The FTSE 100 closed 1.06% higher at 10,552.05 on Friday, while the FTSE 250 gained 1.13% to 24,213.78. The rebound followed a volatile week dominated by oil prices, inflation concerns and rising government borrowing costs.
The AIM All-Share fell 0.8% over the week, underperforming the FTSE 100 as higher bond yields and renewed inflation concerns weighed on smaller companies.
The market continues to face questions over companies moving to the Main Market. According to PwC, seven companies have transferred from AIM to the Main Market so far in 2026, compared with four at the same stage last year.
Volex completed its move in July, while Serica Energy is expected to follow before the end of October.
Mercantile Ports and Logistics (LON: MPL) was one of the week’s strongest performers, with its shares climbing 121.47% as a long-running legal dispute over the Karanja Port near Mumbai moved towards judgment. The company is challenging the outcome of a debt-resolution process and argues that lenders and Prudent ARC prevented it from completing a settlement that could have allowed it to retain the port.
Fox Xplore (LON: FOX) surged 57.9% to 0.03p after completing the acquisition of five gold exploration properties in Canada for £296,000. Further consideration is payable if three future milestones are achieved. Nereus Gold and Jubilee Alpha each hold 4.21% stakes following the transaction.
Power Probe (LON: PWR) rose around 34% after announcing a $1 million share buyback, having identified excess cash following a review of its finances. Buybacks remain relatively unusual among smaller AIM companies, helping the announcement stand out.
Likewise Group (LON: LIKE) gained 24% after agreeing to acquire assets from collapsed rival Headlam for £14.9 million in cash. The deal includes a distribution centre in Thatcham, the Crucial Trading and Concept Floors businesses and selected intellectual property. Likewise said the acquisition would make it the largest floor-coverings distributor in the UK.
This weeks fallers
At the other end of the market, eEnergy (LON: EAAS) fell 77% after raising £8.3 million at 0.3p per share through a placing, subscription and retail offer. Around £4 million of the proceeds will be used to repay overdue trade creditors, with the remainder supporting working capital. The scale of the dilution and the company’s immediate liquidity requirements appeared to outweigh management’s argument that the transaction provides a stronger balance sheet.
Ethernity Networks (LON: ENET) dropped 43% following a going-concern warning. The networking technology company reported cash of just $32,399 at 30 June and said material uncertainty remained over its ability to continue operating.
Celebrus Technologies (LON: D4T4) fell 43% after cutting its full-year revenue expectations to $20 million-$20.5 million, down from prior market expectations of around $23.7 million. The company blamed the loss of a customer and slower-than-expected conversion of new business.
Litigation Capital Management (LON: LIT) lost a further 33% after an Australian court ruled against it in an insolvency claim in which it had invested A$2.9 million of its own capital. The shares are now around 96% below their previous peak, reflecting a prolonged loss of investor confidence.
Arkadian Strategic Metals (LON: AKN) dropped 15% to 0.0085p as the company sought shareholder approval for a substantial share consolidation. The proposal would consolidate 1,500 existing shares into one new share, potentially taking effect on 27 October. Arkadian has also applied to trade on the US OTCQB Venture Market, which it hopes will improve liquidity and access to North American investors.
Finally, Nativo Resources (LON: NTVO) slipped 5.6% to 0.34p after issuing 142.9 million subscription shares to Chancery Royalty and related investors, raising £300,000 alongside the issue of warrants.
