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  • Trellus Health moves towards administration after running short of funds

    Trellus Health moves towards administration after running short of funds

    Trellus Health plc (LSE:TRLS) is moving towards administration after its board concluded that the AIM-listed digital healthcare company no longer has sufficient funding to continue operating as a going concern.

    The company has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators from Quantuma Advisory, a step intended to protect the interests of creditors while options for the business and its assets are assessed.

    Trellus Health pursues asset sales

    As part of the restructuring process, Trellus Health is seeking buyers for certain assets, including its US operating subsidiary, Trellus Health Inc.

    However, the board expects that any transaction arising from the sale process will generate no return for existing shareholders. Creditors will therefore take priority as the company attempts to realise value from its remaining operations and intellectual property.

    Trellus Health’s shares remain suspended from trading on AIM, with the company saying further announcements will be made as developments occur.

    Administration threatens independent future

    The decision represents a significant setback for Trellus Health’s strategy of building a standalone digital chronic care management business.

    With available funding exhausted, the company’s technology, operating businesses and other assets are now more likely to be sold or separated through the restructuring process rather than developed under Trellus Health as an independent listed company.

    Existing shareholders face the prospect of losing their entire investment, highlighting the financing and scaling challenges encountered by specialist digital healthcare companies seeking to commercialise technology-intensive care platforms.

    Financial losses outweigh technical momentum

    Trellus Health’s financial position has been characterised by substantial ongoing losses, negative free cash flow and declining shareholders’ equity, despite the company carrying no debt.

    Technical indicators had provided a more positive signal, with the shares showing momentum above major moving averages before the suspension. However, the company’s loss-making financial position, lack of a dividend and impending administration substantially outweigh those technical factors.

    More about Trellus Health plc

    Trellus Health plc is a healthcare technology company focused on helping patients manage complex chronic conditions through digital tools and personalised resilience-based programmes.

    Its Trellus Elevate platform combines data analytics, specialist coaching and individualised support, initially targeting gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. The platform is designed to improve patient self-management while reducing hospital admissions and emergency care utilisation.

    The company also developed Trellus TrialSet, which provides pharmaceutical partners with support across clinical development and post-commercialisation patient engagement.

    Founded by specialists from Mount Sinai with expertise in inflammatory bowel disease, Trellus Health joined AIM in May 2021 under the ticker TRLS. Its broader strategy has been to apply its resilience methodology and technology-enabled care model across multiple chronic conditions while demonstrating clinical benefits and potential cost savings for healthcare systems.

  • Truetide seeks shareholder approval for AI-focused investment strategy

    Truetide seeks shareholder approval for AI-focused investment strategy

    Truetide plc (LSE:TRUE) is seeking shareholder approval for a substantial expansion of its investing policy that would introduce a dedicated artificial intelligence strategy alongside its existing focus on technology and knowledge-intensive businesses.

    The proposed changes follow a review of developments across the AI market. Truetide’s board sees an increasingly clear distinction between established, cash-generative companies using AI to strengthen their businesses and heavily funded growth companies whose elevated valuations may prove more difficult to sustain.

    New strategy combines long positions with defined-risk shorts

    Under the revised policy, Truetide intends to construct a diversified global portfolio combining long investments in companies that enable or benefit from AI with defined-risk short exposure.

    Any short exposure would be established exclusively through purchased options, limiting potential losses to the premium paid rather than exposing the company to the unlimited downside associated with conventional short selling.

    The strategy would be funded using available cash and proceeds from the orderly disposal of investments considered non-core to the revised portfolio.

    Truetide believes the approach could improve risk-adjusted returns while giving the company greater flexibility to benefit from both rising and falling valuations within the rapidly developing AI sector.

    Investment limits and hedging rules to be formalised

    The proposed policy also introduces clearer risk controls covering individual portfolio positions and the amount that can be committed to option premiums.

    It would formally establish the company’s ability to use hedging techniques and protective collars, providing additional tools for managing downside risk while retaining exposure to potential gains.

    Alongside the new global AI strategy, Truetide would retain its existing approach to investing in UK-focused technology and knowledge-intensive businesses at both earlier and later stages of development.

    General meeting scheduled for September

    Shareholders will vote on the revised investing policy at a general meeting scheduled for 7 September 2026.

    The meeting will consider a single resolution approving the changes, which require shareholder consent under AIM rules governing material amendments to an investing company’s policy.

