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  • Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals Distributes 2025 Annual Report and Confirms June AGM (HEMO)

    Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals Distributes 2025 Annual Report and Confirms June AGM (HEMO)

    Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals (LSE:HEMO) has sent its Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025 to shareholders, together with the notice of Annual General Meeting and accompanying proxy form. The company has also confirmed that the documents will be accessible through its corporate website.

    The Annual General Meeting is set to take place on 30 June 2026 in central London. The event will provide shareholders with an opportunity to consider the group’s financial results, corporate governance matters and future strategy as it continues to advance its clinical-stage programmes focused on blood disorders and autoimmune diseases.

    Financial pressures continue to weigh on outlook

    Hemogenyx’s outlook remains challenged by its financial position. The company is currently pre-revenue, with losses continuing to widen alongside ongoing cash outflows. In addition, its equity base has been declining while leverage remains elevated, highlighting the group’s reliance on external funding to support development activities.

    Technical indicators also present a cautious picture. The share price is trading below key moving averages and momentum measures, including the MACD, remain negative. While RSI and Stochastic indicators suggest the stock may be approaching oversold territory, these signals have yet to offset broader technical weakness.

    From a valuation perspective, support remains limited as the company continues to operate at a loss, resulting in a negative price-to-earnings ratio. Investors also receive no income return, as the business does not currently offer a dividend.

    More about HemoGenyx Pharmaceuticals Plc

    HemoGenyx Pharmaceuticals Plc is a London-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company whose shares trade on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker HEMO. Through its US subsidiaries, Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals LLC and Immugenyx LLC, the company is focused on developing innovative therapies, product candidates and proprietary technology platforms aimed at treating blood-related and autoimmune diseases.

  • CleanTech Lithium raises £4.77m to advance Chilean projects and strategic partner process (CTL)

    CleanTech Lithium raises £4.77m to advance Chilean projects and strategic partner process (CTL)

    CleanTech Lithium (LSE:CTL) has secured approximately £4.77 million through an oversubscribed placing of 79.51 million new shares priced at 6p each. The majority of the placing was supported by existing institutional shareholders, alongside participation from several new investors. The fundraising also includes warrants exercisable at a 50% premium, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.

    Proceeds from the placing will be directed toward completing the Laguna Verde licence acquisition, progressing environmental impact assessment activities, enhancing direct lithium extraction technology and engineering work, funding costs associated with a planned ASX dual listing, and supporting general working capital requirements. The capital raise will also help the company continue its strategic partner selection process and facilitate further admissions of new shares to AIM, including a broker option of up to £600,000 to satisfy additional investor demand.

    Shareholder approval sought for second tranche

    The fundraising consists of two components: a firm placing completed under existing shareholder authorities and a conditional placing that requires approval at a general meeting scheduled for 1 July. Shareholders will also be asked to approve the issuance of warrants and additional shares linked to both the retail offer and the broker option.

    Athos Capital, one of the company’s largest shareholders, has committed to subscribing for a significant portion of the conditional placing shares. The transaction is being undertaken on related-party terms that the board’s nominated adviser has determined to be fair and reasonable. Following the first admission of shares, CleanTech Lithium’s enlarged issued share capital will total 307,983,841 ordinary shares, establishing a new benchmark for voting-rights notifications under FCA regulations.

    Financial challenges offset by positive technical indicators

    Despite progress on project development and financing, CleanTech Lithium remains in a pre-revenue stage and continues to report increasing losses alongside negative operating and free cash flow. These factors indicate an ongoing dependence on external financing, although the company maintains only moderate levels of leverage.

    Technical indicators present a more positive picture. The share price continues to trade above its key moving averages, while MACD and RSI signals remain supportive. However, valuation metrics are still constrained by the absence of earnings, reflected in a negative price-to-earnings ratio and a lack of dividend yield.

    More about CleanTech Lithium PLC

    CleanTech Lithium PLC is focused on developing sustainable lithium projects in Chile to support the growing demand for battery materials and the global energy transition. Listed on both AIM and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the company’s portfolio includes the Laguna Verde and Viento Andino projects, along with the early-stage Arenas Blancas asset. These projects are located within the lithium-rich Atacama region, part of South America’s renowned lithium triangle.

