Blog

Wizz Air (LSE:WIZZ) announced on Monday that it will withdraw from its Abu Dhabi base and halt all flights originating there starting in September. The airline cited ongoing operational difficulties and regional geopolitical tensions as key reasons behind the decision.

“Supply chain constraints, geopolitical instability, and limited market access have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our original ambitions,” stated Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi.

“While this was a difficult decision, it is the right one given the circumstances,” he added.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Elixirr International plc (LSE:ELIX) saw its shares climb more than 4% on Monday after reporting exceptional revenue growth in the first half of 2025, setting new records for both quarters ending June 30.

The consulting firm, which recently transitioned to the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market, revealed a 35% increase in revenue year-over-year for the six-month period. Organic growth accounted for a 17% rise compared to the same timeframe in 2024. Profit margins remained stable, consistent with recent performance.

Earlier, Elixirr had announced record revenue for Q1 2025, and Monday’s update confirmed the second quarter continued that momentum, featuring five record-breaking months.

The company’s board expressed confidence that full-year results will meet market expectations. Interim financial results for the half-year ending June 30 are scheduled for release on September 22.

Founder and CEO Stephen Newton stated, “We are pleased to report continued growth in H1 25, maintaining our track record of profitable growth since our AIM IPO,”

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

The British pound weakened on Monday, falling to $1.34 after reaching $1.36 last week, as concerns grew over U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose 30% tariffs on imports from Mexico and the European Union.

Despite the currency slide, the FTSE 100 index was modestly higher by 0.2% as of 07:58 GMT. Meanwhile, European markets showed mixed performance, with Germany’s DAX down 0.7% and France’s CAC 40 retreating 0.5%.

Ashmore Reports Solid Growth in Assets Under Management

Investment firm Ashmore Group (LSE:ASHM) announced a $1.4 billion increase in assets under management (AuM) during Q2, lifting total AuM to $47.6 billion as of June 30. The rise primarily reflected $2.2 billion in positive investment returns, partially offset by $0.8 billion in net client withdrawals.

Fixed income assets grew to $38.5 billion, up from $37.8 billion the previous quarter, while equities expanded from $6.8 billion to $7.5 billion. Positive inflows were seen in equities, stable flows in external debt and alternatives, with slight outflows noted in blended debt, local currency, and corporate debt categories.

AstraZeneca Shares Rise on Encouraging Blood Pressure Drug Trial

Shares of AstraZeneca (LSE:AZN) gained 2% following promising Phase III trial results for its experimental hypertension drug, baxdrostat. The drug achieved significant reductions in systolic blood pressure at 12 weeks across two dose levels, outperforming placebo when used alongside standard treatments.

Elixirr Reports Revenue Surge, Shares Advance

Consultancy Elixirr International (LSE:ELIX) saw its shares climb roughly 5% after reporting a 35% year-over-year increase in first-half revenues. The company’s board remains optimistic that full-year results will meet market expectations.

UK Job Market Shows Signs of Weakening

Data from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG revealed that permanent staff hires in the UK declined at their fastest rate in 22 months during June. Available worker numbers surged to their highest since 2020, while salary growth slowed and job vacancies dropped. The retail sector faced the most pronounced challenges.

DCC Sells IT Division to Aurelius

In corporate activity, DCC (LSE:DCC) announced the sale of its information technology division to investment firm Aurelius for an enterprise value near £100 million.

GSK’s RSV Drug Receives U.S. Regulatory Review

Pharmaceutical giant GSK (LSE:GSK) confirmed that the U.S. authorities have accepted its application to extend the use of its RSV medication Arexvy for further review.

Shares of AstraZeneca (LSE:AZN) climbed following positive data from a Phase III trial of its investigational drug baxdrostat, which demonstrated significant blood pressure reductions in patients with difficult-to-control hypertension. The trial results, unveiled Monday, highlight the drug’s potential as a new treatment option for resistant high blood pressure.

