Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grab your FREE tickets for cup final at Molineux

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The annual football tournament for care experienced young people aged 16 to 24 is organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Reach Leaving Care Team and Wolves Foundation.

    Six-a-side teams from around the country will go head to head in a series of 8 minute matches on Saturday 14 June – culminating with the final on the same day.

    To book your free tickets, please visit Eventbrite or scan the QR code. Tickets will be issued by Ticketmaster; please note, only Ticketmaster tickets will be accepted at the turnstiles.

    The event, proudly sponsored by the EFL in the Community in partnership with the Wolves Foundation, will see 20 teams from as far away as North Yorkshire and Milton Keynes competing for 3 cups, with one being the overall Championship Cup. All participants will also receive a medal.

    Among those taking part will be Wolverhampton Warriors, who have been preparing for the finals since March, training weekly in collaboration with Wolves Foundation coaches.

    Last week they took on Staff FC, a team composed of staff from the council’s Reach Leaving Care, Participation Team, House Project and managers, at Black Country Goals, running out 4-0 winners.

    Wolverhampton Warriors’ Osarende Iyawe said: “Being part of a tournament or team can be incredibly rewarding. It gives you a chance to test your skills under pressure and brings a sense of belonging, shared goals and support. It’s about competition, but it’s also about growth and discipline.”

    Teammate Josh Hayes added: “It’s opportunity for young people in care and we have raised money for charity; this team means something.”

    Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “This is a fabulous opportunity for care experienced young people to play at one of England’s most prestigious sporting venues and to follow in the footsteps of so many of their footballing heroes.

    “We are delighted to be supporting the event, which gets bigger and better with every passing year, and I wish all the young people the very best of luck – may the best team win!”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New safeguard measures on personal imports of animal products from the EU15 May 2025 ​​To protect Jersey’s livestock, food security and farming community new safeguard measures will soon come into force. This will restrict personal imports of products of animal origin (POAO) from the… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    15 May 2025

    ​​

    To protect Jersey’s livestock, food security and farming community new safeguard measures will soon come into force. This will restrict personal imports of products of animal origin (POAO) from the European Union. 

    Effective from 16 May 2025, travellers will no longer be permitted to bring meat or dairy products from EU single market area (EEA states, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Switzerland) countries into Jersey for personal use. 

    This aligns Jersey with the existing measures in the UK and Crown Dependencies and follows an increase in confirmed cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD) across parts of Europe. 

    What This Means for Travellers 

    Banned Items 

    This is regardless of whether they are fresh, cured, raw, packed, or purchased from duty -free: 

    • Meat products from cattle, pigs, sheep or goats 
    • Dairy products including cheese, milk, and yogurt 
    • Items containing these products, such as: Meat or cheese sandwiches, cured meats, sausages and milk-based desserts.

    Items travellers can still bring

    The following remain permitted for personal import: 

    • Bread (excluding sandwiches filled with meat or dairy) 
    • Cakes (as long as they do not contain fresh cream) 
    • Biscuits, chocolate, and confectionery (excluding those with large amounts of unprocessed dairy) 
    • Pasta and noodles (not mixed with or filled with meat) 
    • Packaged soups, stocks, and flavourings 
    • Processed and packaged plant products, including packaged salads and frozen vegetables 
    • Food supplements containing small amounts of animal product (e.g. fish oil capsules) 
    • Up to 2kg per person of powdered infant milk, baby food, or special dietary food required for medical reasons.

    Why these measures are needed

    While foot and mouth disease poses no threat to human health, it is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals. 

    The current spread of FMD across parts of Europe presents a serious risk to Jersey’s agriculture sector. 

    An outbreak could result in severe economic losses through: Reduced productivity in affected animals, disruption to trade and potential bans on export of livestock and animal products. 

    Background 

    Earlier this year, Jersey introduced specific bans on personal imports of meat and dairy products from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria following confirmed FMD outbreaks. The latest measures now extend this safeguard to all EU countries. 

    Important clarifications 

    • These restrictions apply only to personal imports from EU countries 
    • They do not apply to personal imports from Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man 
    • Commercial imports of meat and dairy products from the EU remain permitted, provided they meet all current import requirements and health standards. 

    Further Information

    These precautionary measures are in line with advice from the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and are essential to maintaining the health of Jersey’s livestock. 

    For more details or specific guidance on permitted items, visit: Bringing food or animal products into Jersey​.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Partisia and Trust Stamp partner to make digital IDs safer and more private by securely linking them to unique biometrics

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Copenhagen, Denmark, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trust Stamp (Nasdaq: IDAI), the Privacy-First Identity Company™ today announced a strategic partnership with fellow deep tech innovator Partisia. In a major step toward strengthening digital security and privacy, the two companies will collaborate to develop a more accessible and resilient solution for biometric holder binding. This partnership aims to deliver a foundational technology for reliably and securely verifying identity across a broad range of digital platforms.

    By combining Trust Stamp’s trusted biometric technology with Partisia’s proven Multi-Party Computation (MPC) and platform for privacy-preserving data solutions the two companies are providing the digital identity and cybersecurity industry with a simplified, privacy-centric solution for securely linking digital credentials to an individual’s unique biometric data. This approach guarantees that only the legitimate owner can use the credential, without ever exposing sensitive personal information.

    Unlike traditional methods, this joint solution places user privacy at the center by ensuring that biometric data remains within the user’s control. Trust Stamp eliminates the need for traditional templates or centralized databases by transforming live biometric input into a secure, non-reversible representation. This allows users’ identities to be established cryptographically without exposing their privacy—without storing sensitive biometric data or cryptographic keys. Paired with Partisia’s MPC architecture, the result is a seamless, privacy-first identity solution built to prevent unauthorized access and eliminate single points of failure.

    A key aspect of this partnership is the leverage of GODS (Global Omnichain Data Service) Network, which enables trustworthy representation of data across networks and web3 in general. Utilizing GODS network streamlines the adoption of this approach across diverse ecosystems – including finance, digital services, government, and Web3 platforms. The interoperable credential format allows for the reuse of a verified and bound identity across multiple platforms, eliminating repetitive onboarding processes and the unnecessary exposure of personal data.

    “Our collaboration is about accelerating the industry’s progress toward delivering the ease users expect—while enabling a secure, reusable identity across platforms. It’s a step toward a future where seamless login replaces repetitive onboarding and protects personal data,” Jonathan Patscheider, Vice President at Trust Stamp says. “By joining forces with Partisia, we are making it easier for organizations to adopt best-in-class privacy-first technologies without compromising performance or user experience.”

    Mark Medum Bundgaard, Chief Product Officer at Partisia, adds: “Biometric holder binding is fundamental to establishing trust in digital identity. Our work with Trust Stamp makes this trust more accessible, demonstrating that robust privacy standards and ease of use can coexist in harmony. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering tools that empower users, protect their data, and ensure broad interoperability across digital landscapes.”

    For sectors facing increasing pressure to modernize their identity systems, particularly in banking and other regulated industries, Trust Stamp and Partisia aim to introduce a unified solution, leveraging advanced biometric authentication and decentralized technology to streamline onboarding, mitigate fraud risks, and ensure compliance across sectors like finance, healthcare, and government services. The combination of a privacy-first biometric identity verification together with secure authentication mechanisms, offers a forward-looking approach to identity authentication

    Together, Trust Stamp and Partisia are building a digital identity ecosystem where individuals can prove who they are without giving up control of their personal information, and where credentials stay securely linked to the unique person they belong to.

    About Partisia.com:

    At Partisia, we’re pioneering digital trust for today’s data-sensitive world. Imagine seamless collaboration, breakthrough innovation, and a real competitive edge – all achieved without ever compromising your valuable data. Our advanced Multi-Party Computation technology, a cornerstone of everything Partisia does, makes this powerful vision a tangible reality. We cut through complex data silos and navigate stringent compliance effortlessly, empowering your organization to unlock crucial insights and forge strategic partnerships with absolute confidentiality and unwavering security. At Partisia we’re building a future where data privacy fuels progress, not hinders it.

    About Trust Stamp:

    Trust Stamp is a global provider of AI-powered services for use in multiple sectors including banking and finance, regulatory compliance, government, healthcare, real estate, communications, and humanitarian services. Its technology empowers organizations via advanced solutions that reduce fraud, tokenize and secure data, securely authenticate users while protecting personal privacy, reduce friction in digital transactions, and increase operational efficiency, enabling customers to accelerate secure financial inclusion and reach and serve a broader base of users worldwide.

    With team members from twenty-two nationalities in eight countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, Trust Stamp trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market (Nasdaq: IDAI).

    Safe Harbor Statement: Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Remarks
    All statements in this release that are not based on historical fact are “forward-looking statements” including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The information in this announcement may contain forward-looking statements and information related to, among other things, the company, its business plan and strategy, and its industry. These statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events-based information currently available and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The company does not undertake any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    Business enquiries:

    Partisia:
    Name: Line Stephansen, Senior Business Developer
    Mail: ls@partisia.com

    Trust Stamp:
    Name: Jonathan Patscheider
    Mail: jpatscheider@truststamp.net

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Bitdeer Reports Unaudited Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) (“Bitdeer” or the “Company”), a world-leading technology company for Bitcoin mining, today released its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    Q1 2025 Financial Highlights
    All amounts compared to Q1 2024 unless otherwise noted

    • Total revenue was US$70.1 million vs. US$119.5 million.
    • Cost of revenue was US$73.4 million vs. US$85.4 million.
    • Gross profit was negative US$3.2 million vs. positive US$34.1 million.
    • Net income was US$409.5 million vs. US$0.6 million.
    • Adjusted EBITDA1 was negative US$56.1 million, vs. positive US$27.32 million.
    • Cash and cash equivalents were US$215.6 million as of March 31, 2025.
    • Crypto balance: US$131.1 million as of March 31, 2025.

    Management Commentary

    “This quarter marked the continued execution of our SEALMINER roadmap,” said Matt Kong, Chief Business Officer at Bitdeer. “We have energized 3.7 EH/s and 0.5 EH/s of SEALMINER A1 and SEALMINER A2, respectively, bringing our self-mining hashrate to 12.4 EH/s by the end of April. With our SEALMINER mining rigs quickly coming off the production line and ample global power capacity available, we expect to achieve rapid growth in our self-mining hashrate towards our 40 EH/s target by October 2025. Looking ahead, our R&D efforts are now focused on our SEALMINER A4 project, for which we are targeting an unprecedent chip efficiency of approximately 5 J/TH at the chip level. We believe this new chip design will revolutionize the way Bitcoin mining ASICs are made in the future and tape-out is on track for Q4 2025. We believe SEALMINER A4, along with our 3rd generation chip, will position Bitdeer as the leading supplier of the world’s most energy efficient mining rigs.”

    Mr. Kong concluded, “On the energy front, construction of our global power infrastructure remains on schedule. We expect to have nearly 1.6 GW of available global power capacity by the end of Q2 2025 and 1.8 GW by year-end. As part of our HPC/AI initiative, we engaged Northland Capital Markets in March to serve as our financial advisor for the development of our HPC/AI data center strategy. We have advanced our discussions with development partners and potential end users regarding selected large-scale sites in the U.S. targeted for HPC and AI cloud infrastructure.”

    Operational Summary

    Metrics Three Months Ended Mar 31
      2025 2024
    Total hash rate under management (EH/s) 24.2 22.5
    – Proprietary hash rate 12.1 8.4
    – Self-mining 11.5 6.7
    – Cloud Hash Rate 1.7
    – Delivered but not yet hashing 0.6
    – Hosting 12.1 14.1
    Mining rigs under management 175,000 226,000
    – Self-owned 97,000 86,000
    – Hosted 78,000 140,000
    Bitcoin mined (self-mining only) 350 911
    Bitcoins held 1,156 58
    Total power usage (MWh) 881,000 1,361,000
    Average cost of electricity ($/MWh) 48 43
    Average miner efficiency (J/TH) 29.0 31.7
     

    Power Infrastructure Summary (as of April 30, 2025)

    Site / Location Capacity (MW) Status Timing3
    Electrical capacity      
    – Rockdale, Texas 563 Online Completed
    – Knoxville, Tennessee 86 Online Completed
    – Wenatchee, Washington 13 Online Completed
    – Molde, Norway 84 Online Completed
    – Tydal, Norway 120 Online Completed
    – Gedu, Bhutan 100 Online Completed
    – Jigmeling, Bhutan 132 Online Completed
    Total electrical capacity 1,098    
    Pipeline capacity      
    – Tydal, Norway Phase 2 105 In progress Q2 2025
    – Massillon, Ohio 221 In progress Q3-Q4 2025
    – Clarington, Ohio Phase 1 266 Paused TBD
    – Clarington, Ohio Phase 2 304 Pending approval TBD
    – Jigmeling, Bhutan 368 In progress Q2 2025
    – Rockdale, Texas 179 In planning Estimate 2026
    – Alberta, Canada 99 In planning Q4 2026
    – Oromia Region, Ethiopia 50 In planning Q4 2025
    Total pipeline capacity 1,592    
    Total global electrical capacity 2,690    
     

    Financial MD&A
    All variances are current quarter compared to the same quarter last year. All figures in this section are rounded4.

    Q1 2025 High-Level P&L and Disaggregated Revenue Details:

    US $ in millions Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 March 31, 2024
    Total revenue 70.1 69.0 119.5
    Cost of revenue (73.4) (63.9) (85.4)
    Gross profit/(loss) (3.2) 5.1 34.1
    Net profit/(loss) 409.5 (531.9) 0.6
    Adjusted EBITDA (56.1) (3.8) 27.32
    Cash and cash equivalents 215.6 476.3 118.5
    US $ in millions Three Months Ended Mar 31, 2025
    Business lines Self-Mining Cloud Hash Rate General Hosting Membership Hosting Sales of SEALMINERs
    Revenue 37.2 0.1 9.6 16.3 4.1
    Cost of revenue          
     – Electricity cost in operating mining rigs (24.0) (6.8) (11.4)
     – Depreciation and SBC expenses (13.7) (0.1) (1.5) (2.6)
     – Cost of products sold (3.3)
     – Other cash costs (3.4) (0.9) (1.5)
    Total cost of revenue (41.0) (0.1) (9.1) (15.4) (3.3)
    Gross profit/(loss) (3.8) 0.5 0.9 0.8
    US $ in millions Three Months Ended Mar 31, 2024
    Business lines Self-Mining Cloud Hash Rate General Hosting Membership Hosting Sales of SEALMINERs
    Revenue 48.4 18.1 29.0 19.5
    Cost of revenue          
     – Electricity cost in operating mining rigs (26.2) (5.3) (14.0) (13.1)
     – Depreciation and SBC expenses (8.7) (3.2) (3.0) (2.0)
     – Other cash costs (2.7) (1.0) (1.6) (1.1)
    Total cost of revenue (37.6) (9.6) (18.6) (16.2)
    Gross profit 10.8 8.5 10.3 3.2
     

    Q1 2025 Management’s Discussion and Analysis (compared to Q1 2024)

    Revenue

    • Total revenue was US$70.1 million vs. US$119.5 million.
    • Self-mining revenue was US$37.2 million vs. US$48.4 million, primarily due to the effect of the April 2024 halving and higher global network hashrate, partially offset by the increase in the average self-mining hashrate for the quarter by 44.8% to 9.7 EH/s from 6.7 EH/s last year and higher year-over-year Bitcoin prices.
    • Cloud Hash Rate revenue was US$0.1 million vs. US$18.1 million. The decline was primarily due to expiration of long-term Cloud Hashrate contracts and subsequent reallocation of nearly all machines to self-mining operations by the end of 2024.
    • General Hosting revenue was US$9.6 million vs. US$29.0 million. The decline was primarily due to the expiration of certain hosting customer contracts as well as the removal of older and less efficient machines by other hosting customers following the April 2024 halving as a result of reduced mining economics.
    • Membership Hosting revenue was US$16.3 million vs. US$19.5 million. Similar to general hosting, the decline was primarily driven by customers scaling down operations for older and less efficient rigs following the April 2024 halving as a result of reduced mining economics.
    • SEALMINER sales revenue was US$4.1 million.

    Cost of Revenue

    • Cost of revenue was US$73.4 million vs US$85.4 million. The decrease was primarily driven by lower power usage from hosted mining rigs, partially offset by the increase in costs of SEALMINERs sold to customers and depreciation expenses for SEALMINER launched in our datacenters during Q1 2025.

    Gross Profit and Margin

    • Gross profit was negative US$3.2 million vs. positive US$34.1 million.
    • Gross margin was -4.6% vs. 28.6%.

    Operating Expenses

    • The sum of the operating expenses below was US$75.8 million vs. US$37.8 million.
      • Selling expenses were US$1.4 million vs. US$1.7 million, about flat year-over-year.
      • General and administrative expenses were US$15.4 million vs. US$15.0 million, about flat year-over-year.
      • Research and development expenses were US$59.0 million vs. US$21.2 million, primarily due to higher R&D costs related to the one-off development and tape out costs of SEAL03 chip, higher engineering costs related to the Company’s ASIC development roadmap, and non-cash amortization expenses of intangible assets related to the acquisition of FreeChain in Q4 2024.

    Other Net Gain

    • Other net gain was US$503.1 million primarily due to the non-cash, fair value changes of derivative liabilities, which were the US$448.7 million of gain on fair value changes for the convertible notes issued in August 2024 and November 2024 and the US$58.4 million of gain on fair value changes for the Tether warrants. 

    Net Income

    • Net income was US$409.5 million vs. US$0.6 million.

    Adjusted Profit / (Loss) (Non-IFRS)5

    • Adjusted loss was US$89.8 million vs. adjusted profit of US$9.72 million. The change was primarily due to the year-over-year revenue decline, lower gross profit margins and higher R&D expenses as described above.

    Adjusted EBITDA (Non-IFRS)

    • Adjusted EBITDA was negative US$56.1 million vs. positive US$27.32 million. The decrease was primarily due to the year-over-year revenue decline, lower gross profit margins as a result of the halving and higher R&D expenses as described above.

    Cash Flows

    • Net cash used in operating activities was US$284.0 million, primarily driven by working capital payments to suppliers for SEALMINER mass production.
    • Net cash used in investing activities was US$73.6 million, which included US$45.7 million of capital expenditures for infrastructure construction and mining rigs, US$18.2 million for the purchase of cryptocurrencies, US$21.9 million to acquire the site and gas-fired power project in Alberta, and US$12.3 million of proceeds from disposal of cryptocurrencies from principal business.
    • Net cash generated from financing activities was US$94.9 million, primarily driven by US$118.4 million net proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares and partially offset by US$21.0 million used for share repurchases.

    Capex

    • 2025 power and datacenter infrastructure capex lowered to be in the range of US$260 to US$290 million from prior guidance of US$340 to US$370 million primarily due to the pause of bitcoin-mining infrastructure construction at Bitdeer’s Clarington, Ohio site due to advancing discussions with development partners and potential end users for HPC/AI. This updated range includes reported infrastructure capex in Q1.

    Balance Sheet
    As of March 31, 2025 unless stated otherwise (compared to December 31, 2024)

    • US$215.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, US$131.1 million in cryptocurrencies and US$215.4 million in borrowing.
    • US$381.7 million prepayments and other assets, up from US$310.2 million. Change primarily driven by advanced payments to suppliers for SEALMINER mass volume production.
    • US$153.7 million inventories, up from US$64.9 million. Increase driven by wafers, chips, WIP and finished SEALMINER inventory.
    • US$256.8 million derivative liabilities mainly due to the issuance of warrants to Tether, and convertible senior notes issued in August 2024 and November 2024.

    Further information regarding the Company’s first quarter 2025 financial and operations results can be found on the SEC’s website https://sec.gov and the Company’s Investor Relations website https://ir.bitdeer.com.

    About Bitdeer Technologies Group
    Bitdeer is a world-leading technology company for Bitcoin mining. Bitdeer is committed to providing comprehensive Bitcoin mining solutions for its customers. The Company handles complex processes involved in computing such as equipment procurement, transport logistics, datacenter design and construction, equipment management and daily operations. The Company also offers advanced cloud capabilities to customers with high demand for artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Singapore, Bitdeer has deployed datacenters in the United States, Norway, and Bhutan. To learn more, please visit https://ir.bitdeer.com/ or follow Bitdeer on X @BitdeerOfficial and LinkedIn @ Bitdeer Group.

    Investors and others should note that Bitdeer may announce material information using its website and/or on its accounts on social media platforms, including X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Therefore, Bitdeer encourages investors and others to review the information it posts on the social media and other communication channels listed on its website.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “look forward to,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Bitdeer’s annual report on Form 20-F, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in Bitdeer’s subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Bitdeer specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward- looking statement, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers should not rely upon the information on this page as current or accurate after its publication date.

    BITDEER GROUP UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
           
      As of March 31,   As of December 31,
    (US $ in thousands) 2025   2024
    ASSETS      
    Current assets      
    Cash and cash equivalents 215,642     476,270  
    Restricted cash 12,107     9,144  
    Cryptocurrencies 131,144     77,537  
    Trade receivables 10,263     9,627  
    Amounts due from a related party 15,810     15,512  
    Prepayments and other assets 335,071     291,929  
    Inventories 153,740     64,888  
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 4,540     4,540  
    Total current assets  878,317     949,447  
           
    Non-current assets      
    Restricted cash 5,906     8,212  
    Prepayments and other assets 46,652     18,244  
    Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 35,428     37,981  
    Mining rigs 101,581     67,324  
    Right-of-use assets 75,338     69,273  
    Property, plant and equipment 302,210     251,377  
    Investment properties 30,529     30,723  
    Intangible assets 78,303     83,235  
    Goodwill 35,818     35,818  
    Deferred tax assets 8,543     6,220  
    Total non-current assets  720,308     608,407  
    TOTAL ASSETS  1,598,625     1,557,854  
           
    LIABILITIES      
    Current liabilities      
    Trade payables 50,729     31,471  
    Other payables and accruals 38,098     40,617  
    Amounts due to a related party 7,788     8,747  
    Income tax payables 2,437     2,729  
    Derivative liabilities 256,775     763,939  
    Deferred revenue 61,016     39,029  
    Borrowings 215,436     208,127  
    Lease liabilities 6,895     5,460  
    Total current liabilities  639,174     1,100,119  
           
    Non-current liabilities      
    Other payables and accruals 1,786     1,650  
    Deferred revenue 68,449     90,200  
    Lease liabilities 78,846     72,673  
    Deferred tax liabilities 15,721     16,614  
    Total non-current liabilities 164,802     181,137  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES  803,976     1,281,256  
           
    NET ASSETS  794,649     276,598  
           
    EQUITY      
    Share capital *   *
    Treasury equity (181,065 )   (160,926 )
    Accumulated deficit (239,531 )   (649,004 )
    Reserves 1,215,245     1,086,528  
    TOTAL EQUITY 794,649     276,598  
     

    * Amount less than US$1,000

    BITDEER GROUP UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
           
       Three months ended March 31, 
    (US $ in thousands) 2025   2024
           
    Revenue 70,128     119,506  
    Cost of revenue (73,353 )   (85,375 )
    Gross profit / (loss) (3,225 )   34,131  
    Selling expenses (1,393 )   (1,690 )
    General and administrative expenses (15,389 )   (14,969 )
    Research and development expenses (59,014 )   (21,164 )
    Other operating income / (expenses) (7,789 )   1,746  
    Other net gain 503,050     2,447  
    Profit from operations 416,240     501  
    Finance income / (expenses) (9,343 )   151  
    Profit before taxation 406,897     652  
    Income tax benefit / (expenses) 2,576     (46 )
    Profit for the period 409,473     606  
    Other comprehensive income      
    Income for the period 409,473     606  
    Other comprehensive income for the period    
    Item that may be reclassified to profit or loss      
    Exchange differences on translation of financial statements 166     32  
    Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax 166     32  
    Total comprehensive income for the period 409,639     638  
           
    Earnings / (loss) per share (in US$)      
    Basic 2.15     0.01  
    Diluted (0.37 )   0.01  
    Weighted average number of shares outstanding (thousand shares)
    Basic 190,199     114,843  
    Diluted 228,561     117,041  
               
    BITDEER GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
           
      Three months ended March 31,
    (US $ in thousands) 2025   2024
           
    Cash flows from operating activities      
    Cash used in operating activities: (280,889 )   (132,867 )
    Interest paid on leases (702 )   (652 )
    Interest paid on borrowings (4,493 )   (465 )
    Interest received 2,724     1,813  
    Income tax paid (628 )    
    Net cash used in operating activities  (283,988 )   (132,171 )
           
    Cash flows from investing activities      
    Purchase of property, plant and equipment, investment properties and intangible assets (44,770 )   (29,615 )
    Purchase of mining rigs (955 )   (1,560 )
    Purchase of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (132 )   (992 )
    Purchase of cryptocurrencies (18,159 )    
    Proceeds from disposal of cryptocurrencies 12,283     90,380  
    Cash paid for the site and gas-fired power project in Alberta, Canada (21,870 )    
    Net cash generated from / (used in) investing activities  (73,603 )   58,213  
           
    Cash flows from financing activities      
    Capital element of lease rentals paid (1,942 )   (1,338 )
    Proceeds from issuance of shares for exercise of share rewards 530     37  
    Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net of transaction costs 118,403     49,931  
    Payment for the future issuance cost     (303 )
    Acquisition of treasury shares (21,010 )    
    Payment for transaction costs in connection with convertible senior notes (1,119 )    
    Net cash generated from financing activities  94,862     48,327  
           
    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (262,729 )   (25,631 )
    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 476,270     144,729  
    Effect of movements in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents held 2,101     (637 )
    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 215,642     118,461  
     

    Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures
    In evaluating the Company’s business, the Company considers and uses non-IFRS measures, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted profit / (loss), as supplemental measures to review and assess its operating performance. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to exclude share-based payment expenses under IFRS 2, changes in fair value of derivative liabilities, and changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables, and defines adjusted profit/(loss) as profit/(loss) adjusted to exclude share-based payment expenses under IFRS 2, changes in fair value of derivative liabilities, and changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables.