  • Broadcom Rout Signals Potentially Weak Session for U.S. Stocks: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    Broadcom Rout Signals Potentially Weak Session for U.S. Stocks: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    Wall Street looked set for a softer start on Thursday, with futures pointing lower as investors reacted to a sharp selloff in Broadcom and continued uncertainty surrounding geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

    Technology shares were expected to bear the brunt of the pressure, with Nasdaq 100 futures down 1.2% ahead of the opening bell.

    Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) emerged as the key drag on sentiment, falling 14.6% in premarket trading despite delivering quarterly earnings that exceeded Wall Street forecasts.

    AI Expectations Prove Difficult to Satisfy

    While Broadcom’s second-quarter results came in ahead of analyst estimates, investors appeared underwhelmed by management’s decision to leave its long-term AI revenue outlook unchanged.

    Chief Executive Hock Tan reaffirmed the company’s forecast of $100 billion in artificial intelligence chip sales, disappointing investors who had hoped for a higher target amid booming demand for AI infrastructure.

    “Broadcom may have emerged as a key player in the booming AI infrastructure market, with a particular expertise in the custom chips increasingly being used by the likes of Alphabet and Meta,” said AJ Bell head of markets Dan Coatsworth.

    He added, “However, just like its rival Nvidia, Broadcom is finding that meeting and even slightly beating forecasts is not enough when the market is holding it to such a high standard.”

    The market reaction underscored how difficult it has become for leading AI-related companies to impress investors, even when delivering strong financial results.

    Oil Retreat Offers Some Relief

    The broader market mood was partially supported by falling energy prices following signs of diplomatic progress in the Middle East.

    U.S. crude futures dropped more than 3% after Israel and Lebanon agreed to renew a ceasefire arrangement tied to the withdrawal of Hezbollah operatives from areas south of the Litani River and a halt to further attacks.

    Lower oil prices helped ease concerns over inflation and reduced pressure on interest-rate expectations.

    Focus Turns to U.S. Employment Data

    Investors were also hesitant to make major bets ahead of Friday’s closely watched nonfarm payrolls report.

    Ahead of that release, fresh Labor Department data showed an unexpected increase in first-time unemployment claims for the week ended May 30, hinting at a modest cooling in the labour market.

    The employment figures are expected to play an important role in shaping expectations for Federal Reserve policy in the months ahead.

    Previous Session Marked by Broad Market Weakness

    Stocks finished lower on Wednesday as geopolitical concerns overshadowed recent optimism surrounding earnings and economic growth.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 620.72 points, or 1.2%, to 50,687.07. The Nasdaq Composite lost 0.9%, while the S&P 500 declined 0.7%.

    According to U.S. Central Command, American forces intercepted several Iranian drones and ballistic missiles before carrying out “self-defense” strikes on Qeshm Island following attempted attacks by Iran.

    Despite the renewed military activity, investors have largely remained focused on the resilience of corporate earnings and economic indicators.

    “For now, risk appetite remains supported, but with stretched valuations and shifting monetary policy expectations, markets appear increasingly sensitive to any signs that the earnings and growth story may begin to soften,” said Daniela Hathorn, Senior Market Analyst at Capital.com.

    Services Activity Remains Strong

    Economic data released on Wednesday provided some encouragement.

    The Institute for Supply Management reported that its services PMI rose to 54.5 in May from 53.6 in April, exceeding expectations and indicating continued expansion in the sector.

    Nevertheless, software companies came under heavy selling pressure, pushing the Dow Jones U.S. Software Index down 4%.

    Gold miners also weakened as bullion prices retreated, while gains among semiconductor, biotechnology and energy stocks helped cushion the broader market decline.

  • European Equities Advance After Israel-Lebanon Truce Renewal: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European Equities Advance After Israel-Lebanon Truce Renewal: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European stock markets traded higher on Thursday after Israel and Lebanon agreed to reinstate their fragile ceasefire, offering investors some relief following several days of military escalation that included drone attacks and cross-border strikes.

