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U.S. stock futures point sharply lower on Friday as investors react to a ratcheting up in tensions in the Middle East. Israel carried out a large-scale airstrike on Iran early Friday, hitting “dozens” of military and nuclear targets, sending oil prices soaring. Elsewhere, the search continues for missing people after a fatal Air India crash that led to a decline in shares in Boeing (NYSE:BA) and other jet suppliers.

Futures drop

U.S. stock futures slumped while oil prices surged after Israel carried out a military strike on Iran. By 03:45 ET, the Dow futures contract had fallen by 449 points, or 1.3%, S&P 500 futures had dropped by 83 points, or 1.4%, and Nasdaq 100 futures had shed 318 points, or 1.5%.

The prospect of escalating tensions in the Middle East—a critical hub for oil production—added to uncertainty for investors already grappling with heightened trade tensions that some fear could dent global growth.

Still, global stocks have posted an near-continuous rally since early April, with traders largely hoping that President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda may not be as aggressive as originally thought. Following relatively benign consumer and producer price reports for May this week, equities on Wall Street gained on Thursday.

Oil spikes after Israel strikes Iran

Oil prices surged on Friday in the wake of Israel’s large-scale airstrike on Iran early Friday, which hit “dozens” of military and nuclear targets, according to media reports.

“Following the preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate timeframe,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

At 03:02 ET, Brent futures climbed 5.7% to $73.32 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 6% to $72.13 a barrel. Both contracts hit their highest in almost five months, as traders worried that any conflict could disrupt shipping routes or oil infrastructure across the Gulf.

Reacting to a potential elevation in geopolitical risk, investors also shifted into perceived safe-haven assets like gold and the Swiss franc. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which moves inversely to prices, fell to a one-month low as well.

Iran launched around 100 drones towards Israeli territory in response, an Israeli military spokesman said. Sirens and a state of emergency were declared across Israel amid warnings of an imminent missile and drone counter strike from Tehran.

Iran’s state media confirmed reports saying that the strikes had killed Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami, along with six nuclear scientists.

Air India crash latest; Boeing slides

Shares in Boeing lost more than 4% on Thursday, following a deadly crash of an Air India flight heading to London’s Gatwick Airport.

Over 240 people were killed in the accident, Reuters reported, adding that rescue workers are continuing to search for missing people and aircraft parts.

The plane—a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying some 242 people—crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad in western India, in the world’s worst aviation disaster in years.

One person survived after the jet crashed into a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad, causing dozens of deaths on the ground.

GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE), whose GEnx-1B engines power the 787 Dreamliner, and Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR) also saw their share prices decline following the crash.

Adobe results

Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) raised its annual guidance after reporting better-than-expected fiscal second-quarter revenue, as its core digital media business continued to ride an artificial intelligence-led demand wave.

For 2025, the company upgraded its guidance for adjusted per-share income to between $20.50 to $20.70 on revenue of $23.50 billion to $23.60 billion, up from a prior range for adjusted EPS of $20.20 to $20.50, and revenue of $23.30 billion to $23.55 billion.

Digital media segment revenue is now expected to come in at between $17.45 billion and $17.50 billion, up from $17.25 billion to $17.40 billion previously.

The Photoshop-owner reported second-quarter revenue of $5.87 billion, topping analysts’ average estimates of $5.8 billion.

But shares in the company edged slightly lower in after-hours trading on Friday. Analysts at Vital Knowledge flagged that while investors “should come away relatively happy” with Adobe’s returns, its outlook “isn’t nearly as impressive” as cloud-computing group Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), which reported earlier this week.

University of Michigan sentiment ahead

Highlighting the economic calendar on Friday will be the University of Michigan’s survey tracking consumer sentiment and inflation expectations.

Economists anticipate that the survey, which has shown signs of deterioration in recent months as Americans fret over the impact of Trump’s tariffs, will recover somewhat in June.

“That would still leave it at a relatively subdued level, reflecting the still elevated inflation expectations component,” analysts at ING said in a note to clients.

