A profit warning and leadership shake-up at Videndum dominated the day's small-cap tech news, overshadowing a run of upbeat trading updates from Auction Technology Group, Spectra Systems and SRT Marine that showed contract wins and margin gains flowing through to results. Elsewhere, corporate housekeeping was the theme, with Golden Rock Global's takeover target rebranding, Smarter Web Company clearing debt early, and Google facing a fresh EU antitrust fine even as it works to head off further penalties.
Videndum slashes guidance and names new chief
Videndum (LSE:VID) cut its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of £15 million to £18 million, a sharp downgrade that sent the shares down 41.235% to 238.0p. Alongside the warning, the company confirmed Jan Peter Tewes as its new Group Chief Executive, tasked with steadying the business under incoming leadership as Stephen Harris departs the top job.
Golden Rock's takeover target rebrands as StarEdge
The proposed acquisition target of Golden Rock Global (LSE:GCG), trading at 3.45p, has completed a corporate restructuring and renamed itself StarEdge Digital Infrastructure. The rebrand comes as the reverse takeover process continues, with the deal still awaiting a share purchase agreement and prospectus before it can complete.
Auction Technology raises revenue guidance on Arts & Antiques strength
Auction Technology Group (LSE:ATG) lifted its full-year revenue guidance after a strong third quarter, with chief executive Duncan Painter pointing to growth in Arts & Antiques and continued healthy cash generation. The shares rose 2.81% to 439.8p on the update.
Spectra expands Swiss Post contract after hybrid stamps trial
Spectra Systems Corporation (LSE:SPSC) secured an expanded deal with Swiss Post, which will convert its entire stamp programme to hybrid, data-matrix-coded stamps following a successful trial. The move boosts the value of Spectra's contract with the postal operator by roughly 40%, with shares trading at 160.0p.
SRT Marine posts 49% revenue growth in line with expectations
Srt Marine Systems (LSE:SRT) confirmed full-year results in line with expectations, with revenue up 49% and profit rising 105%. Chief executive Simon Tucker said the company is "scaling at pace," calling the results "an excellent result," though the shares slipped 2.88% to 79.15p.
BT reaffirms full-year targets after solid quarter
BT Group held firm on its full-year targets following a solid first quarter, with chief executive Allison Kirkby saying the company remains "on track to deliver our targets" as it works to "create a better BT, for all of us."
Getech secures €1 million European Commission hydrogen contract
Getech Group (LSE:GTC) won a €1 million contract from the European Commission for a hydrogen study, with shares edging up 2.041% to 2.5p. Chief executive Chris Jepps called the deal "financially material," adding it gives the company "an unparalleled opportunity to further validate and refine its natural hydrogen exploration methodologies at continental scale."
Metir gets Qatar project confirmation with October handover
METIR (LSE:MET), trading at 0.7p, received confirmation on its Qatar project, with handover now reset to October. Executive chairman and chief executive Bob Moore said the company was "pleased to have resolved the project uncertainty during a difficult period of restricted activity in the region."
Smarter Web clears convertible debt ahead of schedule
Smarter Web Company (LSE:SWC) repaid its $11.7 million Smarter Convert instrument to TOBAM two weeks ahead of maturity, funding the early settlement by selling all the Bitcoin the facility originally bought. The Bitcoin treasury company's shares dipped 2.88% to 28.7p.
Google fined €890 million as EU signals room for compliance fix
Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) was fined €890 million by the European Commission for breaches of the Digital Markets Act, with shares down 7.23% to 317.355p. The Commission, under Teresa Ribera, signalled that "constructive" talks with Google over compliance fixes make additional penalties unlikely for now, a point echoed by the company's Kent Walker.
