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  • Shield Therapeutics cuts H1 loss as ACCRUFeR growth drives revenue higher

    Shield Therapeutics cuts H1 loss as ACCRUFeR growth drives revenue higher

    Shield Therapeutics (LSE:STX) reported strong first-half revenue growth and a substantially reduced loss as increasing ACCRUFeR® sales in the US and higher international milestone and royalty income moved the company closer to operating profitability.

    Unaudited group revenue for the first half of 2026 reached $30.4 million, an increase of 42% from the same period last year. Growth was supported by continued demand for ACCRUFeR® in the US alongside a significant increase in milestone payments and royalties generated from markets outside the country.

    The group’s loss narrowed to $2.3 million as higher revenue combined with a more streamlined cost base. Shield said the improvement keeps it on track with its objective of reaching operating profitability during 2026.

    US prescriptions for ACCRUFeR® increased 21% year-on-year to approximately 102,000 despite a substantial reduction in approvals from New York Medicaid. Shield responded by shifting its commercial emphasis towards patients covered by private insurance, helping mitigate the impact of the Medicaid changes.

    The company also secured its first contract with a group purchasing organisation, providing another potential channel through which to broaden access to ACCRUFeR® and support future prescription growth.

    Progress continued internationally, with paediatric indication extensions for ACCRUFeR®/FeRACCRU® across the US, Europe and the UK widening the potential patient population. Shield also received a significant milestone payment from its Chinese partner ASK Pharma, while clinical development activities in Japan continued to advance.

    Together, these developments are expanding the global commercial platform for Shield’s oral iron treatment and increasing the contribution from licensing partnerships alongside direct US sales.

    The appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer further reinforces management’s focus on financial execution as the company works towards sustainable profitability and seeks to capitalise on growing demand for ACCRUFeR®.

    Despite the improvement in trading, Shield’s financial resilience remains a key risk. The company continues to report losses and cash outflows and has negative equity, leaving its financial position vulnerable even as revenue and margins improve.

    Technical indicators are also weak, with the shares in a pronounced downtrend and momentum remaining negative. Valuation offers limited support while the company remains unprofitable, and the absence of a dividend means there is currently no income component to the investment case.

    More about Shield Therapeutics

    Shield Therapeutics plc is a commercial-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on treatments for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia. Its principal product is ACCRUFeR®/FeRACCRU® (ferric maltol), a prescription oral iron therapy.

    In the US, ACCRUFeR® is commercialised through an exclusive collaboration with Viatris Inc., while FeRACCRU® has been licensed to partners covering markets including Europe, the UK, Canada, China, Japan and Korea.

    The company estimates that around 20 million people in the US are affected by iron deficiency, representing a potential market opportunity of approximately $2.3 billion. ACCRUFeR®/FeRACCRU® benefits from patent protection extending into the mid-2030s, while its differentiated non-salt formulation and tolerability profile underpin Shield’s strategy of establishing the treatment as a leading prescription oral iron option.

    Focus keyphrase: Shield Therapeutics H1 2026 results

    Meta description: Shield Therapeutics reports a 42% rise in H1 revenue to $30.4 million as ACCRUFeR growth and international milestones help narrow its loss to $2.3 million.

  • Hays maintains dividend as FY26 preliminary results underline stable shareholder returns

    Hays maintains dividend as FY26 preliminary results underline stable shareholder returns

    Hays plc (LSE:HAS) has maintained its final dividend for the 2026 financial year, with the international recruitment group confirming a steady shareholder payout alongside the publication of its preliminary results for the year ended 30 June.

    The board has proposed a final dividend of 0.29 pence per share, unchanged from the previous year. Combined with the interim distribution, this takes the total dividend for FY26 to 0.44 pence per share, demonstrating a continued commitment to shareholder returns despite a challenging backdrop for the recruitment industry.

    Hays said the proposed final dividend is covered 2.8 times by pre-exceptional earnings for the financial year. Subject to shareholder approval, the payment will be made on 26 November 2026 to investors appearing on the company’s register at the close of business on 16 October.

