Frankfurt: Long After The Berlin Wall
I have never been a big traveller, but now for some reason in my old age it seems to appeal rather more. In June I flew to Lisbon for the SunCap Forum, an event for investors, family offices and brokers. I enjoyed Lisbon, not just the beach at Cascais. It was the attendees and the discussions that really stood out. Galvanised by this I went to Frankfurt, for the first time since 1985 for the MainCap Forum, the sister event.
What a change in Frankfurt, since the 1980s, which seems to have acquired something of a café society, and a real gastronomic upgrade. The event coincided with something rather more traditional, Oktoberfest, and you will be glad to know I survived my first one.
In terms of the companies presenting it was quite an eclectic mix. Of course, resources stocks were present, especially Total Graphite (TGR) of whom many readers will already be aware from the London market. Indeed, I even stepped up to the plate on behalf of Nord Precious Metals (TSXV:NTH), becoming a director over the summer after becoming enamoured by the company’s discovery and tailings mix in Ontario, Canada.
Arguably, the company presenting which really has the biggest UK stock market profile at the moment is digital health company MedPal (MPAL). I have interviewed CEO Justin Drummond a few times since MPAL came to the AIM market in the summer of 2025. The timing was perfect as far as it taking advantage of the GLP-1 weight loss boom, something which is only likely to be bolstered as the oral version goes mainstream. Interestingly, shares of MPAL rose nearly 10% after Drummond presented at midday on Thursday.
From Promise to Proof: Four London Small Caps Facing Their Next Real Test
This Week’s Risers
Back in Blighty and the big winner by quite some margin was 80 Mile (80M). The company’s shares suffered quite painfully last month off the back of an announced drilling delay in its native Greenland. However, the fall did seem overdone, even without crackpot shorting conspiracy commentary which has periodically blighted the company, as it does an embarrassingly large part of the small cap space. Long live the price fixing and old boy network mafia in London. It is therefore quite gratifying that after the shares were pulled too low last month, they hit 0.41p. At the time the bears were singing victory. But with the shares hitting 1.73p, it was a pyrrhic one to say the least. Indeed, it is a warning to those who defame companies that being keen on bring down the man, rather focusing on the ball can be a painful mistake.
One could also perhaps say that the perils of underestimating small cap companies and their management, especially after deliberately trying to sabotage them has been underlined at Forgent (FORG). Last week the Australian-focused critical and precious minerals explorer, announced that the additional drilling programme at the Curley’s prospect within its 99%-owned Peak Hill Gold-Copper Project, announced on 15 September 2026, has now been completed. The question here is whether the handsome and determined looking CEO James Parsons can serve up a winner here? At least judging by the 56% share price rise last week, it could very well be the case that he can.
Getech (GTC), a world leading locator of subsurface resources, announced its unaudited interim results and report for the six months to 30 June 2026. While some of us may wonder exactly what subsurface resources consist of, the company highlighted revenue growth, improved profitability and major contract wins support positive outlook for FY26. Not surprisingly, this was enough to ensure the shares were up nearly 50% during the week. They have more than doubled since July.
Stocks To Keep An Eye On:
This week I spoke to Andrew Fulton of Anglesey Mining (AYM). This was after the UK-based mineral exploration and development company advancing the UK’s largest polymetallic Volcanic Massive Sulphide (“VMS”) project at the 100% owned Parys Mountain Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag-Au VMS deposit in North Wales, announced the receipt of results for the exploratory geospatial analysis project from Satellite Applications Catapult and the British Geological Survey. The company is under solid new management, the country is desperate for critical minerals security, and who knows our woke friends in Welsh government may even throw the odd grant into the company to help the local community. The shares have already edged up over the summer. It is not difficult to see more upside towards 10p as the autumn progresses.
One would have thought that Strait of Hormuz or no Strait of Hormuz, Hydrogen Utopia (HUI) with its excellent sustainable aviation fuel move would / should have captured the stock market’s imagination. However, it does seem that it is one of those companies that has the London stock market McCarthyism treatment, where perhaps management and share price are being unfairly suppressed. I would like to get rid of this phenomenon from the London market…
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.
