Investment manager Fiske (FKE) announced a trading update following the conclusion of its financial year to 30 June 2025.
As previously announced on 28 February 2025, the Company traded well in the first half of FY25 for the six-month period to 31 December 2024, growing revenues and operating profit when compared to the previous half-year period to 31 December 2023. FKE said that the business performed well during the second half of the year with revenues and pre-tax profits ahead of the prior year. It expects revenues for FY 2025 to be in the region of £7.9m, which is an increase of approximately 6% on the prior year to 30 June 2024. Profit on ordinary activities before tax will be in the region of £1.4m, which is up approximately 43% on the prior year. This gives rise to earnings for the year of approximately 11p per share.
Comment: The shares being down some 30% so far this morning rather underline the old adage of how poor stockbrokers perform on the stock market. That said, the performance of the business suggests that the company is being treated rather unfairly.
Time Finance (TIME), the AIM listed independent specialist finance provider is pleased to provide the following update on the Group’s trading performance for the first quarter of the current financial year covering the three months to 31 August 2025. The results reflect the continued strong demand for the Group’s multi-product funding offering which has resulted in further growth across all key financial metrics. The lending book has now enjoyed seventeen consecutive quarters of growth, while the Group’s continued lending discipline has delivered unchanged levels of arrears and write-offs. Own-Book Lending Origination up 30% to £28.5m (Q1 2024/25: £22.0m). Revenue up 3% to £9.4m (Q1 2024/25: £9.1m). Profit before Tax up 11% to £2.1m (Q1 2024/25: £1.9m).
Comment: We are obviously not talking about a company in the Braford & Bingley league of lending. But it would appear that TIME is enjoying favourable market conditions.
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) said profit before tax and adjusting items (PBTAI) of £351m, in line with guidance given on 27 August. Expects FY26 PBTAI to be in line with current market expectations, with limited impact expected from US tariffs this financial year. JD said “In an environment of strained consumer finances and evolving brand product cycles, operating and financial discipline remains a core focus for JD, and we are controlling our costs and cash well. Whilst we remain cautious on the trading environment for the second half, we expect limited impact from US tariffs this financial year, and our full year profit before tax and adjusting items to be in line with current market expectations.”
Comment: Still making decent cash from overpriced, cheaply produced brands to a customer base that will always have money to buy, for various controversial reasons. That said, the glory days of 2 years ago seem a long way back in the rear view mirror.
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Pinewood Tech Gp (PINE) – Half year results for the 6 months to 30 June 2025. Revenue up 21.7% to £19.6m (H1 FY24: £16.1m), driven by increased client spend and the successful integration of the Seez AI solution. Gross profit up 17.2% to £17.0m (H1 FY24: £14.5m), with a gross profit margin of 86.7%. Underlying EBITDA up 14.5% to £7.9m (H1 FY24: £6.9m), with an underlying EBITDA margin of 40.3%. PINE said “Taking full ownership of Pinewood North America LLC and the contract signed with Lithia marked major achievements in our growth strategy for this key market. Preparations for the US roll-out continue at pace, and we remain on track to pilot the Pinewood Automotive Intelligence™ platform later this year.”
Comment: Not to be confused with the film studios. But at the same time PINE does have the problem that the latest excellent update, hardly anyone has heard of the company.
Everyman Media Group (EMAN), the independent, premium cinema group, reported its unaudited interim results for the 26 weeks ended 03 July 2025. Group Revenue of £56.5m (H1 2024: £46.9m), up 21%. Group EBITDA of £8.2m (H1 2024: £6.2m), up 33%. EMAN said “Everyman’s unique brand of hospitality continues to resonate with our customer base. As such, we move into the second half of the year in a strong position – bolstered by a compelling customer offering, reduced leverage and a strong film slate, with major H2 releases including Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, Wicked: For Good, and Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
Comment: It is somewhat surprising that the general public seems keen to join people with coughing fits, crisp bag rustling, and nefarious activity in the back row, to watch their favourite films. But apparently, more do.
Coinsilium Group (AQSE:COIN), the Web3 investor, advisor, and venture builder, is pleased to announce its unaudited consolidated interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2025. COIN said “From mid-May to early August, the Company was highly active in fundraising and deploying capital into Bitcoin, taking Forza’s treasury from a standing start to 182 Bitcoin in a rapid timeframe. Since then, activity has been governed by prevailing market conditions, and this should not be misinterpreted as a pause in strategy. Looking ahead, our ambition to grow our Bitcoin treasury remains undiminished.”
Comment: COIN made its big push into Bitcoin Treasury, and along with Smarter Web (SWC) has been one of the leading lights on the London market in the space. It will no doubt be the next reporting period that will really show the benefits of the move.
Pri0r1ty Intelligence Group (PR1), the AI, data and marketing services group, announced the appointment today of Rory Maxwell as Chief Executive Officer. Rory was appointed as an executive director of the Company on 3 July 2025, following Pri0r1ty’s acquisition of Halfspace Limited, a London-based sports data and marketing business which he co-founded.
Comment: Halfspace was always going to be the big deal at PR1, and it would appear that outgoing CEO James Sheehan was always going to be a Moses figure in terms of taking the company to the Promise Land of profitability.
IntelliAM AI (AQSE: INT), the software company leveraging the power of AI and machine learning in the manufacturing industry, announced that it has signed a Co-Development Partnership Agreement with a global engineering manufacturer. The strategic intent of the partnership is to forge a commercially significant integration of advanced artificial intelligence and industry-leading lubrication technology, thereby establishing a new standard in connected maintenance solutions.
Comment: INT has proved itself to be a winner in terms of combining technology with real world manufacturing, something which rather appropriately was underlined with the recent ‘Manufacturing Tech Company of the Year’ at the 2025 Business Tech Awards. One would expect many more contract wins such as the one announced today.
Genedrive (GDR), the point of care pharmacogenetic testing company, announced the completion of the Placing (incorporating the Firm Placing and the Conditional Placing). This follows the Company announcing the launch of an accelerated bookbuild yesterday at 4.59 p.m. The new Ordinary Shares to be allotted pursuant to the Placing are to be issued at the Issue Price of 0.20 pence. Yesterday GDR said “The net proceeds of the Fundraising will be used amongst other things to support the Group’s near-term commercialisation and market expansion activities throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East.”
Comment: With revenues of £1m reported in the summer (doubling) as the kicker for the latest fundraise, it can be said that it was still quite an achievement to get it away. This is especially the case given that commercialisation is not going to be happening overnight.
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.
