Full year numbers from the bar and casual dining operator Mitchells and Butlers were published this morning and gave investors something to cheer. Revenue growth is running faster than the market as a whole, whilst a 20-basis point margin improvement added to the upbeat picture. Momentum in the opening weeks of FY26 is also running strong and whilst inflationary headwinds are seen as lying ahead, there’s a belief that operational adjustments can mitigate these. The Mitchells & Butlers share price was up 8% in early trade.
The AIM-listed workspace technology company essensys issued a trading update this morning which painted a rather downbeat picture, with slow product adoption and a contract loss seeing management note that full year results are expected to be materially below prior forecasts. A group restructuring is planned but the note also included news that a director was preparing a cash bid for the company, which would value the shares at 20p each, up from last night’s 15p close. That’s been sufficient to underpin the stock at least for now and the essensys share price was 3% higher shortly after the open.
The mineral exploration and development company European Metals Holdings issued a note this morning announcing that it had secured up to EUR360m worth of grants from the Czech government. That’s under a strategic investment programme for a climate neutral economy. The timing aligns with an improving Lithium market and a strong commitment to developing more critical raw materials sites, so the market reaction has been understandably positive. The European Metals Holdings share price was up 49% at 8.45am.
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