The BaxHTN study involved 796 adults suffering from uncontrolled or resistant hypertension—conditions where blood pressure remains elevated despite the use of multiple medications. Participants were randomly assigned to receive daily doses of 1 mg or 2 mg of baxdrostat, or a placebo, alongside their usual treatments.

After 12 weeks, patients treated with baxdrostat showed a notable decline in systolic blood pressure compared to those on placebo. The reduction was both statistically significant and clinically meaningful. The trial also successfully met all its secondary endpoints, including improvements in diastolic pressure and a strong safety profile with minimal side effects.

Hypertension affects over 1.3 billion people globally, and many patients in the U.S. fail to control their blood pressure despite taking several drugs. Unmanaged high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and heart failure.

Baxdrostat targets the enzyme responsible for producing aldosterone, a hormone that elevates blood pressure by promoting salt and water retention. Unlike some existing therapies, baxdrostat selectively inhibits aldosterone without impacting cortisol, a crucial hormone for the body.

Dr. Bryan Williams, lead investigator of the trial and Chair of Medicine at University College London, remarked that these results offer hope for patients struggling to manage their hypertension with current treatments. He added that adding baxdrostat could provide meaningful additional blood pressure control.

The study included a follow-up phase to evaluate the durability of the drug’s effects. In this extension, 300 patients taking 2 mg of baxdrostat were re-randomized to continue the drug or switch to placebo for eight weeks. AstraZeneca will continue monitoring long-term safety up to 52 weeks.

These promising findings will be submitted to health authorities and presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress scheduled for August 2025.

Baxdrostat is part of AstraZeneca’s growing cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic pipeline. The company acquired the drug through its 2023 purchase of CinCor Pharma, a deal valued at up to $1.8 billion. CinCor shareholders may receive a $10-per-share bonus if regulatory filings are successfully made in the U.S. or Europe.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

On Monday, billionaire Elon Musk made it clear that he does not support merging Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) with his AI startup, xAI. Responding briefly on social media platform X, Musk simply replied “No” when asked if the two companies would combine.

This comes shortly after Musk revealed plans to seek shareholder approval for Tesla to invest in xAI, signaling his intent to maintain the companies as distinct entities. His remarks underscore a strategy focused on collaboration through investment rather than a full corporate merger, contingent on the outcome of the shareholder vote.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

European stock markets were mostly in the red on Monday, pressured by heightened concerns over escalating trade tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump announced steep new tariffs on European Union imports. The move, seen as a blow to ongoing transatlantic negotiations, reignited fears of a broader trade conflict.

By 07:55 GMT, Germany’s DAX had dropped 0.7%, while France’s CAC 40 was down 0.5%. In contrast, the FTSE 100 in London edged up 0.2%, with the U.K. already having secured a trade agreement with the Trump administration.

Transatlantic Trade Strain Deepens

Trump revealed over the weekend that the U.S. would impose a 30% tariff on goods imported from both the EU and Mexico, starting August 1. This announcement comes after similar measures were introduced on imports from Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Brazil in the previous week.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the tariffs, warning they would severely disrupt transatlantic supply chains, harming businesses, consumers, and patients alike. While reiterating the EU’s willingness to negotiate before the deadline, she emphasized that the bloc was “prepared to defend its interests” through proportional countermeasures if needed.

The EU and the U.S. collectively account for nearly 30% of global trade and 43% of global GDP, with bilateral trade valued at approximately €1.7 trillion in 2024, or roughly €4.6 billion per day.

German Automakers Hit by Tariff Shock

Shares of major German auto manufacturers were under pressure following the tariff announcement, which offered no exemptions for the automotive sector. Shares in Volkswagen (TG:VOW3), BMW (TG:BMW), Mercedes-Benz (TG:MBG) and Porsche (BIT:1PORS) all fell more than 1%.

AstraZeneca Gains on Trial Success

On a brighter note, shares of AstraZeneca (LSE:AZN) rose after the pharmaceutical giant reported that its hypertension drug Baxdrostat successfully met both primary and secondary endpoints in a key late-stage clinical trial involving patients with resistant high blood pressure.

