Johnson Matthey, up 2.8%, announced that it is ramping up its role in advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production through its FT CANS™ platform (co-developed with bp) and HyCOgen™ technology, which improves syngas generation and SAF scalability.
Hilton Food Group, up 1.7%, announced that it has sold its entire stake in Fairfax Meadow Europe Limited to Sysco GB Ltd, part of the Sysco Group, for gross cash proceeds of £54m.
Oracle Power, up 100.0%, announced that Oracle (through its Australian subsidiary) and Riversgold Limited have agreed a binding right to mine and a co-operation agreement with MEGA Resources Pty Limited and Bain Global Resources Pty Limited for the right to mine with respect to the Northern Zone Gold Project located 25 km East-South-East of the Kalgoorlie Super Pit in Western Australia.
Dialight, up 8.0%, today, in its trading update, reported softer market demand and slightly lower sales due to tariff uncertainty and a weak economic environment.
Avingtrans, up 4.9%, announced that it has appointed Stuart Gall as Divisional Chief Executive Officer of its medical imaging businesses division with effect from on or before 10 March 2026.
Xaar, up 4.3%, in its trading update, announced that its trading remains in line with expectations for FY2025, with revenues anticipated to be second-half weighted. Also, the company announced that it will release its results for the year ending 31 December 2025 on or around 24 March 2026.
Netcall, up 0.4%, announced that it has signed a contract worth up to £4.3m with Lancashire County Council to deliver a ‘digital front door platform’ that will reshape how residents and businesses access local services.
Quartix Technologies, down 5.9%, today, in its trading update, announced that strong performance for the nine months to 30 September 2025, with Q3 results exceeding expectations.
SDI Group, down 4.3%, today, announced that it has appointed Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited as the company's joint corporate broker, with immediate effect.
Gaming Realms, down 4.0%, announced the expansion of a licensing deal with Light & Wonder, Inc., which will see the supplier create Slingo titles of hugely popular games, including 88 FORTUNES™ and HUFF N' MORE PUFF™. 1Spatial, unchanged at 48.0p, announced that it has secured a US$1.7m annually renewing enterprise agreement (EA) with the California Department of Transportation.
UK markets ended higher last week, lifted by gains in financial sector stocks. On the data front, the UK nationwide housing prices advanced more than expected in September, while the nation’s BRC shop price index rose to its fastest rate since February 2024 in September. Meanwhile, the UK gross domestic product slowed as expected in 2Q25. Additionally, the UK manufacturing PMI dropped to a five-month low in September, while the nation’s services PMI fell in September. The FTSE 100 index advanced 2.2% to settle at 9,491.3, while the FTSE AIM 100 index rose 2.9% to close at 3,799.4. Additionally, the FTSE techMARK 100 index gained 3.6% to end at 8,177.5.
US markets ended higher in the previous week, as hopes for interest rate cuts remained intact despite the government shutdown entering its third day. On the macro front, the US ISM manufacturing PMI rose more than anticipated in September, while the Chicago PMI unexpectedly declined in September. Additionally, the US JOLTS job openings advanced more than expected in August, while the nation’s pending home sales rebounded more than expected in August. On the flipside, the US ISM services PMI dropped more than expected in September, reflecting a sharp decline in new orders, while the nation’s consumer confidence index fell to a 5-month low in September. Moreover, the US ADP employment unexpectedly dropped in September. The DJIA index rose 1.1% to end at 46,758.3, while the NASDAQ index gained 1.3% to close at 22,780.5.
