Category: Top Story

SSE plc (LSE:SSE) reported a strong third-quarter performance, supported by a sharp increase in regulated networks spending and higher renewable generation output. Investment in networks rose 64% year on year to £1.8 billion, while renewable generation increased by 7%, helping the group maintain its adjusted earnings per share guidance of 144–152 pence for the 2025/26 financial year despite mixed weather conditions.

The company said it is making rapid progress on its £33 billion “Transformation for Growth” programme, having now secured around three quarters of the key consents required for major transmission projects. SSE has moved a fifth large transmission scheme into full construction, put new bank facilities in place backed by state guarantees, and continued to advance flagship offshore wind developments including Berwick Bank B and Dogger Bank. Management said these milestones reinforce SSE’s pivotal role in the UK’s energy transition and underpin its long-term earnings growth ambitions.

Looking ahead, SSE’s outlook is anchored by its large-scale strategic investment plan and supportive technical indicators. These positives are tempered by concerns around financial performance, particularly cash flow dynamics, as well as a relatively elevated valuation. Even so, recent corporate actions and guidance from management point to a clear strategic direction, supporting a constructive long-term view.

More about SSE plc

SSE plc is a UK-based energy company focused on regulated electricity networks and renewable power generation. Its portfolio includes onshore and offshore wind, hydro and flexible thermal generation, with a strong emphasis on expanding transmission infrastructure in the north of Scotland and growing its low-carbon energy assets.

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd (LSE:GKP) said it is planning to pursue a dual listing of its shares on Euronext Growth Oslo, alongside its existing London Stock Exchange listing, as part of a strategy to enhance trading liquidity, widen its investor base and improve long-term access to capital. The move is also intended to support a future uplisting to the Oslo Stock Exchange’s Main Market.

To meet the requirements for admission in Oslo, the company will launch a fully underwritten retail private placement of new shares, with a total value of up to the Norwegian krone equivalent of €1 million. The shares will be offered to retail investors in Norway and Sweden at a price set at a 10% discount to the London volume-weighted average price. Gulf Keystone said one of its major shareholders has agreed to underwrite the offering and plans to transfer a significant portion of its existing shareholding to the Norwegian market, highlighting strong backing for the dual listing strategy.

Overall, Gulf Keystone’s outlook continues to reflect a solid financial position and supportive corporate developments, balanced against valuation considerations and ongoing operational and geopolitical risks. The company’s ability to maintain cash flow generation and manage regional uncertainties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will remain key factors influencing future performance.

More about Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd is a London-listed independent oil and gas operator focused on exploration, development and production activities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The company targets both institutional and retail investors across international capital markets.

YouGov plc (LSE:YOU) said its half-year trading update to 31 January 2026 points to low single-digit revenue growth, supported by continued momentum in the Research division and resilient renewals across its Data Products business. Performance in YouGov Shopper was softer, largely reflecting the timing of project delivery rather than a deterioration in demand, according to the company.

Management said targeted investment in artificial intelligence, data automation and platform enhancements is intended to strengthen momentum in the second half of the year, even as broader macroeconomic conditions remain challenging. While YouGov continues to expect modest full-year revenue growth, profitability is likely to depend on tight cost control and the pace at which returns from recent innovation and technology spending begin to materialise. The group confirmed that it will publish its full half-year results on 24 March 2026.

From a market perspective, YouGov’s overall stock profile continues to reflect solid underlying financial performance and a strategy centred on long-term growth initiatives. Technical indicators are mixed, but valuation levels are viewed as reasonable, with the company’s focus on AI integration and product innovation seen as supportive of future expansion. Investors are, however, keeping an eye on geographic and sector-specific pressures, as well as a rise in leverage, as potential risk factors.

More about YouGov plc

YouGov plc is an international research and data analytics company operating across the US, the wider Americas, Europe, the Middle East, India and the Asia-Pacific region. The group leverages a large proprietary online panel and technology platforms to deliver real-time consumer and public opinion insights to media organisations, brands and institutional clients worldwide.

Plus500 Ltd (LSE:PLUS) shares climbed around 7.5% after the fintech group announced its expansion into the US retail prediction markets space. The move comes with the launch of event-based contracts on its US B2C trading platform, Plus500 Futures, marking a new product vertical for the company in a fast-developing segment of the trading industry.

