{"id":135835,"title":"Share Talk Weekly Small Cap Movers & Shakers, Saturday 16th May 2026","publisher":"Share Talk","author":"sharetalk","published":"2026-05-16T12:39:14+00:00","modified":"2026-05-16T12:39:14+00:00","canonical_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/share-talk-weekly-small-cap-movers-shakers-saturday-16th-may-2026/","markdown_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/share-talk-weekly-small-cap-movers-shakers-saturday-16th-may-2026.md","json_url":"https://www.share-talk.com/share-talk-weekly-small-cap-movers-shakers-saturday-16th-may-2026.json","category":"Blogs","categories":["Blogs","Small Cap Review","Technology","Technology, Media & Telecoms"],"featured_image":"https://i0.wp.com/www.share-talk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Stencil-Google-Chrome-2023-04-19-at-2.47.43-PM.webp?fit=750%2C406&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"London stocks suffered a sharp sell-off on Friday, with the FTSE 100 recording its worst session since the outbreak of the Iran conflict. The **FTSE 100** closed down 1.9%, with major utilities among the biggest fallers.\n\nSevern Trent dropped 7.9%, while United Utilities fell 7.6%. The more domestically focused **FTSE 250** also ended lower, falling 1.3% amid broader weakness across UK equities.\n\nElsewhere on AIM, the junior market ended its recent winning streak amid broader political instability in the UK. The **AIM market** closed the week around 0.6% lower, underperforming the FTSE 100 amid volatility in gilt markets and growing uncertainty surrounding Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership.\n\n#### **Risers **\n\nAmong takeover stories, **Cordel Group PLC** almost doubled in value after Germany’s Vossloh agreed to acquire the business in a £29 million deal.\n\n**Bradda Head Lithium Ltd** jumped 74% after signing a memorandum of understanding with Tyfast Energy to explore a domestic US lithium supply chain for advanced battery anodes.\n\n**Metals One PLC** gained 50% after expanding its agreement with DISA Technologies relating to uranium mine waste evaluation at the Uravan Belt project in Colorado.\n\nMeanwhile, **Rome Resources Plc** rose after Allenby Capital increased its valuation estimate for the Bisie North tin project in the Democratic Republic of Congo.\n\nInvestors responded positively to the update, with **Blackbird** shares rising 12.1% to 1.85p as markets welcomed progress in the commercialisation of elevate.io and the company’s positioning within the growing cloud video editing and content creation sector.\n\n#### Biggest fallers\n\nOn the downside, **Engage XR Holdings PLC **was among the week’s weakest performers, falling 30% after reporting lower revenues and weaker demand from corporate customers.\n\n**Microlise Group PLC **also dropped 30% following a mixed trading update that included weaker profit performance and softer revenue guidance.\n\n**ValiRx **lost 25% after announcing a fundraising expected to raise approximately £1.2 million to support research and development activities.\n\n**Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited** has raised £5.7 million through a placing priced at 4 pence per share, with the fundraising exceeding the company’s original target. Despite the oversubscribed placing, shares in Zanaga Iron Ore fell 5.81% to 4.05p"}