Gold and silver price rise boosts AIM
Gold and silver prices reached new highs during January. There has been a retreat in both prices since then but they remain at historically high levels. the latest edition of AIM Journal covers this and some of the AIM companies that are gaining from this.
Gold had risen by 64.6% during 2025 and the rise continued into 2026. The peak closing price was $5,439.84/ ounce on 29 January 2026.
Caledonia Mining Corporation has more than doubled cash generation in the past year. The uncertainty concerning the tax regime in Zimbabwe has also been removed.
The gold price rise is making new projects even more commercially viable. This includes Thor Explorations' Douta project in Senegal.
CURRENT EDITION
THIS MONTH'S TOPICS INCLUDE:
Gold and silver boost AIM miners
Why FTSE AIM UK 50 index is underperforming
Optima Health £100m acquisition
Optima Health is acquiring competitor PAM Healthcare for £100m and this will mean it has 15% of the UK and Ireland occupational health market. This takes Optima Health to its medium-term target revenues of £200m.
Debt facilities will provide £70m of the acquisition payment and an underwritten open offer will raise £35m at 175p/share.
In 2025, PAM generated revenues of £66.6m and EBITDA of £8.2m. The two companies would have been rivals for tenders in the past. Increased scale will enable improved margins.
Pro forma 2026-27 pre-tax profit of £17.8m is forecast. Cavendish has been appointed as joint broker.
Cordel wins third US contract
Transport analytics technology provider Cordel has secured a third contract with a US rail operator.
The value of the contract is undisclosed, although it should be recognised in the year to June 2026. It is a proof of concept contract that follows a data-sharing agreement.
Assuming the contract is a success, there could be a contract for data capture of up to 3,000 miles of active rail network. This will provide recurring revenues.
There are seven railroad companies, so there is plenty of additional work that can be won. There are negotiations with at least two of the others.
