Electrifying Africa’s motorcycle market with Roam Electric

The UK Investor Magazine Podcast was delighted to welcome Filip Lövström, CEO of Roam Electric, who joined Jeremy Naylor to discuss the firm’s rapid expansion in the African electric motorcycle market.

Find out more about Roam Electric here.

Roam Electric is a Swedish-founded, Kenyan-based company transforming African mobility by manufacturing affordable, durable electric motorcycles designed specifically for local conditions.

The company addresses a critical problem: Africa’s 25 million motorcycles are predominantly petrol-powered, costly to operate, and heavily polluting. With fuel costs having increased 123% over five years and air pollution linked to 1.1 million premature deaths, Roam’s electric motorcycles offer a solution that is 80% cheaper to run than conventional petrol bikes.

The company has achieved remarkable traction, capturing 40% of Kenya’s electric motorcycle market and partnering with major platforms including Uber, Bolt, DHL, and M-KOPA.

The Financial Times recognised Roam as one of Africa’s fastest-growing companies in 2025, with revenue growth of 550% between 2020-23 and annual recurring revenue of €7.5m.

Roam operates East Africa’s largest electric motorcycle assembly plant at 10,000 square metres and holds what it believes is the only manufacturing licence in Kenya.

AIM movers: Mediazest moves into profit and tougher trading for XP Factory’s Boom Battle Bars

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Digital signage supplier Mediazest (LON: MDZ) performed strongly in the year to September 2025 and it made a pre-tax profit. Annual revenues are estimated to be 30% higher at £4m. Customers are rolling out digital signage in their outlets. Cash was £100,000. A debt restructuring has led to a £529,000 interest write off, leaving £786,000 owed that will be paid off over six years. The share price jumped 51.7% to 0.11p.

Oil and gas company Kistos (LON: KIST) is acquiring a 5% interest in Block 9 and a 20% interest in Blocks 3 and 4 in onshore Oman from Mitsui E&P Middle East for $148m. This should add 25.6 million barrels of oil equivalent reserves. There will be additional net production of up to 10,000 barrels per day. The deal is immediately cash generative. The share price gained 21.4% to 179p.

Medical imaging company IXICO (LON: IXI) reported 2024-25 figures ahead of expectations. Revenues were 13% ahead at £6.5m and the £1.7m underlying loss was lower than anticipated. Cavendish has reduced the forecast 2025-26 loss to £1.6m. The share price improved 14% to 12.25p.

Dispute resolution service provider Diales (LON: DIAL) continues to improve underlying profit, but there could be more to come if utilisation levels improve. Revenues were flat at £43m, but pre-tax profit improved from £1.2m to £1.4m. Net cash was £3m at the end of September 2025. The dividend is maintained at 1.5p/share. The core UK and European operations, which are the hub of the business, improved their profit as did the other regions, except for Asia Pacific which continues to make a small loss. Group utilisation rates are currently 71.6% and the company believes that this could reach 80%, but that will not happen immediately. A pre-tax profit of £1.5m is forecast for 2025-26 and cash could improve to £3.4m. The share price rose 11.1% to 20p.

FALLERS

Shares in Wishbone Gold (LON: WSBN) continue to decline following yesterday’s statement on the progress of drilling at the Red Setter gold dome project in Australia, which disappointed investor. The company plans to release assay results for over the next few months. It will then formulate a plan for 2026. The share price fell a further 15.7% to 43p and has lost around one-third so far this week.

Chronic kidney disease risk assessment test developer Renalytix (LON: RENX) is focusing on converting business development activity into contracted relationships and growing testing volumes. The kidneyintelX.dkd test is becoming more widely adopted. A deal with Tempus AI Inc is helping to widen the distribution of the test, but there can be lengthy implementation and approval processes. There will be a trading statement in January. The share price slid 7.41% to 6.25p.

Hot summer weather and tougher economic conditions held back XP Factory (LON: XPF), but it still managed to grow, helped by new openings. Escape Hunt did increase like-for-like revenues in the first half after a poor first quarter. However, like-for-like revenues for Boom Battle Bars were 6.8% lower, which is still better than its sector. Overall revenues were 13% higher at £28.2m. There was a first half loss, but £1.4m of free cash was generated. Net debt was £5.3m at the end of September 2025 and there is plenty of finance for further openings. Christmas is the key part of the year, and orders are higher than last year. Like-for-like Escape Hunt revenues are 8.3% ahead so far in the second half, but Boom’s are 9.8% lower. Full year underlying pre-tax profit is expected to rise from £800,000 to £1.1m, but that will depend on Christmas. The share price slipped 6.52% to 10.75p.

