Markets

NCR Atleos has extended its partnership with Moto, a leading UK Motorway Service Area (MSA) operator, ensuring continued cash access for UK consumers via the NCR Atleos Cashzone Network. Moto utilizes this network across 45 locations, providing convenient access to cash. The agreement reinforces Moto’s commitment to customer choice and financial accessibility. NCR Atleos focuses on adapting its ATM network with advanced functionalities and data analytics to optimize placement and meet evolving consumer demands in a changing financial landscape.

Walker & Dunlop expands its EMEA Capital Markets team with the hire of Aaron Knight as Senior Managing Director and co-head. Based in London, Knight will focus on sourcing debt and equity capital across diverse asset classes, including traditional and alternative investments. His expertise will drive Walker & Dunlop’s growth in the evolving European real estate market. This strategic move underscores Walker & Dunlop’s commitment to building a strong presence in the EMEA region.

Mattel’s “Team Barbie” initiative, timed for International Day of the Girl, spotlights four female rugby players (Ilona Maher, Ellie Kildunne, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Nassira Konde) as role models to inspire confidence in young girls. Barbie will release a doll modeled after Ilona Maher in 2026. Research shows girls withdraw from sports due to body image issues and lack of role models. Mattel is donating to girls’ sports organizations to address these challenges and empower girls in sports recognizing the impact of team sports.

A mud rush at Freeport-McMoRan’s Grasberg Block Cave mine in Indonesia on September 8 resulted in the tragic loss of seven team members, confirmed on October 5. Mining operations are suspended pending an investigation involving external experts, expected by year-end 2025. The incident, involving approximately 800,000 metric tons of material, impacted multiple levels of the mine. Production disruption at the major copper mine raises market concerns. The company faces scrutiny and potential financial impact.

Predictive Discovery (PDI) and Robex Resources announced a merger on October 5, 2025, aiming to create a West Africa-focused gold producer. Robex shareholders will receive 8.667 PDI shares per Robex share. The combined company targets >400kozpa Au production by 2029, with Mineral Resources ≈9.5Moz Au and Ore Reserves ≈4.5Moz Au, implying a market cap of ~A$2,350m. The deal, expected to close in December 2025 or early 2026, requires approvals from the court, TSX-V, and Robex shareholders.

Firefly Aerospace will acquire SciTec for $855M, comprising $300M cash and $555M in shares. SciTec’s revenue for the trailing twelve months ending June 30, 2025, was $164M, and the company was awarded a $259M Space Force contract in 2025. The acquisition expands Firefly’s capabilities in software, data analytics, and national security solutions, with an expected closing by year-end 2025, pending regulatory approvals. SciTec will operate as a subsidiary of Firefly.

Arvinas presented promising Phase 1 data for ARV-102, a brain-penetrant PROTAC LRRK2 degrader, at MDS 2025. ARV-102 was well-tolerated and demonstrated dose-dependent CSF exposure, indicating brain penetration. It achieved >90% PBMC LRRK2 reductions at ≥20mg. In healthy volunteers, 80mg for 14 days reduced CSF lysosomal and microglial markers linked to Parkinson’s disease. Multiple-dose patient data is expected in 2026, with a Phase 1b trial in progressive supranuclear palsy planned for H1 2026, pending IND clearance. The data supports further clinical development of ARV-102.

Abivax (ABVX) reported positive Phase 3 ABTECT trial results for obefazimod in ulcerative colitis. A pooled analysis showed a 16.4% placebo-adjusted clinical remission rate at Week 8 with the 50mg dose, meeting the FDA primary endpoint. Trials enrolled a refractory population, including patients who failed advanced therapies or JAK inhibitors. No new safety signals for serious infections or malignancies were reported. Headache and nausea were common adverse events. Analysts believe efficacy in the difficult-to-treat patient group could position obefazimod favorably in the market.

Spyre Therapeutics presented promising data at UEGW 2025 on SPY002, a potential IBD treatment. Phase 1 results showed SPY002 was well-tolerated, suppressed TL1A, and has a PK profile consistent with less frequent dosing. Preclinical data showed combination therapies (α4β7 + TL1A, α4β7 + IL-23, TL1A + IL-23) outperformed monotherapies in mouse models, supporting the ongoing SKYLINE-UC Phase 2 study. Analysts urge caution, emphasizing the need for clinical validation in later-stage trials.

ATRenew Inc., a leading Chinese pre-owned electronics platform, is an Earthshot Prize finalist for “Building a Waste Free World.” Addressing the growing e-waste crisis, ATRenew uses its AI-powered “Matrix” system to collect, inspect, and resell used devices, diverting them from landfills. The company’s circular economy model, which extends device lifecycles and informs more sustainable manufacturing, is expanding beyond China into Southeast Asia and the Middle East. ATRenew’s CEO emphasizes the global potential of their approach to reducing e-waste.