Blog

  • STV Group Maintains 2025 Profit Expectations Despite Advertising Weakness

    STV Group Maintains 2025 Profit Expectations Despite Advertising Weakness

    STV Group plc (LSE:STVG) has indicated that full-year 2025 revenue is expected to land toward the upper end of its £165 million to £180 million guidance range, with adjusted operating profit forecast to meet market expectations at around £11.4 million. This comes despite an estimated 10% decline in total advertising revenue across both the fourth quarter and the full year, reflecting ongoing macroeconomic pressure on advertising spend.

    To offset the softer revenue environment, the group is implementing further cost reduction measures. Savings initiatives announced in September are expected to generate £2.5 million of additional cost benefits in 2026, on top of a previously targeted £5 million annual run-rate. STV also expects year-end net debt to sit toward the lower end of its £45 million to £50 million guidance range. Within its studios division, the company closed 2025 with a £33 million order book, despite subdued commissioning activity, while its recently launched STV Radio platform has delivered an encouraging early response as the group adapts its strategy to a more challenging advertising landscape and evaluates longer-term strategic options.

    From an outlook perspective, STV’s assessment remains mixed. Financial risk persists due to negative equity and rising debt levels, despite the earnings recovery and positive cash flow achieved in 2024. Valuation remains a notable positive, supported by a low price-to-earnings ratio and a high dividend yield, while technical indicators are broadly neutral, reflecting mixed signals across key moving averages. Recent corporate updates provide some support, though they remain secondary to broader market conditions.

    More about STV Group

    STV Group plc is a UK-based media company operating across broadcasting, content production and related media services. The group’s activities include its television operations, a growing studios business, and its recent expansion into audio through the launch of STV Radio, positioning STV to serve advertisers and audiences across an evolving media and advertising landscape.

  • Phoenix Copper Boosted by Loan Note Conversion and Improved Metals Pricing

    Phoenix Copper Boosted by Loan Note Conversion and Improved Metals Pricing

    Phoenix Copper Limited (LSE:PXC) has confirmed that Indigo Capital has partially converted its US$2.1 million convertible loan note, exchanging US$536,000 of debt into close to 27 million new ordinary shares. Most of the newly issued shares are expected to be placed with a mix of equity funds and family offices, lifting Phoenix Copper’s total issued share capital to approximately 288 million shares.

    Alongside the balance sheet update, the company highlighted the positive impact of current higher copper, gold and silver prices on the projected economics of its Empire open-pit project in Idaho. Management indicated that, should prevailing metals prices be maintained, cumulative pre-tax net cash flow could increase to around US$406 million over an 8.5-year mine life. Under this scenario, both the project’s pre-tax net present value and internal rate of return would be close to double those outlined in the 2024 economic model. Phoenix Copper also confirmed that discussions with a US-based bond investor remain ongoing, with potential financing viewed as a key step toward advancing mine development.

    Despite the more supportive commodity backdrop, the company’s outlook remains constrained by weak underlying financial performance, characterised by the absence of revenue, widening losses and accelerating cash burn, which continue to elevate funding and dilution risk. Technical indicators offer some counterbalance, with improving medium-term momentum, but valuation remains pressured due to ongoing losses, reflected in a negative price-to-earnings ratio and the lack of dividend support.

    More about Phoenix Copper

    Phoenix Copper Limited is an emerging producer and exploration company focused on copper, gold and silver assets in the United States. Its principal asset is the Empire Mine in the Alder Creek mining district near Mackay, Idaho, where the company holds an 80% interest and has significantly expanded the open-pit resource since 2017, publishing its first mineral reserve statement in 2024. The group also controls additional past-producing mines and exploration projects in the district, including Red Star and Navarre Creek, as well as cobalt properties on the Idaho Cobalt Belt.

