Tag: UK stocks

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher at 10,717.59 Despite Global Bond Sell-Off; Brent Crude Holds Above $106

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher at 10,717.59 Despite Global Bond Sell-Off; Brent Crude Holds Above $106

    The FTSE 100 opened Friday’s session 37.60 points higher at 10,717.59, shrugging off continued pressure from a global bond sell-off that pushed the 10-year gilt yield to its highest level in more than a week. Investor attention remains fixed on escalating tensions in the Middle East following fresh Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, while oil prices hovered near recent levels.

    Oil and currency movements

    Brent crude futures edged down 0.29% to USD 106.3 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate dropped 1.11% to USD 93.56. In currency markets, sterling was quoted at USD 1.3219 early Friday, up slightly from USD 1.3214 at the London equities close on Thursday. Against the euro, the pound eased to EUR 1.1620 from EUR 1.1628.

    Leading gainers and losers

    Computacenter led the FTSE 100 risers, climbing 3.15% to 5,405p. Smiths Group advanced 2.25% to 2,819p, while Standard Chartered gained 1.86% to 2,299p. Aberdeen Group rose 1.83% to 245.40p, followed by Endeavour Mining and Glencore, which each added 1.57%.

    On the downside, BP slipped 2.47% to 557.70p, British American Tobacco dropped 1.11% to 4,196p, and Unilever declined 1.00% to 4,661.50p. Reckitt Benckiser and Shell each fell 0.41%, while Admiral Group retreated 0.39%.

    Gilt yields hit multi-day high

    The 10-year gilt yield reached 5.38% on Thursday, its highest level in over a week, as bond markets around the world came under selling pressure. Higher bond yields tend to raise borrowing costs for companies and governments, and traders are closely watching whether the Bank of England will respond. Reuters reported that markets now expect at least one 25-basis-point rate hike from the BoE this year.

    FT and Bloomberg UK profits rise

    Company filings show that the UK operations of the Financial Times and Bloomberg posted higher profits in 2025. The Financial Times increased its profit by GBP 6 million to just under GBP 15 million for the year. Bloomberg Index Services, a UK subsidiary of the US firm that supplies data through the Bloomberg Terminal, saw profit rise by $12 million to around USD 125 million (GBP 94 million). Bloomberg attributed its 10% increase in turnover to ‘growth from new business and the expansion of existing customer relationships,’ while the FT cited growth in digital subscriptions and sales from live events.

    Harworth backs Peel Holdings takeover

    Land developer Harworth has recommended that shareholders accept a GBP 632 million takeover offer from its largest shareholder, Peel Holdings. The 187p-per-share bid represents a 30% premium over Harworth’s closing price on the day Peel first made its offer. The firm told investors the deal gives them the ‘opportunity to realise the entirety of their interests in cash against the current uncertainty presented by a weak macroeconomic backdrop.’

    Global markets mixed

    In the US, the Dow Jones fell 161.61 points, or 0.31%, to 51,349.98. The S&P 500 slipped 0.02% to 7,704.13, while the Nasdaq Composite edged up 0.01% to 26,939.37. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.3% to 66,364.2. China’s Shanghai Composite declined 1.22%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.03%, and South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.9%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex finished lower.

    This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher as Middle East Tensions Push Brent Above $105, Treasury Yields Climb

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher as Middle East Tensions Push Brent Above $105, Treasury Yields Climb

    The FTSE 100 opened 20.23 points higher at 10,725.49 on Thursday, as ongoing tensions in the Middle East kept oil prices elevated above $105 per barrel, while surging US Treasury yields continued to weigh on risk appetite across European markets.

    Brent crude futures rose 2.46% to $105.6 per barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced 2.20% to $94.19 per barrel. Sterling traded at $1.3243 early Thursday, slightly lower than $1.3254 at the London equities close on Wednesday. Against the euro, sterling fell to €1.1628 from €1.1636.

    Gainers and Losers

    On the upside, JD Sports Fashion rose 2.18% to 75.84p, British American Tobacco advanced 1.91% to 4,278p, and Antofagasta gained 1.50% to 3,802p. Glencore rose 1.48% to 560.70p, Bunzl added 1.28% to 2,686p, and BP increased 1.26% to 564.20p.

    On the downside, Standard Life fell 3.83% to 890.50p, Computacenter dropped 1.37% to 5,405p, and Pershing Square Holdings declined 1.20% to 3,616p. Admiral Group slipped 0.71% to 3,646p, Games Workshop Group fell 0.62% to 17,620p, and AstraZeneca edged 0.40% lower to 12,380p.

    Vistry Shares Fall After Loss and Downsizing Plans

    Vistry shares slumped after the company reported a £661 million pre-tax loss and announced plans to downsize, spooking investors. The housebuilder fell by as much as 7% to 248p in early trade.

