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AFC Energy plc (LSE:AFC) has released an update to shareholders following the outcome of its Annual General Meeting. Resolution 8, which concerned the 2024 remuneration report, was approved with 77.09% of votes in favor. Although the resolution passed, the company recognized the level of minority opposition and has since engaged with major shareholders to address their concerns. AFC Energy reaffirmed that the resolution aligns with its goal of driving long-term shareholder value.

In addition, the company announced a change to its broker lineup. RBC Europe Limited has stepped down as Joint Broker, while Zeus and Peel Hunt will continue in their existing roles.

AFC Energy continues to face notable financial headwinds, including profitability and cash flow challenges. Technical analysis indicates a bearish trend, while its valuation remains under pressure due to a negative P/E ratio and the absence of a dividend, contributing to a weak overall outlook.

About AFC Energy plc

AFC Energy is a UK-based provider of hydrogen energy solutions, specializing in clean electricity generation for both on-grid and off-grid applications. Its core technology is centered on fuel cells, which are used in electric vehicle charging, temporary power systems, and off-grid energy solutions. The company is also advancing ammonia cracking technology for distributed hydrogen production and is targeting high-emission industries such as mining, cement, and heavy engineering, as well as emerging opportunities in maritime, data centers, and rail sectors.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Aptamer Group plc (LSE:APTA) has announced that it will release its full-year financial results for the period ending 30 June 2025 on 14 October 2025. Alongside the results, the company will hold an online analyst briefing and an investor presentation, offering stakeholders the opportunity to hear directly from the leadership team about the company’s financial performance and strategic priorities.

The update comes as Aptamer Group navigates a challenging financial landscape, marked by significant funding pressures and weak technical indicators. Nonetheless, recent corporate developments and strategic partnerships provide a degree of optimism for its future growth trajectory. Ongoing concerns remain around its reliance on debt and lack of profitability.

About Aptamer Group plc

Aptamer Group is a life sciences company specializing in the development of next-generation synthetic binders. Its innovative platform aims to deliver advanced solutions that enhance research and development capabilities across the life science sector.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Nuformix plc (LSE:NFX) has announced the appointment of Kreston Reeves Audit LLP as its new auditor. The move follows the restructuring of its former auditor, Kreston Reeves LLP, and remains subject to shareholder approval at the company’s upcoming Annual General Meeting.

This appointment is part of Nuformix’s efforts to strengthen financial governance and oversight as it advances its strategic objectives in the pharmaceutical development space. By reinforcing its auditing framework, the company aims to bolster operational efficiency and enhance stakeholder confidence during a period of ongoing transition.

Despite recent positive technical signals and some encouraging corporate developments, Nuformix continues to face significant financial hurdles, including the absence of revenue and sustained losses. These challenges weigh heavily on its valuation, underscoring the importance of careful financial management moving forward.

About Nuformix plc

Nuformix is a pharmaceutical development company focused on repurposing drugs to address unmet medical needs, particularly in fibrosis and oncology. Its core expertise lies in discovering and developing novel drug forms with improved physical properties, offering new possibilities for dosage, delivery, and formulation. The company’s pipeline of preclinical assets presents opportunities for early licensing and potential value creation in the biopharmaceutical market.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Technology Minerals PLC (LSE:TM1) has announced that its Chairman, Robin Brundle, is taking part in a major UK trade mission to India alongside the UK Prime Minister. The mission, one of the largest of its kind, brings together prominent business leaders to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two nations and advance the UK’s critical mineral strategy.

Brundle’s participation highlights Technology Minerals’ focus on international collaboration and its commitment to circular economy solutions. A key area of interest is India’s fast-expanding lithium-ion battery industry, which aligns closely with the company’s strategic goals. The visit also builds on a recent UK-India trade agreement, expected to generate meaningful economic benefits, and showcases the role of Recyclus Group in accelerating India’s transition to electrification.

Despite positive strategic developments, Technology Minerals currently faces challenges stemming from weak financial performance and unfavorable technical indicators. Persistent losses and limited revenue weigh on its outlook. However, successful execution of its strategic initiatives in battery recycling and critical minerals could improve its long-term prospects.

