Blog

Restore PLC (LSE:RST) has reported a solid financial performance for the first half of 2025, with revenue climbing 15% to £160.1 million, largely fueled by recent acquisitions. The company also achieved a 17.7% adjusted operating margin, while adjusted profit before tax rose 10% year-on-year to £18.0 million.

Although net debt increased as a result of acquisition activity, Restore maintained healthy cash flow generation and announced a 10% boost to its interim dividend, underscoring management’s confidence in the business.

Key strategic developments during the period included the award of a major medical record digitization contract with Oxford University Hospitals, as well as progress in consolidating its Information Management real estate footprint. These initiatives are aligned with the company’s medium-term ambition of achieving a 20% adjusted operating margin.

Looking ahead, Restore remains optimistic, supported by a strong operational track record and strategic growth drivers. However, some market analysts note that the company’s elevated valuation and technical indicators signal potential caution. Despite this, Restore’s continued focus on integration, operational efficiency, and high-margin services offers a compelling long-term investment case.

About Restore PLC

Restore PLC is a UK-based leader in secure and sustainable business services, specializing in the management of data, communications, and physical assets. The company’s Information Management division generates recurring revenue through storage services and has been bolstered by recent acquisitions, including Synertec—a high-growth addition that broadens Restore’s capabilities in digital transformation and communications.

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.

Novacyt S.A. (LSE:NCYT) has released an unaudited trading update for the first half of 2025, indicating group revenue of approximately £9.8 million. While this represents a modest year-on-year decline, the company highlighted notable progress in its clinical division and growing adoption of its non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) technologies, especially within the Asia-Pacific region.

The company emphasized its strong financial footing, remaining entirely debt-free and maintaining a robust cash reserve. This financial strength is expected to support its trajectory toward achieving EBITDA profitability in the near term.

A key highlight of the period was the launch of LightBench® Discover, a new genomics platform designed to accelerate research capabilities. This innovation marks a significant step forward for Novacyt following its recent corporate restructuring and strengthens its position in the genomic research field.

About Novacyt

Novacyt is a global molecular diagnostics provider specializing in genomic medicine. The company offers a comprehensive range of integrated technologies and services, supporting diagnostic applications across human and animal health as well as environmental monitoring.

Its operations span three core segments: Clinical, Instrumentation, and Research Use Only. With a commercial footprint in more than 65 countries, Novacyt continues to serve a diverse and growing international market.

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.

Ariana Resources plc (LSE:AAU), a company focused on gold exploration and development, has finalized the institutional bookbuild process ahead of its proposed dual listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), according to an announcement released on Monday.

The upcoming ASX offering will involve the issuance of between 35.7 million and 53.6 million Chess Depositary Interests (CDIs), priced at A$0.28 per CDI. The company expects to raise between A$10 million and A$15 million before expenses. Each CDI will represent 10 ordinary shares in Ariana Resources.

The offering is structured to include several components: a Broker Firm Offer aimed at Australian retail investors, an Institutional Offer available to investors in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, and the UK, and a General Offer for eligible Australian residents.

Shaw and Partners Limited has been appointed as Lead Manager for the ASX offering, with Leeuwin Wealth Pty. Ltd. joining as Co-Manager.

Ariana is planning to lodge a formal prospectus with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on July 29. Subject to regulatory approvals and minimum subscription thresholds being met, the company anticipates that trading on the ASX under the ticker “AA2” will commence around September 15.

This dual listing initiative received the green light from shareholders during the company’s Annual General Meeting held on July 9. It remains subject to final approval from the ASX.

Ariana Resources holds a diversified portfolio of gold and copper-gold assets, including a major development project in Zimbabwe, operational gold production in Türkiye, and ongoing exploration and development ventures in Cyprus and Kosovo.

This update is based on a press release issued by the company on Monday.

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.

This Wednesday, July 30, the FOMC will announce its decision on the benchmark interest rate. The baseline scenario — anticipated both by the markets (judging by the optimism in the S&P 500) and suggested in recent statements by Fed members including Bostic and Harker — is that rates will remain unchanged at 4.5%.

The reason remains the same as before: inflationary risks from higher tariffs. One might ask why a significant effect has not yet been observed; the answer is that much of the impact of the tariffs is still being absorbed by U.S. companies, which have seen their profit margins shrink. But this will not last forever.

According to the Fed’s Beige Book, which compiles information from business leaders in the central bank’s 12 districts, if import cost pressures remain high in the coming months, there is a growing risk that consumer prices will begin to rise more rapidly in late summer. Already in June, U.S. consumer prices rose.

We cannot necessarily expect a significant change in Powell’s rhetoric at his press conference now that the U.S. has reached a trade deal with Japan and a preliminary agreement with Europe and is expected to announce another delay in tariffs on China (originally set to go into effect on August 12).

