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The Character Group (LSE:CCT) said trading conditions remain difficult, with like-for-like sales in the four months to Christmas 2025 around 11% lower year on year. The company expects first-half sales to 28 February 2026 to fall below the comparable period, reflecting ongoing pressure across the toy retail market.

Looking ahead, management is forecasting a stronger second half, with full-year 2026 revenue expected to be broadly in line with 2025 levels. Supported by an improved product mix and portfolio optimisation, the Group anticipates that profit before tax and highlighted items will more than double despite relatively flat turnover. The update also emphasised the company’s robust balance sheet, net cash position and substantial unused working capital facilities.

In addition, Character confirmed the completion of its latest share buyback programme, under which 1,126,549 shares were repurchased for approximately £3.0 million. The move underscores the Group’s continued focus on returning capital to shareholders ahead of the release of its interim results in May 2026.

From a market perspective, the outlook remains mixed. Financial performance is under pressure from declining revenues, weaker profitability and soft cash generation, while technical indicators point to bearish momentum, with the shares trading below key moving averages. Although the dividend yield remains high, a negative P/E ratio highlights ongoing profitability concerns, limiting the stock’s appeal to growth-oriented investors.

More about Character Group

The Character Group plc is a UK-based designer, developer and international distributor of toys, games and giftware. Operating within the leisure goods sector, the Group supplies products to customers in the UK, Scandinavia and other international markets, with a broad portfolio of branded ranges showcased at major global toy fairs.

Johnson Service Group (LSE:JSG) reported a 4.3% increase in full-year 2025 revenue to £535.6 million, supported by growth across both operating divisions. Revenue from the HORECA business rose to £390.0 million, while the Workwear division increased to £145.6 million, resulting in group-wide organic growth of 1.4%.

Disciplined cost management and operational efficiencies drove a strong rise in adjusted operating profit and further margin improvement, bringing the group closer to its 2026 target margin of at least 14%. HORECA activity remained resilient, delivering organic growth of 1.0%, while stable demand in Workwear supported organic growth of 2.4%. Net debt increased to around £112.0 million, primarily reflecting £54.7 million of cash deployed on share buybacks. The completion of the latest £25.0 million programme lifted total capital returned through repurchases since 2022 to £90.3 million.

The board said it remains confident in delivering additional progress and advancing its margin ambitions in 2026, despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. Full-year results are scheduled for release in early March.

From an investment perspective, Johnson Service Group’s outlook is underpinned by solid financial execution and constructive sentiment from recent earnings commentary. The ongoing share buyback programme continues to enhance shareholder returns, while neutral technical indicators and a fair valuation support a broadly positive assessment.

More about Johnson Service Group

Johnson Service Group is a leading provider of textile services across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The Group supplies laundry and related services to the HORECA (hotel, restaurant and catering) sector, alongside workwear rental and laundry solutions for corporate and industrial customers. Its business model is built around long-term contracts, high customer retention and operational efficiency within specialist textile care markets.

Ninety One (LSE:N91) said assets under management increased to £159.8 billion as at 31 December 2025, rising from £152.1 billion at the end of September and £130.2 billion a year earlier. The increase highlights ongoing net inflows and market appreciation across the Group’s investment strategies, reinforcing the scale and reach of its global investment platform.

The firm confirmed that its next update on assets under management, covering the fourth quarter of the 2026 financial year, will be released on 16 April 2026. This update is expected to be closely monitored by investors as a key indicator of business momentum, fee-generating capacity and client demand trends.

Ninety One’s overall outlook is supported by strong underlying financial performance and what is viewed as an attractive valuation, underpinned by positive commentary from recent earnings updates and strategic corporate actions. While technical indicators suggest a degree of near-term caution, the Group’s solid fundamentals and long-term strategy continue to position it well for sustainable growth.

More about Ninety One

Ninety One is an independent global investment manager founded in South Africa in 1991. The firm offers a broad range of actively managed investment strategies to institutional and individual clients worldwide and operates across multiple international markets. Ninety One is dual-listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

CelLBxHealth plc (LSE:CLBX) reported preliminary unaudited revenues of approximately £1.4 million for 2025, modestly below expectations after around £0.2 million of forecast sales shifted into the first quarter of 2026. Year-end cash stood at £7.3 million, providing the Group with a solid liquidity position as it reshapes its operating model.