    If approved, the new strategy will become effective immediately. It would broaden Truetide’s potential investment universe across international markets while maintaining governance restrictions covering gearing, cross-holdings and the financial instruments available to the company.

    Financial performance remains a challenge

    Truetide’s investment outlook continues to be constrained by weak financial performance, including declining revenue, persistent operating losses and continued cash consumption. These pressures are partly mitigated by relatively low levels of debt.

    Technical indicators present a mixed picture, with a positive MACD countered by softer short-term momentum and neutral-to-weak RSI readings. The company’s loss-making position also results in a negative price-to-earnings ratio, while the absence of a dividend yield provides little additional support from an income perspective.

    More about Truetide plc

    Truetide plc is an AIM-quoted investing company targeting opportunities across technology and knowledge-intensive industries, including healthcare and professional services.

    Its strategy covers listed and privately held companies at different stages of development, using equity and related financial instruments. The company can operate as a passive shareholder in undervalued listed businesses while taking a more active role in earlier-stage private investments, including representation on investee company boards.

    Truetide may also invest in restructuring, rescue or distressed situations where the board identifies opportunities to create value. Investments are generally made with a potential growth and exit horizon of between two and five years.

    The company can invest through intermediate entities and partnerships and may use its own shares as consideration for transactions, subject to cross-holding restrictions. Its investment framework is also structured to maintain appropriate separation from controlled investee businesses and preserve Truetide’s status as an investing rather than trading company.

  • Kazatomprom posts higher first-half revenue as uranium demand remains strong

    Kazatomprom posts higher first-half revenue as uranium demand remains strong

    Kazatomprom (LSE:KAP) delivered resilient results for the first half of 2026, with consolidated revenue increasing 9% year on year to almost KZT 718 billion as favourable uranium pricing and stable long-term market fundamentals supported the business.

    Although industry-wide cost inflation contributed to lower net profit and earnings per share, management pointed to continued strong demand for secure nuclear fuel supplies. The company said its uranium production remains effectively fully committed to customers, reflecting sustained demand across the global nuclear energy market.

    Regulatory changes reinforce national operator role

    During the period, Kazatomprom outlined a series of legislative changes in Kazakhstan covering subsoil use, uranium licensing and radioactive waste management.

    The new framework further strengthens the company’s central position as Kazakhstan’s national uranium operator, including its responsibilities across production and remediation activities. Changes to uranium licensing requirements and exploration arrangements are also expected to shape future development of the country’s uranium resources.

    Kazatomprom completed payment of its 2025 dividend and convened an extraordinary general meeting through absentee voting to consider major uranium supply agreements and changes to the board.

    Zhalpak processing facility enters operation

    The company also commissioned its Zhalpak processing facility, which initially has annual capacity of 500 tonnes.

    Kazatomprom plans to increase capacity at the facility to 900 tonnes per year during 2027, supporting the development of its production and processing infrastructure as it responds to long-term demand from nuclear utilities.

    Sulphuric acid project faces up to 12-month delay

    Progress at the TQZ sulphuric acid plant has been disrupted after construction activities were halted to allow for the recovery and examination of potential paleontological specimens discovered at the site.

    Kazatomprom now expects commissioning of the plant to be delayed by between six and 12 months. However, the company currently anticipates no material effect on its uranium mining operations as a result of the postponement.

    Management said 2027 production guidance will be adjusted if necessary as the situation develops.

    Investor mine tour planned for October

    Kazatomprom plans to host a mine tour for analysts and shareholders in October 2026 as part of its efforts to strengthen engagement with the investment community and provide greater visibility into its operations.

    The group’s longer-term outlook continues to benefit from high margins, strong returns on equity and relatively low leverage. These strengths are balanced by slower revenue and profit momentum and a significant reduction in trailing free cash flow.

    Technical indicators also remain a source of pressure, with the shares trading below important medium-term moving averages and the MACD remaining negative. Valuation and dividend yield, however, provide some support to the investment case.

    More about Kazatomprom

    National Atomic Company Kazatomprom JSC is Kazakhstan’s national uranium operator and one of the world’s leading producers of natural uranium concentrates, supplying nuclear utilities through international and long-term contracts.

    The company operates across uranium mining, processing and related services, with production centred primarily on in-situ recovery operations. Its activities support growing global demand for nuclear energy as a source of baseload, low-emission electricity.