About Technology Minerals PLC

Technology Minerals is a UK-listed company pioneering a sustainable circular economy for battery metals. Its operations focus on the recovery, recycling, and reuse of lithium-ion battery materials to support the transition to renewable energy. In addition to recycling, the company is involved in the exploration of raw materials essential for battery manufacturing, aiming to address both ecological concerns and supply chain needs.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Union Jack Oil plc (LSE:UJO) has announced plans to hold a general meeting to consider the issuance of both Fundraise Warrants and Bonus Warrants. If approved, this will give shareholders the opportunity to subscribe for up to 76,641,474 Ordinary Shares.

The proposal follows feedback from investors and is designed to ensure that all shareholders can participate in the company’s future growth. The warrants will be exercisable at a price of 8 pence per share for a period of two years. They are not expected to be traded on AIM. The outcome of this meeting may play a key role in shaping the company’s future capital structure and strengthening shareholder engagement.

About Union Jack Oil plc

Union Jack Oil is engaged in the exploration, development, and production of onshore hydrocarbon assets in the UK and the USA. Operating within the energy sector, the company focuses on identifying and developing oil and gas resources to support its growth strategy.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

CleanTech Lithium PLC (LSE:CTL) has announced that it will host an investor webinar on October 16, 2025, led by Dr. Steve Kesler and Ignacio Mehech. The event follows the company’s recent equity raise and is designed to engage both existing and prospective shareholders.

During the webinar, the leadership team will present the company’s growth strategy in Chile and discuss broader trends in the rapidly evolving lithium sector. This initiative reflects CleanTech Lithium’s commitment to maintaining transparency and fostering strong relationships with investors, potentially reinforcing its position in the sustainable energy market.

About CleanTech Lithium PLC

CleanTech Lithium is an exploration and development company focused on advancing lithium projects that support the global clean energy transition. Its key assets include the Laguna Verde and Viento Andino projects, as well as the early-stage Arenas Blancas project, all situated in the lithium triangle — one of the most significant regions for battery-grade lithium production.

The company is also progressing with Direct Lithium Extraction technology, which offers faster development timelines, higher recovery rates, and reduced environmental impact by avoiding aquifer depletion.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Pets at Home Group Plc (LSE:PETS) recently reported that Non-Executive Director Roger Burnley has bought 4,850 ordinary shares of the company at a price of £2.04225 each. The total value of the transaction amounts to approximately £9,906.37. The purchase, carried out on the London Stock Exchange, may be seen as a vote of confidence in the business from one of its key board members.

The company’s fundamentals remain solid, supported by a healthy financial position and what many investors view as an appealing valuation. That said, current technical signals point to downward pressure in the near term, which could create short-term volatility. A lack of recent earnings updates or major corporate announcements leaves investors with limited additional context at this time.

Company Overview

Pets at Home Group Plc is a leading name in the UK pet care market. It provides a broad selection of pet products, veterinary services, and grooming solutions designed to meet the needs of pet owners nationwide.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Gold prices have surged beyond $4,000 per ounce this week, touching their highest inflation-adjusted level since 1980. The sharp rally has been fueled primarily by an unprecedented wave of central bank purchases.

Strategists at Deutsche Bank report that central banks are currently buying gold at twice the pace recorded between 2011 and 2021, with China leading global acquisitions. This steady accumulation has been a key force behind the metal’s rise to new nominal highs, and analysts anticipate further gains ahead.

Gold now represents 24% of central bank reserves, according to second-quarter 2025 data—up significantly from the 9% low in late 2015. While still well below the 74.5% peak reached in the early 1980s, the latest surge marks the first time gold has regained its real, inflation-adjusted record from 45 years ago.

The slow return to these historic levels is rooted in policy changes that began in 1979, when the International Monetary Fund banned member states from pegging their currencies to gold. That decision, which followed the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, removed the requirement for central banks to maintain large gold reserves, triggering years of net selling.

