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Flowtech Fluidpower (LSE:FLO) has reported a 2.1% rise in group revenue for the first half of 2025 compared with the same period last year, overcoming ongoing pressures in the industrial sector. The company highlighted stronger momentum in its sales pipeline and order book, supported by internal growth initiatives. Since the start of 2025, the sales order book has expanded by 25%.

Looking ahead to the second half of the year, Flowtech expects improved profitability and solid cash generation, aided by higher gross margins and tighter cost controls.

Even with these positive developments, the company’s overall outlook remains mixed. Financial performance continues to be weighed down by negative profit margins and uneven cash flow. Technical analysis points to a bearish trend, while weak valuation metrics—driven by negative earnings—limit investor confidence.

Company Overview

Flowtech Fluidpower operates within the fluid power sector, supplying a wide range of products and delivering specialized engineering solutions. The company focuses on providing motion control systems and positioning itself as a trusted partner in the industry.

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.

Likewise Group Plc (LSE:LIKE) has delivered strong interim results for the first half of 2025, reporting a 10.2% year-on-year increase in total revenue to £77.9 million. Sales of Likewise-branded products climbed 14.1%, while underlying profit before tax surged 120% to £0.74 million. This performance was driven by solid revenue growth and efficiency gains across the business.

Despite facing a tough trading environment, the company has continued to invest heavily in logistics and processing capacity, laying the groundwork for sustained expansion and greater market share. Reflecting its confidence in future prospects, the board has raised the interim dividend by 10%.

Looking forward, Likewise’s outlook is underpinned by strong top-line growth and healthy cash flow, although profitability pressures remain. Technical analysis suggests a neutral to slightly bearish trend, while the elevated P/E ratio raises questions of overvaluation. The dividend yield offers some stability but is not considered a major driver of investor returns.

Company Overview

Likewise Group Plc is a fast-growing flooring distributor headquartered in the UK. The company supplies a broad range of flooring products and has built a strong presence among independent retailers and contractors. Supported by its extensive logistics network, Likewise continues to expand infrastructure to fuel its growth ambitions.

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.

Anglo American and Teck Resources Limited (LSE:AAL) have agreed to merge on equal terms, forming a new entity called Anglo Teck. The combined company is set to become a leading force in critical minerals and one of the world’s top five copper producers.

The merger is projected to unlock significant value through synergies, including an estimated US$800 million in annual pre-tax savings, alongside an additional US$1.4 billion in yearly EBITDA gains expected between 2030 and 2049. The new group will be headquartered in Canada, benefit from a strong balance sheet, and enjoy greater access to global capital markets. Completion is targeted within 12 to 18 months, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions. Management emphasized that the deal is designed to deliver sustainable, long-term benefits for both shareholders and stakeholders.

Anglo American’s market outlook is shaped by a mix of financial and technical factors. The company continues to face profitability pressures, yet technical indicators point to upward momentum in its stock. At the same time, a negative P/E ratio and modest dividend yield remain challenges, weighing on valuation metrics.

Company Overview

Anglo American is a major international mining group with operations spanning critical minerals such as copper, iron ore, and zinc. The company maintains a significant presence across Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

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.

Griffin Mining Limited (LSE:GFM) has released its unaudited interim results for the first half of 2025, reporting a notable rebound in output during the second quarter following the full operational halt in late 2024. While revenues dropped 25.7% compared with the same period last year, the company still recorded a gross profit of $25.1 million. This was largely supported by elevated gold prices, which made up 46.5% of total gross revenues.

Looking ahead, Griffin will stop issuing quarterly trading updates, citing production fluctuations, and instead focus on half-yearly and annual reports. The company also expects the upcoming commissioning of Zone II at the Caijiaying Mine to significantly boost production capacity.

The outlook for Griffin remains underpinned by a solid financial position and a strong balance sheet. However, headwinds persist, including shrinking revenues, weaker profitability, and negative free cash flow. Analysts also point to potential short-term weakness based on technical indicators, while the stock’s elevated P/E ratio raises questions about its valuation.

Company Overview

Griffin Mining Limited specializes in the extraction and processing of zinc, gold, silver, and lead. Its primary operations are centered at the Caijiaying Mine in China. The company’s shares are traded on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.

