Alliance News: Barclays (BARC) reported first-quarter pretax profit rises 3% to GBP2.81 billion from GBP2.72 billion a year before, as total income increases 6% to GBP8.16 billion from GBP7.71 billion.
Attributable profit rises 4% to GBP1.93 billion from GBP1.86 billion, while basic earnings per share improve 8% to 14.1 pence from 13.0p. Return on tangible equity slips to 13.5% from 14.0%, though Barclays says all divisions delivered double-digit returns. The cost-to-income ratio improves to 56% from 57%. Credit impairment charges increase to GBP823 million from GBP643 million, including a GBP228 million single-name charge in the investment bank.
Comment: It can be seen that the Great British Banking Cartel continues to thrive, even with the challenger banks and even with the debanking and the death of cash. This remains one of the biggest rip offs in a country which is essentially a collection of rip offs.
EnergyPathways plc (EPP), the energy transition company, is pleased to announce completion of pre-FEED studies with Siemens Energy which confirm the economic viability of its planned large scale CAES project expected to be the UK’s largest long duration energy storage facility. The Company has now launched Front End Engineering and Design (“FEED”) to progress the Project to Final Investment Decision during 2028. FEED will be funded by a minimally dilutive £15 million financing agreement, also announced today.
Comment: Yesterday, given recent movements in the share price, I suggested that bulls of EPP need not fear missing the big announcement here, as the stock is so leaky it will always give you a heads up. In return, there was a comment on X questioning my comment. Today we have a big announcement, although so far the 5% rise in the shares was not worth insider trading for.
Ajax [AQUIS: AJAX], the natural resources investment company, is pleased to announce that it has engaged Bowsprit Partners Limited as Euronext Growth Advisor and Advokatfirmaet Schjødt as Norwegian legal counsel in connection with a proposed application for admission to trading of the Company’s Ordinary Shares on the Euronext Growth Market of the Oslo Stock Exchange. Subject to regulatory approvals, the Company expects to complete the listing during the summer of 2026. AJAX said “We look forward to working closely with the teams at Bowsprit and Schjødt to achieve the successful admission of the Company’s ordinary shares on the Euronext Growth Oslo, a highly liquid market renowned for its strong understanding and value appreciation for high-growth natural resource opportunities such as Ajax.”
Comment: Another day, another RNS. In this case regarding the company sourcing fresh liquidity, clearly rather more than can be delivered from the London market. This follows yesterday’s announcement that AJAX has entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) incorporating a binding option with an Italian company founded by highly experienced geological and mining consultants named Minerva Metals S.r.l., setting out the principal terms for a potential future acquisition by Ajax of 100% of the issued share capital of Minerva. In the wake of all this it would appear that shares of AJAX are finally ready for a successful assault on 10p plus.
Zenith Energy Ltd. (ZEN), the listed international energy production and development company, announces that it has completed private placements of common shares of no par value with institutional investors in the United Kingdom and Norway, alongside a debt settlement. In addition, the Company has entered into a new convertible loan facility. ZEN said “The Company’s portfolio represents a compelling value proposition, with revenue-generating energy production assets, near-term development opportunities in its solar energy portfolio in Italy, now approaching the 200 MWp development pipeline milestone, and significant upside potential from its uranium exploration licence applications. The Company is preparing to commence construction of its first solar energy production site in July 2026 and intends to bring additional ready-to-build projects into construction and subsequent production. The Financings have been completed at a significant premium to the Company’s previous fundraise, at almost double the issue price, underscoring investor confidence in its strategy.”
Comment: While we wait for the big announcement on a massive win against those lovely people in Tunisia, we see ZEN getting on with its renewable energy strategy in the aftermath of the suicidal Iran war strategy causing fossil fuel prices to rocket. What is not to like?
Eco Buildings Group (ECOB), a UK-listed technology-led company focused on industrialised housing solutions, is pleased to announce a major operational milestone on its contract for the prestigious Rolling Hills residential development in Tirane. The Company has now completed the sub-ground parking level and ground floor structure of the first apartment block, marking further commercial progress and demonstrating Eco Buildings’ growing execution capability on live developments. Furthermore, the Company has sufficient GFRG walls manufactured and in stock to complete the construction of this first apartment block.
Comment: ECOB continues to be as big in Albania as the late Norman Wisdom. Indeed, now that he is no longer with us where else can you read about the latest goings on in Tirane. The rollout is key for ECOB, and the journey to scaling up its business.
Scancell Holdings plc (SCLP), the developer of active immunotherapies to treat cancer, announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for its lead ImmunoBody® iSCIB1+ for the treatment of advanced melanoma. Dr Phil L’Huillier, CEO of Scancell, said: “This designation is a major achievement for Scancell and important recognition not only of the potential of iSCIB1+, but also of the significant need for new and improved treatment options for patients with advanced melanoma. We are very pleased with how the Phase 2 SCOPE data is maturing and are advancing plans for a global registrational Phase 3 trial, which we expect to initiate in the second half of 2026.”
