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Oil prices declined in Asian markets on Monday, continuing a downward trend following August losses, as investors appeared less concerned about immediate supply disruptions from potential secondary sanctions on Russian crude. Attention shifted instead to new Chinese factory data for indications of demand.

At 23:01 ET (03:01 GMT), Brent crude for October delivery fell 0.4% to $67.21 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also declined 0.4%, settling at $63.78 per barrel. Both benchmarks recorded drops of more than 7% during August, pressured by concerns over oversupply amid steady OPEC+ production increases.

Market Shows Little Reaction to Russian Supply Sanction Risks

Hopes for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal have waned following U.S. President Donald Trump’s call last month for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold direct talks before considering a trilateral summit in Washington. Despite this, worries about potential sanctions on Russian oil buyers have eased.

“Oil prices settled lower last week despite growing European calls for secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil and gas. The mild reaction may suggest the market is becoming increasingly numb towards sanction risks,” ING analysts said in a note.

“And that to be effective, sanctions would likely need US backing. Up until now, the US has only imposed secondary tariffs on India for its purchases of Russian oil, not other key players like China,” they added.

In connection with India’s continued purchases of Russian crude, an additional 25% U.S. tariff on Indian imports came into effect last week, doubling the total duty to 50% as of August 27.

Traders Weigh Demand Outlook; China PMI in Focus

Seasonal trends are also under scrutiny, with U.S. fuel consumption expected to ease as the summer driving season winds down. Rising OPEC+ output in the coming months may increase supply further, potentially boosting inventories if economic growth remains slow.

Demand projections remain mixed following contrasting economic readings from China. The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) showed a contraction in August, while a private RatigDog survey indicated that factory activity rebounded at the fastest pace in five months.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Tower Resources (LSE:TRP) has expanded its Bridge Loan by £250,000, raising the total facility to £1,000,000. The additional funds will provide working capital for drilling the NJOM-3 well on the Thali license in Cameroon. This financing aligns with the company’s strategy to keep its drilling schedule on track while ongoing license extension and farm-out approvals are processed, underlining its commitment to advancing energy operations in Africa.

About Tower Resources

Tower Resources plc is an AIM-listed energy company focused on building a diversified portfolio of oil and gas assets across Africa. The company is advancing operations in Cameroon to generate cash flow through short-cycle development and rapid production, while mitigating exploration risks in Namibia and South Africa through the acquisition of 3D seismic data.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Kainos Group plc (LSE:KNOS) has released a trading update highlighting robust sales, with full-year revenues for March 2026 expected at the top of forecasts. Growth is being driven across multiple divisions, particularly Workday Products, which surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue. Revenue increases are also supported by new projects and significant contracts in healthcare and public sectors, while Workday Services continues expanding in Europe, North America, and other regions. Despite macroeconomic uncertainty, Kainos remains confident in its strategy, backed by a solid project backlog and a healthy pipeline, positioning the company for sustainable long-term shareholder value.

The company’s outlook reflects strong financial fundamentals and positive corporate developments, including share buybacks and strategic board appointments. However, some technical indicators are bearish and the P/E ratio remains relatively high, suggesting cautious monitoring. The dividend yield provides additional appeal, with a focus on tracking revenue growth and market trends.

About Kainos Group plc

Kainos Group plc is a UK-based IT provider specializing in Digital Services, Workday Services, and Workday Products. Serving public sector, commercial, and healthcare clients, Kainos delivers custom digital platforms, implements Workday finance, HR, and planning products, and enhances system security and compliance. The company operates in over 20 countries and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

XP Factory PLC (LSE:XPF) announced a 19% increase in group revenue to £57.8 million for the year ending March 2025, fueled by strong performance from its Escape Hunt and Boom Battle Bar brands. The company recorded a pre-IFRS 16 Group Adjusted EBITDA of £6.6 million, supported by solid site-level EBITDA margins and returns on capital. Growth was driven by new site openings, acquisitions, and the signing of a £10 million revolving credit facility with Barclays to underpin its accelerated expansion strategy. Investments in technology and data analytics are enhancing decision-making and customer experiences, with positive momentum in corporate bookings and a cautiously optimistic outlook for meeting market expectations.

About XP Factory PLC

XP Factory PLC is a UK-based experiential leisure company operating two fast-growing brands: Escape Hunt and Boom Battle Bar. Escape Hunt delivers immersive escape-the-room experiences through owner-operated UK sites and international franchises, complemented by digital games. Boom Battle Bar blends competitive social experiences with themed cocktails and street food, featuring games such as augmented reality darts and axe throwing. The company aims to expand both domestically and internationally, offering high-quality entertainment and interactive experiences.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

ValiRx PLC (LSE:VAL) reports that its subsidiary, Cytolytix Limited, has received a notice of allowance for a key European patent related to its nanoparticle technology for anti-cancer peptides, bolstering the company’s intellectual property portfolio. Cytolytix is also advancing its second-generation delivery platform and collaborating with partners to assess efficacy in cancer models, including triple-negative breast cancer and prostate cancer, with encouraging preliminary outcomes. These developments are expected to enhance ValiRx’s standing in the oncolytic peptide field and open avenues for partnerships and funding.

Financial challenges continue to influence ValiRx’s outlook, with significant losses and dependency on external financing weighing heavily. Technical indicators show a neutral to slightly positive trend, but the company’s negative valuation due to unprofitability remains a limiting factor. The lack of recent earnings calls or corporate events provides limited additional insight.