  • Aminex Receives Pipeline Materials as Ntorya–Madimba Gas Project Moves Forward

    Aminex Receives Pipeline Materials as Ntorya–Madimba Gas Project Moves Forward

    Aminex plc (LSE:AEX) has confirmed the arrival of pipeline materials at the port of Mtwara in Tanzania, following the delivery of pipe imported from China for the Ntorya-to-Madimba gas pipeline. Site preparation and pipelaying activities are scheduled to commence in February 2026, marking a further step toward development of the Ntorya gas project.

    The early delivery highlights the commitment of Tanzania’s state-owned Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and the government to progressing the pipeline, which will connect the Ntorya field to the Madimba gas processing facilities. The project is designed to supply gas into Tanzania’s domestic market and support the country’s broader energy transition objectives. Aminex is expected to benefit from a carried interest arrangement that should take the company through to first commercial gas production without direct capital expenditure.

    From an outlook perspective, Aminex continues to face headwinds from weak operating performance and ongoing cash outflows, although these are partly offset by a relatively low-debt balance sheet. Share price technicals remain supportive, with the stock trading above key moving averages and a positive MACD signal, though momentum indicators suggest the shares may be overextended. Valuation remains constrained by continued losses, reflected in a negative price-to-earnings ratio and the absence of a dividend yield.

    More about Aminex

    Aminex plc is an oil and gas exploration and development company focused on Tanzania, where it holds a 25% non-operated interest in the Ntorya gas field. The company is targeting the expanding domestic gas market, with Ntorya production expected to contribute to energy access and the national energy transition. Its current development programme is fully carried, covering up to US$140 million in gross capital expenditure.

  • Record plc Reaches New AUM Peak as Inflows Continue and Earnings Guidance Holds

    Record plc Reaches New AUM Peak as Inflows Continue and Earnings Guidance Holds

    Record plc (LSE:REC) has reported a record assets under management total of US$115.9 billion for the quarter ended 31 December 2025, supported by positive net inflows and underlying market-driven asset growth. Momentum was particularly strong within the group’s core Passive Hedging strategies, alongside a second successive quarter of net inflows into its FX Alpha offering.

    During the quarter, performance fees increased to £1.6 million, lifting year-to-date performance fees to £2.4 million. Average fee rates were broadly unchanged, reflecting continued pricing stability across the platform. Management confirmed that earnings expectations for the current financial year remain unchanged, highlighting ongoing operational momentum and a stable profitability outlook.

    From an outlook perspective, Record plc continues to benefit from a strong valuation profile and solid financial foundations, despite technical indicators pointing to a near-term bearish trend in the share price. The company’s elevated dividend yield and recent strategic and corporate developments provide additional support for its longer-term investment case.

    More about Record plc

    Record plc is a specialist currency and asset management firm providing risk management solutions, passive and dynamic currency hedging, FX alpha strategies and bespoke investment solutions. The company primarily serves institutional clients and has diversified its offering into areas such as emerging market local currency debt and infrastructure-related private market strategies.

  • SSP Group Delivers 5% Q1 Like-for-Like Sales Growth and Maintains FY26 Outlook

    SSP Group Delivers 5% Q1 Like-for-Like Sales Growth and Maintains FY26 Outlook

    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’s Playstack Wins Major Publishing Deal and Launches £6m Share Buyback

    TruFin’s Playstack Wins Major Publishing Deal and Launches £6m Share Buyback

    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 Lowers Profit Outlook as Hospitality Weakness Pressures Distribution Arm

    C&C Group Lowers Profit Outlook as Hospitality Weakness Pressures Distribution Arm

    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 Announces Immediate Departure of Non-Executive Director Nicholas Taylor

    Jubilee Metals Announces Immediate Departure of Non-Executive Director Nicholas Taylor

    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 Expands Equity Base Following Capital Raise to Support Gold Streaming Strategy

    Bluebird Mining Ventures Expands Equity Base Following Capital Raise to Support Gold Streaming Strategy

    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 Raises US$10m in Private Placement to Advance Atlantic Margin Exploration

    Eco Atlantic Raises US$10m in Private Placement to Advance Atlantic Margin Exploration

    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.