Carbonxt Group (CG1:AU) has announced Additional A$1.5 M raised to support Kentucky Investment
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Galan Lithium (GLN:AU) has announced Trading Halt
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The first quarter of 2025 was dynamic and often volatile for the tech sector. Initial optimism, fueled by investor enthusiasm after a strong 2024, quickly gave way to economic headwinds and market anxieties.
Concerns over monetary policy, global trade tensions and individual company performances led to variations in tech stock valuations, with the Magnificent Seven ultimately experiencing losses by March.
However, Q1 also brought groundbreaking developments in artificial intelligence (AI), intense competition in the semiconductor industry and new developments in AI agents and robotics.
How did tech stocks perform in Q1?
The performance of major tech companies was influenced by a confluence of events and trends in Q1.
The sector began the year in positive territory, reflecting optimism from investors who saw US President Donald Trump’s November victory as a boon for business. However, this upward trend proved short-lived.
Economic headwinds, most notably cautious monetary policy and investor anxieties about global trade disruption, triggered a market downturn that resulted in periods of tech stock selloffs.
The tech market did demonstrate some signs of recovery in the final week of the quarter.
AI results impact major tech players
Outside overall market impacts, tech companies experienced their own fluctuations in Q1.
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) was boosted by acquisition rumors and a stronger-than-expected Q4 performance, after starting the year down nearly 60 percent from January 2024. Leadership changes mid-March and reports of a restructuring to its chip-manufacturing business further improved the firm’s share price performance.
More broadly, the market’s response to earnings reports highlighted the significant impact of cloud computing, AI investment strategies and future guidance for Big Tech companies.
Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), for example, fell after its results revealed weakness in its cloud computing unit despite revenue that exceeded estimates. Similarly, Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) saw their share prices decline after capacity restraints were cited as a limitation for both companies.
In contrast, Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) surged after it announced substantial AI investments and released results that exceeded expectations. Meanwhile, concerns about Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) AI strategy and sales in Asia led to turbulence in its trading patterns throughout the quarter. Even NVIDIA’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) share price initially dipped following strong earnings, driven by market concerns about competition and geopolitical tensions.
Emergent player CoreWeave’s (NASDAQ:CRWV) journey to its initial public offering demonstrated the volatile and challenging nature of going public in the rapidly evolving AI sector. After its initial announcement revealed a 700 percent increase in 2024 revenue, the company made major moves leading up to its debut, acquiring Weights & Biases for US$1.7 billion before securing a five year, US$11.9 billion cloud services contract with OpenAI.
However, CoreWeave’s March 28 IPO coincided with a hotter-than-expected inflation reading, and the company raised roughly US$1 billion less than its target, with both the number of shares and share price lower than expected.
China’s DeepSeek makes AI market waves
Beyond individual company performances, the quarter was marked by key developments in AI.
The release of China’s open-source AI model, DeepSeek-R-1, created a significant market disruption when it was reported to perform comparably to models from OpenAI and Anthropic at a significantly lower training cost: US$5.6 million compared to the US$500 million OpenAI reportedly spent to train o1.
The market’s reaction resulted in a 17 percent loss to NVIDIA’s market cap, the largest single-day loss for any company on Wall Street. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (INDEXNASDAQ:SOX) lost 9.2 percent.
OpenAI’s Sam Altman expressed curiosity and excitement about the competitor, while others saw it as a development that could increase return on investment for companies using AI and drive further innovation.
“We still don’t know the details and nothing has been 100 percent confirmed … but if there truly has been a breakthrough in the cost to train models from US$100 million+ to this alleged US$6 million number this is actually very positive for productivity and AI end users,” said Jon Withaar, senior portfolio manager at Pictet Asset Management.
Since its release, DeepSeek has been noted to have potential issues with accuracy and security.
Other companies making strides in AI training speed this past quarter include Foxconn Technology (TPE:2354), which reportedly trained its large language model (LLM), FoxBrain, in four weeks.
Celestial AI secured funding to advance photonics technology for more efficient AI computing, and Cohere introduced Command A, an LLM focused on business needs and optimized for efficient inference.
Pluralis Research received funding for its work on decentralized AI systems and “protocol learning,” a method designed to enable collaborative and distributed AI model training.
NVIDIA’s chip-making competitors
Competition within the chip industry heated up in the first quarter as AI spending enthusiasm shifted to other semiconductor companies and custom chip development advanced.
Barclay’s (NYSE:BCS,LSE:BARC) analyst Thomas O’Malley reaffirmed his ‘buy’ rating for NVIDIA on January 20 and raised his price target to US$175, but warned that NVIDIA’s customers are looking for alternatives to its GPUs.
He identified Marvel Technology (NASDAQ:MRVL) and Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) as NVIDIA’s biggest contenders, adjusting their price targets to US$150 and US$260, respectively.
