Blog

Sentry 7 PLC (AQSE:SVN) confirmed its change of name from Vault Ventures PLC, with the new ticker SVN is now live on the Aquis Growth Market as the Company advances its post-quantum cryptography platform for financial institutions. Read more

Mollyroe plc (AQSE:MOY) announced that its subsidiary Cascade has launched a global filmmaking competition in partnership with BytePlus and Seedance, both divisions of ByteDance, with a US$100,000 prize pool.

Simon Windsor, CEO of Cascade Studios, commented: “Cascade gives filmmakers the platform and tools to produce Hollywood-grade work without the traditional barriers of cost and scale. We’re proud to partner with BytePlus and Seedance to launch the Greenlight Film Competition, an opportunity to discover bold new storytellers and back the projects they deserve to make.” Read more

Sulnox Group PLC (AQSE:SNOX) reported a record Q2 trading update for the period ended September 2026, with quarterly revenue of £984,200 — up 45% year-on-year and up 19% on Q1.

Ben Richardson, CEO: “Another record quarter reflects customers moving beyond evaluation to repeat orders and longer-term commitments. Our four-year agreements with EPS and Spring Marine provide a stronger foundation for growth, backed by increased inventory to fulfil those commitments. The direction of travel also favours Sulnox: evolving fuel mixes and the regulatory focus on emissions are reinforcing the need for efficient, reliable combustion across conventional fuels and biofuel blends.” Read more

Ajax Resources PLC (AQSE:AJAX) confirmed both technical reviews of its Macacha EIA in Argentina have been completed without observations, with approval and the start of drilling now anticipated before the end of October 2026. The Company also announced the engagement of Andes Exploration and the appointment of its CEO Leandro Sastre, formerly of Barrick Gold, as Qualified Person for the project, alongside a new Macacha IV licence application.

Leandro Sastre, Qualified Person: “Macacha is a project with a substantial history of exploration and development work, including historical pilot-scale copper production and approximately US$25 million of previous investment. Historical drilling has returned significant copper grades over substantial intervals, including 49.18 metres at 1.477% copper and 47.53 metres at 1.082% copper, demonstrating the potential of the mineralised systems.” Read more

Cascade Studio AI plc (AQSE:CASC) confirmed its change of name from Mollyroe plc, with the new ticker CASC now live on the Aquis Growth Market. Read more

All Aquis Stock Exchange Announcements

Oil prices moved lower on Friday, 16 October 2026, although both major benchmarks remained on course for weekly increases as concerns about Middle Eastern supply disruptions and a substantial decline in US crude inventories continued to support the market.

Brent crude futures fell 47 cents, or 0.44%, to $105.45 a barrel at 07:47 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures declined by 62 cents, or 0.63%, to $97.35 a barrel.

Despite the daily losses, Brent was heading for a weekly gain of 0.72%, while WTI had risen 5.9%.

The stronger performance of the US benchmark followed a rise of more than 3% on Thursday, when a larger-than-expected reduction in American crude stockpiles highlighted the effects of hurricane-related production interruptions.

European diesel refining margins also weakened after the International Energy Agency (IEA) approved the release of additional fuel supplies.

Middle East Tensions Continue to Influence Crude Prices

Uncertainty surrounding oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remained a central factor affecting global crude markets.

Military activity near the waterway has raised concerns about the reliability of supplies moving from the Persian Gulf to international customers.

Analysts at ING said the possibility of continued disruptions was contributing to a substantial geopolitical premium in oil prices.

“Uncertainty in the Middle East and concerns over the sustainability of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz has the market pricing in a significant risk premium,” ING analysts wrote.

The analysts added that an agreement between the United States and Iran would be needed to strengthen confidence that higher export volumes could be maintained.

Attacks around the Strait of Hormuz have increased over the past ten days, according to the report.

Iran said it was expanding its strikes in response to the US blockade of Iranian ports and stricter sanctions introduced during the previous month.