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.

A week ago, there was still a chance that the Fed would keep rates unchanged at its September 17 meeting. The probability was not high, perhaps 10% at best, but it existed. Since Friday, however, that chance has been reduced to zero, shifting the debate to whether the Fed will cut 25 basis points or go straight to 50, for the sake of the S&P 500.

What triggered this change in market expectations was weak labor market data. Instead of the 75,000 jobs expected in August, only 22,000 were created, down from 79,000 in July. As for unemployment, it rose from 4.2% to 4.3%, which is in line with expectations. All in all, the situation is clearly deteriorating.

To make matters worse, June’s figures were revised downward for the second time. Initially, the figure was reduced from 147,000 to 14,000, but now it has been revised again to -13,000, marking the first monthly job loss since the pandemic. How such a drastic revision came about remains a mystery.

This puts the Fed in a difficult position. Powell has been talking up the economy, but reality is undermining his message. Like it or not, the Fed has to act if it wants to stop the bleeding. The thing is, the worsening labor data may have been caused mainly by trade wars, something that lowering interest rates won’t fix.

Ok, the Fed will cut rates in September. But by how much?

The answer could depend on inflation data due out this week. If core CPI falls to around 3%, or even closer to 2%, the odds of a 50 basis point cut could rise significantly. Conversely, if core CPI surprises on the upside, the Fed could opt for a more moderate move, dampening investors’ bullish momentum.

And the latter scenario seems more likely. Consensus forecasts point to a 0.3% monthly increase in the US core CPI, which would keep the annual rate at 3.1%, mainly due to Trump’s tariffs. In that case, the dollar index could strengthen slightly, while Treasury yields could rise slightly, and the S&P 500 could experience a correction.

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.

U.S. stock futures are pointing to a slightly higher open on Monday, as investors anticipate a rebound after last week’s session closed mostly lower, despite pulling back from intraday lows.

Optimism surrounding potential interest rate cuts appears to be supporting early gains following Friday’s weaker-than-expected U.S. employment report.

CME Group’s FedWatch Tool shows a 90.1% probability that the Federal Reserve will reduce rates by 25 basis points later this month, after the Labor Department reported that payrolls increased by just 22,000 in August, far below economists’ expectations of 75,000. The report also revised June’s employment figure downward from a 14,000-job gain to a 13,000-job decline, while the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3% from 4.2%, in line with forecasts.

“In the near-term, weaker jobs data will increase the odds of a Fed rate cut, but could create shorter-term volatility, as a weaker labor market is not a sign of strength,” said Larry Tentarelli, Chief Technical Strategist for Blue Chip Daily Trend Report.

Trading activity may remain subdued ahead of this week’s inflation reports, with producer prices scheduled for Wednesday and consumer prices on Thursday. Economists expect the annual producer price increase to hold at 3.3% in August, while consumer prices are forecast to rise 2.9% from 2.7% in July. Core consumer prices, which exclude food and energy, are expected to stay at 3.1%.

Last Friday, stocks initially rose but reversed course after reaching intraday highs. The Dow closed down 220.43 points, or 0.5%, at 45,400.86; the S&P 500 fell 20.58 points, or 0.3%, to 6,481.50; and the Nasdaq dipped 7.31 points, or less than 0.1%, to 21,700.39. Over the week, the Nasdaq gained 1.1%, the S&P 500 added 0.3%, and the Dow lost 0.3%.

Sector performance was mixed. Financials lagged, with the NYSE Arca Broker/Dealer Index and the KBW Bank Index dropping 1.9% and 1.8%, respectively. Oil producers also suffered from extended weakness in crude prices, sending the NYSE Arca Oil Index down 1.6%. In contrast, gold stocks surged 2.5% alongside rising gold prices, while steel, biotech, and housing sectors showed notable strength, partially offsetting declines in other areas.

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 markets edged higher on Monday as investors awaited a pivotal confidence vote in France, with Prime Minister François Bayrou expected to face defeat.

Despite the Sentix survey showing eurozone investor sentiment falling sharply in September to its lowest point since April—dropping to -9.2 from -3.7 in August—markets remained relatively steady.