    The Company presents these non-IFRS financial measures because they are used by its management to evaluate its operating performance and formulate business plans. The Company also believes that the use of these non-IFRS measures facilitate investors’ assessment of its operating performance. These measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, investors should not consider these measures in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, the Company’s profit or loss for the periods, as determined in accordance with IFRS. The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling these non-IFRS financial measures to the nearest IFRS performance measure, all of which should be considered when evaluating its performance. The Company encourages investors to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

    The following table presents a reconciliation of profit/(loss) for the relevant period to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted profit/ (loss), for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

    BITDEER GROUP UNAUDITED NON-IFRS ADJUSTED EBITDA AND ADJUSTED PROFIT / (LOSS) RECONCILIATION
           
      Three months ended March 31,
    (US $ in thousands) 2025   2024
    Adjusted EBITDA      
    Profit for the period 409,473     606  
    Add      
    Depreciation and amortization 25,387     18,187  
    Income tax (benefit) / expenses (2,576 )   46  
    Interest (income) / expense, net 10,880     (608 )
    Share-based payment expenses 10,404     7,803  
    Changes in fair value of derivative liabilities (507,162 )    
    Changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables (2,551 )   1,305  
    Total of Adjusted EBITDA (56,145 )   27,3392  
           
    Adjusted Profit / (loss)      
    Profit for the period 409,473     606  
    Add      
    Share-based payment expenses 10,404     7,803  
    Changes in fair value of derivative liabilities (507,162 )    
    Changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables (2,551 )   1,305  
    Total of Adjusted Profit / (loss) (89,836 )   9,7142  
     

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Investor Relations
    Yujia Zhai
    Orange Group
    bitdeerIR@orangegroupadvisors.com

    Public Relations
    Nishant Sharma
    BlocksBridge Consulting
    bitdeer@blocksbridge.com

    ____________________________
    1
    “Adjusted EBITDA” is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, further adjusted to exclude share-based payment expenses under IFRS 2, changes in fair value of derivative liabilities, and changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables.
    2 During the current period, we revised definition of our previously reported non-IFRS Adjusted Profit and Adjusted EBITDA and recast the prior period for comparability. This revision, which resulted in a US$1.3 million revision to Q1 2024 metrics, reflects non-cash fair value changes in cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables as they do not represent normal operating expenses (or income) necessary to operate our business.
    3 Indicative timing. All timing references are to calendar quarters and years.
    4 Figures may not add due to rounding.
    5 “Adjusted profit/(loss)” is defined as profit/(loss) adjusted to exclude share-based payment expenses under IFRS 2, changes in fair value of derivative liabilities, and changes in fair value of cryptocurrency-settled receivables and payables.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Salary.com Brings Compensation Technology Insights to WorldatWork Total Rewards ‘25

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WALTHAM, Mass., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    WHO:     Salary.com, a leading provider of compensation market data and software
           
    WHAT:     Will exhibit and present compensation insights during WorldatWork Total Rewards ‘25.
           
    WHEN:     The conference will take place from Monday, May 19, to Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
    The Salary.com team will present two sessions on Tuesday, May 20, 2025:

    “Using Predictive Analytics to Forecast Compensation” at 11:30 a.m. ET

    “Turning Merit Lemons into Limoncello” at 3:15 p.m. ET

           
    WHERE:     Orange County Convention Center
    West Concourse
    9800 International Drive
    Orlando, Fla.

    Salary.com will exhibit in Booth No. 825.

    For event information, including registration,
    visit https://totalrewards.worldatwork.org/2025.


    DETAILS:

    For today’s compensation teams, labor costs can seem beyond control. But the landscape is shifting, and with the rise of technological advancements, new possibilities are emerging. During WorldatWork Total Rewards ’25, the team from Salary.com will present two sessions to help attendees understand the latest compensation strategies and solutions.

    “Using Predictive Analytics to Forecast Compensation”

    On Tuesday, May 20, at 11:30 a.m. ET, Luke Corby, CCP, Director, Professional Services at Salary.com, will show how AI and expanding data sources are transforming compensation, empowering these teams and enabling them to drive value like never before. Corby will demonstrate how attendees can use AI to forecast compensation trends, identify the best and worst hiring windows for key roles and create highly accurate labor cost budgets. Attendees will learn the key elements of this model and develop a deeper appreciation for the changes coming to the world of compensation.

    “Turning Merit Lemons into Limoncello”

    Later that day at 3:15 p.m. ET, Sean Luitjens, VP of Product Strategy at Salary.com, will participate in a second panel discussion on maximizing budget effectiveness. Along with Nicole Long, Director, Human Resources and President of Atlanta Area Comp Association, State of Georgia, Rebecca McConnell, Director of Compensation, Minolta and Brad Robinson, Compensation Director, MasTec, Luitjens will explore how technology and innovative strategies can support equitable and impactful rewards for top performers. The session will also share best practices for addressing pay equity, making market adjustments and rewarding performance using tools like company stock.

    In addition to its thought leadership, Salary.com will showcase its solutions in Booth No. 825. Attendees are encouraged to stop by for product demonstrations and more information. To register for WorldatWork Total Rewards ’25, visit https://totalrewards.worldatwork.org/2025.

    About Salary.com
    Salary.com has been helping organizations with human capital needs for over 25 years. The company leads the industry in compensation data, software, and services. More than 30,000 organizations in 30+ countries use Salary.com’s solutions to hire and retain talent and compete in a changing world. Salary.com provides over 10 billion data points across over 225 industries using a proprietary AI framework to ensure fair pay. The company’s main product, CompAnalyst®, helps organizations simplify hiring, reduce guesswork, and increase retention. Employee trust depends on fair pay, and Salary.com helps get it right. For additional information, please visit www.salary.com/business.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Marex Group plc announces strong results for first quarter of 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marex Group plc (‘Marex’ or the ‘Group’; Nasdaq: MRX) a diversified global financial services platform, providing essential liquidity, market access and infrastructure services to clients in the energy, commodities and financial markets, today reported financial results for the first quarter (‘Q1 2025’).

    Ian Lowitt, Group Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Robust levels of client activity across our businesses and positive market conditions led to a strong performance in the first quarter of the year. Adjusted profit before tax grew 42% year-on-year, driven by strong revenue growth in all our business segments. This reflects the continued successful execution of our strategy to expand our geographic footprint and product capabilities, growing our client base, increasing diversification and driving greater earnings resilience. In early April, we experienced some very high-volume days which we processed successfully, reflecting the operational resilience of our platform. We maintained record levels of liquidity and remained disciplined in managing our risk while supporting our clients. We were also delighted with the strong demand from investors for our second follow-on equity offering in challenging markets, further increasing our public float, as well as another successful debt issuance, further diversifying our sources of funding and increasing our liquidity position.”

    Financial and Operational Highlights:

    • Strong Q1 performance: Robust client activity and positive market conditions drove 42% growth in Adjusted Profit before Tax1 to $96.3 million
    • Revenue increased by 28% to $467.3m with strong revenue growth across all our business segments
      • Agency and Execution in particular increased revenue by 42% to $239.5m, driven by growth in Securities revenues across asset classes and continued build-out of Prime Services, as well as strong growth in the Energy business
    • April market conditions: At the start of April, we experienced highly elevated volumes which have since returned to more normalised levels. Our ability to process these volumes demonstrates the operational resilience of the firm and scalability of our platform. We also maintained record levels of liquidity and remained disciplined in managing our risk while supporting our clients
    • Executed growth strategy: Aarna Capital acquisition completed at the end of March, growing our Clearing presence in the Middle East, as we continued to diversify our platform and drive greater earnings resilience
    • Successful secondary equity placement: Significantly oversubscribed transaction resulted in existing shareholders placing an upsized 11.8 million shares with institutional investors in April, further increasing public float to approximately 70%
    • Prudent approach to capital and funding: Successfully issued $500 million 3-year senior unsecured notes in May, further diversifying our funding sources while maintaining a strong capital and liquidity position
    • Dividend: Q1 2025 dividend increased to $0.15 per share, to be paid in the second quarter of 2025
    Financial Highlights: ($m)   3 months ended 31 March 2025   3 months ended 31 March 2024   Change
                 
    Revenue   467.3   365.8   28%
    Profit Before Tax   98.0   58.9   66%
    Profit Before Tax Margin (%)   21%   16%   500 bps
    Profit After Tax   72.5   43.6   66%
    Profit After Tax Margin (%)   16%   12%   400 bps
    Return on Equity (%)   29%   23%   600 bps
    Basic Earnings per Share ($)2   0.98   0.60   63%
    Diluted Earnings per Share ($)2   0.92   0.56   64%
                 
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax1   96.3   67.7   42%
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin (%)1   21%   19%   200 bps
    Adjusted Profit after Tax            
    Attributable to Common Equity1   68.2   48.9   39%
    Adjusted Return on Equity (%)1   30%   29%   100 bps
    Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share ($)1,2   0.97   0.74   31%
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share ($)1,2   0.91   0.69   32%
    1. These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such non-IFRS measure to its most directly comparable IFRS measure. The Group changed the labelling of its non-IFRS measures during 2024 to better align to the equivalent IFRS reported metric and enhance transparency and comparability.
    2. Weighted average number of shares have been restated as applicable for the Group’s reverse share split (refer to Appendix 1 for further detail).
         
      Conference Call Information:
    Marex’s management will host a conference call to discuss the Group’s financial results today, 15 May 2025, at 9am Eastern Time. A live webcast of the call can be accessed from Marex’s Investor Relations website. An archived version will be available on the website after the call. To participate in the Conference Call, please register at the link here: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/zudci4bx/

    Enquiries please contact:
    Marex
    Investors – Adam Strachan
    +1 914 200 2508 / astrachan@marex.com

    Media – Nicola Ratchford, Marex / FTI Consulting US / UK
    +44 7786 548 889 / nratchford@marex.com / +1.716.525.7239/ +44 7976870961
    | marex@fticonsulting.com

     
         


    Financial Review

    The following table presents summary financial results and other data as of the dates and for the periods indicated:

    Summary Financial Results

        3 months ended 31 March 2025   3 months ended 31 March 2024    
        $m   $m   Change
    – Net commission income   250.7   218.9   15%
    – Net trading Income   159.1   106.2   50%
    – Net interest income   53.4   35.6   50%
    – Net physical commodities income   4.1   5.1   (20)%
    Revenue   467.3   365.8   28%
                 
    Compensation and benefits   (291.7)   (229.9)   27%
    Depreciation and amortisation   (7.9)   (7.8)   1%
    Other expenses   (73.8)   (69.6)   6%
    Provision for credit losses     0.3   n.m.2
    Bargain purchase gain on acquisitions   3.4     n.m.2
    Other income   0.7   0.1   600%
    Profit Before Tax   98.0   58.9   66%
    Tax   (25.5)   (15.3)   67%
    Profit After Tax   72.5   43.6   66%
    Reconciliation to Adjusted Profit Before Tax1            
    Profit Before Tax   98.0   58.9   66%
    Bargain purchase gain   (3.4)     n.m.2
    Acquisition related costs     0.2   n.m.2
    Amortisation of acquired brands and customer lists   1.3   0.8   63%
    Activities relating to shareholders     2.4   n.m.2
    Owner fees   0.4   1.7   (76)%
    IPO preparation and public offering of ordinary shares     3.7   n.m.2
    Adjusting items   (1.7)   8.8   (119)%
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax1   96.3   67.7   42%
    1. These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such non-IFRS measure to its most directly comparable IFRS measure.
    2. n.m. = not meaningful to present as a percentage.

    Costs and Group Headcount

    The Board and Senior Management also monitor costs split between Front Office Costs and Control and Support Costs to better understand the Group’s performance. The table below provides the Group’s management view of costs:

        3 months ended 31 March 2025   3 months ended 31 March 2024    
        $m   $m   Change
    Front office costs1   (258.4)   (210.1)   23%
    Control and support costs1   (106.8)   (80.6)   33%
    Total   (365.2)   (290.7)   26%

    1) Management review Front Office Costs and Control and Support Costs when assessing Adjusted Profit Before Tax performance. These costs are included within compensation and benefits, other expenses and depreciation and amortisation in the Statutory Income Statement provided above.

    The following table provides a breakdown of Front Office and Control and Support Headcount

    Full Time Equivalent (‘FTE’) headcount1 31 March 2025   31 March 2024       31 March 2025   31 March 2024    
      Average   Average   Change   End of Period   End of Period   Change
    Front office 1,284   1,236   4%   1,288   1,250   3%
    Control and support 1,183   1,015   17%   1,215   1,030   18%
    Total 2,467   2,251   10%   2,503   2,280   10%

    1) For analysis purposes, average headcount is used in the performance commentary outlined below.

    Performance for the three months ended 31 March 2025

    Revenue grew by 28% to $467.3m (Q1 2024: $365.8m) with strong growth across all business segments, as we continue to diversify our platform and drive greater earnings resilience. This growth was driven by robust client activity and positive market conditions.

    Net commission income increased by 15% to $250.7m (Q1 2024: $218.9m). The growth was driven by Agency and Execution, which grew 22% to $182.9m (Q1 2024: $150.5m) reflecting a strong performance in Securities and Energy, supported by record transaction volumes.

    Net trading income increased by 50% to $159.1m (Q1 2024: $106.2m). The growth was driven by a $40.8m increase in Agency and Execution to $49.9m (Q1 2024: $9.1m), mainly due to Rates, FX and Equities. The most significant contribution came from the continued build-out of our Prime Services capabilities, which grew by $33.4m, including growth in our securities based swaps offering. In addition, Net trading income in our Market Making segment increased by $10.7m to $54.9m (Q1 2024: $44.2m) driven by growth in all asset classes.

    Net interest income increased by 50% to $53.4m (Q1 2024: $35.6m) reflecting $5.8bn growth in average balances to $17.1bn, which more than offset lower average Fed Funds rates compared to Q1 2024.

    Front office costs increased by 23% to $258.4m (Q1 2024: $210.1m), predominantly reflecting higher compensation costs on strong revenue performance across the Group. Front office headcount growth reflected restructuring activity in Agency and Execution and reallocation of FTE from front office to control and support in Q2 2024. Excluding these, average front office FTE headcount grew by 11% year on year.

    Control and support costs increased by 33% to $106.8m (Q1 2024: $80.6m). This was primarily driven by investment in technology to support automation and business growth, as well as investments in our finance, risk, and compliance functions to support our controlled growth and development as a public company. This also included specific investments relating to acquisitions and our compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley.

    Reported Profit Before Tax increased by 66% to $98.0m (Q1 2024: $58.9m), driven by strong revenue growth and improved operating margins.

    Adjusting items reduced by $10.5m to $(1.7)m (Q1 2024: $ 8.8m). These costs are primarily related to corporate activities and are recognised within our Corporate segment. Adjusting items reduced mainly due to IPO-related costs and owner fees in Q1 2024, as well as a bargain purchase gain on an acquisition in Q1 2025.

    As a result of the revenue and cost trends noted above, Adjusted Profit Before Tax1 increased by 42% to $96.3m (Q1 2024: $67.7m) and Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin1 improved to 21% (Q1 2024: 19%), while Profit After Tax Margin increased to 16% (Q1 2024: 12%).

    1. These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such non-IFRS measure to its most directly comparable IFRS measure.
        3 months ended 31 March 2025   3 months ended 31 March 2024   Change
    Average Fed Funds rate   4.3%   5.3%   (100)bps
    Average balances ($bn)1   17.1   11.3   5.8
    Interest income ($m)   178.9   147.3   31.6
    Interest paid out ($m)   (59.6)   (60.9)   1.3
    Interest on balances ($m)   119.3   86.4   32.9
    Net yield on balances   2.8%   3.1%   (30)bps
    Average notional debt securities ($bn)   (4.1)   (2.5)   (1.6)
    Yield on debt securities %   6.6%   8.1%   (150)bps
    Interest expense ($m)   (65.9)   (50.8)   (15.1)
    Net Interest Income ($m)   53.4   35.6   17.8
    1. Average balances are calculated using an average of the daily holdings in exchanges, banks and other investments over the period. Previously, average balances were calculated as the average month end amount of segregated and non-segregated client balances that generated interest income over a given period.

    Segmental performance

    Clearing

    Marex provides clearing services across the range of energy, commodity and financial markets. We face the exchange on behalf of our clients providing access to 60 exchanges globally.

    Performance for the three months ended 31 March 2025

    Clearing performed well with revenue increasing 18% to $119.2m (Q1 2024: $100.7m). This was driven by net interest income which rose by $18.2m to $48.4m (Q1 2024: $30.2m) reflecting higher average balances as we continued to add new clients, more than offsetting lower average Fed Funds rates compared to Q1 2024. Net commission income reduced by 2%, $1.7m, as positive performance in energy and metals was offset by lower levels of activity in agriculture, which benefited from higher volatility in Q1 2024 relative to Q1 2025.

    Adjusted Profit Before Tax1 increased by 14% to $56.6m (Q1 2024: $49.8m). Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin1 decreased by 200 bps to 47% (Q1 2024: 49%).

        3 months ended 31 March 2025   3 months ended 31 March 2024    
        $m   $m   Change
    Net commission income   67.8   69.5   (2%)
    Net interest income   48.4   30.2   60%
    Net trading income   3.0   1.0   200%
    Revenue   119.2   100.7   18%
    Front office costs   (42.2)   (33.5)   26%
    Control and support costs   (20.3)   (17.3)   17%
    Depreciation and amortisation   (0.1)   (0.1)   —%
                 
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax ($m)1   56.6   49.8   14%
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin1   47%   49%   (200)bps
                 
    Front office headcount (No.)2   273   266   3%
                 
        12 months ended 31 March 2025   12 months ended 31 March 2024   Change
    Contracts cleared (m)   1,161   913   27%
    Market volumes (m)3   11,891   10,194   17%
    1. These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such non-IFRS measure to its most directly comparable IFRS measure.
    2. The headcount is the average for the period. Management have re-assessed headcount for Clearing and Market Making and re-allocated for Q1 25 and Q1 24.
    3. On a twelve month rolling basis.

    Agency and Execution

    Agency and Execution provides essential liquidity and execution services to our clients primarily in the energy and financial securities markets.

    Our energy division provides essential liquidity to clients by connecting buyers and sellers in the OTC energy markets to facilitate price discovery. We have leading positions in many of the markets we operate in, including key gas and power markets in Europe; environmental, petrochemical and crude markets in North America; and fuel oil, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and middle distillates globally. We achieve this through the breadth and depth of the service we offer to customers, including market intelligence for each product we transact in, based on the extensive knowledge and experience of our teams.

    Our presence in the financial markets is growing as we integrate and optimise recent acquisitions, enabling Marex to diversify its asset class coverage away from traditional commodity markets. We are starting to see a maturation of our offering across all asset classes, contributing to enhanced revenue growth and margin expansion for the overall business.

    Performance for the three months ended 31 March 2025

    Revenue increased by 42% to $239.5m (Q1 2024: $168.1m). Securities revenues, increased by $56.1m to $151.0m (Q1 2024: $94.9m) driven by growth in all asset classes from a significant increase in transaction volumes. The most significant contribution came from the continued build out of our Prime Services offering, including growth in securities based swaps. This was supplemented further by strong growth in our Energy business where revenues increased by $15.0m to $88.2m (Q1 2024: $73.2m), reflecting a combination of record volumes, good demand for our environmentals offering and the benefit of our bolt-on acquisitions.

    Adjusted Profit Before Tax1 increased by 152% to $56.7m (Q1 2024: $22.5m) while Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin1 increased to 24% (Q1 2024: 13%) The margin improvement was driven by the benefit from restructuring in the business, as well as growth in higher margin activity, particularly Prime Services.

        3 months ended 31 March 2025   3 months ended 31 March 2024    
        $m   $m   Change
    Securities   151.0   94.9   59%
    Energy   88.2   73.2   20%
    Other revenue   0.3     n.m.3
    Revenue   239.5   168.1   42%
    Front office costs   (161.7)   (131.0)   23%
    Control and support costs   (21.0)   (14.1)   49%
    Provision for credit losses     (0.3)   n.m.3
    Depreciation and amortisation   (0.1)   (0.2)   (50)%
                 
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax ($m)1   56.7   22.5   152%
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin1   24%   13%   1,100 bps
                 
    Front office headcount (No.)2   670   679   (1)%
                 
        12 months ended 31 March 2025   12 months ended 31 March 2024   Change
    Marex volumes: Energy (m)4   60   51   18%
    Marex volumes: Securities (m)4   302   249   21%
    Market volumes: Energy (m)4   1,816   1,477   23%
    Market volumes: Securities (m)4   11,330   9,872   15%
    1. These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such non-IFRS measure to its most directly comparable IFRS measure.
    2. The headcount is the average for the period.
    3. n.m. = not meaningful to present as a percentage.
    4. On a rolling twelve month basis

    Market Making

    Our Market Making business provides direct liquidity to our clients across a variety of products, primarily in the energy, metals and agriculture markets. This ability to make prices and trade as principal in a wide variety of energy, environmentals and commodity markets differentiates us from many of our competitors.

    Performance for the three months ended 31 March 2025

    Revenue increased by 27% to $52.9m (Q1 2024: $41.8m). This was driven by growth in all asset classes, in particular Securities revenues which increased by $7.2m primarily from growth in stock lending, which complements our Prime Services offering within Agency and Execution. Metals revenues growth was more muted, at 6%, due to the uncertainty arising from the potential implementation of global tariffs on base metals.

    Adjusted Profit Before Tax1 increased by 58% to $16.8m (Q1 2024: $10.6m), while Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin1 increased to 32% (Q1 2024: 25%).

        3 months ended 31 March 2025   3 months ended 31 March 2024    
        $m   $m   Change
    Metals   22.7   21.4   6%
    Agriculture   7.2   5.6   29%
    Energy   8.6   7.6   13%
    Securities   14.4   7.2   100%
    Revenue   52.9   41.8   27%
    Front office costs   (28.9)   (22.9)   26%
    Control and support costs   (7.1)   (8.2)   (13)%
    Depreciation and amortisation   (0.1)   (0.1)   0%
                 
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax ($m)1   16.8   10.6   58%
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin1   32%   25%   700 bps
                 
    Front office headcount (No.)2   144   125   15%
                 
    1. These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such non-IFRS measure to its most directly comparable IFRS measure.
    2. The headcount is the average for the period. Management have re-assessed headcount for Clearing and Market Making and re-allocated for Q1 25 and Q1 24.

    Hedging and Investment Solutions

    Our Hedging and Investment Solutions business provides high quality bespoke hedging and investment solutions to our clients.

    Tailored commodity hedging solutions enable corporates to hedge their exposure to movements in energy and commodity prices, as well as currencies and interest rates, across a variety of different time horizons.

    Our financial products offering allows investors to gain exposure to a particular market or asset class, for example equity indices, in a cost-effective manner through a structured product.

    Performance for the three months ended 31 March 2025

    Revenue grew by 9% to $45.0m (Q1 2024: $41.3m) driven by continued strong client demand and as we expanded the sales team which led to the onboarding of new clients. Financial products increased 41% to $30.7m (Q1 2024: $21.8m) as structured notes balances grew 49%. Hedging solutions decreased by 27% to $14.3m (Q1 2024: $19.5m) reflecting higher volatility in agriculture in Q1 2024 relative to Q1 2025.

    Adjusted Profit Before Tax1 decreased by 7% to $11.1m (Q1 2024: $11.9m), while Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin1 decreased to 25% (Q1 2024: 29%), reflecting investment in our sales team and as a result of ongoing investment in our technology and platform to support future growth.

        3 months ended 31 March 2025   3 months ended 31 March 2024    
        $m   $m   Change
    Hedging solutions   14.3   19.5   (27)%
    Financial products   30.7   21.8   41%
    Revenue   45.0   41.3   9%
    Front office costs   (25.6)   (22.7)   13%
    Control and support costs   (8.1)   (6.6)   23%
    Depreciation and amortisation   (0.2)   (0.1)   100%
                 
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax ($m)1   11.1   11.9   (7)%
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin1   25%   29%   (400 bps)
                 
    Front office headcount (No.)2   197   166   19%
    Structured notes balance ($m)3   3,123.3   2,095.6   49%
    1. These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such non-IFRS measure to its most directly comparable IFRS measure.
    2. The headcount is the average for the period.
    3. The Structured Notes portfolio consisted of 5,099 notes with an average maturity of 16 months and a total value of $3,123.3m (2024: 2,999 notes with an average maturity of 15 months and a total value of $2,095.6m).

    Corporate

    The Corporate segment includes the Group’s control and support functions. Corporate manages the resources of the Group, makes investment decisions and provides operational support to the business segments. Corporate Net Interest Income is derived through earning interest on house cash balances placed at banks and exchanges.

    Revenue decreased by $3.2m to $10.7m (Q1 2024: $13.9m) driven by lower investment returns on House cash balances from a reduction in the average Fed Funds rate.

        3 months ended 31 March 2025   3 months ended 31 March 2024    
        $m   $m   Change
    Revenue   10.7   13.9   (23%)
    Control and support costs3   (50.3)   (34.4)   46%
    (Provision)/recovery for credit losses     0.6   (100%)
    Depreciation and amortisation   (6.0)   (7.3)   (18%)
    Other income   0.7   0.1   600%
                 
    Adjusted Loss Before Tax ($m)1   (44.9)   (27.1)   66%
                 
    Control and support headcount (No.)2   1,183   1,015   17%
    1. These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such non-IFRS measure to its most directly comparable IFRS measure.
    2. The headcount is the average for the period.
    3. Control and support costs are presented on an unallocated basis.

    Summary Financial Position

    The Group’s equity base increased during Q1 25 with total equity increasing by $69.3m, 7% to $1,046.2m as a result of strong profitability during the quarter.

    Total assets and total liabilities have been steady during the first quarter. Our balance sheet continues to consist of high-quality liquid assets which underpin client activity on our platform. Total assets increased slightly from $24.3bn as at 31 December 2024 to $24.4bn as at 31 March 2025 with growth in Securities balances broadly offset by a reduction in Trade Receivables.

    Total liabilities remained steady at $23.3bn; an increase of $0.5bn due to issuance of Debt Securities was offset by a $0.5bn reduction in Trade Payables.

        31 March 2025   31 December 2024    
        $m   $m   Change
    Cash & Liquid Assets1   6,200.4   6,213.0   —%
    Trade Receivables   7,225.2   7,553.2   (4%)
    Reverse Repo Agreements   2,499.4   2,490.4   —%
    Securities2   6,749.0   6,459.7   4%
    Derivative Instruments   1,132.4   1,163.5   (3%)
    Other Assets3   268.6   199.7   35%
    Goodwill and Intangibles   279.5   233.0   20%
    Total Assets   24,354.5   24,312.5   —%
    Trade Payables   9,204.0   9,740.4   (6%)
    Repurchase Agreements   2,386.0   2,305.8   3%
    Securities4   6,450.3   6,656.7   (3%)
    Debt Securities   4,072.6   3,604.5   13%
    Derivative Instruments   798.4   751.7   6%
    Other Liabilities5   397.0   276.5   44%
    Total Liabilities   23,308.3   23,335.6   —%
    Total Equity   1,046.2   976.9   7%
    1. Cash & Liquid Assets are cash and cash equivalents, treasury instruments pledged as collateral, treasury instruments unpledged and fixed income securities.
    2. Securities assets are equity instruments and stock borrowing.
    3. Other Assets are inventory, corporate income tax receivable, deferred tax, investments, right-of-use assets, and property plant and equipment.
    4. Securities liabilities are stock lending and short securities.
    5. Other Liabilities are short term borrowings, deferred tax liability, lease liability, provisions and corporation tax.

     Liquidity

        31 March   31 December
        2025   2024
        $m   $m
    Total available liquid resources   2,682.4   2,439.8
    Liquidity headroom   1,217.4   1,060.0

    A prudent approach to capital and liquidity and commitment to maintaining an investment grade credit rating are core principles which underpin the successful delivery of our growth strategy. As at 31 March 2025, the Group held $2,682.4m of total available liquid resources, including the undrawn portion of the RCF (2024: $2,439.8m).

    Group liquidity resources consist of cash and high-quality liquid assets that can be quickly converted to meet immediate and short-term obligations. The resources include non-segregated cash, short-term money market funds and unencumbered securities guaranteed by the U.S. Government. The Group also includes any undrawn portion of its committed revolving credit facility (‘RCF’) in its total available liquid resources. The unsecured revolving credit facility of $150m remains undrawn as at 31 March 2025 (31 December 2024: $150m, undrawn). Facilities held by operating subsidiaries, and which are only available to that relevant subsidiary, have been excluded from these figures as they are not available to the entire Group.

    Liquidity headroom is based on the Group’s Liquid Asset Threshold Requirement, which is prepared according to the principles of the UK Investment Firms Prudential Regime (IFPR). The requirement includes a liquidity stress impact calculated from a combination of systemic and idiosyncratic risk factors.