The escalation has complicated expectations for the recovery of oil shipments through the region.

Kpler Data Shows Hormuz Oil Flows at 68% of Normal Levels

Shipping figures indicated that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained substantially below its normal level.

Vessel-tracking company Kpler reported that total clearance through the waterway averaged 11.62 million barrels per day during the seven days ending 13 October.

That compared with a baseline of 17.15 million barrels per day, meaning reported volumes were approximately 68% of the reference level.

The difference represents a reduction of around 5.53 million barrels per day.

Kpler analysts linked the decline to increased Iranian military activity.

“Intensified Iranian attacks drove Gulf crude flows sharply lower,” the analysts said in a report published Thursday.

They also indicated that the recovery in shipping activity was likely to be slower and less consistent without a comprehensive political settlement.

The reduced flow of crude through Hormuz remains a significant source of uncertainty for energy markets, particularly while military activity continues.

US Crude Stockpile Decline Strengthens WTI Performance

A larger-than-expected reduction in US crude inventories provided additional support for American oil prices during the week.

WTI futures gained more than 3% on Thursday following the inventory figures.

The decline in stockpiles was partly associated with hurricane-related shutdowns that interrupted domestic oil production.

Such disruptions can temporarily reduce the amount of crude available to the market, affecting both inventories and price expectations.

The development contributed to WTI’s 5.9% weekly advance, considerably exceeding Brent’s 0.72% increase.

However, the US benchmark gave back some of those gains on Friday, declining 0.63% to $97.35 a barrel.

Brent also weakened, falling 0.44% to $105.45.

The contrasting daily and weekly movements reflected continued uncertainty about both regional supply interruptions and global market conditions.

IEA Diesel Release Reduces European Refining Margins

European diesel refining margins declined after the International Energy Agency agreed on Thursday to release more than 20 million barrels of diesel.

Margins fell by nearly 2% on Friday to $78.67 a barrel.

The additional supplies are intended to provide relief to a market affected by disruptions associated with the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.

European diesel refining margins had climbed to approximately $95 a barrel during September as supply availability tightened.

The planned release could help ease some of those pressures by increasing the amount of fuel available to buyers.

However, the effect on prices and refining margins will depend on the timing and distribution of the additional diesel.

The decline in margins occurred alongside continued concerns about crude oil supplies, illustrating the different factors affecting refined products and unprocessed petroleum.

Yemen Attacks Add to Regional Security Concerns

Additional military developments in Yemen contributed to uncertainty across the Middle East.

According to the report, Houthi forces launched missiles towards the presidential palace complex in Aden on Thursday, killing two guards.

The Saudi-led coalition involved in Yemen also reported dozens of attacks targeting infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

The incidents occurred against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions.

Security concerns affecting energy facilities and maritime routes can influence the cost and availability of oil transportation.

The latest developments therefore added to the broader supply risks being assessed by traders.

Washington Considers Changes to Shadow Fleet Sanctions

The US administration is reportedly examining whether to lift sanctions on certain oil tankers associated with the so-called shadow fleet.

A US official said on Wednesday that the discussions were intended to help reduce record global shipping costs.

The vessels under consideration have transported oil and petroleum products from countries including Russia, Iran and Venezuela.

The potential changes follow President Donald Trump’s temporary suspension of sanctions on Russian diesel fuel.

That decision attracted criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, European governments and some members of Trump’s Republican Party.

The wider proposal concerning shadow fleet vessels remains under consideration, with no final decision confirmed in the report.

If implemented, changes to sanctions could affect tanker availability and international freight rates, although the scale of any impact remains uncertain.

Oil Markets Continue to Assess Supply and Geopolitical Risks

Oil prices remained on track for weekly gains despite Friday’s decline, supported by reduced US inventories and concerns about Middle Eastern export flows.

WTI outperformed Brent during the week, reflecting the influence of domestic stockpile data and hurricane-related production disruptions.

