Thursday's small-cap news flow was dominated by a wave of half-year and quarterly updates spanning industrials, staffing, mining and healthcare, with several companies flagging stronger second-half expectations even as near-term numbers softened.
Standouts included a sharply improved earnings turn at Zoo Digital, a 72% jump in auction revenue at Gemfields, and a punishing derating at International as its India wind-down accelerated, while resources names Alien Metals, Halo Minerals, Berkeley Energia, Meridian Mining and Critical Mineral Resources all advanced project milestones.
Lords Group cuts full-year guidance as recovery slips
Lords Group Trading trimmed its full-year guidance after concluding that the recovery in its end markets is taking longer than expected. Chief executive Shanker Patel said the group remains "focused on cash generation, operational execution and delivering sustainable shareholder value as our markets recover," signalling management's confidence that the downturn is cyclical rather than structural.
Ten Lifestyle strikes AEG Presents venue partnership
Ten Lifestyle Group (LSE:TENG) has agreed a partnership giving its members priority access to tickets across a selection of AEG Presents' UK venues and festivals. Shares in Ten Lifestyle rose 0.21% to 93.7p as the concierge-services group under chief executive Lucy Chillingworth continues to widen its lifestyle-perks offering.
Zoo Digital swings to sharply improved earnings post-restructuring
ZOO Digital Group (LSE:ZOO) reported a marked earnings improvement as its restructuring programme completed, sending shares up 10.26% to 10.75p. Chief executive Stuart Green said that "with a stronger rightsized financial platform, improving customer activity and recent contract wins, we enter FY27 focused on returning the business to profitable growth."
Alien Metals partner completes Elizabeth Hill drilling
Alien Metals (LSE:UFO) saw its shares climb 6.67% to 0.08p after partner West Coast Silver completed drilling at the Elizabeth Hill project. Executive chairman Bruce Garlick said the results showed silver mineralisation "extends beyond the historical underground mine and is associated with a broader structural corridor along the Munni Munni" trend.
Active Energy expands UAE infrastructure pipeline ahead of AGM
Active Energy Group (LSE:AEG) said it is broadening its infrastructure development pipeline in the UAE, even as shares slipped 2.7% to 0.09p ahead of its AGM. Chief executive Paul Elliott said the company is "moving beyond evaluating individual opportunities towards establishing a scalable infrastructure development pipeline."
Halo Minerals boosted as Chilean tribunal derisks Playa Verde
Halo Minerals (LSE:HALO) rose 1.67% to 9.9125p after a Chilean tribunal ruling removed a key legal overhang on its Playa Verde project. Chief executive Andrew Dennan called the verdict "a significant milestone de-risking Playa Verde and validating the extensive technical, environmental and scientific work undertaken by the project team over many years."
Ondo InsurTech grows US revenue, but loss widens
Ondo InsurTech (LSE:ONDO) grew US revenue even as its loss widened, with shares falling 6.63% to 7.32p. Chief executive Craig Foster said the year proved its LeakBot technology works "at scale" in the US, and pointed to expectations for order volumes to increase during the second half of 2026.
Symphony Environmental wins Kenya approval for biodegradable liners
Symphony Environmental Technologies (LSE:SYM) secured Kenyan regulatory approval for its d2w biodegradable technology, with partner Eco-Essentials now procuring products using the material for distribution in the local market. Shares fell 6.67% to 7.7p despite the market-access win.
MYCELX flags stronger H2 as Permian project nears delivery
MYCELX Technologies Corporation (LSE:MYX) pointed to a stronger second half as a major Permian Basin project nears delivery, even as shares dipped 1.79% to 55.0p. Chief executive Connie Mixon said the first half of 2026 "reflects continued progress in executing our strategy to build a more resilient business supported by recurring revenue and higher-value produced water treatment projects."
Shaires raises $28.5m in first AI and tech funding tranche
Shaires Holdings (LSE:SHR) raised $28.5m in the first tranche of a funding round targeting AI and technology investors, with shares at 25.0p. Executive chairman Suhail Rizvi said the raise reflects "the market's strong endorsement of our unique model, our leadership team and our long-term vision."
