Daily Mail: Labour’s first ‘one-in, one-out’ migrant deportation to France ‘is abandoned after last-minute legal challenge’
Comment: There is little point having pronouncements from politicians, or a democracy, if they can be overruled by the legal / judicial tyranny, where more migrants mean more fees.
Fiinu Plc (BANK), a fintech group and creator of the Plugin Overdraft®, announced that it has entered into an exclusive strategic partnership with Manx Financial Group (MFG) subsidiary, Conister Bank Limited, to launch Fiinu’s Plugin Overdraft® product in the United Kingdom, subject to regulatory approval. This pioneering product represents a major milestone for the UK fintech sector, which makes use of both Open Banking and AI underwriting. Fiinu’s bank-agnostic overdraft platform, powered by AI, was originally developed and audited for Fiinu Bank in the UK.
Comment: BANK was originally a new and shiny overdraft company, filling the void of High Street banks removing this facility in line with their strategy of offering customers as few services as possible for the highest fees. The deal with MFX, itself a growing / successful company, is a perfect one.
Gunsynd (GUN) updated in relation to the Barb Gold Project and the Bear Twit Project in Canada, in which the Company has a 100% legal and beneficial interest. GUN said “It is pleasing to announce boots on the ground at the Barb Gold Project as work continues at pace on our Canadian Projects. It’s also very pleasing to be able to announce that the field work at Bear Twit was completed with almost no delays due to bad weather, we very much look forward to being able to update the market with further news and assay results from the rock grab samples from both Projects.”
Comment: The smart money has cottoned on to the fundamental inflexion point for GUN, the result of canny investing and a revival in the exploration / development space for small caps.
WeCap (AQSE:WCAP) provided an update on progress of its primary portfolio company, WeShop Holdings Limited. WCAP said “We are delighted with the progress being made at WeShop as it takes this significant step towards a proposed listing on Nasdaq. The filing of the registration statement marks an important milestone in WeShop’s journey to becoming a global social commerce leader. We believe the business model, which combines social recommendation with user ownership, has the potential to disrupt traditional e-commerce and create substantial long-term value for both users and shareholders alike. WeCap will continue to keep shareholders updated as WeShop advances through this important milestone toward a potential U.S. public market listing.”
Comment: Although it feels like a rather slow process, the reward for shareholders of an under-rated and under the radar company should be considerable. It is surprising that we have not seen rather more of a re-rate already.
Mast Energy Developments (MAST) announced a progress update regarding its new AI datacentre power supply strategy, and an Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) Datacentre Power Supply Strategy Target of 1 GW.
Comment: After the recent car crash / speeding ticket RNS, at least we have MAST regrouping with an enthusiastic RNS. One would expect the stock to make a fully recovery after the faux pas.
tinyBuild (BLD), a premium video games publisher and developer with global operations, announced its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2025. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $4.2m (H1 2024: $2.3m loss), a strong improvement due to favourable revenue mix and lower operating costs (SG&A was $7.1m vs $10.5m in H1 2024). Gross profit improved to $10.4m (H1 2024: $3.1m), reflecting a reduction in the impairment of development costs to $1.1m (H1 2024: $3.0m) and lower cost of sales (ex‑impairment 33% of revenue vs 64% in H1 2024). Net cash from operating activities increased to $6.8m (H1 2024: $2.0m), mirroring the earnings uplift from higher-margin mix and tighter operating spend.
Comment: Clearly, there was plenty of jockeying for position in the share price in recent days in the run up to today’s results, that everyone and their mother presumed would be excellent.
Fintel (FNTL), a leading provider of software and support services to the UK Retail Financial Services sector, today announced its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2025. FINTL said “Fintel has delivered a strong first-half performance, with double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth reflecting the strength of our business model and the quality of our earnings.”
Comment: Perhaps FNTL’s success is part of the explanation as to why the UK retail financial services sector is perhaps not as good value as it could be for the end user. That said, do not get mad, get even, especially with the shares near year lows.
MedPal AI (MPAL), a UK-based digital health and artificial intelligence (“AI”) company focused on wellness management, announced a strategic partnership with Independent Gyms Ltd, giving members of over 2,000 independent gyms free access to the MedPal AI app on iOS and Android. The app collates data from multiple wearable fitness devices, which is analysed by AI to produce personalised programmes including workout, nutrition, and recovery plans. Provision of the app to Independent Gyms will help associated gyms compete with larger chains and add value for members.