    Adam Vettese, market analyst at eToro, commented: “This morning’s sell-off is the market calling time on another year of moving goalposts. Adam Daniels is doing the unglamorous work of shrinking Vistry to 12,000 homes, exiting South East private sales and cutting a land bank that was too big for the returns it produced. That is the right diagnosis; it does not make the next twelve months any cleaner.”

    On the Beach Posts Record Bookings

    On the Beach recorded a 9% rise in bookings, pushing total transaction value to £1.3 billion, marking the fifth consecutive year of record highs. The growth was fueled by a summer booking rebound, with volumes 4% ahead of the prior year, as more customers purchased trips closer to departure dates.

    Chief executive Shaun Morton attributed the uptick to “strategic investments” in technology and the company’s expanded product offering. The firm estimates pre-tax profit of £28 million to £35 million in the next financial year but remains “mindful” of the impact the Iran war is having on consumer confidence.

    Halma Raises Margin Outlook

    Halma raised its outlook for the annual adjusted operating profit margin, citing strong first-half progress. The health and safety device maker now expects an adjusted EBIT margin of 23.5% to 24% for the year through March 2027, up from its previous guidance of around 22.7%.

    The company maintained its forecast for low double-digit percentage organic constant-currency revenue growth, including roughly five percentage points of premium growth from its photonics business.

    Global Market Overview

    In the US, the S&P 500 dropped 0.75% to close at 7,706.03, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.13% to 26,936.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 352.10 points, or 0.68%.

    In Asia on Thursday, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.76% to 65,513.99, while China’s Shanghai Composite dipped 1.22%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.29%, and South Korea’s Kospi edged up by 0.9%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex fell by 1.61% and 1.60%, respectively.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher Amid Middle East Tensions; Brent Crude Surges Past $105

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher Amid Middle East Tensions; Brent Crude Surges Past $105

    The FTSE 100 opened 20.23 points higher at 10,725.49 as renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pushed oil prices above $105 per barrel, while rising US Treasury yields continued to weigh on risk appetite across European markets.

    Brent crude futures rose 2.46% to $105.6 per barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced 2.20% to $94.19 per barrel. Sterling was quoted at $1.3243 early Thursday, slightly lower from $1.3254 at the London equities close on Wednesday. Against the euro, sterling fell to €1.1628 from €1.1636 the prior day.

    Gainers & Losers

    • Top Gainers: JD Sports Fashion rose 2.18% to 75.84p, British American Tobacco advanced 1.91% to 4,278p, Antofagasta gained 1.50% to 3,802p, Glencore rose 1.48% to 560.70p, Bunzl added 1.28% to 2,686p, and BP increased 1.26% to 564.20p.
    • Top Losers: Standard Life fell 3.83% to 890.50p, Computacenter dropped 1.37% to 5,405p, Pershing Square Holdings declined 1.20% to 3,616p, Admiral Group slipped 0.71% to 3,646p, Games Workshop Group fell 0.62% to 17,620p, and AstraZeneca edged 0.40% lower to 12,380p.

    Vistry Shares Slump After Loss and Downsizing Plan

    Vistry shares tumbled after reporting a £661 million pre-tax loss and announcing plans to downsize. The housebuilder fell as much as 7% to 248p in early trade. Adam Vettese, market analyst at eToro, commented, “This morning’s sell-off is the market calling time on another year of moving goalposts. Adam Daniels is doing the unglamorous work of shrinking Vistry to 12,000 homes, exiting South East private sales and cutting a land bank that was too big for the returns it produced. That is the right diagnosis; it does not make the next twelve months any cleaner.”

    On the Beach Posts Record Booking Increase

    On the Beach reported a 9% rise in bookings, bringing total transaction value to £1.3 billion, marking the fifth consecutive year of record highs. The summer booking rebound contributed to growth 4% ahead of the prior year, driven by customers purchasing trips closer to departure dates. Chief executive Shaun Morton attributed the uptick to strategic investments in technology and an expanded product offering. The company estimates pre-tax profit between £28 million and £35 million in the next financial year, but remains mindful of the impact the Iran war is having on consumer confidence.

    Halma Raises Margin Outlook

    Halma lifted its outlook for annual adjusted operating profit margin, citing strong first-half progress. The health and safety device maker now expects an adjusted EBIT margin of 23.5% to 24% for the year through March 2027, up from its previous guidance of around 22.7%. The company maintained its forecast for low double-digit percentage organic constant-currency revenue growth, including roughly five percentage points of premium growth from its photonics business.

