19th Aug 2026 11:07
(Alliance News) - The following are the leading risers and fallers among London Main Market small-cap and AIM stocks on Wednesday.
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Main Market small-cap winners
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Nuformix PLC, up 43% at 0.20 pence, reports positive test results of NXP002 for lung diseases
Milton Capital PLC, up 25% at 0.25p
Defence Holdings PLC, up 17% at 0.88p, publishes open letter explaining investment in new fund
IMC Exploration Group PLC, up 13% at 1.30p
Caffyns PLC, up 13% at 450.00p
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Main Market small-cap losers
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Sealand Capital Galaxy Ltd, down 5.4% at 0.49p
UIL Ltd, down 4.9% at 196.00p
Petra Diamonds Ltd, down 4.7% at 5.65p
Carclo PLC, down 4.6% at 36.25p
Topps Tiles PLC, down 4.2% at 34.00p
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AIM winners
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Vast Resources PLC, up 67% at 5.00 pence, shares readmitted as it completes reverse takeover of Gulf
Tanfield Group PLC, up 18% at 4.50p
Mothercare PLC, up 16% at 0.87p
Sabien Technology Group PLC, up 14% at 4.00p
Kore Potash PLC, up 6.9% at 3.25p
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AIM losers
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Autins Group PLC, down 9.4% at 14.50p
Coral Products PLC, down 8.7% at 5.25p
PACSCo Ltd, down 8.0% at 0.35p
Dillistone Group PLC, down 7.7% at 12.00p
Aptamer Group PLC, down 7.1% at 0.33p
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Small-cap and AIM movers in focus:
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Nuformix PLC, up 43% at 0.20 pence, 12-month range 0.07p-0.56p. Reports positive results from the first additional preclinical study of NXP002, its potential inhaled treatment for idiopathic and progressive pulmonary fibrosis. The study demonstrates substantial dose-related pulmonary exposure and achieves lung concentrations expected to provide pharmacological activity, while limiting systemic exposure. Nuformix also reports evidence of engagement with fibrosis-relevant biology across all doses studied. The company says the findings strengthen NXP002's development profile and potential therapeutic window and address questions raised in discussions with prospective development and licensing partners.
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Defence Holdings PLC, up 17% at 0.88 pence, 12-month range 0.45p-4.90p. Chief Executive Andrew Roughan publishes an open letter to shareholders providing further detail on the company's GBP2.0 million cornerstone investment in the new UK Defence Fund, after the announcement sent the shares 16% lower on Monday. Roughan says the investment is fully funded from existing resources and does not signal a need for additional equity funding for working capital. The fund will invest GBP250,000 to GBP1.0 million in minority stakes in early-stage defence technology companies, with five businesses already undergoing initial due diligence. Roughan says the separate fund structure lets Defence Holdings share risk with third-party investors and pursue larger opportunities while staying focused on its core software-led defence technology operations. He also confirms Defence Holdings will not pay performance carry on its cornerstone investment. The investment is a related-party transaction as Roughan and three other company executives are founding principals of the fund, though they receive no fixed or ongoing remuneration from it and their economic participation is limited to performance carry on successful investments funded by outside capital.
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Vast Resources PLC, up 67% at 5.00 pence, 12-month range 2.13p-9.50p. Returns to trading on AIM on Wednesday following completion of its reverse takeover of Gulf International Minerals Ltd. The mining company raises GBP7.8 million through a share sale at 6.25p per share as part of the readmission and completes a share consolidation. Vast also says a drilling campaign has begun in Tajikistan to establish a mineral resource.
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Ultimate Products PLC, down 4.8% at 53.10 pence, 12-month range 40.70p-67.00p. Says financial 2026 trading is in line with expectations, with revenue falling 3.5% to GBP144.9 million from GBP150.1 million, broadly matching consensus of GBP144.8 million, amid subdued consumer demand and a planned reduction in non-core third-party clearance sales. Sales of proprietary brands, including Salter and Beldray, rise 5.3% to GBP128.4 million, while licensed brand sales fall 24% and third-party clearance and white-label sales drop 60%. Adjusted Ebitda is GBP10.0 million, slightly ahead of GBP9.9 million consensus but down from GBP12.5 million a year earlier, as gross margin narrows to 22.6% from 23.2%. Net bank debt improves to GBP8.6 million from GBP14.1 million. Second-half revenue falls just 0.3%, improving from a 5.8% decline in the first half. Looking ahead, Ultimate Products expects financial 2027 trading to be similar to financial 2026 as subdued consumer demand and geopolitical uncertainty persist, compared with prior consensus for revenue of GBP147.1 million and adjusted Ebitda of GBP11.3 million.
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Empire Metals Ltd, up 5.7% at 48.55 pence, 12-month range 28.00p-71.00p. Reports an upgraded mineral resource estimate for its Pitfield project in Western Australia, which it calls the "world's largest titanium resource". The new estimate totals 8.16 billion tonnes grading 4.3% titanium dioxide and contains 349 million tonnes of titanium dioxide. This comprises 21.6 million tonnes of contained titanium in the measured category, 154.7 million tonnes indicated and 173 million tonnes inferred. The update follows recent senior appointments to advance Pitfield, including Chris Dodds as general manager for project delivery and Emma Neale as senior adviser leading project approvals.
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By Eva Castanedo, Alliance News senior economics reporter
Comments and questions to [email protected]
Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
NuformixMilton CapitalDefence HoldingsIMC Exploration Group PLCCaffynsSealand CapUtilPetra DiamondsCarcloTopps TilesVast ResourcesTanfieldMothercareSabien Tech.Kore Potash PLCAutins GroupCoral ProductsPacsco LimitedDillistoneAptamer GroupUltimate ProductsEmpire Metals