    Despite the positive sentiment, gains remained measured as markets continued to grapple with concerns surrounding private credit markets, tariff uncertainty, inflationary pressures and the outlook for interest rates.

    France’s CAC 40 led regional advances with a gain of 1.1%, while Germany’s DAX rose 0.6%. In contrast, the UK’s FTSE 100 underperformed its European peers, slipping 0.2%.

    Corporate Movers

    Among individual stocks, media group Vivendi (EU:VIV) declined 4.6% after suffering a setback in its challenge against European Union antitrust authorities, a decision that weighed on investor sentiment.

    Shares in drinks producer Remy Cointreau (EU:RCO) surged 11% after Chief Executive Franck Marilly outlined a far-reaching three-year transformation strategy aimed at improving growth and profitability.

    In Amsterdam, Universal Music Group (EU:UMG) fell 5.6% after Pershing Square, the investment vehicle led by Bill Ackman, sold its remaining holding in the world’s largest music company.

    Biopharmaceutical company Pharming Group (EU:PHARM) gained approximately 2% after announcing that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had accepted its resubmitted supplemental New Drug Application for Joenja, targeting the treatment of children aged four to eleven with APDS.

    Meanwhile, online trading and investment platform CMC Markets (LSE:CMCX) jumped 13% in London after upgrading its outlook for net operating income in fiscal 2027.

    Dutch healthcare technology company Royal Philips (EU:PHIA) added around 1% after revealing a new seven-year strategic partnership with WellSpan Health.

    Investors Remain Cautious

    While the ceasefire agreement provided a positive backdrop for European equities, broader market sentiment remained cautious.

    Investors continue to monitor geopolitical developments, inflation trends and central bank policy expectations, alongside concerns surrounding global trade and conditions within credit markets.

    As a result, risk appetite improved modestly but remained restrained despite the generally positive performance across most major European indices.

  • Crude Prices Slip as Ceasefire Developments Offset Supply Tightening Signals

    Crude Prices Slip as Ceasefire Developments Offset Supply Tightening Signals

    Oil markets traded lower on Thursday after a renewed ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon reduced some geopolitical anxiety, although declining U.S. inventories continued to highlight underlying supply concerns.

    Brent crude fell 1.5% to $96.30 per barrel, while WTI crude lost 1.2% to trade at $94.84 per barrel.

    The decline followed a strong advance earlier in the week that had lifted both benchmarks to their highest levels in more than seven days.

    Diplomatic Progress Brings Temporary Relief

    Investors continued to monitor the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, which remains a major driver of energy market volatility.

    Recent military activity included reported Iranian attacks targeting Gulf infrastructure and U.S. operations near the Strait of Hormuz, while Israeli forces maintained pressure on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.

    A ceasefire agreement announced on Wednesday between Israel and Lebanon provided some optimism that regional tensions may begin to ease. The arrangement remains conditional on Hezbollah ending military operations, although the group did not participate directly in the negotiations.

    Despite the agreement, broader talks between Washington and Tehran remain stalled, leaving uncertainty over the future of regional oil exports and maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

    Sentiment improved somewhat after President Donald Trump suggested that Iran had agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and indicated that additional military action would be avoided unless U.S. personnel were harmed.

    Political developments in Washington also attracted attention after the House of Representatives approved a measure aimed at limiting further military involvement, though significant legislative hurdles remain.

    “Every day that passes without a resumption of oil flows leaves the market increasingly vulnerable. This increases the pressure to strike a deal,” ING analysts wrote.

    Inventory Data Highlights Tight Supply Conditions

    Supporting the market was a larger-than-anticipated decline in U.S. crude stockpiles.

    According to the Energy Information Administration, inventories fell by 8 million barrels during the latest reporting week, far exceeding expectations for a drawdown of roughly 3 million barrels.

    “While inventories do fall seasonally as refiners ramp up operating rates, the pace of decline has been faster than usual,” ING noted.

    Strong export demand also contributed to tighter conditions, with U.S. crude exports reaching 5.9 million barrels per day as international buyers sought alternatives amid supply disruptions elsewhere.

