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Vertu Motors (LSE:VTU) has raised its outlook for FY27 after delivering positive trading across multiple areas of its business during the three months to 31 May 2026. The automotive retailer reported like-for-like volume growth in new vehicle retail sales, Motability, used vehicles, and fleet and commercial operations, highlighting the continued strength of its diversified model.

The group also reported year-on-year profit growth within its aftersales division, with stable margins and disciplined cost management helping to support overall performance despite ongoing challenges across the wider automotive sector.

As part of its strategic development plans, Vertu continues to optimise and reposition its dealership portfolio. The company is preparing to open its first Omoda and Jaecoo dealership in Burton on 1 July 2026 and plans to convert an additional site to represent the two Chinese automotive brands later in the year. Following these changes, Vertu will operate 15 outlets representing Chinese vehicle manufacturers, increasing its exposure to one of the fastest-growing segments of the market.

The group is also pursuing operational efficiencies through selective site restructuring. One example is the relocation of its Sheffield Mazda dealership into a larger multi-franchise facility, a move expected to generate cost savings and improve operational effectiveness.

Supported by stronger trading and the benefits of its portfolio initiatives, the board now expects FY27 financial performance to exceed current market forecasts. Management believes the combination of growing sales volumes, expanding brand partnerships and ongoing efficiency measures will strengthen the company’s competitive position while enhancing profitability.

More about Vertu Motors

Vertu Motors is one of the UK’s largest automotive retail groups, operating 191 sales and aftersales locations nationwide. Established in 2006, the company has grown through a combination of acquisitions and organic expansion, building a broad dealership network representing multiple vehicle manufacturers. Its strategy focuses on operational excellence, customer service and long-term growth through both portfolio development and efficiency improvements.

Haydale (LSE:HAYD) delivered a significant increase in revenue during the first half of FY26 as the acquisition of SaveMoneyCutCarbon (SMCC) reshaped the business and accelerated its transition towards clean technology and sustainability-focused solutions. Revenue rose 463% to £2.25 million, while net assets increased to £14.64 million, reflecting the addition of goodwill and intangible assets associated with the acquisition.

The enlarged group is investing in the integration and development of its expanded platform, with management targeting positive EBITDA within approximately twelve months of completing the transaction. While the inclusion of SMCC’s delivery and service activities has reduced overall margins, the company believes the broader business model provides a stronger foundation for long-term growth. Adjusted operating losses increased during the period as investment continued across the platform.

Haydale has now completed its strategic repositioning toward technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency, water management and carbon reduction across commercial and residential buildings. Key growth initiatives include the JustHeat heating platform and the development of graphene-enhanced thermal transfer fluids designed for use in data centres and industrial cooling applications.

The acquisition of SMCC has also expanded Haydale’s operational capabilities, providing access to a nationwide delivery network, a growing base of Impact Partners and new commercial agreements across water efficiency and electric mobility markets. Management believes these additions strengthen the company’s ability to generate recurring revenues while accelerating the adoption of its proprietary technologies in infrastructure and building-performance applications.

The group sees substantial opportunities to scale its clean-technology offering as organisations increasingly focus on reducing energy consumption, improving sustainability performance and meeting environmental targets.

More about Haydale Graphene

Haydale plc is an advanced materials and clean-technology company focused on delivering solutions that improve energy efficiency, water usage and carbon performance. Through its proprietary HDPlas technology platform and the capabilities gained through SaveMoneyCutCarbon, the company develops and commercialises graphene-enabled products while providing nationwide implementation and delivery services. Its strategy is centred on helping organisations improve building performance and sustainability outcomes across a wide range of sectors.

Kodal Minerals (LSE:KOD) has announced that non-executive director Steve Zaninovich will retire from the board following the company’s annual general meeting on 24 June 2026, marking the end of a tenure that spanned the development of the Bougouni Lithium Project from exploration through to production.

While stepping down from his board position, Zaninovich will remain closely involved with the business through a consultancy role. In this capacity, he will continue supporting operations at the Bougouni mine and provide advice on future development and growth initiatives, helping to ensure continuity as the project progresses through its next phase.

The company highlighted Zaninovich’s significant contribution to Bougouni’s advancement, including his involvement in the project’s feasibility studies, financing arrangements and construction programme. His experience has been instrumental in transforming Bougouni into a producing lithium operation.

Chairman Robert Wooldridge acknowledged the importance of Zaninovich’s role in the mine’s development and welcomed his continued involvement as an adviser. The move allows Kodal to retain valuable technical and strategic expertise while potentially creating scope for future changes to the board’s composition.