    Regulatory capital

    The Group is subject to consolidated supervision by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and has regulated subsidiaries in jurisdictions both inside and outside of the UK.

    The Group is regulated as a MIFIDPRU investment firm under IFPR. The minimum capital requirement as at 31 March 2025 was determined by the Own Funds Threshold Requirement (‘OFTR’) set via an assessment of the Group’s capital adequacy and risk assessment conducted annually.

    The Group and its subsidiaries are in compliance with their regulatory requirements and are appropriately capitalised relative to the minimum requirements as set by the relevant competent authority. The Group maintained a capital surplus over its regulatory requirements at all times.

    The Group manages its capital structure in order to comply with regulatory requirements, ensuring its capital base is more than adequate to cover the risks inherent in the business and to maximise shareholder value through the strategic deployment of capital to support the Group’s growth and strategic development. The Group performs business model assessment, business and capital forecasting, stress testing and recovery planning at least annually. The following table summarises the Group’s capital position as at 31 March 2025 and 31 December 2024:

        31 March
    2025
      31 December
    2024
        $m   $m
    Core equity Tier 1 Capital1   652.5   623.9
    Additional Tier 1 Capital (net of issuance costs)   97.6   97.6
    Tier 2 Capital   1.4   1.6
    Total Capital resources   751.5   723.1
             
             
    Own Funds Threshold Requirement2   308.8   308.8
    Total Capital ratio3   243%   234%
    1. Total Capital Resources include unaudited results for the financial period.
    2. Own Funds Requirement presented as Own Funds Threshold Requirement based on the latest ICARA process.
    3. The Group’s Total Capital Resources as a percentage of Own Funds Requirement.

    At 31 March 2025, the Group had a Total Capital Ratio of 243% (31 December 2024: 234%), representing significant capital headroom to minimum requirements. The increase in the Total Capital Ratio resulted from an increase in total capital resources due to profit (unaudited) in 2025.

    Dividend

    The Board of Directors approved an interim dividend of $0.15 per share, expected to be paid on 10 June 2025 to shareholders on record as at close of business on 27 May 2025.

    Forward Looking Statements:

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including expected financial results and dividend payments. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions.

    These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, without limitation: subdued commodity market activity or pricing levels; the effects of geopolitical events, terrorism and wars, such as the effect of Russia’s military action in Ukraine or the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, on market volatility, global macroeconomic conditions and commodity prices; changes in interest rate levels; the risk of our clients and their related financial institutions defaulting on their obligations to us; regulatory, reputational and financial risks as a result of our international operations; software or systems failure, loss or disruption of data or data security failures; an inability to adequately hedge our positions and limitations on our ability to modify contracts and the contractual protections that may be available to us in OTC derivatives transactions; market volatility, reputational risk and regulatory uncertainty related to commodity markets, equities, fixed income, foreign exchange; the impact of climate change and the transition to a lower carbon economy on supply chains and the size of the market for certain of our energy products; the impact of changes in judgments, estimates and assumptions made by management in the application of our accounting policies on our reported financial condition and results of operations; lack of sufficient financial liquidity; if we fail to comply with applicable law and regulation, we may be subject to enforcement or other action, forced to cease providing certain services or obliged to change the scope or nature of our operations; significant costs, including adverse impacts on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and expenses associated with compliance with relevant regulations; and if we fail to remediate the material weaknesses we identified in our internal control over financial reporting or prevent material weaknesses in the future, the accuracy and timing of our financial statements may be impacted, which could result in material misstatements in our financial statements or failure to meet our reporting obligations and subject us to potential delisting, regulatory investments or civil or criminal sanctions, and other risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as updated by our other reports filed with the SEC.

    The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this press release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

    In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this press release, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

    Appendix 1

    Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators

    This press release contains non-IFRS financial measures, including Adjusted Profit Before Tax, Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin, Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity and Adjusted Return on Equity. These non-IFRS financial measures are presented for supplemental informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for profit after tax, profit margin, return on equity or any other financial information presented in accordance with IFRS and may be different from similarly titled non-IFRS financial measures used by other companies. The Group changed the labelling of its non-IFRS measures during 2024 to better align to the equivalent IFRS reported metric and enhance transparency and comparability.

    Adjusted Profit Before Tax (formerly labelled Adjusted Operating Profit)

    We define Adjusted Profit Before Tax as profit after tax adjusted for (i) tax, (ii) goodwill impairment charges, (iii) acquisition costs, (iv) bargain purchase gain, (v) owner fees, (vi) amortisation of acquired brands and customer lists, (vii) activities in relation to shareholders, (viii) employer tax on the vesting of Growth Shares, (ix) IPO preparation costs, (x) fair value of the cash settlement option on the Growth Shares and (xi) public offering of ordinary shares. Items (i) to (xi) are referred to as “Adjusting Items.” Adjusted Profit Before Tax is the primary measure used by our management to evaluate and understand our underlying operations and business trends, forecast future results and determine future capital investment allocations. Adjusted Profit Before Tax is the measure used by our executive board to assess the financial performance of our business in relation to our trading performance. The most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measure is profit after tax. We believe Adjusted Profit Before Tax is a useful measure as it allows management to monitor our ongoing core operations and provides useful information to investors and analysts regarding the net results of the business. The core operations represent the primary trading operations of the business.

    Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin (formerly labelled Adjusted Operating Profit Margin)

    We define Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin as Adjusted Profit Before Tax (as defined above) divided by revenue. We believe that Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin is a useful measure as it allows management to assess the profitability of our business in relation to revenue. The most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measure is profit margin, which is Profit after Tax divided by revenue.

    Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity (formerly labelled Adjusted Operating Profit after Tax Attributable to Common Equity)

    We define Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity as profit after tax adjusted for the items outlined in the Adjusted Profit Before Tax paragraph above. Additionally, Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity is also adjusted for (i) tax and the tax effect of the Adjusting Items to calculate Adjusted Profit Before Tax and (ii) profit attributable to Additional Tier 1 (“AT1”) note holders, net of tax, which is the coupons on the AT1 issuance and accounted for as dividends, adjusted for the tax benefit of the coupons. We define Common Equity as being the equity belonging to the holders of the Group’s share capital. We believe Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity is a useful measure as it allows management to assess the profitability of the equity belonging to the holders of the Group’s share capital. The most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measure is profit after tax.

    Adjusted Return on Equity (formerly labelled Return on Adjusted Operating Profit after Tax Attributable to Common Equity)

    We define the Adjusted Return on Equity as the Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity (as defined above) divided by the average Common Equity for the period. Common Equity is defined as being the equity belonging to the holders of the Group’s share capital. Common Equity is calculated as the average balance of total equity minus additional Tier 1 capital. For the period ended 31 March 2025 and 2024, Common Equity is calculated as the average balance of total equity minus additional Tier 1 capital as at 31 December of the prior year and 31 March of the current year. For the three months ended 31 March 2025 and 2024, Adjusted Return on Equity is calculated for comparison purposes on an annualised basis as Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity for the period multiplied by four and then divided by average Common Equity for the period. It is presented on an annualised basis for comparison purposes.

    We believe Adjusted Return on Equity is a useful measure as it allows management to assess the return on the equity belonging to the holders of the Group’s share capital. The most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measure for Adjusted Return on Equity is Return on Equity, which is calculated as profit after tax for the period divided by average equity. Average Equity for the period ended 31 March 2025 and 2024 is calculated as the average of total equity at 31 December of the prior year and 31 March of the current year. For the three months ended 31 March 2025 and 2024, Return on Equity is calculated for comparison purposes on an annualised basis as Profit After Tax for the period multiplied by four and then divided by Average Equity for the period. It is presented on an annualised basis for comparison purposes.

    Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share

    Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share is defined as the Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity (as defined above) for the period divided by weighted average number of ordinary shares for the period. We believe Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share is a useful measure as it allows management to assess the profitability of our business per share. The most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards metric is basic earnings per share. This metric has been designed to highlight the Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity over the available share capital of the Group. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share is defined as the Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity for the period divided by the diluted weighted average shares for the period. We believe Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share is a useful measure as it allows management to assess the profitability of our business per share on a diluted basis. Dilution is calculated in the same way as it has been for diluted earnings per share. The most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards metric is diluted earnings per share.

    We believe that these non-IFRS financial measures provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain items that management believes are not indicative of our ongoing operations. Our management uses these non-IFRS financial measures to evaluate our business strategies and to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period. We believe that these non-IFRS financial measures provide useful information to investors because they improve the comparability of our financial results between periods and provide for greater transparency of key measures used to evaluate our performance. In addition these non-IFRS financial measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies comparable to us, many of which present related performance measures when reporting their results.

    These non-IFRS financial measures are used by different companies for differing purposes and are often calculated in different ways that reflect the circumstances of those companies. In addition, certain judgments and estimates are inherent in our process to calculate such non-IFRS financial measures. You should exercise caution in comparing these non-IFRS financial measures as reported by other companies.

    These non-IFRS financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under IFRS Accounting Standards. Some of these limitations are:

    • they do not reflect costs incurred in relation to the acquisitions that we have undertaken;
    • they do not reflect impairment of goodwill;
    • other companies in our industry may calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures; and
    • the adjustments made in calculating these non-IFRS financial measures are those that management considers to be not representative of our core operations and, therefore, are subjective in nature.

    Accordingly, prospective investors should not place undue reliance on these non-IFRS financial measures.

    We also use key performance indicators (“KPIs”) such as Average Balances, Trades Executed, and Contracts Cleared to assess the performance of our business and believe that these KPIs provide useful information to both management and investors by showing the growth of our business across the periods presented.

    Our management uses these KPIs to evaluate our business strategies and to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period. We define certain terms used in this release as follows:

    “FTE” means the number of our full-time equivalents as of the end of a given period, which includes permanent employees and contractors.

    “Average FTE” means the average number of our full-time equivalents over the period, including permanent employees and contractors.

    “Average Balances” means the average of the daily holdings in exchanges, banks and other investments over the period. Previously, average balances were calculated as the average month end amount of segregated and non-segregated client balances that generated interest income over a given period.

    “Trades Executed” means the total number of trades executed on our platform in a given year.

    “Total Capital Ratio” means our total capital resources in a given period divided by the capital requirement for such period under the IFPR.

    “Contracts Cleared” means the total number of contracts cleared in a given period.

    “Market Volumes” are calculated as follows:

    • All volumes traded on Marex key exchanges (CBOT, CME, Eurex, Euronext, ICE, LME, NYMEX COMEX, SGX)
    • Energy volumes on CBOT, Eurex, ICE, NYMEX, SGX
    • Financial securities (corporate bonds, equities, FX, repo, volatility) on CBOE, CBOT, CME, Eurex, Euronext, ICE, SGX
    • Metals, agriculture and energy volumes on CBOT, CME, Eurex, Euronext, ICE, LME, NYMEX COMEX, SGX

    Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators:

        3 months ended 31 March 2025   3 months ended 31 March 2024
             
        $m   $m
    Profit After Tax   72.5   43.6
    Taxation charge   25.5   15.3
    Profit Before Tax   98.0   58.9
    Goodwill impairment charge1    
    Bargain purchase gain (provisional accounting)2   (3.4)  
    Acquisition costs3     0.2
    Amortisation of acquired brands and customer lists4   1.3   0.8
    Activities relating to shareholders5     2.4
    Employer tax on vesting of the growth shares6    
    Owner fees7   0.4   1.7
    IPO preparation costs8     3.7
    Fair value of the cash settlement option on the growth shares9    
    Public offering of ordinary shares10    
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax   96.3   67.7
    Tax and the tax effect on the Adjusting Items11   (24.8)   (15.5)
    Profit attributable to AT1 note holders12   (3.3)   (3.3)
    Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity   68.2   48.9
             
    Profit after Tax Margin   16%   12%
    Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin13   21%   19%
             
    Basic Earnings per Share ($)   0.98   0.60
    Diluted Earnings per Share ($)   0.92   0.56
             
    Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share ($)14   0.97   0.74
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share ($)14   0.91   0.69
             
    Weighted average number of shares14   70,541,771   65,683,374
    Period end number of shares14   71,231,706   68,375,690
             
    Common Equity15   913.7   676.0
    Return on Equity   29%   23%
    Adjusted Return on Equity (%)   30%   29%
    1. No goodwill impairment has been booked for either period.
    2. A bargain purchase gain was recognised as a result of the Group’s acquisition of Darton Group Limited (“Darton”) . Provisional accounting under IFRS 3 has been applied as at Q1 ’25.
    3. Acquisition costs are costs, such as legal fees incurred in relation to the business acquisitions of Cowen’s prime services and Outsourced Trading business.
    4. This represents the amortisation charge for the period of acquired brands and customers lists.
    5. Activities in relation to shareholders primarily consist of dividend-like contributions made to participants within certain of our share-based payments schemes.
    6. Employer tax on vesting of the growth shares represents the Group’s tax charge arising from the vesting of the growth shares.
    7. Owner fees relate to management services fees paid to parties associated with the ultimate controlling party based on a percentage of our EBITDA in each year, presented in the income statement within other expenses. This agreement ended once the Group became listed, however as the calculation in based on audited full year EBITDA, the payment in Q1 25 represents the final adjustments to the fees owed.
    8. IPO preparation costs related to consulting, legal and audit fees, presented in the income statement within other expenses.
    9. Fair value of the cash settlement option on the growth shares represents the fair value liability of the growth shares at $2.3m. Subsequent to the initial public offering when the holders of the growth shares elected to settle the awards in ordinary shares, the liability was derecognised.
    10. Costs relating to the public offerings of ordinary shares by certain selling shareholders.
    11. Tax and the tax effect on the Adjusting Items represents the tax for the period and the tax effect of the other Adjusting Items removed from Profit After Tax to calculate Adjusted Profit Before Tax. The tax effect of the other Adjusting Items was calculated at the Group’s effective tax rate for the respective period.
    12. Profit attributable to AT1 note holders are the coupons on the AT1 issuance, which are accounted for as dividends.
    13. Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted Profit Before Tax (as defined above) by revenue for the period.
    14. The weighted average numbers of diluted shares used in the calculation for the three months ended 31 March 2025 and 2024 were 74,934,788 and 70,383,309 respectively. Weighted average number of shares have been restated as applicable for the Group’s reverse share split. As at 31 March 2025, the dilution impact was 4,393,017 shares (31 March 2024: 4,699,934 shares).
    15. Common Equity is calculated as the average balance of total equity minus additional Tier 1 capital. For the three months ended 31 March 2025 and 2024, Adjusted Return on Equity is calculated as the average balance of total equity minus additional Tier 1 capital, as at 31 December of the prior year and 31 March of the current year.

    Appendix 2 – Supplementary Financial Information

    Revenue

    The following tables present the Group’s segmental revenue for the periods indicated:

    3 months ended 31 March 2025 Clearing   Agency and Execution   Market Making   Hedging and Investment Solutions   Corporate   Total
      $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m
                           
    Net commission income 67.8   182.9         250.7
    Net trading income 3.0   49.9   54.9   51.3     159.1
    Net interest income/(expense) 48.4   5.6   (5.0)   (6.3)   10.7   53.4
    Net physical commodities income   1.1   3.0       4.1
    Revenue 119.2   239.5   52.9   45.0   10.7   467.3
    3 months ended 31 March 2024 Clearing   Agency and Execution   Market Making   Hedging and Investment Solutions   Corporate   Total
      $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m
                           
    Net commission income/(expense) 69.5   150.5   (1.1)       218.9
    Net trading income 1.0   9.1   44.2   51.9     106.2
    Net interest income/(expense) 30.2   8.0   (5.9)   (10.6)   13.9   35.6
    Net physical commodities income   0.5   4.6       5.1
    Revenue 100.7   168.1   41.8   41.3   13.9   365.8


    Consolidated Income Statement

    For the Three Months Ended 31 March 2025

        31 March
    2025
      31 March
    2024
        $m   $m
    Commission and fee income   503.7   400.6
    Commission and fee expense   (253.0)   (181.7)
    Net commission income   250.7   218.9
    Net trading income   159.1   106.2
    Interest income   198.8   163.2
    Interest expense   (145.4)   (127.6)
    Net interest income   53.4   35.6
    Net physical commodities income   4.1   5.1
    Revenue   467.3   365.8
             
    Expenses:        
    Compensation and benefits   (291.7)   (229.9)
    Depreciation and amortisation   (7.9)   (7.8)
    Other expenses   (73.8)   (69.6)
    Provision for credit losses     0.3
    Bargain purchase gain on acquisition   3.4  
    Other income   0.7   0.1
    Profit before tax   98.0   58.9
    Tax   (25.5)   (15.3)
    Profit after tax   72.5   43.6
             

    Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

    As at 31 March 2025

        31 March   31 December
        2025   2024
        $m   $m
    Assets        
    Non-current assets        
    Goodwill   225.0   176.5
    Intangible assets   54.5   56.5
    Property, plant and equipment   22.8   20.8
    Right-of-use asset   64.0   59.9
    Investments   25.7   24.0
    Deferred tax   29.5   46.7
    Treasury instruments (unpledged)   3.8   53.5
    Treasury instruments (pledged as collateral)   153.9   46.1
    Total non-current assets   579.2   484.0
             
    Current assets        
    Corporate income tax receivable   22.5   12.5
    Trade and other receivables   7,225.2   7,553.2
    Inventory   104.1   35.8
    Equity instruments (unpledged)   210.2   231.4
    Equity instruments (pledged as collateral)   4,627.2   4,446.6
    Derivative instruments   1,132.4   1,163.5
    Stock borrowing   1,911.6   1,781.7
    Treasury instruments (unpledged)   478.8   556.2
    Treasury instruments (pledged as collateral)   2,827.5   2,912.9
    Fixed income securities (unpledged)   129.7   87.7
    Reverse repurchase agreements   2,499.4   2,490.4
    Cash and cash equivalents   2,606.7   2,556.6
    Total current assets   23,775.3   23,828.5
    Total assets   24,354.5   24,312.5
        31 March   31 December
        2025   2024
        $m   $m
    Liabilities        
    Current liabilities        
    Repurchase agreements   2,386.0   2,305.8
    Trade and other payables   9,204.0   9,740.4
    Stock lending   4,481.3   4,952.1
    Short securities   1,969.0   1,704.6
    Short-term borrowings   271.1   152.0
    Lease liability   9.7   10.5
    Derivative instruments   798.4   751.7
    Corporation tax   39.0   41.9
    Debt securities   2,609.9   2,119.6
    Provisions   0.7   0.6
    Total current liabilities   21,769.1   21,779.2
    Non-current liabilities        
    Lease liability   73.4   67.0
    Debt securities   1,462.7   1,484.9
    Deferred tax liability   3.1   4.5
    Total non-current liabilities   1,539.2   1,556.4
    Total liabilities   23,308.3   23,335.6
    Total net assets   1,046.2   976.9
             
    Equity        
    Share capital   0.1   0.1
    Share premium   220.0   202.6
    Additional Tier 1 capital (AT1)   97.6   97.6
    Retained earnings   775.3   722.4
    Own shares   (48.9)   (23.2)
    Other reserves   2.1   (22.6)
    Total equity   1,046.2   976.9
             

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Civil News: 2024 Standard Civil Contract extended

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Civil News: 2024 Standard Civil Contract extended

    The 2024 Standard Civil Contract has been extended for a further 12 months to 30 June 2027.

    Applicants can tender in all civil categories of law.

    Next steps

    There is no action needed for existing 2024 Standard Civil Contract holders. Contract schedules will be updated in due course.

    Why is this happening?

    The LAA is committed to the provision of Civil Legal Aid and the provision of certainty to the market that encourages wider growth.

    This is part of the LAA’s ongoing commitment to do all we can to enable suitably qualified providers to offer legal aid funded services. It offers the ability for existing providers to expand their services as well as encouraging new providers to join.

    Further information

    Below is a link to the 2024 Standard Civil Contract and details of the procurement process which you can download and review:

    Standard civil contract 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: HS2 Ltd response to Construction Commissioner’s 32nd report

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    HS2 Ltd response to Construction Commissioner’s 32nd report

    High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd responds to the thirty-second Construction Commissioner’s report published in April 2025.

    Documents

    HS2 Ltd response to Construction Commissioner’s 32nd report

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Details

    The HS2 independent Construction Commissioner’s report provides an update on issues raised in his previous report and comments on matters which may have an impact on future numbers of complaints.

    The independent Construction Commissioner’s role is to mediate and monitor the way in which HS2 Ltd manages and responds to construction complaints. The Construction Commissioner will mediate any unresolved construction related disputes between HS2 Ltd and individuals or bodies, and provides advice to members of the public about how to make a complaint about construction.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint trade statement between New Zealand and United Kingdom

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Joint trade statement between New Zealand and United Kingdom

    Summary of a Joint Statement following the meeting of the Minister for Trade and Investment of New Zealand and Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

    This Joint Statement follows the meeting of the Minister for Trade and Investment of New Zealand and Secretary of State for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom on 12 May 2025.

    At their meeting, the Ministers celebrated the successful trading relationship between the UK and New Zealand, which reached a record £3.7bn1 or $7.3bn of trade in goods and services in 2024.

    At the meeting, the Ministers opened the second Joint Committee of the New Zealand-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

    Significant progress has been made under the FTA, including amongst other things, the commencement of an artists’ resale royalty scheme, the inclusion of further wine making (oenological) practices, the establishment of a legal services regulatory dialogue, the renewal of the engineers’ Admissions Pathways Agreement, a sustainable finance dialogue, a women in STEM event, and a visit to the UK by a delegation of Māori women technology entrepreneurs.

    Ministers commended the significant uptake of the Agreement.

    Since entry into force, £752.3m ($1,588m NZD) of traded goods successfully used preferential tariffs; i.e. around 82.2% of goods traded between the UK and New Zealand made use of preferences where one was available.

    The strong uptake of the Agreement’s benefits is resulting in real savings with the potential to benefit both businesses and consumers.

    Between June 2023 and Dec 2024:

    • £164.2m or $344.5m NZD (80.7%) of goods imports into New Zealand from the UK used preferential tariffs4. Had these occurred at standard Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates, they could have encountered an additional £9.3m ($19.5m NZD) in duties.

    • £588.1m or $1,243m NZD (82.6%) of goods imports into the UK from New Zealand used preferential tariffs6. Had these occurred at standard MFN tariff rates, they could have encountered an additional £67.4m ($141.8m NZD) in duties.5

    The Ministers noted that free trade is a cornerstone of prosperity in both countries. Recognising that open markets, and reliable legal and regulatory frameworks are essential for trade, the Ministers committed to strengthening the rules-based trading system.

    The Ministers agreed to work together to strengthen the role that free trade, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (which the United Kingdom and New Zealand are Parties to), plays in increasing prosperity and reinforcing resilience against economic turbulence.

    This includes growing the agreement ambitiously through further accessions, modernising the agreement through the ongoing General Review, and working with partners to defend the rules-based trading system upon which we rely.

    Note to editors:

    Sources:  Trade data sourced from the ONS publication of UK total trade: all countries seasonally adjusted October to December 2024 data.

    Source: Source: Statistics New Zealand, publicly accessible through New Zealand Trade Dashboard  

    Trade asymmetries exist between the UK and New Zealand official trade statistics, but this does not mean that either country is inaccurate in their estimation. Differences can be caused by a range of conceptual and measurement variations between the estimation practices of different countries.

    Based on data from New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Statistics New Zealand, Customs import utilisation data, April 2025

    Estimated duty savings are based on exchanged country tariff schedules and preference utilisation data (footnotes 4 and 6). For UK imports, these are all calculated used the Ad Valorem, Specific, or Compound tariffs applied at the CN8 level. Where appropriate, Ad Valorem Equivalent tariffs were used (source: MacMap). The Bank of England spot exchange rates (June-December 2023, and 2024) was used to convert from GBP to NZD.

    The underlying data for the imports into the UK preference utilisation figures were sourced from HM Revenue and Custom’s (HMRC) UK goods imports by tariff regime, February 2025 data. This data is provided on a country of origin basis.

    The methodology used to calculate UK preference utilisation rates can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods-technical-annex/preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods-official-statistics-technical-annex#methodology-note-for-preference-utilisation-of-uk-trade-in-goods

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Audience with the Brothers of the Christian Schools

    Source: The Holy See

    This morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV met with the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The following is the address delivered by the Pope to those present at the audience:

    Address of the Holy Father
    In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, peace be with you.
    Your Eminence,
    Dear brothers and sisters, welcome!
    I am very pleased to receive you, in the third centenary of the promulgation of the Bull In apostolicae Dignitatis solio, with which Pope Benedict XIII approved your Institute and your Regulations (26 January 1725). It also coincides with the 75th anniversary of the proclamation, by Pope Pius XII, of Saint John Baptist de La Salle as “Heavenly patron of all educators” (cf. Apostolic Letter Quod ait, 15 May 1950: AAS 12, 1950, 631-632.
    After three centuries, it is good to see how your presence continues to bear the freshness of a rich and vast educational entity, with which, in various parts of the world, you still dedicate yourselves to the formation of the young with enthusiasm, fidelity and a spirit of sacrifice.
    Precisely in the light of this anniversary, I would like to pause and reflect with you on two aspects of your history that I consider important for all of us: attention to current events and the ministerial and missionary dimension of teaching in the community.
    The beginnings of your work say a great deal about “current events”. Saint John Baptist de La Salle began by responding to the request for help from a layperson, Adriano Nyel, who was struggling to maintain his “school of the poor”. Your founder recognized in his request for help a sign of God; he accepted the challenge and set to work. Thus, beyond his own intentions and expectations, he brought to life to a new teaching system: that of the Christian Schools, free and open to everyone. Among the innovative elements he introduced in this pedagogical revolution were the teaching of classes and no longer of individual pupils; instead of Latin, the adoption of French as the language of instruction, which was accessible to all; Sunday lessons, in which even young people forced to work on weekdays were able to participate; and the involvement of families in the school curriculum, according to the principle of the “educational triangle”, which is still valid today. Thus, problems, as they arose, instead of discouraging him, stimulated him to seek creative answers and to venture onto new and often unexplored paths.
    All this can but make us think, and it also raises useful questions. What, in the world of youth today, are the most urgent challenges to be faced? What values are to be promoted? What resources can be counted on?
    Young people of our time, like those of every age, are a volcano of life, energy, sentiments and ideas. It can be seen from the wonderful things they are able to do, in so many fields. However, they also need help in order for this great wealth to grow in harmony, and to overcome what, albeit in a different way to the past, can still hinder their healthy development.
    While, for example, in the seventeenth century the use of the Latin language was an insuperable barrier to communication for many people, today there are other obstacles to be faced. Think of the isolation caused by rampant relational models increasingly marked by superficiality, individualism and emotional instability; the spread of patterns of thought weakened by relativism; and the prevalence of rhythms and lifestyles in which there is not enough room for listening, reflection and dialogue, at school, in the family, and sometimes among peers themselves, with consequent loneliness.
    These are demanding challenges, but we too, like Saint John Baptist de La Salle, can turn them into springboards to explore ways, develop tools and adopt new languages to continue to touch the hearts of pupils, helping them and spurring them on to face every obstacle with courage in order to give the best of themselves in life, according to God’s plans. In this sense, the attention you pay, in your schools, to the training of teachers and to the creation of educating communities in which the teaching effort is enriched by the contribution of all is commendable. I encourage you to continue along these paths.
    But I would like to point out another aspect of the Lasallian reality that I consider important: teaching lived as ministry and mission, as consecration in the Church. Saint John Baptist de La Salle did not want there to be priests among the teachers of the Christian Schools, but only “brothers”, so that all your efforts would be directed, with God’s help, to the education of the pupils. He loved to say: “Your altar is the cathedra”, thus promoting a reality hitherto unknown in the Church of his time: that of lay teachers and catechists, invested in the community with a genuine “ministry”, in accordance with the principle of evangelizing by educating, and educating by evangelizing (cf. Francis, Address to participants in the General Chapter of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, 21 May 2022).
    In this way the charism of the school, which you embrace with the fourth vow of teaching, besides being a service to society and a valuable work of charity, still appears today as one of the most beautiful and eloquent expressions of that priestly, prophetic and kingly munus we have all received in Baptism, as highlighted in the documents of the Vatican Council II. Thus, in your educational entities, religious brothers make prophetically visible, through their consecration, the baptismal ministry that spurs everyone (cf. Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium, 44), each according to his or her status and duties, without differences, “as living members, to expend all their energy for the growth of the Church and its continuous sanctification” (ivi., 33).
    For this reason, I hope that vocations to Lasallian religious consecration may grow, that they may be encouraged and promoted, in your schools and outside them, and that, in synergy with all the other formative components, they may contribute to inspiring joyful and fruitful paths of holiness among the young people who attend them.
    Thank you for what you do! I pray for you, and I impart to you the apostolic Blessing, which I gladly extend to all the Lasallian Family.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New coastal path connects Mablethorpe to Humber Bridge

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New coastal path connects Mablethorpe to Humber Bridge

    The latest stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP) from Maplethorpe to Humber Bridge opens today.