    Analysts continue to monitor global inventory levels closely, warning that sustained stock draws could leave the market increasingly exposed to supply shocks ahead of peak seasonal demand.

    While ceasefire developments have reduced some immediate geopolitical pressure, underlying supply fundamentals continue to offer significant support to oil prices.

  • Gold Advances as Falling Oil Prices and Softer Dollar Lift Demand Ahead of Jobs Report

    Gold Advances as Falling Oil Prices and Softer Dollar Lift Demand Ahead of Jobs Report

    Gold prices edged higher on Thursday as easing energy costs and a weaker U.S. dollar improved the appeal of the precious metal, while investors looked ahead to key U.S. labour market data due later this week.

    Spot gold climbed 0.7% to $4,465.24 an ounce by 06:23 ET (10:23 GMT), while gold futures gained 0.6% to $4,493.12 an ounce.

    The move followed a renewed ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon that helped reduce immediate concerns over a broader escalation in the Middle East. The development also fuelled optimism that diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran could eventually gain traction.

    After a fourth round of U.S.-brokered talks, Israel and Lebanon announced that the ceasefire would be “contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives” from territory south of the Litani River.

    “These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement,” according to a joint statement.

    Hezbollah did not participate in the discussions.

    Market sentiment was further supported by comments from President Donald Trump, who suggested that progress in negotiations with Iran could emerge in the coming days. Iranian officials also indicated that communication with Washington remains ongoing.

    Reports additionally suggested that the White House may be reluctant to escalate military operations unless U.S. forces suffer direct casualties, helping ease some geopolitical risk premiums across financial markets.

    Oil Retreats but Supply Concerns Persist

    Crude prices moved lower following the ceasefire announcement, with Brent falling 1.5% to $96.30 per barrel and WTI declining 1.2% to $94.84.

    Even so, energy markets remain affected by ongoing supply constraints linked to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, inflation concerns have not fully disappeared.

    Investors continue to debate whether elevated energy costs could force central banks to keep borrowing costs higher for longer. Such expectations have weighed on gold at times because the metal does not generate interest income.

    Thursday’s decline in Treasury yields helped offset those concerns. Lower bond yields tend to improve the attractiveness of gold by reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets.

    “We expect most central banks across developed markets—including the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and others—to keep rates unchanged in the near term,” UBS analysts said.

    Labour Market Data in Focus

    Attention is now shifting to Friday’s U.S. jobs report, one of the most closely watched economic releases of the month.

    The data could offer valuable insight into the resilience of the U.S. economy and help investors assess how policymakers may respond to evolving inflation and employment trends.

    For gold traders, the report may prove particularly important as expectations surrounding Federal Reserve policy remain a key driver of precious metals prices.

  • Market Open: S4 Capital Workforce Cuts, CMC Markets Outlook Raised

    Market Open: S4 Capital Workforce Cuts, CMC Markets Outlook Raised

    FTSE 100 gains as investors assess Middle East developments. S4 Capital cuts jobs, CMC Markets lifts outlook, while gold rises.

    Market Overview

    Markets were mixed overnight, with the FTSE 100 advancing 0.41 per cent to 10,347.37 and the CBOE UK 250 gaining 0.18 per cent. In Europe, the CAC 40 fell 0.71 per cent while the DAX declined 1.31 per cent. US markets remained positive, with the Nasdaq rising 0.22 per cent and the S&P 500 adding 0.12 per cent. Sentiment was supported by reports that hopes for a broader easing of Middle East tensions continue to offset concerns over recent regional strikes, while investors also assessed forecasts pointing to modest UK economic growth this year.

    Commodity markets were mixed. Gold strengthened as investors maintained some defensive positioning, while copper and energy prices softened. Brent crude sentiment remained cautious amid developments in the Middle East, while natural gas edged lower. Sterling was broadly firmer against the US dollar and Australian dollar but weaker against the euro, Swiss franc and Japanese yen. Bitcoin slipped against sterling, reflecting a softer tone across digital assets.