    Shareholders will also have the option to participate in the company’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan, administered by Equiniti Financial Services, allowing eligible investors to reinvest their cash distributions into additional Hays shares.

    Alongside publication of the results through the London Stock Exchange and its investor channels, Hays is hosting a webcast for analysts and investors. The company continues to emphasise disciplined capital allocation and maintaining engagement with shareholders as it navigates subdued conditions across recruitment markets.

    The wider investment picture remains mixed. Profitability and revenue trends continue to present challenges, although improving free cash flow provides some support and leverage remains at a manageable, albeit moderate, level.

    Technical indicators are more encouraging, with Hays shares trading comfortably above their 20-day, 50-day, 100-day and 200-day moving averages. This points to strong recent share-price momentum despite weakness in the underlying financial performance.

    Valuation remains less supportive, with losses resulting in a negative price-to-earnings ratio, while the dividend yield offers only a modest contribution to the overall investment case.

    More about Hays plc

    Hays plc is an international recruitment and staffing specialist connecting employers with skilled professionals across a broad range of industries and geographic markets.

    The group provides permanent, temporary and contract recruitment services to corporate and institutional clients, generating fees from placements across multiple professional disciplines. Its international footprint provides diversification across different labour markets and economic cycles.

    Hays combines its recruitment operations with a disciplined approach to capital allocation, including regular dividend distributions, as it seeks to balance investment in the business with returns to shareholders.

    Focus keyphrase: Hays FY26 dividend

    Meta description: Hays maintains its FY26 final dividend at 0.29p per share, taking the total payout to 0.44p as the recruitment group reports preliminary results.

  • JD Sports cuts FY27 profit guidance after weaker second-quarter trading

    JD Sports cuts FY27 profit guidance after weaker second-quarter trading

    JD Sports Fashion PLC (LSE:JD.) has lowered its profit expectations for FY27 after challenging second-quarter trading, with weaker consumer demand and pressure on footwear sales particularly affecting its North American business.

    The sportswear retailer now expects profit before tax and adjusting items of between £700 million and £800 million, compared with its previous guidance of £750 million to £850 million. Despite the reduction in its earnings outlook, JD maintained its free cash flow forecast of £460 million to £520 million.

    Group organic sales declined 1.3% during the 13 weeks ended 1 August, deteriorating from the 0.1% fall recorded in the first quarter. Like-for-like sales were down 3.1% during the period.

    North America was the main source of weakness, with the region representing approximately 35% of group sales during the quarter. Organic sales fell 4.5%, while like-for-like revenue declined 6.8%.

    JD attributed the performance to softer consumer confidence, weaker demand for some of the most sought-after footwear products and a shift in back-to-school spending, with some purchases moving from July into August.

    Trading proved more resilient in the UK. Organic sales edged 0.2% lower, but like-for-like sales increased 0.8%, supported by stronger demand for apparel and accessories, football replica kits and an improvement within the group’s Outdoor operations.

    European performance was softer, with organic sales declining 0.4% and like-for-like sales falling 2.7%. Asia Pacific delivered the strongest regional growth, recording a 10.2% increase in organic sales and a 1.4% rise on a like-for-like basis.

    Chief executive Régis Schultz described trading conditions as “tough”, pointing to elevated promotional activity, continuing cost-of-living pressures and headwinds associated with the footwear product cycle.

    Despite the weaker sales backdrop, JD said inventory levels remained under control and first-half gross margin was consistent with expectations. The company was also in a net cash position before lease liabilities as of 1 August.

    JD has additionally begun the second £100 million tranche of its previously announced £200 million share buyback programme, providing further capital returns to shareholders despite the more cautious profit outlook.

    More about JD Sports Fashion PLC

    JD Sports Fashion PLC is a global retailer specialising in sports fashion, footwear and apparel, operating through a portfolio of retail brands and stores across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

    The group sells products from major international sportswear brands alongside its own retail propositions, giving it significant exposure to trends in athletic footwear, sports-inspired fashion and casual clothing.

    North America has become an increasingly important part of the group following its international expansion, while its established UK operations and growing businesses across Europe and Asia Pacific provide geographic diversification.