Management believes the transition provides stability as Bougouni continues to ramp up production and strengthen its position within the growing West African lithium industry.

More about Kodal Minerals

Kodal Minerals is an AIM-listed mining company focused on lithium exploration, development and production in West Africa, alongside a portfolio of early-stage gold interests. Its flagship Bougouni Lithium Project in southern Mali, developed in partnership with Hainan Mining, entered production in 2025 and currently produces spodumene concentrate. The company is also evaluating a planned second-stage flotation plant designed to process finer-grained lithium resources and enhance the project’s long-term production profile.

ProCook Group (LSE:PROC) achieved record annual revenue of £85.5 million for the year ended 29 March 2026, representing growth of 23% as both its retail estate and ecommerce operations generated strong double-digit increases. The kitchenware retailer significantly outperformed the broader UK market, benefiting from continued customer demand and the strength of its direct-to-consumer model.

Financial performance improved across the business, with EBITDA rising by almost 40%, free cash flow more than doubling and net cash increasing to £4.4 million. The improvement was supported by stronger gross margins, disciplined cost control and effective working capital management.

During the year, ProCook accelerated the expansion of its physical footprint, opening 13 new stores and increasing its estate to 78 locations nationwide. The company also introduced a refreshed store format, broadened its product offering and increased customer engagement through social media-led marketing initiatives.

These efforts helped grow the active customer base by 24% to 1.4 million, strengthening the company’s position within the UK kitchenware sector.

Management continues to invest in technology, supply chain improvements and store refurbishments while maintaining a disciplined approach to costs. Trading at the start of the new financial year has remained encouraging, with revenue increasing 21.5%, reinforcing confidence in the group’s longer-term objectives of reaching 100 stores, generating £100 million in annual revenue and delivering further margin expansion.

More about ProCook Group

ProCook Group plc is a UK-based direct-to-consumer kitchenware retailer specialising in own-brand cookware, tableware and kitchen accessories. The company sells through a combination of ecommerce platforms and a growing network of stores across the UK, targeting consumers seeking high-quality products at competitive prices. Its direct sourcing model enables it to offer strong value while competing effectively within the fragmented kitchenware market.

Tower Resources (LSE:TRP) has moved closer to completing its farm-out agreements with Prime Global Energies in both Namibia and Cameroon, marking further progress in efforts to secure funding and advance its exploration portfolio across Africa.

In Namibia, the company reported that the relevant authorities have acknowledged receipt of the documentation relating to the transfer fee and have indicated that a decision on the final approval letter is expected by 1 July 2026. Once received, the approval would enable completion of the farm-out transaction and support the next phase of activity on the licence.

In Cameroon, the farm-out of the Thali licence and the proposed extension of the initial exploration period have progressed to the Office of the Presidency. The process has been supported by a letter from the Prime Minister, reflecting the senior-level approvals required before the transaction can be finalised.

While awaiting regulatory decisions, Tower has strengthened its short-term liquidity position through a £400,000 fundraising completed via a discounted share subscription. The company also issued broker warrants as part of the financing package and confirmed details of its enlarged share capital.

Management believes the funding will provide working capital support as it continues to pursue completion of the Namibia and Cameroon transactions, both of which are viewed as important milestones in attracting additional capital and technical expertise for future exploration programmes.

Successful completion of the farm-outs would represent a significant step forward in advancing Tower’s upstream development plans and unlocking larger-scale investment across its asset portfolio.

More about Tower Resources

Tower Resources is an AIM-listed oil and gas exploration company focused on opportunities across Africa, with key interests in offshore Namibia and Cameroon. The company seeks to advance its exploration and development assets through farm-out agreements, licence extensions and partnerships with industry participants, providing access to funding and technical capabilities for frontier hydrocarbon projects.

East Star Resources (LSE:EST) has taken further steps to advance its Verkhuba copper project in Kazakhstan through its joint venture with Hong Kong Xinhai Mining Services, establishing Verkhuba Limited within the Astana International Financial Centre and securing an initial funding payment of A$500,000. The payment forms part of a proposed investment programme worth approximately US$65 million and supports the continued development of the project under the farm-in agreement.

The arrangement leaves East Star fully carried through to production, allowing the company to retain a 30% interest in a future mining operation based on the Verkhuba deposit’s JORC Inferred Resource of 20.3 million tonnes containing copper, zinc and lead.

Development activity is now moving from transaction completion to operational execution. Key milestones include the transfer of the Verkhuba licence into the joint venture structure, the signing of a drilling contract and preparations for an initial 5,000-metre diamond drilling campaign scheduled to commence in June 2026. Drill rigs are being mobilised to site as the partners begin advancing the next phase of exploration and project evaluation.