Starting with Japan, the agreement remains little more than a handshake. The final terms have yet to be finalized in an official document, and, according to inside sources, legal terms and key details are still being negotiated. There is no clear timetable as to when the promised investments will materialize.

The picture for Europe is even more confusing. Nothing has been formally signed, and the so-called “deal” has already provoked negative reactions within the EU. Several member states and industries argue that it is one-sided — favoring Washington — and that Europe has given too much for too little.

Even if both agreements are finally signed, the tariffs will not disappear. That means that price pressures will remain. Sooner or later, companies will stop absorbing the additional costs and start passing them on to consumers. It is therefore too early to say that inflation risks have finally disappeared…

European stocks were broadly mixed on Monday, giving up early gains after a closely watched trade agreement between the United States and the European Union helped ease fears of escalating tensions.

The deal, which averted a potential trade conflict, initially provided a lift to investor sentiment. However, markets have since settled into a more cautious stance as attention shifts to a busy week filled with major catalysts — including a U.S. Federal Reserve rate decision, important economic data, and high-profile tech earnings.

In early afternoon trading, France’s CAC 40 edged up by 0.1%, while Germany’s DAX slipped 0.1%. Meanwhile, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 gained 0.2%.

Technology stocks showed relative strength, with ASML Holding NV (EU:ASML) soaring nearly 5% amid renewed enthusiasm for the sector.

Among corporate movers, Dutch brewing giant Heineken Holding (EU:HEIA) sank 4% despite posting first-half earnings that beat analyst forecasts.

Pernod Ricard (EU:RI) dropped 1.4%, while beer conglomerate Anheuser-Busch InBev (EU:ABI) also fell 1.2%, contributing to weakness in the beverage sector.

On the upside, German wind turbine maker Nordex (TG:NDX1) rallied 5% after announcing it had secured 2.3 gigawatts of new orders in Q2 2025 — an 81.7% increase over the same quarter last year.

British retail giant Tesco (LSE:TSCO) declined more than 1% following an update on its ongoing share repurchase initiative.

With several high-impact events still to come this week, including the Fed’s policy statement and earnings from companies like Apple and Microsoft, markets may continue to show volatility and sector rotation.

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.

U.S. stock futures indicate a slightly higher open on Monday, suggesting that the positive momentum from recent sessions may carry forward.

Investor optimism follows news of a last-minute trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union, alongside reports that the U.S. and China are expected to prolong their tariff ceasefire by an additional 90 days.

The new U.S.-EU agreement features a 15% tariff on European imports, a significant reduction from the initially proposed 30%.

In return, the EU has pledged to purchase $750 billion in U.S. energy and boost investments in the American economy by $600 billion.

Despite the upbeat trade news, trading volume might remain muted as investors await the Federal Reserve’s upcoming monetary policy announcement later this week.

Although the Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates steady, the statement could influence future rate expectations.

Market attention will also turn to the Labor Department’s upcoming jobs report and earnings releases from key tech giants including Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META).

Last week ended on a high note for U.S. markets, with the Dow recovering losses from the previous day, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 closed at new record highs.

On Friday, all three indexes opened modestly higher and maintained gains throughout the session.

The Dow added 208.01 points, or 0.5%, finishing at 44,901.92. The Nasdaq rose 50.36 points, or 0.2%, closing at 21,108.32, and the S&P 500 gained 25.29 points, or 0.4%, ending at 6,388.64.

This strength reflects growing confidence that trade agreements will be finalized ahead of President Donald Trump’s August 1 deadline for extending “reciprocal tariffs.”

With just days remaining, several U.S. trade partners are racing to negotiate deals to avoid steep tariff increases on their exports starting August 1.

In contrast, European markets showed less enthusiasm, weighed down by uncertainty surrounding the trade talks and some disappointing earnings reports.

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.

On Monday afternoon, British equities softened following an initial boost fueled by the weekend’s U.S.-EU trade agreement, while wider European markets maintained their upward momentum.

By 11:55 GMT, the FTSE 100 index had slipped 0.2%, with the British pound easing 0.1% against the U.S. dollar, trading near 1.34. In continental Europe, Germany’s DAX hovered near unchanged levels, and France’s CAC 40 rose modestly by 0.3%.

Details of the U.S.-EU trade agreement

Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen finalized a trade framework that introduces a 15% import tariff on most European goods entering the U.S. In exchange, the EU committed to investing $600 billion in the American economy.

This agreement, reached during talks in Scotland, represents a compromise following the EU’s initial hopes for zero tariffs. The agreed 15% levy is notably lower than the 30% tariff threat previously floated.

Cranswick delivers robust Q1 results

Cranswick PLC (LSE:CWK), the UK-based food producer, posted a strong start to the year, with like-for-like revenues climbing 7.9%, driven by solid demand for its premium meat lines and recent contract wins.

