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  • Galliford Try appointed to £9.5 billion public sector construction framework

    Galliford Try appointed to £9.5 billion public sector construction framework

    Galliford Try (LSE:GFRD) has been appointed to the new £9.5 billion Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) Construction and Capital Works framework, securing positions across all five regional lots covering England, Wales and Scotland. The framework, which can run for up to eight years, will support the delivery of education and wider public sector construction projects, including new-build developments and refurbishment work for schools, colleges, universities, healthcare facilities and civic buildings.

    The appointment strengthens Galliford Try’s presence in the public sector construction market and reinforces its long-standing position in the education sector. The company believes the framework will create opportunities to deliver major community infrastructure projects across the UK while enhancing the visibility of future revenues through a steady pipeline of public sector work.

    Galliford Try’s outlook continues to benefit from stable financial performance, strong cash generation and positive technical momentum in its share price. The company also trades on a relatively moderate valuation, supported by a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.44 and a dividend yield of 3.32%. However, slower revenue growth and relatively narrow operating margins remain areas for investors to monitor.

    About Galliford Try

    Galliford Try Holdings plc is a leading UK construction company listed on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. Operating through the Galliford Try and Morrison Construction brands, the group delivers building and infrastructure projects for public, private and regulated sector clients throughout the UK.

    Its expertise spans education, healthcare, defence, water, highways and environmental infrastructure, with a strong focus on delivering complex construction projects and long-term public sector partnerships. The company continues to build its order book through strategic framework appointments and major infrastructure opportunities across the UK.

  • Sintana Energy advances offshore exploration projects in Uruguay and Argentina

    Sintana Energy advances offshore exploration projects in Uruguay and Argentina

    Sintana Energy (LSE:SEI) has reached two important milestones in its Latin American offshore exploration portfolio, securing additional time for seismic work in Uruguay while progressing a new exploration opportunity in Argentina. The developments strengthen the company’s presence across emerging offshore basins and support its long-term exploration strategy in the South Atlantic region.

    In Uruguay, authorities have approved a one-year suspension of the initial exploration sub-period for the AREA OFF-1 offshore licence, extending the deadline to 23 August 2027. The extension follows delays in obtaining environmental approvals for a planned 3D seismic survey and provides operator Chevron with additional time to complete a two-season programme of seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation. The work is expected to improve the understanding of the block’s resource potential and help optimise future drilling decisions while reducing exploration risk.

    Meanwhile, in Argentina, Sintana’s affiliate Challenger Energy Group has advanced its plans in the North Argentine Basin after initiating an International Public Tender for the CAN-200 offshore exploration permit. The process follows the publication of Decree 590/2026 and Challenger’s earlier expression of interest submitted in 2025. If successful, the tender would expand Sintana’s offshore exploration portfolio in Latin America and further strengthen its exposure to frontier hydrocarbon basins with long-term development potential.

    About Sintana Energy

    Sintana Energy Inc. is an Atlantic Margin-focused oil and gas exploration company with interests in several frontier offshore basins, including Namibia, Uruguay and Angola, alongside legacy assets in Colombia and The Bahamas. The company is listed in Canada, the UK and the United States.

    Sintana’s exploration strategy centres on partnering with major international energy companies and benefiting from carried interests on key licences, allowing it to pursue high-impact exploration opportunities while limiting capital exposure. Its portfolio is focused on the Southern Atlantic conjugate margin, where the company believes significant long-term hydrocarbon potential remains to be unlocked.

  • SThree maintains full-year guidance as U.S. growth offsets weaker European markets

    SThree maintains full-year guidance as U.S. growth offsets weaker European markets

    SThree (LSE:STEM) reported lower first-half FY26 results as softer trading conditions across key European markets weighed on performance, with net fees declining 7% year on year to £147.7 million. Revenue and profit also fell during the period, although strong performances in the U.S. and Japan, together with resilient contract renewals and a contractor order book that increased 3%, helped cushion the overall slowdown. The contractor book now represents approximately five months of net fees, providing good visibility for future revenue.

    Operating profit declined significantly, reflecting lower net fees and £6.4 million of one-off costs associated with the company’s cost optimisation programme. Despite these pressures, disciplined expense management enabled SThree to maintain its interim dividend at 5.1 pence per share. The group also continues to invest in its cloud-based operating platform, using AI-enabled sales tools and technology to improve productivity. Management reaffirmed its full-year profit guidance, citing improving new business activity and strengthening momentum across a growing number of markets.