Today, that trend has reversed. As central banks re-embrace gold as a strategic asset, comparisons are emerging between gold’s historical reserve role and the growing debate around Bitcoin. Deutsche Bank notes that discussions among policymakers increasingly include the cryptocurrency as a potential—if still contentious—reserve holding for the future.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

European equities traded unevenly on Thursday, with London’s benchmark index lagging behind its continental peers as losses in major banking names dragged on sentiment.

The session offered few economic catalysts, but fresh trade data out of Germany added to the cautious tone. Figures from Destatis showed German exports unexpectedly fell by 0.5% in August compared to July, defying expectations for a 0.3% increase. This followed a 0.2% decline the previous month.

Imports also contracted more sharply, down 1.3% versus a 0.7% drop in July and worse than the anticipated 0.5% decline. Year over year, exports fell 3.9% after rising 1.4% previously, while imports grew just 1.0% compared with July’s 4.4% surge.

Market reaction was split across the region. The FTSE 100 slipped 0.2%, weighed down by banking losses, while the CAC 40 and DAX climbed 0.5% each.

Among individual movers, Südzucker AG (USOTC:SUEZF) advanced even after reporting an 82% plunge in quarterly operating profit, as investors appeared to focus on longer-term resilience despite weakness in sugar prices.

Renewables operator Drax Group (LSE:DRX) gained ground after unveiling plans for a £450 million extension of its share buyback program aimed at reducing capital.

Residential landlord Grainger plc (LSE:GRI) also rallied following a trading update that highlighted robust rental growth ahead of its full-year 2025 earnings release set for November 20.

In France, IT consultancy Alten (EU:ATE) rose after revealing plans to split the chairman and CEO roles as part of a broader governance reform.

Not all companies fared well. Gerresheimer AG (TG:GXI) slumped sharply after the packaging and medical device maker cut its 2025 outlook for the third time this year.

Banking names were a key source of weakness in the U.K. market. HSBC Holdings (LSE:HSBA) dropped after proposing to take its struggling Hong Kong unit, Hang Seng Bank Limited, private. Lloyds Banking Group (LSE:LLOY) also fell after warning it may need to set aside more provisions tied to car finance mis-selling.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

U.S. equity futures signaled a quiet start to Thursday’s trading session, with major indexes hovering around the flatline after Wall Street finished mostly higher the previous day.

The absence of key economic indicators may keep some investors on the sidelines. The ongoing federal government shutdown, now in its ninth day, continues to delay the release of critical data, including the weekly jobless claims report that was expected from the Labor Department this morning.

While markets have largely brushed aside the immediate economic impact of the shutdown, prolonged disruptions to government services may begin to draw more attention from traders. Lawmakers in Washington remain gridlocked, with Democrats pushing to include an extension of enhanced Obamacare tax credits in a temporary funding measure.

Remarks from Federal Reserve officials could provide some catalysts later in the day. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s appearance at a Community Bank Conference offered no new clues on the interest rate outlook. However, speeches from Fed Governor Michael Barr and Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman are on the agenda for this afternoon.

Wednesday’s session saw stocks reverse Tuesday’s losses, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 notching fresh record closes. The tech-focused Nasdaq jumped 255.02 points, or 1.1%, to 23,043.38, while the S&P 500 gained 39.13 points, or 0.6%, to 6,753.72. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished virtually unchanged, dipping 1.20 points to 46,601.78.

Gains were driven in part by a 2.2% rally in NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), which hit a new record close after CEO Jensen Huang said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that demand for AI computing has increased “substantially” over the past six months.

Investors also shrugged off the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s September meeting, which revealed a wide range of opinions on the future path of monetary policy. Most policymakers agreed that additional rate cuts would likely be appropriate this year, while others emphasized the need for caution given evolving financial conditions.

Technology stocks led the market’s advance, with computer hardware names pushing the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index up 4.3% to an all-time closing high. Networking and semiconductor shares also performed strongly, further boosting the Nasdaq.

Beyond tech, gold miners gained ground as the precious metal continued its upward momentum, lifting the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index 2.8%. Steel and airline stocks also moved higher, while the banking sector showed mild weakness.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.