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MJ Gleeson plc (LSE:GLE) said it sold 848 homes in the first half of fiscal 2026, representing a 6% increase from 801 units in the same period last year, and confirmed that full-year results remain expected to be in line with market forecasts.

Net reservation rates at the Gleeson Homes division improved to 0.75 per site per week, compared with 0.55 in the first half of 2025. Excluding bulk reservations, the rate stood at 0.44. At the period end, Gleeson Homes had a pipeline of 597 plots, supporting expectations that around 650 sales will complete in the second half of the financial year.

The division opened nine new build sites during the period, down from 11 a year earlier, with the reduction attributed to local planning constraints. The group said operational restructuring and efficiency initiatives continued, with associated costs expected to be recognised as exceptional items over the course of the year.

Gleeson Partnerships delivered its first homes to private rental investors and housing associations during the half, although activity levels were influenced by the timing of government funding. Gleeson Land completed three site sales and reported sustained demand for prime consented land.

During the period, the Land division submitted 15 new site applications and secured two planning consents. Further site disposals are dependent on the completion of final technical agreements.

The group ended the half-year with net debt of £22.5 million, unchanged from 31 December 2024. Chief executive Graham Prothero said, “We are pleased to have delivered a solid performance in a subdued market. We now expect to see an improvement in new home sales through the Spring selling season on the back of last month’s rate cut, and as uncertainty in the run-up to the Budget continues to subside.”

Gleeson Homes, which accounts for the majority of group revenue, said demand for new homes remained subdued but stable amid current economic conditions. The increase in reservation rates reflects steady buyer activity despite fewer site openings compared with the prior year.

The group said the existing sales pipeline provides good visibility for second-half completions, while the Land division’s progress highlights a measured but active approach to managing its consented land portfolio. Overall, MJ Gleeson reiterated that its full-year outlook remains aligned with market expectations, underpinned by first-half delivery, a stable debt position and ongoing operational initiatives across the business.

Genus plc (LSE:GNS) reported a stronger-than-anticipated first-half performance for its 2026 financial year, with adjusted profit before tax, excluding a milestone payment, now expected to be around £50 million. Including the milestone, adjusted profit is forecast at approximately £55.6 million, both figures ahead of internal expectations. The outperformance reflects robust trading at the PIC pork genetics division alongside in-line results from the ABS cattle genetics business.

On the back of this momentum, the board has upgraded its full-year outlook, now expecting adjusted profit before tax, excluding the milestone, to come moderately above the top end of current market forecasts. The update points to continued strength in Genus’s core operations and improving earnings visibility across its global genetics portfolio.

Genus also confirmed that China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) has approved the establishment of its porcine joint venture in China. This regulatory clearance triggers a final US$7.5 million milestone payment from joint venture partner BCA, with completion of the transaction and receipt of funds expected in the third quarter of the current financial year. The development marks a significant step in Genus’s strategy to expand its presence in the Chinese pork market and strengthens its long-term growth prospects in a key global protein sector.

From an investment perspective, Genus’s outlook is supported by positive corporate developments and solid financial delivery. However, technical indicators point to potential overbought conditions, while a relatively high P/E ratio suggests valuation may already reflect much of the near-term optimism.

More about Genus plc

Genus plc is a global leader in animal genetics, applying advanced biotechnology to improve livestock breeding outcomes. The Group supplies high-value genetic products to dairy, beef and pork producers in more than 75 countries through its ABS (cattle) and PIC (pigs) brands. Its offerings include semen, embryos and breeding animals designed to enhance productivity, efficiency and quality across global protein supply chains, supported by proprietary breeding lines, an extensive distribution network and innovations such as its PRRS-resistant pig, which is progressing through further regulatory approvals ahead of wider commercial rollout.

Spectra Systems Corporation (LSE:SPSY) said its security printing subsidiary, Cartor Security Printers, has been selected by HM Revenue & Customs as the preferred bidder for a new UK contract to manufacture and supply duty stamps for vaping products. The contract, which is expected to be finalised shortly, will be delivered in partnership with a leading provider of tax stamp track-and-trace technology.

The agreement is valued at an estimated £38.4 million including VAT over an initial five-year term, with an option to extend for a sixth year. Spectra expects to generate around 15% of the total contract value, strengthening its exposure to government-backed security printing work. The award reinforces the Group’s position in authentication and security printing and highlights the operational benefits of its recent transatlantic reorganisation and closer integration between its US and UK operations.

From an investment perspective, Spectra Systems’ outlook remains well supported by strong financial performance and an attractive valuation profile. Healthy profit margins and effective cash flow management underpin its growth prospects, while recent contract wins add further momentum. Technical indicators point to a broadly neutral share price trend, slightly moderating an otherwise positive overall assessment.

