Hydrogen Utopia International PLC (HUI), a pioneering leader in converting non-recyclable mixed waste plastics, tyres, and hazardous waste materials into hydrogen and carbon-free fuels, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Saudi Investment Recycling Company (“SIRC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Comment: One wonders what HUI has to announce in order to get the market to play ball. We have the technology, we are into waste plastic to hydrogen, and now airline fuel. If that was not enough, HUI is working hand in hand with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Hamak Strategy Limited (HAMA) a company combining traditional gold exploration in Africa with A Digital Asset Treasury Management strategy, is pleased to announces the acquisition of Bitcoin and gold bullion as part of its broader capital allocation and treasury management strategy. The Bitcoin was purchased via its FCA-regulated digital asset exchange broker and custodian, Archax. The gold was purchased via a Hamak Corporate Account held with the world’s largest online investment gold service, BullionVault UK (a member of the London Bullion Market Association).
Comment: It is a punchy call buying gold at the moment, just as it was perhaps a punchy call buying BTC over $100,000, the latter with the benefit of hindsight of course. It will be interesting to see whether those into the yellow metal now will have to suffer the kind of hangover the BTC Treasury Strategy brigade have had since the summer.
Genflow Biosciences Plc (GENF), a European-based biotechnology company focused on the development of gene therapies for age-related diseases, announces the administrative approval of the previously announced award of approximately €4 million in non-dilutive financial support from the Wallonia Region of Belgium. GENF said “The administrative approval of this funding reinforces our ability to execute against our 2026 development priorities with discipline and focus. It strengthens our capacity to advance GF-1002 while maintaining a selective, data-driven approach across the broader pipeline. As we enter the coming year, our emphasis remains on programmes with clear execution paths, strong scientific rationale, and meaningful opportunities for partnership and non-dilutive value creation.”
Comment: It has been said here at ZTC many times, and emphasised in interviews that GENF has been and remains a magnet for non-dilutive funding / grants. This along with the large addressable market for long-lived dogs, makes GENF one of the more standout biotech plays.
Richmond Hill Resources PLC (RHR) announced that the Company has raised gross proceeds of £600,000 through a placing of 23,077,000 new ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each at a price of 2.6 pence per new ordinary share. In addition, further to the announcement on 18 December 2025, the Company has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Ulvestone Ltd with respect to the Martello Gold Project in Canada.
Comment: One of the most important aspects of the stock market apart from the management of companies is being in the right sector at the right time. This is certainly the case with RHR, as we see the company build its portfolio, and take advantage of a firm share price.
Inspiration Healthcare Group plc (IHC), the global medical technology company, announces that its US subsidiary, Airon Corporation (“Airon”), has entered into a significant new three-year purchasing agreement with a large US healthcare provider. This marks an important milestone for Airon’s continued expansion in the US market. Under the terms of the agreement, Airon will receive an initial order for 150 units of its Model A and Neo ventilators and accessories, reflecting a significant expansion to its installed base in the US.
Comment: It is always pleasing to see growth companies from over here, doing rather well over there, particularly as it is still the case that the US can be a graveyard for UK companies. At the very least today’s news should ensure that recent lows for IHC are behind it.
Sancus Lending Group Limited (LEND) provided the following update on its results for the year ended 31 December 2025. The figures in this announcement remain subject to audit. The Group increased turnover by 32% to approximately £22.1m (2024: £16.8m). This performance reflects continued strong growth in the Group’s core UK and Irish businesses, both of which delivered robust results despite a challenging market environment. The Group’s Channel Islands business also recorded an improved performance. The Company currently estimates that it will report a significantly improved profit before tax slightly in excess of £1.0m (2024: £0.1m).
Comment: One might have thought this latest announcement from an under the radar company might have been greeted with a 10% – 20% share price rise. Instead, we have seen it spike as much as 4x. This may be a factor of how illiquid the stock is, but it has certainly made a splash.
Cloudbreak Discovery Plc (CDL), a London Stock Exchange Main Market listed company, announced that multiple gold targets have been identified from a geological and structural interpretation based on the recently completed high resolution magnetic survey. The interpretation is supported by recent excellent results from the initial trial geochemical soil sampling program and rock chip sampling programs from the Darlot West Gold Project, located only 10km southwest of the iconic Darlot Gold Mine in Western Australia with production of 2.8 million ounces of gold produced to date, and 25km north of Northern Star Limited Thunderbox Gold Mine with annual production of 232koz and resource of 4.7Moz and Reserve of 1.96Moz gold.
Comment: It feels like we have an upbeat discovery RNS from CDL almost every other day, something which not only reflects the company’s operational success, but also how helpful it is to say “there’s gold in them there hills” when the yellow metal is resting above $5,000 an ounce.
Poolbeg Pharma (POLB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a core focus on transforming the cancer immunotherapy field, announced the publication of a peer-reviewed paper from the POLB 001 LPS human challenge trial in Frontiers in Immunology. POLB said “The publication of peer-reviewed clinical data from our LPS challenge trial in Frontiers in Immunology is an important milestone for Poolbeg. The positive data from this trial highlights that oral treatment of POLB 001 holds great promise in addressing cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS and supports further clinical development of the asset, including the POLB 001 TOPICAL clinical trial.”
Comment: It does appear that POLB has been in recovery mode since the summer as far as its share price has been concerned, echoing the general recovery we have seen in the micro biotech space. However, we are perhaps still looking for the big breakthrough RNS / milestone, to get the company up where it really belongs.
boohoo Group (DEBS) raised profit guidance amid strong trading at Debenhams and an improved showing from Pretty Little Things. The Manchester-based online retailer trading as Debenhams now expects full year adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation to be GBP50 million for the financial year ending February, ahead of prior guidance of GBP45 million, and above GBP41.6 million in the year prior. This reflects “continued momentum in our Debenhams brand, a discernible improvement in the performance of our Youth Brands and accelerated progress on our transformation plan,” boohoo said. All brands continue to trade profitably, the firm added. (Alliance News)
Comment: If one did not know this was an update from Boohoo / Debenhams one would think that this company was the new rock and roll. However, it is to be presumed that the legacy / hangover from the brands and the progress of the business, will continue to dampen sentiment for quite some time.
Equipmake (AQSE:EQIP), a market leader in engineering-driven differentiated electrification technologies, products and solutions across the automotive, truck, bus and speciality vehicle industries, announced that the Company has received a further £2.4 million order from Agrale S.A. to supply electric drivetrain systems for 23 Agrale buses of varying types.
Comment: There are alas only a few companies on Aquis who one might regard as long term winning prospects, and EQIP appears to be one of the best in class. The reminder comes in the form of today’s chunky order.
Alkemy Capital Investments plc (ALK), the 100% owner of Tees Valley Lithium (“TVL”), is delighted to announce the signing of a five-year binding offtake agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore plc, for the supply of battery-grade lithium hydroxide from TVL’s lithium refinery in Teesside, UK.
Comment: Just a stunning announcement from ALK, getting into bed with one of the worlds largest mining companies. The shares are up some 20% this morning, but presumably this will be the start of a major ongoing re-rate. Above November resistance in the 390p zone, we are looking to last year’s resistance line projection as high as 500p by the end of February.
Glencore is one of the world’s largest diversified natural resources companies, with operations across more than 30 countries and a significant presence across metals, minerals and battery raw materials supply chains.
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.