    SThree’s outlook continues to benefit from solid cash generation and a healthy balance sheet, although recent declines in revenue growth and operating margins remain a challenge. Technical indicators have improved, suggesting strengthening market momentum, even though the shares continue to trade just below their long-term trend. Valuation also remains relatively attractive, supported by a reasonable earnings multiple and an above-average dividend yield.

    About SThree plc

    SThree plc is a global STEM talent consultancy specialising in recruitment across engineering, life sciences and technology sectors. The company operates in 11 countries, providing permanent and contract staffing solutions to approximately 6,000 clients in industries where demand for highly skilled professionals remains strong.

    With four decades of experience focused exclusively on STEM recruitment, SThree has built leading positions in markets including the United States, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan. Its cloud-based global operating platform supports greater efficiency through shared services, advanced data capabilities and technology-enabled recruitment, helping clients meet increasingly complex workforce requirements.

  • Billington secures £28 million of new structural steel contracts

    Billington secures £28 million of new structural steel contracts

    Billington Holdings (LSE:BILN) has been awarded three major structural steel contracts with a combined value of approximately £28 million, with the majority of the work scheduled to be delivered during 2027. The projects include a multi-storey education campus in North-West London, an energy-from-waste facility in Eastern England for an existing customer, and an initial award for a defence project in South-East England that is expected to progress into a full contract.

    According to management, the latest contract wins reflect the company’s strategy of focusing on technically complex, high-value structural steel projects. The new awards strengthen Billington’s order book, support expectations for 2027 and reinforce its position across sectors including education, renewable energy and critical national infrastructure. The company also highlighted a healthy pipeline of opportunities across its core markets, allowing it to remain selective in pursuing commercially attractive projects.

    Billington’s outlook continues to be supported by its strong balance sheet and low levels of debt. However, softer profitability during 2025 and weaker free cash flow conversion remain areas of focus. Technical indicators continue to point to positive share price momentum, while valuation presents a mixed picture, with a relatively high price-to-earnings ratio balanced by an attractive dividend yield.

    About Billington Holdings

    Billington Holdings is a UK-based engineering group specialising in structural steelwork and construction safety solutions. The company supplies products and services for infrastructure, commercial, industrial and specialist construction projects across the UK and Europe.

    Its expertise spans complex structural steel fabrication, installation and safety systems, serving customers in sectors including education, energy, defence and wider infrastructure. Billington’s strategy centres on delivering technically demanding projects while building long-term relationships with clients and maintaining high standards of quality and engineering excellence.

  • Midwich reports higher first-half profit and maintains full-year outlook

    Midwich reports higher first-half profit and maintains full-year outlook

    Midwich Group plc (LSE:MIDW) expects adjusted profit before tax for the first half of 2026 to increase around 10% year on year to £10.6 million, supported by revenue growth of approximately 3% to £640 million. Excluding the impact of its Middle East operations and businesses that have since been exited, adjusted profit growth reached 20%, demonstrating the strength of the group’s core operations despite a modest decline in gross margins and disruption in conflict-affected markets.

    Performance varied across regions during the period. The UK and Ireland, together with Australia and New Zealand, delivered revenue growth of more than 10%, while North America recorded a 5% increase. These gains were partly offset by a 5% decline across EMEA, reflecting weaker trading conditions in the Middle East and Germany. Cash generation remained in line with expectations, and leverage improved to 2.3 times adjusted EBITDA, with management targeting a reduction to around 2.0 times by year end. The company also continues to expand relationships with technology vendors, improve operational efficiency and introduce AI-driven productivity initiatives, while maintaining guidance that full-year performance will be broadly in line with market expectations for 2025.

    Management said uncertainty surrounding the global economic environment and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could continue to affect trading during the remainder of 2026. Even so, Midwich remains focused on expanding its presence in higher-margin specialist audiovisual markets, protecting and growing market share in key regions, and pursuing both organic growth opportunities and strategic acquisitions to support its long-term development plans.

    The company’s outlook is tempered by weaker financial quality, following a period of negative profitability and relatively high leverage, although revenue growth and cash generation remain resilient. Technical indicators also continue to suggest a cautious market outlook, with the shares trading below key moving averages. While the dividend yield offers some valuation support, the absence of positive earnings limits the company’s overall valuation appeal.

    About Midwich Group plc

    Midwich Group plc is a specialist distributor of professional audiovisual technology, supplying equipment and services to trade customers across more than 50 countries through a network of 23 locations. The company works with over 24,000 customers, including AV integrators, event production companies and IT resellers serving sectors such as education, corporate, retail and live events.

    Its services extend beyond product distribution to include system design, marketing support, financing solutions, industry events and investment in emerging technology businesses. Employing around 1,700 people across the UK and Ireland, EMEA, Asia-Pacific and North America, Midwich focuses on specialist, higher-margin audiovisual products while promoting sustainable business practices.

    The company combines long-standing relationships with leading global technology vendors and a strategy of targeted acquisitions to expand its international footprint and product offering. This approach supports Midwich’s ambition to strengthen its position in the growing professional audiovisual market while delivering sustainable long-term growth.

  • Netcall delivers strong FY26 growth as AI and cloud demand accelerate

    Netcall delivers strong FY26 growth as AI and cloud demand accelerate

    Netcall (LSE:NET) is expected to report a strong performance for FY26, with revenue rising 20% to £57.7 million and adjusted EBITDA increasing 23% to £12.1 million, in line with market expectations. The group’s results were supported by continued organic expansion, increasing subscription revenue and operating leverage, while total annual contract value (ACV) grew 27%, strengthening its recurring revenue profile.

    Cloud ACV increased 37% to £46.3 million during the year, while revenue from AI-related products almost tripled as customers increasingly moved from pilot programmes to live deployment across business workflows. The integration of Jadu has also progressed well, generating close to £1 million in cost synergies and creating additional cross-selling opportunities. Netcall ended the year with net cash of £21 million, strong cash generation and a record sales pipeline for FY27, supported by growing demand for cloud automation and AI solutions.

    The company continues to invest in its Liberty platform while pursuing selective acquisitions to expand its portfolio of higher-margin, subscription-based software services. This strategy further strengthens Netcall’s position in the enterprise automation and customer engagement software market and supports its long-term growth ambitions.

    Management said the expanding sales pipeline and broader AI capabilities provide confidence in future trading. The combination of recurring revenue growth, a strong balance sheet and rising customer adoption leaves the company well positioned to benefit from increasing enterprise investment in cloud-based automation and artificial intelligence technologies.

    Netcall’s outlook remains underpinned by strong revenue growth, healthy margins and a robust financial position with minimal leverage. However, slowing growth in net income and free cash flow presents a potential headwind. Technical indicators continue to point to positive momentum, although the shares appear significantly overbought, while the company’s relatively high valuation and modest dividend yield may temper investor enthusiasm.

    About Netcall

    Netcall is a UK-based enterprise software company that provides automation and customer engagement solutions through its AI-powered Liberty platform. The business helps around 700 organisations across sectors including healthcare, government and financial services digitise processes and improve customer interactions, with many NHS Acute Health Trusts and UK local authorities among its clients.

    The Liberty platform supports business-critical operations for organisations including Legal & General, Baloise and Santander. Netcall generates the majority of its revenue through subscription-based software, with growing cloud annual contract value providing recurring income and improved revenue visibility.

    Listed on AIM under the ticker NET, the company continues to expand its artificial intelligence and digital experience capabilities through targeted acquisitions. By combining workflow automation with customer engagement tools in a single platform, Netcall aims to simplify business operations while strengthening its position in the growing markets for cloud software and AI-enabled enterprise solutions.

  • Spire Healthcare to publish interim results on 9 September

    Spire Healthcare to publish interim results on 9 September

    Spire Healthcare Group plc (LSE:SPI) has confirmed it will release its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026 on 9 September 2026. The FTSE 250 healthcare provider operates one of the UK’s largest independent healthcare networks, offering hospital, clinic and workplace health services while maintaining a leading position in orthopaedics and NHS talking therapies.

    The upcoming results announcement is expected to provide investors with an update on the group’s financial performance, trading trends and operational progress during the first half of the year. The release may also offer further insight into patient demand across self-pay, private medical insurance, employer and NHS-funded services, as well as the continued impact of NHS outsourcing on the company’s growth strategy.

    Spire Healthcare’s outlook continues to be supported by consistent operational performance and dependable cash generation. However, relatively high leverage and narrow net profit margins remain challenges. From a market perspective, the shares continue to benefit from positive technical momentum, although elevated RSI levels could indicate that recent gains have become stretched. Valuation appears broadly balanced, supported by a modest dividend yield.

    About Spire Healthcare

    Spire Healthcare Group plc is one of the UK’s leading independent healthcare providers, operating 38 hospitals and more than 60 clinics across England, Wales and Scotland. The company works with more than 8,800 consultants to deliver care for self-pay, NHS, employer-funded and private medical insurance patients, and is the country’s largest private provider of hip and knee replacement procedures.

    In addition to its hospital network, Spire operates private GP services and a nationwide workplace health business supporting more than 1,400 employers. Its services span physical and mental healthcare, including musculoskeletal treatment, dermatology and NHS talking therapies, with 98% of inspected locations rated Good or Outstanding by UK healthcare regulators.

    With almost 100 clinical sites and a diversified revenue base across private, NHS and employer-funded contracts, Spire Healthcare has established a strong position in the UK independent healthcare market through its scale, specialist expertise and consistently high quality standards.

  • Rosebank Industries raises full-year outlook following strong acquisition performance

    Rosebank Industries raises full-year outlook following strong acquisition performance

    Rosebank Industries (LSE:ROSE) has upgraded its full-year expectations after newly acquired businesses MW Components and CPM delivered a stronger-than-anticipated start following their acquisitions. The group has also accelerated restructuring initiatives, reducing central and head office costs while committing $30 million to projects aimed at increasing production capacity and operational efficiency. At MW Components, the business is being reorganised into three independent divisions, with site rationalisation and head office closures expected to generate at least $15 million in annual savings. Meanwhile, CPM is streamlining its organisational structure, targeting annual cost reductions of at least $10 million while strengthening its aftermarket business through the acquisition of a distribution company.

    ECI continued to perform in line with management’s full-year expectations despite a 4% fall in revenue, reflecting the company’s planned withdrawal from lower-margin appliance and HVAC markets. Growth in higher-margin electrification and industrial operations reached 9%, helping adjusted operating margins improve to 16.1%. Supported by the performance of its recent acquisitions and ongoing operational improvements, Rosebank now expects adjusted operating profit and adjusted earnings per share for 2026 to exceed analyst forecasts. The company also believes the momentum at MW Components and CPM positions the group for continued earnings growth into 2027.

    About Rosebank Industries Plc

    Rosebank Industries Plc is a UK industrial group that acquires, develops and improves manufacturing and engineering businesses. Its portfolio includes MW Components, CPM and ECI, operating across markets such as precision components, springs, fasteners and industrial equipment.

    The group’s businesses serve a range of end markets, including electrification, industrial technology, appliances and HVAC. Rosebank’s strategy focuses on improving operational performance, driving efficiency gains and creating long-term value through the integration and enhancement of acquired businesses.

  • Tertiary Minerals reports encouraging copper continuity at Mushima North

    Tertiary Minerals reports encouraging copper continuity at Mushima North

    Tertiary Minerals plc (LSE:TYM) is an AIM-listed mineral exploration company focused on copper and associated metals within Zambia’s Iron-Oxide-Copper-Gold belt. Its Mushima North Project is centred on Target A1, a substantial near-surface silver-copper-zinc oxide prospect where the company is working to establish a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource to support future project development.

    The company has announced preliminary portable XRF results from the first 12 drill holes completed during its Phase 4 drilling campaign at Mushima North. The findings indicate that higher-grade copper mineralisation continues across the northern section of Target A1, reinforcing the existing silver-copper-zinc exploration target. Initial results include wide intervals of shallow copper-zinc mineralisation. While these measurements remain preliminary, they will be verified through certified laboratory assays alongside additional infill reverse circulation drilling as the company progresses toward defining a mineral resource.

    Tertiary Minerals continues to face financial challenges, with ongoing losses and cash outflows weighing on its overall outlook. However, the company maintains a debt-free balance sheet, providing some financial flexibility. Market sentiment also remains cautious due to weak technical indicators and a longer-term downward trend in the share price, while valuation metrics are constrained by the absence of earnings and dividend payments.

    About Tertiary Minerals

    Tertiary Minerals plc is an AIM-quoted exploration company specialising in copper and polymetallic mineral projects across Zambia’s Iron-Oxide-Copper-Gold province. Its flagship Mushima North Project, including the Target A1 prospect, is situated close to the historic Kalengwa copper-silver mine and is being advanced toward the definition of JORC-compliant mineral resources.