Scancell (LON: SCLP) says that the phase 2 SCPE trial with iSCIB1+ for advanced melanoma shows that it is better than the standard of care. Recent meetings with the FDA have been positive and the scope of the phase 3 registrational trial has been confirmed. Cash will last into the second half of 2026. The share price dipped 4.39% to 9.8p.

FTSE 100 in holding pattern ahead of Fed decision

The FTSE 100 showed little sign of life again on Tuesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision tomorrow.

London’s leading index was up 0.1% at the time of writing after trading negatively in early trade as investors reacted to slightly disappointing retail sales data, which showed the UK economy is still under pressure amid concerns about Rachel Reeves’ tax-raising budget. 

Although the benchmark was relatively uninspiring at the index level, there were interesting movements on a single-stock basis. 

British American Tobacco was the top faller, dipping 2.7%, after reporting volume-share declines and reaffirming guidance. 

Chris Beauchamp, Chief Market Analyst at IG, said, “The recent surge in BAT’s shares has come unstuck, as this morning’s update acts as drag on the share price. Still, the strength in the US is encouraging, though it might provoke worries that BAT will be yet another firm tempted to swim the Atlantic in favour of a US listing. The doldrums of 2019 – 2023 seem to be firmly behind it now that it rediscovered its sales momentum in key markets.”

Tesco shares were 2% lower after market share data showed the UK’s leading supermarket losing out to peers.

“New figures from Worldpanel show that Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Ocado and Lidl all grew faster than Tesco in the 12 weeks to 30 November,” explained Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell.

“It feels like the battle for the Christmas pound starts earlier each year, and the grocers are pulling out all the stops to ensure they’re the ones catering for festivities.

“Tesco is the market leader by some distance, which puts it in a strong position to demand best deals from suppliers.”

Mild risk aversion was evident in cyclical sectors, such as miners, which slipped on the day. Antofagasta lost 2% as Glencore slipped 1%.

Despite a string of downbeat stories, the index flipped in favour of the bulls before midday

WPP shares added 2% following news it had won a £2bn advertising contract with the UK contract, suggesting there was still life in the old dog that hasn’t adapted well to the rise of AI. 

Sage Group rose 3% after Bank of America upped its price target.

Babcock and BAE Systems rose as progress in Ukraine peace talks looked to stall. The two defence names had been under pressure as negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia ramped up, but redlines for either side suggest a deal is a way off.

British American Tobacco shares fall as trading update fails to impress

British American Tobacco shares fell on Tuesday after releasing trading figures that were reasonably positive.

BATS reaffirmed its full-year 2025 targets, expecting approximately 2% growth in both revenue and adjusted profit from operations. The company also announced a new £1.3 billion share buyback programme.

Shares were down 3.1% at the time of writing, perhaps more down to profit-taking than major disappointment with the update.

“The recent surge in BAT’s shares has come unstuck, as this morning’s update acts as drag on the share price,” said Chris Beauchamp, Chief Market Analyst at IG.

“Still, the strength in the US is encouraging, though it might provoke worries that BAT will be yet another firm tempted to swim the Atlantic in favour of a US listing. The doldrums of 2019 – 2023 seem to be firmly behind it now that it rediscovered its sales momentum in key markets.”

The FTSE 100 tobacco giant reported strong momentum in its US business, driven by resilient combustibles performance and excellent results from its Velo Plus nicotine pouch brand, which is on track for full-year profitability. Early signs of federal and state enforcement action against illicit vaping products have also supported recent improvements in its Vuse brand volumes and revenue.

Group value share across top markets remained flat, whilst volume share declined 10 basis points. This may be disappointing for investors.

However, the US showed particular strength, with value share gaining 20 basis points and volume share holding steady.

The company’s Velo brand continues to perform well, with volume share in Modern Oral products surging 590 basis points to 31.8% in top markets. In the US specifically, Velo Plus drove Modern Oral volume share up 920 basis points to 15.6%, delivering triple-digit revenue growth.

BAT reaffirmed its mid-term growth guidance from 2026, expecting 3-5% revenue growth, 4-6% adjusted profit from operations growth, and 5-8% adjusted diluted earnings per share growth, with 2026 performance expected at the lower end of these ranges.

“The company is confident of returning to its medium-term growth ambition next year, albeit at the lower end of 3-5% revenue growth and 4-6% growth in underlying operating profit,” said Derren Nathan, head of equity research, Hargreaves Lansdown.

“The strong recovery in the share price this year suggests markets may have been hoping for more, but a new share buyback programme should keep markets happy for now. That does however put some pressure to bring net debt back into the company’s target range next year. “

M&G Investments Macro Outlook Investor Presentation December 2025

Johnny Hughes discusses the major market shifts shaping 2025, noting that portfolios have not fully adapted to a world driven by AI innovation and rising international opportunities. He tackles the question of whether current AI enthusiasm is a bubble or a genuine productivity boom, pointing out that while private valuations look stretched, credit markets remain calm. 