For its part, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) (NYSE:TSM) has continued to experience strong demand for its chip-making services. Its quarterly profits for Q4 2024 reached a record, and the company is anticipating strong revenue growth moving forward. The firm has planned significant investments in technology and capacity, including US$100 billion for new facilities to boost US chip production.
ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML), the sole producer of the EUV lithography machines crucial for advanced AI chips, also exceeded Q4 earnings expectations, resulting in a positive effect on its share price.
AI agents and other emerging tech
Looking ahead, the market for AI agents — autonomous entities that can take actions to achieve specific goals — is poised for expansion. At its annual GPU Technology Conference, held from March 17 to 21, NVIDIA’s CEO emphasized a shift from generative AI to physical AI, describing AI agents as a “multi-trillion dollar opportunity.’
Strategic acquisitions, such as ServiceNow’s intention to buy Moveworks, underscore the growing importance of agentic AI in enterprise solutions. Amazon Web Services is developing a team focused on developing agentic AI, betting on increased client spending for automation. Meta is gearing up to test AI agents for small businesses, and OpenAI is developing premium agent offerings for business and academic pursuits.
While these advancements are exciting, challenges remain, with Gartner predicting a sharp rise in AI agent-related security breaches by 2028. To address reliability, Microsoft is developing ‘deep reasoning agents.’
The first quarter of 2025 also signaled a major acceleration in robotics development, with Google’s new Gemini Robotics models and partnership with Apptronik indicating AI and robotic integration. The US$2 billion valuation for Kyle Vogt’s the Bot Company suggests the robotics sector is poised for growth and market expansion.
Advances like Eliza Wakes Up’s humanoid and Figure AI’s in-house development signal the potential for near-term commercial availability. Funding activity, with Field AI seeking a US$2 billion valuation and Aescape securing US$83 million in strategic funding, demonstrates investor confidence in the potential of robotics.
AI data centers signal growth
The massive investments in data centers announced in Q1 foreshadow an expansion of AI infrastructure.
The Trump administration has partnered with executives from Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), OpenAI and SoftBank (TSE:9984) for a four year, US$500 billion AI infrastructure project dubbed Stargate. MGX, an Abu Dhabi-based technology investment firm focused on AI, is another equity partner in the Stargate project.
Separately, MGX is a founding partner in the AI Infrastructure Partnership, a group that includes BlackRock (NYSE:BLK), Global Infrastructure Partners and Microsoft. It is reportedly aiming to invest up to US$100 billion in US and OECD AI infrastructure. NVIDIA and xAI joined the consortium in the first quarter.
This large-scale infrastructure development is mirrored by substantial investment and product development plans from individual tech giants. Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Meta have all revealed plans for significant AI-related investments in the coming months that include data center builds and product releases, while NVIDIA has committed to spending ‘hundreds of billions of dollars in the US,’ emphasizing TSMC’s manufacturing role in supply chain resilience.
OpenAI is also reportedly finalizing the design for its first in-house AI chip, with a long-term goal of mass production at TSMC by 2026; it is also in talks to build its first data center for storage in Texas near the Stargate data center.
These developments point to a future where data centers become the battleground for AI dominance, with significant implications for energy consumption, hardware demand and technological advancement.
Investor takeaway
Wrapping up the quarter, Nick Mersch, portfolio manager at Purpose Investments, hosted an ‘ask me anything’ session on Reddit (NASDAQ:RDDT) to share insights on what investors should consider when evaluating tech stocks.
“The number one predictor of stocks over time is their earnings power. Invest in companies that are growing earnings more than the overall market and you will win. This is easy in theory but difficult in practice. You need to look at secular trends in order to skate to where the puck is going. It is much easier to pick a winner in a sector that has strong overall growth than picking through the rubble of a beaten-down industry,’ said Mersch.
“However, you do also have to recognize that sometimes, this is cyclical. That’s why I like to pick companies that are what I call ‘compounders.’ These are companies that are growing both top line (revenue) and bottom line (earnings) at a solid rate and are reinvesting in new growth avenues. At the end of the day, you need cash flow generative companies.’
Mersch added, “Look for three things — earnings, earnings, and earnings.”
Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Gold may be grabbing headlines with record-breaking highs in 2025, but silver is quietly making its own impressive climb, rising 17 percent since the start of the year.
Long supported by industrial demand, the silver market is also benefiting from its reputation as a safe-haven asset. However, mounting economic uncertainty has rattled investors in recent months.
While there are many driving forces behind this uncertainty, the ongoing tariff threats from US President Donald Trump and his administration have spooked equity markets worldwide.
What happened to the silver price in Q1?
After reaching a year-to-date high of US$34.72 per ounce in October 2024, the price of silver spent the rest of the year in decline, bottoming out at US$28.94 on December 30.
A momentum shift at the start of the year caused it to rise. Opening at US$29.53 on January 2, silver quickly broke through the US$30 barrier on January 7, eventually reaching US$31.28 by January 31.
