WeCap (WCAP): Peel Hunt have reduced their holding from 18% to 14%.
Yesterday WeShop (NASDAQ:WSHP) of which WCAP rocketed as much as 5x. Of course the London market being the London market, we see WCAP with a piddly market cap of less than £10m, a fraction of what the see-through value of its holding in WeShop should be. The shares are only up less than 25%. One wonders why companies rush to list in the US versus London, with the irony as far as WCAP being concerned that for most on the London market, this new US unicorn was treated as if it had a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 0% in terms of the novel business model and market communication. Oh yes, and what was the rug pull in the shares on Tuesday all about? Let’s see if Peel Hunt lightening the load further keeps a lid on where the WCAP share price should really be.
Beyond the Bounce: What 2025’s Small-Cap Rebound Says About Investor Appetite
hVIVO plc (HVO), a full-service early phase Contract Research Organisation (CRO) and the world leader in human challenge clinical trials, announces its German subsidiary CRS, has signed contracts worth over £5 million since September. The early-phase clinical trial service contracts have been signed with five clients, including two returning mid-sized German pharma customers reaffirming CRS’ strong reputation and long-standing relationships in Germany. These pharma partnerships, given their volume and consistency, strengthens the Group’s sales pipeline and orderbook for 2026 and beyond. These trials are due to commence this year and H1 2026 with the majority of revenue recognised in 2026.
Comment: A real humdinger of a contract win, and the share price is currently up less than 2%. If one was CEO of HVO one might not be best impressed with the market reaction, and justifiably so.
Poolbeg Pharma (POLB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a core focus on transforming the cancer immunotherapy field, announces that the European Patent Office has granted Poolbeg’s European Immunomodulator II patent application covering POLB 001 for the treatment of severe influenza.
Comment: In terms of the fundamentals POLB’s tail has already been up given the revival in its space, and company specific news. Today’s patent news is a further shot in the arm. See what I did there. Let’s see if the share price can finally catch up with the fundamentals.
Zephyr Energy plc (ZPHR) provided an update on the ongoing development of its project in the Paradox Basin, Utah, U.S. In addition, the Company announces the successful refinancing of the Company’s existing borrowing base at a lowered blended cost of capital, and the securing of additional short-term loan financing to fund the Company’s incremental near-term expansion and development plans. ZPHR said “I am happy to report the outcome of our refinancing, which reaffirms the substantial current value of our non-operated portfolio and reduces our overall cost of debt. The cash flow generated from our non-operated assets continues to provide a stable platform for our Company.”
Comment: There seems to be something of a disconnect between the message from ZEPHR that everything is fine and dandy, and the share price trend which recently fell to one year lows. Perhaps a re-think on messaging is in order.
Kore (KP2), the potash exploration and development company whose flagship asset is the 97%-owned Sintoukola Potash Project, located within the Republic of Congo announced it has conditionally raised approximately US$12.2 million (£9.2 million), before expenses, by way of direct subscriptions of new ordinary shares in the Company at a price of 2.9 pence per share with certain eligible existing shareholders and new institutional and other investors. The Directors believe the net proceeds of the Fundraise will provide sufficient working capital for the Company to implement its strategy for at least the next 12 months.
Comment: A chunky fundraise for KP2, and one that should keep the company going indefinitely, rather than just the 12 months it is highlighting in the RNS.
GreenX Metals Limited (GRX) announced the first batch of assay results from its historical core logging and sampling program at the Tannenberg Copper Project (Tannenberg or Project) in Germany. These results further validate historical exploration data from the 1980s and confirm that mineralisation widths are thicker than those used in the 1940 Historical Estimate (refer to ASX announcement dated 20 October 2025). GRX said “With the majority of the core program still ahead of us, and the potential for new discoveries in 18 previously unassayed holes, we’re building a compelling case for a significant copper resource in one of Europe’s most accessible mining districts.”
Comment: Perhaps rather unfairly, GRX has at least in share price terms missed out on the great 2025 recovery for resources stocks, an aberration which is made all the more notable in the wake of today’s announcement and the prospect of fresh copper discoveries.
Astrid Intelligence PLC (AQSE: ASTR), the decentralised artificial intelligence company, announced the board appointment of Mark Creaser as Chief Executive Officer and Siam Kidd as Chief Strategy Office, as executive directors of the Company, effective immediately. Olivia Edwards, Executive Chair of Astrid, “These appointments strengthen the Company’s leadership capabilities as we continue to develop decentralised intelligence infrastructure and expand our participation in the Bittensor ecosystem. I look forward to working with Mark and Siam and drawing on their expertise.”
Comment: One might have been forgiven for thinking that our Olivia was going to go it alone in terms of turning ASTR into a unicorn. But she has called in the cavalry, something which may allow the ASTR share price to revisit some of its early summer glories in time.
Zenith Energy Ltd. (ZEN), the listed international energy production and development company, is pleased to announce that it has initiated a tender exercise for the construction of a portfolio of solar energy assets in the Puglia region of Italy, with a total installed capacity of 7 MWp. The first project to be constructed is a 3 MWp PV solar energy project, categorised as Ready-to-Build and with all the necessary permits for the immediate commencement of construction, announced by way of regulatory news on 30 July 2025.
Comment: While the big Libyan arbitration continues to churn in the background, ZEN is advancing its energy project strategy at pace, and is enjoying a share price recovery off the back of it.
Georgina Energy Plc, ( GEX) said it wished to advise it has now received a non-binding expression of interest from Harlequin Energy Limited to provide the funding and enter into a Joint Operating Agreement for the drilling of the Hussar EP513 well for the recovery of helium, hydrogen and natural gas subject to further technical and economic due diligence by Harlequin. HUSSAR EP513 Funding Proposal: In addition to providing funding for the well, the proposal includes the entering of a JOA that includes all associated logistics and planning. This will involve working with Georgina’s engineering consultants, Aztec Well Construction, as well as coordinating with an Industry leading global oilfield Services Company who have been engaged by Harlequin.
Comment: While psychotic parties may have done their best to undermine GEX since it came to market, it can be seen that the company has carried on regardless and with determination. So much so that a Harlequin JOA could be a real inflection point for the company and its share price.
CMC Markets Plc (CMCX) announced its Interim Results. CMCX said “The Group enters the second half with strong momentum across all three verticals, supported by solid client activity and a healthy pipeline of B2B and D2C opportunities. Third vertical advancing rapidly, with a successful live blockchain-based tokenised share trade, an up to €300 million Commercial Paper Programme, and the assignment of an investment-grade rating by Fitch – all completed post-period end and demonstrating tangible progress in the Group’s digital asset and funding infrastructure.”
Comment: CMC seems to be firing on all cylinders at the moment, including the new territories and markets such as the tokenised share trading. As far as the public is concerned, it is better to spreadbet tax free and blow it, than give the money to HMRC / the government for them to pour it down the drain on welfare for the lazy / feckless.
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.
