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European markets exhibited cautious stability on Friday as investors awaited the release of the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report while processing the European Central Bank’s (ECB) latest rate decision and ongoing global trade developments.

European Markets Mixed
By 03:05 ET (07:05 GMT), Germany’s DAX index edged down by 0.1%, while France’s CAC 40 gained 0.1%, and the FTSE 100 in the U.K. advanced 0.2%.

U.S. Jobs Data Takes Center Stage
The primary focus for the day is the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, a critical indicator of labor market health. Economists predict a rise of 130,000 jobs for May, following an increase of 177,000 in April. The unemployment rate is expected to remain steady at 4.2% for the third consecutive month.

A significant decline in job growth might prompt the Federal Reserve to reconsider its pause on rate cuts, a policy it has maintained since December amid concerns over inflation spurred by tariffs. Currently, Fed funds futures suggest minimal likelihood of a rate cut before September, though markets anticipate a 90% chance of a move in that month, followed by another adjustment in December.

ECB Signals an End to Rate Cuts?
Investors are still digesting Thursday’s ECB decision to lower interest rates, marking the eighth cut since June last year. The move reflects concerns over sluggish inflation and uncertainties tied to global trade tensions.

However, the ECB hinted at nearing the end of its rate-cutting cycle, suggesting no further cuts are likely in July. ECB policymaker Martins Kazaks emphasized the need for caution, advising against frequent rate reductions amidst an uncertain economic environment.

In Germany, industrial production fell by 1.4% in April, reversing a revised 2.3% gain in March, highlighting challenges in the eurozone’s largest economy.

Global Trade Discussions Progress
U.S. President Donald Trump and Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz met on Thursday to discuss strengthening trade ties. Meanwhile, Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation that, while inconclusive, signaled a willingness to continue discussions.

Tesla and Corporate Developments
Tesla remained under the spotlight after reports that the White House arranged a call between CEO Elon Musk and President Trump to mend their public feud. Tesla shares fell over 14% on Thursday, erasing $150 billion in market value.

Elsewhere, Dassault Systèmes delayed its medium-term earnings target to 2029, citing weak automotive demand and tariff-related uncertainty.

Oil Prices Poised for Weekly Gains
Oil prices dipped on Friday amid concerns about economic growth and demand but remained on track for weekly gains. Brent crude fell 0.5% to $65.02 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also dropped 0.5% to $63.02 per barrel.

For the week, Brent crude rose 2%, and WTI climbed 4%, marking a positive turn after two consecutive weeks of declines.

This mixed economic landscape underscores the delicate balancing act central banks and global leaders face as they navigate a volatile global economy.

Sundae Bar Plc (LSE: SBAR) has officially launched a live beta version of its AI agent marketplace, introducing its first trio of AI agents: Lucy HR Agent, AROK, and Marketing Mark. These agents demonstrate the platform’s innovative approach to automating key business functions such as recruitment, cryptocurrency trading, and marketing content generation. The marketplace is designed to empower businesses by providing autonomous AI tools capable of handling complex tasks independently. With the AI agent sector expected to experience rapid growth, Sundae Bar is well-positioned to expand its platform offerings and increase adoption among forward-thinking users.

About Sundae Bar Plc

Previously known as Kondor AI, Sundae Bar Plc focuses on building a comprehensive marketplace for AI Agents. After acquiring Ora Technology and listing on AIM, the company is dedicated to creating a scalable, secure, and user-friendly platform where AI developers can build, customize, manage, and monetize their agents. The marketplace also offers businesses and individuals a trusted environment to discover, evaluate, and deploy AI agents tailored to their needs.

Unite Students (LSE:UTG) has announced the sale of nine assets comprising 3,656 student beds to Lone Star Funds for £212 million. This move aligns with the company’s strategic plan to concentrate on universities ranked in the high and mid tiers, aiming for sustainable rental growth. The deal, expected to close by August 2025, will enable Unite to reinvest capital into its core markets and meet shareholder redemption requests, while maintaining its full-year earnings guidance.

Unite Group plc’s outlook remains positive, supported by strong financial results, ongoing strategic initiatives, and favorable market valuations. The company’s consistent revenue growth and profitability, along with robust partnerships, highlight promising future potential. However, the presence of negative free cash flow presents a liquidity risk that will require careful management.

About Unite Group plc

Unite Students is the UK’s leading owner, operator, and developer of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). Managing over 150 properties across 23 university locations, the company provides en-suite rooms and a range of services to approximately 70,000 students. Established in 1991, Unite is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) listed on the London Stock Exchange, dedicated to raising standards in the student housing sector.