To reduce overheads and improve efficiency, the company has taken a series of cost-control measures. These include delisting from the OTCQX Market in favour of the lower-cost Pink Limited Market, consolidating its Guildford operations into a single site, and implementing headcount reductions and wider restructuring initiatives. Management expects these actions to deliver annualised cost savings of approximately £5.9 million. Alongside this, CelLBxHealth is progressing a revised commercial strategy supported by a qualified sales pipeline of around £12.6 million for 2026–27, equivalent to a risk-weighted value of £4.5 million.

Despite these operational steps, the company’s outlook remains challenged. Financial pressures and bearish technical indicators continue to weigh most heavily on sentiment, while valuation metrics remain constrained. That said, recent corporate actions and progress highlighted in earnings communications provide some encouragement, suggesting potential longer-term improvement if execution and revenue delivery strengthen.

More about CelLBxHealth

CelLBxHealth plc is a precision circulating tumour cell (CTC) intelligence company developing proprietary CTC-based technologies for use in research, drug development and clinical oncology. Its patent-protected Parsortix platform enables the isolation of tumour cells from blood for downstream imaging, proteomic and genomic analysis. Commercial activities include product sales, clinical trial laboratory services, assay development and lab-developed tests delivered from its GCLP-compliant laboratory in the UK.

Europa Oil & Gas (LSE:EOG) has been granted a two-year extension to the first phase of its PEDL343 licence by the North Sea Transition Authority. The licence hosts the Cloughton onshore gas discovery, estimated at 137 billion cubic feet, with the revised schedule extending Phase One to March 2028 and Phase Two to July 2030.

The updated timeline provides Europa with additional flexibility to complete its planned work programme, which includes the acquisition of 17 km² of 3D seismic data and the drilling of an appraisal well to a depth of 6,500 feet. Management said that, if successful, the project could be fast-tracked for connection to the UK National Transmission System. The company also highlighted the potential broader benefits, including reducing reliance on higher-emission imported LNG, supporting local employment, supplying gas to almost half of North Yorkshire’s homes and generating over £50 million in tax revenues, while keeping surface disruption to a minimum for nearby communities.

From a market perspective, Europa Oil & Gas continues to face pressure from a challenging financial backdrop, marked by material declines in revenue and profitability. That said, recent corporate developments and selectively positive technical signals offer some counterbalance and point to potential longer-term improvement. Although valuation metrics remain negative due to current losses, insider confidence and strategic progress around key assets provide a degree of cautious optimism.

More about Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings)

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc is an AIM-quoted exploration, development and production company with a portfolio of assets spanning the UK, Ireland and West Africa. The Group focuses on advancing onshore and offshore hydrocarbon projects while seeking to create value through disciplined exploration and appraisal activity.

Harbour Energy (LSE:HBR) has provided further detail on the financing and regulatory framework surrounding its proposed US$3.2 billion acquisition of LLOG Exploration, confirming that the transaction qualifies as a significant deal under UK listing rules. The company has issued additional disclosures covering its financial position and key contractual arrangements linked to the acquisition.

The transaction is being funded through a combination of newly arranged bridge and term loan facilities, existing liquidity and the issuance of new shares. Completion is targeted for the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approval in the United States. The LLOG acquisition follows a period of accelerated expansion for Harbour Energy, including the US$11.2 billion purchase of Wintershall Dea’s non-Russian portfolio, multiple bond issuances that extended debt maturities to 2028, and a series of portfolio actions such as the disposal of Indonesian assets, a UK North Sea acquisition from Waldorf, and the purchase of a 15% interest in an Argentine FLNG project. Together, these moves highlight Harbour’s transition toward a larger, more diversified global upstream and LNG-focused platform, supported by extensive corporate financing and decommissioning surety arrangements.

From an investment standpoint, Harbour Energy’s outlook is underpinned by strong operational delivery and shareholder-focused initiatives such as share buybacks. However, valuation remains pressured by a negative P/E ratio and bearish technical indicators. While the company’s high dividend yield and constructive earnings commentary offer some support, profitability and market sentiment remain key areas to monitor.

More about Harbour Energy

Harbour Energy is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with a growing international portfolio spanning the UK North Sea, the US Gulf of Mexico, Latin America and other global basins. The Group focuses on upstream hydrocarbons and has expanded through large-scale acquisitions, supported by significant debt and capital markets facilities, while recycling capital through selective asset sales and targeted investment in liquefied natural gas projects.

