Today’s wrap serves up a cocktail of profit-taking, upgrades, cautious retail cheers and biotech hope—because markets never stop keeping us on our toes. Here’s your daily Five at Five:
1. Entain’s digital bets pay off with 11% earnings jump, but investors take some profits—proof that even winners face a sell-off dance.
2. FTSE 100 cools off as US inflation jitters temper earlier gains—Wall Street plays it safe while the UK bides its time.
3. Peel Hunt upgrades S&U PLC (LSE:SUS) to add, as motor loans and property bridging shift into higher gear with repayment rates near 90%.
4. July retail sales rise 2.5%, but Shore Capital warns growth barely covers the rising costs squeezing British shops’ margins.
5. Solvonis Therapeutics PLC (LSE:SVNS) shares rocket 13% after early PTSD drug results show promise, a hopeful triple threat targeting mood, trust, and social connection.
Proactive's pick of the small-caps
IXICO PLC (LSE:IXI, OTC:PHYOF) has signed two neuroimaging contracts worth £1.3 million. One’s for Alzheimer’s, the other for rare genetic disorder Friedreich’s ataxia. Read more
Polarean Imaging PLC (AIM:POLX, OTC:PLLWF) has filed a new phase III trial plan with the US FDA. It’s aiming to expand its lung imaging tech to measure gas exchange, helping diagnose chronic lung diseases. Read more
Great Southern Copper PLC (LSE:GSCU) says surveys at its Cerro Negro project in Chile point to high-grade copper-silver. Multiple new drill targets have been identified ahead of a Phase III programme later this month. Read more
Rome Resources Plc (AIM:RMR) has hit more tin and copper at its Mont Agoma prospect in the DRC. Some assays are still pending, with a maiden resource estimate in the works. Read more
Thor Explorations Ltd (TSX-V:THX, AIM:THX, OTC:THXPF) posted record Q2 revenue of US$82.7 million. Net profit rose 50% to US$51.6 million, with FY guidance unchanged.