Silver price, January 2 to April 4, 2025
Chart via Trading Economics.
Silver’s gains continued through much of February, with the white metal climbing to US$32.94 on February 20 before retreating to US$31.13 on February 28. Silver rose again in March, surpassing the US$32 mark on March 5 and closing above US$32 on March 12. It peaked at its quarterly high of US$34.43 on March 27.
Heading into April, silver slumped back to US$33.67 on the first day of the month; it then declined sharply to below US$30 following Trump’s tariff announcements on April 2.
Tariff fears lift silver, but industrial demand uncertainty looms
Precious metals, including silver, have benefited from the volatility created by the Trump administration’s constant tariff threats since the beginning of the year. These threats have caused chaos throughout global equity and financial markets, prompting more investors to seek safe-haven assets to stabilize their portfolios.
“We don’t really have any indication yet that industrial demand has weakened. There is, of course, a lot of concern regarding industrial demand, as tariffs could cause demand destruction as costs go up,” he said.
Krauth noted that for solar panels there is an argument that tariffs could positively affect industrial demand if countries have a greater desire for self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on energy imports.
He referenced research by Heraeus Precious Metals about a possible slowdown in demand from China, which accounts for 80 percent of solar panel capacity. However, any slowdown would coincide with a transition from older PERC technology to newer TOPCon cells, which require significantly more silver inputs.
“This, along with the gradual replacement of older PERC solar panels with TOPCon panels, should support silver demand at or near recent levels,” Krauth said.
Recession could provide headwinds
Another potential headwind for silver is the looming prospect of a recession in the US.
At the beginning of 2024, analysts had largely reached a consensus that some form of recession was inevitable.
While real GDP in the US rose 2.8 percent year-on-year for 2024, data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s GDPNow tool shows a projected -2.8 percent growth rate for the first quarter.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis won’t release official real GDP figures until April 30, but the Atlanta Fed’s numbers suggest a troubling fall in GDP that could signal an impending recession.
“When the economy slows down, demand for manufactured goods, including silver, decreases, which means that buying in the next six months is unlikely to be a wise decision,” she said.
Solar panels account for significant demand, with considerable amounts also used in electric vehicles. Tariffs on US vehicle imports and a possible recession could create added pressure for silver.
“Another important factor is silver’s connection to the electric vehicle market. Previously, this sector supported demand for the metal, but now its growth has slowed down. In Europe and China, interest in electric cars is no longer so active, and against the background of economic problems, sales may even decline,” Khandoshko said.
Silver demand from solar panel production stands at 232 million ounces annually, with an additional 80 million ounces used by the electric vehicle sector. A recession could lead consumers to postpone major purchases, such as home improvements or new vehicles, particularly if coupled with the extra costs of tariffs.
Although the impact of tariffs on the economy — and ultimately demand for silver — remains uncertain, the Silver Institute’s latest news release on March 3 indicates a fifth consecutive annual supply deficit.
Silver price outlook for 2025
“I think silver will hold up well and rise on balance over the rest of this year,” Krauth said.
He also noted that, like gold, there have been shipments of physical silver out of vaults in the UK to New York as market participants try to avoid any direct tariffs that may be coming.
Khandoshko suggested silver’s outlook is more closely tied to consumer sentiment. “The situation may also change when the news stops discussing the high probability of a recession in the US,” she remarked.
With Trump announcing a sweeping 10 percent global tariff along with dozens of specific reciprocal tariffs on April 2, there appears to be more instability and uncertainty ahead for the world’s financial systems.
This uncertainty has spread to precious metals, with silver trading lower on April 3 and retreating back toward the US$31 mark. Investors might be taking profits, but it could also be a broader pullback as they determine how to respond in a more aggressively tariffed world. In either scenario, the market may be nearing opportunities.
“There is some risk that we could see a near-term correction in the silver price. I don’t see silver as currently overbought, but gold does appear to be. I think we could get a correction in the gold price, which would likely pull silver lower. I could see silver retreating to the US$29 to US$30 level. That would be an excellent entry point. In that scenario, I’d be a buyer of both the physical metal and the silver miners,” Krauth said.
With increased industrial demand and its traditional safe-haven status, silver may present a more ideological challenge for investors in 2025 as competing forces exert their influence. Ultimately, supply and demand will likely be what drives investors to pursue opportunities more than its safe-haven appeal.
Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM: CTL, Frankfurt:T2N), an exploration and development company advancing sustainable lithium projects in Chile, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ignacio Mehech, former Country Manager of Albemarle in Chile, as the Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’) and director of CleanTech Lithium.
Click link to watch interview with Ignacio Mehech: https://youtu.be/4iMx2vIZw9g
Highlights:
· Mr Mehech spent seven years up to 2024 at Albemarle with the last three years as Country Manager in Chile, managing a workforce of 1,100 employees and key stakeholder relationships, including Government and indigenous communities
· Albemarle is the world’s largest producer of battery grade lithium with Chile accounting for 30 – 40% of its production*
· Native to Chile, Spanish speaking and fluent in English, Mr Mehech has deep leadership and project development experience in lithium production
· Managed high profile engagements with investors, customers, NGOs, analysts, scientists and international government representatives
· Before Albemarle, Mr Mehech led the legal strategy for the El Abra copper operation in Chile, a joint venture with Codelco, and leading US mining company Freeport McMoRan
· Throughout his career Mr Mehech has led profound transformations in organisations to generate sustainable value
· Mr Mehech holds a law degree from the Universidad de Chile and a master’s degree in Energy and Resources Law from the University of Melbourne, Australia.
Ignacio Mehech, Chief Executive Officer, CleanTech Lithium PLC said:
‘I’ve been following CleanTech Lithium’s progress in Chile for the past couple of years and have been impressed at the progress that has been achieved, with the Company being one of the most active in Chile in seeking to develop a more sustainable means of producing lithium from Chile’s abundant brine resources.
I’m truly excited to take on the role as CEO to advance CleanTech’s Laguna Verde project and the other business opportunities in Chile. The immediate focus is entering direct negotiations with the Chilean government and progressing the CEOL application for Laguna Verde and delivering the Pre-Feasibility Study to initiate strategic partner conversations. I look forward to leading CleanTech Lithium’s project development alongside a dedicated team and to deliver value to all our stakeholders whilst supporting the ambitions of Chile’s National Lithium Strategy.’
Steve Kesler, Executive Chairman, CleanTech Lithium PLC, said:
‘We are delighted that Ignacio has agreed to join us as CEO. His experience in Chile is invaluable, having been Country Manager for leading lithium producer Albemarle, and working on the EL Abra copper mine in Chile for US mining giant Freeport McMoRan. Ignacio joins CleanTech at a crucial point in our development and his significant experience will be instrumental in leading our Laguna Verde project into the next phase.’
‘I will continue in my role as Executive Chairman intending to move back to being the Company’s Non-Executive Chairman when our Board believes the time is right. I look forward to working with Ignacio and remain confident in the long-term potential of CleanTech Lithium.’
Figure 1: Ignacio Mehech (centre) participating in a panel discussion at the Future Mining and Energy Congress in Santiago, Chile October 2023. Photo credit: Future Mining and Energy Congress
Background on Ignacio Mehech
During his tenure at Albemarle, a US-listed company with a current market cap of around US$6 billion as of 8th April 2025, Mr Mehech played a pivotal role in driving production growth, strategic negotiations, and sustainability initiatives, significantly impacting Albemarle’s operations in Chile and the broader region. Since 2015, Chile has been Albemarle’s largest single operation – depending on market prices – accounting for 30 to 40% of its global production.
A landmark achievement under his guidance was securing the first-ever IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance) certification for a lithium operation worldwide at the Salar de Atacama plant-a testament to his commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Previously to Albemarle, Mr Mehech has worked as a legal manager at Freeport-McMoRan, one of the largest copper and molybdenum producers in the world, with multiple assets around the globe. In Chile, it operates SCM El Abra, a joint venture with Codelco, located in Calama and where Mr Mehech was responsible for developing and leading the legal strategy for the business, assuring operational continuity, building relationships with regional authorities, indigenous and non-indigenous communities.
Ignacio Mehech Castellon, aged 42, has held the following directorships and/or partnerships in the past 5 years:
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Current |
Past |
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Cobreloa SADP |
Fundacion Chilena Del Pacifico Club Sirio Unido UN Global Compact, Chilean Chapter |
Mr Mehech currently holds no ordinary shares or other securities in the Company.
There is no further information on Ignacio Mehech required to be disclosed under Schedule Two, paragraph (g) (i)-(viii) of the AIM Rules for Companies.
*Statistic taken October 2024 – Albemarle is the world’s largest lithium producer – Mining.com https://www.mining.com/web/ranking-the-worlds-top-lithium-producers/
The information communicated within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Gordon Stein, Director and CFO.
|
For further information contact: |
|
|
CleanTech Lithium PLC |
|
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Steve Kesler/Gordon Stein/Nick Baxter |
Jersey office: +44 (0) 1534 668 321 Chile office: +562-32239222 |
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Or via Celicourt |
|
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Celicourt Communications Felicity Winkles/Philip Dennis/Ali AlQahtani |
+44 (0) 20 7770 6424 cleantech@celicourt.uk |
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Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nominated Adviser) Roland Cornish/Asia Szusciak |
+44 (0) 20 7628 3396 |
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Fox-Davies Capital Limited (Joint Broker) Daniel Fox-Davies |
+44 (0) 20 3884 8450 daniel@fox-davies.com |
|
Canaccord Genuity (Joint Broker) James Asensio |
+44 (0) 20 7523 4680 |
Beaumont Cornish Limited (‘Beaumont Cornish’) is the Company’s Nominated Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish’s responsibilities as the Company’s Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter referred to in it.
Notes
CleanTech Lithium (AIM:CTL, Frankfurt:T2N) is an exploration and development company advancing lithium projects in Chile for the clean energy transition. CleanTech Lithium has two key lithium projects in Chile, Laguna Verde and Viento Andino, and exploration stage project in Arenas Blancas (Salar de Atacama), located in the lithium triangle, a leading centre for battery grade lithium production.
The two most advanced projects: Laguna Verde and Viento Andino are situated within basins controlled by the Company, which affords significant potential development and operational advantages. All three projects have good access to existing infrastructure.
CleanTech Lithium is committed to utilising Direct Lithium Extraction (‘DLE’) with reinjection of spent brine resulting in no aquifer depletion. Direct Lithium Extraction is a transformative technology which removes lithium from brine with higher recoveries, short development lead times and no extensive evaporation pond construction. For more information, please visit: www.ctlithium.com
Click here for the full release
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Stock Market News: UK Forecast and Technical Analysis
Today, the UK stock market saw the FTSE 250 increase by 195 points (0.9%) to 21,628, nearly matching the 1.2% increase in the FTSE 100, driven largely by gains in mining stocks. This positive momentum is creating a bullish sentiment in the market.
The two London indices are leading the European market this morning. The DAX is up 0.7% in Germany, followed by the FTSE MIB in Italy, the CAC 40 in France, and the IBEX 35 in Spain, all of which are up 0.4%, reinforcing the optimistic outlook across Europe.
The gain for the Euro Stoxx 600 is just under 1%. Risers include Just Eat Takeaway, rising 17%; TeamViewer, the software company and owner of Kenco, JD Peet.
Among the higher risers, Wickes Group PLC, one of the UK’s listed companies, has seen a 3.3% increase in revenue despite facing difficulties retaining customers for its custom kitchen, home office installation, and bathroom services.
In the first half, this segment’s revenues were destroyed by 17%, offsetting the 1% growth in revenue in its core retail offering.
GSK Shares Decline
GSK PLC, the drugmaker listed on the FTSE 100, raised its annual earnings and sales forecasts due to strong second-quarter performance from HIV and cancer treatments, but the stock is currently down 2.5%.
Core EPS profits are now expected to increase by 10-12% in 2024, up from the previous guidance of 8-10%. Meanwhile, the overall profits are expected to increase by 7-9%, compared to the earlier estimate of 5-7%.
Nonetheless, there were some omissions in the data: vaccination profit fell 9% short of expectations as shingles treatment Shingrix was a 20% disappointment as US sales plummeted 36%.
This is due to decreased demand and inventory reductions. However, it is important to note that international sales make up about 64% of total revenue.
General medicine, oncology, and HIV all performed better than anticipated.
GSK/GBX 5-Day Chart
Growth Expectation For FTSE 250
In the last five years, Greggs’ shares have increased by 40%, outpacing the FTSE 250 London stock. The company’s first-half (H1) results have given them an additional 5% boost.
The most recent data shows a 16% increase in profit before taxes and a 14% increase in sales.
However, despite these gains, projections indicate a minor decline in Greggs’ EPS for the full year 2024. However, the company’s first-half revenue increased by only 15%.
It is a basic diluted estimate that does not account for anomalies. However, it raises the possibility that projections are simply exaggerating the situation.
Thanks to these expenditures and a well-defined expansion plan, Greggs has produced substantial returns for its owners.
For the 2023 fiscal year, Greggs reported record yearly sales of £1.8 billion and a profit before taxes of £188.3 million.
The company also disclosed a significant capital investment program aimed at enhancing its manufacturing capacity and expanding its capacity to accommodate approximately 3,500 stores throughout the United Kingdom.
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE Stock Surge
Among the top risers in the FTSE, Antofagasta PLC and Rio Tinto have shown significant gains. Antofagasta PLC saw notable gains despite no specific news being released. Rio Tinto’s positive results, which included a 1.8% increase in first-half profit, contributed to a 1% rise in its shares and may have influenced the broader market.
More significantly, there are rumours that the Anglo-Australian miner Antofagasta is eyeing a major opportunity in the copper industry, further boosting investor confidence.
The Footsie has continued to rise, hitting a two-month peak of nearly 8,374 following a 1.2% increase. This is the highest value for the London standard since May 22nd, topping 8,368.
HSBC Makes a £3 Billion Buyback
Following a largely flat first half of the year, HSBC Holdings PLC announced an additional interim dividend and a £3 billion share buyback.
For the first half of 2024, the £0.10 per share dividend will equate to 20 cents, unchanged from the previous year. The share buyback is anticipated to be finished in three months.
The bank, with a focus on Asia, reported a first-half pre-tax profit of $21.6 billion, which was marginally lower than the same period last year, even though revenue increased 1% to $37.3 billion and certain “strategic transactions” had a net positive revenue impact of $0.2 billion.
The second quarter’s $16.5 billion in revenues exceeded analysts’ expectations, and the quarter’s $8.9 billion profit before taxes was significantly more than the $7.8 billion they had predicted.
Despite being lower than the 1.53% consensus estimate, the net interest margin improved from 1.7% to 1.62% a year ago due to an increase in the finance cost of average profit liabilities. These developments are significant for the stock market news UK, as they may influence investor sentiment and market trends.
FTSE 250 Share Price
- Value: 21,572.34
- Net Variation: 139.83
- High/Low: 21,649.47 / 21,430.07
- Previously closed price: 21,432.51
- 52WK range: 16,783.09 – 21,432.51
- Launch date: October 12th 1992
- Constituents number: 250
- Net MCap: 324,478
- Dividend Yield: 3.35%
- Average: 1,298
- Largest: 4,059
- Smallest: 81
- Median: 1,085
FTSE 100 Share Price
- Value: 8,390.33
- Previous Close: 8,292.35
- Open Price: 8,292.35
- Day low: 8,235.55
- Day High: 8,297.92
- 52-week low: 7,215.76
- 52-week high: 8,474.41
In summary, today’s gains on the stock market news UK are remarkable, as the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 indices both saw an increase. Mining stocks, especially in the FTSE 100, have primarily driven these gains. Major indices have also increased throughout Europe, indicating an optimistic trend in the market.
While GSK continues to face difficulties even after increasing its earnings projections, Greggs has shown remarkable growth in both its stock price as well as profitability. Despite a little fluctuation in its profit margins, HSBC’s announcement of a significant share buyback and dividend demonstrates the strength of its financial position.
The post Stock Market News UK Update: FTSE 100 & 250 Rise appeared first on FinanceBrokerage.
Stock Market News: UK Forecast and Technical Analysis
Today, the UK stock market saw the FTSE 250 increase by 195 points (0.9%) to 21,628, nearly matching the 1.2% increase in the FTSE 100, driven largely by gains in mining stocks. This positive momentum is creating a bullish sentiment in the market.
The two London indices are leading the European market this morning. The DAX is up 0.7% in Germany, followed by the FTSE MIB in Italy, the CAC 40 in France, and the IBEX 35 in Spain, all of which are up 0.4%, reinforcing the optimistic outlook across Europe.
The gain for the Euro Stoxx 600 is just under 1%. Risers include Just Eat Takeaway, rising 17%; TeamViewer, the software company and owner of Kenco, JD Peet.
Among the higher risers, Wickes Group PLC, one of the UK’s listed companies, has seen a 3.3% increase in revenue despite facing difficulties retaining customers for its custom kitchen, home office installation, and bathroom services.
In the first half, this segment’s revenues were destroyed by 17%, offsetting the 1% growth in revenue in its core retail offering.
GSK Shares Decline
GSK PLC, the drugmaker listed on the FTSE 100, raised its annual earnings and sales forecasts due to strong second-quarter performance from HIV and cancer treatments, but the stock is currently down 2.5%.
Core EPS profits are now expected to increase by 10-12% in 2024, up from the previous guidance of 8-10%. Meanwhile, the overall profits are expected to increase by 7-9%, compared to the earlier estimate of 5-7%.
Nonetheless, there were some omissions in the data: vaccination profit fell 9% short of expectations as shingles treatment Shingrix was a 20% disappointment as US sales plummeted 36%.
This is due to decreased demand and inventory reductions. However, it is important to note that international sales make up about 64% of total revenue.
General medicine, oncology, and HIV all performed better than anticipated.
GSK/GBX 5-Day Chart
Growth Expectation For FTSE 250
In the last five years, Greggs’ shares have increased by 40%, outpacing the FTSE 250 London stock. The company’s first-half (H1) results have given them an additional 5% boost.
The most recent data shows a 16% increase in profit before taxes and a 14% increase in sales.
However, despite these gains, projections indicate a minor decline in Greggs’ EPS for the full year 2024. However, the company’s first-half revenue increased by only 15%.
It is a basic diluted estimate that does not account for anomalies. However, it raises the possibility that projections are simply exaggerating the situation.
Thanks to these expenditures and a well-defined expansion plan, Greggs has produced substantial returns for its owners.
For the 2023 fiscal year, Greggs reported record yearly sales of £1.8 billion and a profit before taxes of £188.3 million.
The company also disclosed a significant capital investment program aimed at enhancing its manufacturing capacity and expanding its capacity to accommodate approximately 3,500 stores throughout the United Kingdom.
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE Stock Surge
Among the top risers in the FTSE, Antofagasta PLC and Rio Tinto have shown significant gains. Antofagasta PLC saw notable gains despite no specific news being released. Rio Tinto’s positive results, which included a 1.8% increase in first-half profit, contributed to a 1% rise in its shares and may have influenced the broader market.
More significantly, there are rumours that the Anglo-Australian miner Antofagasta is eyeing a major opportunity in the copper industry, further boosting investor confidence.
The Footsie has continued to rise, hitting a two-month peak of nearly 8,374 following a 1.2% increase. This is the highest value for the London standard since May 22nd, topping 8,368.
HSBC Makes a £3 Billion Buyback
Following a largely flat first half of the year, HSBC Holdings PLC announced an additional interim dividend and a £3 billion share buyback.
For the first half of 2024, the £0.10 per share dividend will equate to 20 cents, unchanged from the previous year. The share buyback is anticipated to be finished in three months.
The bank, with a focus on Asia, reported a first-half pre-tax profit of $21.6 billion, which was marginally lower than the same period last year, even though revenue increased 1% to $37.3 billion and certain “strategic transactions” had a net positive revenue impact of $0.2 billion.
The second quarter’s $16.5 billion in revenues exceeded analysts’ expectations, and the quarter’s $8.9 billion profit before taxes was significantly more than the $7.8 billion they had predicted.
Despite being lower than the 1.53% consensus estimate, the net interest margin improved from 1.7% to 1.62% a year ago due to an increase in the finance cost of average profit liabilities. These developments are significant for the stock market news UK, as they may influence investor sentiment and market trends.
FTSE 250 Share Price
- Value: 21,572.34
- Net Variation: 139.83
- High/Low: 21,649.47 / 21,430.07
- Previously closed price: 21,432.51
- 52WK range: 16,783.09 – 21,432.51
- Launch date: October 12th 1992
- Constituents number: 250
- Net MCap: 324,478
- Dividend Yield: 3.35%
- Average: 1,298
- Largest: 4,059
- Smallest: 81
- Median: 1,085
FTSE 100 Share Price
- Value: 8,390.33
- Previous Close: 8,292.35
- Open Price: 8,292.35
- Day low: 8,235.55
- Day High: 8,297.92
- 52-week low: 7,215.76
- 52-week high: 8,474.41
In summary, today’s gains on the stock market news UK are remarkable, as the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 indices both saw an increase. Mining stocks, especially in the FTSE 100, have primarily driven these gains. Major indices have also increased throughout Europe, indicating an optimistic trend in the market.
While GSK continues to face difficulties even after increasing its earnings projections, Greggs has shown remarkable growth in both its stock price as well as profitability. Despite a little fluctuation in its profit margins, HSBC’s announcement of a significant share buyback and dividend demonstrates the strength of its financial position.
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Global PC shipments rose 9.4% in Q1 2025, totaling 62.7 million units. This spike was driven by fears of new U.S. tariffs. Companies rushed deliveries to avoid increased costs.
Why Global PC Shipments Jumped
Many manufacturers increased their shipments to the U.S. in early 2025. They feared higher import taxes due to potential tariffs. By acting early, they aimed to keep costs down and maintain profit margins.
Big players like Lenovo and HP saw strong results. Lenovo’s shipments to the U.S. jumped by 20%, while HP increased theirs by 13%. These early moves gave them an edge over competitors.
What This Means for the Market
Analysts say this growth may not last. Since many shipments were front-loaded in Q1, future quarters could see weaker performance. Customers might delay purchases due to higher prices and full inventory levels.
The rise in global PC shipments may lead to a short-term oversupply. That could force companies to offer discounts in Q2 and Q3.
How Companies Are Adapting
To reduce future risks, PC makers are changing where they build their products. Many are shifting production out of China to countries like Vietnam and Mexico. This move helps them avoid tariffs and manage costs better.
Conclusion
Q1 2025 saw a sharp increase in global PC shipments. While this boost came from tariff concerns, it also shows how fast companies can adapt. Moving forward, the focus will shift to long-term strategies like supply chain diversification.
Key takeaway: The PC shipments spike in early 2025 may be short-lived, but it highlights the importance of flexibility in today’s trade environment.
Related: Technology News | Global Markets
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As of April 9, 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at approximately $77,766, marking a significant drop from its January peak of over $109,000. This Bitcoin price dip highlights the heightened volatility in the cryptocurrency market, influenced by growing geopolitical tensions and recent tariff announcements.
Bitcoin Volatility: A Reflection of Global Uncertainty
Bitcoin price dip have always been a hallmark of its market behavior, but recent economic indicators have intensified these movements. The cryptocurrency fell sharply amid a global crypto selloff, with Ether also leading declines. Analysts attribute this to risk-off sentiment in broader financial markets as investors react to rising inflation, interest rates, and the ripple effects of U.S. trade policies.
Data from Yahoo Finance and MarketWatch show that Bitcoin touched an intraday low of $74,772 before recovering slightly. This steep drop comes just weeks after the coin hovered comfortably above the $100,000 mark, signaling increasing trader hesitation.
Tariff Announcements Add Fuel to the Fire
The reintroduction of aggressive U.S. trade tariffs has significantly impacted global markets. In particular, investors fear that escalating trade tensions with China and other nations may trigger another round of economic slowdown. These fears have not spared cryptocurrencies. Despite being considered a hedge against fiat inflation, Bitcoin is still viewed as a risky asset in volatile climates, prompting panic-selling among short-term holders.
Much like traditional equities, the crypto market responded sharply to news of fresh tariffs, with traders offloading high-volatility assets. Analysts suggest that institutional investors, who played a major role in Bitcoin’s surge to all-time highs, are now reassessing their exposure amid macroeconomic headwinds.
Broader Crypto Selloff Led by Ether and Altcoins
Ether (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency, saw a similar downward trend, falling more than 5% in the same trading window. Other major altcoins like Solana (SOL), XRP, and Cardano (ADA) also posted significant losses. This coordinated pullback across the crypto landscape underlines the interconnectedness of digital asset markets and investor sentiment.
The crypto fear and greed index, which gauges market emotion, has shifted sharply toward “fear,” reinforcing the cautious outlook across the sector.
Investor Sentiment and Portfolio Rebalancing
The current Bitcoin price dip has prompted both retail and institutional investors to rebalance their portfolios. Many are shifting towards less volatile assets like gold and U.S. treasury bonds, leading to short-term sell pressure in Bitcoin. With upcoming halving cycles and continued interest from global regulators, the long-term trajectory of Bitcoin remains uncertain but still promising for long-term believers.
Expert Opinions and What Comes Next
Market strategists from Barron’s and Bloomberg suggest that this dip may be temporary, especially if inflation and interest rates stabilize in the coming months. Some see the correction as a healthy reset, paving the way for sustainable future growth. Others warn that if geopolitical tensions worsen, Bitcoin could revisit sub-$70K levels.
Investors are encouraged to monitor developments in the global economic landscape, including central bank actions and trade negotiations, which will undoubtedly shape Bitcoin’s next moves.
Conclusion: A Temporary Setback or Trend Reversal?
Bitcoin’s price dip below $80,000 in April 2025 signals a broader market correction triggered by trade war fears and shifting economic policies. However, history shows that Bitcoin has often rebounded stronger after periods of doubt. Whether this is a short-term drop or a longer-term reset, one thing is certain: Bitcoin continues to mirror the complexities of the global financial landscape, and investors must stay informed and adaptable.
Key takeaway: As global tariffs return and inflation lingers, Bitcoin’s short-term volatility may persist. Long-term investors, however, still view dips as potential entry points into a decentralized future.
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Major offtake and funding deal to advance development and exploration activities
American West Metals Limited (American West or the Company) ( ASX: AW1) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a binding agreement with global metal trading and advisory group Ocean Partners Holding Ltd (OP or Ocean Partners) which will comprise an equity investment in American West as well as project development funding and copper-silver offtake to OP for the Storm Copper Project.
- US$3.5m Royalty funding brought forward. Taurus Mining Royalty has agreed to advance the US$3.5m second tranche of the Royalty payment based on the positive Storm PEA results, with payment of US$2.8m to be made to American West this month
Dave O’Neill, American West’s Managing Director, said:
“We are very pleased to announce a strategic partnership and funding package for the Storm Copper Project which secures the long-term future of the Project. This is another significant milestone for Storm and continues to position Storm as the next potential copper mine in Canada, joining other very successful base metal mines in the region such as Polaris (22Mt @ 14.1% Zn, 4% Pb) and Nanisivik (18Mt @ 9% Zn, 0.7% Pb)
“American West’s ability to attract and partner with global companies like Ocean Partners speaks volumes to the high-quality of the Project and the management team, and emphasises the low-risk pathway to potential development.
“Ocean Partners’ existing partnerships and experience with ore-sorting and direct shipping ore (DSO) copper products are a natural fit with Storm and will help strengthen and streamline the technical aspects of the processing work flow for the PFS and beyond.
“On the back of the recently released Storm PEA, Taurus has agreed to advance the second tranche of the royalty payment. This tranche of funding will now be available immediately and demonstrates Taurus’ strong belief in the development and growth potential of Storm.
“The funding package and strategic partnership will allow American West to execute the dual strategy of aggressive exploration and streamlined development during 2025. We look forward to updating investors as the work programs are finalised and get underway.”
Brent Omland, Ocean Partners CEO, also commented:
“We are delighted to be partnering with American West on the Storm Copper Project which is rapidly emerging as a long-life, district-scale copper opportunity. Our shared goal is the timely success of the Project and we look forward to working closely with the American West team as they continue to make significant advances through process innovation and resource growth. Ocean Partners has extensive experience in marketing and trading DSO into global markets and are confident in the marketability and attractiveness of the Storm copper-silver product.”
Click here for the full ASX Release
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