One-year inflation rate expectations are tipped to come in at 6.4%.

Data this week has shown that overall price pressures in the U.S. were broadly contained in May, although analysts have flagged lingering concerns that the effect of Trump’s tariffs has yet to be fully felt.

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) has raised prices for its Model S and Model X vehicles in the United States, as reflected on the company’s official website. The cost of the Model S AWD has gone up by $5,000, now retailing at $84,990, compared to the previous $79,990.

The Model S Plaid also saw a similar price increase, climbing to $99,990 from $94,990. Meanwhile, the Model X range experienced identical $5,000 hikes for both the Model X AWD and Model X Plaid versions in the U.S. market.

On Friday, Dundee Precious Metals (TSX:DPM) unveiled its intention to purchase Adriatic Metals (LSE:ADT1) for approximately $1.3 billion. This transaction will grant Dundee full ownership of the Vareš mining project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, enhancing its asset base in the region.

With this acquisition, Dundee Precious Metals anticipates boosting its production capacity to around 425,000 gold equivalent ounces by 2027, reflecting expected growth from integrating Adriatic’s operations.

This move marks a significant strategic expansion for Dundee Precious Metals, aiming to solidify its foothold within the European mining industry through the addition of Adriatic’s valuable resources.

UK stocks opened lower on Friday, with the FTSE 100 index declining amid rising geopolitical concerns following Israeli airstrikes on Iran. The British pound also weakened against the dollar, reflecting increased market caution.

By 07:03 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 0.6%, while the pound slipped 0.5% to trade near 1.35 USD. European markets mirrored the trend, with Germany’s DAX falling 1.3% and France’s CAC 40 retreating 1.1%.

Israel Launches Strikes on Iran

In early Friday operations, Israel conducted extensive airstrikes targeting several Iranian military and nuclear facilities. A state of emergency was declared domestically amid warnings of possible retaliatory attacks. Iranian reports—though unconfirmed—suggested the death of Revolutionary Guards leader Hossein Salami.

Tehran promised a strong response targeting both Israel and the United States. However, Washington emphasized that the Israeli action was independent and undertaken in self-defense.

Eurozone Inflation Shows Signs of Cooling

Inflation figures across key European economies indicate easing price pressures. Germany’s annual inflation rate declined to 2.1% in May, confirming prior estimates. Sweden reported a modest 0.1% monthly increase and 2.3% yearly inflation, consistent with its central bank’s target. Meanwhile, France’s inflation eased to 0.7% year-on-year, signaling weakening inflationary trends in the eurozone.

GSK Seeks EU Approval to Expand RSV Vaccine Use

GlaxoSmithKline (LSE:GSK) announced that the European Medicines Agency has accepted its application to extend the approved age range for its RSV vaccine, Arexvy, to include adults aged 18 and older. The vaccine currently holds authorization for select age groups within the EU.

Dundee Precious Metals to Acquire Adriatic Metals

Dundee Precious Metals (TSX:DPM) revealed plans to acquire UK-listed Adriatic Metals (LSE:ADT1) in a deal valued at $1.3 billion. This acquisition will give Dundee full ownership of the Vareš mine project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, expanding its footprint in the region.

Oil Prices Climb Amid Middle East Unrest

Crude oil prices surged on heightened fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East and possible supply disruptions. As of 07:09 GMT, Brent crude rose 4.3% to $72.39 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude gained 4.8%, reaching $71.40 per barrel.

Norcros PLC (LSE:NXR) announced its financial results for the year ending March 31, 2025, revealing that strategic initiatives have driven market share growth and improved margins, even as revenue fell by 6.1%. The company recorded a record underlying profit in the UK and Ireland while maintaining a robust balance sheet. Key moves included the sale of Johnson Tiles UK and a continued focus on organic growth, operational efficiency, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.

Looking ahead, Norcros remains optimistic about meeting its medium-term strategic goals and has maintained its guidance for fiscal year 2026 despite ongoing market uncertainties.

