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WINNERS & LOSERS: Ramsdens and Gooch jump on takeover approaches

16th Jul 2026 11:00

(Alliance News) - The following are the leading risers and fallers among London Main Market small-cap and AIM stocks on Thursday.

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Main Market small-cap winners

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Ecofin US Renewables Infrastructure Trust PLC, up 15% at USD0.15

Imaging Biometrics Ltd, up 11% at 0.60p

Cloudbreak Discovery PLC, up 11% at 0.50p

Alkemy Capital Investments PLC, up 11% at 291.50p

GSTechnologies Ltd, up 8.5% at 0.51p

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Main Market small-cap losers

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Bluebird Mining Ventures Ltd, down 13% at 0.035p

Foxtons Group PLC, down 11% at 38.825p, says trading since first-quarter hurt by prolonged downturn in sales and lettings volatility

Crest Nicholson Holdings PLC, down 11% at 65.65p, says market conditions remain challenging in weaker first half

Caffyns PLC, down 7.8% at 400.00p

Sealand Capital Galaxy Ltd, down 7.0% at 0.225p

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AIM winners

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Gooch & Housego PLC, up 38% at 1,207.50p, agrees cash acquisition by Arlington Capital Partners

Litigation Capital Management Ltd, up 21% at 2.15p

Premier African Minerals Ltd, up 20% at 0.02075p

ProService Building Services Marketplace PLC, up 17% at 2.36p

Shoe Zone PLC, up 15% at 57.50p, says trading in May and June saw sales ahead of market expectations

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AIM losers

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Mothercare PLC, down 11% at 0.80p

CPP Group PLC, down 9.4% at 29.00p

Marechale Capital PLC, down 7.1% at 5.20p

Quantum Blockchain Technologies PLC, down 6.9% at 0.335p

Premier Miton Group PLC, down 6.5% at 36.00p, reports lower AuM

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Small-cap and AIM movers in focus:

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Foxtons Group PLC, down 11% at 38.825 pence, 12-month range 31.70p-65.60p. Expects first-half adjusted operating profit to fall to around GBP8.5 million from GBP12.3 million as a weaker London sales market and disruption from the Renters' Rights Act weigh on trading. The estate agent says elevated tenancy terminations in May and June, particularly in student lettings, reverse around GBP3 million of previously recognised revenue, while a prolonged housing market downturn prompts further cost-cutting measures. Foxtons guides full-year adjusted operating profit of GBP17 million to GBP19 million and says it expects earnings to be weighted to the second half as tenancy terminations normalise.

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Crest Nicholson Holdings PLC, down 11% at 65.65 pence, 12-month range 59.60p-192.10p. Swings to a first-half pretax loss of GBP35.2 million from a GBP9.4 million profit as revenue falls 21% to GBP197.6 million and home completions decline to 584 from 739 amid subdued housing market conditions. The housebuilder says it has taken "decisive actions" to preserve liquidity by reducing land buying, slowing new site starts and disposing of non-core land, while remaining in advanced discussions with lenders to amend its revolving credit facility. Crest Nicholson expects full-year home completions of 1,400 to 1,500 and Ebit at the lower end of its GBP5 million to GBP15 million guidance range, and proposes no interim dividend.

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Gooch & Housego PLC, up 38% at 1,207.50 pence, 12-month range 463.10p-1,220.00p. Agrees to a recommended cash takeover by Arlington Capital Partners worth 1,230.0p per share, plus a 4.9p interim dividend, valuing the photonics technology company at GBP345.6 million on a fully diluted basis and GBP400.5 million including debt. The offer represents a 41% premium to Wednesday's closing price and will be implemented through a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement.

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Shoe Zone PLC, up 15% at 57.50 pence, 12-month range 35.00p-100.00p. Improves full-year guidance after stronger-than-expected trading in May and June, helped by a warehouse closing-down sale and favourable half-term weather. The footwear retailer now expects an adjusted pretax loss of no more than GBP1.0 million, improved from previous guidance for a GBP1.0 million to GBP2.0 million loss, and says its cash position has strengthened following the better sales performance.

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Ramsdens Holdings PLC, up 13% at 664.65 pence, 12-month range 315.00p-680.00p. Agrees to a sweetened takeover by US pawnbroker FirstCash at 675 pence per share in cash, plus up to 9 pence per share in dividends, valuing the company at GBP229 million, or GBP232 million including dividends. The revised offer is a 13% premium to the previously agreed 600p-per-share bid and follows shareholder engagement, with investors holding just over 17% of Ramsdens' shares backing the higher proposal. Separately, Ramsdens raises its full-year pretax profit guidance to GBP32 million to GBP35 million from GBP30 million to GBP33 million, citing robust pawnbroking demand, resilient jewellery retail trading and stronger June foreign exchange.

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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:

Ecofin U.s. $Ecofin U.s.Imaging BioCloudbreakAlkemy Capital.GSTechnologiesBluebird Mining VenturesFoxtonsCrest NicholsonCaffynsSealand CapGooch & HousegoLitigation Cap.Shoe ZonePremier African MineralsProservice BldgMothercareCppgroupMarechale Cap.Quantum BlockPremier MitonRamsdens Hldgs
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