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Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals (LSE:HEMO) reported continued clinical development of its HG-CT-1 CAR-T therapy during the six months ended 30 June 2026, alongside preparations to expand the Phase I trial and develop potential commercial pathways in Europe.

The company’s second annual FDA Investigational New Drug report included safety and biological activity data from three adult patients treated at the lowest dose level of HG-CT-1, which is being developed for relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukaemia.

Hemogenyx described the safety and biological activity findings as encouraging. Based on the results, the company plans to escalate dosing in adult patients and expand the Phase I study to include paediatric patients.

HG-CT-1 Manufacturing Transferred to Made Scientific

During the period, Hemogenyx completed the transfer of HG-CT-1 manufacturing technology to contract manufacturer Made Scientific.

The company said the move reduced its cost base and addressed a requirement for progressing dose escalation in the clinical programme.

HG-CT-1 is an autologous CAR-T cell therapy targeting FLT3 and is the company’s lead clinical development programme for acute myeloid leukaemia.

European Manufacturing and Hospital Exemption Plans Progress

Hemogenyx also continued preparations for potential early commercialisation of HG-CT-1 in Europe.

The company established manufacturing infrastructure in Estonia and entered into agreements intended to make use of hospital exemption frameworks in Estonia and Lithuania.

Hemogenyx said these arrangements could provide a pathway to early revenue and the collection of real-world treatment data alongside the ongoing U.S. clinical programme. Any potential revenue remains dependent on the progress and implementation of these arrangements.

First-Half Pre-Tax Loss Reaches £6.56 Million

Hemogenyx reported a loss before tax of £6.56 million for the first half of 2026.

The result included a significant non-cash share-based payment charge, while the company also reported reductions in underlying operating expenditure.

Hemogenyx raised £5.6 million during the period and ended June with cash and cash equivalents of £4.58 million. The company said the funds provide resources to continue the clinical development of its programmes.

About Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals

Hemogenyx Pharmaceuticals is a UK-listed biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for blood cancers, with a particular focus on acute myeloid leukaemia.

Its lead programme, HG-CT-1, is a proprietary FLT3-targeted autologous CAR-T cell therapy currently undergoing clinical development.

Metir (LSE:MET) reported revenue of £367,000 for the first half of 2026, with equipment sales, a temporary halt to QuickChek SRB production and disruption to a continuous toxicity monitoring project in Qatar affecting the period.

Gross margin increased to 46.3% as the company made changes to its product economics.

Metir said it expects full-year 2026 revenue to be lower than the previous year and is seeking additional funding to support its planned activities.

QuickChek SRB Production Set to Restart

Production of the company’s QuickChek sulphate-reducing bacteria, or SRB, products was temporarily suspended during the first half.

Metir is working to restart and increase production of the kits, which form part of its plans to develop recurring consumables revenue.

The company also expects its installed base of continuous toxicity monitoring systems in Qatar to generate recurring consumables revenue. The Qatar project experienced disruption during the period as a result of regional conflict.

Metir is also undertaking validation work in Saudi Arabia as part of its activities in the Middle East.

PFAS Platform Records First U.S. Sale

Metir continued development of its PFAS detection technology during the period, reporting its first sale in the United States alongside field trials and new partnerships.

The company also expanded its relationships within the semiconductor industry and extended distribution of its Microtox and Modern Water products across several markets, including the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Management said its priorities include converting its sales pipeline, increasing SRB kit production and developing recurring revenue from its installed equipment and consumables.

Company Seeks Additional Funding

Metir is seeking new funding as it works to progress its commercial and product-development plans.

The company has identified its PFAS technology, SRB products and continuous toxicity monitoring operations among the areas it expects to contribute to its growth plans for 2027. These expectations remain dependent on factors including funding, commercial execution and the progress of its various programmes.

About Metir

Metir is an AIM-listed provider of mobile and point-of-use water and environmental testing technologies.

Its portfolio includes Microtox instruments and reagents, QuickChek SRB kits, continuous toxicity monitoring systems and PFAS detection technology for municipal water, industrial and environmental monitoring applications.

NeoTerra Group (LSE:TERA) has applied for a US$5 million grant under the U.S.-Africa Strategic Investment Program to evaluate a potential expansion of its Monte Muambe fluorspar project in Mozambique.