    Focus keyphrase: JD Sports FY27 profit guidance

    Meta description: JD Sports cuts FY27 profit guidance to £700–£800 million after weaker Q2 trading and softer footwear demand weigh on North American sales.

  • Capital Limited raises full-year guidance after strong first-half growth

    Capital Limited raises full-year guidance after strong first-half growth

    Capital Limited (LSE:CAPD) has raised its full-year revenue guidance after delivering strong growth in the first half of 2026, supported by higher drilling productivity, robust mining contracts and improving performance from its MSALABS laboratory business.

    Revenue for the period increased 37.6% to $219 million, while adjusted EBITDA climbed 70.4% to $54.7 million. The stronger performance was accompanied by an expansion in margins and an increase in net profit after tax, reflecting improved operating leverage across the group.

    Capital also reduced net debt during the period, strengthening its balance sheet as it continued to invest in growth opportunities. Following the first-half performance and an improving contract pipeline, management increased its full-year revenue guidance to between $430 million and $450 million.

    The company maintained its interim dividend at 1.3 cents per share, providing continued shareholder returns alongside its investment in operational expansion.

    Contract activity remained strong, with Capital securing several long-term agreements across its drilling, mining and laboratory operations. These included new work with Maaden in Saudi Arabia as the group continues to expand its presence in the Middle East.

    The company also won grade control and stripping contracts associated with gold projects in Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt and Pakistan, further diversifying its geographic exposure and increasing the proportion of revenue generated from longer-term mining services agreements.

    At the same time, Capital has been actively reshaping its drilling portfolio by withdrawing from lower-return operations in Mali and the US. Rigs from these markets are being redeployed into regions offering stronger growth prospects and potentially higher returns, supporting management’s focus on improving fleet productivity and capital efficiency.

    MSALABS continued to make progress during the half, expanding its network to 33 laboratories. Higher utilisation and improving margins contributed to the division’s performance, reinforcing Capital’s strategy of offering laboratory and assay services alongside its established drilling and mining activities.

    The group’s broader outlook is supported by strong revenue growth, improving operating profitability and a strengthening balance sheet. Valuation also appears relatively attractive based on a low price-to-earnings ratio, complemented by a modest dividend yield.

    Technical indicators are less convincing, however, with the shares remaining below important longer-term moving averages and MACD in negative territory. This suggests underlying share-price momentum has yet to fully reflect the improvement in operational and financial performance.

    More about Capital Limited

    Capital Limited is a London-listed mining services company providing drilling, mining and laboratory services to gold and base metals projects across Africa, the Middle East and other international markets.

    The group operates through Capital Drilling, Capital Mining and MSALABS, allowing it to provide customers with services spanning exploration and production drilling, mine-site operations and laboratory analysis.

    Capital’s strategy focuses on securing long-term relationships with major mining companies, expanding into attractive geographic markets and increasing its exposure to technology-led laboratory and assay services. This integrated approach is intended to diversify revenue, improve margins and deepen relationships with customers throughout the mining lifecycle.

    Focus keyphrase: Capital Limited H1 2026 results

    Meta description: Capital Limited raises FY26 revenue guidance to $430–$450 million after H1 revenue jumps 37.6% and adjusted EBITDA climbs 70.4%.

  • Castings sees demand strengthen despite near-term operational pressures

    Castings sees demand strengthen despite near-term operational pressures

    Castings PLC (LSE:CGS) has reported improving demand across its core European heavy truck business and newer markets, although recent operational disruption continues to affect efficiency at its William Lee facility.

    The engineering group said order books and forward schedules from its established European heavy truck customers are strengthening, pointing to a recovery in one of its most important end markets. Castings has long-standing relationships with major original equipment manufacturers in the sector, supplying iron castings and machined components used across commercial vehicle platforms.

    The company is also seeing additional business associated with the wind energy sector, supporting its efforts to diversify beyond traditional transport markets. Growing exposure to renewable energy applications provides Castings with another potential source of demand alongside its established activities in heavy trucks, agriculture, rail and material handling.

