Corporate finance business Marechale Capital (LON: MAC) is acquiring broker Stanford Capital Partners along with global asset tokenisation platform Blubird Global and NJC Capital Management VSA Private Fund and its manager. The payment is 75.2 million shares issued at 1.75p each, which values the businesses at £1.32m. There will be £1.06m raised at the same price. The strategy is to become a digital merchant bank. Stanford Capital Partners founder Patrick Claridge will become an executive director. The share price jumped 95.4% to 4.3p.
Online fashion retailer boohoo Group (LON: DEBS) returned to growth in the first quarter of 2026-27 with an 8% increase in in GMV in May. Gross margin improved from 52.1% to 53.5%. The Debenhams and PrettyLittleThing did particularly well in the quarter. The target of a £100m reduction in fixed costs is on course to be completed in 2027. Full year underlying EBITDA is expected to grow in double-digits from the 2025-26 figure of £53m Net debt is being reduced. The share price increased 23.7% to 23.25p.
Venture Life Group (LON: VLG) is acquiring two consumer health brands from a US business for up to £21m. They generated revenues of $12.1m in the year to March 2026. The brands are women’s health product range Femiclear and infection prevention product range Curoxen, although Femiclear accounts for 98% of revenues. These products are based on oxygenated olive oil, and this IP is included in the acquisition. The deal will provide a platform in the US. Cavendish has upgraded its 2026-27 pre-tax profit from £4.73m to £5.83m, while earnings increase from 3.26p/share to 3.76p/share. The share price gained 11.5% to 63p.
Pawnbroker Ramsdens (LON: RFX) made a higher profit in the first half than in the previous full year. The interim pre-tax profit jumped from £6.1m to £16.7m, and interim dividend is raised from 5p/share to 9p/share – including a special dividend of 3p/share compared with 0.5p/share the previous year. The loan book is at record levels. Precious metals purchases more than doubled and jewellery retail sales grew by 26%. Forex income declined. Up to 12 stores could be opened this year. Cavendish raised its 2025-26 pre-tax profit forecast by 6% to £30.3m. The share price rose 7.1% to 490p.
FALLERS
Quantum Helium (LON: QHE) is seeking shareholder approval for a 100-for-one share consolidation at a general meeting on 1 July. This would reduce the number of shares to just under 500 million. Management believes that the share consolidation will improve the shareholder perception of the company. The share price declined 8.41% to 0.0245p.
EnergyPathways (LON: EPP) has drawn down another £1m from the £15m financing agreement announced in April. There will be an associated issue of 3.43 million warrants exercisable at 12.24p each. The cash will finance work on the company’s Marram Energy Storage Hub project. The share price slid 5.17% to 8.25p.
Arkle Resources (LON: ARK) has appointed resources-focused Hannam & Partners as joint broker. Strand Hanson is nominated adviser, and First Equity is joint broker. The share price slipped 6.25% to 0.75p.
Real-time oil conditioning monitoring technology developer Tan Delta Resources (LON: TAN) reported an increased loss of £1.55m on flat revenues of £1.22m in 2025. Cash was £1.49m at the year-end, following an outflow of £1.59m during the year. The pipeline of opportunities is valued at more than £75m. The share price fell 4.62% to 31p.