In Germany, industrial output rebounded in July, rising 1.3% month-on-month after a 0.1% decline in June, led by a 9.5% surge in machinery and equipment manufacturing, according to Destatis. However, the country’s trade surplus narrowed as exports fell 0.6% in July, reversing a 1.1% gain in June, while imports edged down 0.1% after a 4.1% increase.

On the stock front, the French CAC 40 gained 0.5%, Germany’s DAX added 0.4%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 rose 0.2%.

Corporate movers included Swedish medical technology firm Elekta AB (BIT:1EKTA), which climbed following the appointment of a new CFO. U.K. homebuilder Vistry (LSE:VTY) rallied after partnering with Homes England to speed up large-scale housing developments. In contrast, British insurer Phoenix Group Holdings (LSE:PHNX) dropped after releasing its interim results for H1 2025.

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.

Investors are keeping a close eye on U.S. inflation data, set to dominate economic headlines, as the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision later this month remains a central concern. In the corporate sphere, Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) is expected to release its latest quarterly earnings, offering insights into the ongoing momentum behind artificial intelligence investments. Meanwhile, political developments in France and decisions by the European Central Bank (ECB) could also influence market sentiment.

U.S. Consumer Price Index in Focus

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August, due Thursday, is shaping up as the week’s most critical economic report. Analysts expect a year-on-year increase of 2.9%, slightly higher than July’s 2.7%. Such a reading would pose a challenge for the Federal Reserve, as it balances its dual mandate of maximizing employment while maintaining price stability around its 2% long-term inflation target.

With the labor market showing signs of slowing, Fed policymakers face the delicate task of managing both softening job growth and persistent price pressures. The risk of entering a period of stagflation—characterized by high inflation, weak growth, and elevated unemployment—remains a key concern. Federal Reserve officials, including Chair Jerome Powell, have suggested that supporting employment may take precedence over curbing inflation, with a potential rate cut seen as a measure to stimulate investment and hiring, albeit with inflationary risks.

Oracle Earnings Release

Oracle’s upcoming earnings report will be closely watched for clues on the state of the AI-driven software sector. Analysts at Vital Knowledge highlight two key metrics: backlog, measured by remaining performance obligations, and free cash flow. Wall Street anticipates a backlog of around $150 billion and free cash flow of $1.8 billion, rebounding from a negative $2.9 billion in the previous quarter due to lower capital expenditures.

In June, Oracle raised its annual revenue forecast, citing robust demand for its cloud services that support AI infrastructure. CEO Safra Catz projected total fiscal 2026 revenue of at least $67 billion, implying growth of roughly 16.7% for the year, up from the previous outlook of 15%.

French Confidence Vote

Political developments in France are also in focus, with a confidence vote scheduled for Monday on Prime Minister François Bayrou’s fiscal plan. A likely defeat could force Bayrou to resign, further heightening political uncertainty. The government aims to reduce the deficit from 4.6% of GDP next year to 2.8% by 2029, with spending cuts and structural reforms valued at €43.8 billion. Resistance to measures such as reducing public holidays has already fueled skepticism among voters.

Following the announcement of the vote, French government bond yields climbed to their highest levels since March, with the 30-year yield reaching levels unseen since June 2009. Analysts at ING note that opposition parties appear more focused on challenging the government than addressing the deficit, adding to market uncertainty.

European Central Bank Decision

The ECB is expected to hold interest rates steady at its meeting this week. Analysts caution, however, that debates within the central bank—between those advocating steady rates and those favoring cuts—may be more intense than market expectations suggest. Hawkish commentary from ECB President Christine Lagarde in July, alongside faster-than-expected growth and slightly elevated inflation, has tempered expectations for immediate policy shifts. The key deposit rate is expected to remain at 2% for a second consecutive meeting.

Chinese Economic Data

Finally, investors will monitor economic figures from China. Export growth slowed in August to 4.4% year-on-year in dollar terms, missing expectations of 5.0% and down from July’s 7.2%. Imports also slowed, reflecting weak domestic demand. The trade surplus, however, widened to $102.3 billion, surpassing forecasts of $99.4 billion. Midweek inflation data, including consumer and producer prices, will provide additional guidance on China’s economic trajectory, an important indicator for global markets.

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.