    Operational performance has been affected by a power supply problem at the William Lee site. Although the issue has now been resolved, its impact continued to weigh on efficiency and output during June and July.

    Management expects productivity improvements and tighter cost control to help mitigate these pressures over the remainder of the financial year. The group is also working to optimise its new foundry line, which should provide further opportunities to improve operational performance as utilisation increases.

    Despite the disruption, Castings continues to expect its full-year results to be in line with market expectations. The unchanged outlook indicates that management believes stronger demand, efficiency measures and improved utilisation can offset the near-term operational challenges.

    The company’s broader investment case is supported by a strong financial position, particularly its very low leverage, alongside improved profitability and cash generation in FY2026. These characteristics provide financial resilience while Castings invests in production capabilities and responds to changing customer demand.

    Technical indicators are also generally supportive, although signs that the shares may be overbought could limit near-term upside. Valuation is another consideration, with a relatively high price-to-earnings ratio partly offset by an attractive dividend yield.

    More about Castings PLC

    Castings PLC is a UK-based manufacturer of iron castings and machined components serving customers in domestic and international markets. The group has gross foundry capacity of approximately 80,000 tonnes per year and operates highly automated production facilities capable of handling complex, high-mix manufacturing requirements.

    The company has particularly strong relationships with major European heavy truck manufacturers, supplying components across vehicle platforms that can remain in production for more than a decade. Its automated operations support just-in-time delivery and the precision requirements of large industrial customers.

    Beyond commercial vehicles, Castings supplies components to sectors including wind energy, agriculture, rail and material handling. This diversification gives the group exposure to both established industrial markets and growing renewable energy supply chains.

    Focus keyphrase: Castings PLC trading update

    Meta description: Castings PLC reports improving heavy truck and wind energy demand while managing operational disruption and maintaining its full-year expectations.

  • ATOME secures backing for 300MWp solar feasibility study in Paraguay

    ATOME secures backing for 300MWp solar feasibility study in Paraguay

    ATOME PLC (LSE:ATOM) has secured financial and technical support from the dollar-denominated fund of a multilateral development bank to undertake a feasibility study for a proposed 300MWp solar photovoltaic development in Paraguay.

    The planned solar project would be located close to ATOME’s green fertiliser facility at Villeta and represents a potential expansion of the company’s renewable energy activities in the country. The study will assess the technical and commercial viability of developing large-scale solar generation alongside ATOME’s existing industrial plans.

    Subject to securing the necessary power purchase agreement, the project could form the foundation of a wider industrial park incorporating renewable electricity generation and battery energy storage. Such a development would allow ATOME to broaden its presence beyond green fertiliser production and establish a larger role within Paraguay’s emerging low-carbon industrial economy.

    The external financial and technical backing provides additional support as ATOME evaluates the opportunity without relying entirely on its own resources for the feasibility work. A positive outcome could create a pathway towards a significant new renewable infrastructure project adjacent to the company’s Villeta operations.

    The concept also offers potential strategic benefits through the combination of renewable power, energy storage and green industrial production at a single location. This could support the development of a broader clean energy ecosystem around Villeta while giving ATOME additional opportunities to participate in Paraguay’s renewable electricity market.

    ATOME’s investment outlook nevertheless remains constrained by its pre-revenue financial profile. The company continues to report losses and negative free cash flow, meaning further funding requirements remain an important consideration as it advances its portfolio of capital-intensive projects.

    Technical indicators provide a more positive signal, with the shares trading above major moving averages and MACD in positive territory. Valuation remains difficult to assess using conventional earnings measures, however, because losses result in a negative price-to-earnings ratio and there is no stated dividend yield.

    More about ATOME PLC

    ATOME PLC is an AIM-listed company developing green fertiliser and renewable energy projects, with a significant focus on Paraguay. Through its ATOME Power activities, the group is exploring opportunities in renewable electricity generation and battery energy storage alongside its core industrial developments.

