Stock Market Crash?
It is October, so it is crash season. Indeed, we have already had the some of the UK’s tired, second-rate, washed-up coterie of mainstream media stock market “experts” who have run out of things to say mention the C word in recent days.
The favoured reason for a coming crash apart from that October is perceived as being crash month from these people has been to cite a bubble / boom in AI, the fact that the US market has been at a record. Then they throw in stuff about bond yields, consumer debt levels, interest rates, and Bob’s your uncle.
Of course, the doomsters were blown out of the water by the rebound in the stock market since the April tariff rug pull, and that even with the UK government deliberately trying to make everyone so poor / dependent they have to vote Labour, we still hit a record high here for the FTSE 100 in recent days.
Like a stopped clock, and in the wake of the Trump tariff scare on China this week, the stopped clock brigade regarding a crash might finally have their day. But in decades of watching such matters, a crash that is foretold is not usually a thing,
Alas, the small caps only peaked at 800 on the AIM All Share, versus the 1,300 peak in July 2021. While it has been a better year for the space, helped along especially by resources stocks, to be so far off the 4 year pandemic peak remains a disaster, and an embarrassment for the shameless people who are supposed to be responsible for the stock market. You can tell things are desperate, with the latest laughable initiative in terms of removing stamp duty on IPOs. Yes, the very same IPOs that do not happen any more, and that no one ever hears about because no one wants to read about them in the papers or anywhere else.
Crypto Crash
I have written before, probably too many times, that there were the shorters / people who hate the stock market who said that the crypto treasury strategy boom would end in a bust. Of course, these are clever people, clever enough not to have bought shares in Smarter Web (AQSE:SWC) under 5p (before 600p) or Coinsilium (AQSE:COIN) at 4p before 89p.
But of course, they hated the fact that they did not see the mega rally, and because of their sour grapes, they want to see investors lose their shirt. The reality is that it is better to have a rally in a sector that subsequently fades, than not have one at all. It is also the case that suggesting people are stupid because they lose money, or clever because they make it, may be a great observation for someone of a school playground level mentality, But it does not really advance any agenda apart from the name caller. And of course, these people never get it wrong, do they? For what it is worth, Bitcoin is actually still above the $107,000 low of last month, and over the weekend there has been a modest rebound / show of stability for it and Ethereum.
The Week’s Risers On News
It has to be said, the proposed purchase of WH Ireland’s (WHI) wealth management arm by counterpart Oberon (AQSE:OBE) looked to be a real humdinger of a deal. So much of a humdinger of a deal that shareholders of the former vetoed it. This led to a 2x rise for WHI. That said, the result probably asks more questions that it answers, as the implication is that the company will have to soldier on with business that was effectively an “abandoned baby”.
Formerly money burning biotech Genedrive (GDR) was one of the best risers of the week to the tune of 69%, as the issue regarding its funding continues to play out. Indeed, there was a “get the popcorn out moment” as the company had to respond to a major shareholder’s musings on that old fangled thing called a bulletin board.
Perhaps the most entertaining part of the RNS on Thursday was GDR’s assertion that shareholder David Nugent has “no prior experience of being a director of a public company and, so far as the Company is aware, have no experience of the medical device industry or advanced healthcare systems in international or domestic markets.” Well, you could say that of Rachel Reeves in terms of her job as Chancellor. No, actually, that is not a great analogy.
GDR has the experience and its shares are down 83% since the start of the year. That said, as I have stated many times of late, 2025 has been the year of the Great British Biotech revival, and sticking my neck out I imagine that even Genedrive will come out OK in the wash.
Aptamer Group plc (APTA), the developer of next-generation synthetic binders for the life sciences industry, announced a major new development contract with a top 3 global pharmaceutical company and continued strong commercial progress in the first quarter of the financial year. Although one suspects only those on the shortlist for a chemistry(?) / biology (?) Nobel Prize this year have any idea what a synthetic binder is or does, shares of APTA were up 48% this week. Just think how much they would be up If people actually knew what these compounds are or what they do.