Comment: Market newbie MPAL hits the ground running with a decent sized deal to appeal to all the Gen Z fitness fanatics. Apparently, there is an app for everything these days, and they all use AI.
Thor Energy (THR) announced the signing of a term sheet with ASX-listed Tivan Limited to sell the tenements and associated mining information comprising the FRAM Joint Venture, which holds the Molyhil Tungsten/Molybdenum/Copper Project (“the Project”) in the Northern Territory, Australia. Thor holds 75% of the FRAM JV via its subsidiary Molyhil Mining Limited with ASX-Listed Investigator Resources Limited holding the remaining 25%. Upon completion of the sale of the FRAM JV, total consideration of A$8,750,000 will be payable, with 75% (A$6,562,500) to Thor via its subsidiary Molyhil.
Comment: THR seems to be happy to break the mould as far as companies in its space by actually selling stuff and bringing in cash. The market cap of £6m now looks reassuringly cheap.
Ariana Resources (AAU), the mineral exploration, development and production company with gold project interests in Africa and Europe, provided a summary of its projects and development plans, particularly at the Dokwe Gold Project following its 10 September 2025 admission to the Official List of the Australian Securities Exchange and the quotation of its securities.
Comment: It is said that a picture paints a thousand words. One would probably struggle to get to seven on this occasion. It might also be thought that being recently listed on the ASX would have done more for sentiment and the share price, given that getting there is no mean feat.
Corero (CNS), the distributed denial of service (“DDoS”) protection specialists, announced its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2025. Annualised Recurring Revenues (“ARR”) grew strongly by 25% to $21.6 million (H1 2024: $17.2 million). Underpinned by growth in DDoS Protection-as-a-Service (“DDPaaS”) solution sales. Group reported revenue $10.9 million down 10% on prior year (H1 2024: $12.2 million).
Comment: The 25% rise in ARR is an excellent improvement and one that CNS should be suitably proud of. Alas, it is a metric that few in the market other than the companies themselves consider meaningful.
JTC (JTC) announced its Interim results for the period ended 30 June 2025. Revenue +17.3% to £172.6m (H1 2024: £147.1m). Underlying EBITDA +15.1% to £56.5m (H1 2024: £49.1m) with an underlying EBITDA margin of 32.8% (H1 2024: 33.4%). Excellent performance in H1 2025, with net organic revenue growth of 11.0% (H1 2024: 12.5%)
Comment: Apparently “Every JTC person is an owner of the business, and this fundamental part of our culture aligns us with the best interests of all of our stakeholders.” Although this sounds a little like the John Lewis Partnership or a collective farm in the Soviet Union, it does appear to be delivering solid results, and with the shares at record highs.
Kavango Resources (KAV), the Southern Africa focused metals exploration company announced its unaudited financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2025.
Comment: A $6m loss is perhaps not what the doctor ordered, even though recent high grade discoveries have enabled KAV to get placings away. Small production numbers and the impression of a company spread too thin are a headwind for the share price.
East Star Resources (EST), which is exploring for copper and gold in Kazakhstan, provided an update on drilling activities, which have been ongoing at the Company’s VMS copper targets and the Verkhuba Copper Deposit (in East Kazakhstan since mid-June. Drilling has now been completed with five of the holes logged, cut, sampled and sent to the ALS laboratory in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, for assay. The remaining four holes will be sent over in the coming weeks, with assay results expected from the end of Q3 and into Q4 2025.
Comment: The market has not given the requisite amount of credit to EST in terms of the company’s VMS copper targets, something which in the run up to the big reveal at the end of this year could very well be a state of affairs that changes.
OptiBiotix Health (OPTI), a life sciences business developing products which reduce hunger and food cravings, enhance the gut microbiome, and sweet fibres as healthy sugar substitutes announces its unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2025. Significantly increased sales with revenue up 102% to £557K (H1 2024: £276K). Gross profit margin increased to 54% (H1 2024: 40%). Gross profit up 173% to £303K (H1 2024: £111K).
Comment: Plenty of crackpot / deranged commentary on OPTI in the recent past. But it would appear that the company is actually in rude health. One wonders what the agenda behind the mudslinging actually was / is? Whatever it was, it was not helpful to shareholders, clickbait considerations notwithstanding.
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.