About ValiRx PLC

ValiRx PLC is a life sciences company focused on early-stage cancer therapeutics and women’s health. The company accelerates the translation of innovative science into impactful medicines, providing the scientific, financial, and commercial framework to advance promising drug candidates through optimized clinical development pathways.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Avacta Group plc (LSE:AVCT) has finalized the sale of its entire shareholding in Coris Bioconcept SRL to 3B BlackBio Dx Ltd, following completion of all closing requirements. This divestment allows Avacta to concentrate on its core business of developing targeted oncology therapies, potentially strengthening its position within the life sciences sector.

While strategic progress in its oncology programs offers some optimism, Avacta continues to face financial challenges, including ongoing losses and the need for additional funding. Technical indicators provide limited short-term support, but the overall outlook remains cautious.

About Avacta Group plc

Avacta Group plc is a clinical-stage life sciences company dedicated to developing innovative, targeted oncology drugs. Its proprietary pre|CISION® platform enables highly potent therapies to be delivered directly to tumor microenvironments while reducing effects on healthy tissues. Avacta’s pipeline includes pre|CISION® peptide drug conjugates and Affimer® drug conjugates, offering distinct advantages over conventional antibody-drug conjugates.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Journeo plc (LSE:JNEO) has announced a £3.5 million extension to its framework agreement with First Bus UK, now covering the newly acquired First Bus London fleet. The expansion will provide advanced 5G vehicle gateways, digital CCTV, and digital wing mirror technology, supporting Journeo’s efforts to contribute to the decarbonization of London’s public transport system and strengthen its market presence.

Journeo’s solid financial performance, demonstrated through consistent revenue growth and stability, remains a key strength. Technical indicators offer a cautious view due to mixed signals, while the company’s valuation appears fair. The absence of recent earnings calls or corporate events does not materially affect the outlook.

About Journeo

Journeo plc is a leading provider of Intelligent Transport Systems, delivering solutions for cities, towns, airports, and public transport networks. The company works closely with local authorities, Network Rail, and multinational transport operators to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Operating through five subsidiaries, Journeo focuses on fleet systems, passenger systems, information displays, and technical services across the UK and Scandinavia. Significant investment in R&D supports innovative, scalable solutions that integrate with existing technologies.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Dialight plc (LSE:DIA) has reported a slight drop in sales for the five months ending August 2025, citing tariff uncertainties and a challenging macroeconomic environment affecting its hazardous area markets. Despite these pressures, the company remains confident in its profit and cash generation prospects, highlighting margin improvements, cost savings, and foreign exchange gains. Net debt has been reduced, and Dialight expects to meet market expectations for the fiscal year ending March 2026.

The outlook combines strong revenue growth and positive corporate developments with ongoing profitability challenges and valuation concerns. Technical indicators show mixed signals, reflecting short-term bullish momentum alongside potential oversold conditions. While the company’s return to profitability and strategic initiatives are encouraging, operational inefficiencies and cash flow management remain key risks.

About Dialight

Dialight plc is a global provider of sustainable LED lighting solutions for industrial applications. The company delivers next-generation lighting products designed to enhance energy efficiency and safety, offering superior performance, reliability, and durability while reducing energy usage and maintenance costs. Headquartered in the UK, Dialight operates across multiple regions including Australia, Dubai, Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, the UK, and the USA.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

eEnergy Group plc (LSE:EAAS) has been appointed as the preferred supplier for the Great British Energy Solar Partnership’s Midlands Lot 1, tasked with installing rooftop solar PV systems across up to 47 schools. The project strengthens eEnergy’s position as a leading provider of solar and LED solutions in the UK education sector and represents a key milestone in its focus on public sector contracts. Completion is expected by March 2026, with most revenue anticipated in FY26, highlighting the company’s commitment to lowering energy costs and reducing carbon footprints in schools.

The company continues to face financial challenges, including persistent losses and weak cash flow management. Technical indicators offer mixed signals, showing the stock approaching overbought levels but with limited momentum. A negative P/E ratio underscores ongoing financial constraints, resulting in a cautious overall outlook.

About eEnergy Group

eEnergy Group plc is a digital energy services provider specializing in solutions that support B2B and public sector organizations in achieving Net Zero. Its offerings include LED lighting and controls, solar PV installations, and EV charging management, all delivered with minimal upfront capital requirements. eEnergy has completed over 1,100 decarbonization projects and partnered with more than 840 schools, establishing itself as a market leader in the education sector.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Supreme PLC (LSE:SUP) has purchased the trade and intellectual property of the renowned 1001 Carpet Care brand from the WD-40 Company for £1.65 million, with additional contingent payments linked to future sales performance. The acquisition supports Supreme’s strategy to expand its consumer goods portfolio, providing access to new retail channels and the opportunity to grow 1001 into a broader household cleaning brand. The deal is expected to contribute to earnings immediately and integrate seamlessly without disrupting existing customer service.

Supreme’s financial strength—demonstrated through solid revenue and profit growth, efficient balance sheet management, and strong cash flow—remains a key factor in the stock’s appeal. Strategic corporate moves, including acquisitions and market expansion, further enhance investor confidence. While technical analysis shows some resistance levels, the company’s low P/E ratio and attractive dividend yield make it a compelling option for value-focused investors.

About Supreme PLC

Supreme PLC is a leading manufacturer, supplier, and brand owner in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. Operating across three divisions—Vaping, Drinks & Wellness, and Electricals—the company maintains a vertically integrated platform covering product development, manufacturing, and extensive retail distribution. Its portfolio includes globally recognized brands as well as in-house labels like 88Vape, and it has grown through acquisitions such as Typhoo Tea and Clearly Drinks.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.