Financial and Market Outlook

Norcros demonstrates strong cash flow generation and profitability enhancements. While technical indicators suggest possible further gains, some caution is warranted due to overbought signals. The stock’s valuation appears reasonable, complemented by an attractive dividend yield. Recent positive corporate developments bolster confidence in the company’s future prospects.

About Norcros

Norcros is a leading designer and manufacturer of sustainable bathroom and kitchen products, serving markets in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, and select export regions. Known for its innovative, mid-premium product lines, Norcros holds the top position in the UK and Ireland bathroom market with well-established brands including Triton, MERLYN, Grant Westfield, VADO, Croydex, and Abode. In South Africa, the company’s portfolio includes Tile Africa, TAL, Johnson Tiles South Africa, and House of Plumbing. Headquartered in Wilmslow, Cheshire, Norcros is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange.

Great Southern Copper PLC (LSE:GSCU) has revealed encouraging assay outcomes from its Phase II diamond drilling campaign at the Mostaza Mine within the Cerro Negro district. The findings confirm the presence of high-grade copper and silver mineralization, extending the known boundaries of the deposit both at depth and along strike. These promising results set the stage for an upcoming Phase III drilling program aimed at further delineating and expanding the resource.

Exploration Success Amid Financial Challenges

While the drilling news marks a positive technical development, Great Southern Copper continues to face financial headwinds, with no current revenue streams and negative cash flow reported. Despite a solid equity base, the company’s financial performance remains a challenge, introducing risk factors for investors. Nonetheless, favorable corporate developments and positive market sentiment surrounding its exploration efforts provide some offset to these concerns. Lack of detailed valuation data adds complexity to the investment outlook.

About Great Southern Copper PLC

Great Southern Copper is a Chile-focused mineral exploration company targeting high-grade deposits of copper, silver, and gold. With a core emphasis on advancing resource definition and development in key mining districts, the company aims to establish a robust portfolio of valuable base and precious metal assets.

Johnson Matthey plc (LSE:JMAT) has published its audited financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, outlining a series of key financial decisions that underscore its ongoing strategic reorientation. The company reported a total net cash outflow of £333 million from financing activities, reflecting a mix of non-cash movements, share repurchases, dividend distributions, and interest payments.

Focused Capital Allocation and Treasury Activity

During the year, Johnson Matthey executed a structured capital return program, including the repurchase of treasury shares and the continued payout of dividends to shareholders. These moves are part of a broader effort to optimize capital deployment and enhance shareholder value, despite the resulting short-term cash outflows. Interest payments on existing debt and changes in liabilities tied to financing also contributed to the overall net outflow.

Strategic Outlook Amid Mixed Market Conditions

The company’s outlook remains cautiously optimistic. Strong cash generation and solid valuation metrics provide a foundation for long-term stability. However, Johnson Matthey faces challenges in revenue growth, and technical indicators suggest some near-term volatility. Management continues to focus on efficiency and long-term positioning through disciplined financial and operational strategies.

About Johnson Matthey

Johnson Matthey is a global leader in sustainable technologies, with a diverse portfolio spanning clean air, chemical processing, and precious metal services. Serving industries such as automotive, healthcare, and energy, the company is well-known for its innovations in catalysis and advanced chemical materials, with a growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental performance.

CleanTech Lithium PLC (LSE:CTL) has released its audited 2024 results, showcasing meaningful advancements at its flagship Laguna Verde lithium brine project in Chile. The company confirmed a JORC-compliant resource estimate of 1.63 million tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE), reinforcing the project’s long-term production potential.

Progress on Regulatory Front and Technology Deployment

CleanTech continues to pursue a Special Lithium Operation Contract (CEOL) from the Chilean government, which is vital for progressing to commercial production. Meanwhile, the company is actively advancing its proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, which has yielded high-purity lithium carbonate in early-stage testing. The approach supports CleanTech’s sustainability goals by minimizing environmental impact and water use compared to traditional lithium extraction methods.