Gemfields auction revenues jump 72% in H1
Gemfields Group (LSE:GEM) shares jumped 9.09% to 3.0p after the gemstone miner reported first-half auction revenue of $102.9m, up from $60m a year earlier. Its Kagem emerald mine held production steady while Montepuez ruby grades remained weak.
Synectics wins US casino surveillance contract
Synectics (LSE:SNX) secured a new US casino surveillance contract, with shares up 0.81% at 186.5p. Chief executive Amanda Larnder said "leading casino operators increasingly need platforms that do more than manage video," underscoring the group's push into higher-value integrated security offerings.
Ondine Biomedical's Steriwave adopted in first Scottish hospital
Ondine Biomedical (OBI) gained 5.45% to 14.5p after NHS Golden Jubilee, the UK's largest hip and knee replacement centre, added its Steriwave nasal photodisinfection therapy to its surgical infection-prevention pathway, marking the product's first adoption in a Scottish hospital.
Power Probe H1 revenue falls as launches skew to H2
Power Probe (LSE:PWR) reported lower first-half revenue as new product launches skew towards the second half, with shares at 67.5p. Chief executive Chema Garcia said "trading was in line with expectations and gross margins improved significantly, reflecting the strength of the Power Probe brand, a favourable product mix and disciplined pricing."
Watkin Jones signs £60m of new contracts in Q3
Watkin Jones (LSE:WJG) signed six new contracts worth £60m in the third quarter at guided margins, with shares up 0.62% to 18.1526p. The residential-for-rent developer said the wins support its diversification strategy despite weak real estate transaction liquidity.
Berkeley Energia quarterly report highlights Conchas milestone
Berkeley Energia (LSE:BKY) fell 4.0% to 24.0p despite reporting an inferred resource of 11.8Mt at its Conchas deposit. The Spain-focused critical minerals explorer also confirmed a board appointment and progress in its $1.25bn arbitration claim against Spain.
Shield Therapeutics grows H1 revenue 41% on commercial pivot
Seagate Technology (LSE:STX) shares rose 2.29% to 764.43p after Shield Therapeutics reported 41% revenue growth in the first half. Chief executive Anders Lundstrom said the company was "pleased with the significant growth in our largest business segment, commercial, which represents two-thirds of total revenue, alongside strong overall prescription growth."
EKF Diagnostics confirms H1 trading in line
EKF Diagnostics Holdings (LSE:EKF) said first-half revenue held broadly flat with margin and cash generation improving, keeping full-year expectations intact. Shares eased 0.53% to 25.8625p.
Foxtons revenue falls 3% as sales market weakens
Foxtons Group (LSE:FOXT) shares held roughly flat at 39.694p, down 0.02%, after revenue fell 3% amid a weakening London sales market. Chief executive Guy Gittins warned that "2026 likely to prove one of the lowest years for London transaction volumes on record" and urged the new cabinet to prioritise Stamp Duty reform.
Wilmington profit tops expectations as revenue jumps 37%
Wilmington (LSE:WIL) shares rose 2.83% to 285.875p after profit beat expectations on 37% revenue growth. Chief executive Mark Milner said the group "delivered another strong set of results with ongoing revenue and profit growth both increasing by over 30%", adding that its Conversia division showed "notable organic growth from, as expected, high quality recurring revenues."
Meridian Mining smelter test yields high-purity blister copper
Meridian Mining (LSE:MNO) gained 1.33% to 76.0p after smelter testwork produced high-purity blister copper. Executive Gilbert Clark described it as "a strong negotiating position as we move into off-take discussions for a copper-gold mine that will go for over ten years."
Critical Mineral Resources reports fresh copper hits at Agadir Melloul
Critical Mineral Resources reported fresh drilling hits confirming near-surface copper mineralisation at its Agadir Melloul project in Morocco, as the AIM-listed explorer targets a maiden resource estimate in October.
Ormonde-backed Peak Nickel produces marketable concentrates
Ormonde Mining said metallurgical testwork on its Portsoy nickel-copper-cobalt project in Scotland has yielded saleable copper and nickel concentrates using conventional processing methods, a step forward for the Scottish critical minerals development.
