodine and specialty chemical products. The company is the second-largest iodine producer in North America and operates through its Iofina Resources and Iofina Chemical subsidiaries. Using its proprietary WET® IOsorb® technology, Iofina develops and runs iodine extraction facilities, primarily in Oklahoma, while Iofina Chemical manufactures a range of high-quality halogen-based specialty chemicals.

Haydale Graphene Industries PLC (LSE:HAYD) said it has agreed to acquire Intelligent Resource Management Limited, trading as SaveMoneyCutCarbon, as part of a strategy to build a graphene-enabled clean-technology platform with enhanced commercial reach. The acquisition is intended to provide Haydale with a nationwide customer acquisition channel and a scalable operating platform to support faster market penetration.

Alongside the transaction, the company plans to raise up to £6.41 million through a combination of placing, subscription, and retail offer. The proceeds are expected to fund the acquisition and support the group’s broader growth strategy, enabling Haydale to capitalise on new commercial opportunities within energy efficiency and decarbonisation markets. Both the acquisition and fundraising are subject to shareholder approval, and the company also intends to adopt a new name to reflect its expanded strategic focus.

More about Haydale Graphene Industries PLC

Haydale Graphene Industries PLC operates in the clean-technology sector, specialising in the development and commercialisation of graphene-based materials. The company’s patented materials platform underpins a range of energy-efficiency and sustainability solutions designed to deliver practical decarbonisation outcomes.

Tern Plc (LSE:TERN) said it has been issued approximately £230,000 of new unsecured convertible loan notes by Talking Medicines Limited, following the cancellation of around £180,000 of existing short-term loans. The transaction increases Tern’s total holding of convertible loan notes in Talking Medicines to roughly £0.52 million, while its equity interest remains unchanged at 23.8%.

Talking Medicines is seeking to raise up to £1.0 million through the issue of similar convertible loan notes, with the funding intended to support further development of its data science and artificial intelligence capabilities. The company is targeting growth opportunities within the healthcare advertising market, where it aims to deliver more effective, insight-driven engagement.

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Tern Plc is an investment company focused on backing early-stage, high-growth technology businesses, particularly those operating in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector.