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Pensana Plc (LSE:PRE) announced Tuesday that it has secured a $100 million strategic investment to accelerate its Mine-to-Magnet supply chain plans in the United States.

The investor participating in the deal has agreed to subscribe for 95 million new ordinary shares, subject to confirmatory due diligence on the Longonjo project and shareholder approval. In addition, institutional backers will contribute another $3 million through the purchase of 2.85 million new ordinary shares at £0.80 each.

Proceeds will be used to keep development of the Longonjo mine on track ahead of the 2027 U.S. ban on Chinese-origin rare earth magnets used in defence systems. The funding is also intended to help Pensana position itself as an alternative supplier of NdPr for civilian markets as the U.S. prepares to impose a 25% tariff on Chinese rare earths beginning in 2026.

Paul Atherley, Chairman of Pensana, said: “We are delighted with the $100 million strategic investment from an investor which is highly supportive of our plans to establish a major U.S. Mine-to-Magnet supply chain.”

Pensana plans to deploy the capital to extend Longonjo’s mine life through expanded drilling, develop additional co-product streams including heavy rare earth oxides, and progress toward a planned Nasdaq listing in 2026.

Construction at Longonjo continues to advance, supported by the recent release of the remaining tranche of a $25 million facility from Angola’s sovereign wealth fund, FSDEA. Once in operation from 2027, Longonjo is expected to rank among the world’s largest sources of both light and heavy rare earth elements, with capacity to support production of more than 10,000 tonnes of permanent rare earth magnets.

ABG Sundal Collier served as Pensana’s financial adviser on the transaction. Following the admission of the new shares, the company’s issued share capital will total 310,141,435 ordinary shares.

British American Tobacco (LSE:BATS) saw its shares fall more than 4% on Tuesday after the company cautioned that its 2026 growth is likely to come in at the bottom of its previously guided 3%–5% revenue range. The update pointed to softer trends in parts of its heated-tobacco portfolio and uneven performance across regions.

For the current year, BAT expects revenue and adjusted profit to increase by roughly 2%—figures broadly in line with Jefferies’ forecasts of around 2% organic revenue growth and 1.5%–2.5% adjusted operating profit expansion.

Jefferies noted that the company’s update supports existing full-year guidance for mid–single-digit growth in New Category revenue, slightly below the 7.5% analyst consensus. BAT said the New Category segment—covering heated-tobacco devices, vapour products, and nicotine pouches—is poised to accelerate to double-digit growth in the second half.

Jefferies added that performance in U.S. e-vapor improved thanks to “improved regulatory enforcement on illicit products.”

Chief executive Tadeu Marroco said the group remains “focused on establishing glo Hilo as a premium offering in the largest Heated Products profit pools,” referencing launches in Japan in September and Poland in October, with broader expansion anticipated in 2026.

Despite this, BAT reported that glo’s volume share in key markets slipped by 1.2 percentage points, including a 60-basis-point decline in the Americas excluding the United States.

The company’s U.S. business was a bright spot, recording its strongest performance with a 20-basis-point increase in value share and stable volume share. BAT highlighted rapid momentum from its Velo Plus nicotine pouch, which delivered a 920-basis-point jump in Modern Oral volume share in the U.S., where New Category operations remain on track for full-year profitability. Globally, Velo reached 15.9% volume share of Total Oral products and 31.8% in Modern Oral, rising 460 and 590 basis points respectively.

BAT also reported that its Vuse vape brand retained global leadership in tracked channels, with value share in top markets up 10 basis points. Full-year Vuse revenue is now expected to decline at a high-single-digit rate—an improvement from the 13% drop posted in the first half—supported by a strengthening U.S. e-vape market.

Performance varied sharply by region. The Americas excluding the U.S. delivered robust results, led by Brazil, Turkey and Mexico. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa continued to face regulatory and fiscal pressures, particularly in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Jefferies described combustible-product sales as resilient in Europe and the Americas, though challenges persist in APMEA.

BAT expects a 3% foreign-exchange translation drag on adjusted operating profit, matching Jefferies’ projected 3% EBIT impact. Net finance costs are forecast at about £1.8 billion, and global cigarette volumes are expected to fall around 2% in 2025.

The company also announced plans for £1.3 billion in share buybacks for fiscal 2026, up from £1.1 billion previously.

BHP Group (LSE:BHP) has reached an agreement to divest a 49% interest in the inland power network that supports its Western Australia iron ore operations, with BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners set to acquire the stake for $2 billion.

As part of the deal, a new trust structure will be created to house the power assets, while BHP will keep a 51% controlling interest. The miner will pay the trust a tariff tied to its share of Western Australia Iron Ore’s (WAIO) power usage over a 25-year term.

Chief Executive Mike Henry said the transaction “enables BHP to access capital and maintain operational and strategic control of a critical part of WAIO’s infrastructure.”

The move comes as the world’s largest mining company by market value looks to unlock capital to support increased investment in copper growth projects and its expansion into potash.

BHP’s WAIO division—of which the company owns 85%—is among the top global producers of iron ore, a vital raw material for steelmaking.

The agreement remains subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close toward the end of BHP’s 2026 fiscal year, which ends on June 30, 2026.

European regulators have opened a new antitrust case targeting Google, owned by Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), amid concerns that the company’s artificial intelligence practices may be undermining fair competition.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the European Commission said it is investigating whether Google has been imposing “unfair conditions” on publishers and digital creators, potentially restricting their commercial freedom.

The probe will also examine accusations that Google may be granting its own services preferential access to online content—an action that could give its AI models and tools a competitive edge over rival offerings.

IXICO plc (LSE:IXI) posted strong results for the year ended September 2025, reporting a 13% rise in revenue and a 21% improvement in EBITDA loss, reflecting continued progress under its Innovate Lead Scale strategy. The company strengthened its order book, expanded its North American presence, and further diversified its revenue mix while enhancing capabilities across its AI-enabled neuroimaging platform. These developments reinforce IXICO’s position as a leading player in neuroimaging and biomarker analytics, supporting efforts to accelerate drug development for neurological diseases and creating added value for stakeholders.

Following the announcement, IXICO’s shares rose 4%.

The company also confirmed that its Annual General Meeting will take place on 23 January 2026.

More about IXICO plc

IXICO plc is a global specialist in neuroscience imaging and biomarker analytics, leveraging an AI-driven platform to advance the understanding and treatment of neurological conditions. Operating as an Imaging Contract Research Organisation (iCRO), IXICO partners with pharmaceutical companies, biotechs, and non-profits to support clinical trials focused on disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s. The company provides precise imaging biomarker measurement to accelerate drug discovery and development.

Chemring Group PLC (LSE:CHG) has reported a resilient performance for the year ending 31 October 2025, achieving 2% revenue growth and securing a record order book even as delays in UK Government spending created short-term pressure within its Sensors & Information division. Strong execution in Countermeasures & Energetics, improved cash conversion, and the strategic acquisition of Landguard Systems further bolstered the company’s growth trajectory. With global defence budgets rising amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty, Chemring is well positioned to leverage demand and remains confident in its long-term plan to nearly double annual revenue to around £1 billion by 2030.

While Chemring’s financial results and commentary from its earnings call point to a constructive long-term outlook, the near-term view is moderated by bearish technical indicators and a relatively stretched valuation. Nonetheless, the company’s robust order pipeline and sustained investment in strategic initiatives underline its potential for continued expansion.

More about Chemring

Chemring is an international provider of advanced technologies and services for the aerospace, defence, and security sectors. Employing roughly 2,700 people and operating production facilities across four countries, the company serves customers in more than fifty nations. It is structured around two primary divisions—Sensors & Information and Countermeasures & Energetics—delivering a broad portfolio of high-reliability solutions for mission-critical applications.

Oxford Metrics (LSE:OMG) has released its audited preliminary results for the year ended September 2025, reporting an 8% increase in revenue to £44.8 million and marking a renewed period of growth. The company advanced its strategic agenda by expanding its Smart Manufacturing division through targeted acquisitions and introducing its Markerless Motion Capture technology—an innovation expected to play a meaningful role in future revenue expansion. Although Motion Capture sales were affected by weakness in the US market, Oxford Metrics upheld its dividend and returned £12.5 million to shareholders, underscoring its financial resilience. A continued focus on operational efficiency and product innovation positions the business for sustained long-term growth.

Oxford Metrics’ outlook is supported by a strong balance sheet and signs of short-term bullish momentum. However, profitability constraints and a negative P/E ratio raise concerns, and valuation considerations temper the overall picture. While the company’s dividend yield offers some compensation for risk, operational challenges remain key to investor sentiment.

More about Oxford Metrics

Oxford Metrics is a technology group specialising in smart sensing and software solutions across life sciences, entertainment, engineering, and smart manufacturing. Founded in 1984, the company has a longstanding reputation for innovation and value creation through both R&D and acquisitions. Its operations span two primary divisions: Vicon Motion Systems, a leader in motion measurement and analysis, and Smart Manufacturing, which provides high-precision machine vision and automated quality-control technologies.

Begbies Traynor Group plc (LSE:BEG) has reported a solid performance for the six months ending 31 October 2025, underpinned by organic growth across its restructuring and property advisory divisions. Group revenue rose 7%, while statutory profit before tax surged 83%, driven in part by a refreshed leadership structure and the integration of recent acquisitions. The restructuring business posted double-digit organic growth, and the property advisory arm delivered a 26% increase in profits. Although a softer macroeconomic backdrop has weighed on certain transactional teams, management remains confident in achieving full-year expectations. Two additional strategic acquisitions were completed during the period, further strengthening the company’s property advisory capabilities.

Begbies Traynor’s outlook is supported by a robust financial platform and constructive corporate developments. While technical indicators lean bearish and valuation screens as stretched, the company’s acquisition strategy, consistent operational performance, and attractive dividend yield contribute to a balanced medium-term view.

More about Begbies Traynor

Begbies Traynor Group plc is a leading UK-based financial and real estate advisory firm, employing more than 1,300 professionals across 45 domestic locations and four offshore offices. The company provides strategic and operational support aimed at enhancing, safeguarding, and realising value for clients’ businesses, assets, and investments.

Insig AI plc (LSE:INSG) has delivered a strong first-half performance for 2025, reporting a 164% surge in revenue alongside a narrower operating loss. The company also broadened its market reach by expanding into two additional verticals and winning several new clients, including a notable mandate from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. Looking ahead, Insig AI intends to deploy capital into opportunities across the digital assets and artificial intelligence sectors, seeking to unlock meaningful returns while continuing to scale its core analytics and machine-learning offerings.

Despite the positive commercial momentum, the company’s outlook remains weighed down by financial instability, including ongoing losses and negative equity. Technical indicators point to bearish sentiment, tempering the impact of recent strategic progress. While sector expansion and corporate initiatives offer promising long-term potential, profitability challenges continue to dominate the near-term picture.

More about Insig AI plc

Insig AI plc provides AI-driven analytics and machine-learning solutions designed to enhance data transparency and decision-making for institutional clients. Operating at the intersection of AI and digital assets, the company aims to widen access to emerging markets through advanced data science and technology platforms.

XP Factory PLC (LSE:XPF) has reported a 13% uplift in revenue to £28.2 million for the first half of FY2026, supported by continued expansion across both its Escape Hunt and Boom Battle Bar brands. Despite a tougher macro environment, the group generated strong cash flow and improved its EBITDA margins. Financial flexibility was further enhanced through the securing of a new £20 million credit facility with HSBC. Management noted that the Christmas period will be a key trading window, with Boom Battle Bar recording record pre-bookings, although consumer spend remains softer than last year. Looking ahead, the company plans additional site openings and is evaluating potential shareholder returns, including share buybacks.

XP Factory’s near-term outlook is constrained by its financial fragility, with high leverage and uneven cash flow presenting clear risks. Technical indicators also point to bearish sentiment, and valuation metrics reflect the company’s lack of profitability. While recent corporate developments—particularly around employee engagement—are encouraging, they do not materially offset broader financial concerns.

More about XP Factory PLC

XP Factory PLC is a major operator in the UK experiential leisure sector, running the Escape Hunt network—offering immersive escape-room and digital gaming experiences—and Boom Battle Bar, which blends competitive social activities with food and drinks. The company continues to pursue domestic and international expansion through a mix of owned sites and franchise partnerships.