Meanwhile, Kpler’s shipping figures indicated that oil movements through the Strait of Hormuz remained well below their normal level.

The IEA’s decision to release additional diesel provided a separate source of supply relief for European fuel markets.

Further developments involving the United States, Iran, regional shipping security and energy sanctions are likely to remain important considerations for crude oil prices.

Gold prices moved higher in early trading on Friday, 16 October 2026, extending their recovery from the previous session as falling US government bond yields and a softer dollar provided support despite uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s interest rate outlook.

Spot gold increased by 0.1% to $4,174.76 an ounce at 00:49 ET (04:49 GMT), while US gold futures advanced 0.6% to $4,195.87.

The gains followed a 1.6% increase in gold prices on Thursday, the metal’s strongest daily performance in more than two weeks.

Other precious metals also strengthened. Silver rose 0.6% to $57.7855 an ounce, platinum gained 0.6% to $1,640.78, and palladium increased 0.9% to $1,143.00.

Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index declined by 0.2% to 101.9, providing an additional favourable influence on dollar-priced commodities.

Treasury Bond Buying Pushes Yields Lower

Gold benefited from a decline in US Treasury yields as investors increased their holdings of government debt following losses in global equity markets.

Concerns about the financial sustainability of substantial artificial intelligence investment programmes contributed to selling pressure on technology stocks.

Investors have been reassessing the scale of capital expenditure required to develop AI infrastructure and the timeframe over which companies may generate returns from those investments.

The resulting shift towards government bonds pushed Treasury yields lower by as much as 12 to 15 basis points across different maturities.

Falling bond yields can improve the relative appeal of gold because the precious metal does not provide interest income.

When returns available from government securities decline, the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets such as gold may also decrease.

Although equity market conditions began to stabilise on Friday, the earlier movement into fixed-income securities continued to provide support for bullion.

Weaker Dollar Contributes to Precious Metals Recovery

Currency movements also influenced precious metals trading.

The US Dollar Index fell 0.2% to 101.9, making dollar-denominated commodities relatively less expensive for investors holding other currencies.

Gold prices consequently benefited from two developments: lower Treasury yields and a weaker US currency.

The improvement extended beyond gold, with silver, platinum and palladium all recording gains during the early session.

Silver traded at $57.7855 an ounce following a 0.6% increase, while platinum rose by the same percentage to $1,640.78.

Palladium recorded the largest percentage advance among the four metals, gaining 0.9% to $1,143.00.

The movements indicated broader strength across precious metals despite continuing uncertainty surrounding inflation and US monetary policy.

Gold Remains Under Pressure From Elevated Borrowing Costs

The recent gains followed a prolonged period of weakness in gold prices.

According to the supplied market report, bullion has lost approximately one-fifth of its value since the outbreak of the US-Iran war in late February.

Elevated borrowing costs have been a significant factor affecting the metal’s performance.

Higher interest rates can make interest-bearing securities more attractive relative to gold, which does not generate regular income.

The decline in Treasury yields during the previous session therefore provided some relief from the pressure associated with higher financing costs.

However, the recovery has not eliminated the broader challenges facing gold, particularly if US interest rates remain elevated or increase further.

Geopolitical developments and energy market conditions may also influence inflation expectations and the outlook for monetary policy.

Stronger US Inflation Data Raises Prospect of October Rate Increase

Investors are assessing the implications of recent US economic releases for the Federal Reserve’s next monetary policy decision.

September’s consumer price index, published on Wednesday, came in above expectations, reinforcing concerns about persistent inflation.

Additional figures covering producer prices and retail sales were released on Thursday, contributing to the market’s assessment of economic conditions.

Following the data, expectations increased that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates in October.

A potential rate increase presents a challenge for gold because tighter monetary policy can support Treasury yields and the dollar.

Both developments can reduce the relative attractiveness of precious metals, although actual price movements also depend on investor demand and broader financial conditions.