    The company has identified an exploration target of between 15 million and 30 million tonnes grading 40–60 g/t silver equivalent at Target A1. Ongoing reverse circulation drilling is designed to support the conversion of this exploration target into a formal mineral resource. Mushima North is owned through Copernicus Minerals Limited in partnership with Mwashia Resources Limited, aligning with Tertiary Minerals’ strategy of expanding its copper exploration portfolio in Zambia.

  • Orcadian Energy Positions Earlham Gigagrid at the Heart of the UK’s AI Infrastructure Revolution

    Orcadian Energy Positions Earlham Gigagrid at the Heart of the UK’s AI Infrastructure Revolution

    As artificial intelligence accelerates global demand for data centres, one challenge is becoming increasingly clear: the future of AI depends as much on energy infrastructure as it does on computing power. Orcadian Energy believes it has a compelling solution, bringing together natural gas production, low-carbon electricity generation, carbon capture and storage, and AI-driven data centre demand within a single integrated development.

    Speaking on The Watchlist, Orcadian Energy (LSE:ORCA) CEO Steve Brown outlined the company’s vision for the Earlham Gigagrid, a project designed to maximise the value of the company’s gas resources while helping address one of the UK’s fastest-growing infrastructure challenges.

    Turning Gas into Digital Infrastructure

    Brown explained that the concept is built around converting natural gas into reliable electricity before ultimately transforming that energy into computing power for AI applications.

    Rather than simply producing gas, Orcadian aims to capture significantly greater value by supplying the dependable energy increasingly required by hyperscale data centres.

    “People will end up thinking we’re really quite innovative,” Brown said, highlighting how the project combines reliable low-carbon power generation, carbon capture and storage, and rapidly expanding AI-driven demand into one integrated opportunity.

    An Energy-First Approach

    The data centre industry is undergoing a fundamental shift. Historically, operators selected sites based primarily on available land before securing power connections. Today, according to Brown, that model has reversed.

    The limiting factor is no longer land—it’s energy.

    As AI workloads continue to expand, access to reliable, affordable electricity has become the defining requirement for new data centre developments. Brown believes this shift creates a significant opportunity for Orcadian.

    The Earlham field offers both a secure energy source and access to the North Sea, providing natural cooling capabilities that are increasingly valuable for energy-intensive computing facilities.

    Decades of Offshore Expertise

    One of Orcadian’s strongest competitive advantages lies in its offshore engineering experience.

    For over 50 years, North Sea oil and gas operators have managed highly reliable, mission-critical microgrids on offshore platforms. Brown believes this expertise transfers naturally to powering next-generation AI infrastructure, where uninterrupted electricity is essential.

    Combined with the cooling benefits of the surrounding North Sea, offshore locations could become some of the most attractive environments for future data centre development.

    Building Shareholder Value

    Looking ahead, Brown identified several milestones that could unlock substantial value over the next 12 months.

    The immediate priority is securing new investment into the Earlham  Gigagrid subsidiary. Additional capital would allow the company to fully evaluate the development concept, work alongside the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), and advance detailed project planning.

    Once the development framework is established, Orcadian intends to engage with major hyperscale and next-generation data centre operators.

    Brown expressed confidence that the project’s unique combination of secure energy supply, low-carbon credentials and integrated infrastructure could attract significant industry interest.

    Positioned at the Crossroads of Three Powerful Growth Trends

    The Earlham Gigagrid project represents more than a conventional energy development. It sits at the intersection of three major structural trends shaping the global economy:

    • Explosive growth in AI and cloud computing.
    • Rising demand for secure, reliable energy infrastructure.
    • The transition towards lower-carbon power generation with integrated carbon capture.

    As governments and technology companies invest billions into AI infrastructure, projects capable of delivering dependable electricity are becoming increasingly valuable strategic assets.

    By leveraging existing offshore expertise while reimagining how energy can power the digital economy, Orcadian Energy is positioning itself at the forefront of an emerging market where energy security and artificial intelligence converge.

    For investors, the coming year could prove pivotal as the company advances the Earlham Gigagrid concept from vision to execution, with several potential catalysts capable of significantly enhancing long-term shareholder value.

    For more information visit https://orcadian.energy/