    Two coastal path walkers

    Families, nature lovers and ramblers can now explore a stunning new 47 miles (75km) coastal route along Lincolnshire’s diverse shoreline.

    The new section, connecting Mablethorpe to the Humber Bridge, takes walkers from traditional seaside towns through expansive dune systems. Through nature reserves and to the industrial heritage of the Humber estuary.

    This opening creates an almost continuous 160-mile coastal route from Sutton Bridge to Easington, with just 2 small gaps at Gibraltar Point bridge and Immingham.

    Natural England’s Deputy Director for Natural England in the East Midlands Victoria Manton, said:

     “This new stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path will give people from all over the country access to our beautiful local coastline, connecting them with nature and providing health and wellbeing benefits. The trail will also support the local economy – bringing walkers and visitors to the towns and villages for daytrips, refreshments and places to stay.”

    Chris Miller, Head of Environment at Lincolnshire County Council said:

    “With these latest additions to the King Charles III England Coast Path coming to fruition we can now provide one of the most spectacular walks anywhere in the country.”

    “This is the outcome of several agencies working together to give legal access to a unique part of the country for people to enjoy. There is a vast array of wildlife and topography that you only get on our coast and now anyone who wants to see it, can do so for free.”

    The route showcases the remarkable diversity of Britain’s coastline. Visitors can experience the traditional seaside charm of Mablethorpe, with its donkey rides and holiday parks, before discovering the tranquillity of Saltfleetby and Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve.

    Two donkeys on the beach

    Further north, the path passes Donna Nook bombing range, where bizarrely around 2000 grey seal pups are born each autumn. Then follows the beaches of resort Cleethorpes and the fishing town of Grimsby. Before traversing the industrial and port developments around Immingham, ultimately reaching the iconic Humber Bridge.

    When the final 41-mile link between Easington and Bridlington North Sands opens later this year, there will be over 450 miles of continuous path from Sutton Bridge to the Scottish border.

    The project now means over half of the entire King Charles III England Coast Path is open for public use.

    Research shows coastal paths provide significant health and wellbeing benefits while generating valuable tourism income for local businesses along the route.

    Two pairs of walking boots on the sandy beach

    The King Charles III England Coast Path aims to stay as close to the sea as possible. In many places, that means walking right where land meets sea, occasionally heading inland, though usually only for short distances. 

    The National Trails website has lots of maps and advice on route-planning and details of places to visit, stay or eat.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government goes further and faster to boost capital markets by delivering PISCES

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government goes further and faster to boost capital markets by delivering PISCES

    Capital markets are set to be boosted, as part of this government’s Plan for Change.

    • Government delivers legislation to establish the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System Sandbox (PISCES) – an innovative new type of stock market for private companies that will boost the growth companies of the future and support the UK’s IPO pipeline. 
    • This delivers on the Chancellor’s Mansion House commitment to launch PISCES by May, with share trading taking place later this year.
    • The government will legislate to ensure that employees who have share options will be able to exercise them on PISCES and retain tax advantages, making the platform more attractive for companies and investors looking to use PISCES.

    Capital markets are set to be boosted, as part of this government’s Plan for Change as we deliver legislation for PISCES, a new type of stock market which will give investors the chance to get in on the ground floor of some of the most exciting companies around, so supporting those businesses to grow. 

    Today’s announcement means that stock markets can launch their PISCES platforms in the coming months with shares likely to be traded in the Autumn. Thanks to PISCES, private company shareholders, which includes founders and early-stage investors, can more easily realise their gains and reinvest this in productive assets. 

    In a boost to growth companies and start-ups, the government has also confirmed that it will legislate to ensure employees retain tax advantages on the share options they have, which will make PISCES more attractive and encourage even more businesses to use the platform.

    Emma Reynolds, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said:

    Getting PISCES up and running will support UK growth companies. This will boost our capital markets and help to grow our economy, putting more money in working people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.

    We are also ensuring that employees will retain the tax advantages of shares traded on PISCES to boost the attractiveness of the product to high growth companies looking to expand.

    Simon Walls, Executive Director of Markets at the FCA, said:

    We are laying the groundwork for a new private stock market that will give investors more opportunities to invest in growing companies.  

    Today’s legislation is a big step forward and we will set out the final rules for PISCES soon. Together, this will support an organised marketplace to buy and sell private shares.

    To ensure employees can continue to benefit from the tax advantages on their shares, the law will be changed to extend to the existing Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) and Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) contracts to also include PISCES

    This is in addition to the announcement in the Autumn Budget making PISCES transactions exempt from Stamp Taxes on Shares. Today’s announcement on tax mean that employees as well as investors will benefit from the tax changes made, further increasing the attractiveness of the project. 

    Today’s reform delivers on the Chancellor’s commitment at Mansion House to deliver PISCES, a new innovative market for trading private company shares, combining features of private and public markets. 

    Companies and investors using the platform will benefit from greater flexibility and have greater freedom to choose when and to whom their shares are traded with, and they will only be required to disclose information ahead of trading. 

    The platform will act as a stepping stone for companies eyeing a listing in future preparing and easing the journey to an IPO. 

    With many companies choosing to stay private for longer, there is increasing demand for investors, including angel investors and employees, to be able to trade shares in private companies more easily.

    The Financial Conduct Authority will publish their rules underpinning PISCES shortly after the legislation comes into force. Thereafter, those wishing to operate PISCES trading events can apply to the FCA. We expect to see the first PISCES trading events take place later this year.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local roll-out of national 20mph strategy underway

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    By the end of 2025, all unrestricted roads in urban areas around Scotland will have a default 20mph speed limit under the Transport Scotland strategy. The aim is to consistently reduce the risk of conflict between different road users and therefore also cut the levels of road traffic collisions and casualties across the country. 

    All urban streets within Perth and Kinross have been assessed, and adjustments to speed limits made in agreement with the councillors for each ward. Some key transport routes into larger towns will continue to have a 30mph speed limit on the periphery of the settlement but be lowered to 20mph in the town centres themselves. Where A and B roads have limited buildings along them, or have housing restricted to one side of the road, the 30mph limit will be retained.  

    The assessment has additionally identified locations for new 30mph and 40mph limits, and where these limits already exist, those locations which should be amended because of the new 20mph limit being introduced.  

    Each change is being put in place via a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO), which can be in place for up to 18 months, and would be made permanent if the change proves successful. All the new 20mph limits are being introduced, in the first instance, through road signage at the beginning and end of the speed limit section and reminder signs within it to highlight the change.  

    The impact of the changes will be assessed via speed monitoring at selected sites representing the different road environments within the Council’s network. The data gathered in this way will also help determine where physical speed reduction measures may be needed in addition to the road signs. 

    Introduction of the new speed limits by geographic area is already underway, with new signs installed in Crieff and Comrie along the A85 corridor at the same time as works being carried out by BEAR Scotland, along with works as part of the Cross Tay Link Road mitigation measures. The third phase, covering Braco, Greenloaning and Muthill (Council Ward 7) is now underway following site meetings with local community councils. 

    Convener of Economy and Infrastructure, Councillor Eric Drysdale said: “Improving the consistency of speed limits in our urban areas is important in trying to protect road users, particularly the most vulnerable, and reduce collisions. The changes being made over the course of 2025 as part of delivering locally on the national strategy from Transport Scotland are intended to make a real difference to road safety in Perth and Kinross. I would encourage motorists to be aware of the changes and drive to the new speed limits as they are put in place.” 

    Inspector Gordon Dickson from Police Scotland said: “Road safety is a priority and we work closely with partner agencies to ensure this. 

    “The dangers of speeding are well-known. People who speed not only put themselves at risk, but also other members of the public and drivers should take responsibility for their own actions when they get behind the wheel. 

    “We urge drivers to remain within the speed limit and help ensure safety for themselves and other road users.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE roundtable explores the role of emerging technologies in policing in multi-ethnic societies

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE roundtable explores the role of emerging technologies in policing in multi-ethnic societies

    Expert roundtable discussion on how emerging technologies are shaping policing practices in multi-ethnic societies, jointly organized by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Strategic Police Matters Unit (TNTD/SPMU), The Hague, 15 May 2025. (OSCE/Jelena Nikolić Todorić) Photo details

    On 15 May 2025, experts in policing and minority rights gathered in The Hague, the Netherlands for a roundtable discussion on how emerging technologies are shaping policing practices in multi-ethnic societies. The event was jointly organized by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) and the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Strategic Police Matters Unit (TNTD/SPMU).
    Twelve participants from law enforcement, academia, civil society, international organizations, and OSCE institutions and field operations explored the growing use of technologies such as artificial intelligence, predictive policing and facial recognition. Discussions focused on how these tools are transforming community engagement, operational strategies and reporting practices – particularly in ethnically diverse contexts.
    The roundtable provided a platform to examine both the potential benefits and the serious risks posed by new technologies in policing. A key concern was the need to mitigate bias and inaccuracies in technological tools to ensure fair and effective law enforcement.
    Central to the discussion was the continued relevance and effectiveness of the HCNM Recommendations on Policing in Multi-Ethnic Societies (Policing Recommendations), first published in 2006. Participants explored how the Policing Recommendations can be updated to reflect the challenges and opportunities of today’s fast-evolving technological landscape, while upholding human rights, particularly those of minorities.
    This event built on the outcomes of the 15th Anniversary Conference of the HCNM’s Recommendations on Policing in Multi-Ethnic Societies, held in Vienna, Austria in 2021, which identified the impact of new technologies as a critical area for further exploration.
    Findings of this roundtable, together with insights from a second expert consultation planned for later this year, will inform the HCNM’s and TNTD/SPMU’s efforts to strengthen the practical application of the Policing Recommendations. The outcomes will also contribute to the High Commissioner’s advisory work, helping participating States harness the benefits of modern policing methods while safeguarding the rights of all communities.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft held an IT competition for students of Krasnoyarsk universities

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Rosneft’s Research Institute in Krasnoyarsk organized a hackathon at the Siberian Federal University to develop software for hydrodynamic well studies.

    The participants’ task was to create a prototype of a program that optimizes the processing and analysis of research results by visualizing the entire technological complex of works during well research. Students from the Institute of Oil and Gas, the Institute of Mathematics and Applied Informatics, and the Institute of Space and Information Technologies of the Siberian Federal University took part in the hackathon.

    Eight teams successfully completed the task. According to the decision of the expert jury, which included Rosneft specialists and university teachers, two teams won the hackathon at once, one of which completed the task most accurately, and the second created an effective solution in terms of the structure and organization of software elements and hardware components. Both proposed solutions present broad opportunities for the development and implementation of a digital product within the Company.

    Digitalization of business processes is one of the key objectives of the Rosneft 2030 strategy. The company continuously implements advanced technological solutions for data analysis to improve the efficiency of work processes in all areas of its activities. Conducting specialized hackathons allows Rosneft to solve real production problems and develop the potential of future industry professionals in managing digital projects.

    Reference:

    Rosneft has been cooperating with the Siberian Federal University since 2008. With the financial and organizational assistance of the Company, an educational and laboratory building of the Institute of Oil and Gas, equipped with modern equipment, was built at SFU. This is one of the most popular institutes among applicants.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft May 15, 2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: Developing countries should unite against US tariff abuses – think tank

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    GENEVA, May 15 (Xinhua) — The United States uses tariffs as a strategic tool to extract concessions beyond trade, Carlos Correa, executive director of the South Center, said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.

    He warned that such unilateral measures could cause serious harm to developing countries if not met with a strong and coordinated response.

    The South Centre, an intergovernmental think tank of the Global South, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation seeks to advance the common interests of the countries of the South while respecting their diversity.

    Correa criticized the unilateral imposition of US tariffs, noting that they have caused serious harm to developing economies, especially the least developed countries. “The consequences could be very significant: loss of jobs, even the closure of some industries and farms, rising debts and interest rates if the situation continues,” he added.

    He also refuted the American narrative that the US trade deficit is caused by unfair practices of other countries, pointing to structural problems in the American economy. He warned that the US uses tariffs for selfish purposes, such as preferential access to mineral resources, which undermines the interests of most developing countries.

    No country should ignore the international trading system, Correa stressed, calling on developing countries to strengthen cooperation to solve problems “created by one country.”

    He noted that only through dialogue and collective action can the Global South protect its common interests and contribute to a balanced world economy. “Our advice to developing countries remains: do not avoid dialogue, but protect your interests and support a multilateral system that is effective in ensuring that rules serve not just one large economy, but the economies of all countries within the system,” Correa said.

    Underlining the continued importance of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Correa called it the most comprehensive platform for coordination and dispute resolution. He called on developing countries to actively participate in WTO reforms to enhance the transparency and inclusiveness of the organization, thereby strengthening its legitimacy and effectiveness.

    Correa also praised China’s active role in promoting South-South cooperation. “China has made active efforts to promote South-South cooperation, which has opened up broad opportunities for increasing trade among developing countries,” he said. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: Euronext N.V. Annual General Meeting results   

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Euronext N.V. Annual General Meeting results         

    Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 15 May 2025 – Euronext announced that in its Annual General Meeting (AGM) that took place today, all resolutions with the exception of voting item 1 (advisory vote) were approved.

    The voting items were as follows:

    1. Proposal to adopt the 2024 remuneration report
    2. Proposal to adopt the 2024 financial statements
    3. Proposal to adopt a dividend of €2.90 per ordinary share
    4. Proposal to discharge the members of the Managing Board in respect of their duties performed during the year 2024
    5. Proposal to discharge the members of the Supervisory Board in respect of their duties performed during the year 2024
    6. Re-appointment of Piero Novelli as a member of the Supervisory Board
    7. Re-appointment of Olivier Sichel as a member of the Supervisory Board
    8. Appointment of Francesca Scaglia as a member of the Supervisory Board
    9. Re-appointment of Delphine d’Amarzit as a member of the Managing Board
    10. Appointment of René van Vlerken as a member of the Managing Board
    11. Proposal to amend the remuneration policy with regard to the Managing Board
    12. Proposal to amend the remuneration policy with regard to the Supervisory Board
    13. Proposal to appoint the external auditor
    14. Proposal regarding cancellation of the company’s own shares purchased by the company under the share repurchase program
    15. Proposal to designate the Managing Board as the competent body to issue ordinary shares
    16. Proposal to designate the Managing Board as the competent body to restrict or exclude the pre-emptive rights of shareholders
    17. Proposal to authorise the Managing Board to acquire ordinary shares in the share capital of the company on behalf of the company
    18. Proposal to authorise the Supervisory Board or Managing Board (subject to approval of the Supervisory Board) to grant rights to French beneficiaries to receive shares in accordance with Articles L225-197-1 and seq. of the French Code of commerce

    The payment of the annual dividend will occur on 28 May 2025, with ex-dividend on 26 May 2025 and record date on 27 May 2025.

    CONTACTS  

    ANALYSTS & INVESTORS ir@euronext.com

    Investor Relations        Aurélie Cohen                 

            Judith Stein        +33 6 15 23 91 97          

    MEDIA – mediateam@euronext.com 

    Europe        Aurélie Cohen         +33 1 70 48 24 45   

            Andrea Monzani         +39 02 72 42 62 13 

    Belgium        Marianne Aalders         +32 26 20 15 01                 

    France, Corporate        Flavio Bornancin-Tomasella        +33 1 70 48 24 45                 

    Ireland        Andrea Monzani         +39 02 72 42 62 13                 

    Italy         Ester Russom         +39 02 72 42 67 56                 

    The Netherlands        Marianne Aalders         +31 20 721 41 33                 

    Norway         Cathrine Lorvik Segerlund        +47 41 69 59 10                 

    Portugal         Sandra Machado        +351 91 777 68 97                

    Corporate Solutions        Andrea Monzani         +39 02 72 42 62 13                          

    About Euronext  

    Euronext is the leading European capital market infrastructure, covering the entire capital markets value chain, from listing, trading, clearing, settlement and custody, to solutions for issuers and investors. Euronext runs MTS, one of Europe’s leading electronic fixed income trading markets, and Nord Pool, the European power market. Euronext also provides clearing and settlement services through Euronext Clearing and its Euronext Securities CSDs in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal.

    As of March 2025, Euronext’s regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal host nearly 1,800 listed issuers with €6.3 trillion in market capitalisation, a strong blue-chip franchise and the largest global centre for debt and fund listings. With a diverse domestic and international client base, Euronext handles 25% of European lit equity trading. Its products include equities, FX, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, commodities and indices.

    For the latest news, go to euronext.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn.

    Disclaimer

    This press release is for information purposes only: it is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and is provided “as is”, without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication may be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronext’s subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is available at www.euronext.com/terms-use.

    © 2025, Euronext N.V. – All rights reserved. 

    The Euronext Group processes your personal data in order to provide you with information about Euronext (the “Purpose”). With regard to the processing of this personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation, “GDPR”), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR, as provided in its privacy statement available at: www.euronext.com/privacy-policy. In accordance with the applicable legislation you have rights with regard to the processing of your personal data: for more information on your rights, please refer to: www.euronext.com/data_subjects_rights_request_information. To make a request regarding the processing of your data or to unsubscribe from this press release service, please use our data subject request form at connect2.euronext.com/form/data-subjects-rights-request or email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@euronext.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Global: Where do cuts to USAID leave the future of foreign aid in Africa? Podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    Three months after the Trump administration made drastic cuts to its aid agency, USAID, the effects are being felt across the world, particularly in Africa.

     Donald Trump has long been a critic of foreign aid, arguing that it’s not aligned with American interests. But he is  by no means the first person to criticise the aid industry. Debates about the effectiveness of foreign aid have rumbled on for decades, taking in everything from the way development assistance is distributed, to what happens to countries which become dependent on it.

    In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we speak to Bright Simons, an African aid expert and visiting senior fellow at ODI Global, about where the decimation of USAID leaves the debate about the future of development assistance.

    Bright Simons tells The Conversation that in broad terms, USAID spending in Africa is pretty small: “It’s about US$12 billion (£9 billion) roughly, so you’re talking about less than 0.5% of GDP in Africa.”

    A lot of the aid spending on the continent was targeted at life-saving programmes in specific programmes, for example HIV programmes in Nigeria and Uganda. At the same time, some countries such as South Sudan or Rwanda rely heavily on aid. “ It’s not the same picture all across the continent, but there were specific spots that were very badly hit,” says Simons.

    The USAID cuts come amid a general reduction in overseas development assistance by 7% in 2024 compared to 2023, the first fall in five years. The UK government has also announced its intention to reduce the percentage of gross national income it spends on aid from 0.5% to 0.3% from 2027.

    No learning curve

    Simons believes the crisis in aid is bigger than Trump. He’s critical of the lack of accountability in the way aid is spent both through the western model of development spending and through the more transactional approach of countries such as Russia, India or the United Arab Emirates. He argues that policies and programmes are often put in place and promoted with little scrutiny on the ground, and weak oversight on the way they’re delivered.

    “ You don’t have a learning curve to get out of aid because you don’t know enough about what is working, what is not working, why it’s working, why it’s not working to chart a path that gets you away from that dependency,” says Simons.

    Simons suggests that aid delivered through multilateral institutions does have advantages over bilateral agreements between countries. “ In theory, there is room for that kind of accountability. Whether or not you are allowed to actually exercise it as a different matter,” he says.

    However, Simons suggests one response to the current reduction in foreign aid could be for multilateral institutions to borrow more money from capital markets and lend it on to low-income countries.

    Listen to Simons talk about the history and future of aid on The Conversation Weekly podcast. The episode also includes an introduction with Adejuwon Soyinka, West Africa editor at The Conversation Africa.


    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Mend Mariwany and Gemma Ware. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Newsclips in this episode from CBS News, CBS Evening News and DW News.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available on Apple Podcasts.

    Bright Simons is Honorary Vice-President at IMANI, a think tank in Ghana. He is President of mPedigree, a technology social enterprise.

    ref. Where do cuts to USAID leave the future of foreign aid in Africa? Podcast – https://theconversation.com/where-do-cuts-to-usaid-leave-the-future-of-foreign-aid-in-africa-podcast-256608

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pension Scheme reforms to boost benefits and tackle inequality

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Pension Scheme reforms to boost benefits and tackle inequality

    Changes will mean more money in the pockets of hard-working people when they reach retirement, delivering on government’s Plan for Change

    Street cleaners, school cooks and other dedicated public servants are set to benefit from a package of reforms to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) that will end discrimination and lead to more money in people’s pockets.     

    Today’s measures build on the government’s wider Make Work Pay agenda that will back millions of workers by banning exploitative zero-hours contracts and ending ‘Fire and Rehire’ and ‘Fire and Replace’ practices.  

    Under measures announced today, the Local Government Pension Scheme for England and Wales will become the first public service pension scheme – of which three quarters are women – to make the last 13 weeks of statutory maternity pay automatically pensionable. 

    And issues with current regulations that saw survivors of members receiving smaller pensions on the basis of their relationship type will be fixed – ending historic inequalities.  

    These steps will directly benefit people working on the front line, serving school lunches, cleaning buildings, managing libraries and cleaning streets. 

    Loopholes that allow those guilty of serious offences to continue benefitting from the pension scheme will also be closed, as part of a crackdown to ensure public servants’ money does not go to those who do not deserve it.   

    Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said: 

    “These historic changes will give hard working street cleaners, librarians, school cooks and other public servants the security that they deserve.  

    “This is a critical step in ending years of discrimination, backing our dedicated public servants and helping to Make Work Pay.”

    Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP, said: 

    “Having worked in local government for years, I know first-hand how much those who help keep the lights on across the country rely on the Local Government Pension Scheme. 

    “Through these reforms, we will make sure they are properly rewarded and able to enjoy their hard-earned retirement.”

    Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell MP said:  

    “Today’s changes will ensure more public servants get the benefits and security they deserve.  

    “Our reforms to Local Government Pension Schemes are bringing fairness and equality to workers, while boosting the potential of schemes to drive opportunity and growth in local communities.”

    Latest estimates show 74 per cent of the scheme’s seven million members are women, and one of the most significant gaps in a woman’s pensionable service is often maternity leave.  

    Making the final 13 weeks’ leave automatically pensionable will be a significant improvement and help close the gender pensions gap women face.    

    Another issue the reforms aim to address is a disparity in survivor benefits – which are paid to the scheme’s members’ partners upon their death.   

    Due to issues with the existing regulations, there have been instances where those in same-sex marriages and civil partnerships receive a more generous pension entitlement than those in opposite-sex marriages and partnerships. But under proposed reforms, all discrimination on the basis of the sex of those affected will be removed.    

    In addition, an age cap currently in place that requires an LGPS member to have died before the age of 75 for their survivor to receive a lump sum payment will also be abolished.    

    The government is also taking steps to keep people in the scheme by enhancing data collection on why people opt out, in a bid to ensure as many people as possible benefit.    

    A consultation on the proposed reforms to LGPS members’ benefits is now open for 12 weeks, and those affected are encouraged to register their views.    

    Other measures the government is taking to make work pay include:  

    • Banning exploitative zero-hours contracts  

    • Ending ‘Fire and Rehire’ and ‘Fire and Replace’ practices  

    • Strengthening statutory sick pay

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: SHELL PLC – REPORT ON PAYMENTS TO GOVERNMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Shell plc – Report on Payments to Governments for the year 2024

    Basis for preparation – Report on Payments to Governments for the year 2024
    This Report provides a consolidated overview of the payments to governments made by Shell plc and its subsidiary undertakings (hereinafter referred to as “Shell”) for the year 2024 as required under the UK’s Reports on Payments to Governments Regulations 2014 (as amended in December 2015). These UK Regulations enact domestic rules in line with Directive 2013/34/EU (the EU Accounting Directive (2013)) and apply to large UK incorporated companies like Shell that are involved in the exploration, prospection, discovery, development and extraction of minerals, oil, natural gas deposits or other materials. This Report is also filed with the National Storage Mechanism (https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism) intended to satisfy the requirements of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. This Report is also published pursuant to article 5:25e of the Dutch FMSA (Wft) and is furnished with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) according to Section 13(q) under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

    This Report is available for download from www.shell.com/payments.

    Legislation
    This Report is prepared in accordance with The Reports on Payments to Governments Regulations 2014 as enacted in the UK in December 2014 and as amended in December 2015.

    Reporting entities
    This Report includes payments to governments made by Shell plc and its subsidiary undertakings (Shell). Payments made by entities where Shell has joint control are excluded from this Report.

    Activities
    Payments made by Shell to governments arising from activities involving the exploration, prospection, discovery, development and extraction of minerals, oil and natural gas deposits or other materials (extractive activities) are disclosed in this Report. It excludes payments related to refining, natural gas liquefaction or gas-to-liquids activities. For a fully integrated project, which does not have an interim contractual cut-off point where a value can be attached or ascribed separately to the extractive activities and to other processing activities, payments to governments are not artificially split but are disclosed in full.

    Government
    Government includes any national, regional or local authority of a country, and includes a department, agency or entity that is a subsidiary of a government, including a national oil company.

    Project
    Payments are reported at project level, except those payments that are not attributable to a specific project which are reported at entity level. Project is defined as operational activities which are governed by a single contract, licence, lease, concession or similar legal agreement, and form the basis for payment liabilities with a government. If such agreements are substantially interconnected, those agreements are to be treated as a single project.

    “Substantially interconnected” means forming a set of operationally and geographically integrated contracts, licences, leases or concessions or related agreements with substantially similar terms that are signed with a government giving rise to payment liabilities. Such agreements can be governed by a single contract, joint venture, production sharing agreement or other overarching legal agreement. Indicators of integration include, but are not limited to, geographic proximity, the use of shared infrastructure and common operational management.

    Payment
    The information is reported under the following payment types:

    Production entitlements
    These are the host government’s share of production in the reporting period derived from projects operated by Shell. This includes the government’s share as a sovereign entity or through its participation as an equity or interest holder in projects within its sovereign jurisdiction (home country). Production entitlements arising from activities or interests outside of its home country are excluded.