The company’s total revenue rose 9.7% during the quarter, surpassing its fiscal 2026 guidance of 7%. Growth was further supported by acquisitions such as sausage manufacturer Blakemans, which was integrated earlier this year.

Computacenter lifts profit outlook, shares gain

Shares of Computacenter (LSE:CCC) advanced after the IT services firm upgraded its full-year profit forecast. The company cited unexpectedly robust growth in North America and the UK markets, even as it faces challenges in Germany and France.

Computacenter now anticipates its adjusted EBIT for 2025 to exceed the previous year’s results.

STV Group shares tumble following profit warning

Conversely, STV Group plc (LSE:STVG) shares tumbled more than 23% after the media company issued a profit warning. STV warned that its 2025 revenue and earnings would fall “materially below consensus” due to a weakening advertising and commissioning environment.

The company now forecasts full-year revenue between £165 million and £180 million, with an adjusted operating margin near 7%.

Tasty shares soar as ex-PizzaExpress CEO considered for board role

Meanwhile, Tasty Plc (LSE:TAST) stock jumped over 54% after confirming ongoing advanced talks with former PizzaExpress CEO David Page about a potential board appointment. The casual dining operator issued the statement amid recent share price volatility and media speculation.

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.

U.S. equity markets closed higher on Friday, rounding out a robust week driven by strong corporate earnings and encouraging trade developments.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.40%, closing at a record 6,388.64—its 14th all-time high of 2025. The Nasdaq Composite also hit new record territory, finishing up 0.24% at 21,108.32. Both indexes set fresh intraday peaks during Friday’s session. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 208.01 points (0.47%) to 44,901.92, within a quarter percent of its December record close.

Over the course of the week, the Dow gained approximately 1.3%, the Nasdaq added 1%, and the S&P 500 rose 1.5%.

Looking ahead, investors face a week packed with potentially market-moving events. Foremost is the August 1 deadline when President Donald Trump plans to impose higher tariffs on numerous U.S. trading partners unless new trade accords are finalized. This looming threat could introduce volatility into an otherwise steady market.

Key scheduled events also include the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision, the July jobs report, and a heavy slate of earnings from some of the largest U.S. corporations.

“August 1 could mean higher tariffs on nearly 60 U.S. trading partners including the EU, as a bloc, the biggest. A rise from the current ~16% US weighted average tariff to perhaps as much as ~21% is a risk,”
UBS economists highlighted in their market note.

Regarding the employment report, UBS expects a “soggy” result but anticipates underlying figures won’t deteriorate beyond June’s levels. The firm forecasts 95,000 new nonfarm payroll jobs for July and a slight uptick in the unemployment rate to 4.2%.

“Unexpected strength in the data could upend September rate cut calls,”
the analysts added.

Mag-7 Tech Titans Set to Report Earnings

Investor attention will also focus on earnings from four of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” technology leaders: Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META). Their results carry significant weight in the major indexes due to their massive market capitalizations.

A disappointing set of results or tariff-related worries could unsettle the markets.

“Everything can go right for this astoundingly resilient market,”
said Evercore ISI strategists,
“but as our Investor poll last Friday showed a likelihood that punitive tariffs on at least one country could rattle investors, as could an adverse price reaction from Mag 7 reporters.”

So far, roughly 30% of S&P 500 companies have reported second-quarter earnings, with earnings growth expected at 7.7% year-over-year, according to LSEG IBES. This is an improvement on the 5.8% forecast made at the start of July.

Other notable companies reporting this week include Boeing (NYSE:BA), Spotify (NYSE:SPOT), Booking (NASDAQ:BKNG), Visa (NYSE:V), ARM Holdings (LSE:ARM), and Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM).

Analysts’ Take on Market Direction

Morgan Stanley commented:

“The rolling recovery is underway, and we lean more toward our 12-month bull case (7200). Drivers are positive operating leverage, AI adoption, dollar weakness, cash tax savings, easy growth comparisons, pent-up demand and Fed cuts. Industrials remains our top sector pick.”

RBC Capital Markets observed:

“Even though the S&P 500 has crept higher over the past week, the ability to manage through tariffs has not been uniform. Additionally, discussion of 2026 has been fairly light so far. That makes sense to us given that we are only midway through 2025, but it also poses a risk to the path of stock prices if company outlooks for 2026 don’t end up being as rosy as investors have been anticipating. We continue to be ready for choppy conditions in the stock market in the back half of 2025.”

Evercore ISI noted:

“FOMO and Speculation does not mean that stocks move in a straight line higher, even as it does increase the probability that the long term destination is higher. A market trading at nearly 25x and where complacency is reflected by plunging index volatility faces a barrage of events in the week ahead.”

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.