    Kazatomprom operates within Kazakhstan’s evolving nuclear and subsoil regulatory framework, which includes tighter equity requirements for uranium production licences and a shift towards a contracting model for uranium exploration. The company also manages strategic mine developments, processing facilities and supply-chain infrastructure, giving it a central role in both Kazakhstan’s civil nuclear industry and the wider global uranium market.

  • ZCCM Investments Holdings swings to ZMW 4.9 billion loss in 2025

    ZCCM Investments Holdings swings to ZMW 4.9 billion loss in 2025

    ZCCM Investments Holdings (LSE:ZCC) recorded a significant deterioration in its consolidated financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2025, moving to a ZMW 4.9 billion loss from a ZMW 39.8 billion profit in the previous year.

    The reversal reflected a substantial decline in revenue from contracts with customers as well as the absence of the sizeable gains from subsidiary loan modifications that had boosted the group’s 2024 results.

    Earnings reverse as exceptional gains disappear

    The weaker performance resulted in ZCCM-IH moving from an operating profit in 2024 to an operating loss in 2025.

    Basic earnings per share also deteriorated sharply, falling from earnings of ZMW 247.80 per share in the previous year to a loss of ZMW 30.60 per share.

    The comparison highlights the impact of exceptional items recorded in 2024 and the more challenging underlying performance of the group’s mining, energy and related investments during 2025.

    Parent company reduces annual loss

    At the standalone company level, ZCCM-IH remained in the red but achieved a meaningful reduction in its annual loss.

    The company reported a loss of ZMW 1.9 billion for 2025, compared with ZMW 4.4 billion a year earlier. Higher investment income helped improve the result, although this was partly offset by negative net finance results.

    Group equity declines to ZMW 43 billion

    ZCCM-IH’s consolidated equity fell to ZMW 43.0 billion at the end of 2025 from ZMW 52.3 billion a year earlier.

    The reduction reflected the group’s annual loss, lower asset valuations and dividend distributions during the period. The weaker equity position points to increased balance-sheet constraints and highlights the volatility facing shareholders through the group’s exposure to mining and energy assets.

    More about ZCCM Investments Holdings

    ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc is a Zambian investment holding company with substantial interests across the mining, energy and associated services sectors.

    The group operates through eight wholly owned subsidiaries while also holding interests in several copper mining operations, energy producers and industrial businesses. Its portfolio gives ZCCM-IH exposure to Zambia’s extractive industries and power sector, spanning mining, processing and supporting infrastructure.

  • Gore Street board urges investors to reject Saba-backed wind-up proposals

    Gore Street board urges investors to reject Saba-backed wind-up proposals

    Gore Street Energy Storage Fund (LSE:GSF) has stepped up its opposition to proposals backed by major shareholder Saba Capital Management, calling on investors to reject resolutions that could ultimately lead to the investment company being wound up, liquidated or reorganised.

    In a supplementary notice issued ahead of its September Annual General Meeting, the board recommended that shareholders support resolutions one to 15 while voting against two additional resolutions submitted by Saba, which owns approximately 18% of Gore Street’s ordinary shares.

    Board warns of forced sales at unfavourable valuations

    Saba is seeking to discontinue Gore Street as an investment vehicle and require the board to bring forward proposals that could result in a wind-up, liquidation or restructuring of the company.

    Gore Street’s directors argue that pursuing this course at the current point in the market cycle risks destroying shareholder value by effectively forcing the fund to sell assets when market conditions remain challenging.

    Instead, the board pointed to the revised strategy unveiled in March, which includes selective portfolio disposals and quarterly distributions to shareholders. Planned battery augmentation projects are also expected to increase revenue generation and enhance asset values.

    The company has established performance indicators as part of the strategy, with shareholders due to receive an opportunity to vote on Gore Street’s continuation if the specified targets are not achieved.

    Gore Street says discontinuation could disrupt asset sales

    The board also warned that approving Saba’s proposals could interfere with transactions already under way, including asset disposals announced this week.

    Directors believe completing these transactions alongside planned portfolio improvements offers shareholders a better opportunity to realise the underlying value of Gore Street’s assets than an immediate discontinuation and forced-sale process.

    With the board arguing that Saba’s proposals could benefit from low shareholder participation, Gore Street is encouraging investors to resubmit their proxy instructions so that votes on all resolutions, including the two contested motions, reflect broader shareholder participation.

    Financial weakness weighs on outlook

    Gore Street’s investment outlook continues to face pressure from volatile financial performance, including a substantial recent loss and a reduction in shareholders’ equity. Technical indicators are also weak, with the shares trading below key moving averages.