The company currently plans to develop a fluorspar operation with annual production of 50,000 tonnes. NeoTerra said an expansion of the project’s mineral resource could support a larger operation and extend its potential mine life.

Programme Targets Expansion of Fluorspar Resource

The proposed programme would include additional drilling aimed at increasing the Monte Muambe fluorspar resource from 716,000 tonnes of contained CaF2 to approximately 4 million tonnes.

Funding would also be used for a regional study of the fluorspar and fluorine markets and a conceptual feasibility study examining the potential development of a hydrofluoric acid plant in Mozambique.

The company said the proposed work is consistent with Mozambique’s objective of increasing domestic value addition from its mineral resources.

NeoTerra Continues Work on Monte Muambe

NeoTerra said the grant application follows existing U.S. government support for the project. The company is also pursuing additional partnerships relating to the rare earths and gallium components of Monte Muambe.

The proposed programme remains dependent on NeoTerra securing the US$5 million grant, while any subsequent expansion or development would depend on the outcome of the planned studies and further project work.

About NeoTerra Group

NeoTerra Group is a London Main Market-listed exploration and development company focused on critical raw materials projects in Africa.

Its Monte Muambe project in northwest Mozambique contains rare earths, fluorspar and gallium and is covered by a 25-year mining licence. The company’s portfolio also includes the Sesana copper-silver project in Botswana.

Redcentric (LSE:RCN) reported full-year 2026 results broadly in line with market expectations, with revenue and adjusted EBITDA declining while underlying annual recurring revenue increased slightly.

Revenue fell 2.3% to £132 million, while adjusted EBITDA declined 7.4% to £17.4 million. Recurring revenue accounted for nearly 90% of total revenue, with underlying annual recurring revenue increasing 0.6%.

Profit before tax rose 10.5% during the year. The company also reported elevated leverage at the year end.

Redcentric Completes £124.9 Million Data Centre Disposal

Following the end of the financial year, Redcentric sold Redcentric Data Centres for £124.9 million, changing the group’s capital structure and leaving the company focused on its managed services operations.

Redcentric subsequently returned £90 million to shareholders through a tender offer and launched a £1.5 million share buyback programme.

The company also secured new revolving credit facilities of £30 million, together with an additional £10 million accordion facility. Following these transactions, Redcentric reported a lower adjusted net debt position.

Group Focuses Strategy on Managed Services

Following the disposal of its data centre subsidiary, Redcentric is operating as a focused managed services provider.

The company’s strategy includes changes to its go-to-market approach and the development of an artificial intelligence roadmap alongside its existing cloud, network, collaboration and other managed services.

Redcentric also said its capital allocation plans include progressive dividends and the potential use of opportunistic share buybacks.

About Redcentric

Redcentric is a UK-based IT managed services provider listed on AIM. The company supplies cloud, network, collaboration and related managed services to business and public-sector customers.

Following the disposal of Redcentric Data Centres, the group’s operations are focused on its managed services business.

Tribal Group (LSE:TRB) has agreed improved terms for the proposed sale of its businesses to Thames Bidco Limited, a company controlled by Main Capital Partners, increasing the cash consideration to approximately £231.2 million.

Under the revised terms, Tribal shareholders would receive 105p per share, compared with total consideration of approximately £189.3 million under the previous terms.

The company said the revised consideration represents a premium of up to 80.2% to recent trading prices.

Board Maintains Recommendation for Transaction

Tribal’s board unanimously maintained its recommendation that shareholders vote in favour of the transaction at the general meeting scheduled for 2 October.

The directors described the revised terms as fair and reasonable and are recommending that shareholders approve the resolution required to implement the transaction.

Irrevocable voting commitments in support of the deal now represent approximately 52.7% of Tribal’s issued share capital.

The transaction remains subject to the relevant shareholder approval and other applicable conditions, with completion expected to proceed according to the existing timetable.

About Tribal Group

Tribal Group is a UK-based provider of software and services to the education sector. The company supplies student information systems and related digital platforms used by educational institutions and organisations across its markets.

United Oil & Gas (LSE:UOG) reported progress on its Walton-Morant exploration licence in Jamaica alongside additional funding and operational appointments in its unaudited results for the first half of 2026.

The company completed a seabed geochemical exploration survey during the period, with sample analysis contributing to its subsurface evaluation of the licence. United said the work is supporting its ongoing farm-out process for Walton-Morant.