    Market Numbers

    FTSE 100: Up (0.41%), 10,347.37

    CAC40: Down (-0.71%), 8,150.420

    DAX: Down (-1.31%), 24,795.94

    NASDAQ: Up (0.22%), 30,466.4

    S&P 500: Up (0.12%), 7,545.6


    In the Headlines

    Workforce Reduction – S4 Capital (LSE:SFOR)

    S4 Capital announced further workforce reductions as challenging trading conditions continue to weigh on demand for advertising and marketing services. The move highlights ongoing pressure across the digital advertising sector as companies focus on cost control and efficiency.

    Outlook Raised – CMC Markets (LSE:CMCX)

    CMC Markets lifted its FY27 outlook after reporting a 20 per cent increase in annual profit for FY26. The upgraded guidance signals confidence in trading activity and market conditions, providing a positive read-through for the UK financial services sector.


    Currencies (vs GBP)

    USD: Up (0.04%), $1.3421

    CHF: Down (-0.05%), Fr.1.06232

    EUR: Down (-0.04%), €1.1559

    JPY: Down (-0.10%), ¥214.582

    AUD: Up (0.01%), $1.881370

    Bitcoin (BTC/GBP): Down (-0.49%), £47,468.5


    Commodities

    Copper: Down (-0.31%), 6.49652

    Gold: Up (0.73%), 4,466.93

    Brent Crude: Down (-1.17%), 96.146

    Natural Gas: Down (-0.56%), 3.214

  • Markets Monitor Middle East Diplomacy, Broadcom Results and SpaceX Listing Plans: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    Markets Monitor Middle East Diplomacy, Broadcom Results and SpaceX Listing Plans: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    U.S. equity futures traded without a clear direction on Thursday as investors weighed developments in the Middle East alongside fresh corporate news from the technology sector. Attention remained focused on renewed ceasefire efforts between Israel and Lebanon, Broadcom’s (NASDAQ:AVGO) latest earnings report and the upcoming stock market debut of SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX).

    As of 03:32 ET, Dow Jones futures were up 0.2%, while futures tied to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 slipped 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively.

    The mixed performance followed a weaker session on Wall Street, where major indexes retreated from recent highs after renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran heightened concerns over the ongoing conflict. Investors remain wary that sustained increases in energy prices could complicate the Federal Reserve’s path toward potential interest-rate cuts.

    Nevertheless, technology stocks linked to artificial intelligence continued to attract investor interest. Recent economic indicators, including private payroll and services-sector data, suggested the U.S. economy remains relatively resilient despite geopolitical uncertainty, although some businesses continue to face pressure from rising costs and softer consumer demand.

    Renewed Israel-Lebanon Truce Boosts Diplomatic Expectations

    Market participants closely followed diplomatic developments after Israel and Lebanon agreed to restore a fragile ceasefire.

    The agreement has fuelled hopes that broader negotiations involving Washington and Tehran could gain momentum. Progress toward a U.S.-Iran agreement has been closely tied to stability in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been engaged in conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters.

    After a fourth round of talks facilitated by the United States, both governments said the ceasefire would remain “contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives” from territory south of the Litani River.

    “These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement,” according to the joint statement.

    Hezbollah was not involved in the discussions.

    President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that talks with Iran could produce results in the near future, potentially as early as this weekend. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister indicated that communication with Washington remains active despite reports earlier this week suggesting indirect contacts had been suspended.

    Domestic political pressure is also increasing in the United States. The House of Representatives approved a measure seeking to restrict further military action without congressional authorisation, although the proposal still faces significant legislative hurdles.

    Oil Prices Ease as Investors Look to Hormuz Outlook

    Crude oil prices moved lower following news of the ceasefire.

    Brent crude fell 1.0% to $96.84 a barrel as traders assessed the possibility that a future U.S.-Iran agreement could help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments.

    Bond yields in both Europe and the United States also declined, reflecting expectations that improved regional stability could help ease inflationary pressures linked to energy costs.

    The Strait of Hormuz has remained largely inaccessible to commercial tanker traffic since the conflict escalated earlier this year, contributing to higher oil and liquefied natural gas prices worldwide.

    Against this backdrop, investors continue to debate whether central banks, including the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, may need to maintain a restrictive monetary stance for longer than previously anticipated.