Ariana Resources (LSE:AAU) has started the cold commissioning phase of its processing plant at the Tavsan Mine, marking a key milestone in the project’s development. The mine, operated by Zenit Madencilik in collaboration with Proccea Construction and Ozaltin Holding, aims to reach full operational status by July. Recent advancements include connecting the site to the national power grid and securing approval for a solar energy project, which is expected to lower operational expenses and boost environmental sustainability.

Tavsan represents Ariana’s inaugural heap-leach operation in Türkiye and will complement the existing Kiziltepe CIL processing facility, enhancing operational flexibility. The project is on track for its first gold production this summer.

About Ariana Resources

Ariana Resources PLC is an AIM-listed company engaged in mineral exploration and development, with a portfolio centered on gold and copper-gold assets. Its operations span several regions, including active mining in Türkiye and Zimbabwe, alongside exploration projects in Cyprus and Kosovo. The company also holds stakes in various mineral exploration ventures across Africa and Europe.

Mila Resources (LSE:MILA) has reported encouraging outcomes from its initial drilling phase at the Yarrol Gold Project in Queensland. Two additional drill holes have confirmed the presence of gold beyond the historically defined resource area, including zones of high-grade mineralization. These results support the company’s geological model indicating resource continuity at depth and highlight the potential to expand the known mineralized zone.

While Mila Resources continues to face financial pressures, including ongoing losses and cash outflows, the positive drilling outcomes offer a promising avenue for growth. Technical signals point to short-term positive momentum, although challenges persist due to negative earnings and the absence of dividend payments.

About Mila Resources

Mila Resources Plc specializes in gold exploration, primarily focused on advancing its projects within the natural resources sector. Its flagship initiative is the Yarrol Gold Project in Queensland, Australia, where the company aims to grow its resource base and uncover new gold-bearing zones.

London-based online trading firm CMC Markets plc (LSE:CMCX) has released its full-year results for fiscal 2025 (ending March 31, 2025), revealing a slowdown in revenue and profit during the second half of the year (October 2024 to March 2025), following a robust first half.

Leadership Changes at CMC Markets

The company also announced notable changes to its senior management team. David Fineberg, who served as Deputy CEO since 2019, will step down from the Board to assume a newly created role as Global Head of Strategic Partnerships. In this capacity, Fineberg will focus on fostering institutional alliances and accelerating growth through key collaborators like Revolut and blockchain services provider StrikeX.

Laurence Booth, currently Global Head of Capital Markets, will join the Board as an Executive Director starting June 5, 2025. Meanwhile, Matthew Lewis, Head of ANZ and Board Director, will leave the Board but continue to drive expansion in the Australia and New Zealand region, concentrating on stockbroking and digital asset offerings.

Financial Performance Highlights

CMC Markets reported revenues of £162.7 million in the second half of FY2025, marking a second consecutive decline amid growing competition from traditional rivals such as IG Group and Plus500, as well as cryptocurrency exchanges like Crypto.com and Kraken encroaching on retail financial trading.

Net profit also fell for the second half in a row, reaching £26.9 million. For the full fiscal year, the company posted total revenue of £340.1 million and net profit of £62.2 million.

Share Price Movement

Following the announcement, CMC Markets shares dropped roughly 12% at market open. Despite recent volatility, with prices swinging between a high of 349p in late 2024 and a low of 183.4p earlier this year, shares closed at approximately 284.5p, near levels from the previous year.

Strategic Outlook

CMC Markets outlined a forward-looking “three vertical future state” strategy. Alongside its existing Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brokerage and B2B institutional services, the company plans to embrace the rising influence of Web 3.0, decentralized finance (DeFi), and tokenization as transformative forces in global finance.

To this end, CMC is launching a third strategic business vertical focused on DeFi and Web 3.0 technologies. Key initiatives already underway include 24/7 cryptocurrency trading, enhanced digital asset treasury and payment solutions, and the acquisition of blockchain technology firm StrikeX after the fiscal year-end, which will bolster in-house expertise and infrastructure.

About CMC Markets

CMC Markets Plc operates within the financial technology sector, offering multi-asset trading and investment services. Its platforms serve both retail clients via a Direct-to-Consumer model and institutional clients through Platform Technology as a Service (PTAS), covering both traditional financial markets and emerging decentralized finance ecosystems.

Blue Star Capital plc (LSE:BLU) has announced a conditional placing aimed at raising £250,000 via the issuance of new ordinary shares. This capital raise is designed to reinforce the company’s financial foundation and support the ongoing expansion of its key investment, SatoshiPay—especially the development of its Vortex platform.