The London-listed group said the new offering will feature products from Kalshi Exchange, the first US-regulated exchange dedicated to event-based contracts. Through this integration, Plus500’s US customers can trade regulated prediction markets linked to economic data releases, financial market events, geopolitical developments and other clearly defined real-world outcomes.

Management described the launch as a strategic step in diversifying Plus500’s product suite, leveraging its proprietary technology, clearing memberships and established risk management infrastructure. Trades on the platform will be cleared directly via Plus500’s full clearing membership with Kalshi Klear LLC, providing a fully regulated and transparent framework for participants.

Plus500 highlighted growing interest in prediction markets from both retail and institutional users, citing their appeal as a structured and compliant way to express views on real-world events. The company said its scalable infrastructure positions it well to support wider adoption of these products, both through direct-to-consumer innovation and business-to-business partnerships.

The latest launch builds on Plus500’s earlier move into prediction markets in December 2025, when it became the clearing partner for CME Group and FanDuel on the FanDuel Prediction Markets platform. Management said this track record underlines its ambition to play a broader role across the regulated prediction markets ecosystem.

Wizz Air Holdings (LSE:WIZZ) has provided an update on its share capital and voting rights structure, confirming that as at 31 January 2026 the company has a single class of ordinary shares in issue. Total issued share capital stands at 103,438,631 shares, with no shares held in treasury, and each share carrying one voting right, subject to proportional disenfranchisement provisions applicable to certain non-qualifying foreign shareholders.

The airline also disclosed a theoretical fully diluted share count of 127,758,164 shares. This figure assumes the full conversion of outstanding convertible notes alongside the exercise of vested employee share options, offering investors a clearer basis for assessing voting rights, disclosure thresholds and ownership calculations under UK transparency regulations.

From an investment perspective, the group’s outlook is increasingly supported by an improving financial trajectory, with notably stronger cash generation complemented by positive technical momentum and a relatively low price-to-earnings valuation. These positives are balanced by ongoing balance sheet leverage and execution risks highlighted in recent market commentary, including pressure on unit revenues, rising cost inputs and timing uncertainty associated with the fleet transition.

More about Wizz Air Holdings

Wizz Air Holdings is a European ultra-low-cost airline operating under the Wizz Air brand. The group focuses on short-haul, point-to-point routes across Central and Eastern Europe and selected Western European markets, targeting cost-conscious leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) travellers. Operating in a highly competitive budget aviation sector, Wizz Air’s strategy centres on maintaining a low-cost base, high aircraft utilisation and network expansion to drive long-term growth.

A.G. Barr (LSE:BAG) delivered full-year results for the year ended 31 January 2026 that broadly met market expectations, as revenue increased by around 4% to £437m and adjusted operating margins widened by approximately 110 basis points to 14.7%, underpinning double-digit growth in profits. Performance was supported by steady top-line momentum and improved operational efficiency across the group.

The company reported continued progress against its strategic objectives, with increased investment in innovation leading to several new product launches from January 2026. Ongoing spend on manufacturing capacity and capabilities also remained a priority. From a brand perspective, marketing activity helped return IRN-BRU to modest growth in the second half of the year, while Rubicon and Boost delivered resilient performances despite softer trading conditions at Funkin.

During the period, A.G. Barr strengthened its exposure to the adult soft drinks category through targeted acquisitions. The group purchased premium juice brand Frobishers for £13m close to year-end and completed the approximately £38m acquisition of botanical soft drinks and mixers specialist Fentimans shortly after the reporting period. Both transactions were funded through a combination of cash and debt, with management expecting cost synergies and margin enhancement as integration advances through FY26/27.

Looking ahead, management said the group enters the new financial year with solid momentum, supported by a strong pipeline of brand initiatives, including refreshed designs for IRN-BRU and Rubicon. The company reiterated its focus on driving efficiency, protecting margins and enhancing shareholder returns.

While recent financial performance and corporate developments have been positive, these are partially offset by weaker technical indicators. The shares are viewed as fairly valued, with the dividend yield contributing to overall appeal. The absence of an earnings call means no additional insight from management commentary was available.

More about AG Barr

A.G. Barr is a UK-based multi-beverage producer best known for its IRN-BRU, Rubicon and Boost brands. The group operates across the soft drinks and mixers market, with an increasing emphasis on adult soft drinks. It serves a broad UK consumer base through ongoing brand innovation, channel expansion and continued investment in manufacturing and supply-chain infrastructure to support its portfolio of established and emerging drinks brands.