As stated above, this year has been the one for the mini-resources plays, with the Cinderella ones like Bezant (BZT) finally going to the ball. In this case going to the ball has meant a 4x rally so far this year, something which was given extra momentum this week as the company announced further progress for investee company Blackstone Minerals and the world class Mankayan Copper- Gold porphyry project in northern Luzon, Philippines.
One of the sweetest deals of the recent past on the stock market was announced by Ironveld (IRON). It announced that its 74%-owned subsidiary, Lapon Mining (Pty) Ltd has entered into a binding Mining Operations Agreement with Daemaneng Minerals (Pty) Ltd through which Daemaneng will assume full responsibility for all mining operations, including all capital and operational expenditure, at the Lapon site over a five year period. In fact, the deal was so sweet that one was rather surprised that the shares were only up some 30% in the wake of the news.
It has been a relatively quiet period for multi-metal miner Eurasia (EUA). Therefore the prospect of a new research note from its broker Oak Securities delivered a 30% boost to the share price over the week. Oak said it expects to publish research later this month.
The prospect of “immortal” dogs may not be quite as distant as it currently is, given the latest update from longevity play Genflow (GENF). Here the company said that trials will 28 beagles aged 10 or over are going well. It is difficult to justify why old humans on their last legs are not involved in the trials.
The Week’s Risers On No New News
A decent chart set up for Anglesey Mining (AYM), a bear trap island reversal, only goes part the way to explain how shares of the Parys Mountain project have doubled since the end of last month. Apparently, “in the 18th century, Mynydd Parys Mountain was the largest copper mine in the world. However, its history goes back over 4000 years to the Bronze Age.” It has also been described as one of Anglesey’s must-visit locations.” As far as the stock market angle is concerned, at the beginning of this month the company revealed narrowed losses and a desire to focus on Parys. A site visit would be great.
A site visit to County Tyrone, Northern Ireland could be merited after the 47% share price rise in Galantas Gold (GAL) this week. The last we heard from the company was on September 24 when it closed the previously announced joint venture transaction with Ocean Partners UK Limited to develop the high-grade Omagh Gold Project. It would appear that with the yellow metal at $4,000 an ounce, previously uneconomic projects now make the grade. Presumably, it will soon be worth it just to throw a brick throw the window of your local H Samuel.
Completing the trio of companies based in scenic parts of the world, with soaring share prices is Alba Mineral Resources (ALBA). At the end of August the company proudly announced it had “minted three limited‑edition 1 oz, 24‑carat “Tyn‑y‑Cornel” Welsh gold coins from gold extracted at Clogau. The first coin was auctioned in April 2025 for £20,000, representing nearly an 8.5× premium to the then spot price of gold.” As we all know the Clogau Gold Mine, near Barmouth in North Wales, was historically the largest and richest Welsh gold mine. The company left us in its half yearly report with the promise of “the resumption of our next blasting phase as quickly as possible.”
You May Have Missed
While there may or may not be a stock market crash this month, what can be said is that as of the end of the week some of the best small caps of the recent past have continued to roar to the upside. It would appear that stock market legend Stanley Druckenmiller has already doubled his money in Guardian Metal (GMET).
We also have Blencowe (BRES) finally delivering a breakout to 52 week highs, backed by our friends at the DFC. Copper – gold play ACG Metals (ACG) continued its recent mega rally / re-rate, with the shares touching 1,150p, and ending the week 178% up on the year. The company announced that its subsidiary, Polimetal, has secured a 2% Net Smelter Return royalty over a mining license area located in Niğde Province, Çamardı District, Türkiye.
Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest:
The information, investment views, and recommendations in this Zaks Traders Cafe interview are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this interview should be construed as a promotion or solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or referred to or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engage in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the commentator but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. The commentators may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.
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