The point is made that the global economy is supported by strong US consumers, fiscal stimulus, and improving productivity, but the US market is increasingly concentrated in a small group of AI leaders. 

Hughes touches on the growing opportunities outside the US, noting that European, Japanese, and emerging-market equities now offer better value, with earnings growth expected to align more closely across regions.

Download the presentation slides.

M&G Investments Asia Pacific Investor Presentation December 2025

Sunny highlights investment opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region, emphasising that despite global market scepticism, particularly surrounding China, the region remains an attractive investment proposition. Sunny challenges the notion of China as “uninvestible” by noting its substantial share of global GDP, deep supply-chain integration across Asia, ongoing corporate reforms, and improving shareholder returns. It also stresses that global equity market weightings do not accurately reflect economic realities, raising the question of whether having zero exposure to the world’s second-largest economy poses a risk for investors.

Beyond China, the presentation encourages investors to look past headline themes and explore under-researched areas where fundamentals may be stronger than market sentiment suggests. India is highlighted as a compelling long-term opportunity, supported by a fast-growing equity market, increasing innovation, a broadening corporate landscape, rapid urbanisation, and multiple sectors still early in their development cycles.

Download the presentation slides.

SSP Group: excellent fodder for investors, shares up 22% over the last week to 178p

The Finals to end-September published last Thursday by the £1.41bn-capitalised SSP Group (LON:SSPG) indicated that the group, which is a leading operator of restaurants, bars, cafes and other food and beverage outlets in travel locations across 38 countries, is really getting its act together. 
And its shares, now at 178p, up 32p in the last week, have reflected the market confidence following the results. 
The Business 
SSP is a global leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations employing around 49,000 colleagues in around 3,000 units across 38 countries.&...

FTSE 100 flat ahead of Fed meeting

The FTSE 100 was broadly flat on Monday as investors readied for the Federal Reserve interest rate decision later this week, when it is expected that US interest rates will be cut by 0.25%.

London’s leading index was 2 points higher at 9,668 at the time of writing, with investors holding off making major changes to their portfolio.

“Europe got off to a quiet start, with minimal movement among the main equity indices,” said Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell.

“The FTSE 100 held firm as strength among industrials, basic materials and healthcare was offset by weakness in consumer stocks and real estate.

Coatsworth continued to explain that the US interest rate decision this week may be a non-event, with a rate cut already nailed on, leaving little reason to reposition before or after Wednesday’s decision.

“On the economics front, the big event of the week is the US interest rate decision on Wednesday where the market is pricing in an 87% chance of a quarter percentage point cut. Markets may not rally if we get a 25 basis-point cut, given how investors are already expecting it to happen. Instead, markets are only likely to move in a large way up or down if we don’t get a cut or if the cut is much bigger than expected.”

Far less certain is what the Bank of England will do when it announces its decision on 18th December. Markets are pricing in a 0.25% interest rate cut to 3.75% but there are questions about whether traders are being overly optimistic, given persistently high UK inflation.

This may be part of the reason behind lower housebuilding shares on Monday, which appear to be running out of steam after a post-budget bounce.

Persimmon, Barratt Redrow, and Berkeley Group were down between 1.75% and 2% at the time of writing.

Unilever was the top faller after completing the spin-out of The Magnum Ice Cream Company, which started trading in London, Amsterdam, and New York today.

Prudential was the top riser, jumping 2%, after an update on the sale of shares in ICICI Prudential Asset Management on Indian stock markets.

Aubrey Global Conviction Fund Investor Presentation December 2025

Aubrey Global Conviction Fund aims to achieve long term capital growth over a five year rolling period by investing at least 95% in equities and equity related securities in attractive markets and sectors on a worldwide basis.

The investment policy is to invest in shares, warrants, bonds, money market instruments, cash and deposits, directly or indirectly through collective investment schemes, that can best take advantage of economic opportunities worldwide. As a result, the Fund may not always have exposure to all asset types.

Download the presentation slides.

Guinness Global Real Assets Fund Investor Presentation December 2025

The Guinness Global Real Assets Fund is designed to provide investors with long-term capital appreciation and income by investing in listed companies that develop, construct, own, finance and operate infrastructure and real estate assets.

Real assets can play a vital and hard-to-replicate role in traditional portfolios, providing defensive performance, growing income and inflation protection. They benefit from structural tailwinds as massive long-term investment goes into sectors with substantial footprints such as electricity generation, grid renewal, data centres, telecommunications, logistics and healthcare.

Download the presentation slides.