    Broadcom Shares Fall Despite Strong AI Revenue Growth

    Artificial intelligence remained a major theme in equity markets following Broadcom’s quarterly earnings release.

    The semiconductor company reported a 48% increase in second-quarter revenue, driven by continued demand for AI-related infrastructure and chips. However, investors reacted negatively to the company’s outlook, sending the shares lower in after-hours trading.

    Broadcom has been one of the strongest-performing technology stocks this year, with shares up roughly 38% before the earnings release.

    The company, which supplies technology used by major AI developers including Meta and OpenAI, maintained its long-term forecast for AI semiconductor revenue to exceed $100 billion by 2027.

    Chief Executive Hock Tan said AI-related semiconductor sales are expected to reach approximately $16 billion in the current quarter, more than triple the level achieved a year ago.

    SpaceX Prepares for Landmark Stock Market Debut

    SpaceX has revealed the pricing details for its upcoming initial public offering, setting the offer price at $135 per share ahead of its planned market launch.

    According to an updated filing, the company intends to sell 555.5 million shares, a transaction expected to raise approximately $75 billion.

    The fundraising would value SpaceX at around $1.75 trillion, making it one of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States and potentially the biggest IPO ever completed.

    The decision to announce the pricing before completing the traditional investor roadshow process marks a significant departure from standard Wall Street practice and reflects Elon Musk’s unconventional approach to capital markets.

    The listing is expected to provide public investors with direct exposure to SpaceX’s businesses spanning space exploration, satellite communications and artificial intelligence, areas that have become increasingly central to the company’s long-term growth strategy.

  • European Shares Rise Modestly as Renewed Israel-Lebanon Truce Supports Sentiment: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European Shares Rise Modestly as Renewed Israel-Lebanon Truce Supports Sentiment: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities traded slightly higher on Thursday as investors evaluated the potential impact of a renewed ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon on wider efforts to resolve the conflict involving Iran.

    By 07:13 GMT, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.1%. Germany’s DAX gained 0.2%, France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.3%, while London’s FTSE 100 was little changed.

    Market sentiment received support after Israel and Lebanon agreed to reinstate a fragile ceasefire, raising hopes that diplomatic progress could eventually lead to a broader agreement between Washington and Tehran. Any potential U.S.-Iran deal has been closely linked to stability in Lebanon, where Israeli forces backed by the United States have been engaged in hostilities with Hezbollah, the Iran-supported militant group.

    Following a fourth round of negotiations mediated by the United States, both Israel and Lebanon stated that the renewed truce would be “contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives” from areas south of the Litani River.

    “These steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement,” a joint statement said.

    Hezbollah was not directly involved in the latest round of talks.

    Energy markets reacted positively to the developments. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, fell 1.0% to $96.84 per barrel following the announcement. Government bond yields across the euro area also moved lower, reflecting expectations that a future agreement between the U.S. and Iran could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over energy supplies and inflationary pressures.

    Investors continue to monitor the implications for monetary policy, with markets still anticipating that the European Central Bank may need to raise interest rates later this year to contain inflation across the eurozone.

    On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations with Iran could deliver results as early as this weekend. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister confirmed that communication channels with Washington remain open, despite earlier reports suggesting Tehran had suspended indirect contacts through intermediaries.

    Political pressure is also building in the United States. The House of Representatives approved a resolution seeking to prevent Trump from continuing military operations without further authorisation. While the measure still faces significant hurdles, including Senate approval and the possibility of a presidential veto, it highlights growing domestic debate over the conflict.

    AI Growth Story Remains in Focus

    Outside geopolitics, artificial intelligence continued to dominate market discussions.

    Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (NYSE:TSM) chief executive said demand for advanced computing infrastructure and next-generation semiconductors is expected to remain exceptionally strong, providing a significant driver of growth over the coming years.

    Despite those optimistic comments, European semiconductor stocks struggled in early trading. STMicroelectronics (BIT:STMMI) and ASML (EU:ASML) both edged lower after U.S. chipmaker Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) released quarterly results.

