(Alliance News) – The FTSE 100 was called to open higher on Monday, with the US government announcing exemptions to its import tariffs covering a range of consumer electronics. A notice late Friday by the US Customs & Border Protection office said smartphones, laptops, memory chips, and other products would be excluded from the global levies that Trump rolled out a week ago, partially dialling down the US’ trade war with China.
Comment: China and perhaps Apple, show Trump who is boss, with the latest being that the former will start rationing the showing of Hollywood films in its country.
Upland Resources Ltd (UPL) provided the following shareholder update on the company website. https://upland.energy/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Upland-Resources-Ltd-Shareholder-Update.pdf
Comment: After a rather long period with no significant update, UPL deliveres a non-update update, and hidden within a pdf.
Georgina Energy (GEX) has issued 6,500,000 performance shares to Westmarket Corporation Pty Ltd, a company owned equally by Anthony Hamilton and Mark Wallace, directors of the Company. The performance shares are issued following the increased mineral resource estimate of the Company’s EP513 asset, as reported on 17 October 2025.
Comment: With the shares back in double figures, and having seen off the defamation squad, it seems fair that GEX’s directors award themselves more shares off the back of the increased MRE.
Metals One (MET1), which is advancing strategic minerals projects in Finland and Norway, is pleased to announce the appointment of Fairfax Partners Inc., a boutique investor relations firm, to enhance the Company’s international communications and investor outreach.
Comment: Perhaps to finesse the fantastic reaction from its recent fundraise, and charting call here at Zakstraderscafe.com from 2p, MET1 makes the very grown up move of appointing a leading US IR group.
Genflow Biosciences (GENF) the only publicly listed longevity company in Europe, announced that, in addition to the recently announced launch of a new development program in ophthalmology, it has entered into a strategic partnership with Heureka Labs, Inc., a U.S.-based AI-driven discovery and analytics platform. A Master Services Agreement was signed by both parties on 11 April 2025, establishing a framework for long-term collaboration.
Comment: Given that presumably AI is now already used in everything from nano-technology to toilet rolls, it seems sensible to apply it to the longevity area.
European Green Transition (EGT), a company developing green economy assets in Europe, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cathal Friel, the Company’s co-founder, as non-executive Chairman with immediate effect.
Comment: With shares of EGT still drifting it is clear that Friel’s expertise should be used in a direct way to get the company on the front foot. Indeed, he should always have been front and centre at the company, given the way the stock market is and has been of late.
Capai (CPAI) said that following Professor Ronjon Nag’s appointment to the Board on 1 April 2025, it announces a refined operating strategy, designed to drive long-term value creation while mitigating dilution for shareholders. capAI has also today launched a new logo, branding and website, designed to provide improved access to Company information, strategic insights and investor resources.
Comment: Given how well the original announcement of Nag’s appointment well, presumably the powers that be at CPAI decided it was worth rolling it out again, with the new website et al. Remarkably, this seems to have worked so far this far this morning.
Distil (DIS), owner of premium drinks brands including RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blackwoods Gin and Vodka, and Blavod Black Vodka, is pleased to announce that it has agreed a new partnership with a U.S. distributor to bring Blavod Black Vodka back into the U.S. market.
Comment: Earlier this month shares of DIS stirred quite sharply. Presumably, this was one or two clairvoyant investors guessing that today’s positive news was on its way.
The Board of Wood said it has received a holistic non-binding conditional proposal from Sidara, comprising: a possible offer of 35 pence per Wood share in cash to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of the Company.
Comment: Given that some experienced Scottish investors were allegedly buying in anticipation of a bid for Wood Group, it is perhaps ironic that the offer is so stingy.
CyanConnode Holdings (CYAN), a global leader in narrowband Radio Frequency (“RF”) smart mesh networks, announce that its Indian subsidiary, DigiSmart Networks Pvt. Ltd., has been issued a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) for a total contract worth approximately £70 million from the Government of Goa’s Electricity Department to deploy approximately 750,000 smart metres.
Comment: Presumably people in India do not hate smart meters as much as we do in the UK. Or perhaps they are just to be foisted on them anyway – like here? In the meantime the only thing perhaps preventing shares of CYAN being up more than 5% is that some in the market are fearing a chunking fundraise to fund the mega contract.
Kainos Group (KNOS), a UK-headquartered IT provider with expertise across three divisions, Digital Services, Workday Services, and Workday Products, issued a trading update for the year ended 31 March 2025. Following a solid Q4 performance, underpinned by a disciplined approach to costs, the Board expects to deliver revenues and adjusted PBT in line with consensus forecasts.
Comment: Shares of KNOS have been down 4 years in a row, and hardly anyone in the market has heard of them even though the company has a market cap of some £750m. This must be some kind of achievement, especially in the wake of a decent update today.
Jubilee (JLP), a diversified metals processor in Africa, with copper operations in Zambia and chrome and PGM operations in South Africa, announces that Mr Ollie Oliveira has notified the Company of his intention to retire from his position as chairperson and non-executive director with effect from 30 April 2025. Mr Oliveira will be succeeded by Dr Mathews Phosa. Jubilee also announced that the interim Finance Director, Jonathan Morley-Kirk, has been appointed in a permanent position, effective immediately.
Comment: The timing is right for board changes at JLP, especially as the company needs to get the market enthused regarding its operations and its strategy.
Scancell Holdings (SCLP), the developer of novel immunotherapy products for the treatment of multiple cancers, announces a partnership with the NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) to fast-track access for NHS patients into the fourth cohort of the Company’s Phase 2 clinical SCOPE study. This cohort will evaluate intradermal administration of Scancell‘s iSCIB1+, potent, targeted “off-the-shelf” Immunobody® second generation DNA cancer vaccine, in patients with advanced unresectable melanoma receiving standard of care immunotherapy treatments.
Comment: It is rare that a small cap goes from being a hero, to zero, and then hero again. But it looks like SCLP may just have pulled it off with the NHS.
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.
