A wave of positive corporate earnings updates boosted UK equities today, led by full-year profit upgrades from Vertu Motors, Audioboom, and discoverIE Group following robust trading across the automotive, digital media, and industrial sectors. Tech and engineering firms also delivered strong growth, highlighted by Softcat’s 19.4% surge in underlying operating profit and Chemring securing a strategic US defense contract worth at least $170 million. In commodities and asset management, Rio Tinto posted solid third-quarter output gains driven by higher copper and iron ore production, while Ashmore Group grew its assets under management to $54.5 billion on $1.1 billion in net inflows. Meanwhile, specialist recruiter Robert Walters reported a return to net fee growth, James Halstead marked a milestone 50 consecutive years of dividend increases, and Reveille Resources appointed former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as Non-Executive Chairman.
Defence technology provider Chemring Group CHG announced that its UK subsidiary, Roke, has secured a multi-year strategic partnering agreement with a major US prime contractor. The contract, valued at at least $170 million over five years, covers the supply of Roke's COTS Nav-Sync Miniature Radar Altimeter for high-speed platforms and uncrewed aircraft. Roke received an initial $16 million production order for the first 12 months, with deliveries commencing in October 2026. The agreement is expected to extend to at least 2035 as part of an ongoing commercial relationship.
IT infrastructure provider Softcat SCT reported a 19.4% increase in underlying operating profit to £215.1 million for the year ended 31 July 2026. Gross invoiced income rose 30.5% to £4.72 billion, while gross profit grew 24.7% to £616.3 million, driven by sustained corporate demand for hardware and cloud services. The company declared a total ordinary dividend of 31.5p per share, up 7.5% year-on-year. Softcat also highlighted the post-period acquisition of US technology firm GDT, expanding its operational reach in North America.
Industrial electronics manufacturer discoverIE Group DSCV raised its full-year earnings outlook following strong trading momentum during the first half. Organic sales increased by 8%, accelerating to 10% growth in the second quarter led by the Magnetics & Controls division. Organic order intake expanded by 22%, yielding a book-to-bill ratio of 1.12 and providing strong visibility for the second half. Total reported sales rose 14%, benefited by contributions from recent corporate acquisitions.
Automotive retailer Vertu Motors VTU announced its third profit upgrade of the current financial year alongside strong half-year results. Adjusted profit before tax increased 19.0% to £23.8 million as total revenue reached £2.60 billion, driven by gross profit growth across all operating channels. Free cash flow surged to £17.5 million, helping reduce net debt to £54.2 million from £78.3 million a year prior. Chief Executive Robert Forrester noted that retail sales were rebalancing positively against fleet channels, supporting retailer profitability.
Podcast media company Audioboom announced that full-year adjusted EBITDA is expected to reach at least $7.7 million, exceeding prior market expectations. Third-quarter revenue increased 17% year-on-year to $23.8 million, while adjusted EBITDA rose 89% to $2.2 million. Gross margin improved to 23%, supported by higher quality advertising revenue and growth in tech-based advertising marketplaces. Nine-month revenue reached $69.5 million, representing a 25% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Specialist filtration group Porvair PRV announced ahead of a Capital Markets Event that full-year financial results are expected to be slightly ahead of market expectations. Trading across the ten months to 30 September 2026 demonstrated organic revenue growth across all three operating divisions, alongside slight margin expansion. The business maintained a net cash position while completing three bolt-on acquisitions during the year, including Drache Umwelttechnik and GV Filtri. Management cited strong recurring revenue streams and disciplined cost control as key drivers of performance.
Emerging markets asset manager Ashmore Group ASHM reported a $0.5 billion increase in assets under management to $54.5 billion for its first financial quarter. Net inflows reached $1.1 billion, distributed equally across fixed income and equity strategies, offsetting $0.6 billion of negative market performance. Gross client redemptions fell to their lowest quarterly rate in more than 15 years, signaling stabilized investor sentiment. Market index declines in emerging market fixed income were influenced by rising developed market government bond yields late in September.
Commercial flooring manufacturer James Halstead JHD achieved a notable corporate milestone, announcing its 50th consecutive year of dividend increases. The company proposed a total dividend of 8.95p per share for the year ended 30 June 2026, up from 8.80p in the prior period. Annual revenue reached £259.9 million compared to £262.0 million previously, while pre-tax profit stood at £48.2 million against £55.1 million. Operating cash generation strengthened to £49.1 million, boosting total cash reserves to £75.7 million with gross profit margins maintained at 44.6%.
Mining giant Rio Tinto RIO published its third-quarter production results, highlighting a 29% year-to-date increase in copper output at its Oyu Tolgoi operation in Mongolia. Global iron ore sales increased 3% year-to-date, supported by steady operations across the Pilbara network in Western Australia. The high-grade Simandou iron ore project in Guinea achieved an annualized production run-rate of approximately 10 million tonnes during the quarter. Chief Executive Simon Trott confirmed that the company has unlocked over $2 billion in capital release year-to-date as part of an ongoing portfolio optimization program.
Domino's Pizza operator DP Poland DPP reported third-quarter trading in line with board expectations following a recovery in autumn sales momentum. Subdued consumer demand during July and August was partially offset by a return to positive like-for-like sales growth in September. The group continued its strategic transition toward a franchised operational model, converting four corporate stores and opening one new franchised store during the quarter. Franchised locations now account for 58 stores, representing 42% of DP Poland's total regional network across Poland and Croatia.
Specialist recruitment group Robert Walters RWA recorded a return to overall growth, with Q3 group net fees increasing 1% year-on-year on a constant currency basis. The UK business demonstrated strong performance with net fee growth of 14%, while global recruitment outsourcing fees rose 19%. However, conditions remained muted across Continental Europe and the Rest of World, where fees declined by 6% and 13% respectively. Chief Executive Toby Fowlston highlighted ongoing execution on cost management and cash preservation across international operations.
Uranium exploration company Reveille Resources REV announced the appointment of former United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo as Non-Executive Chairman. Secretary Pompeo previously served as CIA Director and three terms in the US House of Representatives prior to his cabinet role. In connection with his appointment, Reveille granted him 7.0 million share options at an exercise price of 7.25p per share. The company is advancing uranium development projects focused on Italy's largest known uranium deposits.