4th Aug 2025 10:27
(Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers among London Main Market small-caps on Monday.
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SMALL-CAP - WINNERS
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S&U PLC, up 14% at 1,975.92 pence, 12-month range 1,230.00p-2,011.94p. The Solihull, England-based lender focused on motor finance and property bridging says it welcomes the Supreme Court decision on motor finance and called it a "victory for common sense". The UK Financial Conduct Authority on Sunday said it will consult on an industry-wide redress scheme for consumers "treated unfairly" by car financing agreements, which it estimated will cost lenders between GBP9 billion and GBP18 billion. The FCA said it will publish the consultation by early October and finalise any scheme in time for people to start receiving compensation next year. The financial watchdog was responding to a ruling on Friday by the UK Supreme Court. The court partially overturned judgments that said controversial car loans were unlawful, but did uphold one case, which allows the claimant to seek compensation on different grounds. The Supreme Court decision mostly overturned judgments made by the Court of Appeal last year that ruled it was unlawful for car dealers to receive a commission on loans without sufficiently informing borrowers. S&U Chair Anthony Coombs says: "This decision is a victory for common sense. It will significantly boost confidence throughout the motor finance industry and benefit lenders and consumers alike in attracting investment and increasing competition."
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Vanquis Banking Group PLC, up 5.4% at 101.40p, 12-month range 37.40p-108.20p. Shares in the Bradford, England-based lender also rise following news from the UK FCA and the Supreme Court decision on motor finance. Vanquis will release its results for the first half of 2025 on Thursday.
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SMALL-CAP - LOSERS
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Kosmos Energy Ltd, down 4.0% at 145.00 pence, 12-month range 101.00p-420.00p. The Dallas, Texas-based mining firm, focused on oil and gas in Africa, swings to pretax loss of USD63.8 million for the second quarter that ended June 30, from a USD135.1 million profit the year before. Pretax loss for the first half is USD157.8 million, against a USD277.1 million profit a year earlier. This is driven by total costs and expenses in the first half of the year rising 42% to USD841.7 million from USD593.0 million. First-half revenue declines 21% to USD683.9 million from USD870.1 million, including a second-quarter revenue slide of 13% to USD393.5 million from USD450.9 million. "On the balance sheet, we are enhancing resilience through increasing liquidity and additional hedges for 2026 with further progress expected as we pursue additional initiatives through the second half of the year," says Chair & Chief Executive Officer Andrew Inglis. "With production rising, costs falling and balance sheet resilience improving, we look forward to delivering long-term value for our shareholders through the second half of the year and beyond." Total net production in the second quarter averages around 63,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day, lower than guidance as a result of ramp up timing on its Greater Tortue Ahmeyim liquefied natural gas project and lower production at the Jubilee wells, in which Kosmos holds a 38.6% working interest. Kosmos forecasts full-year GTA production at roughly 20 gross LNG cargos, and sets overall production guidance for the year between 65,000 and 70,000 boepd. Net production in 2024 was around 66,800 boepd.
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By Emily Parsons, Alliance News reporter
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Related Shares:
S & UVanquis BankingKosmos Energy