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Telecom Plus PLC (LSE:TEP) released its half-year results, reporting another period of compound double-digit customer growth—marking the fourth straight year of such gains. A substantial lift in customer numbers came from effective cross-selling to the recently acquired TalkTalk broadband base. While gross profit and profit before tax edged slightly lower versus the prior year, the company reiterated confidence in meeting its full-year guidance, which includes an ambitious target of 25% total customer growth. With a scalable operating platform and competitive propositions across mobile, energy, broadband and insurance, Telecom Plus remains focused on its longer-term aim of serving two million customers.

The company’s outlook reflects a blend of strengths and challenges: profitability and a solid balance sheet support investor confidence, but softer revenue trends and weaker cash conversion temper the picture. Technical indicators currently suggest bearish momentum, though valuation metrics are underpinned by a fair P/E ratio and an appealing dividend yield.

More about Telecom Plus

Telecom Plus, trading as Utility Warehouse, is the UK’s only integrated provider of subscription-style essential household services. Its offering spans energy, broadband, mobile and insurance, all consolidated into a single monthly bill. The company’s multiservice model supports recurring revenue, predictable margins and long-term customer loyalty. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Next plc (LSE:NXT) has completed the sale of unused land in Waltham Abbey, Essex, generating a net cash gain of £54.1 million and delivering an exceptional profit of £16.3 million. Though outside the scope of its core retail activities, the transaction supports enhanced shareholder returns, with the board approving a 45p increase to the special dividend. The move aligns with Next’s updated plans for its distribution network.

The company’s outlook remains broadly positive, supported by strong financial metrics and constructive technical signals. Next continues to demonstrate firm revenue growth and effective use of equity, although its valuation screens as less compelling. Technical indicators also flag potential overbought conditions, suggesting a measure of caution. With no recent earnings calls or corporate developments disclosed, these elements do not alter the near-term view.

More about Next plc

Next plc is a leading UK retailer offering a wide selection of fashion and homeware products, including clothing, footwear, accessories and household items. It serves a broad customer base through an integrated model spanning both physical stores and a sizeable online presence.

Triad Group Plc (LSE:TRD) posted a solid set of results for the first half of 2025, with revenue rising 16% and profits climbing meaningfully on the back of sustained demand for its digital services. The company secured several high-value contracts with UK government departments, strengthening its standing in the public sector and underscoring its ability to operate effectively amid evolving governance requirements. Reflecting its confidence in future prospects, the board approved an increase to the interim dividend. The group’s debt-free balance sheet and strong cash position also give it ample room to navigate any near-term uncertainties.

Triad’s outlook is underpinned by its improving financial profile, highlighted by marked gains in revenue and profitability. That said, technical indicators point to a bearish trend, and valuation measures imply the shares may be priced ahead of fundamentals. With no recent earnings calls or corporate announcements, additional forward-looking detail is limited.

More about Triad Group plc

Triad Group Plc works within the digital services sector, delivering value-focused solutions to public-sector clients. Its capabilities span digital transformation, business analysis and architecture, with a strong concentration of work tied to government-driven initiatives in areas such as energy security, product safety and law enforcement.

Compass Group PLC (LSE:CPG) delivered another year of solid growth for the period ending September 2025, reporting a 9.7% uplift in statutory revenue and a 14.7% increase in operating profit. Underlying operating profit advanced 11.7%, supported by 8.7% organic revenue growth and a 10bps improvement in operating margin. The company also secured $3.8 billion in new contracts while maintaining an industry-leading client retention rate of more than 96%. During the year, Compass deployed $1.5 billion in capital expenditure and $1.3 billion on acquisitions—including the European purchase of Vermaat—to broaden its capabilities and geographic reach. The group expects continued earnings momentum, underpinned by organic growth and further acquisition-led expansion.

Financial strength remains the dominant contributor to the stock’s score, reflecting consistent performance and disciplined cash flow management. Even so, technical indicators lean neutral to slightly bearish, and the elevated P/E multiple signals a stretched valuation that tempers sentiment.

More about Compass

Compass Group PLC is a major global player in food services, providing meals and specialised support services across a wide range of client sectors. Operating within a roughly $360 billion market where it holds under 15% share, the company sees substantial room for long-term expansion. Its sector-focused model and global scale allow Compass to pursue first-time outsourcing opportunities and selective acquisitions to further enhance its service offering and competitive position.

Cranswick plc (LSE:CWK) posted a strong set of interim results for the 26 weeks to 27 September 2025, reporting revenue of £1,468.3m, up 10.4% year-on-year, and a 13.5% increase in adjusted group operating profit to £113.0m. Growth was driven by standout performances in the poultry and gourmet categories, supported by fresh contract wins and recent acquisitions. While net debt rose as a result of elevated capital spending and deal activity, the group secured a £360m refinancing package to underpin its next phase of expansion. Investments in automation and added processing capacity are expected to lift efficiency and reinforce Cranswick’s competitive position.

The company’s financial strength is the main contributor to its stock score, underpinned by firm revenue momentum and solid profitability. Technical indicators, however, point to a more guarded near-term view amid bearish trading signals. Valuation screens as moderately appealing, helped by a reasonable dividend yield, though the lack of earnings call commentary or recent corporate updates provides limited incremental colour.

More about Cranswick

Cranswick plc is one of the UK’s leading producers of premium fresh and added-value foods. Employing more than 16,000 people across 23 sites, the company manufactures a wide range of products including fresh pork, poultry, convenience items, gourmet lines and pet food. It supplies major supermarket chains, has a strong presence in food-to-go, and continues to expand its reach in export markets.

Rainbow Rare Earths (LSE:RBW) has chosen solvent extraction (SX) as the preferred technique for separating rare earth elements at its Phalaborwa development in South Africa. The method, endorsed in a pre-feasibility review by ANSTO, is expected to deliver high-purity rare earth oxides and provides the clarity needed to lock in the project’s full processing flowsheet. SX is also aligned with the company’s plan to keep capital requirements low, supporting its schedule for construction in 2027 and first production the following year. The company also updated its estimates for annual SEG+ output, indicating it could generate roughly $160 million in yearly revenue.

From a market standpoint, Rainbow Rare Earths continues to face pressure from ongoing losses and the absence of current revenue, which heighten the company’s risk profile. Even so, technical indicators point to strong upward momentum, potentially reflecting investor optimism around Phalaborwa and other strategic initiatives. Valuation remains difficult due to negative earnings, but project progress provides a measure of longer-term confidence.

More about Rainbow Rare Earths

Rainbow Rare Earths is working to build a transparent and independent supply chain for rare earth elements, essential to clean-energy technologies. The company specializes in extracting these minerals from phosphogypsum—a residue from phosphoric acid production—offering a lower-risk, unconventional alternative to typical rare earth mining projects.

Begbies Traynor Group plc (LSE:BEG) has broadened its property auctions footprint with the purchase of Network Auctions, a move executed through its Eddisons division. The addition is intended to strengthen Eddisons’ auction capabilities and deepen the group’s reach across the south east of England, where the Network Auctions team will now operate under the Eddisons brand to support further expansion.

The company’s broader outlook reflects steady financial momentum, supported by reliable revenue gains and healthy cash generation. Even so, chart indicators suggest the possibility of near-term pressure, and the shares currently trade at a premium relative to sector peers. Limited visibility from earnings calls or recent corporate updates provides few supplementary clues on forward performance.

More about Begbies Traynor

Begbies Traynor Group plc provides services across property advisory and transactional markets. Its activities include property auctions, with a clear strategic focus on widening its regional coverage—particularly in the south east of England.

European defense shares declined for a second consecutive session on Monday, pressured by growing momentum in peace talks between the United States and Ukraine aimed at ending the conflict with Russia.

An index tracking the region’s defense and aerospace firms dipped to its weakest level since late August, extending Friday’s sharp 3.4% slide. The two-day drop has now pushed the index to its heaviest weekly loss since March.

Several major names in the sector were under pressure. In Germany, Rheinmetall (TG:RHM), Renk (TG:R3NK) and Hensoldt (TG:HAG) all traded lower. Losses also extended across Europe, with Italy’s Leonardo (BIT:LDO), France’s Thales (EU:HO), and Sweden’s Saab (BIT:1SAAB) slipping in early action.

The broader mood in European equities was more upbeat, however. By 05:21 ET (10:21 GMT), the pan-European Stoxx 600 inched 0.2% higher.

The weakness in defense stocks follows weekend developments in Washington and Kyiv. Both governments said Sunday they would revise an earlier peace proposal introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump, a plan widely criticized for being overly favorable to Moscow.

Trump had previously pushed for Ukraine to accept the proposal by Thanksgiving, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio later indicated the timeline was flexible. In a joint statement released Sunday, U.S. and Ukrainian representatives described their talks as “highly productive,” offering no further details.

Rubio also noted that the list of objections to Trump’s 28-point plan—which calls for Ukraine to surrender territory to Russia and agree not to pursue NATO membership—had been narrowed down. Ukrainian officials, seeking to ease tensions, issued public expressions of gratitude toward Trump after he accused Kyiv of being insufficiently appreciative of American support.

At the same time, European allies—long involved in backing Ukraine—entered the negotiations with their own revised proposal. Their version removes territorial concessions and challenges any constraints on the future size of Ukraine’s armed forces, signaling a tougher stance as the peace process evolves.

Crude prices moved lower on Monday, deepening last week’s decline as progress in Russia–Ukraine peace negotiations and a firmer U.S. dollar weighed on the market.

By 01:48 GMT, Brent crude futures were down 14 cents, or 0.22%, at $62.42 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate slipped 15 cents, or 0.26%, to $57.91.

Both major benchmarks dropped roughly 3% last week, touching their weakest closes since October 21, amid speculation that a breakthrough in peace efforts could lead to sanctions relief for Moscow and potentially unleash additional Russian supply onto global markets.

IG analyst Tony Sycamore wrote that “The sell-off was triggered mainly by President Trump’s forceful push for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal, which markets see as a fast track to unlocking substantial Russian supply.” He added that expectations surrounding a peace agreement were overshadowing the short-term disruptions caused by new U.S. sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, which came into effect Friday. Those measures have left nearly 48 million barrels of Russian crude stranded at sea.

On Sunday, Washington and Kyiv reported progress on a proposed peace framework requiring Ukraine to concede territory and roll back its ambitions to join NATO. President Donald Trump has set a Thursday deadline for an agreement, though European leaders are urging revisions.

A finalized peace plan could unwind sanctions that have sharply limited Russia’s oil exports. Russia was the world’s second-largest crude producer in 2024, behind only the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Beyond geopolitical developments, uncertainty surrounding U.S. monetary policy also kept investors cautious. Still, expectations for a rate cut next month strengthened after New York Federal Reserve President John Williams hinted at a possible move “in the near term.”

Meanwhile, the dollar index advanced toward its strongest weekly performance in six weeks, reaching its highest level since late May. A firmer dollar makes crude more expensive for buyers using other currencies, adding another layer of pressure on oil prices.

Gold prices slipped in early Asian trading on Monday, weighed down by renewed interest in riskier markets after traders sharply increased their expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in December. A rebound in global equities and optimism around diplomatic efforts to broker a Russia–Ukraine ceasefire also drew capital away from traditional safe havens.

Still, persistent worries about strained public finances worldwide and ongoing tensions between China and Japan kept gold comfortably above $4,000 an ounce. The looming release of several major U.S. economic indicators this week added a layer of caution, helping limit the metal’s downside.

By 01:07 ET (06:07 GMT), spot gold was down 0.3% at $4,052.53/oz, while December gold futures retreated 0.7% to $4,086.10/oz.

Rate-Cut Bets Surge, Leaving Gold Behind

Momentum in risk markets strengthened after New York Fed chief John Williams reiterated that the central bank still had scope to trim rates as early as next month. Williams highlighted potential vulnerabilities in the labor market and noted that upward inflation pressures had moderated.

According to the CME FedWatch Tool, traders now assign a 67.3% likelihood of a 25-basis-point cut at the Fed’s December 9–10 meeting—up sharply from 39.8% just a week ago.

Other precious metals were mixed: spot platinum climbed 1.4% to $1,537.65/oz, while spot silver drifted slightly lower to $49.92385/oz. Gold’s losses were temperate thanks to investors still pricing in easier U.S. monetary policy ahead.

Heavy U.S. Data Calendar Could Set the Tone

Markets are now bracing for a flood of U.S. economic data covering September, delayed due to the extended federal government shutdown. These reports are expected to offer analysts a clearer picture of the economy heading into the final Fed meeting of the year.

Monday brings industrial production and capacity utilization data, followed Tuesday by the producer price index and retail sales numbers.

A packed Wednesday will deliver updates on building permits, durable goods orders, weekly jobless claims, and the crucial third-quarter GDP reading. The PCE price index, the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, will also be released that day.

However, with October data missing, policymakers will still be assessing the economic backdrop with significant blind spots. This lack of clarity has contributed to divisions within the Fed over whether additional rate cuts are needed in the near term, keeping earlier expectations for a “pause” very much alive.