    Although Broadcom reported strong revenue growth supported by surging demand for AI-related chips, its shares fell in after-hours trading as some investors were disappointed by the company’s outlook.

    Remy Cointreau Jumps on New Turnaround Strategy

    Among individual movers, shares in Remy Cointreau (EU:RCO) rose sharply in Paris after management unveiled plans to increase operating profit by around €100 million by the 2028/29 financial year.

    The spirits group is also targeting a doubling of sales generated through travel retail channels and emerging markets as part of a broad three-year transformation programme aimed at improving growth and profitability.

  • Remy Cointreau Profit Drops as Tariffs Weigh on FY26 Performance (ECO)

    Remy Cointreau Profit Drops as Tariffs Weigh on FY26 Performance (ECO)

    Rémy Cointreau reported a significant decline in annual earnings for the 2025-26 financial year, with U.S. import tariffs and higher production costs weighing on profitability. Despite the pressure on margins, the French spirits group delivered operating results and earnings per share that exceeded market expectations and reaffirmed its expectation of returning to organic sales growth in the current year.

    Net profit attributable to shareholders fell 35.1% to €78.7 million, below the analyst consensus forecast of €82.4 million compiled from 16 analysts. However, adjusted net income reached €89.2 million, outperforming both the consensus estimate of €83.8 million and Jefferies’ projection of €84.4 million.

    Group revenue totalled €935.3 million. While reported sales declined 5% from the previous year, organic growth was marginally positive at 0.2%, matching analyst expectations. The company said exchange-rate movements, particularly involving the U.S. dollar and Chinese renminbi, reduced reported sales by 5.2 percentage points.

    Current operating profit decreased 23.8% to €165.4 million. Even so, the result exceeded both the consensus estimate of €163 million and Jefferies’ forecast of €164.8 million. On an organic basis, operating profit declined 11.5%, outperforming expectations for a larger drop. Current operating margin stood at 17.7%, slightly ahead of market forecasts of 17.4%.

    Adjusted earnings per share came in at €1.71, ahead of the consensus forecast of €1.62 and Jefferies’ estimate of €1.64. According to the company, the earnings decline “mainly reflects a decline in gross margin linked to incremental customs duties, as well as unfavorable trends in price mix and production costs.” Gross margin contracted by 3.7 percentage points on an organic basis to 65.8%.

    Within the Cognac division, operating profit fell 12.6% organically to €141.5 million, while margin narrowed by 3.6 percentage points to 24.7%. The decline reflected a less favourable sales mix, higher operating costs and the impact of customs duties.

    Meanwhile, operating profit in the Liqueurs and Spirits segment slipped 3.1% organically to €43.1 million, falling short of Jefferies’ estimate of €51.2 million.

    Cash generation improved during the year, with free cash flow increasing to €53.8 million. The group’s cash conversion rate rose to 27%, compared with 10% in the previous financial year. Net debt to EBITDA increased to 3.22 times from 2.40 times, although this remained better than the market consensus of 3.29 times.

    Looking ahead to 2026-27, management expects a return to organic revenue growth, with momentum anticipated to strengthen “progressively through the year.” The company also forecasts a modest improvement in current operating margin and aims to keep net debt below 3.5 times EBITDA by March 2027.

    The outlook incorporates an estimated €20 million impact from customs duties, compared with roughly €15 million in 2025-26. Currency movements are also expected to reduce sales by between €15 million and €20 million and lower operating profit by €5 million to €8 million.

    Analysts at Jefferies noted that the market’s current operating profit forecast of €167.9 million for 2026-27 “could drift towards” their estimate of €160.3 million, “largely on FX.” They added that management’s guidance points to “low-single-digit to mid-single-digit” organic growth, compared with the market’s current expectation of 5.4% growth in operating profit.

    Rémy Cointreau also unveiled its new “RC Forward” transformation programme, which aims to generate €100 million of additional value at the operating profit level by 2028-29 compared with 2025-26. Jefferies said this represents an implied increase of around 60%, although the broker noted that “it is unclear to what extent this will be reinvested behind growth initiatives.” The firm reiterated its “buy” recommendation and maintained a €48 price target.