    The company is already progressing a green fertiliser facility at Villeta, where it intends to use renewable energy to support the production of lower-carbon agricultural inputs. The proposed 300MWp solar project could broaden this strategy by combining clean power generation, storage and industrial activity within the same geographic area.

    Through these projects, ATOME is seeking to establish a position in the growing markets for low-carbon fertilisers, renewable power and clean industrial infrastructure.

    Focus keyphrase: ATOME Paraguay solar project

    Meta description: ATOME secures financial and technical backing for a feasibility study into a proposed 300MWp solar project near its Villeta green fertiliser facility in Paraguay.

  • Potter & Moore flags difficult first half as it targets recovery later in the year

    Potter & Moore flags difficult first half as it targets recovery later in the year

    Potter & Moore PLC (LSE:PAM) has warned of a challenging start to the financial year, with first-quarter revenue and gross profit margin both below the levels recorded a year earlier as higher costs and difficult conditions across the wider sector weigh on trading.

    Despite the softer performance, the beauty and well-being products group said trading remains broadly consistent with its internal expectations. Potter & Moore ended July with £4.1 million of cash, providing the company with financial flexibility as it works through the current period of weaker demand and elevated input costs.

    Management’s expectations for the year are weighted towards a stronger second half, meaning first-half results are anticipated to remain below the prior-year period. The company is relying on several commercial initiatives to improve momentum as the year progresses.

    These include securing new retail listings, increasing special-buy and fast-follow activity and recovering higher costs through improved sales pricing. Progress in negotiations with retail customers will therefore be important to restoring margins and supporting the anticipated improvement in second-half profitability.

    Potter & Moore is also continuing with its planned final dividend, maintaining shareholder distributions despite the tougher near-term trading environment. The decision reflects the strength of the group’s balance sheet and management’s confidence in its ability to navigate current pressures.

    The company’s broader investment case continues to benefit from relatively strong financial fundamentals and an attractive valuation. Its cash position provides balance-sheet resilience, while a low price-to-earnings ratio could indicate that the shares are modestly valued relative to earnings.

    These positives are partly offset by weaker technical indicators, which currently point to a bearish share-price trend. Declining free cash flow growth is another area to watch, particularly if the expected second-half recovery takes longer to materialise or cost pressures prove more persistent than anticipated.

    More about Potter & Moore PLC

    Potter & Moore PLC is a British beauty and well-being brand owner and manufacturer operating across the personal care market. The group develops and produces beauty, wellness and related consumer products for retail customers, including branded ranges and products created for special-buy programmes.

    Its performance is closely linked to consumer spending trends and retailer purchasing activity, while profitability can be influenced by factors including raw material and other input costs, pricing negotiations and changes in product mix.

    The company’s existing cash resources provide support for day-to-day operations and its commercial strategy as management seeks to expand retail distribution, recover cost increases and generate sustainable growth.

    Focus keyphrase: Potter & Moore trading update

    Meta description: Potter & Moore warns of weaker first-half trading as higher costs pressure revenue and margins, but expects new listings and pricing to support a second-half recovery.

  • Robinson revenue rises in first half as costs weigh on profitability

    Robinson revenue rises in first half as costs weigh on profitability

    Robinson plc (LSE:RBN) reported higher revenue for the first half of 2026, although rising costs, supply disruption and operational pressures resulted in a sharp decline in underlying profitability.

    Revenue for the period increased 5% to £28.9 million, supported by stronger sales volumes, particularly across the group’s UK and Danish operations. However, the benefits of higher sales were offset by cost inflation and supply-chain disruption associated with the Middle East crisis.

    Gross margin declined to 20%, while underlying operating profit fell to £0.9 million, almost half the level recorded in the comparable period. Operational challenges also affected performance as the packaging manufacturer navigated a more competitive trading environment and weaker volumes in Poland.

    In response, Robinson has reorganised its management structure with the appointment of new heads of commercial and operations. The company is moving towards a more functionally led model intended to improve customer focus, strengthen operational execution and support its longer-term objective of delivering profitable growth ahead of the wider market.

    Balance-sheet improvement remains another priority. Robinson completed three disposals from its surplus property portfolio during the period, generating £1.5 million of cash that was used to reduce net debt.

