(Alliance News) – UK consumer price inflation accelerated at a faster pace than expected last month, numbers on Wednesday showed. According to the Office for National Statistics, the pace of yearly consumer price inflation picked up to 3.0% in January, from 2.5% in December.
The reading topped the FXStreet cited consensus of 2.8%. Transport, and food and non-alcoholic beverages provided the largest upward contribution to the consumer price inflation rate last month, the ONS said, while the largest downward contribution to both came from housing and household services.
Comment: In order to fix the non-existent £22bn the side-effect looks to be a jump in inflation. That said, all of this is worthwhile given the help the government is providing to working people.
Ondine Biomedical (OBI) said its innovative light-activated antimicrobial treatment has the potential to become the first FDA-approved nasal decolonization treatment for the prevention of surgical site infections. The treatment is presently undergoing a pivotal phase 3 trial (LANTERN) in US hospitals. OBI said “We have successfully treated over 200,000 patients in Canada and the UK, and as Steriwave kills more pathogens than just S. aureus, both patients and clinicians have embraced the added protection Steriwave provides against infection risks.”
Comment: OBI continues to remind us of the opportunity with Steriwave, a point underlined by recent director share price buying.
EDX Medical Group, (AQSE:EDX), which develops innovative digital diagnostic products and services for the personalised treatment for cancer, heart disease and infectious diseases, announced that Professor Sir Christopher Evans OBE, founder, director and Chief Scientific Officer of the Company, purchased 280,000 ordinary shares in the Company on February 17, 2025, and a further 40,000 ordinary shares in the Company on February 18, 2025. The total of 320,000 shares were purchased at an average price per share of 13.68 pence.
Comment: Just in case anyone had any doubt that EDX was on its way, the founder of the company has chipped in with a share price purchase near the highs for the shares.
Helium One Global (HE1), the primary helium explorer in Tanzania with a 50% working interest in the Galactica-Pegasus helium development project in Colorado, USA, updated following the Blue Star Helium (ASX: BNL) announcement issued today regarding the Galactica Project. The Company is pleased to announce the spudding of the Jackson-31 SENW 3054 development well at its Galactica helium project in Las Animas County, Colorado.
Comment: No fresh news from Tanzania, but at least HE1 is making progress via its investee company in the US, perhaps rather more solid progress than some of its peers.
Equipmake (AQSE:EQIP), a market leader in engineering-driven differentiated electrification technologies, products and solutions across the automotive, truck, bus and speciality vehicle industries, announced it has signed a development agreement with J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited (“JCB”), the British multinational manufacturer renowned for its construction, agriculture, waste handling, and demolition equipment.
Comment: It might be too little, too late (judging by the share price), but a tie up with JCB is a decent validation for the company.
Sovereign Metals (SVML) announced that testwork completed on graphite from the Company’s Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project (Kasiya or the Project) has confirmed Kasiya’s graphite has the key characteristics required for use in refractory applications. The comprehensive testwork programs were completed by ProGraphite GmbH (ProGraphite) and Dorfner Anzaplan (DA) in Germany and demonstrated that Kasiya graphite concentrate contains very low sulphur levels and the absence of other impurities of concern, providing a competitive advantage over other current and potential sources of graphite supply.
Comment: SVML continues deliver and develop Kasiya, with the share price slowly squeezing higher, as the market appreciates the opportunity here.
Beeks Financial Cloud Group (BKS), a cloud computing and connectivity provider for financial markets, provided an update on trading for the six months ended 31 December 2024 (H1 FY25). Trading in H1 FY25 has been in line with Board expectations, with revenues expected to increase 22% to £15.8m (H1 2024 £13.0m) and underlying Profit before tax expected to increase 31% to £1.8m (H1 2024 £1.4m).
Comment: Just to underline the fundamental strength and growth prospects of BKS, we can remind ourselves that the shares were up 180% last year. Judging by today’s update, we are due a similar performance for 2025.
Vinanz (BTC) the London Stock Exchange Main Board Listed Bitcoin mining company with US and Canadian Bitcoin mining operations, announces that it has ordered its first ever USA made Bitcoin miners – manufactured and supplied by California based Auradine Inc. The initial trial order of 20 Auradine AT2880 (220TH and 17.5 J/TH efficiency) miners will be installed at our Indiana hosts facilities in the coming weeks and our hosts there advise that they will have an estimated operating Bitcoin breakeven price of around $53,000,
Comment: BTC finesses its recent move to the main board, with a decent update regarding new MAGA friendly miners. With Bitcoin around the $95,000, there is clearly a decent margin on production currently.
Challenger Energy (CEG): Morgan Stanley up their stake in CEG from 5% to 6p.
Comment: I have been reliably informed by a shareholder of CEO, a genuine professional investor, that the see through value of CEG is up to 25p a share, as opposed to 9.5p. Perhaps this is why our friends at Morgan Stanley are buying the stock.
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.