The contrast between falling Treasury yields and expectations of a possible rate increase has contributed to uncertainty about gold’s near-term direction.

Kevin Warsh Remarks Expected to Provide Policy Guidance

Market attention is also focused on a scheduled speech by Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh at an International Monetary Fund meeting in Bangkok.

Warsh is expected to speak at 10:30 a.m. local time on Friday.

Investors will be looking for indications of how the central bank is interpreting the latest inflation figures and whether policymakers see a need for additional monetary tightening.

His comments may also provide insight into the importance the Federal Reserve is placing on employment, consumer spending and broader economic activity.

The speech comes as financial markets reassess the likelihood of an October interest rate increase following the latest economic data.

Any changes in expectations for US monetary policy could affect Treasury yields, currency markets and precious metals prices.

Gold Market Outlook Remains Linked to Monetary Policy

Gold’s advance on Friday extended the recovery that began during the previous session, supported by lower government bond yields and a decline in the US dollar.

Spot prices reached $4,174.76 an ounce, while US futures climbed to $4,195.87.

Nevertheless, the metal continues to face uncertainty arising from elevated interest rates, stronger-than-expected US inflation and the possibility of further Federal Reserve tightening.

The next direction for gold will depend partly on how Treasury yields and the dollar respond to incoming economic information and central bank communications.

European and British wholesale natural gas prices remained broadly stable on Friday, 16 October 2026, trading near their highest levels since late 2022 as concerns over liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries, Norwegian infrastructure disruptions and relatively low European storage levels continued to influence the market.

The benchmark Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) front-month futures contract traded at approximately €86.10 per megawatt-hour (MWh), little changed during the session. The contract was heading for a weekly increase of almost 6%, marking its third consecutive week of gains.

In Britain, the National Balancing Point (NBP) wholesale gas contract held near 213.00 pence per therm, putting it on course for a weekly rise of 5.3%.

Supply concerns remained a principal factor supporting prices, while forecasts of milder temperatures helped limit further increases during Friday’s trading.

Dutch TTF Gas Futures Approach Highest Levels Since 2022

The Dutch TTF front-month natural gas contract traded at €86.10/MWh on Friday, remaining close to its highest level since late 2022.

Prices were broadly unchanged on the day following a period of sustained increases.

The European benchmark was heading for a weekly gain of almost 6%, extending its upward movement for a third consecutive week.

The recent increases have coincided with disruptions affecting international LNG shipments and pipeline deliveries into Europe.

Market participants have also been assessing the implications of lower regional gas inventories ahead of the winter heating season.

Although prices stabilised during Friday’s session, the underlying supply concerns remained unresolved.

UK Wholesale Gas Prices Rise 5.3% Over the Week

British wholesale natural gas prices followed a similar pattern to those in continental Europe.

The UK NBP contract traded at approximately 213.00 pence per therm, with limited movement during Friday’s session.

The contract was heading for a weekly increase of 5.3%, extending its gains for a third consecutive week.

The movements reflected the interconnected nature of European gas markets, where developments affecting international LNG availability and regional pipeline supplies can influence prices across multiple trading hubs.

Britain and continental Europe both depend on a combination of domestic production, pipeline imports, LNG deliveries and stored gas to meet demand.

The recent price increases have occurred as traders reassess the availability and cost of gas supplies ahead of winter.

Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Affect LNG Deliveries

Maritime security concerns near the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to uncertainty surrounding global LNG supplies.

According to the market report, continuing attacks on shipping and changes in targeting tactics have restricted LNG deliveries moving through the Persian Gulf.

The disruption has affected the movement of seaborne gas supplies towards international markets, including Europe.

Some LNG carriers have faced extended journeys and higher transportation costs because of rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope.

Longer shipping routes have delayed the arrival of spot LNG cargoes at European regasification terminals.

These developments have contributed to concerns about the availability of imported gas and the costs associated with securing replacement supplies.

The report does not quantify the total volume of LNG deliveries delayed or disrupted.

