Connecting Excellence Group Plc (AQSE: XCE ), the international executive recruitment group with a long term, ambitious and disciplined Bitcoin (BTC) treasury strategy, announces a trading update for the six-month period ended 31 December 2025.
During the Period, Spencer Riley, the Group’s operational business, generated net fee income of £0.89m, up 20.3% on the comparable period (H1 2025: £0.74m), reflecting a 12.7% increase in the average fee per placement. Since the Period end, executive recruitment activity has been strong, with the Group achieving its best January performance to date with £0.25m of net fee income.
Comment: One is not sure whether after the halving of bitcoin in recent months there is anyone left in the stock market or beyond who has any faith in using it for any purpose other than a quick punt. At least XCE has other strings to its bow.
Hardide (HDD), the provider of advanced surface treatment technology, confirmed it has secured a further £1.8m of new orders from the major North American energy sector customer referred to in the announcements of 1 December 2025 and 3 February 2026, which will be delivered mostly over the course of the current financial year. These orders lead the Board to expect a further material improvement in revenues and performance for the current financial year to 30 September 2026 as against previous expectations.
Comment: The orders keep coming in, and the share price keeps going up. Not rocket science it would appear as far as both the technicals and fundamentals at HDD. Above 25p, the shares could reach 5 year resistance at 40p plus as soon as the end of next month.
Mobico Group (MCG) announced unaudited results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2025. Group Revenue growth of 6.2% to £2.76bn (2024: £2.60bn). Double-digit growth to a new record in Alsa, with continued growth in WeDriveU. UK Coach revenue decreased following increased competition on key routes with the integration with Alsa to improve competitiveness. Adjusted Operating Profit of £198.0m (2024: £181.1m). MCG sajd “Mobico delivered further growth in 2025 and meaningful strategic progress, with Alsa achieving another record year of double-digit revenue growth. This offset a challenging trading environment in the UK and operational issues with the WMATA contract in WeDriveU, for which resolution plans are now in progress. Adjusted operating profit increased 9% to £198m, above recent guidance, largely due to strong end-of-year trading in Spain and commencement of the ‘Simplify for Success’ cost programme.”
Comment: After being down three years in a row as far as its share price is concerned, we may have a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. While its chosen space may not be sexy, any update with the phrase “double digit growth” does command attention.
Eco Buildings Group plc (ECOB), a UK-listed modular construction company specialising in sustainable GFRG-based building systems, provided a further update on its strategic joint venture in Senegal with Eco Buildings’ local partner, G2 Invest Group. Following continued strategic engagement with G2, the Company is pleased to confirm that the parties have formally agreed to progress to the next stage of implementation of the Senegal manufacturing and housing programme.
Comment: After the transformational share price re-rate in October, it would appear that ECOB shares are ready to stir again, as announcements such as today’s underline the way the company’s ability to expand in far flung places.
Made Tech Group (MTEC), a leading provider of digital, data, and technology services to the UK public sector, announced its unaudited half year results for the six months ended 30 November 2025. Revenue of £27.8m (H1 FY25: £21.8m) up 28%, driven by continued strong organic growth and good execution against the Contracted Backlog. Trading ahead of recently upgraded expectations5; management anticipates Adjusted EBITDA to be materially ahead of market consensus as contractor mix, utilisation and operational leverage continue to improve.
Comment: A generally very strong update from MTEC, with the company beating the market, and likely to make even greater strides in coming months. A 45p share price target by the end of April while above the 200 day moving average at 34p seems feasible.
London Stock Exchange Group plc (LSEG) announced today that, further to its announcement today of the Company’s preliminary results for the financial year ended 31 December 2025, the Company will commence a share buyback programme to purchase ordinary shares of 679/86 pence each in the Company with an aggregate value of up to £750,000,000 million.
Comment: Rather than spending billions on a share buyback, one wonders why the LSE does not invest the money in the London stock market, making at a cheaper, more liquid, and attractive place to be listed? But of course, given that it is non-core to the company, why would it do that?
Grocer and warehouse technology firm Ocado Group (OCDO) said it is “on track to turn cash flow positive” as it posts a swing to annual profit on a gain on the valuation of its grocery joint-venture. Pretax profit in the year to November 30 amounted to GBP402.9 million, swinging from a loss of GBP352.8 million. Revenue climbed 12% to GBP1.36 billion from GBP1.21 billion. A GBP756.0 million boost from adjusting items, compared to only a GBP12.4 million lift the year prior, improved its bottom line. Ocado booked a GBP782.6 million gain on the statutory valuation of its investment in Ocado Retail, where it partners with Marks & Spencer. “Ocado Group began accounting for Ocado Retail Limited as an associate using the equity method. (Alliance News)
Comment: Perennial non-achiever OCDO gives the impression being in profit, but is it really in profit? The investment profit somehow does not feel like it is a real one, with the “on track to turn cash flow positive” equally flimsy. The best achievement here is how the company can command a £2bn market cap.
ECO Animal Health Group plc (EAH), a rapidly growing global animal health company with a portfolio of marketed veterinary products and a maturing proprietary R&D pipeline, provides an update on its commercial launch strategy for ECOVAXXIN® MS, its poultry vaccine against Mycoplasma synoviae, across the European Union (EU). Following the European Commission granting marketing authorisation for ECOVAXXIN® MS, announced in December 2025, ECO’s management team are progressing a detailed commercialisation plan designed to deliver strategic market entry across key European territories throughout 2026 and 2027.
Comment: Animal health would appear to be booming off the back of the rapidly growing biotech industry in general, with ECO being one of the direct beneficiaries. New products and initiatives such as today’s are certainly keeping the momentum going.
Rolls Royce (RR.) announced strong 2025 results; Upgraded mid-term guidance; Multi-year share buyback announced “Significant progress in 2025 driven by our transformation programme, which has also allowed us to capture profitable end market growth. Underlying operating profit of £3.5bn with a margin of 17.3%, reflecting the impact of our strategic initiatives and commercial optimisation.”
Comment: Even after all the share price gains and roaring business, it would appear that via a chunky share buyback, the company is set to raise the bar even higher, as the share price pushed further into record territory. Above £13, up to £16 appears achievable by the end of April.
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.