    Global Market Overview

    In the US, the S&P 500 dropped 0.75% to close at 7,706.03, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.13% to 26,936.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 352.10 points, or 0.68%. In Asia on Thursday, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.76% to 65,513.99, while China’s Shanghai Composite dipped 1.22%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.29%, and South Korea’s Kospi edged up 0.9%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex fell 1.61% and 1.60%, respectively.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.

  • FTSE 100 Opens 101 Points Lower as Oil Prices and AI Concerns Weigh on UK Stocks

    FTSE 100 Opens 101 Points Lower as Oil Prices and AI Concerns Weigh on UK Stocks

    The FTSE 100 opened 101.11 points lower at 10,596.46 on Tuesday, as rising oil prices—driven by Saudi supply disruptions—and growing unease over the pace of artificial intelligence development dampened market sentiment. Brent crude futures fell 1.96% to USD 107.8 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined 1.98% to USD 103.4 per barrel.

    Sterling was quoted at USD 1.3482 early Tuesday, just below USD 1.3581 at the London equities close on Monday. Versus the euro, the pound rose to EUR 1.1684 from EUR 1.1679.

    Gainers & Losers

    On the upside, Marks & Spencer Group climbed 1.38% to 375.90p. Kingfisher advanced 1.36% to 291.80p, while BAE Systems gained 0.80% to 1,955.50p. Babcock International Group rose 0.60% to 966.80p, Tesco added 0.48% to 483.20p, and GSK increased 0.46% to 1,863p.

    On the downside, London Stock Exchange Group fell 2.38% to 8,272p. Rio Tinto declined 1.85% to 7,074p, while Lion Finance Group dropped 1.64% to 13,190p. Diploma slipped 1.06% to 6,990p, AstraZeneca lost 0.63% to 12,078p, and Games Workshop Group edged 0.57% lower to 17,500p.

    Trustpilot Revenue Jumps

    Trustpilot Group, the online consumer review platform, reported H1 bookings rose 22% to USD 171.2 million and revenue up 23% to USD 151.4 million, as Enterprise and US demand accelerated growth from the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA grew 46% to USD 26.3 million from USD 18 million, with the adjusted EBITDA margin expanding 2.8 percentage points to 17.4%. However, operating profit fell 18% to USD 4.4 million, weighed down by USD 6 million in non-recurring items, including an AGCM fine and a provision for historical US sales taxes.

    Vacancies in the UK Declined

    Vacancies in the UK fell to 702,000 in the three months to August 2026, marking a fall of 8,000, official figures suggest. “Payroll numbers continued to edge down, with falls over the past year particularly evident in the retail and hospitality sectors,” Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said. “Vacancies remain at their lowest level outside the pandemic period for more than a decade, with smaller businesses continuing to report that increased labor costs are affecting hiring decisions.”

    MJ Gleeson Cuts Dividend

    MJ Gleeson has declined to a pre-tax loss as the housing market remains subdued, prompting the housebuilder to cut its dividend. The builder posted a GBP 2.7 million pre-tax loss in the year to June and cut its dividend from 11p to five pence per share. “Recognizing that this subdued market may not improve anytime soon, we are focused on managing the business as efficiently as possible and taking a prudent stance on cash,” the group told shareholders. However, the number of homes sold was up 9.8% to 1,968, as evidence that it is in a “much stronger position to manage through the challenging market environment” than in recent years.

    Global Market View

    In the US, the S&P 500 lost 0.5%, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.6%, and the Dow Jones declined 0.3%, while the ten-year Treasury yield briefly touched 5% before settling around 4.98%. In Asia on Tuesday, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.01% to 63,484.1, while China’s Shanghai Composite fell 0.54%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.94%, and South Korea’s Kospi dipped 0.85%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex fell by 0.32% and 0.17%, respectively.

  • FTSE 100 Rises 16.66 Points to 10,884.55 as Oil Prices Firm and US Jobs Report Looms

    FTSE 100 Rises 16.66 Points to 10,884.55 as Oil Prices Firm and US Jobs Report Looms

    The FTSE 100 traded 16.66 points higher at 10,884.55 on Friday, as investors assessed fresh US trade measures, firmer oil prices, and prepared for the release of the US jobs report later in the day. Brent crude futures rose 0.91% to $83.24 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.57% to $77.73 per barrel.

    Sterling was quoted at $1.3452 early Friday, slightly lower than $1.3454 at the London equities close on Thursday. Against the euro, sterling fell marginally to €1.1674 from €1.1675 a day prior.

    Gainers & Losers

    On the upside, Fresnillo surged 2.74% to 2,813p. Convatec Group advanced 2.73% to 233p, while BAE Systems climbed 1.68% to 2,237p. London Stock Exchange Group gained 1.53% to 8,884p, Diageo rose 1.47% to 1,758p, and AstraZeneca added 1.38% to 12,014p.