Strategic Expansion and Community Engagement

In a move to broaden its capital markets reach, CleanTech is also seeking a dual listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). This initiative is expected to attract increased investor interest, particularly from markets with a strong focus on energy transition and battery minerals. The company has also strengthened its local engagement efforts, emphasizing transparent communication with communities in the Atacama region.

Outlook

Despite a challenging market backdrop for lithium developers, CleanTech Lithium remains focused on delivering long-term value through innovation, environmental responsibility, and regulatory alignment. With a robust resource base and growing technological capabilities, the company is well-positioned to support the accelerating global shift toward electric mobility and renewable energy storage.

About CleanTech Lithium

CleanTech Lithium PLC is a UK-listed exploration and development company with a strategic focus on sustainable lithium production in Chile. Leveraging cutting-edge DLE technology, the company targets high-purity lithium output from brine resources, aiming to supply the rapidly growing electric vehicle and energy storage markets.

Oxford Instruments plc (LSE:OXIG) has reported impressive full-year results for FY2024/25, surpassing the £500 million revenue milestone for the first time. The performance was fueled by strong demand in its core semiconductor and materials analysis divisions, underscoring the company’s successful strategic direction.

Strategic Quantum Exit and Shareholder Returns

As part of a strategic portfolio realignment, Oxford Instruments announced the divestiture of its NanoScience quantum business in a £60 million transaction. The move enables the company to double down on high-growth opportunities, while unlocking capital for a £50 million share buyback program—an initiative designed to deliver enhanced value to shareholders and support its medium-term operating margin objectives.

Financial and Market Outlook

Backed by consistent top-line expansion and solid profitability, Oxford Instruments remains in a strong financial position. Nevertheless, technical indicators suggest some short-term market caution, despite the company’s reasonable valuation and sound fundamentals. The announced share buyback is expected to support investor sentiment amid broader market uncertainty.

About Oxford Instruments

Founded in 1959 as a University of Oxford spin-out, Oxford Instruments has grown into a global FTSE250 technology leader. The company designs and manufactures advanced tools and systems used in research and industry, serving sectors such as semiconductors, materials science, and life sciences. Its commitment to innovation and scientific excellence continues to underpin its reputation as a trusted partner in cutting-edge applications across academia and commercial enterprise.

Ground Rents Income Fund plc (LSE:GRIO) has released its half-year financial update, revealing a £6.4 million decline in its unaudited portfolio valuation and a reduction in net asset value to £50.4 million. Despite ongoing sector headwinds, the company made £9.2 million in asset sales during the period, allowing for meaningful debt repayments.

Navigating Legislative and Cost Pressures

The company continues to face challenges stemming from recent Leasehold Reform measures and the evolving Building Safety Regulations. Efforts to address these include ongoing remediation projects and a judicial review aimed at contesting certain enfranchisement provisions in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.

While operational costs have risen and a recent unsolicited acquisition offer failed to materialize, the company remains focused on stabilizing its portfolio and responding to the shifting regulatory landscape.

Market Outlook and Strategic Positioning

Ground Rents Income Fund maintains a stable balance sheet, providing a degree of financial resilience. However, profitability hurdles and uneven cash flow performance have contributed to negative market sentiment. Technically, the stock reflects a bearish trend, though its dividend yield offers some valuation appeal. Ongoing legal actions and evolving regulatory frameworks introduce uncertainty, complicating the company’s near-term strategic prospects.

About Ground Rents Income Fund

Ground Rents Income Fund plc is a listed real estate investment trust (REIT), trading on the SETSqx platform of the London Stock Exchange and listed on The International Stock Exchange. Specializing in residential leasehold asset management, the fund promotes transparency, fairness, and affordability for leaseholders. It is managed by Schroder Real Estate Investment Management Limited, which has led efforts since 2019 to address complex regulatory and safety challenges within the portfolio.