The Times: Chip giant Nvidia (NVDA) reported last night that revenues had more than doubled in the second quarter to nearly $100 billion – sending shares higher in after-hours trading.
Nvidia’s second-quarter revenue rose to a better-than-expected $96.22 billion, up from the $46 billion that it reported in 2025 and ahead of Wall Street’s estimate for revenue of $92.17 billion. Headline profit rose by 126 per cent to $59.7 billion, ahead of analysts’ estimates of $51.6 billion. Nvidia forecast third-quarter revenue of around $108 billion, significantly higher than the $104.19 billion forecast by analysts and a sign that big technology companies are still spending heavily on its chips to power their AI ambition.
Comment: Shares of NVDA were down in the run up to the Q2 results, so it was odds on that they would be up after the big reveal. Indeed, while journalists are desperate for the AI story to crash and burn, they are probably the same people waiting for the internet, motor car, and railroads to fail. There probably will be bumps in the road, but the momentum is clear. Oh, and where is the UK’s equivalent of NVDA? Alas, the best that we could do in tech went down with the Bayesian.
Halfords Group plc (HFD), the UK’s leading provider of motoring and cycling products and services, released a trading update based on strong performance in the year to date. We now expect FY27 underlying profit before tax to be between £55m and £65m, ahead of current consensus of £52.6m (with a range of £48.9m to £55.1m). Building on the strong current trading noted in our FY26 results announcement, Halfords has continued to outperform over recent months. This reflects momentum in the underlying business as we continue to deliver against our strategic priorities alongside a very strong performance in seasonal categories, in part reflecting unusually warm summer weather. We estimate that this heightened seasonal demand has resulted in incremental profit in the mid-single digit millions of pounds.
Comment: The simple analysis as far as HFD is concerned is that if a company in the current High Street environment is exceeding expectations, it really must be very well run. Apart from giving the management on the back, the positive weather backdrop clearly helps, even though it is normally best to avoid blaming or crediting meteorological conditions one way or another in trading statements.
hVIVO plc (HVO), a purpose-built, full-service international clinical development partner and the world leader in human challenge trials, announced the acquisition of CRS Clinical Research Services Berlin GmbH· Acquisition of a specialist Phase I/II clinical research unit with an established revenue base, multiple pharma relationships, a strong orderbook and proven track record with 350 studies completed to date.
Comment: HVO is still clearly trying to regroup from the golden days of the pandemic. However, it was always going to be a combination of organic growth, as well as the buy and build strategy we have seen offered up today. One would hope that HVO shares are currently at the floor of their recent 6p – 10p range.
Thruvision Group plc (THRU), the leading provider of walk-through security technology, announced that it has received an order in Canada through its Value-Added Reseller. This represents Thruvision’s first Canadian Government customer and its first deployment in Canada’s entrance market, expanding the Company’s established presence in the country, where previous orders have predominantly served retail distribution customers.
Comment: Given how much adulation and apparent buying of THRU shares there has been from the glitterati on X, it is hardly surprising that the company is on the receiving end of a significant contract win. Indeed, one would be surprised if those who have bought before today’s announcement had not successfully guessed the win was on its way. The only missing thing here is no mention of the value of the order, not that this really matters.
Alien Metals Limited (UFO), a minerals exploration and development company, announces that its joint venture partner in the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project, West Coast Silver Limited (ASX: WCE), has today announced the receipt of final assay results from diamond drilling completed at Elizabeth Hill. Exceptional diamond drilling results from Elizabeth Hill, led by 38.3m @ 878g/t Ag from only 3.7m downhole in 26WCDD037, including 22.3m @ 1,495g/t Ag.
Comment: As far as the plethora of explorer / developers is concerned, it could be said that if not an ugly sister, UFO is still something of a Cinderella waiting to go to the ball. Nevertheless, the announcement today is timely given the latest precious metals rebound, and the way that the shares are at the bottom of the range.
Arrow Exploration Corp. (AXL), the high-growth operator with a portfolio of assets across key Colombian and Canadian hydrocarbon basins, announced the filing of its Interim Condensed (unaudited) Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended June 30, 2026. Recorded $34.2 million of total oil and natural gas revenue, net of royalties, representing a 116% increase when compared to the same period in 2025 (Q2 2025: $15.9 million). Average corporate production of 4,902 boe/d representing a 30% increase when compared to the same period in 2025 (Q2 2025: 3,768 boe/d). Adjusted EBITDA( of $25.1 million, a 300% increase when compared to the same period in 2025 (Q2 2025: $6.3 million).
Comment: We have another blow the lights out announcement from AXL. But then again almost all the updates from the company are in this category and the market continues to play it remarkably cool. Waiting for support around 23p – 24p seems to be the way to go for non-holders.
Aminex (AEX) noted the information reported in the Tanzanian press yesterday regarding the Ntorya Gas Development and its relevance to the ongoing implementation of this strategically important project. Aminex confirmed that it is participating in ongoing discussions in Tanzania amongst the Ministry of Energy, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority and ARA Petroleum Tanzania Limited (“APT”) to progress the coordinated implementation of the Development.
Comment: We all know that Tanzania is an interesting and challenging jurisidiction, and therefore the slings and arrows of what AEX is going through is kind of par for the course. This has been reflected in the share price of late, although at least today’s announcement offers a decent glimmer of hope for the bulls. The key to share price recovery will be holding above recent 1.4p resistance.
Valereum (AQSE: VLRM), a company aiming to become the global market leader in the tokenised digital markets sector, announce that further to the announcement of 22 April 2026, the Definitive Agreement with QGP has become unconditional and the Company has received from QGP, a first-ranking security interest over mining interests in Queensland, Australia. In addition, the Company has agreed to issue 55,000,000 new ordinary shares of £0.001 each to QGP at par value increasing QGP’s shareholding to 49.9% of Valereum. VLRM said, “With the Definitive Agreement now complete, the Company is focused on executing its strategy as market leader in the tokenised digital markets sector. The operational infrastructure is in place and the liquidity facility is ready to be deployed. We will provide further updates on the activation of its liquidity engine in due course.”
Comment: It is probably just as well that there are probably only five people in the country who understand the VLRM premise, which is perhaps just as well given the various attempts by the company to get itself on the right path, with the right strategy. Judging by today’s share price reaction it could be that the company has finally cracked it.
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.