Alongside the drilling programme, the joint venture is progressing early site development work and engaging in discussions related to land acquisition and infrastructure requirements. These initiatives are expected to support the long-term development pathway for Verkhuba and could accelerate the project’s progression toward future production and cash generation.

Management believes the ongoing work strengthens East Star’s position within Kazakhstan’s base metals sector while advancing one of the company’s most significant development assets.

More about East Star Resources

East Star Resources is a London-listed exploration and development company focused on copper and gold opportunities across Kazakhstan. Its portfolio includes the Verkhuba copper deposit, a number of volcanogenic massive sulphide prospects, a gold exploration joint venture with Endeavour Mining, and several large-scale copper porphyry and epithermal gold targets located within established mineral belts.

Seed Innovations Ltd (LSE:SEED) has repositioned its investment strategy around robotics and artificial intelligence, reflecting the board’s belief that the combination of AI and real-world automation offers one of the most compelling long-term growth opportunities in global technology markets. To support the transition, the company has refreshed its board with new leadership appointments, engaged robotics and AI specialist Hoid.ai, and continues to manage its existing portfolio selectively while retaining exposure to selected food-technology investments.

Since the financial year end, Seed has completed its first transactions under the revised strategy, investing approximately US$1 million in U.S.-based Feather Robotics and £300,000 in UK agricultural technology company Fieldwork Robotics, which is developing autonomous systems for berry harvesting. At the period end, the company’s investment portfolio was valued at £8.4 million, while net assets stood at £11.0 million.

Although the shares continue to trade at a significant discount to net asset value, management believes the company’s more focused investment approach, disciplined allocation of capital and early progress within its robotics and AI portfolio provide a solid foundation for future value creation as commercial adoption of intelligent automation technologies continues to expand.

More about Seed Innovations

Seed Innovations Ltd is an AIM-listed investment company focused on identifying and supporting early-stage, high-growth businesses. The group has recently shifted its emphasis toward opportunities at the intersection of artificial intelligence and robotics, targeting companies developing practical automation solutions for industrial, agricultural and commercial applications where scalable technology and early market adoption can generate long-term shareholder value.

Gold Extends Losses as Markets Price in Higher U.S. Rates

Gold prices moved sharply lower on Tuesday as investors responded to a stronger U.S. dollar and increasing expectations that the Federal Reserve could tighten monetary policy further before the end of the year.

Spot gold dropped 1.55% to $4,126.45 an ounce by 06:42 ET (10:42 GMT), while U.S. gold futures declined 1.63% to $4,142.10.

The retreat came after bullion posted a modest gain in the previous session, supported by optimism surrounding diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran.

Hawkish Fed Signals Lift the Dollar

The U.S. Dollar Index remained near the 13-month peak reached last week, benefiting from the Federal Reserve’s more hawkish tone following its latest policy meeting.

Although the central bank kept interest rates unchanged at 3.50%-3.75%, updated projections indicated that policymakers increasingly support at least one additional rate increase before year-end.

Money markets currently assign roughly a 90% chance of a December hike, while some investors believe further tightening remains possible if inflation proves difficult to contain.

Rising Yields Create Headwinds for Bullion

Gold faces added pressure when interest rates and the dollar move higher.

A stronger greenback reduces affordability for overseas buyers, while rising yields improve the attractiveness of interest-bearing investments relative to gold, which offers no income.

As a result, monetary policy expectations have become a dominant influence on precious-metal trading.

Diplomatic Progress Limits Safe-Haven Demand

Investors also continued to evaluate developments in negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Following initial talks in Switzerland, the United States granted a 60-day waiver covering certain Iranian oil exports, while officials from both sides described discussions as constructive.

Although geopolitical tensions typically support safe-haven assets such as gold, traders are increasingly focused on the economic and inflationary effects of the conflict rather than the conflict itself.

Earlier this year, surging oil prices fueled concerns that energy-driven inflation could force central banks to maintain restrictive policies for an extended period.

Inflation Report Becomes Next Major Test

Market participants are now awaiting Thursday’s U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report, widely regarded as the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation indicator.

The data could provide important clues about the direction of future interest-rate decisions and shape near-term sentiment toward both the dollar and gold.

Precious and Industrial Metals Move Lower

The broader metals complex also traded lower.

Silver fell 4.3% to $62.29 an ounce, while platinum declined 2.6% to $1,639.60 an ounce.

In industrial commodities, benchmark copper futures on the London Metal Exchange slipped 1.2% to $13,486.33 per tonne, while U.S. copper futures fell 2.3% to $6.22 per pound.