BBC: The FTSE 100 index has climbed above 10,000 points for the first time, passing a significant stock market milestone, on the first trading day of the year. Shares included in the index performed strongly in 2025, leaving the benchmark more than 21% higher than a year ago, when it stood at just over 8,260.
Comment: Although perhaps just one session late, the FTSE 100 has hit the 10,000 target flagged here on Zakstraderscafe for some weeks. Of course, as it par for the course, the BBC will ask mouthpiece people from stockbrokers and spreadbet companies who do not know one end of the FTSE 100 from the other, or how and why the UK’s flagship index has hit this benchmark. It would be too much to ask someone who actually knew what they were talking about. Obviously, the credit for the UK index’s record is down to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, and Rachel Reeves’s fiscal policies.
Tap Global Group plc (TAP), an innovative digital finance hub that brings money payments and crypto settlement services together in a single user-friendly app, announces its financial results for the year ended 30 June 2025. Revenues of £3.48 million, an increase of 31% on the prior year (FY24: £2.65 million). Pretax loss for the year to June 30 narrowed to GBP5.7 million from GBP18.2 million, helped by a reduced goodwill impairment of GBP4.7 million versus GBP15.9 million a year earlier.
Comment: The trading period covered one of the greatest crypto rallies in history, and yet the company is still not profitable, and there is an apparently permanent seller in the stock at 3p. Oh yes, and the CFO has resigned. Presumably, he is wondering when TAP can turn a profit, get over 3p.
Invinity Energy Systems plc (IES), a leading global manufacturer of utility-grade long duration energy storage, announced two new sales and to provide an update on its current trading to the end of 2025. IES “The momentum demonstrated by multiple sales announced in recent weeks, repeat orders from established partners such as Ideona, and the build-up of a £17m 2026 order book gives the Board growing confidence in the Company’s outlook. With a scalable manufacturing footprint, an expanded product range and a strong pipeline across utility-scale and behind-the-meter markets, we believe Invinity is well positioned to drive further growth and strengthen its position as a global leader in long-duration energy storage.”
Comment: Battery storage was the new rock and roll for the stock market, certainly last year, along with data centres. While one wonders whether both concepts will go the way of the internet café, as being intermediate technologies. Perhaps not a popular thing to say, but one likes to mix these things up.
Boku (BOKU), a global network of local payment solutions, announces that its board of directors has provided authority for the Company to repurchase up to 5 per cent of its common stock, and hold in Treasury. The Board believes that the current share price undervalues the Company. The Buyback Programme represents a good investment opportunity and effective use of our growing own-cash balances, as well as a reaffirming our belief in the Company’s long term growth plan. Shares purchased will be held in Treasury and may be used to satisfy future obligations from warrant holders or the staff equity remuneration programme, thus minimising future dilution for shareholders.
Comment: BOKU has been mooted here at Zakstraderscafe as a potential M&A target, and now in the wake of the share buyback news we have decent evidence from no less than the company itself, that the undervalue makes it vulnerable. It will be interesting to see how much the buyback actually gets that share price up.
Jubilee (JLP), the Zambia copper focused producer, announced that, following the satisfaction of all conditions, the sale of the South African Chrome and PGM Operations to One Chrome (Pty) Ltd (Disposal) is now complete. As per the original transaction terms, the second cash instalment of US$10 million is expected to be received by Jubilee from One Chrome in the coming days. Following completion of the Disposal, the Company is now focused solely on its Zambian Copper Business. Whilst the Company has retained its investment in the Tjate platinum project in South Africa it continues to explore options to monetise this asset.
Comment: It is perhaps interesting that the best share price performance in JLP in the recent past has come with the announcement that the company is actually shutting up shop in one of its locations. Perhaps slimming things down even further would be the way to go in 2026, especially if the market caution towards the company has been on the basis of the perception it was spread too thin.
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.