    In certain contractual arrangements, typically a production sharing contract, a government through its participation interest may contribute funding of capital and operating expenditure to projects, from which it derives production entitlement to cover such funding (cost recovery). Such cost recovery production entitlement is included.

    In situations where a government settles Shell’s income tax obligation on behalf of Shell by utilising its share of production entitlements (typically under a tax-paid concession), such amount will be deducted from the reported production entitlement.

    Taxes
    These are taxes paid by Shell on its income, profits or production (which include resource severance tax and petroleum resource rent tax), including those settled by a government on behalf of Shell under a tax-paid concession. Payments are reported net of refunds. Consumption taxes, personal income taxes, sales taxes, property and environmental taxes are excluded.

    Royalties
    These are payments for the rights to extract oil and gas resources, typically at a set percentage of revenue less any deductions that may be taken.

    Dividends
    These are dividend payments other than dividends paid to a government as an ordinary shareholder of an entity unless paid in lieu of production entitlements or royalties. For the year ended December 31, 2024, there were no reportable dividend payments to a government.

    Bonuses
    These are payments for bonuses. These are usually paid upon signing an agreement or a contract, or when a commercial discovery is declared, or production has commenced, or production has reached a milestone.

    Licence fees, rental fees, entry fees and other considerations for licences and/or concessions
    These are fees and other sums paid as consideration for acquiring a licence for gaining access to an area where extractive activities are performed. Administrative government fees that are not specifically related to the extractive sector, or to access to extractive resources, are excluded. Also excluded are payments made in return for services provided by a government.

    Infrastructure improvements
    These are payments which relate to the construction of infrastructure (road, bridge or rail) not substantially dedicated for the use of extractive activities. Payments which are a social investment in nature, for example building of a school or hospital, are excluded.

    Other
    Operatorship
    When Shell makes a payment directly to a government arising from a project, regardless of whether Shell is the operator, the full amount paid is disclosed even where Shell as the operator is proportionally reimbursed by its non-operating venture partners through a partner billing process (cash-call).

    When a national oil company is the operator of a project to whom Shell makes a reportable payment, which is distinguishable in the cash-call, it is included in this Report.

    Cash and in-kind payments
    Payments are reported on a cash basis. In-kind payments are converted to an equivalent cash value based on the most appropriate and relevant valuation method for each payment, which can be at cost or market value, or such value as stated in the contract. In-kind payments are reported in both volumes and the equivalent cash value.

    Materiality level
    For each payment type, total payments below £86,000 to a government are excluded from this Report.

    Exchange rate
    Payments made in currencies other than US dollars are translated for this Report based on the foreign exchange rate at the relevant quarterly average rate.

    Report on Payments to Governments [1]

    Summary report (in USD)
    Countries Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Europe              
    Germany         –         243,935,441         –         –         –         –         243,935,441
    Italy         –         4,128,063         74,213,782         –         80,220,786         –         158,562,631
    Norway         2,083,221,642         1,300,962,023         –         –         122,391         –         3,384,306,056
    United Kingdom         –         -16,649,747         –         –         11,483,529         –         -5,166,218
    Asia              
    Brunei         3,983,642         44,229,620         8,660,091         –         –         –         56,873,353
    China         –         10,343,616         –         –         –         –         10,343,616
    India         –         -17,715,638         –         –         –         –         -17,715,638
    Kazakhstan         –         242,741,780         –         –         –         –         242,741,780
    Malaysia         2,317,002,807         305,924,901         500,008,822         –         –         –         3,122,936,530
    Middle East              
    Oman         633,711,368         3,954,062,451         –         –         900,000         –         4,588,673,819
    Qatar         1,801,453,896         1,507,244,066         –         –         30,538,723         –         3,339,236,685
    Oceania              
    Australia         –         1,277,737,693         468,579,450         –         13,412,457         266,428         1,759,996,028
    Africa              
    Egypt         –         41,164,348         –         1,836,435         –         –         43,000,783
    Nigeria         3,804,949,166         648,734,398         780,231,463         –         102,925,166         –         5,336,840,193
    Sao Tome and Principe         –         –         –         1,300,000         –         –         1,300,000
    Tanzania         –         –         –         –         140,000         –         140,000
    Tunisia         –         24,904,580         4,941,633         –         –         –         29,846,213
    North America              
    Canada         –         172,567,072         4,697,991         –         1,423,783         –         178,688,846
    Mexico         –         –         –         –         21,527,002         –         21,527,002
    USA         –         53,238,500         1,187,594,021         –         80,678,527         860,822         1,322,371,870
    South America              
    Argentina         53,082,051         1,984,309         143,969,668         –         123,276         –         199,159,304
    Brazil         327,688,819         656,740,954         1,147,687,680         9,540,351         1,556,282,443         –         3,697,940,247
    Colombia         –         –         –         –         489,880         –         489,880
    Trinidad and Tobago         362,690,585         561,771         2,210,566         300,000         13,719,070         –         379,481,992
    Total         11,387,783,976         10,456,840,201         4,322,795,167         12,976,786         1,913,987,033         1,127,250         28,095,510,413

    [1] The figures in this Report are rounded.

    Germany

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    FEDERAL CENTRAL TAX OFFICE         –         294,891,077         –         –         –         –         294,891,077
    MUNICIPALITY OF COLOGNE         –         -2,763,591         –         –         –         –         -2,763,591
    MUNICIPALITY OF DINSLAKEN         –         -386,534         –         –         –         –         -386,534
    MUNICIPALITY OF GELSENKIRCHEN         –         -483,145         –         –         –         –         -483,145
    MUNICIPALITY OF OSTSTEINBEK         –         584,685         –         –         –         –         584,685
    MUNICIPALITY OF WESSELING         –         -3,943,262         –         –         –         –         -3,943,262
    TAX AUTHORITY HAMBURG         –         -43,963,789         –         –         –         –         -43,963,789
    Total                  243,935,441                                             243,935,441
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Entity level payment              
    DEUTSCHE SHELL HOLDING GmbH         –         243,935,441         –         –         –         –         243,935,441
    Total                  243,935,441                                             243,935,441

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    Italy

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    CALVELLO MUNICIPALITY         –         –         884,083         –         –         –         884,083
    CORLETO PERTICARA MUNICIPALITY         –         –         1,964,671         –         –         –         1,964,671
    GORGOGLIONE MUNICIPALITY         –         –         302,257         –         –         –         302,257
    GRUMENTO NOVA MUNICIPALITY         –         –         505,190         –         –         –         505,190
    MARSICO NUOVO MUNICIPALITY         –         –         378,893         –         –         –         378,893
    MARSICOVETERE MUNICIPALITY         –         –         126,298         –         –         –         126,298
    MONTEMURRO MUNICIPALITY         –         –         126,298         –         –         –         126,298
    REGIONE BASILICATA         –         –         44,157,199         –         79,302,465         –         123,459,664
    TESORERIA PROVINICIALE DELLO STATO         –         4,128,063         22,264,135         –         718,305         –         27,110,503
    VIGGIANO MUNICIPALITY         –         –         3,504,758         –         200,016         –         3,704,774
    Total                  4,128,063         74,213,782                  80,220,786                  158,562,631
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    ITALY UPSTREAM ASSET         –         4,128,063         74,213,782         –         80,220,786         –         158,562,631
    Total                  4,128,063         74,213,782                  80,220,786                  158,562,631

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report. 

    Norway

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements   Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments                
    EQUINOR ASA         853,946,278 [A]         –         –         –         –         –         853,946,278
    PETORO AS         1,229,275,364 [B]         –         –         –         –         –         1,229,275,364
    SKATTEETATEN         –           1,300,962,023         –         –         –         –         1,300,962,023
    SOKKELDIREKTORATET         –           –         –         –         122,391         –         122,391
    Total         2,083,221,642           1,300,962,023                           122,391                  3,384,306,056
                     
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements   Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects                
    ORMEN LANGE         2,083,221,642 [C]         –         –         –         –         –         2,083,221,642
    Entity level payment                
    A/S NORSKE SHELL         —           1,300,962,023         –         –         122,391         –         1,301,084,414
    Total         2,083,221,642           1,300,962,023                           122,391                  3,384,306,056

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    [A] Includes payment in kind of $853,946,278 for 12,291 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (kboe) valuated at market price. 

    [B] Includes payment in kind of $1,229,275,364 for 17,693 kboe valuated at market price. 

    [C] Includes payment in kind of $2,083,221,642 for 29,984 kboe valuated at market price.

    United Kingdom

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    HM REVENUE AND CUSTOMS         –         -16,649,747         –         –         –         –         -16,649,747
    NORTH SEA TRANSITION AUTHORITY         –         –         –         –         11,355,210         –         11,355,210
    THE CROWN ESTATE SCOTLAND         –         –         –         –         128,319         –         128,319
    Total                  -16,649,747                           11,483,529                  -5,166,218
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    BRENT AND OTHER NORTHERN NORTH SEA PROJECTS         –         -32,113,820         –         –         563,325         –         -31,550,495
    ONEGAS WEST         –         –         –         –         3,232,597         –         3,232,597
    UK EXPLORATION PROJECTS         –         –         –         –         1,117,783         –         1,117,783
    UK OFFSHORE OPERATED         –         –         –         –         2,119,313         –         2,119,313
    WEST OF SHETLAND NON-OPERATED         –         –         –         –         1,076,456         –         1,076,456
    Entity level payment              
    SHELL U.K. LIMITED         –         15,464,073         –         –         3,374,055         –         18,838,128
    Total                  -16,649,747                           11,483,529                  -5,166,218

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report. 

    Brunei

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMY         –         44,229,620         –         –         –         –         44,229,620
    PETROLEUM AUTHORITY OF BRUNEI DARUSSALEM         3,983,642         –         8,660,091         –         –         –         12,643,733
    Total         3,983,642         44,229,620         8,660,091                                    56,873,353
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Entity level payment              
    SHELL DEEPWATER BORNEO B.V.         –         39,001,133         –         –         –         –         39,001,133
    SHELL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION BRUNEI B.V.         3,983,642         5,228,487         8,660,091         –         –         –         17,872,220
    Total         3,983,642         44,229,620         8,660,091                                    56,873,353

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report. 

    China

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    TIANJIN MUNICIPAL TAXATION BUREAU         –         5,911,867         –         –         –         –         5,911,867
    YULIN MUNICIPAL TAXATION BUREAU         –         4,431,749         –         –         –         –         4,431,749
    Total                  10,343,616                                             10,343,616
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Entity level payment              
    SHELL CHINA EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY LIMITED         –         10,343,616         –         –         –         –         10,343,616
    Total                  10,343,616                                             10,343,616

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report. 

    India

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT         –         -17,715,638         –         –         –         –         -17,715,638
    Total                  -17,715,638                                             -17,715,638
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Entity level payment              
    BG EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INDIA LIMITED         –         -17,715,638         –         –         –         –         -17,715,638
    Total                  -17,715,638                                             -17,715,638

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    Kazakhstan

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    WEST KAZAKHSTAN TAX COMMITTEE         –         242,741,780         –         –         –         –         242,741,780
    Total                  242,741,780                                             242,741,780
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    KARACHAGANAK         –         242,741,780         –         –         –         –         242,741,780
    Total                  242,741,780                                             242,741,780

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    Malaysia

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements   Taxes Royalties   Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments                  
    BRUNEI NATIONAL PETROLEUM COMPANY SENDIRIAN BERHAD         301,048,915 [A]         –         –           –         –         –         301,048,915
    LEMBAGA HASIL DALAM NEGERI         –           305,924,901         –           –         –         –         305,924,901
    MALAYSIA FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS         –           –         469,060,363 [B]         –         –         –         469,060,363
    PETROLEUM SARAWAK EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SDN. BHD.         74,656,856 [C]         –         –           –         –         –         74,656,856
    PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD         990,078,563 [D]         –         30,948,459           –         –         –         1,021,027,022
    PETRONAS CARIGALI SDN. BHD.         951,218,473 [E]         –         –           –         –         –         951,218,473
    Total         2,317,002,807           305,924,901         500,008,822                                      3,122,936,530
                       
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements   Taxes Royalties   Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects                  
    SABAH GAS (NON-OPERATED)         –           16,208,714         3,017,327           –         –         –         19,226,041
    SABAH INBOARD AND DEEPWATER OIL         1,435,194,825 [F]         158,435,164         303,452,674 [G]         –         –         –         1,897,082,663
    SARAWAK OIL AND GAS         881,807,982 [H]         116,047,586         193,538,821 [I]         –         –         –         1,191,394,389
    Entity level payment                  
    SABAH SHELL PETROLEUM COMPANY LIMITED         –           4,502,043         –           –         –         –         4,502,043
    SARAWAK SHELL BERHAD         –           3,394,907         –           –         –         –         3,394,907
    SHELL ENERGY ASIA LIMITED         –           2,616,753         –           –         –         –         2,616,753
    SHELL OIL AND GAS (MALAYSIA) LLC         –           595,653         –           –         –         –         595,653
    SHELL SABAH SELATAN SENDRIAN BERHAD         –           4,124,081         –           –         –         –         4,124,081
    Total         2,317,002,807           305,924,901         500,008,822                                      3,122,936,530

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    [A] Includes payment in kind of $301,048,915 for 3,355 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (kboe) valuated at market price. 

    [B] Includes payment in kind of $342,702,511 for 3,909 kboe valuated at market price and $126,357,852 for 6,336 kboe valuated at fixed price. 

    [C] Includes payment in kind of $59,554,178 for 3,011 kboe valuated at fixed price and $15,102,678 for 201 kboe valuated at market price. 

    [D] Includes payment in kind of $783,520,240 for 8,933 kboe valuated at market price and $209,732,743 for 10,921 kboe valuated at fixed price.

    [E] Includes payment in kind of $624,146,940 for 7,163 kboe valuated at market price and $327,071,533 for 16,397 kboe valuated at fixed price.

    [F] Includes payment in kind of $1,435,194,825 for 15,977 kboe valuated at market price.

    [G] Includes payment in kind of $297,371,578 for 3,339 kboe valuated at market price.

    [H] Includes payment in kind of $596,358,454 for 30,329 kboe valuated at fixed price and $288,623,948 for 3,675 kboe valuated at market price.

    [I] Includes payment in kind of $126,357,852 for 6,336 kboe valuated at fixed price and $45,330,933 for 570 kboe valuated at market price.

    Oman

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements   Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments                
    MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERALS         633,711,368 [A]         –         –         –         –         –         633,711,368
    MINISTRY OF FINANCE         –           3,954,062,451         –         –         900,000         –         3,954,962,451
    Total         633,711,368           3,954,062,451                           900,000                  4,588,673,819
                     
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements   Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects                
    BLOCK 6 CONCESSION         –           3,954,062,451         –         –         –         –         3,954,062,451
    BLOCK 10 CONCESSION         633,711,368 [A]         –         –         –         400,000         –         634,111,368
    BLOCK 11 CONCESSION         –           –         –         –         250,000         –         250,000
    BLOCK 55 CONCESSION         –           –         –         –         250,000         –         250,000
    Total         633,711,368           3,954,062,451                           900,000                  4,588,673,819

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    [A] Includes payment in kind of $60,839,756 for 4,551 kboe valuated at fixed price and of $572,871,612 for 7,095 kboe valuated at the government’s selling price.

    Qatar

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    QATARENERGY         1,801,453,896         1,507,244,066         –         –         30,538,723         –         3,339,236,685
    Total         1,801,453,896         1,507,244,066                           30,538,723                  3,339,236,685
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    PEARL GTL         1,801,453,896         1,507,244,066         –         –         30,538,723         –         3,339,236,685
    Total         1,801,453,896         1,507,244,066                           30,538,723                  3,339,236,685

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    Australia

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE         –         1,277,737,693         –         –         –         –         1,277,737,693
    BANANA SHIRE COUNCIL         –         –         –         –         217,920         –         217,920
    FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESOURCES         –         –         111,989,284         –         –         –         111,989,284
    QUEENSLAND REVENUE OFFICE         –         –         356,590,166         –         –         –         356,590,166
    QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE         –         –         –         –         935,554         –         935,554
    QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND MINES         –         –         –         –         581,472         –         581,472
    RESOURCES SAFETY AND HEALTH QUEENSLAND         –         –         –         –         1,359,992         –         1,359,992
    WESTERN DOWNS REGIONAL COUNCIL         –         –         –         –         10,317,519         266,428         10,583,947
    Total                  1,277,737,693         468,579,450                  13,412,457         266,428         1,759,996,028
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    NORTH WEST SHELF         –         –         111,989,284         –         –         –         111,989,284
    QGC         –         583,570,540         356,590,166         –         13,412,457         266,428         953,839,591
    Entity level payment              
    SHELL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD         –         694,167,153         –         –         –         –         694,167,153
    Total                  1,277,737,693         468,579,450                  13,412,457         266,428         1,759,996,028

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report. 

    Egypt

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    EGYPTIAN GENERAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION         –         41,164,348         –         1,836,435         –         –         43,000,783
    Total                  41,164,348                  1,836,435                           43,000,783
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    EGYPT OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT         –         41,164,348         –         540,000         –         –         41,704,348
    Entity level payment              
    SHELL EGYPT N.V.         –         –         –         1,296,435         –         –         1,296,435
    Total                  41,164,348                  1,836,435                           43,000,783

    [I] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report. 

    Nigeria

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements   Taxes   Royalties   Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments                    
    FEDERAL INLAND REVENUE SERVICE         –           648,734,398 [A]         –           –         –         –         648,734,398
    NATIONAL AGENCY FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING INFRASTRUCTURE         –           –           –           –         3,931,917         –         3,931,917
    NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION         –           –           –           –         97,260,899         –         97,260,899
    NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION         3,804,949,166 [B]         –           –           –         –         –         3,804,949,166
    NIGERIAN UPSTREAM PETROLEUM REGULATORY COMMISSION         –           –           780,231,463 [C]         –         1,732,350         –         781,963,813
    Total         3,804,949,166           648,734,398           780,231,463                    102,925,166                  5,336,840,193
                         
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements   Taxes   Royalties   Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects                    
    EAST ASSET         1,300,681,939 [D]         –           –           –         –         –         1,300,681,939
    PSC 1993 (OML 133)         –           136,652,153 [E]         –           –         –         –         136,652,153
    PSC 1993 (OPL 212/OML 118, OPL 219/OML 135)         649,948,707 [F]         303,125,852 [G]         452,170,096 [H]         –         32,015,797         –         1,437,260,452
    WEST ASSET         1,854,318,520 [I]         –           –           –         –         –         1,854,318,520
    Entity level payment                    
    SHELL NIGERIA EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY LIMITED             –           –           –         440,468         –         440,468
    THE SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA LIMITED             208,956,393           328,061,367             70,468,901           607,486,661
    Total         3,804,949,166           648,734,398           780,231,463                    102,925,166                  5,336,840,193

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    [A] Includes payment in kind of $439,778,005 for 5,293 kboe valuated at market price.

    [B] Includes payment in kind of $3,804,949,166 for 80,289 kboe valuated at market price.

    [C] Includes payment in kind of $452,170,096 for 5,432 kboe valuated at market price. 

    [D] Includes payment in kind of $1,300,681,939 for 49,766 kboe valuated at market price. 

    [E] Includes payment in kind of $136,652,153 for 1,654 kboe valuated at market price. 

    [F] Includes payment in kind of $649,948,707 for 7,916 kboe valuated at market price. 

    [G] Includes payment in kind of $303,125,852 for 3,639 kboe valuated at market price. 

    [H] Includes payment in kind of $452,170,096 for 5,432 kboe valuated at market price. 

    [I] Includes payment in kind of $1,854,318,520 for 22,607 kboe valuated at market price.

    Sao Tome and Principe

      Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    AGÊNCIA NACIONAL DO PETRÓLEO DE SÃO TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE         –         –         –         1,300,000         –         –         1,300,000
    Total                                    1,300,000                           1,300,000
                   
      Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    DW BLOCK 4         –         –         –         1,300,000         –         –         1,300,000
    Total                                    1,300,000                           1,300,000

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    Tanzania

      Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    PETROLEUM UPSTREAM REGULATORY AUTHORITY         –         –         –         –         140,000         –         140,000
    Total                                             140,000                  140,000
                   
      Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    BLOCK 1 AND 4         –         –         –         –         140,000         –         140,000
    Total                                             140,000                  140,000

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report. 

    Tunisia

      Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties   Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments                
    ENTREPRISE TUNISIENNE D’ACTIVITÉS PÉTROLIÈRES         –         –         2,140,627 [A]         –         –         –         2,140,627
    LE RECEVEUR DES FINANCES DU LAC         –         24,904,580         2,801,006           –         –         –         27,705,586
    Total                  24,904,580         4,941,633                                      29,846,213
                     
      Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties   Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects                
    HASDRUBAL CONCESSION         –         24,904,580         4,941,633 [A]         –         –         –         29,846,213
    Total                  24,904,580         4,941,633                                      29,846,213

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    [A] Includes payment in kind of $2,140,627 for 37 kboe valuated at market price. 

    Canada

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA         –         –         656,638         –         119,099         –         775,737
    MINISTRY OF FINANCE (BRITISH COLUMBIA)         –         –         2,915,313         –         625,526         –         3,540,839
    MINISTRY OF JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION (BRITISH COLUMBIA)         –         –         –         –         679,158         –         679,158
    PROVINCIAL TREASURER OF ALBERTA         –         60,864,405         –         –         –         –         60,864,405
    RECEIVER GENERAL FOR CANADA         –         111,702,667         1,126,040         –         –         –         112,828,707
    Total                  172,567,072         4,697,991                  1,423,783                  178,688,846
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    ATHABASCA OIL SANDS         –         172,567,072         –         –         –         –         172,567,072
    FOOTHILLS         –         –         1,126,040         –         –         –         1,126,040
    GREATER DEEP BASIN         –         –         656,638         –         119,099         –         775,737
    GROUNDBIRCH         –         –         2,915,313         –         1,304,684         –         4,219,997
    Total                  172,567,072         4,697,991                  1,423,783                  178,688,846

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report. 

    Mexico

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    FONDO MEXICANO DEL PETRÓLEO PARA LA ESTABILIZACIÓN Y EL DESARROLLO         –         –         –         –         17,154,483         –         17,154,483
    SERVICIO DE ADMINISTRACIÓN TRIBUTARIA         –         –         –         –         4,372,519         –         4,372,519
    Total                                             21,527,002                  21,527,002
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Entity level payment              
    MEXICO EXPLORATION DEEPWATER         –         –         –         –         21,527,002         –         21,527,002
    Total                                             21,527,002                  21,527,002

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    USA

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES         –         –         –         –         243,408         –         243,408
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA         –         -400,000         –         –         –         –         -400,000
    INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE         –         53,638,500         –         –         –         –         53,638,500
    LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT         –         –         –         –         –         860,822         860,822
    OFFICE OF NATURAL RESOURCES REVENUE         –         –         1,187,594,021         –         80,435,119         –         1,268,029,140
    Total                  53,238,500         1,187,594,021                  80,678,527         860,822         1,322,371,870
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    ALASKA EXPLORATION         –         –         –         –         243,408         –         243,408
    GULF OF AMERICA (CENTRAL)         –         –         1,076,187,269         –         282,312         –         1,076,469,581
    GULF OF AMERICA (WEST)         –         –         111,406,752         –         126,720         –         111,533,472
    GULF OF AMERICA EXPLORATION         –         –         –         –         80,026,087         –         80,026,087
    Entity level payment              
    SHELL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY         –         -400,000         –         –         –         –         -400,000
    SHELL OFFSHORE INC.         –         –         –         –         –         860,822         860,822
    SHELL PETROLEUM INC.         –         53,638,500         –         –         –         –         53,638,500
    Total                  53,238,500         1,187,594,021                  80,678,527         860,822         1,322,371,870

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report. 

    Argentina

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements   Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments                
    AGENCIA DE RECAUDACIÓN Y CONTROL ADUANERO         –           1,984,309         –         –         –         –         1,984,309
    GAS Y PETRÓLEO DEL NEUQUÉN S.A.         53,082,051 [A]         –         –         –         –         –         53,082,051
    PROVINCIA DE SALTA         –           –         2,475,819         –         –         –         2,475,819
    PROVINCIA DEL NEUQUÉN         –           –         141,493,849         –         123,276         –         141,617,125
    Total         53,082,051           1,984,309         143,969,668                  123,276                  199,159,304
                     
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements   Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects                
    ACAMBUCO         –           –         2,475,819         –         –         –         2,475,819
    ARGENTINA UNCONVENTIONAL PROJECTS         53,082,051 [A]         1,984,309         141,493,849         –         123,276         –         196,683,485
    Total         53,082,051           1,984,309         143,969,668                  123,276                  199,159,304

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    [A] Includes payment in kind of $53,082,051 for 785 kboe valuated at market price.

    Brazil

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements   Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments                
    AGÊNCIA NACIONAL DO PETRÓLEO GÁS NATURAL E BIOCOMBUSTÍVEIS         –           –         –         9,540,351         –         –         9,540,351
    MINISTÉRIO DA FAZENDA         –           –         1,147,687,680         –         1,556,282,443         –         2,703,970,123
    PRÉ-SAL PETRÓLEO S.A.         327,688,819 [A]         –         –         –         –         –         327,688,819
    RECEITA FEDERAL DO BRASIL         –           656,740,954         –         –         –         –         656,740,954
    Total         327,688,819           656,740,954         1,147,687,680         9,540,351         1,556,282,443                  3,697,940,247
                     
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements   Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects                
    BASIN EXPLORATION PROJECTS         –           –         –         9,540,351         3,244,993         –         12,785,344
    BC-10         –           –         31,254,519         –         1,251,598         –         32,506,117
    BIJUPIRA AND SALEMA         –           –         –         –         501,608         –         501,608
    BM-S-9, BM-S-9A, BM-S-11, BM-S-11A AND ENTORNO DE SAPINHOÁ         29,716,011 [B]         –         882,483,636         –         1,551,284,244         –         2,463,483,891
    LIBRA PSC         297,972,808 [C]         –         233,949,525         –         –         –         531,922,333
    Entity level payment                
    SHELL BRASIL PETROLEO LTDA.         –           656,740,954         –         –         –         –         656,740,954
    Total         327,688,819           656,740,954         1,147,687,680         9,540,351         1,556,282,443                  3,697,940,247

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    [A] Includes payment in kind of $327,688,819 for 4,585 kboe valuated at market price. 

    [B] Includes payment in kind of $29,716,011 for 410 kboe valuated at market price. 

    [C] Includes payment in kind of $297,972,808 for 4,175 kboe valuated at market price.