    These pressures are partly balanced by the fund’s absence of debt, positive free cash flow in its latest financial year and a comparatively high dividend yield, which may increase its appeal to income-focused investors.

    More about Gore Street Energy Storage Fund

    Gore Street Energy Storage Fund is a London-listed investment company specialising in utility-scale energy storage infrastructure.

    Launched in 2018, the company was the first listed energy storage fund on the London market and has developed an internationally diversified portfolio spanning five electricity grid networks.

  • Optima Health schedules September AGM following PAM Healthcare expansion

    Optima Health schedules September AGM following PAM Healthcare expansion

    Optima Health plc (LSE:OPT) has confirmed the date of its 2026 Annual General Meeting alongside the publication of its latest annual report and accounts, as the occupational health specialist continues to integrate the significantly enlarged business created by its acquisition of PAM Healthcare.

    The UK provider of technology-enabled occupational health and wellbeing services completed the PAM Healthcare acquisition in March 2026. The transaction expanded Optima Health’s directly employed clinical workforce to more than 1,250 and strengthened its position across both the UK and Republic of Ireland.

    AGM to take place in Warrington

    Optima Health has distributed its Notice of Annual General Meeting and 2026 annual report and accounts to shareholders, with the AGM scheduled for 22 September 2026 at the group’s offices in Warrington.

    The documents will also be made available through the company’s investor website, providing shareholders with access to the latest financial and governance information ahead of the meeting.

    Financial improvement balanced by leverage risks

    The group’s outlook is supported by signs of improving financial performance, including stronger cash generation and a return to profitability. Positive technical trends also provide support to the investment case.

    However, these factors are balanced by valuation and financial risks. Optima Health trades on a relatively high price-to-earnings multiple, while leverage has increased sharply following the expansion of the business. Margins also remain comparatively thin, leaving the group’s financial position an important area for investors to monitor.

    More about Optima Health plc

    Optima Health plc is a UK provider of occupational health and wellbeing services, delivering clinically led and technology-supported solutions to organisations across the public and private sectors.

    Following the acquisition of PAM Healthcare in March 2026, the enlarged group employs more than 1,250 clinicians and works with over 1,000 associates. It delivers more than one million interventions annually through a nationwide clinic network and also maintains a leading position in Ireland through Optima Health Ireland and Corporate Health Ireland.

  • Aberforth Geared Value & Income Trust share price lags NAV growth in 2026

    Aberforth Geared Value & Income Trust share price lags NAV growth in 2026

    Aberforth Geared Value & Income Trust PLC (LSE:AGVI) has recorded strong net asset value growth during 2026, although its share price has failed to keep pace, creating a growing gap between the trust’s market valuation and the performance of its underlying portfolio.

    The investment trust has now been examined in a new detailed research report from the investment companies team at Kepler Trust Intelligence. The analysis is designed to give UK investors an independent reference point for assessing the trust, including its recent performance and current valuation.

    Kepler publishes new research on Aberforth trust

    Kepler’s report is available free of charge to UK investors through its Trust Intelligence platform and is presented as factual research rather than investment, financial or tax advice.

    The accompanying disclosures emphasise that historical performance should not be viewed as an indicator of future returns. Kepler Partners also notes that it may have commercial relationships with, or positions in, securities covered by its research.

    Investors are therefore encouraged to consider independent professional financial advice when evaluating Aberforth Geared Value & Income Trust, particularly when assessing the significance of the current difference between its share price and underlying net asset value performance.

    More about Aberforth Geared Value & Income Trust PLC

    Aberforth Geared Value & Income Trust PLC is a UK-listed investment trust providing geared exposure to value-focused equities. Its strategy is designed to generate a combination of long-term capital appreciation and income for shareholders.

    The trust’s shares are traded on the London market, giving investors access to a portfolio managed according to a value-investing approach. Its performance and valuation are also regularly followed by specialist research providers covering the UK investment trust sector.

  • Hunting lowers 2026 EBITDA outlook as Kuwait tender faces delay

    Hunting lowers 2026 EBITDA outlook as Kuwait tender faces delay

    Hunting (LSE:HTG) has reduced its EBITDA forecast for 2026 after Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) indicated that a delayed tender will be re-run, adding further pressure following a weaker first-half performance in OCTG and Advanced Manufacturing.

