The Telegraph: Government borrowing is at a record outside the pandemic so far this year and well ahead of official forecasts. Borrowing for the eight months of the financial year so far was £132.3bn, according to the ONS, which was £10bn higher than the same period a year ago. It is also £16.8bn higher than the OBR forecast in March.
Comment: Borrowing at an outside pandemic high underlines the government’s policy of spending even more than it taxes, if only to buy Labour votes through welfare and other freebies. Yesterday’s interest rate cut underlines the panic at the Bank of England regarding an inevitable recession and the urgency of ensuring the centre-left tyranny we have does not go down at the next General Election.
The Times: WHSmith has revealed that the Financial Conduct Authority has opened a formal investigation into the retailer, after an accounting blunder that has seen profits in its fast-growing North American business unknowingly inflated over a number of years. The FTSE 250 group said it was “committed to co-operating fully with any engagement in relation to the North America accounting issue from any regulatory body or other authority”.
Comment: Although there are some who allegedly write letters to the FCA on an almost daily basis to defame and discredit companies for there own vendetta / clickbait based ends, it does seem that now and again the regulator does take action, especially in cases where it may get an article in The Times off the back of it to show that it has a role to play. It would be better if the FCA took action against those who deliberately sabotage small companies than go running after WH Smith.
Quantum Helium Limited (QHE), advancing helium, hydrogen and hydrocarbon projects in the USA, announced receipt of the independent resource report from Sproule ERCE for the Coyote Wash Project in Colorado, where Quantum holds a 100% working interest. The report estimates 2U (Best Estimate) gross recoverable helium of 0.97 BCF at Coyote Wash, which, when combined with the Sproule ERCE-verified 2U gross helium resource of 0.134 BCF at Sagebrush, establishes 1.104 BCF of independently verified 2U gross helium across the Company’s Colorado portfolio.
Comment: It would appear that last month’s name change from Mosman Oil & Gas to Quantum Helium was timely if nothing else. It is also something of a relief that after so long as a company which disappointed, it has pulled a rabbit out of a hat as far as the red hot helium space is concerned. One would expect a consistent re-rate here.
Strix Group Plc (KETL), the global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of kettle safety controls and other components and devices involving water heating and temperature control, steam management and water filtration, today announced that Strix (UK) Limited and the Company have entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with Birmingham Bidco Pty Ltd for the disposal of the Billi business, comprising Strix Australia Pty Ltd and each regional subsidiary, for an aggregate consideration of £110.0 million.
Comment: KETL is a company which has been interviewed here on Zakstraderscafe.com several times, if only on the basis that it is just the kind of under-appreciated company worth championing. Today’s announcement underlines this fact, and should put it on the radar of many more investors.
Catenai PLC (CTAI), the AIM quoted provider of digital media and technology, announced that further to the announcement made on 11 December 2025, the Company has held its investor presentation. The investor presentation can be viewed at the following link: :
Comment: It has to be classed as somewhat disappointing that the share price of CTAI is now well off its recent 0.6p zone peak, after the company has revealed its hand regarding the wonders of its Alludium investment. The message here is the one would assume that most in the market do not understand what an AI agent platform is or does, and that more work is required to get the message and the opportunity home.
Prospex Energy PLC (PXEN), the AIM-quoted investment company focused on European gas and power projects, announced that it has issued £565,000 in unsecured Convertible Loan Notes to existing and new investors , including all of the directors of the Company.
Comment: Given the share price of PXEN it would appear that the only route to funding here was a CLN, something which is probably going to hurt it even more. In interviews with the company it was suggested rather sheepishly that perhaps it was spread too thin in terms of its portfolio / activities. This may explain the sub par sentiment in the market towards the company thus far.
Alba Mineral Resources plc (ALBA), the gold and critical raw materials focused exploration and development company, provides this operational update in respect of the Clogau St David’s Gold Mine in Wales. Following the completion of the recent phase of underground works at the Mine, the Company is pleased to confirm the resumption of drilling and blasting operations at the Llechfraith Target, Alba’s priority gold target at Clogau. An estimated 15 or so tonnes of blast material are in the process of being removed from underground following the first successfully completed blast.
Comment: With gold well over $4,000 it is interesting to see how companies with previously sub par and sub scale portfolios in the space are having their day in the sun. It would very well be the case that even ALBA joins the glitterati given the positive environment we have at the moment.
Pulsar Helium Inc. (PLSR), a primary helium exploration and development company, provided an update following its announcement on November 4, 2025, announcing the execution of a definitive agreement with Oscillate PLC, to acquire up to 100% of Oscillate’s wholly owned subsidiary, Quantum Hydrogen Inc. in an all-share transaction.