Rome Resources (LSE:RMR) has made further progress with its post-maiden resource drilling programme at the Bisie North tin and copper project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with two drill rigs currently active across the Mont Agoma and Kalayi prospects. Early handheld XRF readings from drillhole KBD019 at Kalayi have identified a six-metre interval averaging 1.6% tin within a broader 26-metre zone of disseminated cassiterite, providing early support for mineralisation continuity.

Drilling at Mont Agoma has now advanced into the main mineralised zone, with management noting that progress to date is consistent with its structural interpretation of the system. While the reported grades are preliminary and subject to confirmation through laboratory assays, the company said the early indicators align with expectations for deeper and potentially higher-grade tin mineralisation, reinforcing the strategic importance of Bisie North as drilling continues.

From a market standpoint, Rome Resources’ outlook remains constrained by its financial position. The company currently generates no revenue and continues to report widening losses alongside sustained negative free cash flow, highlighting ongoing funding risk. Technical indicators provide a modest additional headwind, reflecting a weak longer-term trend and negative MACD signals, while valuation metrics remain limited by negative earnings and the absence of dividend support.

More about Rome Resources

Rome Resources plc is an AIM-listed mineral exploration company focused on advancing tin and copper projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its flagship Bisie North asset is located close to the Alphamin Mpama tin mine complex, where the company is targeting a large-scale polymetallic system across the Mont Agoma and Kalayi prospects.

ITM Power (LSE:ITM) has confirmed that Jürgen Nowicki has formally assumed the role of non-executive chair with effect from 15 January 2026. He succeeds Sir Roger Bone, who has stepped down after overseeing ITM Power’s transition from a development-stage business to a commercial leader in electrolyser technology.

The board said Nowicki’s extensive experience across the industrial and energy sectors is expected to reinforce operational discipline, governance standards and execution as the company progresses its growth strategy. His appointment comes at a pivotal stage for ITM Power as it seeks to consolidate its position within the rapidly expanding green hydrogen market and navigate a period of increased industry competition and scale-up activity.

From an investment perspective, ITM Power’s outlook continues to be shaped by financial headwinds, including ongoing losses and negative cash flow. While recent updates and earnings commentary have highlighted strong revenue growth, a growing contract backlog and longer-term strategic opportunities, technical indicators and valuation metrics remain cautious. Operational efficiency and broader market challenges remain key areas of focus as the company works toward sustainable profitability.

More about ITM Power

ITM Power was founded in 2000 and has been listed on London’s Alternative Investment Market since 2004. The UK-based company designs and manufactures proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers that use renewable electricity and water to produce green hydrogen, positioning it as a key technology provider in the global transition toward net-zero energy systems.

Shuka Minerals Plc (LSE:SKA) has completed the acquisition of 100% of Leopard Exploration and Mining Limited, giving the Group full ownership and operational control of the Kabwe Zinc Mine. Kabwe is regarded as one of the world’s highest-grade zinc deposits, with historic ore grades reaching up to 43% and remaining resources estimated to hold a value in excess of US$2 billion.

The company plans to commence an extensive 2026 work programme covering geological and geophysical surveys, drilling, environmental baseline studies and reserve upgrades. Shuka has highlighted the scale of the opportunity, noting that Phase 1 development of the project is expected to deliver estimated pre-tax cash flow of US$1.84 billion and an NPV10 of US$561 million. Management believes this potential is not reflected in the company’s current market capitalisation of under £5 million. In parallel, CEO Richard Lloyd has been awarded 2 million warrants, aligning management incentives with long-term shareholder value as on-site work at Kabwe is set to begin imminently.

Despite the transformational nature of the acquisition, Shuka’s near-term outlook remains challenged. Significant funding requirements, delays in capital deployment and weak technical indicators continue to weigh on sentiment, while negative valuation metrics limit the stock’s immediate appeal. The Kabwe acquisition nonetheless represents a potentially material growth opportunity if financing and execution risks can be effectively managed.

More about Shuka Minerals

Shuka Minerals Plc is an Africa-focused mining operator and developer listed on London’s AIM market and the JSE’s AltX. The Group focuses on the ownership, development and operation of mineral assets, with a core emphasis on zinc and lead through its flagship Kabwe Mine project in Zambia.