21st Oct 2026 10:58
(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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Mobico Group PLC, up 30% at 38.59 pence, directors minded to back possible 46 pence per share takeover
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Ashtead Technology Holdings PLC, up 15% at 608.50p, agrees to GBP505 million takeover
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Home REIT PLC, up 13% at 9.25p, FCA closes investigation and intends to take no further action
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Berkeley Energia Ltd, up 11% at 40.00p
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Ferrexpo PLC, up 8.9% at 34.31p
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MAIN MARKET SMALL-CAP LOSERS
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Aquila European Renewables PLC, down 8.9% at 12.80p
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Fragrant Prosperity Holdings Ltd, down 7.1% at 0.53p
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Petra Diamonds Ltd, down 6.8% at 2.80p
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Nanoco Group PLC, down 5.3% at 2.70p
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abrdn Property Income Trust Ltd, down 4.8% at 1.65p
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AIM WINNERS
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Eurasia Mining PLC, up 21% at 2.90 pence
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Mothercare PLC, up 15% at 0.28p
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Gelion PLC, up 13% at 18.00p, says FY26 marked transition from development to commercial execution
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ValiRx PLC, up 13% at 0.18p, notes 6% rise in share price on Tuesday amid M&A by 3rd largest shareholder Ambrose
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Orcadian Energy PLC, up 11% at 15.50p, welcomes UK government approval of Jackdaw gas development in the North Sea
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AIM LOSERS
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Malvern International PLC, down 29% at 7.25p, cuts FY27 Pathways student forecast to 775-900 from above 966
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CelLBxHealth PLC, down 19% at 0.63p
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Serabi Gold PLC, down 16% at 190.00p, quarterly gold production down
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Ethernity Networks Ltd, down 14% at 0.00p
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MobilityOne Ltd, down 10% at 9.25p
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Small-cap and AIM movers in focus:
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Mobico Group PLC, up 30% at 38.59 pence, 12-month range 17.06p-42.04p. The Birmingham-based public transport operator confirms it has received a non-binding cash takeover proposal worth 46p per share from Autobuses de Leon SL, jointly owned by its largest shareholder CMC Group and a fund managed by Asterion Industrial Partners. Mobico's independent directors say they would be minded to recommend an offer at that price, subject to agreement on final terms. The company has granted access to confirmatory due diligence, although it stresses that no firm offer has been made. Autobuses de Leon has until November 18 to announce a firm intention to bid or walk away, unless the deadline is extended.
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Ashtead Technology Holdings PLC, up 15% at 608.50p, 12-month range 297.00p-614.00p. The subsea technology provider agrees to a GBP505 million cash takeover by private equity firm Ember Infrastructure Management LP. Under the terms of the deal, shareholders will receive 615p per share, representing an 81% premium to the company's closing share price on September 22, before the takeover approach was disclosed. The agreement follows four proposals from Ember, with the first two rejected outright. Chair Bill Shannon says the offer recognises the company's strength and provides shareholders with an opportunity to realise significant value. The board intends to recommend that shareholders vote in favour of the acquisition.
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Malvern International PLC, down 29% at 7.25 pence, 12-month range 7.00p-27.00p. The education provider warns it no longer expects to return to profitability in financial 2027, instead forecasting a significantly smaller operating loss than in financial 2026, amid tighter UK immigration rules and university sponsorship policies. It cuts its Pathways student enrolment forecast for the 2026/27 academic year to between 775 and 900 from a previous expectation of growth on the prior year's 966 students. For the year ended September 30, revenue excluding university commissions and discontinued operations rises 15% to approximately GBP14.4 million from GBP12.6 million, but the company expects an Ebitda loss of GBP2.5 million, swinging from a GBP100,000 profit. Its Juniors division records 23% revenue growth to GBP8.0 million, while year-end net cash improves to GBP700,000 from GBP400,000.
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Gelion PLC, up 13% at 18.00 pence, 12-month range 12.00p-28.00p. The battery technology developer reports a widened pretax loss of GBP6.5 million for the year ended June 30, from GBP6.0 million a year earlier, while total income falls 9.1% to GBP2.5 million from GBP2.7 million. Its adjusted Ebitda loss widens to GBP4.4 million from GBP4.1 million, although both income and adjusted Ebitda beat analyst expectations. Pro forma cash rises to GBP9.6 million from GBP4.1 million, following a GBP9.9 million net fundraise. Gelion highlights progress in commercialising its sulfur battery technology, including a GBP2.0 million development agreement with Mitsui Kinzoku and testing agreements with two major global automotive manufacturers. Chief Executive Matt Wood says the company is moving from technology validation towards customer programmes and commercial deployment.
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ValiRx PLC, up 13% at 0.18 pence, 12-month range 0.12p-0.55p. The life sciences company highlights its indirect 5.55% stake in Ambrose Healthcare Ltd following the latter's agreement to acquire AM-Pharma for up to EUR161 million. ValiRx's 54.14%-owned subsidiary ValiSeek holds 651,000 shares in Ambrose, received through licensing arrangements for its VAL401 cancer treatment candidate. ValiSeek is also entitled to potential clinical and commercial milestone payments of up to GBP16 million, plus royalties. Chief Executive Mark Eccleston says the acquisition could accelerate Ambrose's development and create significant value for ValiRx through its shareholding.
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By Eva Castanedo, Alliance News senior economics reporter
Comments and questions to [email protected]
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