Comment: Just when you thought that you would never hear about SCLP ever again we have the coming up with what should hopefully be a winning news announcement. Of course for any biotech the most magical letters in the English language are FDA, and after a rather long gestation period we have shares of SCLP near 2026 highs and poised for a breakout.
Powerhouse Energy Group plc (PHE), a company pioneering integrated technology that converts non-recyclable waste into low carbon energy, alongside a revenue-generating engineering consulting division, Engsolve, provided the following operational update. “We are delighted with the progress that has continued to be seen across a number of initiatives, not only at our flagship Ballymena project, but also at some of the smaller, less high-profile projects that the Company has been undertaking, including winning PHE’s first (non-Engsolve) revenue earning project. These projects, whilst in most cases still being at an early stage, further endorse our technology offering whilst also having the potential to provide us with meaningful revenues in the future. This approach has also continued to deliver several live enquiries that we will continue to evaluate and believe have the potential to progress from opportunities to real projects for the Company in due course.”
Comment: One can tell that PHE’s tail is up in the wake of the recent oversubscribed placing, and that it now have the cash to move along with decent revenue earning projects, something which should finally get the share price of this highly followed stock moving.
Mila Resources Plc (MILA), the post-discovery gold exploration accelerator, is pleased to report assay results from holes 3, 4 and 5 of the Company’s 12-hole Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling campaign completed in Q1 2026 at the Yarrol Gold Project, Queensland, Australia (Yarrol). The results reported below were drilled in the southern segment of the Yarrol North target. MILA said “We are delighted with these results with some notably high-grade results. Every intercept, no matter the size, is helping us build tonnage and tighten the geological picture. What is emerging is a pattern of repeating structures hosting high-grade shoots, suggesting a more continuous and robust mineralised system than was ever previously understood. We are now moving beyond isolated results and toward the building a meaningful and economic gold resource in a proven gold district. Following our recent capital raise we will be continuing to fast track the development of this project.”
Comment: The wind has rather departed from the sails of the MILA share price, but we have seen the company continue with the operational gains at the flagship Yarrol Gold Project. This should mean that the recent consolidation in the share price should resolve to the upside in coming weeks.
Genflow Biosciences Plc (GENF), a biotechnology company focused on the development of gene therapies for age-related diseases announces the expansion of its engagement with participants in the global animal health sector. Following the positive preliminary interim results reported in an RNS on February 12, 2026 and the initial execution of confidentiality agreements, the Company has entered into additional confidential agreements with Tier-1 global animal health companies in connection with the ongoing review of data from its canine SIRT6 cent gene therapy programme. These agreements, together with previous confidentiality agreements, reflect a broadening base of third-party evaluation of the Company’s data and underlying technology.
Comment: Perennial pet group GENF continues to make dreams a reality in the sense that the agreements and deals it has been making are pushing it closer to what could be a real biotech money spinner. Presumably humans are next. What could possibly go wrong?
Hardide plc (HDD), the provider of advanced surface treatment technology, is pleased to announce it has received a further £1.8m of new orders from its large North American energy sector customer, which are expected to be delivered by the end of the current financial year ending 30 September 2026. This is additional to the Group’s existing forecasts such that the Board now anticipates the Group’s revenues and financial performance for FY26 will be materially ahead of its previous expectations. Over recent months, Hardide has successfully scaled output to meet growing demand, enabling it to accommodate additional volume. These new orders will be fulfilled from the Group’s Bicester facility in the UK and will be supplied concurrently with those already placed with the US facility, which were announced in December 2025 and February 2026.
Comment: HDD has already been marked as a contract winning machine since the start of the year, and with news like today’s it can be seen that the momentum is continuing. After last year’s 2x rise for the shares, it looks as though we will see the same or better for 2026.
GenIP Plc (GNIP), a technology consultancy providing AI-driven services to help research organisations and corporations commercialise their innovations, announced a strategic alliance with Cardinal Intellectual Property, Inc., the leading U.S. provider of patent searching, managed docketing, AI patent drafting, AI amendment drafting, IP consulting, and IP annuity and renewal payment services, giving GenIP accelerated access to the US corporate market and a high-credibility distribution channel for its AI-enabled tools. GNIP said “This Alliance with Cardinal IP gives GenIP a credible distribution route into the corporate enterprise segment, the largest and most recurring part of the global IP services market. The fee structure is commercially grounded, with fees reaching up to 30% on AI-enabled drafting services, and the performance incentive built into the agreement ensures both parties are motivated to convert introductions into revenue. We have designated commercial teams on both sides and a clear go-to-market approach, and we look forward to adding value to both organisations and positioning GenIP at the forefront of the global IP services industry.”
Comment: We have already seen that GNIP is moving up to scale up its offering as well as getting distribution, the latter point witnessed by today’s news. Followers of the company will note the rush to ensure that revenues continue to ramp up, something which should soon be reflected in the form of a rebound in the shares from current low levels.
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.
