Pre-Market Update: Tech and Services Shine Amid Mixed Market Signals

📈 Today's Key Themes

The London market is poised for a mixed open as pre-market announcements paint a picture of resilience in technology and services sectors, contrasted with challenges in manufacturing and resource industries. Strong results from data services and water technology firms highlight the growing importance of AI and sustainable solutions in driving business growth.

However, the announced delistings of two AIM-listed companies serve as a reminder of the ongoing pressures faced by smaller firms in the current economic climate. Investors will be closely watching how these contrasting signals play out across different sectors as the trading day unfolds.

🎯 Leading Developments

Tech and Data Services Surge

Silver Bullet Data Services Group (#SBDS) has reported a stellar performance for 2024, with total Group revenue increasing by 13% to £9.4 million. The company's proprietary 4D AI product saw particularly impressive growth, with revenue up 25% to £3.5 million. This strong performance, coupled with new client wins including major brands like Boots and Universal Music, underscores the growing demand for AI-powered data solutions in marketing and advertising. Read more

"The successful integration of our Codec AI acquisition and the launch of our global demand-side platform rollout position us well for continued growth in 2025," said Silver Bullet's CEO.

The company's strong performance and positive outlook could provide a boost to the broader technology sector, particularly firms focused on AI and data analytics.

Water Technology Innovator Delivers Strong Growth

Water Intelligence (#WATR) has announced robust results for 2024, with revenue growing 10% to $83.3 million and adjusted EBITDA up 12% to $15.0 million. The company's success in both its UK and US markets, along with strategic acquisitions and a new partnership with StreamLabs Inc., demonstrates the increasing global demand for water conservation and management solutions. Read more

Water Intelligence's strong performance and expansion plans, including a potential US listing, could attract investor attention to the water technology sector and companies focused on environmental solutions.

AIM Delistings Raise Concerns

The announced delistings of Hummingbird Resources (#HUM) and Zytronic (#ZYT) from the AIM market have raised concerns about the challenges facing smaller listed companies. Hummingbird Resources, a gold exploration and development company, will see its shares cancelled from trading on AIM on March 3, 2025. Read more

Meanwhile, Zytronic, a touch sensor technology firm, has announced it will delist and commence an orderly wind-down of its assets, with shareholders facing significant losses. The company estimates returns of just 46-60 pence per share, well below its current trading price. Read more

These delistings highlight the ongoing pressures on smaller companies in the current economic environment and may lead to increased scrutiny of AIM-listed firms across various sectors.

💡 Company Updates

Results and Trading Updates

Angling Direct (#ANG): Reported FY25 revenue up 11.9% to £91.3m, with strong performance in both UK and European markets.
International Personal Finance (#IPF): Announced 2024 results with profit before tax of £73.3m, down 12.6% year-on-year, but strong improvement in credit quality.
Avingtrans (#AVG): Reported H1 2025 revenue up 21.2% to £79.0m, with adjusted EBITDA rising 18.7% to £8.7m.

Strategic Developments

Brickability Group (#BRCK): Delivered solid performance with 12.3% like-for-like revenue growth in the four months to January 31, 2025.
Seeing Machines (#SEE): Secured £26.2m investment from Mitsubishi Electric Mobility Corporation and entered strategic collaboration with Valeo.

Other Notable News

📅 Week Ahead

Results and Updates

27 February 2025: Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 2024 Full Year Results Release

27 February 2025: Compagnie de Saint-Gobain (COD) 2024 Results Release

27 February 2025: WPP (WPP) Results Release

27 February 2025: Howden Joinery Group (HWDN) Full Year Results Release

27 February 2025: Taylor Wimpey (TW.) Full year 2024 results announcement

28 February 2025: Pearson (PSON) Full year results announcement

28 February 2025: IMI (IMI) Preliminary results announcement for the year ending 31 December 2024

28 February 2025: Spectris (SXS) Full-year results release for 2024

Corporate Actions

28 February 2025: XPS Pensions Group (XPS) Completion of the acquisition of Polaris Actuaries and Consultants Limited

28 February 2025: Polar Capital Global Financials Trust (PCFT) Second interim dividend payment of 2.20p per ordinary share

Strategic Events

26 February 2025: Water Intelligence (WATR) Strategic partnership with StreamLabs, Inc. announced

28 February 2025: AdvancedAdvT (ADVT) End of financial year with performance expected to be ahead of Board expectations

Key Dates to Watch

26 February 2025: JPMorgan Emerg E, ME & Africa Sec (JEMA) Appeal hearing date for VTB legal case in Russian courts

27 February 2025: Schroders Capital Global Innov Trust (INOV) Effective date of adoption of Revised Investment Objective and Policy

28 February 2025: Alliance Pharma (APH) Court Meeting and General Meeting to approve the Scheme

28 February 2025: Petrofac (PFC) Convening Hearing

28 February 2025: KEFI Gold and Copper (KEFI) Deadline for submission of proposals with indicative terms for acquisition of KEFI's 15% shareholding in GMCO

View full calendar

Market Summary