Oil Prices Rise as Focus Shifts to Russia Sanctions

Crude oil prices climbed on Monday, driven by speculation that Washington may unveil new sanctions on Russia, potentially disrupting global supply flows.

As of 03:55 ET, Brent crude futures were up 1.1% at $71.14 per barrel, while WTI crude advanced 1.2% to $69.25 per barrel.

Trump is expected to deliver a “major statement” on Russia later in the day, amid growing bipartisan support in Congress for a bill proposing further sanctions aimed at pressuring Moscow over the war in Ukraine. At the same time, EU diplomats are reportedly nearing consensus on a new sanctions package that may include a tighter cap on Russian oil exports.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Gold edged up modestly in Asian trading on Monday, continuing its recent upward trend as escalating trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty drove investors toward safe-haven assets.

Market sentiment was rattled by fresh tariff announcements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who over the weekend confirmed a new round of import duties targeting Mexico and the European Union, fueling fears of a broader trade standoff. Meanwhile, news of Trump’s intention to send offensive weaponry to Ukraine added to global unease, potentially worsening relations with Russia.

Despite the supportive backdrop for gold, gains were restrained by a firmer U.S. dollar ahead of a closely watched inflation report due Tuesday. Silver, however, stood out with a notable surge, reaching its highest level in nearly 14 years.

As of 00:40 ET (04:40 GMT), spot gold was up 0.2% to $3,361.42 per ounce, while gold futures gained 0.3% to $3,374.80. Silver futures rallied 1.4% to $39.493, marking their strongest level since 2011.

Gold Holds Gains as Tariff Spree Sparks Economic Worries

Gold extended last week’s gains after Trump unveiled a sweeping 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the EU, escalating a series of trade restrictions that now include major economies like Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and copper exporters. The new duties are set to take effect on August 1, leaving minimal room for renegotiation.

The widening tariff war raised concerns over global economic stability, prompting investors to seek shelter in gold and other precious metals. Geopolitical jitters also remained high following reports that Trump plans to increase military support to Ukraine — a move that could aggravate tensions with Moscow. Over the weekend, Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for stalling ceasefire negotiations.

Although gold maintained an upward bias, analysts noted that the precious metal has already posted significant gains in 2025, limiting further upside in the near term. However, silver and platinum continued to shine, with platinum futures at $1,461.40, holding near decade highs despite a 0.6% dip.

Mixed Signals for Metals as Dollar Strength Offsets Gains

In the industrial metals space, copper prices showed mixed performance. London Metal Exchange copper futures climbed 0.3% to $9,694.45 per metric ton, supported by encouraging trade data out of China — the world’s largest copper consumer — which showed a rebound in red metal imports for June.

However, U.S. copper futures slipped 0.5% to $5.5783 per pound, as traders locked in profits following a record-breaking rally spurred by tariff-driven price jumps.

A stronger U.S. dollar capped gains across metal markets. The greenback rose 0.1% in Asian trading, recovering further from recent multi-year lows.

Investors now await the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) data due Tuesday. The figures are expected to show an uptick in inflation, potentially linked to the recent surge in tariffs. Sticky inflation could prompt the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged — a stance President Trump has openly challenged, calling for immediate cuts.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Bitcoin (COIN:BTCUSD) surged to a new all-time high above $122,000 in early Asian trading on Monday, driven by a surge in institutional interest and ahead of a pivotal week for U.S. cryptocurrency legislation.

As of 05:48 GMT, Bitcoin was trading up 3.9% at $122,467.8, having briefly peaked at $122,562.4 earlier in the session.

Institutional Buying Fuels Rally Past $121K

The latest leg up in Bitcoin’s rally followed a major purchase from Metaplanet Inc. (USOTC:MTPLF), a Japanese hotel operator-turned-Bitcoin advocate, which added 797 coins to its balance sheet. The company now holds 16,352 BTC, making it the fifth-largest corporate Bitcoin holder globally.

Bitcoin’s momentum has been building steadily, underpinned by strong inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs and renewed optimism for crypto-positive regulatory developments. Hopes for supportive legislation in Washington have also played a role.

“Although Bitcoin showed mild bearishness after hitting its previous peak in late May, recent price action suggests the correction may have run its course,” analysts at IG wrote in a note. “Technical indicators are turning bullish, and July’s trading volume is on pace to match or surpass May’s levels after a quieter June.”

The rally has extended beyond Bitcoin itself, with shares of crypto-focused firms like Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:RIOT), Marathon Digital Holdings (NASDAQ:MARA), and MicroStrategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) also posting strong gains in recent sessions.

Eyes on Washington as ‘Crypto Week’ Kicks Off

Investor sentiment is increasingly focused on a series of legislative debates scheduled for this week in the U.S. House of Representatives, dubbed “Crypto Week.” Lawmakers are set to discuss several significant proposals, including the Clarity for Digital Tokens Act, the Genius Act, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.

If passed, these bills could lay the groundwork for long-awaited regulatory clarity around stablecoins, crypto custody, and the broader digital asset space.

Adding to the bullish tone was a high-level meeting held last Thursday by China’s state asset regulator in Shanghai, which reportedly discussed digital currency and stablecoin strategy with local officials. While crypto trading remains banned in China, the meeting has been interpreted by some as a potential softening of the country’s stance.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Oil prices continued their upward momentum in early Asian trading on Monday, building on last week’s gains amid growing speculation that the United States could impose fresh sanctions on Russia. Market sentiment also remained cautious due to rising global trade tensions following President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs targeting the European Union and Mexico.

As of 21:22 ET (01:22 GMT), September contracts for Brent crude rose 0.2% to $70.48 per barrel, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures gained a similar 0.2%, trading at $68.55.

Both benchmarks surged nearly 3% last week, with Friday’s rally fueled by comments from the International Energy Agency (IEA), which pointed to a tightening short-term supply outlook. According to the IEA, although OPEC+ surprised markets with a more substantial production increase, global supplies remain constrained as refiners increase output to meet peak summer travel demand.

Market Focus Shifts to Trump’s Pending Russia Announcement

Investor attention has now turned to a promised “major statement” on Russia, which President Trump said he plans to deliver Monday. Over the weekend, he confirmed plans to send Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, signaling deepening tensions with Moscow.

Trump has reportedly become increasingly dissatisfied with Russian President Vladimir Putin due to stalled peace talks over Ukraine. This has fueled speculation that Washington may introduce tougher sanctions aimed at restricting Russian energy exports.

In the U.S. Congress, a bipartisan effort to pressure the Kremlin through economic measures is gaining ground. A proposed bill would dramatically raise tariffs—up to 500%—on countries such as China and India if they continue importing Russian oil and gas. However, the legislation still awaits formal backing from the White House.

Tariff Headwinds Cap Oil Rally

While supply-side concerns are boosting oil prices, further upside may be limited due to escalating trade tensions. Over the weekend, Trump revealed plans to slap a 30% tariff on most goods imported from the EU and Mexico, effective August 1. This follows a broader tariff push announced earlier in the week, including duties on imports from Japan, South Korea, Canada, Brazil, and a steep 50% tariff on copper.

The increasingly aggressive trade stance has raised concerns about global economic growth. Trade barriers tend to dampen industrial output and international travel—both key drivers of energy consumption—raising the risk of weaker oil demand in the months ahead.

With less than three weeks to resolve looming trade disputes, markets are likely to remain on edge as geopolitical and macroeconomic risks collide.

Tern Plc (LSE:TERN) has announced an underwritten Open Offer to raise approximately £642,486 by issuing 64,248,646 shares at 1.00p each. The offer provides qualifying shareholders the opportunity to participate and is fully underwritten by CMC Markets UK Plc. Proceeds will support Tern’s strategy to maximize value from its portfolio companies through strategic exits or reinvestment opportunities. The Open Offer is conditional on AIM admission, with trading expected to begin on 31 July 2025.

More about Tern Plc

Tern Plc focuses on value creation in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector, nurturing early-stage tech companies and enhancing their growth prospects. The company leverages strategic partnerships and market expansion, particularly targeting opportunities in the USA.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.