In addition, Blue Star Capital is seeking shareholder approval to grant authority for issuing new shares and to disapply pre-emption rights. These measures are part of the company’s broader strategy to invest in disruptive technology sectors and explore innovative financial assets, including the potential integration of Bitcoin as part of its treasury holdings.

About Blue Star Capital plc

Blue Star Capital plc is an investment firm specializing in emerging sectors such as blockchain technology, esports, and digital payments. Its flagship holding, SatoshiPay Ltd, facilitates the bridging of traditional fiat finance systems with decentralized finance (DeFi) networks. Blue Star Capital remains actively engaged in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape, including key digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Jubilee Metals Group PLC (LSE: JLP) has received a conditional offer of up to $90 million for the sale of its chrome and platinum group metals (PGM) operations in South Africa. The proposed divestment marks a strategic shift as the company sharpens its focus on scaling copper production in Zambia—an area of growing global interest amid rising demand for electrification and clean energy technologies.

The potential sale is expected to unlock capital for reinvestment in Zambia’s high-growth copper sector, aligning with Jubilee’s long-term strategy to generate stronger returns and drive value creation for shareholders. Management has also indicated that the proceeds may support future dividend distributions, further enhancing shareholder appeal.

Market Outlook

Jubilee Metals enters this transition with positive technical momentum and an attractive valuation. However, financial headwinds—including narrowing profit margins and increased debt—underscore the need for disciplined execution moving forward. The planned asset divestment, paired with focused reinvestment, positions the company to strengthen its operational and financial performance over time.

About Jubilee Metals Group PLC

Jubilee Metals Group is a diversified metal recovery and production company with operations in South Africa and Zambia. While historically active in chrome and PGM extraction, the company is now prioritizing the expansion of its copper business in Zambia. This strategic pivot reflects Jubilee’s commitment to participating in the global energy transition by supplying critical minerals for electrification and green infrastructure.

Dr. Martens PLC (LSE:DOCS) has released its preliminary results for the fiscal year ending March 2025, unveiling a refined growth strategy centered on deepening consumer engagement. Despite persistent macroeconomic challenges, the company successfully met its key objectives for FY25—most notably, revitalizing growth in its Americas direct-to-consumer business and achieving substantial cost efficiencies.

Under its updated roadmap, titled Levers for Growth, Dr. Martens plans to widen its market presence by attracting a broader customer base and refining its global distribution strategy. The shift reflects a commitment to long-term brand development, backed by strong cash generation and a resilient balance sheet. The company’s focus on high-quality products and its iconic brand heritage positions it well for sustainable, profitable expansion into new and existing markets.

Market Outlook

While Dr. Martens maintains healthy cash flows and has executed several positive strategic moves, the company faces headwinds from declining revenue trends and unfavorable technical indicators. However, its current valuation appears reasonable, and recent developments have helped restore a degree of investor confidence, contributing to a cautiously optimistic outlook.

About Dr. Martens PLC

Established in 1960, Dr. Martens is a globally recognized British footwear brand, renowned for its durability, distinctive design, and cultural relevance. The company operates across more than 60 countries, offering a diverse product portfolio that includes its signature 1460 boots, shoes, sandals, and a range of accessories. Dr. Martens distributes through both Direct-to-Consumer and wholesale channels, serving customers around the world who value style, substance, and authenticity.

Tern Plc (LSE:TERN) has reported continued strategic progress throughout 2024, despite broader market headwinds. The company’s core portfolio of early-stage technology investments showed signs of maturity, with key businesses delivering notable developments.

Device Authority strengthened its footprint in North America, advancing its Internet of Things (IoT) cybersecurity offerings. Meanwhile, FundamentalVR deepened its industry presence through strategic partnerships with major tech firms and gained recognition for its pioneering virtual reality surgical training solutions. Talking Medicines also achieved solid revenue growth and expanded its presence in the healthcare sector through new partnerships.

However, Tern encountered challenges within its portfolio, particularly with Wyld Networks and Konektio—the latter of which entered administration during the year. Despite these setbacks, Tern remains committed to its overarching strategy of capital growth, selective reinvestment, and diversification.

The company aims to capitalize on increasing investor interest in early-stage software and artificial intelligence businesses, positioning itself as a gateway for AIM investors to access high-potential IoT and digital health ventures.

About Tern Plc

Tern Plc is a UK-based investment company focused on identifying and nurturing high-growth, early-stage technology companies—particularly in the IoT, AI, and digital health sectors. The firm provides investors with exposure to innovative tech startups that are typically out of reach for traditional retail investors, with a mission to unlock long-term value through strategic partnerships, operational support, and targeted capital deployment.