(Alliance News) – Stock prices in London opened lower on Wednesday, following hotter-than-expected consumer inflation data which supported expectations that Bank of England will not cut rates in November. The consumer price index for July rose 3.8% on-year, exceeding consensus expectations of a 3.7% increase. On a monthly basis, CPI rose 0.1%, defying the consensus forecast of a 0.1% decrease.
Comment: The government’s strategy of destroying the economic base of the country so as to force people to vote Labour is working very well. It clearly does not mind how unpopular it is in the meantime, the ideology reigns supreme.
Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group (PR1), the AI, data and marketing services group, announced the launch of Metr1c, a brand partnerships and growth solutions agency at the intersection of data analytics, creativity and AI. Created alongside Pri0r1ty’s recently acquired sports data marketing agency, Halfspace, Metr1c is set to redefine how brands in entertainment use data and AI to grow revenues and engagement with fans, creating a bridge between sponsorship and digital advertising. First Clients Include The Brits and Sony, Celtic FC, Scottish Golf and Favela Cerveja.
Comment: An excellent roster of clients, and a respectable jump in the share price so far this morning. Presumably it would have been even greater if there was some insight into how much PR1 charges for Metr1c.
Inspiration Healthcare Group (IHC), the global medical technology company pioneering best-in-class, specialist neonatal intensive care medical devices, provides a trading update for six months ended 31 July 2025. Revenue growth of 41% to £24.0 million (H1 FY25: £17.0 million). Strong sales momentum in H1 FY26 expected to continue into H2 FY26.
Comment: One or two fussy people might have been looking for an EBITDA number in the RNS, but even so the revenue jump and outlook into next year is good enough for most.
Angling Direct plc (ANG), the leading omni-channel specialist fishing tackle and equipment retailer, provides an update on trading for the six months ended 31 July 2025. The Group delivered a strong performance in the first half of its 2026 financial year with total revenue growth of 17.0% to £53.6m (H1 25: £45.8m). Revenue in the UK business (in store and online) was up 17.8% in Q2 as the Company maintained its momentum from Q1 (17.4%) into the early months of its peak trading season. Total UK like-for-like sales1 grew 14.2%, reflecting the strength of the omni-channel proposition and increasing customer reach, evidenced through the continued growth of the MyAD customer loyalty club to over 496k subscribers (January 2025: 409k) at 31 July 2025 and reaching 500k in August 2025.
Comment: One might have thought that people have better things to do than stand beside / in a body of water waiting for a fish to arrive, but apparently not. The loyalty club concept is working particularly well.
First Development Resources (FDR) a UK based, Australian focused exploration company with mineral interests in Western Australia and Australia’s Northern Territory, is pleased to announce that the drilling platform and site access has been established to facilitate the Company’s Phase I diamond drilling programme at its Wallal Project in the Paterson Province of Western Australia.
Comment: Recently listed FDR said it was going to hit the ground running, and this is evidently what it is doing. This is appropriate given that the company has already promised there will be results by the end of the year.
Sundae Bar (SBAR), the unified marketplace for AI Agents, announces the successful launch of sundae_bar Platform Version 1.0. Platform V1.0 is the gateway that brings AI agents from leading external platforms directly to businesses and consumers. Starting with integration to Letta, developers can connect their AI agents to sundaebar.ai, and users gain a single, intuitive hub to use them. This unified interface simplifies adoption, accelerates usage, and bridges AI innovation with real-world application.
Comment: Although AI is one of the buzzwords of the moment, it is true that the necessity for real world applications of the technology is key, something which SBAR is clearly aware of as an concept to promote.
ICFG (ICFG) announced that Oliver Fox has resigned as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company with immediate effect. In addition, Benjamin Proffitt has resigned as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), a non-Board role, with immediate effect. Their resignations follow the successful completion of the reverse takeover (“RTO”). The Board would like to thank Oliver and Benjamin for their contributions to ICFG, in particular their key roles in delivering the RTO transaction.
Comment: It is perhaps somewhat ironic that it is all change at ICFG, just as the company was gaining some traction in the wake of recent Mongolia news. Presumably the new guard are chomping at the bit to deliver fresh momentum to the company.
Premier African Minerals (PREM) provide a further update on the plant status at the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project following the announcement on 8 August 2025. Saleable concentrate requires a spodumene concentrate with more than 5% Li2O. The plant at Zulu has achieved Saleable Concentrate on numerous occasions with grades up to 6,2% Li2O, and the result of ongoing optimisation is expected to be that this is achieved consistently.
Comment: Although it would appear that building Zulu has been more problematic than building the Pyramids, it can be seen that the company is inching its way to a successful outcome. Outgoing CEO George Roach seems to be achieving more than he did when he was not outgoing. He finally heads off into the sunset on August 31. It will be the end of an era.
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.
