Mam Finance

06/29/2026

Asia stocks mixed amid AI valuation worries, US-Iran tensions
Asian stocks traded mixed on Monday as investors gauge geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and fresh regional trade frictions after China tightened export controls on 20 Japanese entities.

Technology stocks remained on the backfoot after suffering major losses last week, as concerns over higher interest rates sparked a wave of profit-taking in the sector.

A weekend escalation in U.S.-Iran military action left markets on edge over a breakdown in an already tenuous ceasefire between the two, although both sides reportedly agreed to halt further strikes and engage in more talks this week.

Regional markets took middling cues from Wall Street’s Friday session. U.S. stock futures pointed modestly higher following reports that Washington and Tehran would resume talks.

Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.6%, while S&P 500 Futures added 0.5% in Asian trade after both benchmarks ended lower on Friday as investors locked in profits across major technology names.

Track the biggest market-moving stories, analyst upgrades and global investing trends with InvestingPro — now 50% off

Trade tensions remained in focus after China placed 20 Japanese entities on its export control list for dual-use items, meaning Chinese companies must seek official approval before exporting to them. Beijing said the decision reflected concerns over Tokyo’s military ambitions.

AI valuation concerns linger after volatile week
Technology shares remained under pressure after last week’s sharp swings across global semiconductor stocks highlighted growing investor unease over elevated valuations.

06/29/2026

06/26/2026

Moonpig shares jump 10% as FY26 profit beats estimates under new CEO
Shares in Moonpig Group Plc jumped over 10% on Thursday after the online greeting card and gifting company reported full-year profit ahead of analyst forecasts, with adjusted earnings per share rising 19.5%, in the first annual results since Chief Executive Officer Catherine Faiers joined the company in March.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended April 30 rose 8.1% to £104.6 million, above the £101.6 million average analyst estimate compiled by the company on May 27.

Get real-time market-moving headlines and analyst alerts on InvestingPro
Adjusted profit before taxation came in at £76.5 million, against a consensus estimate of £71.5 million.

Adjusted basic earnings per share rose to 18 pence from 15 pence the prior year, also ahead of the 16.5 pence analysts had forecast.

Revenue rose 6.5% to £373 million, in line with the £372.7 million consensus estimate. The Moonpig brand grew revenue 8.6% for the second consecutive year, while Greetz returned to growth at 1.5% in constant currency.

Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 28% from 27.6% a year earlier, ahead of the 27.3% analysts had projected. Free cash flow rose 11.2% to £73.5 million from £66.1 million.

The company proposed a final dividend of 2.5 pence per share, taking the total FY26 dividend to 3.75 pence, a 25% increase from 3 pence. The company completed £60 million of share buybacks during the year and said it intends "to undertake further share buybacks of up to £65m in FY27."

06/26/2026

Berenberg starts Ithaca Energy with "buy" on growth outlook
Berenberg initiated coverage of Ithaca Energy plc with a "buy" rating and a 270 pence price target, citing the company’s production growth and shareholder returns outlook.

The broker said it expects Ithaca’s output "can be sustained at over 120kboe/d into the 2030s, providing cash flow to underpin the attractive shareholder returns outlook."

Ithaca delivered pro-forma production growth of 87% between 2023 and 2025, "mainly driven by the merger with Eni’s UK business," Berenberg said. Reported production reached 119,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025, up from 70,000 in 2023.

Berenberg forecast Ithaca’s portfolio can sustain production "until 2032 based on the current 2P portfolio and the Fotla, Tornado and Cambo developments."

On the balance sheet, Ithaca ended the first quarter with net debt of $1.1 billion, "equating to leverage of less than 0.6x, and committed liquidity of $1.6 billion." Berenberg said it expects net debt to increase over the next two to three years "driven by increased capex (mainly at Cambo) and our view on lower European gas prices," while leverage stays below 1.0 times EBITDA.

The bank said Ithaca has distributed $1.2 billion in dividends since 2023 and "recently increased its CFFO distribution guidance to 20-35% (from 15-30%)." Berenberg forecast a cash dividend yield of 11% in 2026 and 2027, and 7-10% over the medium term.

On UK fiscal policy, Berenberg said the government "has recently appeared more open to positive fiscal changes, notably removal of the Energy Profits Levy."