Comment: The land grab continues at PLSR, and while one still gets the nagging feeling that the market would have preferred production over acquisition, the way that the shares seem primed to deliver a fresh rebound from the mid-30p’s indicates that investors are swinging back in favour of the company’s strategy.
Rockfire Resources plc (ROCK), the base metal, critical mineral and precious metal exploration company, provided the market with this drilling update from Rockfire’s 100%-owned Molaoi zinc deposit in Greece. The third drill hole, (HMO-010) has completed successfully at 275.80m depth. Multiple mineralised intervals have been intersected in line with our expectations from resource modelling, with peak pXRF values of 36.55% Zn, 325ppm Ag, 5.1% Pb and 1.3% Cu.
Comment: We have decent numbers revealed today by ROCK, underlining the progress being made at the flagship Molaoi project. Indeed, with the shares still near the bottom of recent ranges, those who do not mind a bumpy ride may be tempted to take a nibble in the stock.
Connecting Excellence Group PLC (AQSE:XCE), the Bitcoin-powered international executive recruitment group, noted that whilst it continues to execute its Bitcoin treasury policy, as outlined in the Admission Document, given the anticipated lower market activity over the Christmas period, and in the absence of material movements in the Bitcoin price, the Company expects to provide its next substantive update on or around 5 January 2026. As a normal course of business, the Company intends to make frequent Bitcoin purchases using its operational cashflow and fundraising proceeds, with regular updates provided via RNS where appropriate.
Comment: Given the adverse sentiment towards BTC as far as fingers burnt investors in treasury companies earlier in 2025, one would have thought that companies such as XCE might hold there tongue regarding buying the stuff. At least the digital asset makes for a better store of value at $85,000 than it did at $125,000 a couple of months ago.
Seraphim Space Investment Trust plc (SSIT), the world’s first listed SpaceTech investment company, announced that its portfolio company and largest holding, ICEYE, has secured a major contract valued at €1.7 billion through its joint venture with Rheinmetall, the German defence and automotive technology group, to deliver space-based reconnaissance capabilities for the German Armed Forces.
Comment: SSIT still has a market cap of less than £250m, and is up 84% so far this year, underlining the way that space investment is hot. Indeed, given that SpaceX has a notional value of approaching $1.5tln, one could say that there is plenty of upside for a company which arguably listed a few years too soon.
CleanTech Lithium PLC (CTL), an exploration and development company advancing sustainable lithium projects in Chile, announced the new streamlined process to be awarded a Special Lithium Operating Contract (“CEOL”) for Laguna Verde is now officially open for applications. Referring to the resolution published by the Ministry of Mining on Thursday 18th December, applications can be made by 30th January 2026. Once an application has been accepted, the Ministry of Mining department in charge of reviewing CEOL applications should respond within 30 days. CleanTech intends to make its application for the CEOL in the near future.
Comment: As has been noted here before on several occasions, despite the ups and downs of the story, CTL remains in the box seat in Chile, not only in terms of its assets, but also in terms of being the one with the most direct line to the authorities there. Given the disconnect between the share price and the newsflow, those who wish to be exposed to what will become a major player in the geography and in lithium need to look no further.
Guardian Metal Resources plc (GMET), a strategic exploration company focused on tungsten in Nevada, USA, announced the submission to the SEC of a S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report (“TRS”) and updated Mineral Resource Estimate on the 100%-owned Pilot Mountain tungsten Project located in Nevada, USA. Importantly, in accordance with Regulation S-K 1300 17 CFR Part 229 Subpart 229.1300, the updated MRE is pit-constrained and therefore potentially suitable for open-pit mining, offering a potential pathway to development.
Comment: Every day that goes by for GMET seems to be a lap of honour, not only for the share price which is up 3x this year, but the strategy of the company which has been a 10 out of 10 almost from the moment of IPO. What will be interesting here is to see how long it takes for someone to get their chequebook out and take over this still sub £200m company.
Georgina Energy Plc, (GEX) a helium, hydrogen and natural resources development company in Australia, has today executed an extension for the offtake MOU with Halo Capital Investments Ltd in order to consider all of Georgina’s projects. The MOU agreement, executed on 28th August 2025, will be extended for a period of 24 months to 28th August 2028, in order to incorporate the recently announced Central Petroleum (“CTP”) acquisitions, subject to the completion of the proposed transaction. Halo is backed by established capital from family office and fund investors supporting companies in highly regulated energy markets.
Comment: A company which has been defamed and personally attacked on a psychotic basis even before it came to market still proves that it has grit and determination to win. On this basis alone it is hard not to be a supporter of GEX. It only needs to get lucky once in terms of deal making / discovery / development.
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.
