Newmark Security flags HCM as group's future
Newmark Security (AIM:NWT) climbed 11.61% to 114.4p after a full-year trading update in which chief executive Marie-Claire Dwek pointed to its Human Capital Management division as the defining direction for the group. Dwek described HCM as "the future of the Group," signalling a strategic pivot away from the company's legacy physical security roots and toward software-led recurring revenue. The update was received positively by the market, with the shares recording one of the sharpest single-session moves in the stock's recent history.
Sage raises dividend 8% and lifts full-year revenue guidance
Sage (LSE:SGE) raised its interim dividend by 8% to 8.05p per share and confirmed that buybacks announced in the first half have reached £600m. The accounts software group also upgraded its full-year organic revenue growth guidance, now expecting it to come in above 9% for FY26, up from its prior range. Management highlighted double-digit ARR and revenue growth, margin expansion, and strong cash conversion in the first half, with artificial intelligence cited as a key driver of momentum. The shares slipped a modest 0.42% to 893.2p despite the upbeat numbers, suggesting the strong performance had been largely anticipated.
BT Group raises dividend and sets new growth policy
BT Group (LSE:BT.A) declared a final dividend of 5.87p, taking the full-year payout to 8.32p, up 2% year-on-year, and introduced a new dividend growth policy tied to credit metrics and cash-flow recovery. The UK telco reiterated normalised free cash flow guidance of approximately £2bn in FY27, rising to approximately £3bn by the end of the decade. Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, characterised BT's full-year results as steady rather than spectacular, arguing the cash recovery story carries more weight than near-term revenue growth for investors assessing the investment case.
GenIP secures framework deal with Hong Kong's top patent university
GenIP (AIM:TEK), the intellectual property commercialisation unit operating under the Tekcapital umbrella, landed a framework agreement with the highest-ranked university in Hong Kong for patent influence in China. Chief executive Melissa Cruz described the deal as "a major validation of our new AI-driven products," with the agreement providing a platform for GenIP (AIM:TEK) to deploy its AI patent analytics tools within a leading research institution. The shares edged up 0.16% to 6.11p on the news.
Software Circle secures £25m revolving credit facility
Software Circle (AIM:SFT) put in place a new £25m revolving credit facility, replacing its previous arrangement and providing additional firepower for acquisitions and working capital as the buy-and-build software consolidator continues its expansion. Chief executive Gavin Cockerill said the new facility reflects the company's growth trajectory and the successful execution of its strategy to date. Year-on-year financial metrics also improved alongside the financing announcement. The shares rose 2.63% to 15.6p.
Smarter Web Company adds 19 Bitcoin to treasury
Smarter Web Company (AIM:SWC) purchased a further 19 Bitcoin at an average price of £57,971 per coin, taking its total treasury holdings to 2,859 BTC. The digital marketing group has been steadily accumulating Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, and the latest tranche continues that programme. The shares added 1.54% to 33.0p.