    Colombia

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    AGENCIA NACIONAL DE HIDROCARBUROS         –         –         –         –         489,880         –         489,880
    Total                                             489,880                  489,880
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    COLOMBIA EXPLORATION (OPERATED)         –         –         –         –         489,880         –         489,880
    Total                                             489,880                  489,880

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    Trinidad and Tobago

    Government report (in USD) [1]
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Governments              
    MINISTRY OF FINANCE         –         561,771         –         –         –         –         561,771
    MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND ENERGY INDUSTRIES         362,690,585         –         2,210,566         300,000         13,719,070         –         378,920,221
    Total         362,690,585         561,771         2,210,566         300,000         13,719,070                  379,481,992
                   
    Project report (in USD)
      Production entitlements Taxes Royalties Bonuses Fees Infrastructure improvements Total
    Projects              
    BLOCK 5C         84,428,910         –         –         –         1,714,071         –         86,142,981
    CENTRAL BLOCK         –         561,771         2,210,566         –         900,921         –         3,673,258
    COLIBRI         120,876,414         –         –         –         3,332,208         –         124,208,622
    DEEPWATER ATLANTIC AREA         –         –         –         –         537,570         –         537,570
    EAST COAST MARINE AREA         99,098,428         –         –         –         2,100,156         –         101,198,584
    EXPLORATION         –         –         –         300,000         2,017,530         –         2,317,530
    MANATEE         –         –         –         –         847,999         –         847,999
    NORTH COAST MARINE AREA 1         58,286,833         –         –         –         2,268,615         –         60,555,448
    Total         362,690,585         561,771         2,210,566         300,000         13,719,070                  379,481,992

    [1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

    Cautionary note
    The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this Report “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience to reference Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this Report refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The terms “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Katapult Delivers 15.4% Gross Originations and 10.6% Revenue Growth in the First Quarter, Above Outlook

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Expects Growth to Accelerate In Second Quarter
    Reiterates 2025 Guidance

    PLANO, Texas, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Katapult Holdings, Inc. (“Katapult” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: KPLT), an e-commerce-focused financial technology company, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    “2025 is off to a strong start and we are well positioned to achieve our full year targets,” said Orlando Zayas, CEO of Katapult. “We achieved double-digit gross originations and revenue growth, driven by increasing engagement with the Katapult app marketplace, including 57% growth in KPay originations. Our marketplace is thriving – from application growth to repeat purchase rates, to high Net Promoter scores and beyond, we believe we have all the hallmarks of a healthy ecosystem and we intend to lean into opportunities to accelerate our growth. We are excited about the future and as we continue to execute on our consumer and merchant initiatives, we feel confident that we can create value for all of our stakeholders.”

    Operating Progress: Recent Highlights

    • Increased activity within the Katapult app marketplace
      • ~59% of first quarter gross originations started in the Katapult app marketplace, making it the single largest customer referral source. Total app originations grew 42% year-over-year.
      • Applications grew ~59% year-over-year in the first quarter
      • Customer satisfaction remained high and Katapult had a Net Promoter Score of 66 as of March 31, 2025
      • 57.4% of gross originations for the first quarter of 2025 came from repeat customers1
    • Grew consumer engagement by adding app functionality and features and executing targeted marketing campaigns
      • KPay conversion rate increased during the first quarter leading to unique customer count growth of more than 65% year-over-year
      • KPay gross originations grew approximately 57% year-over-year in the first quarter; 35% of total gross originations were transacted using KPay
      • Launched Ashley and Bed Bath & Beyond in the Katapult app marketplace, bringing the total number of merchants in our KPay ecosystem to 35
    • Made strong progress against merchant engagement initiatives
      • Direct and waterfall gross originations, which represented 65% of total first quarter originations, grew approximately 40%, excluding the home furnishings and mattress category
      • Continued to expand our waterfall partnerships by kicking off a new partnership with Finti, a modern waterfall financing platform that connects consumers with a curated network of lenders and financing providers
      • Together with several merchant-partners, we launched targeted co-branded, co-promoted marketing campaigns that delivered year-over-year gross originations growth ranging from 7% to more than 75% depending on the campaign

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

    (All comparisons are year-over-year unless stated otherwise.)

    • Gross originations were $64.2 million, an increase of 15.4%. Excluding the home furnishings and mattress category, gross originations grew 51% year-over-year.
    • Total revenue was $71.9 million, an increase of 10.6%
    • Total operating expenses in the first quarter increased 17.3%. Our fixed cash operating expenses2, which exclude litigation settlement and other non-cash and variable expenses, increased approximately 10.8%.
    • Net loss was $5.7 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared with net loss of $0.6 million reported for the first quarter of 2024. The higher net loss was mainly due to higher cost of sales and higher operating expenses.
    • Adjusted net loss2 was $3.4 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to adjusted net income of $1.0 million reported for the first quarter of 2024
    • Adjusted EBITDA2 was $2.2 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to Adjusted EBITDA2 of $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2024. The year-over-year performance was impacted by higher cost of sales related to rapid, faster-than-expected gross originations growth during the first quarter of 2025 and the end of the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • Katapult ended the quarter with total cash and cash equivalents of $14.3 million, which includes $8.3 million of restricted cash. The Company ended the quarter with $77.8 million of outstanding debt on its credit facility.
    • Write-offs as a percentage of revenue were 9.0% in the first quarter of 2025 and are within the Company’s 8% to 10% long-term target range. This compares with 8.4% in the first quarter of 2024.

    [1] Repeat customer rate is defined as the percentage of in-quarter originations from existing customers.
    [2] Please refer to the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure and Certain Other Data” section and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation tables below for more information.

    Second Quarter and Full Year 2025 Business Outlook

    The Company is continuing to navigate a challenging macro environment particularly within the home furnishings category. Given the current breadth of our merchant selection as well as our plans to introduce new merchants to the Katapult App Marketplace during 2025, our strategic marketing and our strong consumer offering, we believe we are well positioned to deliver continued growth in 2025. We continue to believe that we have a large addressable market of underserved, non-prime consumers, and it’s important to note that lease-to-own solutions have historically benefited when prime credit options become less available.

    Given our quarter-to-date progress, Katapult expects the following results for the second quarter of 2025:

    • 25% to 30% year-over-year increase in gross originations
    • 17% to 20% year-over-year increase in revenue
    • Approximately breakeven Adjusted EBITDA

    Based on the macroeconomic assumptions above and the operating plan in place for the full year 2025, Katapult is reiterating its expectations for full year 2025:

    • We expect gross originations to grow at least 20%

    This outlook does not include any material impact from prime creditors tightening or loosening above us and assumes that there are no significant changes to the macro environment.

    Both our second quarter and full year outlooks assume that the gross originations for the home furnishings and mattress category do not improve materially from our 2024 performance.

    • We also expect to maintain strong credit quality in our portfolio. This will be driven by ongoing enhancements to our risk modeling, onboarding high quality new merchants through integrations, and repeat customers engaging with Katapult Pay
    • Revenue growth is expected to be at least 20%
    • Finally, with the continued execution of our disciplined expense management strategy combined with our growing top-line, we expect to deliver at least $10 million in positive Adjusted EBITDA

    “The first quarter came in stronger than our outlook, and we are continuing to successfully grow our top-line without meaningfully increasing our expense base,” said Nancy Walsh, CFO of Katapult. “The second quarter is off to a great start and we believe we can continue to scale our business by offering a transparent and fair LTO product to consumers and a growth engine to our partners. Our team’s hard work and agile execution is fueling our growth and we are looking forward to a great 2025.”

    Conference Call and Webcast

    The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 8:00 AM ET on Thursday, May 15, 2025, to discuss the Company’s financial results. Related presentation materials will be available before the call on the Company’s Investor Relations page at https://ir.katapultholdings.com. The conference call will be broadcast live in listen-only mode and an archive of the webcast will be available for one year.

    About Katapult

    Katapult is a technology driven lease-to-own platform that integrates with omnichannel retailers and e-commerce platforms to power the purchasing of everyday durable goods for underserved U.S. non-prime consumers. Through our point-of-sale (POS) integrations and innovative mobile app featuring Katapult Pay(R), consumers who may be unable to access traditional financing can shop a growing network of merchant partners. Our process is simple, fast, and transparent. We believe that seeing the good in people is good for business, humanizing the way underserved consumers get the things they need with payment solutions based on fairness and dignity.

    Contact

    Jennifer Kull
    VP of Investor Relations
    ir@katapult.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements included in this Press Release and on our quarterly earnings call that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potentially,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: in this Press Release and on our associated earnings call, statements regarding our second quarter of 2025 and full year 2025 business outlook and underlying expectations and assumptions and statements regarding our ability to obtain a comprehensive maturity extension amendment to our credit facility. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this Press Release, and on the current expectations of our management and are not predictions of actual performance.

    These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond our control. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, our ability to refinance our indebtedness and continue as a going concern, the execution of our business strategy and expanding information and technology capabilities; our market opportunity and our ability to acquire new customers and retain existing customers; adoption and success of our mobile application featuring Katapult Pay; the timing and impact of our growth initiatives on our future financial performance; anticipated occurrence and timing of prime lending tightening and impact on our results of operations; general economic conditions in the markets where we operate, the cyclical nature of customer spending, and seasonal sales and spending patterns of customers; risks relating to factors affecting consumer spending that are not under our control, including, among others, levels of employment, disposable consumer income, inflation, prevailing interest rates, consumer debt and availability of credit, consumer confidence in future economic conditions, political conditions, and consumer perceptions of personal well-being and security and willingness and ability of customers to pay for the goods they lease through us when due; risks relating to uncertainty of our estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth; risks related to the concentration of a significant portion of our transaction volume with a single merchant partner, or type of merchant or industry; the effects of competition on our future business; meet future liquidity requirements and complying with restrictive covenants related to our long-term indebtedness; the impact of unstable market and economic conditions such as rising inflation and interest rates; reliability of our platform and effectiveness of our risk model; data security breaches or other information technology incidents or disruptions, including cyber-attacks, and the protection of confidential, proprietary, personal and other information, including personal data of customers; ability to attract and retain employees, executive officers or directors; effectively respond to general economic and business conditions; obtain additional capital, including equity or debt financing and servicing our indebtedness; enhance future operating and financial results; anticipate rapid technological changes, including generative artificial intelligence and other new technologies; comply with laws and regulations applicable to our business, including laws and regulations related to rental purchase transactions; stay abreast of modified or new laws and regulations applying to our business, including with respect to rental purchase transactions and privacy regulations; maintain and grow relationships with merchants and partners; respond to uncertainties associated with product and service developments and market acceptance; the impacts of new U.S. federal income tax laws; material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting which, if not identified and remediated, could affect the reliability of our financial statements; successfully defend litigation; litigation, regulatory matters, complaints, adverse publicity and/or misconduct by employees, vendors and/or service providers; and other events or factors, including those resulting from civil unrest, war, foreign invasions (including the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict), terrorism, public health crises and pandemics (such as COVID-19), trade wars, or responses to such events; our ability to meet the minimum requirements for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Market; and those factors discussed in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 that we filed with the SEC.

    If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this Press Release or on our quarterly earnings call. All forward-looking statements contained herein or expressed on our quarterly earnings call are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events, except as required by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

    Key Performance Metrics

    Katapult regularly reviews several metrics, including the following key metrics, to evaluate its business, measure its performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate financial projections and make strategic decisions, which may also be useful to an investor: gross originations, total revenue, gross profit, adjusted gross profit and adjusted EBITDA.

    Gross originations are defined as the retail price of the merchandise associated with lease-purchase agreements entered into during the period through the Katapult platform. Gross originations do not represent revenue earned. However, we believe this is a useful operating metric for both Katapult’s management and investors to use in assessing the volume of transactions that take place on Katapult’s platform.

    Total revenue represents the summation of rental revenue and other revenue. Katapult measures this metric to assess the total view of pay through performance of its customers. Management believes looking at these components is useful to an investor as it helps to understand the total payment performance of customers.

    Gross profit represents total revenue less cost of revenue, and is a measure presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a description and presentation of adjusted gross profit and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures utilized by management.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    To supplement the financial measures presented in this press release and related conference call or webcast in accordance with GAAP, the Company also presents the following non-GAAP and other measures of financial performance: adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss) and fixed cash operating expenses. The Company believes that for management and investors to more effectively compare core performance from period to period, the non-GAAP measures should exclude items that are not indicative of our results from ongoing business operations.The Company urges investors to consider non-GAAP measures only in conjunction with its GAAP financials and to review the reconciliation of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to its comparable GAAP financial measures, which are included in this press release.

    Adjusted gross profit represents gross profit less variable operating expenses, which are servicing costs, and underwriting fees. Management believes that adjusted gross profit provides a meaningful understanding of one aspect of its performance specifically attributable to total revenue and the variable costs associated with total revenue.

    Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as net loss before interest expense and other fees, interest income, change in fair value of warrants and loss on issuance of shares, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software, provision of impairment of leased assets, loss on partial extinguishment of debt, stock-based compensation expense, litigation settlement and other related expenses, and debt refinancing costs.

    Adjusted net income (loss) is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as net loss before change in fair value of warrants and loss on issuance of shares, stock-based compensation expense and litigation settlement and other related expenses and debt refinancing costs.

    Fixed cash operating expenses is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as operating expenses less depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software, stock-based compensation expense, litigation settlement and other related expenses, debt refinancing costs, and variable lease costs such as servicing costs and underwriting fees. Management believes that fixed cash operating expenses provides a meaningful understanding of non-variable ongoing expenses.

    Adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss are useful to an investor in evaluating the Company’s performance because these measures:

    • Are widely used to measure a company’s operating performance;
    • Are financial measurements that are used by rating agencies, lenders and other parties to evaluate the Company’s credit worthiness; and
    • Are used by the Company’s management for various purposes, including as measures of performance and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.

    Management believes that the use of non-GAAP financial measures, as a supplement to GAAP measures, is useful to investors in that they eliminate items that are not part of our core operations, highly variable or do not require a cash outlay, such as stock-based compensation expense. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures when evaluating operating performance and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures help indicate underlying trends in the business, are important in comparing current results with prior period results and are useful to investors and financial analysts in assessing operating performance. However, these non-GAAP measures exclude items that are significant in understanding and assessing Katapult’s financial results. Therefore, these measures should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to revenue, net loss, gross profit, cash flows from operations or other measures of profitability, liquidity or performance under GAAP. You should be aware that Katapult’s presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

     
    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
    (amounts in thousands, except per share data)
      Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025       2024  
           
    Revenue      
    Rental revenue $ 71,078     $ 64,142  
    Other revenue   868       919  
    Total revenue   71,946       65,061  
    Cost of revenue   57,597       48,573  
    Gross profit   14,349       16,488  
    Operating expenses   14,885       12,688  
    Income (loss) from operations   (536 )     3,800  
    Interest expense and other fees   (5,144 )     (4,527 )
    Interest income   57       324  
    Change in fair value of warrant liability   (36 )     (162 )
    Loss before income taxes   (5,659 )     (565 )
    Provision for income taxes   (29 )     (5 )
    Net loss $ (5,688 )   $ (570 )
           
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   4,618       4,242  
           
    Net loss per common share – basic and diluted $ (1.23 )   $ (0.13 )
     
    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
      March 31,   December 31,
        2025       2024  
      (unaudited)    
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,965     $ 3,465  
    Restricted cash   8,346       13,087  
    Property held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment   66,913       67,085  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   4,445       6,731  
    Total current assets   85,669       90,368  
    Property and equipment, net   244       253  
    Capitalized software and intangible assets, net   2,155       2,076  
    Right-of-use assets, non-current   376       383  
    Security deposits   91       91  
    Total assets $ 88,535     $ 93,171  
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT      
    Current liabilities:      
    Accounts payable $ 3,040     $ 1,491  
    Accrued liabilities   18,945       17,372  
    Accrued litigation settlement   2,199       2,199  
    Unearned revenue   5,711       4,823  
    Revolving line of credit, net   77,663       82,582  
    Term loan, net, current   31,490       30,047  
    Lease liabilities   129       179  
    Total current liabilities   139,177       138,693  
    Lease liabilities, non-current   431       444  
    Other liabilities   614       828  
    Total liabilities   140,222       139,965  
    STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT      
    Common stock, $.0001 par value– 250,000,000 shares authorized; 4,483,544 and 4,446,540 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively          
    Additional paid-in capital   102,452       101,657  
    Accumulated deficit   (154,139 )     (148,451 )
    Total stockholders’ deficit   (51,687 )     (46,794 )
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit $ 88,535     $ 93,171  
     
    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
    (dollars in thousands)
      Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025       2024  
    Cash flows from operating activities:      
    Net loss $ (5,688 )   $ (570 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:      
    Depreciation and amortization   39,392       34,026  
    Depreciation for early lease purchase options (buyouts)   9,664       7,613  
    Depreciation for impaired leases   6,632       5,636  
    Change in fair value of warrants and other non-cash items   36       162  
    Stock-based compensation   1,066       1,391  
    Amortization of debt discount   963       669  
    Amortization of debt issuance costs, net   88       66  
    Accrued PIK interest expense   480       347  
    Amortization of right-of-use assets   76       76  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
    Property held for lease   (55,185 )     (45,249 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   2,217       1,029  
    Accounts payable   1,549       754  
    Accrued liabilities   1,573       (4,123 )
    Accrued litigation   (250 )      
    Lease liabilities   (63 )     (55 )
    Unearned revenues   888       208  
    Net cash provided by operating activities   3,438       1,980  
    Cash flows from investing activities:      
    Purchases of property and equipment   (24 )      
    Additions to capitalized software   (377 )     (126 )
    Net cash used in investing activities   (401 )     (126 )
    Cash flows from financing activities:      
    Proceeds from revolving line of credit   5,128       10,058  
    Principal repayments on revolving line of credit   (10,135 )     (2,840 )
    Repurchases of restricted stock   (271 )     (312 )
    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (5,278 )     6,906  
    Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (2,241 )     8,760  
    Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period   16,552       28,811  
    Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 14,311     $ 37,571  
    Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:      
    Cash paid for interest $ 3,661     $ 3,382  
    Cash paid for income taxes $     $ 112  
    Cash paid for operating leases $ 111     $ 82  
     
    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC.
    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES AND CERTAIN OTHER DATA (UNAUDITED)
    (amounts in thousands)
      Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025       2024  
           
    Net loss $ (5,688 )   $ (570 )
    Add back:      
    Interest expense and other fees   5,144       4,527  
    Interest income   (57 )     (324 )
    Change in fair value of warrants   36       162  
    Provision for income taxes   29       5  
    Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software   330       266  
    Provision for impairment of leased assets   150       173  
    Stock-based compensation expense   1,066       1,391  
    Litigation settlement and other related expenses   259     $  
    Debt refinancing costs $ 971        
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 2,240     $ 5,630  
     
      Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025       2024  
           
    Net loss $ (5,688 )   $ (570 )
    Add back:      
    Change in fair value of warrants   36       162  
    Stock-based compensation expense   1,066       1,391  
    Litigation settlement and other related expenses   259        
    Debt refinancing costs   971        
    Adjusted net income (loss) $ (3,356 )   $ 983  
     
      Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025       2024  
           
    Operating expenses $ 14,885     $ 12,688  
    Less:      
    Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software   330       266  
    Stock-based compensation expense   1,066       1,391  
    Servicing costs   1,085       1,132  
    Underwriting fees   772       509  
    Litigation settlement and other related expenses   259        
    Debt refinancing costs   971     $  
    Fixed cash operating expenses $ 10,402     $ 9,390  
    (in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31,  
        2025       2024  
             
    Total revenue $ 71,946     $ 65,061  
    Cost of revenue   57,597       48,573  
    Gross profit   14,349       16,488  
    Less:        
    Servicing costs   1,085       1,132  
    Underwriting fees   772       509  
    Adjusted gross profit $ 12,492     $ 14,847  
     
    CERTAIN KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS
     
    (in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31,  
        2025       2024  
    Total revenue $ 71,946     $ 65,061  
     
    KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC.
    GROSS ORIGINATIONS BY QUARTER
        Gross Originations by Quarter
    ($ millions)   Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4
    FY 2025   $ 64.2     $     $     $  
    FY 2024   $ 55.6     $ 55.3     $ 51.2     $ 64.2  
    FY 2023   $ 54.7     $ 54.7     $ 49.6     $ 67.5  
    FY 2022   $ 46.7     $ 46.4     $ 44.1     $ 59.8  
    FY 2021   $ 63.8     $ 64.4     $ 61.0     $ 58.9  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Calfrac Reports First Quarter 2025 Results with Record Financial Performance in Argentina

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calfrac Well Services Ltd. (“Calfrac” or “the Company”) (TSX: CFW) announces its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The following press release should be read in conjunction with the management’s discussion and analysis and interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as at March 31, 2025. Readers should also refer to the “Forward-looking statements” legal advisory and the section regarding “Non-GAAP Measures” at the end of this press release. All financial amounts and measures are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. Additional information about Calfrac is available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca, including the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024.

    CFO’S MESSAGE

    Calfrac achieved revenue of $370.1 million during the first quarter in 2025, a 3 percent decline from the fourth quarter in 2024, primarily due to a normal seasonal slowdown in activity in the Rockies region of North America. As experienced over the last couple of years, activity in the Rockies region continues to be very challenging during the first quarter due to limited customer activity, resulting from the higher costs of operating in extreme cold weather. However, the Company’s Argentina operations delivered a sequential increase in revenue of 56 percent as it operated two unconventional fracturing spreads in the Vaca Muerta shale play for a portion of the first quarter.

    Calfrac’s Chief Financial Officer, Mike Olinek commented: “I am very pleased with the strong operating and financial performance demonstrated by Calfrac’s team in Argentina during the first quarter and look forward to building on this positive momentum throughout the remainder of the year. I am also confident that the Company’s North American DGB fracturing fleets will remain in high demand and allow us to successfully navigate any potential slowdown in North America and deliver on our strategic priorities.”

    SELECT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS – CONTINUING OPERATIONS

      Three Months Ended Mar. 31,
     
      2025   2024   Change  
    (C$000s, except per share amounts) ($)   ($)   (%)  
    (unaudited)      
    Revenue 370,057   330,096   12  
    Adjusted EBITDA(1) 55,317   26,057   112  
    Cash flows provided by operating activities (7,050 ) 11,958   NM  
    Capital expenditures 42,132   48,072   (12 )
    Net income (loss) 7,796   (2,903 ) NM  
    Per share – basic 0.09   (0.03 ) NM  
    Per share – diluted 0.09   (0.03 ) NM  
    As at Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Change  
      2025 2024    
    (C$000s) ($) ($) (%)  
    (unaudited)      
    Cash and cash equivalents 15,463 44,045 (65 )
    Working capital, end of period(2) 266,087 229,856 16  
    Total assets, end of period 1,254,979 1,234,840 2  
    Long-term debt, end of period 341,095 320,908 6  
    Net debt(1)(3) 348,674 300,347 16  
    Total consolidated equity, end of period 660,262 653,330 1  

    (1)Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” on page 6 for further information.
    (2)Working capital excludes cash and cash equivalents and the current portion of long-term debt of $341.1 million.
    (3)Refer to note 10 of the consolidated interim financial statements for further information.

    FIRST QUARTER OVERVIEW

    In the first quarter of 2025, the Company:

    • generated revenue of $370.1 million, an increase of 12 percent from the first quarter in 2024 resulting primarily from higher pricing and activity in Argentina, offset partially by lower pricing in North America;
    • reported Adjusted EBITDA of $55.3 million versus $26.1 million in the first quarter of 2024 due to record quarterly financial results in Argentina with the commencement of a second large fracturing fleet in the Vaca Muerta shale play during a portion of the first quarter;
    • had cash flow from operating activities of negative $7.1 million, which included $12.7 million of interest paid and cash used for working capital purposes of $35.0 million, as compared to $12.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, which was net of $9.7 million of interest paid and cash used for working capital purposes of $1.6 million;
    • reported net income from continuing operations of $7.8 million or $0.09 per share diluted compared to a net loss of $2.9 million or $0.03 per share diluted during the first quarter in 2024;
    • had a cash position of $15.5 million of which approximately 70 percent was held in Argentina. The Argentina cash balance includes an investment of US$6.1 million in Argentinean government bonds (BOPREAL Bonds) that will be repatriated to Canada before the end of the third quarter in 2025;
    • reported an increase in period-end working capital to $266.1 million from $229.9 million at December 31, 2024, primarily due to an increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2025 with a greater proportion generated from Argentina, which has longer lead times to collection than North America; and
    • incurred capital expenditures of $42.1 million, which included approximately $22.3 million of expansion capital in Argentina and $9.3 million related to the Company’s fracturing fleet modernization program in North America, including auxiliary support equipment.

    FINANCIAL OVERVIEW – CONTINUING OPERATIONS
    THREE MONTHS AND YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2025 VERSUS 2024

    NORTH AMERICA

      Three Months Ended Mar. 31,
     
      2025 2024 Change  
    (C$000s, except operational and exchange rate information) ($) ($) (%)  
    (unaudited)      
    Revenue 227,902 248,959 (8 )
    Adjusted EBITDA(1) 6,131 14,872 (59 )
    Adjusted EBITDA (%)(1) 2.7 6.0 (55 )
    Fracturing revenue per job ($) 25,060 33,518 (25 )
    Number of fracturing jobs 8,709 7,176 21  
    Active pumping horsepower, end of year (000s) 898 951 (6 )
    US$/C$ average exchange rate(2) 1.4352 1.3486 6  

    (1)Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” on page 6 for further information.
    (2)Source: Bank of Canada.

    OUTLOOK

    The uncertainty caused by geopolitical tensions, OPEC+ supply increases, and changes to the United States trade and tariff regimes, have affected the economic outlook for the global economy and triggered a recent decline in near-term crude oil prices. While activity in North America has not been significantly impacted as yet, oil-weighted completion activity is expected to be lower year-over-year, but more resilient than past cycles as a focus on capital discipline by the E&P sector has resulted in activity that only supports the maintenance of current production levels. However, completions activity within the Company’s natural gas producing regions in North America is anticipated to be slightly higher than the previous year given the relative strength in natural gas prices.

    The Company has been evaluating the implication of tariffs across its North American operations over the last few months and has commenced with mitigation efforts, wherever possible, including seeking applicable tariff exemptions for critical items that are sourced from the United States.

    Calfrac’s previously announced Tier IV modernization program is nearing completion. These strategic investments in next-generation Dynamic Gas Blending (“DGB”) pumping technology have resulted in the Company exiting the quarter with the equivalent of five Tier IV DGB fleets operating in the field. Calfrac’s dual-fuel capable fracturing fleets in North America are expected to remain in high demand during the second quarter, despite the current headwinds, and fleet utilization is expected to increase sequentially from the first quarter as certain clients in the Rockies region commence with their 2025 programs.

    THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2025 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

    REVENUE

    Revenue from Calfrac’s North American operations decreased to $227.9 million during the first quarter of 2025 from $249.0 million in the comparable quarter of 2024. The Company’s North American activity was impacted by extreme cold weather and was significantly lower than the comparable quarter in 2024 despite the 21 percent increase in the number of jobs completed. The Company’s client mix was different than the comparable period in 2024 with the completion of a larger quantity of smaller jobs, which also impacted the fracturing revenue per job. The Company reduced its operating footprint to 11 active fracturing fleets to begin the first quarter to address the seasonal challenges experienced in the Rockies region. The Company recommenced operations in the Appalachian basin in January with an additional fracturing crew, which helped offset the lower revenue experienced in the Rockies. Pricing in North America was lower relative to the comparable quarter in 2024, which contributed to the 8 percent reduction in revenue. Coiled tubing revenue was consistent with the first quarter in 2024 as slightly lower activity was offset by the completion of larger jobs.

    ADJUSTED EBITDA

    The Company’s operations in North America generated Adjusted EBITDA of $6.1 million or 3 percent of revenue during the first quarter of 2025 compared to $14.9 million or 6 percent of revenue in the same period in 2024. This decrease was primarily due to the decline in fracturing fleet utilization and lower pricing.

