Greggs (GRG) announced its H1 2025 Trading Update: Like-for-like (LFL) sales in company-managed shops grew by 2.6% in the first half of 2025.
The previously-reported improved sales performance in the 11 weeks to 17 May continued through the rest of May but LFL sales in June were impacted as very high temperatures affected the UK, increasing demand for cold drinks but reducing our overall footfall. Total sales in the 26 weeks ended 28 June 2025 were up 6.9% to £1,027 million (2024: £961 million).
Comment: Even if perfectly valid, it always appears to be something of a sop when a company attributes a negative impact from weather conditions, even if this is a genuine explanation for underperformance.
Ajax (AJAX), the natural resources investment company (AQSE: AJAX), was informed yesterday that John Story now holds 6,250,000 shares, equivalent to 8.63% of the Ordinary Shares in issue.
Comment: Having an investor of the calibre of John Story on the shareholder register is only exceeded by the revelation that he has topped up his stake in one’s company.
IntelliAM AI (AQSE: INT), the software company leveraging the power of AI and machine learning in the manufacturing industry, announces that it has received an order for IntelliAM AI platform services and sensor supplies from a high-quality food manufacturer in the USA for three of its major manufacturing sites.
Comment: There has been a sharp increase in the shares of INT since May, something which the latest order should easily maintain and expand for this company which leverages practical uses of AI.
Cooks Coffee Company (AQUIS:COOK), the international coffee focused café chain, provided a trading update, on the systemwide performance for its Esquires (The Organic Coffee Company) branded franchised stores, in the UK and Ireland, for the first quarter of the financial year ending 31 March 2026. Group systemwide store sales in the UK and Ireland increased 27.8% to £10.2 million in Q1 FY26 (Q1 FY25: £8.0 million), reflecting strong trading momentum.
Comment: Despite decent and improving metrics, and the possibility of scaling up further, COOK remains doggedly off the radar. This remains an undeserved state of affairs.
Avacta Therapeutics (AVCT), a life sciences company provided a business update ahead of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders outlining progress against its strategic objectives for 2025 and a review of upcoming milestones. AVCT said: “The Company is focused on advancing our promising peptide drug conjugate pipeline with our innovative pre|CISION® technology. We are making strong progress with the clinical development of FAP-Dox (AVA6000), with patient enrollment ongoing in multiple dose expansion cohorts of our ongoing Phase 1b study, including triple negative breast cancer.”
Comment: Given that AVCT is still only at Phase 1b, it may take a while before clinical progress translates into getting any significant share price rally to overturn the drift we have seen since this time last year.
Blencowe Resources (BRES) reported the successful completion of three deep drill holes at the Northern Syncline, following on from the recently reported success at the Beehive target. The Northern Syncline drilling complements earlier results from Beehive and reinforces the potential for a materially larger resource base at depth, supporting longer mine life and an expanded valuation in the Company’s upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS).
Comment: The market has already been behind the curve as far as BRES existing resource, and therefore confirmation of materially larger one should finally move the dial as far as the share price.
Blue Star Capital (BLU), the investing company with a focus on blockchain, esports and payments, announced that it has raised £1.15 million at a price of £0.18. In the announcement on 26 June 2025, the Company reiterated its confidence in SatoshiPay’s technology and announced that it had increased its shareholding in SatoshiPay Ltd, via an acquisition of existing shares, making it the largest shareholder with an interest of approximately 50.0%. Further, Blue Star advised that it would seek ways to provide additional liquidity to Vortex, SatoshiPay’s subsidiary, by helping it expand, inter alia, its digital asset treasury function.
Comment: BLU has already flagged its commitment to SatoshiPay, with the recent share price rise underlining that the company has the backing of this strategy.
Metals One (MET1), a minerals exploration and development company, announced the completion of its acquisition of the Uravan Uranium-Vanadium Project located in Montrose County, Colorado, United States. The acquisition of the 59 unpatented claims with a 10-year exploration lease secures a foothold in one of America’s most historically productive uranium-vanadium districts and supports the Company’s expanding critical minerals portfolio.
Comment: Despite the share price pullback since the May highs through 50p, the market cap of MET1 is still some £40m, as the company moves to ensure it has a solid portfolio, with the latest news focuses on Uranium in Colorado.
Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest:
The information, investment views, and recommendations in this Zaks Traders Cafe interview are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this interview should be construed as a promotion or solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or referred to or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engage in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the commentator but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. The commentators may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.