The company estimates that the licence contains approximately 7 billion barrels of prospective resources.

Funding Takes Cash Above $1.1 Million

During the first half, United raised approximately £486,000 through the exercise of warrants.

Following the end of the reporting period, the company secured a further £500,000 from institutional investors. United said the additional funding took its cash position above $1.1 million.

The company is continuing to prioritise the farm-out process for the Jamaica licence as it evaluates options for advancing the asset.

United Appoints COO and Begins Jamaica Rig Study

United appointed Donal Meehan as chief operating officer and engaged NRG Well Management to carry out a rig and long-lead availability study relating to the Colibri and Thunderball prospects.

According to the company, the two prospects contain more than 1 billion barrels of combined gross unrisked mean prospective resources.

The study is intended to provide information on rig availability, long-lead items and current commercial terms as United assesses preparations for a potential future drilling programme offshore Jamaica.

Any future drilling programme remains subject to regulatory approvals.

Jamaica Farm-Out Remains Immediate Priority

Management identified the Jamaica farm-out as the company’s immediate priority.

United described a successful farm-out as potentially transformational for shareholders. The company is seeking to progress the Walton-Morant licence while developing its technical and operational preparations for potential future exploration activity.

About United Oil & Gas

United Oil & Gas is a UK-listed independent oil and gas company with a development asset in the UK and an offshore exploration licence in Jamaica. Its strategy includes portfolio development and selective acquisitions.

Checkit (LSE:CKT) returned to adjusted EBITDA profitability from continuing operations in the first half ended 31 July 2026, as the company reduced costs and simplified its operating structure.

The AIM-listed intelligent operations software provider reported adjusted EBITDA of £0.3 million from continuing operations, compared with a loss in the prior-year period.

Recurring revenue increased 4%, with recurring revenue representing 97% of total sales during the period.

Annual recurring revenue also increased on a constant-currency basis despite Checkit retiring a legacy product. The company said the move removed lower-margin annual recurring revenue as well as a separate cost centre, allowing it to focus investment and resources on a single cloud-based platform.

Checkit Sets Two-Year Value-Creation Framework

Checkit has established a two-year framework focused on maintaining EBITDA profitability, increasing cash generation and improving net and gross revenue retention.

The company said its plans include disciplined investment in its unified platform and go-to-market capabilities.

Checkit also intends to increase its focus on medical markets while narrowing its priorities within the retail sector. Its medical operations include customers and applications across the UK NHS, US plasma collection, private hospitals, diagnostics and biotechnology.

Formal Sale Process Ends Without Transaction

The company has ended its formal sale process after it did not receive an offer that management considered acceptable.

Checkit said the process provided validation of its technology and customer base. Following the conclusion of the process, the company plans to concentrate on its standalone strategy, including its medical-market activities and simplified operating model.

Management is targeting sustainable growth and operating leverage through its recurring revenue base, cost structure and investment in its cloud platform.

About Checkit

Checkit provides an intelligent operations platform designed for organisations with frontline operations. Its cloud-based technology connects sensors with enterprise quality-management systems and is used to monitor operating conditions, manage frontline workflows and support compliance requirements in regulated environments.

The outcome of the November U.S. midterm elections is unlikely to materially change S&P 500 fundamentals over the intermediate term under the scenarios considered by Citi, although the bank sees scope for different effects across individual sectors.

Citi characterised the election as a “fundamental non-event” for the broader index, while noting that changes in congressional control could influence expectations around areas including corporate taxation, artificial intelligence regulation and executive powers.

The bank’s analysis cited polling and prediction-market indicators showing increased prospects for a change in control of the House, with control of the Senate less certain. Citi said it would also not be surprised by a Democratic sweep.

Those observations reflect the bank’s interpretation of current indicators rather than a forecast of the election result.

Citi Assesses Political and Economic Indicators

Citi said President Donald Trump’s net approval ratings were below the pace recorded during his first term and also compared them with those of Barack Obama in 2014 and George W. Bush in 2006.

Both of those historical midterm elections resulted in changes in control of congressional chambers, although previous election outcomes do not determine what will happen in 2026.

The bank identified inflation, the economy and foreign policy as areas where Trump’s approval readings were weakest. It also cited diesel prices and views surrounding the Iran conflict as part of the current political backdrop.