    First-half revenue and earnings decline

    Revenue for the first six months of the year fell 6% to $497.0 million from $528.6 million in the same period of 2025. EBITDA decreased 12% to $62.1 million from $70.2 million, while the EBITDA margin contracted to 12% from 13%.

    Adjusted profit before tax dropped to $34.5 million from $43.7 million, with adjusted diluted earnings per share declining to 15.2 cents from 19.6 cents.

    Hunting said the year-on-year reduction largely reflected KOC orders that were completed during the first half of 2025 but were not repeated this year, alongside softer activity within Advanced Manufacturing.

    Performance was stronger elsewhere in the portfolio, with Perforating Systems and Subsea Technologies delivering notable revenue growth supported by organic momentum. This helped partially offset weaker trading across OCTG, Advanced Manufacturing and other manufacturing operations.

    Cash flow weakens as net debt rises

    Free cash flow moved to an outflow of $27.8 million, compared with an inflow of $66.2 million a year earlier. Hunting ended the period with net debt of $51.4 million, against net cash of $44.7 million at the comparable point last year.

    Return on capital employed also declined, falling to 9.1% from 10.5%.

    Despite the softer financial performance, Hunting raised its interim dividend by 13% to 7.0 cents per share from 6.2 cents. The company said it continues to expect dividend distributions to increase by 13% annually through the end of the decade.

    Portfolio transformation supports stronger divisions

    CEO Jim Johnson, who has announced plans to retire, said the first-half performance demonstrated the benefits of Hunting’s portfolio transformation, pointing to strong margins in Subsea and record international sales from Perforating Systems.

    Johnson also noted that instability in the Middle East had disrupted some tendering activity, although Hunting expects business in the region to recover quickly once greater stability returns.

    Kuwait tender delay hits 2026 guidance

    Hunting said KOC has indicated that it intends to re-run the OCTG tender process originally launched in April. The resulting delay is expected to reduce the group’s 2026 EBITDA by approximately $10 million.

    As a result, Hunting has lowered its full-year 2026 EBITDA guidance to between $138 million and $141 million, slightly below its previous forecast. The company nevertheless expects to finish the year with a cash balance of approximately $50 million to $60 million.

    Looking further ahead, Hunting continues to anticipate year-on-year growth in 2027. However, the KOC tender delay could have a maximum negative impact of around $10 million on the current 2027 EBITDA consensus forecast of $165 million.

  • U.S. stocks poised to retreat as oil surge revives inflation fears: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    U.S. stocks poised to retreat as oil surge revives inflation fears: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    Wall Street looked set to open lower on Thursday as rapidly rising crude oil prices and renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran threatened to reverse Wednesday’s modest equity-market recovery.

    U.S. crude futures jumped more than 3% to their highest level in nearly a month after President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Tehran, raising concerns that the conflict could remain unresolved and continue disrupting global energy supplies.

    Trump announced on Truth Social that Washington was launching “economic warfare” against Iran, describing the campaign as the “most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country.”

    He also threatened “tremendous economic consequences” for any country that “allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran.”

    Iran hits back as crude oil extends rally

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to the U.S. president’s comments by describing the proposed “Economic D-Day” as a “diversion from America’s own crisis: unprecedented debt & surging interest costs.”

    “Doubling down on failed policies will only bring further defeat—and enmity of Iranians,” Araghchi said in a post on X. “US economic terrorism threatens global economy and sovereignty worldwide.”

    The increasingly confrontational language helped send U.S. crude futures sharply higher, with investors concerned that prolonged hostilities could maintain pressure on global energy supplies.

    The oil rally has also pushed Treasury yields higher again, partially unwinding Wednesday’s substantial decline after the Treasury Department announced an expansion of its long-dated debt buyback operations.

    Walmart slump adds another headwind for Wall Street

    Walmart (NYSE:WMT) was among the biggest premarket movers, with shares plunging more than 7% following its latest quarterly update.

    Investors reacted negatively to weaker-than-expected second-quarter comparable sales growth and guidance that fell short of market expectations.

    The selloff in the retail heavyweight added another source of pressure for U.S. index futures following Wednesday’s modest rebound.

    The Dow gained 119.65 points, or 0.2%, in the previous session to close at 53,463.05. The Nasdaq advanced 41.38 points, or 0.2%, to 26,331.09, while the S&P 500 climbed 16.22 points, or 0.2%, to 7,707.98.

    Those gains followed three consecutive sessions of declines.

