(Alliance News) – Recent trade deals with the US, India and the EU will “improve livelihoods” across the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. Ahead of a meeting with devolved national and regional leaders on Friday, the prime minister sought to highlight the economic benefits of the recent deals.
The UK government says Scottish produce such as whisky, salmon and gin will all receive a boost from tariffs being slashed and trade barriers being cut. Ministers say this week’s “reset” deal with the EU will address problems experienced by salmon exporters since 2019.
Comment: Having re-invented the art of the deal, where one now pays to sell something, such as the Chagos, one wonders how much all the recent deals will cost the UK. One hopes the “rejoin” deal is not similarly expensive.
Greatland Gold (GGP) announced that Greatland Resources Limited (Greatland Resources) has today lodged its prospectus (Prospectus) with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in respect of the proposed listing of Greatland Resources on the ASX (ASX Listing) and the Offer of Greatland Resources Shares as the Group pursues a cross-listing on the ASX and AIM. Initial public offer of Greatland Resources shares on ASX to raise up to A$50 million. UK retail offer of Greatland Resources shares on AIM to raise up to A$14 million.
Comment: GGP is of course making the big move to dual list on the ASX, although does not miss the chance to raise fresh cash, as of course its mining activities in Oz will be expansive and expensive.
Games Workshop (GAW) said it expects to report double-digit climbs in annual revenue and profit. The manufacturer and retailer of miniature wargames expects to post pretax profit of at least £255 million for the 52 weeks to June 1, a rise of 26% from £203.0 million. Revenue of at least £560 million is expected, growth of 13% from £494.7 million. Licensing revenue alone is forecast to surge 61% to around £50 million. “Licensing revenue in the period is at a record level and we are not expecting this to be repeated in 2025/26.
Comment: Although the fundamentals here appear to be something of a one way bet, GAW has taken the edge off the update and the share price by warning that the party is not set to continue in the coming year.
AJ Bell (AJB) reported a rise in customer number and assets under administration in the first six months of its financial year, and it said it will “accelerate business investment” in the second half. The investment platform provider said assets under administration at the end of the six months to March 31 amounted to £96.2 billion, an increase of 4.3% from £92.2 billion at the end of September. It reported net inflows of £3.2 billion, with its AUA also getting a £800 million boost from the market and other movement.
Comment: As we learned from Hargreave Lansdown, for some reason many investors on the stock market are happy to use a service provider that it reassuringly expensive, even if there is no actual service. Against such a backdrop one would expect a push fo AJB to record highs sooner rather than later.
Defence Holdings (ALRT), the UK’s first publicly listed pure-play defence technology platform, is pleased to announce the proposed appointment of Ian Yarwood-Lovett as an Independent Non-Executive Director to its Board. A former Microsoft executive with decades of experience in the gaming sector, he co-founded the BAFTA-winning Fable franchise, widely recognised as the first fully reactive gaming world.
Comment: After seeing the shares rise over 100% in the wake of yesterday’s appointment, ALRT is attempting to repeat the same trick today via another high grade appointment of which Brook Street Bureau would be proud. One wonders who will be added to the board on Tuesday, my CV is already in.
The Smarter Web Company (AQUIS: SWC), a London listed technology company, announced the purchase of additional Bitcoin as part of “The 10 Year Plan” which includes an ongoing treasury policy of acquiring Digital Assets, including Bitcoin. Details are as follows: Number of Bitcoin Purchased: 23.09 Bitcoin. Average Purchase Price: £80,126 per Bitcoin ($107,424 per Bitcoin). Amount Purchased: £1,850,000. Total Bitcoin Holdings: 58.71 Bitcoin.
Comment: After a somewhat slow start, the Bitcoin Treasury strategy has become the hottest thing on the London market, with a gold rush in copying the Microstrategy strategy. The winner at the moment is SWC, with a lap of honour likely as the company presents at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Be there or be square. https://b.tc/conference/2025/program#speakers
Critical Mineral Resources (CMRS) announced it has signed a formal agreement relating to a high-quality copper-silver project in Central Morocco. CMR has now signed the formal joint venture agreement, under which CMR will earn-in to a sedimentary hosted copper deposit upon delivery of agreed milestones. Based on current information, the Company’s board strongly believes that the SHC deposit will develop into a significant new discovery.
Comment: Having bumped into a broker yesterday suggesting that CMRS is a company to watch, the company has released a RNS underlining that it is indeed a stock to watch given that it has been trading near its lows, and with a £1m market cap.
Tekcapital (TEK), the UK intellectual property (IP) investment group focused on creating valuable companies from investing in university technologies that can improve people’s lives, announces its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2024. Net Assets increased 46.3% to US$70.1m (2023: US$47.9m). Portfolio valuation increased 49.6% to US$61.5m (2023: US$41.1m). Profit after tax increased to US$19.2m (2023: loss of US$15.7m). Cash and equivalents increased 33.3% to US$0.8m (2023: US0.6m).
Comment: The London market being the London market, one would never have guessed that TEK had such good metrics, judging by the gyrations of the share price. Indeed, the only fly in the ointment could be said to be the cash position.
OptiBiotix Health (OPTI), a life sciences business products which reduce hunger and food cravings, enhance the gut microbiome, and sweet fibres as healthy sugar substitutes, announced that it has raised £750,000 at a price of 14 pence per share.
Comment: Given the absolute domination of weight loss jabs, one would have thought that sugar substitutes et al would be as popular as the thought of buying a VHS video recorder, or indeed, joining Weight Watchers. Presumably those who have invested £750k here have an alternative view.
Ajax (AJAX), the natural resources investment company announced the Company’s application for the admission to trading of its ordinary shares to the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market Access Category (“AQSE”). Ajax is pursuing a strategy as a natural resources investment company, with a focus on Copper, Gold, Zinc, Uranium, and Lead. The Company completed its first acquisition on 21 May 2025.
Comment: Having bought Eureka at a bargain basement price, it is clear that AJAX is looking to turn this asset into a multi-bagger win for its investors, especially given the way it is acquiring land neighbouring the project.
Blencowe Resources (BRES) announced receipt of the latest disbursement of $0.5 million from the US International Development Finance Corporation (“DFC”), taking total funds received under the overall US$5.0 million technical assistance grant to $4.0 million. This grant funding is non-dilutive and comes with no requirement to repay under any circumstances. A remaining $1.0 million is expected in two additional tranches – $0.75 million and $0.25 million upon completion of agreed Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”) milestones. The next tranche is anticipated as coming in the near term.
Comment: For a company in BRES’s line of work, a cash injection from the DFC is not only a great non-dilutive win, but the ultimate seal of approval. It is interesting that the market continues to underplay both these great plus points.
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.