Norwegian Gas Infrastructure Outages Reduce Pipeline Supplies

European gas markets have also been affected by unplanned maintenance interruptions at Norwegian energy infrastructure.

Earlier in the week, outages at several facilities reduced the availability of pipeline gas deliveries to Western European markets.

The disruptions included reduced processing capacity at Norway’s Kårstø gas processing plant.

Lower processing volumes constrained the amount of gas available for delivery through the pipeline network.

The interruptions added to existing concerns about LNG imports, increasing competition for supplies available on European wholesale markets.

Norway is an important pipeline gas supplier to European countries, making changes in its infrastructure availability relevant to regional gas prices.

The supplied report does not specify when normal processing capacity at the affected facilities is expected to resume.

European Gas Storage Levels Stand at Approximately 74%

European Union underground natural gas storage facilities were approximately 74% full, according to the figures cited in the market report.

That compares with a historical average of around 86% for mid-October, leaving current inventories 12 percentage points below the level typically recorded at this time of year.

The difference indicates that the region is entering the winter heating period with a smaller inventory buffer than usual.

Stored gas is an important source of supply during colder months, when heating demand generally increases.

Lower inventories can increase the market’s sensitivity to unexpected supply interruptions or periods of stronger consumption.

The current storage position has therefore become an important consideration for traders assessing European gas prices over the coming months.

Milder Weather Forecasts Limit Friday’s Price Movements

Short-term weather forecasts indicating relatively mild temperatures helped stabilise European natural gas prices during Friday’s session.

Milder conditions can reduce heating demand and limit the immediate need to withdraw gas from storage facilities.

However, the influence of weather forecasts was balanced by concerns about LNG shipments, Norwegian pipeline deliveries and the region’s storage position.

Market participants remain attentive to the possibility of colder weather later in October.

A period of unexpectedly low temperatures could increase demand for gas at a time when storage levels are below their historical average.

Additional interruptions to LNG deliveries or pipeline supplies could also place renewed upward pressure on wholesale prices.

These remain potential scenarios rather than confirmed future developments.

European Gas Markets Face Supply Risks Ahead of Winter

European natural gas prices were on course to complete a third consecutive week of gains, with Dutch TTF futures approaching a 6% weekly increase and British NBP prices rising approximately 5.3%.

The advances have been supported by uncertainty over LNG deliveries through the Persian Gulf, disruptions to Norwegian gas infrastructure and European storage levels below their historical mid-October average.

Although forecasts of milder weather helped keep prices broadly stable on Friday, supply conditions remain an important factor in the market outlook.

Further price movements will depend on developments in international LNG shipping, the restoration of Norwegian gas processing capacity, weather conditions and the rate at which European storage inventories are drawn down.

Eurozone government bond yields remained close to multi-week lows on Friday as investors continued to favour sovereign debt following a global sell-off in technology shares and growing concerns about corporate borrowing associated with artificial intelligence investment.

Germany’s 10-year government bond yield, a key benchmark for eurozone borrowing costs, traded at 3.404%, remaining near the lowest level recorded in more than a month during the previous session.

The two-year German Bund yield declined to 3.059%, marking its third consecutive daily fall after reaching its lowest level in more than a week on Thursday.

Demand for government bonds increased as investors reduced exposure to equities and corporate credit markets, with uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence investment returns contributing to the shift towards lower-risk assets.

German Government Bond Yields Extend Recent Declines

German sovereign debt remained supported as investors maintained demand for government bonds across different maturities.

The benchmark 10-year Bund yield traded at 3.404%, close to its lowest level in more than a month.

Meanwhile, the two-year Bund yield fell to 3.059%, extending its decline for a third consecutive session.

Bond yields generally move inversely to prices, meaning the recent reduction in yields reflects increased demand for German government securities.

The movements indicate renewed investor interest in sovereign bonds as a means of reducing portfolio exposure to volatility in other financial markets.