    Additional property transactions have already been agreed, with their completion expected to make a material contribution to reported profit before tax for 2026. The disposal programme is also helping Robinson simplify its asset base and release capital from properties that are no longer required for its core packaging operations.

    Despite the pressures experienced during the first half, the board expects full-year underlying operating profit to fall within a range of £2.2 million to £2.6 million. Achieving this target will depend partly on operational improvements and the company’s ability to recover higher input costs through customer pricing.

    The investment outlook is supported by signs of improving underlying fundamentals and a healthier leverage position, while a relatively low price-to-earnings ratio and solid dividend yield provide additional valuation support.

    These positives are tempered by uneven free cash flow and weak technical momentum. The shares remain below important moving averages, while negative MACD and a particularly low RSI indicate continued pressure on the technical picture.

    More about Robinson plc

    Robinson plc is a specialist manufacturer of custom plastic and rigid paperboard packaging for the food and consumer goods industries. Headquartered in Chesterfield, UK, the company operates manufacturing facilities across the UK, Poland and Denmark.

    Its products include injection and blow-moulded plastic packaging alongside luxury rigid paperboard packaging. Robinson supplies major fast-moving consumer goods companies across markets including food, homecare, personal care and luxury gifting, with its products designed to provide hygiene, protection, convenience and other technical benefits.

    The group employs almost 400 people and also owns a portfolio of surplus properties with development potential. Robinson is progressively disposing of these assets, with proceeds primarily being directed towards debt reduction and balance-sheet improvement.

    Focus keyphrase: Robinson plc H1 2026 results

    Meta description: Robinson plc reports a 5% rise in H1 revenue to £28.9 million, while higher costs weigh on profit as the group restructures and sells surplus property.

  • AB Dynamics acquires eMpulse to expand laboratory testing portfolio

    AB Dynamics acquires eMpulse to expand laboratory testing portfolio

    AB Dynamics (LSE:ABDP) has acquired US-based eMpulse Test Systems LLC in a deal designed to broaden its laboratory testing capabilities and strengthen its position in the North American automotive testing market.

    eMpulse specialises in servoelectric testing systems used for noise, vibration and harshness, structural and durability testing. AB Dynamics sees the company’s technology as highly complementary to its existing portfolio, creating opportunities to offer customers a wider range of advanced vehicle testing solutions.

    The transaction includes an initial cash payment of $11.0 million alongside an anticipated working capital adjustment of approximately $1.8 million. A further contingent consideration of up to $15.0 million could become payable depending on eMpulse’s future performance.

    AB Dynamics expects the acquisition to generate meaningful commercial synergies by introducing eMpulse products to customers through its established international sales network. This could accelerate expansion into markets where eMpulse currently has a more limited presence, including Japan, while also increasing opportunities to cross-sell products to existing customers.

    The group expects the transaction to become earnings enhancing from FY27 as eMpulse continues its recovery from tariff-related disruption. The acquired business generated revenue of $5.5 million and EBITDA of $0.5 million in 2025 after its performance was affected by the downturn associated with global tariffs.

    Trading has subsequently improved, with eMpulse recording a strong recovery during the first half of 2026. Its existing management team will remain with the business following completion, providing continuity as AB Dynamics integrates the company and pursues international growth opportunities.

    eMpulse’s servoelectric technology also offers an energy-efficient alternative to conventional hydraulic testing equipment. Adding these systems to AB Dynamics’ portfolio could increase the group’s addressable market while allowing it to deepen relationships with automotive manufacturers, suppliers and testing organisations.

    AB Dynamics’ broader outlook is supported by strong underlying financial characteristics, including profitability, relatively low leverage and healthy cash conversion. Recent improvements in orders and strong liquidity also support expectations for a gradual recovery.

    These strengths are partly offset by execution risks, including a significant weighting of deliveries towards the second half and uncertainty surrounding the VadoTech China issue. Technical indicators remain particularly weak, with the share price trading well below key moving averages and signalling a pronounced bearish trend.