Semiconductors and Consumer Stocks Among Sectors in Focus

Citi expects potential market implications to be more visible at the sector level.

The bank said semiconductor stocks have historically shown a relative preference for Republican control in its analysis, which it associated with the possibility of AI-related legislation.

However, Citi considers the probability of legislation materially disrupting the AI investment theme to be limited under the scenarios it assessed.

The bank also noted that consumer discretionary has been the weakest-performing sector during the current presidential term, with tariffs and gasoline prices among the factors affecting the sector.

Under a scenario in which Democrats gain control of both chambers, Citi said markets could begin incorporating potential policy changes after the 2028 election, including higher corporate taxes and additional restrictions relating to AI.

Citi also identified potential countervailing effects. The bank said limits on executive authority over tariffs and military action could be interpreted positively by financial markets.

These scenarios represent Citi’s policy analysis and do not establish which measures would ultimately be enacted.

Monetary Policy Remains a Key Consideration

Citi said historical experience indicates that monetary policy can have a larger influence on equities than midterm election results.

Referring to the period surrounding the 2018 midterms and subsequent market developments, the bank said “midterms were a relative sideshow versus the Fed.”

Citi therefore expects the election itself to have limited implications for overall S&P 500 fundamentals, while sector-specific policy expectations and broader macroeconomic factors could remain more relevant.

The market impact will ultimately depend on the election result, subsequent policy decisions, Federal Reserve actions and economic conditions.

Investors increased short exposure across a range of global equity markets last week as positioning became more defensive, according to Citi, with the bank highlighting the potential for crowded bearish trades to amplify any subsequent rebound.

Strategists led by David Chew said EuroStoxx and U.S. large-cap positioning remained relatively resilient, but broader sentiment deteriorated as investors reduced directional risk.

The increase in short exposure has created “growing asymmetry in positioning outcomes,” according to Citi, particularly in markets including the Nikkei, KOSPI and S&P 500.

The bank’s analysis does not forecast a market rebound. Instead, it identifies circumstances in which the closing of existing short positions could increase buying if markets move higher.

U.S. Small Caps Record Largest Positioning Decline

Citi said the broader deterioration followed changes in monetary policy from the Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan, as well as higher energy prices and geopolitical tensions.

The bank described the period as “one of the most synchronized periods of de-risking observed during the current rate cycle.”

Bearish flows were recorded across the three major U.S. equity indices, with Citi saying investors primarily established new short positions rather than reducing existing long exposure.

The Russell 2000 experienced the largest weekly decline in positioning across the markets covered by Citi globally. According to the bank, all remaining long positions in the index are currently loss-making.

Positioning in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq was more resilient, with the closing of some short positions offsetting part of the increase in bearish exposure.

Citi Highlights S&P 500 Short Positioning

Around 80% of both long and short S&P 500 positions are currently loss-making, according to Citi.

The bank noted that the overall short book is larger, leading its strategists to conclude that “positioning asymmetry is skewed toward the risk of short covering.”

Citi said a modest rise in the index could therefore generate additional buying if short sellers close their positions.

The scenario depends on subsequent market movements and changes in investor positioning and does not indicate that a rebound will necessarily occur.

DAX Moves Into Mildly Bearish Territory

European markets also recorded increased short exposure.

Citi said new short positions in the DAX and European Banks index moved both into mildly bearish territory. EuroStoxx remained more constructively positioned despite experiencing the largest outflows in the region.

According to the strategists, the principal issue in Europe “is shifting from direction to positioning stress.”

Long positions across most European indices are currently loss-making, while Citi said the DAX has the weakest profit-and-loss profile in the region.

Short Exposure Remains Elevated in Asian Markets

Citi identified Asia as the most bearishly positioned region overall.

Although positioning in the Nikkei improved somewhat, it remained the most negatively positioned major equity market. Additional short exposure was also added to the KOSPI, Hang Seng and China A50.

Short books in the Nikkei, KOSPI and Hang Seng are close to historically elevated levels, according to Citi. The bank also estimated that more than 40% of short positions in both the Nikkei and KOSPI are currently loss-making.

Citi said this positioning means “any positive catalyst could trigger a disproportionately large, short-covering rally, particularly in Nikkei.”

The potential outcome depends on the emergence of a positive catalyst and subsequent investor behaviour. Citi’s analysis describes current positioning conditions rather than predicting future index performance.