    ARGENTINA

      Three Months Ended Mar. 31,
      2025 2024 Change
    (C$000s, except operational and exchange rate information) ($) ($) (%)
    (unaudited)      
    Revenue 142,155 81,137 75
    Adjusted EBITDA(1) 53,265 16,100 231
    Adjusted EBITDA (%)(1) 37.5 19.8 89
    Fracturing revenue per job ($) 124,874 74,354 68
    Number of fracturing jobs 741 672 10
    Active pumping horsepower, end of period (000s) 153 139 10
    US$/C$ average exchange rate(2) 1.4352 1.3486 6

    (1)Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” on page 6 for further information.
    (2)Source: Bank of Canada.

    OUTLOOK

    Argentina continued to demonstrate year-over-year operational and financial improvement by achieving record quarterly financial performance during the first quarter of 2025. Calfrac expects its full-year financial results in Argentina will be very strong, building on the significant momentum generated during the first quarter. The Company benefited from spot work for its second large fracturing fleet in the Vaca Muerta shale play during the first quarter at operating margins that are not expected to be maintained during the remainder of the year. The Company’s 2025 capital program also contemplates the addition of in-house wireline capabilities in Argentina during the fourth quarter which will further bolster its service offering in Neuquén. Recent Argentina government announcements related to the cash repatriation regime in that country reaffirm the Company’s expectations of a greater ability to repatriate excess cash flow following the completion of its significant 2025 capital program.

    THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2025 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

    REVENUE

    Calfrac’s Argentinean operations generated revenue of $142.2 million during the first quarter of 2025 versus $81.1 million in the comparable quarter in 2024. The 75 percent increase in revenue was driven by improved pricing for spot work and an increase in the number of fracturing jobs completed during the quarter. The Company operated two unconventional fracturing fleets in the Vaca Muerta shale play for a portion of the first quarter. The Company also demonstrated growth in activity across its other service lines as the Company permanently transferred equipment from Las Heras to Neuquén following the completion of a long-term contract. The Company’s offshore coiled tubing unit also contributed to the increase in revenue versus the comparable quarter in 2024.

    ADJUSTED EBITDA

    The Company’s operations in Argentina generated Adjusted EBITDA of $53.3 million during the first quarter of 2025 compared to $16.1 million in the same quarter of 2024, while the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA margins increased to 37 percent from 20 percent. This increase was primarily due to the significant revenue growth and efficiencies resulting from operating two unconventional fracturing fleets simultaneously during parts of the quarter and higher pricing for spot work. In addition, the Company received an early termination fee related to the closure of its operations in Las Heras following the completion of a long-term contract with a major client in that region. This revenue offset costs that were incurred in 2024 to permanently close this district.

    SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS – CONTINUING OPERATIONS

    Three Months Ended Jun. 30, Sep. 30, Dec. 31, Mar. 31,   Jun. 30, Sep. 30,   Dec. 31,   Mar. 31,
      2023 2023 2023 2024   2024 2024   2024   2025
    (C$000s, except per share and operating data) ($) ($) ($) ($)   ($) ($)   ($)   ($)
    (unaudited)                
    Financial                
    Revenue 466,463 483,093 421,402 330,096   426,047 430,109   381,230   370,057
    Adjusted EBITDA(1) 87,785 91,286 62,591 26,057   65,386 65,039   34,512   55,317
    Net income (loss) 50,531 97,523 13,202 (2,903 ) 24,549 (6,687 ) (6,424 ) 7,796
    Per share – basic 0.62 1.20 0.16 (0.03 ) 0.29 (0.08 ) (0.07 ) 0.09
    Per share – diluted 0.58 1.09 0.15 (0.03 ) 0.29 (0.08 ) (0.07 ) 0.09
    Capital expenditures 30,718 50,825 49,397 48,072   66,753 22,509   32,955   42,132

    (1)Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” on page 6 for further information.

    CAPITAL EXPENDITURES – CONTINUING OPERATIONS

      Three Months Ended Mar. 31,
     
      2025 2024 Change  
    (C$000s) ($) ($) (%)  
    North America 12,941 37,174 (65 )
    Argentina 29,191 10,898 168  
    Continuing Operations 42,132 48,072 (12 )

    Capital expenditures were $42.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, which included approximately $22.3 million of expansion capital in Argentina and $9.3 million related to the Company’s fracturing fleet modernization program in North America, including auxiliary support equipment versus $48.1 million in the comparable period in 2024.

    Calfrac’s Board of Directors approved a 2025 capital budget totalling approximately $135.0 million. The program includes approximately $50.0 million to facilitate the expansion of the Company’s fracturing operations in the Vaca Muerta shale play in Argentina that will be funded locally from cash flow. The 2025 Argentina capital program includes additional fracturing pumping units, an expansion of the Company’s deep coiled tubing capabilities and the introduction of in-house wireline services. The balance of the 2025 program will fund maintenance capital for all operating divisions as well as additional investments in the North American Tier IV fleet modernization program and coiled tubing fleet. Due to a delay in spending related to the Company’s 2024 capital program, approximately $30.0 million of 2024 capital commitments will be funded in 2025, mainly related to the expansion in Argentina, of which approximately $20.0 million occurred during the first quarter.

    NON-GAAP MEASURES

    Certain supplementary measures presented in this press release, including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA percentage and Net Debt do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and, because IFRS have been incorporated as Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), these supplementary measures are also non-GAAP measures. These measures have been described and presented to provide shareholders and potential investors with additional information regarding the Company’s financial results, liquidity and ability to generate funds to finance its operations. These measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities, and are explained below.

    Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income or loss for the period less interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, foreign exchange losses (gains), non-cash stock-based compensation, and gains and losses that are extraordinary or non-recurring. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because it gives an indication of the results from the Company’s principal business activities prior to consideration of how its activities are financed and the impact of foreign exchange, taxation and depreciation and amortization charges. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to evaluate the performance of the Company and is also used as a basis for monitoring the Company’s compliance with covenants under the revolving credit facility. Adjusted EBITDA for the period was calculated as follows:

      Three Months Ended March 31,
     
      2025   2024  
    (C$000s) ($)   ($)  
         
    Net income (loss) from continuing operations 7,796   (2,903 )
    Add back (deduct):    
    Depreciation 31,922   27,995  
    Foreign exchange losses (gains) 1,693   (1,049 )
    Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 124   (6,241 )
    Restructuring charges 516    
    Stock-based compensation (925 ) 2,185  
    Interest, net 7,944   6,032  
    Income taxes 6,247   38  
    Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations 55,317   26,057  
    Less: IFRS 16 lease payments (3,679 ) (3,235 )
    Less: Argentina EBITDA threshold adjustment(1) (45,397 ) (5,428 )
    Bank EBITDA for covenant purposes 6,241   17,394  

    (1)Refer to note 4 of the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

    Adjusted EBITDA percentage is a non-GAAP financial ratio that is determined by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by revenue for the corresponding period.

    Net Debt is defined as long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs plus lease obligations, less cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations. The calculation of net debt is disclosed in note 10 to the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements for the corresponding period.

    OTHER NON-STANDARD FINANCIAL TERMS

    MAINTENANCE AND EXPANSION CAPITAL

    Maintenance capital refers to expenditures in respect of capital additions, replacements or improvements required to maintain ongoing business operations. Expansion capital refers to expenditures primarily for new items, upgrades and/or equipment that will expand the Company’s revenue and/or reduce its expenditures through operating efficiencies. The determination of what constitutes maintenance capital expenditures versus expansion capital involves judgement by management.

    BUSINESS RISKS

    The business of Calfrac is subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Prior to making any investment decision regarding Calfrac, investors should carefully consider, among other things, the risk factors set forth in the Company’s most recently filed Annual Information Form under the heading “Risk Factors” which is available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company’s profile. Copies of the Annual Information Form may also be obtained on request without charge from Calfrac at Suite 500, 407 – 8th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 1E5, or at www.calfrac.com.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Calfrac’s common shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “CFW”.

    Calfrac provides specialized oilfield services to exploration and production companies designed to increase the production of hydrocarbons from wells with continuing operations focused throughout western Canada, the United States and Argentina. During the first quarter of 2022, management committed to a plan to sell the Company’s Russian division, resulting in the associated assets and liabilities being classified as held for sale and presented in the Company’s financial statements as discontinued operations. The results of the Company’s discontinued operations are excluded from the discussion and figures presented above unless otherwise noted. See Note 4 to the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 for additional information on the Company’s discontinued operations.

    Further information regarding Calfrac Well Services Ltd., including the most recently filed Annual Information Form, can be accessed on the Company’s website at www.calfrac.com or under the Company’s public filings found at www.sedarplus.ca.

    FIRST QUARTER CONFERENCE CALL AND AGM UPDATE

    Calfrac will no longer be conducting the previously announced conference call to review its 2025 first-quarter results on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Any interested parties can reach out to Mike Olinek, Chief Financial Officer at the contact information below should they wish to ask any questions regarding the Company’s quarterly financial results.

    The Company will be holding its Annual General Meeting at 1:30 pm on Thursday May 15, 2025 in the Viking Room of the Calgary Petroleum Club.

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

      March 31,   December 31,  
      2025   2024  
    (C$000s) ($)   ($)  
    ASSETS    
    Current assets    
    Cash and cash equivalents 15,463   44,045  
    Accounts receivable 306,957   251,108  
    Inventories 130,596   145,506  
    Prepaid expenses and deposits 21,797   26,452  
      474,813   467,111  
    Assets classified as held for sale 47,053   45,335  
      521,866   512,446  
    Non-current assets    
    Property, plant and equipment 684,123   673,381  
    Right-of-use assets 19,990   20,013  
    Deferred income tax assets 29,000   29,000  
      733,113   722,394  
    Total assets 1,254,979   1,234,840  
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY    
    Current liabilities    
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 160,129   173,974  
    Income taxes payable 23,301   9,700  
    Current portion of long-term debt 341,095   150,000  
    Current portion of lease obligations 9,833   9,536  
      534,358   343,210  
    Liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held for sale 32,677   30,945  
      567,035   374,155  
    Non-current liabilities    
    Long-term debt   170,908  
    Lease obligations 13,209   13,948  
    Deferred income tax liabilities 14,473   22,499  
      27,682   207,355  
    Total liabilities 594,717   581,510  
    Capital stock 911,900   911,785  
    Contributed surplus 76,190   77,159  
    Accumulated deficit (373,875 ) (379,490 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income 46,047   43,876  
    Total equity 660,262   653,330  
    Total liabilities and equity 1,254,979   1,234,840  

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

      Three Months Ended March 31,
     
      2025   2024  
    (C$000s, except per share data) ($)   ($)  
         
    Revenue 370,057   330,096  
    Cost of sales 330,576   316,208  
    Gross profit 39,481   13,888  
    Expenses    
    Selling, general and administrative 15,677   18,011  
    Foreign exchange losses (gains) 1,693   (1,049 )
    Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 124   (6,241 )
    Interest, net 7,944   6,032  
      25,438   16,753  
    Income (loss) before income tax 14,043   (2,865 )
    Income tax expense (recovery)    
    Current 14,240   6,414  
    Deferred (7,993 ) (6,376 )
      6,247   38  
    Net income (loss) from continuing operations 7,796   (2,903 )
    Net (loss) income from discontinued operations (2,181 ) 750  
    Net income (loss) 5,615   (2,153 )
         
    Earnings (loss) per share – basic    
    Continuing operations 0.09   (0.03 )
    Discontinued operations (0.03 ) 0.01  
      0.07   (0.02 )
         
    Earnings (loss) per share – diluted    
    Continuing operations 0.09   (0.03 )
    Discontinued operations (0.03 ) 0.01  
      0.07   (0.02 )

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

      Three Months Ended March 31,
     
      2025   2024  
    (C$000s) ($)   ($)  
    CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN)   Restated
    OPERATING ACTIVITIES    
    Net income (loss) 7,796   (2,903 )
    Adjusted for the following:    
    Depreciation 31,922   27,995  
    Stock-based compensation (925 ) 2,185  
    Unrealized foreign exchange losses 1,846   2,627  
    Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 124   (6,241 )
    Interest 7,944   6,032  
    Interest paid (12,716 ) (9,717 )
    Deferred income taxes (7,993 ) (6,376 )
    Changes in items of working capital (35,048 ) (1,644 )
    Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities from continuing operations (7,050 ) 11,958  
    Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations 10,231   (8,185 )
    Net cash flows provided by operating activities 3,181   3,773  
    INVESTING ACTIVITIES    
    Purchase of property, plant and equipment (38,498 ) (55,727 )
    Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 1,553   11,508  
    Proceeds on disposal of right-of-use assets 206   227  
    Cash flows used in investing activities from continuing operations (36,739 ) (43,992 )
    Cash flows used in investing activities from discontinued operations (1,457 ) (678 )
    Net cash flows used in investing activities (38,196 ) (44,670 )
    FINANCING ACTIVITIES    
    Issuance of long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs 30,000   60,000  
    Long-term debt repayments (10,000 )  
    Lease obligation principal repayments (3,244 ) (2,840 )
    Proceeds on issuance of common shares from the exercise of stock options 71    
    Cash flows provided by financing activities from continuing operations 16,827   57,160  
    Cash flows provided by financing activities from discontinued operations    
    Net cash flows provided by financing activities 16,827   57,160  
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 550   (1,464 )
    (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (17,638 ) 14,799  
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 50,776   45,190  
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 33,138   59,989  
    Included in the cash and cash equivalents per the balance sheet 15,463   58,239  
    Included in the assets held for sale/discontinued operations 17,675   1,750  


    ADVISORIES

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    In order to provide Calfrac shareholders and potential investors with information regarding the Company and its subsidiaries, including management’s assessment of Calfrac’s plans and future operations, certain statements contained in this press release, including statements that contain words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe”, “forecast” or similar words suggesting future outcomes, are forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”).

    In particular, forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the expectations regarding trends in, and prospects of, the global oil and gas industry; activity, demand, utilization and outlook for the Company’s continuing operations, including the potential impacts of, and mitigation strategies for, the trade tariffs implemented by the U.S. and Canada on the Company’s North American segment and the strong activity and profitability outlook for the Argentina segment; the supply and demand fundamentals of the pressure pumping industry; input costs, margin and service pricing trends and strategies; operating and financing strategies, performance, priorities, metrics and estimates, including the Company’s ability to repatriate cash from Argentina and the timing thereof; the Company’s Russian segment, including the planned sale of the Russian division; the Company’s service quality and competitive position; capital investment plans, including the progress of the Company’s fleet modernization plan in North America and planned wireline investments to bolster the Company’s service offering in Argentina; and the Company’s expectations and intentions with respect to the foregoing.

    These statements are derived from certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that it believes are appropriate in the circumstances, including, but not limited to, the economic and political environment in which the Company operates, including the continued implementation of Argentina economic reforms and liberalization of its oil and gas industry as well as the current state of the trade war between Canada and the U.S. and its expected impact on the pressure pumping market in North America; the Company’s expectations for its customers’ capital budgets, demand for services and geographical areas of focus; the level of merger and acquisition activity among oil and gas producers and its impact on the demand for well completion services; the anticipated effects of artificial intelligence power requirements and the commissioning of liquified natural gas terminals on supply and demand fundamentals for oil and natural gas; the ability of newly deployed Tier IV DGB pumping units to achieve manufacturer claims with respect to operational performance, diesel displacement and costs savings in the field; the effect of environmental, social and governance factors on customer and investor preferences and capital deployment; the status of the military conflict in the Ukraine and related Canadian, United States and international sanctions and restrictions involving Russia and counter-sanctions, restrictions, and political measures that may be undertaken in respect of the Company’s ownership and planned sale of the Russian division; industry equipment levels including the number of active fracturing fleets marketed by the Company’s competitors and the timing of deployment of the Company’s fleet upgrades; the continued effectiveness of cost reduction measures instituted by the Company; the Company’s existing contracts and the status of current negotiations with key customers and suppliers; and the likelihood that the current tax and regulatory regime will remain substantially unchanged.

    Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations. Such risk factors include but are not limited to: (A) industry risks, including but not limited to, global economic conditions and the level of exploration, development and production for oil and natural gas in North America and Argentina; a shift in strategy by exploration and production companies prioritizing shareholders returns over production growth; excess equipment levels; impacts of conservation measures and technological advances on the demand for the Company’s services; an intensely competitive oilfield services industry; and hazards inherent in the industry; (B) geopolitical risks, including but not limited to, the impacts of the trade war between Canada and United States; foreign operations exposure, including risks relating to repatriation of cash from foreign jurisdictions, unsettled political conditions, war, foreign exchange rates and controls; and risks that the sale of the discontinued operations in Russia may not occur or may be delayed; (C) financial risks, including but not limited to, restrictions on the Company’s access to capital, including the impacts of covenants under the Company’s lending documents; direct and indirect exposure to volatile credit markets, including interest rate risk; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; price escalation and availability of raw materials, diesel fuel and component parts; actual results which are materially different from management estimates and assumptions; the Company’s access to capital and common share price given a significant number of common shares are controlled by two directors of the Company; possible dilution from outstanding stock-based compensation, additional equity or debt securities; and changes in tax rates or reassessment risk by tax authorities; (D) business operations risks, including but not limited to, fleet reinvestment risk, including the ability of the Company to finance the capital necessary for equipment upgrades to support its operational needs while meeting government and customer requirements and preferences; risks of delays and quality of equipment due to Company’s reliance on equipment manufacturers, suppliers and fabricators; seasonal volatility; constrained demand for the Company’s services due to merger and acquisition activity; a concentrated customer base; cybersecurity risks; difficulty retaining, replacing or adding personnel; failure to continuously improve equipment, proprietary fluid chemistries and other products and services; climate change; failure to maintain safety standards and records; improper access to confidential information; failure to effectively and timely address the energy transition; risks of various types of activism; and failure to realize anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; (E) legal and regulatory risks, including but not limited to, federal, provincial and state legislative and regulatory initiatives and laws; health, safety and environmental laws and regulations; the direct and indirect costs of various existing and proposed climate change regulations; and legal and administrative proceedings. Further information about these and other risks and uncertainties may be found under the heading “Business Risks” above.

    Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized, or that they will have the expected consequences or effects on the Company or its business or operations. These statements speak only as of the respective date of this press release or the documents incorporated by reference herein. The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws.

    For further information, please contact:

    Mike Olinek, Chief Financial Officer

    Telephone: 403-266-6000        
    www.calfrac.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: BEN Expands into Hospitality with AI Concierge

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WILMINGTON, Del., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — What happens when an AI innovator enters one of the world’s most service-driven industries? For BEN, it enters a new vertical—reimagining hospitality with personalized, intelligent AI. That journey begins at one of Eastern Europe’s top luxury hotels, delivering a next-generation guest experience that blends high-touch service with human-like intelligence.

    Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN) (Nasdaq: BNAI), an innovator in AI-powered customer engagement, announced it has entered into a formal agreement with Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin (The Dvin), to develop and deploy BEN’s expert Concierge AI Agent at the iconic Yerevan destination. This collaboration signifies BEN’s entry into the hospitality sector, which the parties believe will establish a new standard for AI-enhanced luxury guest experiences on a larger scale.

    A Two-Phase Pilot Initiative Designed for Impact

    The collaboration will begin with a two-phase pilot initiative, starting with a 24/7 Concierge AI Agent and following with a Reservation AI Agent. Both are powered by BEN’s modular iSKYE platform, allowing clients to deploy high-impact use cases quickly and scale across the guest journey. 

    With this initiative, BEN enters the hospitality industry, offering secure, guest-first AI tailored for high-touch customer experience, marking a strategic expansion into a new vertical.

    A Setting Built for Innovation

    “Introducing AI at this level isn’t just about adopting new technology—it’s about redefining luxury,” said Dvin owner Artak Tovmasyan, who also holds a 30% stake in a cybersecurity firm serving over 85% of Dubai’s hotels. “We chose BEN for their secure, guest-first platform—designed with trust, speed, and world-class execution in mind.”

    “This is an opportunity to demonstrate the versatility of BEN’s AI platform in a setting where service excellence is paramount,” said Paul Chang, CEO of Brand Engagement Network.

    For more information about BEN, visit www.beninc.ai.

    About Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin
    Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin stands as Armenia’s crown jewel — a historical and cultural entertainment destination where timeless heritage meets bold innovation. Globally recognized with 15 international awards and several Guinness nominations, it stands as a symbol of excellence on the world stage — including titles such as World’s Leading Hotel Dining & Entertainment Experience 2023 and 2024, World’s Best New MICE Hotel 2023, as well as multiple awards as Europe’s and Armenia’s Leading Hotel. Seven Visions plays a key role in making Armenia a top MICE destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions worldwide. Its mission is clear: to place Armenia on the global touristic map. The resort features 153 artfully appointed rooms and suites, providing guests with unparalleled comfort and an immersive stay. At the heart of Seven Visions Resort & Places lies The Dvin Music Hall — the largest ceremony venue in the region, having hosted weddings, prestigious events, and prominent guests. The One & Only Theatre, home to the world’s only ceiling-stage, redefines live entertainment with an immersive experience. Hayrik Restaurant by Seven Visions elevates Armenian cuisine, blending tradition with modern techniques and global influences in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. For a unique entertainment experience, the Stage Gastro Show Club pairs fine cuisine with live acrobatic performances, creating a memorable sensory experience. Relaxation flows seamlessly at The Pool, a breathtaking infinity pool designed for inspiration and serenity. Guests can also focus on wellness at Body & Soul Fitness Center, featuring advanced training equipment, a tennis court, and a Cross Fit zone. For business meetings, Hartak Meeting Places offers 12 high-tech venues ideal for conferences, networking events, expos, summits, and exclusive gatherings. The resort also houses ARTaments in Future Tower, a premium business center where only market-leading companies rent exclusive office spaces. Finally, N7 Beach Club, located 1,111 meters above sea level and enclosed by a one-glass facade, boasts the 4th biggest infinity pool of its kind in the world, making it one of the most iconic aquatic experiences globally. And this is just the beginning — with visionary new projects on the horizon, including a world-class casino and an opulent, internationally acclaimed spa, Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin continues to shape the future of hospitality, culture, and global tourism.
    Learn more at 7visionshotels.com.

    About Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN)
    Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN) (Nasdaq: BNAI) innovates in AI-powered customer engagement by delivering safe, intelligent, scalable solutions. Its proprietary Enterprise Language Model (ELM™) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG™) architecture enable highly personalized interactions supported by customers’ curated data in closed-loop environments. BEN develops AI-driven engagement solutions for the life sciences, automotive, and retail industries, featuring AI-powered avatars for outbound campaigns, inbound customer service, and real-time recommendations. With a global AI research and development team, BEN provides secure cloud-based and on-premises deployments, granting complete control of the technology stack and ensuring compliance with GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type 1 standards. The company holds 21 patents, with 28 pending, demonstrating its commitment to advancing AI-driven consumer engagement.
    Learn more at www.beninc.ai.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this communication are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws. They are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect, among other things, BEN’s current expectations, assumptions, plans, strategies, and anticipated results. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.

    There are a number of risks, uncertainties and conditions that may cause BEN’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A of Risk Factors in BEN’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the other risk factors identified from time to time in the BEN’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Filings with the SEC are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

    Many of these circumstances are beyond BEN’s ability to control or predict. These forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on BEN’s part. These forward-looking statements may include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “could,” “would,” or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on BEN’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements that appear throughout this communication. Furthermore, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which are based on the information currently available to the Company and speak only as of the date they are made. BEN disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements.

    Media Contact 
    Amy Rouyer
    P: 503-367-7596
    E: amy@beninc.ai

    Investor Relations
    Susan Xu
    P: 778-323-0959
    E: sxu@allianceadvisors.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4acfcc4-228d-4129-803b-0a67ff1bf6b6

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales inaugurates GenF, a first step towards nuclear fusion energy

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales inaugurates GenF, a first step towards nuclear fusion energy

    • Thales, a global leader in high-power lasers, will inaugurate GenF on Thursday 15 May 2025 in Le Barp (Bordeaux). GenF aims to take a major step toward in developing a new energy source that is safe, abundant, competitive and low-carbon, through inertial confinement nuclear fusion.
    • GenF is working in collaboration with the CEA, CNRS, École polytechnique and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region to design a first inertial confinement fusion reactor.
    • Thales is contributing its expertise in high-power lasers, developed at its Élancourt site, which enabled the company to build the world’s most powerful laser system, currently in operation in Romania.

    Energy production through nuclear fusion is now identified as one of the solutions to address two crucial challenges: the need to reduce global carbon emissions and the ever-increasing energy demand across various sectors of the economy, such as transport, construction, agriculture and the digital industry. According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), electricity consumption by data centres is expected to more than double by 2030, particularly due to the rise of AI.

    Nuclear fusion is therefore regarded as a tremendous opportunity to create a new energy source that is safe (it carries no risk of runaway reactions), abundant (its resources are widely available in nature), competitive and low-carbon (it emits no greenhouse gases). Furthermore, nuclear fusion generates one million times less radioactive waste than fission, and this waste can be eliminated more quickly.

    To achieve nuclear fusion, extensive research is being carried out on two methods: magnetic confinement and inertial confinement. The inertial confinement method requires the use of high-energy lasers to compress matter and reach the thermonuclear conditions required for fusion. Significant scientific progress is still needed for this method of energy production to be deployed.

    To ensure that France remains one of the pioneering countries in this field, the government, via BPI France, launched a call for projects on “innovative nuclear reactors” in June 2023, under the France 2030 initiative. Drawing on its expertise in high-power lasers, Thales submitted the TARANIS project, in partnership with the CEA, the CNRS and École polytechnique, to demonstrate the feasibility of designing a first inertial confinement nuclear fusion reactor. The project was selected in February 2024, giving it access to a €18,5 million budget for its initial development phase. To bring together the essential complementary expertise, Thales created the company GenF, officially launched in January 2025, and signed a first contract worth several million euros for the development of its fusion laser.

    GenF will progress through three development phases:

    1. By 2027, GenF plans a first phase of modelling and simulation, calibrated through experiments on existing facilities such as LMJ;
    2. From 2027 to 2035, a second phase will focus on the maturation of fusion technologies such as multiple laser synchronisation, the production of cryogenic targets and the development of new materials for the reactor wall;
    3. From 2035, a third phase could lead to the scaling-up of the reactor, with the construction of a first prototype.

    GenF currently brings together around ten scientists, engineers and industrial experts and involves about forty people from all the institutions combined. The company will inaugurate its premises in Le Barp (Bordeaux) on Thursday 15 May 2025, with support from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council—region that already brings together many areas of expertise in nuclear fusion, including the Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications (CELIA – CNRS/University of Bordeaux/CEA) and the Centre d’Études Scientifiques et Techniques d’Aquitaine (CESTA – CEA).

    Thales has 40 years of experience in high-power lasers. From design and development to installation, team training and operational support, Thales masters the entire high-power laser expertise chain, which includes laser sources from 10 TW to 10 petawatts, beam transport lines, target focusing optics and quality control systems. Thales has also been active in nuclear fusion for over 25 years, particularly as a lead contractor for subassemblies as part of the Laser Mégajoule programme, a research initiative on inertial confinement fusion developed by the CEA. In addition, at its Vélizy and Thonon sites, Thales develops high-power electronic tubes for magnetic confinement fusion reactors, including for the international ITER demonstrator.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales boosts Air Traffic Management System for Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services SMATSA

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales boosts Air Traffic Management System for Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services SMATSA

    • Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services SMATSA will use Thales’s modular Air Traffic Management (ATM) solution, TopSky – ATC One complemented by TopSky – Sequencer powered by AI, to enhance its operational capabilities, optimize air traffic flow management, increase runway capacities, and reduce delays.
    • This future-proof, scalable solution positions SMATSA at the forefront of air traffic management, ensuring safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
    • SMATSA also joins the upgraded TopSky – ATC user group, to help shape the future of ATM systems.
    SMATSA and Thales representatives at Airspace World, Lisbon, © Marker Production

    Thales’s TopSky – ATC One offering, complemented by TopSky – Sequencer, will modernize SMATSA’s air navigation infrastructure. It introduces advanced software and features designed to optimize air traffic flow management, maximize runway capacities, and minimize delays. These improvements will not only support SMATSA’s operational goals, but will also enhance safety, productivity, and decision-making capabilities across the air traffic network.

