26th Feb 2026 15:37
(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of earnings and trading updates for London-listed companies, issued on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News:
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Connecting Excellence Group PLC - Leeds-based international executive recruitment firm with a bitcoin treasury policy - Announces trading update for six months to December. Says Spencer Riley, the group's operational business, generates net fee income of GBP900,000, up 20% on-year from GBP740,000, reflecting a 13% increase in the average fee per placement. Since period end, reports executive recruitment activity has been strong, with the group achieving its best January performance to date with GBP250,000 of net fee income. The record January "provides encouraging momentum entering the second half," says Scott Ellam, chief executive officer.
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Contango Holdings PLC - developing Muchesu coal project in Zimbabwe - Pretax loss narrows to GBP485,738 in the six months to November from GBP744,109 the year prior. This reflects lower administrative fees and finance expenses. Post period-end says registration was completed with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for the transfer of 51% ownership and operatorship to PGI, alongside confirmation of USD1.0 million received from PGI following the change in proposed operator/majority owner. Calls this a "key milestone." Contango says it remains focused on delivering shareholder value through the company's royalty position and associated economics linked to Muchesu, alongside disciplined corporate stewardship.
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Croma Security Solutions Group PLC - Whiteley, England-based security services provider - Pretax profit slumps to GBP252,000 in the six months to December from GBP456,000 the year prior, although revenue rises to GBP5.0 million from GBP4.6 million. Bottom line is hurt by rising cost of sales and administrative expenses. Higher costs were primarily planned investment into the business and in key management hires, Croma explains. Basic EPS are 1.35 pence, down from 2.25p. "A very active period, preparing the business for the integration of further acquisitions and whilst we recorded a planned reduction in profit, we now have a better structured portfolio and a stronger team with which to support the future growth of the business," comments Chief Executive Roberto Fiorentino. Flags good progress on expanding the pipeline of acquisition targets with the expectation of completing further transactions in the second half of financial 2026. Says trading since half-year end has been positive with a strong new business pipeline to support the board's confidence in the outlook for the full year. Intends to declare a single final progressive dividend with the full-year results.
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Malin Corp PLC - Dublin-based investor in life sciences companies - Chief Executive Officer Fiona Dunlevy is to leave Malin at the end of May. Liam Daniel, non-executive chair, will assume the role of executive chair. In addition, reports Malin's intrinsic equity value at the end of December was EUR9.21 per share, and rose further to EUR9.24 per share at February 23. The aggregate fair value of Malin's interests in its investee companies was EUR27.0 million at the end of 2025 compared to EUR133.5 million the year prior. The decrease is largely due to the divestment of Poseida in January and to a downward revision to the estimated valuations of Malin's interests in Viamet and Xenex. Cash balance at December 31 was EUR12.9 million, compared to EUR62.1 million a year ago. The decrease is primarily as a result of the return of capital of EUR150 million in March.
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Nexus Infrastructure PLC - Braintree, England-based provider of civil engineering and infrastructure services to the UK housebuilding sector - Pretax loss narrows to GBP2.4 million in 2025 from a restated GBP2.8 million in 2024. Revenue increases by 16% to GBP65.9 million from GBP56.7 million, in line with management consensus. Gross margin improves to 15.6% from 13.5%. Order book grows "significantly" by 62% to GBP83.4 million from GBP51.6 million. Declares financial dividend of 2p per share making total payout 3p, unchanged on-year. Says 2026 is progressing in line with management expectations, seasonally weighted to the second half. "The strong order book and improving market sentiment provide positive indications for the future," it adds.
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AIQ Ltd - company focused on acquiring and developing e-commerce sector businesses - Pretax loss from continuing operations widens to GBP464,374 in the financial year to October from GBP267,656 the year prior. Nil revenue is reported compared to GBP304,233 a year ago. AIQ says it continues to have the support of its largest shareholders, with the maturity of its convertible loan note facility having been extended, post year end, to July 1 2028. "The board continues to closely monitor the cash position and keep all of its strategic options open in assessing how best to deliver value to shareholders," it adds. Calls it "another difficult year where we continued to face challenges in our markets." However, notes "we were able to shift our focus to reposition ourselves to support companies that require our expertise as they seek to invest in artificial intelligence and high-density digital infrastructure." Hopeful of securing contracts in the AI area, but "very difficult to forecast with any certainty in the current climate."
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Astrid Intelligence PLC - London-based company specialising in artificial intelligence, formerly known as Cel AI PLC - Loss attributable widens to GBP1.9 million in the financial year to August from GBP1.8 million the year prior. No revenue declared, unchanged. Astrid says it has been a "truly transformational" year completing a transition away from the skincare and carbon sequestration sectors and repositioned firmly into the crypto and decentralised artificial intelligence domain. Building upon the strategic reset initiated last year, the board has overseen the full wind-down of legacy operations, the restructuring of its cost base, and the establishment of a new business model aligned with high-growth, technology-led sectors, it notes. Accepts this was not without cost but believes these actions were critical to protect shareholder value. Chair Olivia Edwards says: "We enter the coming year with renewed confidence and momentum. While the past year required difficult decisions and significant restructuring, it has resulted in a Company that is leaner, stronger, and focused on high-growth, technology-driven markets. Our strategic foothold in Bittensor, our investment in SigmaArena, and the addition of a highly experienced executive team all support our belief that the company is transitioning into a period of scalable opportunity."
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By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter
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