Longer-duration government debt can provide diversification during periods of falling yields, although its prices remain sensitive to changes in interest rate expectations.

Global Technology Sell-Off Increases Demand for Sovereign Debt

The decline in European government bond yields followed a broader reduction in investor appetite for risk.

Global technology shares, particularly large companies associated with artificial intelligence, came under pressure amid concerns about the timing of returns on substantial capital expenditure programmes.

Investors have also been assessing the increasing borrowing requirements of companies financing data centres and other AI-related infrastructure.

The combination of elevated investment spending and uncertainty about future profitability has contributed to volatility across equity and corporate credit markets.

As a result, institutional investors have increased allocations to highly liquid sovereign debt, including German government bonds.

The shift has supported European government bond prices despite continued uncertainty surrounding energy markets and inflation.

Corporate Borrowing and Credit Risk Remain in Focus

Corporate debt market developments have also contributed to the demand for government securities.

Increased issuance of corporate bonds has added to the supply of debt available to investors, while widening credit default swap spreads have indicated higher market prices for protection against corporate defaults.

These developments have drawn attention to the financing requirements of companies investing heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Investors have consequently reassessed their exposure to corporate credit risk and the potential effects of higher borrowing costs.

Core European government bonds have attracted demand as an alternative to corporate debt during the period of increased market volatility.

However, sovereign securities remain exposed to interest rate movements and other market risks, even when they are treated as relatively low-risk assets.

ECB Inflation Outlook Complicated by Energy Prices

The European Central Bank’s monetary policy outlook remains an important factor for eurozone government bond markets.

Energy supply disruptions and persistent commodity price pressures continue to create uncertainty about the medium-term inflation outlook.

These conditions could influence expectations for future interest rate decisions, particularly if higher energy costs contribute to sustained inflation.

Nevertheless, recent bond market movements suggest that demand for protection against financial market volatility has outweighed immediate concerns about potentially restrictive monetary policy.

Investors are balancing inflation risks against the potential effects of weaker financial market sentiment and changes in economic growth expectations.

The ECB has not announced a new policy decision in the supplied report.

French Fiscal Deficit Keeps Sovereign Spreads Under Scrutiny

Investors are also monitoring yield spreads between German government bonds and debt issued by other eurozone countries.

Attention remains focused on France’s fiscal position following comments attributed to European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde concerning the country’s budget deficit.

The report cites a French fiscal deficit equivalent to 5.4% of gross domestic product and indicates that Lagarde has emphasised the responsibility of French lawmakers to address the shortfall through domestic fiscal measures.

The comments have contributed to discussion about the circumstances under which the ECB might intervene in sovereign bond markets.

In particular, investors have been considering the Transmission Protection Instrument, or TPI, which is designed to address certain forms of unwarranted market disruption that threaten the transmission of monetary policy.

The supplied report does not indicate that the ECB is preparing to activate the instrument.

US Treasury Yields Also Decline

European bond markets have also been influenced by movements in US government debt.

The benchmark US 10-year Treasury yield has retreated from levels above 5.30%, which the report describes as highs not seen since 2002.

Lower US Treasury yields have coincided with reduced upward pressure on European government borrowing costs.

Changes in US yields can affect international bond markets through investor allocations, interest rate expectations and global financing conditions.

Against this background, the German 10-year Bund yield remained close to 3.40% heading into the weekend.

Eurozone Bond Markets Balance Safe-Haven Demand and Inflation Risks

The recent decline in German government bond yields reflects increased demand for sovereign debt during a period of volatility in global technology shares and corporate credit markets.

Concerns about artificial intelligence investment returns, corporate borrowing requirements and credit risk have contributed to the movement towards government securities.

At the same time, energy prices, ECB policy expectations and fiscal developments in eurozone countries remain relevant to the outlook for bond yields.

Germany’s 10-year yield stood at 3.404%, while the two-year yield reached 3.059%, leaving both maturities near their recent lows.