    Treasury intervention provides temporary relief to bond markets

    Wednesday’s recovery was helped by a sharp retreat in government bond yields, particularly at the longer end of the Treasury curve.

    The 30-year yield moved away from levels not seen in almost two decades after the Treasury Department announced plans to at least double the size of liquidity-support buybacks involving longer-dated nominal coupon securities from September 9.

    “This increase in buyback operation sizes reflects Treasury’s desire to provide greater liquidity support in longer-dated nominal sectors where there is consistent strong sponsorship from market participants,” the Treasury said in a statement.

    While the announcement initially eased pressure across bond markets, the subsequent jump in oil prices has revived concerns that inflation could remain elevated and keep borrowing costs under upward pressure.

    Fed minutes underline lingering inflation concerns

    Federal Reserve minutes added another cautious element to the outlook after showing that many policymakers believe interest rates may need to rise if inflation does not continue moving towards the central bank’s 2% target.

    Some officials also questioned whether existing financial conditions were sufficiently restrictive to bring price pressures sustainably under control.

    The Middle East conflict was specifically identified as a potential inflation risk because of its impact on energy markets and global supply chains.

    “[Many] participants remarked that a protracted conflict could prolong supply chain challenges and could put upward pressures on inflation,” the Fed said.

    Policymakers voted 9-3 to keep interest rates unchanged at the July 28-29 meeting. Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari and Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan favoured a quarter-point increase.

    Those supporting tighter policy argued that an earlier move could reduce the possibility of requiring a more aggressive series of rate increases later.

    Gold and biotech shares lead Wednesday’s sector gains

    Wednesday’s session produced substantial differences in sector performance.

    Gold miners were among the strongest performers as bullion prices rallied, sending the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index 9.3% higher to a three-month closing peak.

    Biotechnology stocks also advanced strongly, with the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index gaining 4.2%. Pharmaceutical, healthcare and housing stocks recorded sizeable increases as well.

    Computer hardware, banking and semiconductor shares moved in the opposite direction, suffering notable declines.

    Investors now face a combination of sharply higher energy prices, renewed Treasury yield volatility and a Federal Reserve that remains concerned about inflation, leaving Wall Street vulnerable to another risk-off session.

  • European stocks retreat as Middle East tensions weigh on sentiment: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European stocks retreat as Middle East tensions weigh on sentiment: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities moved broadly lower on Thursday as persistent tensions in the Middle East kept investors cautious, offsetting some support from falling U.S. bond yields after the Treasury Department significantly increased its government debt purchases.

    Energy markets remained a key source of concern. Brent crude climbed more than 2% towards $94 a barrel, extending its advance into a fourth consecutive session after U.S. President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Tehran.

    Trump warned of economic consequences for any country providing “any type of lifeline to Iran,” adding to fears that the confrontation could prolong disruption across global energy markets.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by saying Trump’s “doubling down on failed policies will only bring further defeat” to the U.S.

    German producer inflation accelerates in July

    European markets also absorbed stronger-than-expected inflation data from Germany, adding another potential challenge for the interest-rate outlook.

    Figures from Destatis showed German producer prices increased 3.0% year on year in July, accelerating sharply from the 1.8% rise recorded in June.

    The reading was the highest in more than three years and exceeded economists’ forecast for a 2.7% increase.

    Against this backdrop, Germany’s DAX fell 0.6%, while France’s CAC 40 and the UK’s FTSE 100 both declined 0.5%.

    JD Sports and Hays fall after disappointing updates

    Corporate developments added further pressure to European markets.

    JD Sports Fashion (LSE:JD.) shares dropped sharply after the retailer reduced its fiscal 2027 profit guidance following a deeper decline in underlying second-quarter sales.

    British recruitment group Hays (LSE:HAS) also suffered heavy losses after reporting a full-year pre-tax loss caused by restructuring charges and reducing its annual dividend.

    Dutch insurer Aegon (EU:AGN) declined after announcing that Chief Financial Officer Duncan Russel will leave the company in April 2027.

    Holmen and Skanska buck weaker European trend

    Several Nordic companies moved higher despite the broader decline in European equities.

    Holmen (TG:HL9C) gained after the Swedish forest products group reported second-quarter results ahead of market expectations.

    Skanska (TG:SKNB) also advanced after securing a $1.2 billion contract to develop four new data centres in the southeastern United States.

    The mixed corporate moves came against a generally defensive market backdrop, with geopolitical uncertainty and stronger German producer inflation outweighing the benefit of lower U.S. Treasury yields.