    Valuation is more mixed, with a negative price-to-earnings ratio limiting support from conventional earnings metrics and the company’s dividend yield remaining relatively modest.

    More about AB Dynamics

    AB Dynamics plc is a UK-headquartered designer and manufacturer of advanced testing, simulation and measurement products and services for the international transport industry. Its customers include major automotive manufacturers, Tier 1 suppliers and specialist service providers that use its technology to evaluate vehicle dynamics and safety systems.

    Based in Bradford on Avon, the group supplies sophisticated laboratory and track-based testing equipment used throughout vehicle development and validation. Its portfolio includes servoelectric technology such as the Suspension Parameter Measurement Machine, alongside simulation and measurement systems.

    AB Dynamics is focused on meeting growing global demand for accurate, efficient and increasingly sophisticated vehicle testing technology as manufacturers respond to changing safety standards, electrification and regulatory requirements.

    Focus keyphrase: AB Dynamics eMpulse acquisition

    Meta description: AB Dynamics acquires eMpulse Test Systems to expand its laboratory testing portfolio, strengthen its US presence and target new global markets.

  • Critical Mineral Resources moves towards maiden resource estimate at Agadir Melloul

    Critical Mineral Resources moves towards maiden resource estimate at Agadir Melloul

    Critical Mineral Resources Plc (LSE:CMRS) has appointed independent consultancy Addison Mining Services to prepare the maiden JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate for its Agadir Melloul copper project in Morocco.

    Addison has started assessing the geological, drilling and assay information generated from the project and has already completed a site visit as part of the resource modelling process. Critical Mineral Resources is targeting publication of the initial estimate in October 2026.

    The maiden resource will primarily incorporate results from the extensive drilling programmes carried out during 2025 and 2026 at Zone 1 North. Establishing an independently verified resource represents an important technical step as CMR seeks to move Agadir Melloul beyond exploration and into the next phase of project evaluation and development.

    Importantly, the area expected to be covered by the first resource estimate represents only around 5% to 6% of the company’s existing permit footprint. This leaves the majority of the licence outside the initial resource calculation and provides considerable scope for additional exploration and potential resource growth.

    CMR is continuing exploration across the wider Agadir Melloul permit area alongside the resource estimation work. Management believes further discoveries could increase the overall scale of the project and strengthen its strategic importance within the company’s Moroccan critical minerals portfolio.

    The appointment of an independent consultant also provides external technical validation as CMR builds a more detailed understanding of the deposit. A JORC-compliant resource could provide a foundation for subsequent technical studies, further drilling and decisions over the project’s longer-term development pathway.

    Despite the exploration progress, the company’s financial position remains a significant risk. Critical Mineral Resources currently generates no revenue and continues to report losses and cash outflows, while negative equity and increasing debt place additional pressure on its balance sheet.

    Technical indicators are also generally bearish, with the shares trading below important moving averages and MACD remaining negative. Valuation provides little support because the company’s loss-making position results in a negative price-to-earnings ratio, while there is no dividend yield to provide an income component.

    More about Critical Mineral Resources Plc

    Critical Mineral Resources Plc is a London-listed exploration and development company focused on commodities considered important to electrification and the global energy transition. Its portfolio includes copper, silver and other critical mineral opportunities in Morocco.

    The company views Morocco as an attractive jurisdiction due to its established mining sector, infrastructure, permitting environment and proximity to European markets. CMR’s strategy is centred on advancing prospective assets through exploration, resource definition and subsequent development studies.

    Critical Mineral Resources also owns an 80% interest in Moroccan exploration and geological services company Atlantic Research Minerals SARL, providing the group with additional technical capabilities and an established presence in the country.

    Through Agadir Melloul and its wider portfolio, CMR is seeking exposure to anticipated long-term demand growth for metals required across renewable energy, electrification and other emerging technologies.

    Focus keyphrase: Critical Mineral Resources Agadir Melloul

    Meta description: Critical Mineral Resources appoints Addison Mining Services to prepare a maiden JORC resource estimate for Agadir Melloul, targeted for October 2026.