Defence Holdings PLC (ALRT), the UK’s software-led defence technology group is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Placing of 400,000,000 new Ordinary Shares (including strong participation by institutional investors) at the Issue Price of 1 pence per share, raising a total of £4 million in gross proceeds.
The Placing was significantly oversubscribed and scaled back. Settlement of the new Ordinary Shares and Admission are expected to take place on or around 8.00 a.m. on 1 July 2026. The Placing is conditional upon, among other things, Admission (as defined below) becoming effective.
Comment: Crackpot commentary from those who wish small companies to fail, because they have failed, does not detract from the fact that ALRT has got its funding and done so because it occupies a strong niche in a strong sector. Of course, as most of us are aware the whole point of being listed on the stock market is to raise cash.
Zephyr Energy plc (ZPHR) is pleased to announce a step-change increase in its operated land position in the Paradox Basin, Utah, U.S. through the successful acquisition of an additional 27,000 acres under Federal and state leases in Utah.
Comment: While the share price performance continues to be somewhat disappointing, the company moves to put such temporary considerations aside, and focus on delivering a land grab. Indeed, today’s news may be something which allows a more positive rating for the stock over the rest of this year.
Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc (DFCH), a specialist bank providing financial solutions that support manufacturers, dealers and distributors across the UK, provides a trading update for the six months ended 30 June 2026. In light of the Group’s average loan book exceeding expectations through the first half alone, coupled with continuing low arrears and impairments, the Group expects to report profit before tax of at least £13m for the period ending 30 June 2026, delivering an annualised return of required equity in excess of c.17%.
Comment: An A Class update from DFCH, something which is at odds not only with the company’s relatively low profile, but also the relatively illiquid trading in the shares. Nevertheless, the stock has jumped to new near term highs today and we can expect more of the same towards an implied 75p initial target in coming weeks.
BSF Enterprise PLC (BSFA), an investor at the forefront of advanced tissue engineering and biotech solutions, is delighted to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lab-Grown Leather Ltd, has achieved extraordinary success at the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026. In collaboration with global creative network VML (a group company of WPP PLC), Lab-Grown Leather Ltd’s pioneering T-Rex Leather™ campaign was honored with four major awards across highly competitive global categories. The landmark collaboration successfully bridged the gap between advanced biotechnology, enterprise marketing, and luxury branding.
Comment: It is perfectly understandable that BSFA continues to hype up its leather, something which at least today has had a positive effect on the share price. However, the share price remains extremely volatile, something which continues to suggest that the market remains divided as to prospects for the monetisation of the product.
Devolver Digital (DEVO), an award-winning digital publisher and developer of independent video games, provides an update on current financial performance for the half year ending 30 June 2026 and outlook for full year 2026. 1H 2026 performance has been ahead of expectations with a very strong revenue performance expected to be at least 60% higher than 1H 2025, with underlying Adjusted EBITDA projected to reach mid single-digit US$ millions. The favourable year-on-year comparison is in part due to the Devolver Steam Publisher sale being held in 1H 2026, in addition to a positive start to the year with 3 Top 10 Global Best Sellers on Steam in January.
Comment: The update may be strong, but it is still not a done deal that the shares will finally end their extended period of weakness, which has continues since March. Perhaps more evidence of fundamental strength is required to trigger a turnaround in this respect.
Hercules plc (HERC), a leading UK infrastructure and construction services group, is pleased to announce that it has secured an enhanced funding package with IGF Business Credit Limited (“IGF”), comprising an increased invoice discounting facility of up to £20 million together with £5 million of term loans, further strengthening the Group’s funding platform to support its continued growth strategy. HERC said “Securing this enhanced funding package with IGF is supportive to our continued strategy. The increased working capital facility provides additional capacity to support our continued growth across the UK infrastructure and construction sectors, while the term loans enable us to meet our obligations relating to the Advantage NRG acquisition.
Comment: HERC moves to ensure that it is cashed up to deliver on its strategy, something which itself is one that requires strong financial backing in the current trading environment. This should start to feed through to the share price which has been on the back foot since the turn of the year.
Wise Group plc (WISE), the global technology company building the best way to move and manage the world’s money, today announces its Financial Year 2026 results and introduces guidance for FY2027. Net revenue of $2.5 billion, up 19% YoY, at the top end of our medium-term target of 15-20%, with almost 50% of net revenue from non-cross border revenue, including net interest income, card and other revenue. WISE said “Over the last year we added new licenses, direct connections, launched new product features and added Wise Platform partners as we progressed on our mission. We went live with two new direct connections in Brazil and Japan, gained new license approvals in South Africa, UAE and Thailand, rolled out Assets to Brazil and added partners including Raiffeisen Bank and UniCredit.
Comment: WISE delivers a strong update, driven by a sharp rise in new customers feeding through to the revenue bump. This should be more than enough to erase the recent share price wobble and ensure the top of the recent range at £11 is back in view as the summer progresses.
Guardian Metal Resources plc (GMET), a strategic mineral exploration company focused on tungsten in Nevada, USA, will publish the results of its Pre-Feasibility Study for the Pilot Mountain Tungsten Project on 30 June 2026. Completion of the PFS will mark a significant development milestone for the Project and an important step in the Company’s strategy to develop the first new domestically mined U.S. tungsten operation in over 15 years. The PFS is being supported by a U.S. Department of War $6.2m Defense Production Act Title III Investment1 in Guardian Metal’s wholly owned subsidiary, Golden Metal Resources (USA) LLC, and is led by Guardian Metal’s in-house team in collaboration with Samuel Engineering, Inc., and a group of specialist engineering and environmental firms.
Comment: GMET continues to be one of the most successful IPOs of recent times on the London stock market, a point underlined by the 2x rise for the shares in 2024, and 4x last year. Given the ongoing operational progress being reported today, and the support of the US government, it is clear that there is little sign of the momentum slowing down.
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.
