The FTSE 100 ended the week firmly higher on Friday. London’s blue-chip index gained 68.40 points, or 0.6%, to 10,816.56, leaving it 0.6% higher for the week. The FTSE 250 advanced 0.9% to 24,718.82, while the AIM All-Share gained 1.0% to 811.96.
Mining stocks provided some of the strongest support as commodity prices climbed. Gold surged above $4,600 an ounce, while silver and copper also advanced. Antofagasta jumped 5.4%, Endeavour Mining gained 4.1%, and Anglo American rose 2.6%.
Goldman Sachs said increased demand for gold call options could amplify further price moves and sees significant upside risk to its $4,900-an-ounce end-2026 forecast, while warning that volatility could increase in both directions.
September drilling looms for Georgina Energy’s Hussar prospect: Mid-May 3p – Now 14.59p
GCM Resources Leads AIM Risers With 240% Surge as Coal Project Returns to Focus
GCM Resources (GCM) was the standout AIM performer of the week, soaring around 240% as investors returned to the company’s long-delayed Phulbari coal project in Bangladesh.
GCM’s principal asset is the large Phulbari coal deposit, which has remained stalled for years while awaiting government approval. The sharp share-price move suggests renewed speculation that the project could finally make progress.
Elsewhere, AOTI Inc (AOTI) jumped 38% during the week despite little obvious company-specific news. The only formal disclosure involved three executives purchasing a combined 2,766 shares through an employee share plan, worth less than £3,000.
Sabien Technology Group (SNT) gained 36% after confirming discussions were progressing over a possible UK distribution agreement with SaveMoneyCutCarbon for its M2G energy-efficiency technology.
The company also confirmed that a previously proposed £2 million convertible loan note will no longer proceed, removing a potential source of shareholder dilution.
Thor Energy (THR) climbed 33% ahead of a presentation by Managing Director Andrew Hume on the company’s natural hydrogen and helium exploration activities at an Australian petroleum conference.
Springfield Properties (SPR) rose 3.7% to 111p as the housebuilder announced plans to seek shareholder approval for a share buyback at its AGM on 10 September. The initial authority would cover up to 5.96 million shares, potentially increasing to 11.9 million and using around £6.5 million of cash.
Tekcapital (TEK) gained 2.9% to 3.6p following developments at two portfolio companies. Innovative Eyewear has added a Newscast AI news-generation feature to its smart glasses, alongside additional AI services.
At the other end of the market, Jangada Mines (JAN) fell 17% despite reporting encouraging Phase 1 drilling results from its Molly Gold Project, including rock-chip assays of up to 306g/t gold at the Vivi target.
eEnergy (EAAS) also dropped 17% after revealing delays in receiving approximately £3.2 million relating to completed work on its 65-site Mace project, primarily because of outstanding documentation linked to solar installations.
Brave Bison (BBSN) fell another 1.8% to 81.5p as its shares continued to weaken following its offer for System1. The decline has reduced the implied value of the cash-and-shares bid to around 307p per System1 share, compared with System1’s market price of 330p.