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Spectra Systems Corporation specialises in machine-readable, high-speed authentication technologies, security printing, brand protection solutions and gaming security software. Through its Cartor Security Printers division, the Group provides advanced security printing and authentication features to government and commercial clients, with a particular focus on tax stamps and other high-integrity security documents.

GCM Resources (LSE:GCM) has conditionally raised approximately £1.0 million through a placing of 16.7 million new ordinary shares at 6 pence per share, representing a discount of around 20% to the prior closing bid price. The fundraising is intended to bolster the company’s working capital position as it continues to progress its flagship Phulbari Coal and Power Project in Bangladesh.

Proceeds from the placing will be used to fund corporate overheads, legal and advisory expenses and general administrative costs. Management noted that recent political commentary and policy signals in Bangladesh suggesting greater support for domestic coal production are encouraging, although not yet sufficient to provide definitive clarity on the project’s path to development. The new shares will account for approximately 4.72% of the enlarged issued share capital and are expected to be admitted to trading on AIM on 21 January 2026. In addition, warrants have been issued to Clear Capital as part of its remuneration for acting as sole bookrunner on the placing.

From an investment perspective, GCM Resources’ outlook continues to be constrained by its financial profile. The company remains pre-revenue, with ongoing net losses and sustained negative operating and free cash flow, despite maintaining a relatively solid balance sheet with modest leverage. Technical indicators are more supportive, showing a strong underlying trend and momentum, although overbought signals introduce near-term risk. Valuation remains difficult to assess due to negative earnings and the absence of dividend support.

More about GCM Resources

GCM Resources plc is an AIM-quoted resource development company focused on advancing the Phulbari Coal and Power Project in north-west Bangladesh. The project hosts a JORC-compliant coal resource of approximately 572 million tonnes and is intended to integrate an open-pit coal mine with fuel supply for existing and planned coal-fired power stations. The company’s strategy centres on delivering low-cost, domestically sourced electricity using high-efficiency generation technology, subject to approval from the Government of Bangladesh and in partnership with international development stakeholders.

The Character Group (LSE:CCT) said trading conditions remain difficult, with like-for-like sales in the four months to Christmas 2025 around 11% lower year on year. The company expects first-half sales to 28 February 2026 to fall below the comparable period, reflecting ongoing pressure across the toy retail market.

Looking ahead, management is forecasting a stronger second half, with full-year 2026 revenue expected to be broadly in line with 2025 levels. Supported by an improved product mix and portfolio optimisation, the Group anticipates that profit before tax and highlighted items will more than double despite relatively flat turnover. The update also emphasised the company’s robust balance sheet, net cash position and substantial unused working capital facilities.

In addition, Character confirmed the completion of its latest share buyback programme, under which 1,126,549 shares were repurchased for approximately £3.0 million. The move underscores the Group’s continued focus on returning capital to shareholders ahead of the release of its interim results in May 2026.

From a market perspective, the outlook remains mixed. Financial performance is under pressure from declining revenues, weaker profitability and soft cash generation, while technical indicators point to bearish momentum, with the shares trading below key moving averages. Although the dividend yield remains high, a negative P/E ratio highlights ongoing profitability concerns, limiting the stock’s appeal to growth-oriented investors.

More about Character Group

The Character Group plc is a UK-based designer, developer and international distributor of toys, games and giftware. Operating within the leisure goods sector, the Group supplies products to customers in the UK, Scandinavia and other international markets, with a broad portfolio of branded ranges showcased at major global toy fairs.

Johnson Service Group (LSE:JSG) reported a 4.3% increase in full-year 2025 revenue to £535.6 million, supported by growth across both operating divisions. Revenue from the HORECA business rose to £390.0 million, while the Workwear division increased to £145.6 million, resulting in group-wide organic growth of 1.4%.

Disciplined cost management and operational efficiencies drove a strong rise in adjusted operating profit and further margin improvement, bringing the group closer to its 2026 target margin of at least 14%. HORECA activity remained resilient, delivering organic growth of 1.0%, while stable demand in Workwear supported organic growth of 2.4%. Net debt increased to around £112.0 million, primarily reflecting £54.7 million of cash deployed on share buybacks. The completion of the latest £25.0 million programme lifted total capital returned through repurchases since 2022 to £90.3 million.

The board said it remains confident in delivering additional progress and advancing its margin ambitions in 2026, despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. Full-year results are scheduled for release in early March.

From an investment perspective, Johnson Service Group’s outlook is underpinned by solid financial execution and constructive sentiment from recent earnings commentary. The ongoing share buyback programme continues to enhance shareholder returns, while neutral technical indicators and a fair valuation support a broadly positive assessment.

More about Johnson Service Group

Johnson Service Group is a leading provider of textile services across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The Group supplies laundry and related services to the HORECA (hotel, restaurant and catering) sector, alongside workwear rental and laundry solutions for corporate and industrial customers. Its business model is built around long-term contracts, high customer retention and operational efficiency within specialist textile care markets.