    One of the main reasons that SMATSA selected the TopSky – ATC One offering is its modular, open-architecture design, which ensures that the platform will remain adaptable, scalable, and future-proof. This enables SMATSA to continuously evolve its ATM system, in line with emerging technologies, regulatory requirements, and the ever-growing demands of air traffic management.

    SMATSA’s move to the upgraded TopSky – ATC One offering also means joining the group of Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) using Thales’s TopSky – ATC One. This structure fosters collaboration, shared decision-making and ownership. By adopting this collaborative and unified solution, SMATSA can leverage a single baseline product that evolves according to a shared roadmap of future upgrades. This ensures alignment with industry regulations and the collective needs of the air navigation community.

    Alongside the technological upgrade, SMATSA is also committed to workforce development. The upgrade will provide extensive market-relevant training and strategic workforce management initiatives, focusing on attracting young talent and improving gender diversity in the aviation sector. As part of its broader inclusivity efforts, SMATSA aims to increase the representation of women in the aviation industry, positioning itself as an employer of choice.

    We are proud to partner with Thales for this significant upgrade of our air traffic management system,” said Raša Ristivojević, SMATSA CEO.The TopSky – ATC One system will modernize our operations, allowing us to better manage air traffic and enhance our service quality. This is an important step forward in ensuring SMATSA continues to meet the growing demands of regional traffic, while also investing in our workforce and promoting inclusivity in the sector.

    We are excited to see SMATSA adopt our TopSky – ATC One offering, a solution that will keep them at the forefront of air navigation services,” said Youzec Kurp, Vice President of Airspace Mobility Solutions at Thales. “This upgrade demonstrates SMATSA’s commitment to technological innovation, operational excellence, and its vision for a sustainable, future-ready air traffic management system.”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Piero Cipollone: Harnessing the digital future of payments: Europe’s path to sovereignty and innovation

    Source: European Central Bank

    Speech by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the France Payments Forum event “Digital euro and the future of payments in Europe”

    Paris, 15 May 2025

    Thank you for inviting me to discuss the future of payments and the digital euro.

    Most people associate the adoption of the euro with the launch of euro banknotes and coins. While the euro was introduced for accounting purposes in 1999, we tend to feel it only became our money three years later once we started paying in euro cash around Europe. Euro banknotes and coins made the currency the tangible symbol of a united Europe.

    A strong currency also comes in tandem with strong payment systems. We offer payment infrastructures that form the plumbing of the financial system. Though less visible than banknotes and coins, these infrastructures are key to our monetary and financial integration.

    Retail and wholesale payments are hence an integral part of our tasks at the central bank. We issue cash, supply reserves – the ultimate liquid asset – to banks and operate payment systems, thereby supporting our economy by enabling euro area transactions that are secure, risk-free and European. This is what preserves our economic stability and our monetary sovereignty.

    Building on this reliable base, private sector firms can then offer their own solutions, without their customers having to worry about the money they use. One euro is one euro, because private money can be converted to cash at all times and because financial transactions can be settled in central bank money – the only risk-free asset there is.

    So today, I want to focus on how we can make our currency future-proof and enhance the integration, competitiveness and resilience of European payments in the digital era.

    As people increasingly prefer to pay digitally and online commerce expands, the role of cash as a universal payment solution is declining. We thus risk being left without a European solution that allows us to pay throughout the euro area in all situations. To restore the central role of cash, we need to complement physical cash with its digital equivalent, a digital euro. Making central bank money available in digital form might seem like a small and obvious step, but it is in fact an essential one for overcoming the entrenched and longstanding fragmentation of our payment market. The digital euro will achieve this directly by modernising the supply of public money and indirectly through its infrastructure and acceptance network, which private payment service providers can leverage to expand and innovate on a European scale. Ultimately, a digital euro will enhance the competitiveness of European providers and their ability to offer all types of digital payments to European consumers.

    The situation is different for wholesale financial transactions as we already offer settlement in digital central bank money and do not face the same dependencies. However, market participants increasingly expect that tokenisation and distributed ledger technology (DLT) will transform financial transactions by enabling assets to be issued or represented as digital tokens. We are currently expanding our initiative to settle DLT-based transactions in central bank money. By making central bank money available, we avoid the risk of other settlement assets being used, such as US dollar stablecoins, which would reintroduce credit risk, fragmentation and a dependency on non-European solutions.

    We are progressing on the retail and wholesale fronts in parallel. In both cases, Europe needs its own, sovereign money for the digital era, so that it can harness the benefits of integration, innovation and independence. In the words of the late French economist Michel Aglietta, money is not just a technical device, it is an essential institution.[1]

    A digital euro for everyday payments

    Let me first discuss the rationale for the digital euro and the benefits it will bring.

    Currently, cash is the sole sovereign payment method across the euro area. It offers Europeans a convenient, secure and universally accepted way to pay and store value, ensuring financial inclusion. Cash also upholds the resilience of our payment systems and economies, acting as a reliable fallback during crises such as cyberattacks or power outages. This is why we remain strongly committed to cash.[2]

    However, digital payments have gained popularity, with online shopping accounting for more than a third of our retail transactions. This means that acceptance of and access to cash are no longer sufficient to cover a growing share of payment situations. In value terms, cash payments made up only 24% of day-to-day payments in the euro area last year.[3]

    Lacking a genuine European payment solution that works across the euro area, we are left critically dependent on foreign payment providers.[4] Currently, nearly two-thirds of euro area card-based transactions are processed by non-European companies while 13 euro area countries depend entirely on international card schemes or mobile solutions for in-store payments.[5] And even where national card schemes are available, they require co-badging with international card schemes to facilitate cross-border payments within the euro area or online shopping. Moreover, mobile apps and e-payment solutions are dominated by foreign solutions like PayPal, Apple Pay or Alipay. And they partner with international card schemes to further reinforce their position and expand their reach: PayPal has just announced that it will start enabling contactless payments in Germany, using Mastercard technology.[6] Looking ahead, our dependency could soon extend to foreign stablecoins, 99% of which are dollar-denominated in terms of total value.[7]

    As a result, European payments face three significant challenges.

    First, we need to ensure our strategic autonomy and monetary sovereignty. Our overreliance on foreign payment providers makes us dependent on the kindness of strangers at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. I trust that this risk is well understood in the country of De Gaulle. There is no true sovereignty without sovereign money.[8] As my dear colleague Banque de France governor François Villeroy de Galhau has remarked, this is as true in the 21st century as it was in the past.[9]

    Second, we should simply ask ourselves why there is no Europe-based international card scheme. I would say it’s because we suffer from a lack of competitiveness and innovation. European payment service providers focus on their home country and struggle to compete on a European level, let alone on a global one, limiting their ability to drive large-scale innovation. The cost of investing in a European-wide acceptance network has often discouraged European payment service providers from offering a European card payment solution.

    These failures come at a high price: the dominance of non-European providers stifles competition, leading to higher costs for merchants and consumers. And when transactions are conducted through international card schemes, European banks lose fees. When transactions are made on apps such as Apple Pay or PayPal, they lose fees and data. And if the use of US dollar stablecoins becomes more widespread, the banks could lose, fees, data and deposits.

    Third, user experience is still poor for Europeans, who juggle multiple payment solutions to meet various needs. Despite the euro’s 25-year legacy, we still lack a digital payment solution that can be used across all euro area countries.

    By introducing the digital euro, we aim to tackle these challenges head-on.

    Importantly, the digital euro would make payments more convenient. It would provide a digital payment method that complements cash, extending its benefits into the digital realm. For instance, it would have legal tender status, meaning that it would be accepted wherever one can pay digitally. And it would also be available offline, offering users similar privacy to paying with cash and allowing them to pay even in the absence of a network connection. A digital euro would give European consumers a simple and safe digital payment option, free for basic use, that covers all their payment needs everywhere in the euro area.

    In fact, one simple reason for introducing the digital euro is that people want it. Even at this early stage, surveys show that close to half of respondents would be likely to use the digital euro – a number that has significantly increased over time.[10] This trend is confirmed by several surveys[11] conducted by national central banks which suggest that many Europeans are open to the idea of using a digital euro.

    Launching the digital euro would also ensure that the euro area retains control over its financial future. By offering a secure and universally accepted digital payment option which would be suitable for all use cases – and, crucially, under European governance – it would reduce our dependence on foreign providers. This would protect European merchants from excessive charges, strengthening their bargaining power with those providers and offering an attractive alternative.[12] At the same time, European banks would be able to retain their customer relationship and be remunerated for their role in distributing the digital euro. And the digital euro would limit the likelihood of foreign currency stablecoins becoming widely used for retail payments within the euro area.

    Moreover, the digital euro would be based on a core public-private partnership that would leverage synergies, enabling private initiatives to scale up across the euro area. For instance, domestic card payment solutions could co-badge with the digital euro to cover transactions currently beyond their reach. At the same time, banks’ wallets and internet banking solutions could integrate the digital euro as an alternative way to pay that is accepted throughout the euro area and supports both contactless and QR-based payments.[13] The open digital euro standards – which can be finalised as soon as the regulation on the digital euro is adopted and can start being used even before the digital euro is issued – would facilitate cost-effective standardisation, allowing private providers to launch new products and functionalities on a European scale. This would unlock innovation and create new business opportunities. In fact, research shows that stock prices of European payment firms increase in response to positive announcements on the digital euro, whereas those of US payment firms decrease.[14]

    Last October we issued a call for expressions of interest in innovation partnerships for the digital euro. Some 70 merchants, fintech companies, start-ups, banks and other payment service providers – including four from France[15] – have now joined us in exploring the potential of the digital euro to drive innovation.[16] Our innovation platform simulates the envisaged digital euro ecosystem, in which the ECB provides the technical support and infrastructure for European intermediaries to develop digital payment features and services at European level. One of the areas we are exploring is broadening the set of possible conditional payments, such as making payments dependent on successful delivery of goods or services.

    In July we will release a report on these innovation partnerships. It will include the technical information shared with the participants, enabling the entire market to replicate these activities, thereby further supporting innovation by the private sector. Additionally, based on the positive feedback from the pioneers, we will extend the exercise until the end of June, which will allow us to test new functionalities of conditional payments, incorporating fresh ideas and suggestions from our private sector counterparts.

    The digital euro’s success in reclaiming our autonomy in the retail payment space and boosting innovation capacity hinges on collaboration. In recent years we have engaged extensively with market stakeholders, gathering input from consumers, merchants, banks and payment service providers. We have also started working with market participants on the digital euro rulebook – a single set of rules, standards and procedures for digital euro payments.[17]

    This inclusive approach helps us to address everyone’s needs and perspectives, crafting a robust payment solution and platform that will benefit all Europeans, support private sector innovation and preserve the future of our money – the euro.

    The role of central bank money in shaping a European market for digital assets

    Let me now turn to wholesale transactions, a domain where technology holds tremendous potential for transformation.

    Currently, we facilitate transactions between financial institutions through our TARGET Services: T2 processes over 90% of large payments, while T2S handles securities transactions.

    These services have significantly enhanced the efficiency and integration of post-trade platforms in Europe. And we plan to continue improving them: in 2023 we extended T2 operating times to 22.5 hours on weekdays and we are about to launch a consultation paper investigating stakeholder needs and their interest in a further extension of operating hours. In a month’s time we will also launch the European Collateral Management System, which will provide a single, harmonised framework for handling collateral in the 20 euro area countries.[18] And in October 2027 we will move to T+1, shortening the settlement cycle from two days to one. Meanwhile, emerging technologies such as DLT and tokenisation have the potential to bring about a step change in wholesale markets.

    These technologies are no incremental improvement: they represent a fundamentally new way of operating by allowing assets to be issued or represented in digital token form. This innovation would enable market participants to manage trading, settlement and custody on a single platform, available 24/7, 365 days a year. It would also synchronise trading and settlement. And it would enable new business models, as tokenised money can be used to automate conditional transactions. DLT and tokenisation could also reduce the cost and barriers to access capital markets, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises.

    In fact, the emergence of these new technologies is an opportunity to establish an integrated European capital market for digital assets from the outset – a digital capital markets union – which would contribute to better channelling our savings into productive uses and boosting Europe’s innovation potential.[19] It could help European capital markets to become a hub for DLT-based financial services.

    European banks are active in this space, with over 60% exploring or using DLT and 22% already implementing DLT applications. On the securities front, there is a growing number of high-profile issuances on DLT.

    The availability of central bank money for settling transactions using these new technologies is crucial for two reasons. First, without central bank money, other settlement assets like stablecoins or tokenised deposits may be used, reintroducing credit risks and fragmentation into the financial system. Second, the market views the ability to settle in central bank money as a key factor in adopting new technologies.

    Last year the Eurosystem conducted exploratory work with DLT for settling wholesale transactions in central bank money, using three different solutions to ensure interoperability between our infrastructures and market DLT platforms.[20] The results were highly promising, with 60 industry participants settling real transactions in central bank money or conducting experiments with mock transactions. A wide range of securities and payments use cases were covered, including the first issuance of an EU sovereign bond using DLT. A total of €1.6 billion was settled over a six-month period, exceeding values settled in comparable initiatives in other parts of the world.

    As the next step, we have already announced plans to provide a solution to settle DLT-based transactions in central bank money in the short term.[21] Looking further ahead, the Eurosystem will explore a more integrated, long-term solution. A critical risk is indeed that DLT application fragmentation and a lack of interoperability could hinder the development of liquid DLT-based markets in Europe, imposing high costs on investors and issuers connecting to multiple platforms. So we need to create a more harmonised and integrated ecosystem.

    One way to achieve this would be to move towards a shared ledger: a programmable platform bringing together token versions of central bank money, commercial bank money and other assets, on which market players can provide their services. Another option could be the coordinated development of an ecosystem of fully interoperable technical solutions, which might better serve specific use cases and enable the coexistence of both legacy and new solutions.

    This approach will help us enhance the efficiency of European financial markets through innovation, aligning with the Eurosystem’s goal of achieving a more harmonised and integrated European financial system.

    However, we cannot do this alone. As we enter this new exploration phase, collaboration with public and market stakeholders will be crucial.

    Conclusion

    Let me conclude.

    The journey toward a digital euro and the integration of new technologies in wholesale transactions represents a pivotal moment for Europe. By embracing these innovations, we can strengthen our monetary sovereignty, enhance our competitiveness and pave the way for a more integrated and resilient financial system.

    The digital euro will ensure that Europeans have access to a secure, reliable and universally accepted digital payment solution that complements cash while reducing our reliance on foreign providers. Meanwhile, leveraging central bank money in DLT-based transactions will foster a dynamic and unified digital asset market, driving innovation and unlocking new business opportunities across the continent.

    In this transformative era, collaboration is key. We must bring together all stakeholders – public and private, national and European – to craft solutions that reflect the diverse needs and perspectives of all Europeans. Together, we can harness these technological advancements to build a financial ecosystem that is not only more efficient and innovative but also more inclusive and secure.

    We have inherited a united Europe and a currency embodying this unity. Our legacy should be European sovereignty and a euro that is fit for the future. This is our collective responsibility, in the public and private sector alike.

    Thank you for your attention.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales powers one million digital payment experiences with Vipps mobile wallet in Norway

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales powers one million digital payment experiences with Vipps mobile wallet in Norway

    • Thales fully supports the success of Vipps, Norway’s leading mobile wallet, which has enabled over one million users for mobile contactless payments since December 2024.
    • Vipps wallet users are the first to benefit from a third-party mobile contactless payment solution on iOS, enabled by Thales D1 technology that securely digitizes payment cards on smartphone.
    • This milestone highlights Thales’ continued leadership in digital payments and its commitment to support fast, large-scale innovation in partnership with financial players.

    With the launch of NFC payments for iPhone and Android devices, Vipps became the first third-party wallet on iOS to offer this feature—an industry first. Behind this innovation, Thales provided the technology foundation, its D1 platform, that made this achievement possible, ensuring a smooth, secure, and scalable experience for Norwegian consumers.

    A breakthrough in everyday payments

    In just 24 hours after the launch, more than 200,000 digital cards were activated—clear proof of the demand for simple and secure digital payments. Behind the scenes, Thales D1 technology enabled users to get a digital payment card – just in few seconds – on Vipps’ wallet, and proceed with contactless payment at shops, getting on top real time transaction notification on their iPhones. Since the launch, Vipps users enjoy a fast and convenient alternative to traditional mobile wallets for everyday purchases.

    Currently supporting Norway’s domestic BankAxept cards, Vipps will expand to include international schemes such as Visa and Mastercard in the coming months, broadening its reach and usability across borders.

    Thales D1 platform boosting innovation ​

    Built for innovation, the D1 platform supported Vipps by adding contactless payment to their wallet. This showcases the platform’s ability to consistently add new innovative use cases, while providing a scalable and secure solution that grows with customer needs.

    The D1 platform is cloud-based and works in real time, making it easy to integrate with existing systems. It helps Thales customers respond to today’s expectations for secure, flexible, and instant payment services — such as modern card issuing, tokenization, or transaction control — while also preparing for the future of payments.

    Trusted collaboration driving success

    “Everything we do at Vipps is about simplifying life for people and businesses. Hitting one million users for contactless payments shows that this is something people really want. Now, we are looking forward to when our users can add Visa and Mastercard to Vipps, enabling them to tap their phones and pay with Vipps across the world. Our collaboration with Thales has been key to making all this happen.” Rune Garborg, CEO of Vipps MobilePay.

    “Driven by strong collaboration between our teams, we successfully met ambitious launch timelines and proved the strength of our operations — delivering a reliable, high-performance service that handled both the surge in demand at launch and the steady, high-volume usage that continues today.he D1 platform is also a key enabler of innovative digital payment services, helping financial players expand and thrive in an increasingly competitive payments landscape.” François Chaffard, Vice President Digital Payment Services at Thales.

    With this milestone, Thales reaffirms its role as a trusted partner in the future of digital payments, helping financial institutions offer flexible, future-ready solutions that meet consumers’ evolving expectations.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: West Country water lovers urged to lend a hand to bathing waters

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    West Country water lovers urged to lend a hand to bathing waters

    Communities who campaigned to turn their favourite spots into official bathing waters asked to help the Environment Agency make them cleaner to swim in.

    The first sample of the season being taken from the River Tone at French Weir Park in Taunton

    3 rivers in Somerset and Hampshire were officially chosen as ‘designated bathing waters’ last year. Meaning they ticked the boxes of being easy to get to with parking and toilets nearby. But contrary to public opinion, being ‘designated’ doesn’t automatically mean the water met set standards of public hygiene.  

    Environment Agency monitoring of the 451 beaches and rivers on England’s list of designated bathing waters this summer has begun. Water samples will be taken weekly or fortnightly at consistent points in seas and rivers and sent for testing in the lab.  

    The results of these samples show how clean the water is and will be available online at Swimfo to inform public choice of where to swim or paddle. These sample results will ultimately help dictate what classification a beach or river location will be given later in the year. Any classification from ‘Sufficient’ and above means the water quality is good enough to swim in.  

    The classifications for all 3 river bathing waters at Taunton, Farleigh Hungerford near Bath and Fordingbridge in Hampshire came back as ‘Poor’ – meaning swimming was not advisable.  

    In response, groups including campaigners, swimmers, councillors, MPs, water companies and the Environment Agency have formed to turn around water quality at these sites. 

    This includes the River Tone at French Weir Park in Taunton. The group has come together to create an action plan which will drive improvements to reduce pollution affecting the bathing water quality where swimming takes place.  

    Jim Flory of the Environment Agency said:

    We routinely monitor rivers to check that the water quality for wildlife and the natural ecology of our rivers is protected. 

    But the standards needed to protect human health are different to those needed to safeguard the ecology and wildlife in our rivers and a lot of teamwork is needed to clear that bar. This will be a marathon not a sprint.

    Environment Agency officers will patrol the surrounding area looking for obvious sources of pollution entering the watercourse. As well as inspecting water company pipes and other types of equipment that discharges water into the river. 

    Public interest also saw a Dorset beach return to the Environment Agency’s list of 450 monitored bathing waters last year. Water sampling began again at Church Cliff Beach in Lyme Regis after an absence of 9 years. The site lost its designated status due to the low number of people going into the sea.  

    The beach was given a classification of ‘Poor’ after its first bathing water season. Nevertheless, public support from the River Lim Action Group, Blue Tit Swimmers and local officials is strong and committed to improving water quality. 

    Throughout the season, 15 May until the end of September, the Environment Agency will be taking more than 7000 samples at 451 designated bathing waters across England.    

    Today also marks the re-opening of applications for new bathing waters which have been closed since October 2023. Since then, the government has announced significant reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations to better reflect public use of iconic swimming spots. Successful sites will be announced next year.  

    Background 

    • Bathing waters are officially designated outdoor swimming sites. England has 451 designated bathing waters, which are monitored and classified by the Environment Agency.   

    • Applicants are encouraged to use the bathing water season to gather evidence for their applications. Prospective sites will be assessed for their suitability as a designated bathing water. Applications for the 2026 season will close on 31 October 2025.   

    • The Environment Agency has driven £2.5 billion of investment and facilitated partnerships to dramatically improve our bathing waters.   

    • Last year, nearly 92% of bathing waters in England met the minimum water quality standards. More information on 2024 bathing water classifications is available here.  

    • The UK Health Security Agency and Environment Agency also offer advice in their ‘swim healthy’ guidance, which is available to read before making any decision on swimming.  

    • Bathing waters are stretches of water throughout England which we monitor for two types of bacteria: E.coli and intestinal enterococci. We monitor for these two bacteria because they indicate that there are germs in the water which can make you ill.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leader demands Ministerial action as octopus crisis continues

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Plymouth City Council Leader has escalated his call for urgent reform of crab potting rules.

    An explosion in octopus numbers across the south west’s inshore waters is wreaking havoc on local fisheries — but while Cornish crabbers are hauling in pots full of valuable catch, Plymouth fishermen are left with empty traps and mounting bills.

    Council Leader Tudor Evans has now written to Fisheries Minister Daniel Zeichner, urging immediate intervention. This follows his letter earlier this week to the Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA). 

    “This is a crisis,” said Councillor Evans. “The Devon and Severn IFCA must act now to support our fishermen by removing the requirement for escape hatches in pots — a rule that’s now doing more harm than good.”

    Under current DS IFCA regulations, pots must include escape gaps designed to let undersized crabs and lobsters out. But with a surge in Octopus vulgaris — a highly efficient predator — these same escape hatches are allowing octopus to enter, feed on the catch, and slip away undetected.

    “Elsewhere, fishermen are able to retain and sell the octopus they catch. But here, our pots are being raided and left empty — and our fishers are left with nothing,” Evans added. “It’s a cruel irony that a conservation measure is now helping predators destroy the very stocks it was meant to protect.”

    Tudor stressed that the long-term ecological impact of the octopus boom is serious, but that allowing fishermen to catch and remove them is part of the solution — not the problem.

    “Fishing families can’t wait. Their bills don’t stop just because the octopus have shown up. We need urgent, practical action — and we need it now.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Emergency fund injects over £3m into the city’s third sector

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Charities losing funding from the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) are to receive urgent support from the City of Edinburgh Council.

    One-off funding of £2.037m will be provided to 46 organisations and projects across Edinburgh which are working to prevent poverty and support vulnerable residents.

    An additional £1m will help six third sector advice providers to support residents to maximise their income through accessing welfare benefits, reducing everyday living costs including debt management and improving access to work. A grant has also been provided to support the continued development of the Edinburgh Advice Network.

    The decision by the Policy and Sustainability Committee this week (Monday 12 May) will allow funds to be released to prevent the closure of a number of organisations and avert the redundancies of many employees.

    Decisions on how to allocate an outstanding £423,400 will be made when Councillors meet again later this month (Tuesday 27 May).

    The emergency package of support is provided ahead of a long-term review of the relationship between the Edinburgh Partnership, public sector and third sector in Edinburgh, with the aim of improving funding certainty in future years.

    As part of this review, the Edinburgh Partnership is asking voluntary organisations, social enterprises and charities to participate in an online consultation. Workshops will also take place in the coming weeks.

    Council Leader and Chair of the Edinburgh Partnership, Jane Meagher, said:

    “The third sector provides vital support to our local communities, and we need to provide stability to projects which have been put at risk of closure. Our funding will quickly and directly prevent many charities from redundancies and from reducing the very important services they provide.

    “While I’m pleased that we’ve reached a decision to prioritise this work – and to make sure we protect more people from entering poverty – we cannot become complacent. We need longer-term change so that organisations like these, and the many residents who rely on them, are at less risk and have greater stability.

    “We want to hear about how we can make helping vulnerable people simpler. Please take part in the consultation we’ve recently launched, as the Edinburgh Partnership seeks views on strengthening our city’s third sector.”

    In a deputation to Policy and Sustainability Committee, Bruce Crawford, CEO of EVOC and speaking on behalf of the Third Sector Reference Group said:

    “The decisions made by Councillors to support these third sector organisations shows a real understanding of the role that the third sector play in communities across Edinburgh.

    “The impact that these Resilience Fund payments will make cannot be underestimated in the way that they will support some of the most vulnerable people in our city. These grants will provide stability to the organisations in receipt of them and allow them to continue to serve their local communities. Longer term solutions need to be developed, and we are prepared to work with the council in planning for the future, beyond the current financial year.”

    Visit the Council’s website for more information about the Third Sector Support Review, the one-off Third Sector Resilience Fund and to access cost-of-living support.

    Full list of organisations and projects confirmed to receive urgent funding from the Third Sector Transitional Fund:

    1. ACE IT Scotland
    2. Art in Healthcare
    3. B Healthy Together
    4. Bridgend Farmhouse
    5. Calton Welfare Services
    6. Care for Carers
    7. Caring in Craigmillar
    8. Community Renewal Trust
    9. Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland
    10. Drake Music Scotland
    11. Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust
    12. Edinburgh Community Food
    13. Edinburgh Community Health Forum
    14. Edinburgh Headway Group
    15. Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre
    16. Eric Liddell Community
    17. Feniks
    18. Fresh Start
    19. Health All Round
    20. Home-Start Edinburgh West and South West (HSEW)
    21. LGBT Health and Wellbeing
    22. Libertus Services
    23. MECOPP
    24. Murrayfield Dementia Project
    25. Pilmeny Development Project
    26. Pilton Equalities Project – Mental Health
    27. Pilton Equalities Project – Day Care
    28. Portobello Monday Centre
    29. Portobello Older People’s Project
    30. Positive Help
    31. Queensferry Churches Care in the Community
    32. Rowan Alba Limited
    33. Scottish Huntington’s Association
    34. Sikh Sanjog
    35. South Edinburgh Amenities Group (SEAG)
    36. The Broomhouse Centre (The Beacon Club)
    37. Vintage Vibes Consortium
    38. The Dove Centre
    39. The Health Agency
    40. The Living Memory Association
    41. The Open Door
    42. The Ripple Project
    43. The Welcoming Association
    44. Venture Scotland
    45. VOCAL
    46. Waverley Care.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom