Mkango Magnetic Materials (LON: MKA) says joint venture HyProMag USA has announced an independent pre-feasibility study outlines potential rare earth magnet capacity expansion to add to the first plant in Texas. There is potential for three new plants and a centralised finishing hub. The incremental post-tax NPV of $1.85bn to $2.06bn. Total capacity could be 6,000 metric tons each year by 2034. The Texas facility is in detailed engineering. There have been additional filings in connection with the reversal of assets into Crown PropTech Acquisitions. The share price increased 11.8% to 29.3p.
Mendell Helium (LON: MDH) highlights that helium has been added to the critical materials list by the United States Department of Energy. This is good news for US helium producers, and the company is advancing its drilling campaign. The share price improved 10.3% to 3.75p.
Medical technology supplier Inspiration Healthcare (LON: IHC) is growing its main business but the lack of the one-off export sales meant that group interim revenues declined from £24m to £22m. Excluding non-recurring items the loss was reduced from £301,000 to £11,000. Full year revenues guidance has been raised to £43m indicating that the underlying growth momentum is continuing. There will still be a loss. However, the loss of a distribution contract means that revenues will fall next year. The share price recovered 8.11% to 20p.
Building products manufacturer Alumasc (LON: ALU) issued a reassuring AGM update. There is a recovery in the water management business, and the housebuilding products division continues to grow despite the weak market. There is initial income from the Changi Airport contract and continued revenues from Chek Lap Kok Airport. Excluding those projects, revenues are 5% ahead so far this year. The order book is two-thirds higher than one year ago. Cavendish still expects a recovery in pre-tax profit from £10m to £13m this year. The share price gained 7.14% to 247.5p.
FALLERS
Arkadian Strategic Metals (LON: AKN) has consolidated 1,500 existing shares into one new share. The adjusted share price slipped 26.3% to 10.5p.
Retailer Shoe Zone (LON: SHOE) had a stronger second half but still lost £1m in the year to September 2026. Net cash of £15.1m was better than expected, partly due to less money than expected being spent on share buybacks. There has been a slow start to the new year. Zeus has doubled its 2026-27 pre-tax profit forecast to £1m due to improved gross margins. The Budget represents uncertainty and Zeus admits that the balance of risk to the forecast is currently skewed to the downside. The share price dived 22.3% to 57.5p due to the caution.
Wishbone Gold (LON: WSBN) is raising £500,000 at 9p/share. This will fund the drilling programme at the Red Setter gold copper project in Western Australia. The share price dipped 17.8% to 9.25p.
Social media business LBG Media (LON: LBG) released a trading statement showing 15% growth in revenues to £106m, but EBITDA fell by more than one-third to £16.5m, although that is slightly better than expected. Recent digital marketing agency acquisition Uncovered has outperformed expectations. Group revenues are growing but the change in mix means that margins are declining. The share price slid 5.51% to 31.75p.