    On the downside, Severn Trent fell 1.03% to 3,084p. Whitbread declined 0.87% to 2,506p, while Antofagasta slipped 0.76% to 3,944p. 3i Group eased 0.73% to 2,850p, Shell dropped 0.59% to 3,295.5p, and Unilever edged 0.40% lower to 4,690p.

    Oxford Biomedica Cuts Profit Forecast

    Oxford Biomedica has slashed its revenue target for the year by nearly £40 million after slowing customer appetite. The firm has lowered its revenue forecast for the full year to £180 million to £200 million, from between £220 million and £240 million, given a drop in demand from clients.

    The medical company said the ‘short-term impact’ is driven by customers opting to delay signing contracts for the year, resulting from changes in the clients’ clinical data or their strategy. Dr. Frank Mathias, chief executive officer of Oxford Biomedica, said despite the profit warning, “we remain confident about OXB’s future as we continue to expand our market position in the growing cell and gene therapy sector and support our clients in delivering life-changing therapies to patients.”

    JD Sports Appoints Former IKEA Boss as Chair

    JD Sports has named the former boss of Ikea as its new chair. The retailer said on Friday Peter Agnefjäll would take the post, succeeding Darren Shapland, who has served in the role on an interim basis. Agnefjäll’s recruitment follows Andy Higginson quitting as chair in April ahead of his tenure finishing in July. He said he was “proud of his time” at the company, in which JD oversaw a “tough period” in the sportswear market and expanded the brand in the US.

    Meta Fined $567 Million Over Child Safety

    Meta has been ordered by a New Mexico judge to pay $567 million (£421 million) for failing to protect children against online harms on its platforms. In the ruling handed down on Friday, US Judge Bryan Biedscheid said the tech giant is a “public nuisance” and compared the WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram owner to air pollution. The new fine is in addition to a $375 million penalty the tech company was already ordered to pay in damages in March after a jury ruled Meta had intentionally impacted children’s mental health, hiking the total penalty to nearly $1 billion.

    Global Market View

    In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average pulled back from its record high as higher Treasury yields dampened sentiment. The Dow fell 0.9%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.2%, and the Nasdaq edged 0.1% lower.

    In Asia on Friday, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.12% to 65,606.71, while China’s Shanghai Composite gained 1.02%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.45%, and South Korea’s Kospi edged lower by 0.6%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex fell by 0.31% and 0.53%, respectively.

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher as Oil Prices Surge on Middle East Tensions; Investors Eye Fed Decision

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher as Oil Prices Surge on Middle East Tensions; Investors Eye Fed Decision

    The FTSE 100 opened 64.86 points higher at 10,935.88 on Wednesday, driven by renewed tensions in the Middle East that pushed oil prices higher. Investors are now awaiting the latest US Federal Reserve interest rate decision, which could influence market direction.

    Oil and Currency Markets

    Brent crude futures rose 3.54% to $87.07 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced 3.60% to $82.11. Sterling eased slightly to $1.3298 from $1.3306, and against the euro it fell to €1.1662.

    Top Gainers and Losers

    Gainers: Weir Group surged 8.40% to 2,736p, Reckitt Benckiser advanced 5.37% to 5,454p, Burberry Group gained 4.91% to 1,196p, Standard Chartered climbed 4.44% to 2,190p, Glencore rose 3.93% to 526.40p, and Sage Group increased 3.15% to 969.40p.

    Losers: Admiral Group declined 1.22% to 3,720p, Endeavour Mining fell 1.03% to 3,551p, Severn Trent slipped 0.92% to 3,032p, Halma eased 0.91% to 3,498p, Coca-Cola HBC dropped 0.79% to 5,045p, and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners edged 0.47% lower to 8,400p.

    Sage Revenue Growth

    Sage reported another quarter of double-digit revenue growth. Revenue rose 11% to £2.06 billion in the first nine months, with third-quarter growth accelerating to 12%, fueled by demand for its cloud accounting, payroll, and HR software. Cloud revenue climbed 15% to £1.76 billion, while recurring subscription revenue topped £2 billion. CFO Jacqui Cartin noted “nine months of accelerating revenue growth,” boosted by AI features and strong demand for products like Sage Intacct. The company maintained its forecast for organic revenue growth above 9% and expects continued operating margin improvements. Sage shares remain about 13% lower than a year ago.

    Greggs Shares Jump on Profit Surge

    Greggs shares rose more than 10% in early trade to 1,862p after the bakery chain posted a 20% jump in pre-tax profit to £76 million. The company plans to expand to at least 3,500 stores across the UK. Analyst Duncan Ferris of Freetrade said the profit boost came more from cost controls and lower inflation than from sales growth, adding that strong performance at new stores may alleviate fears of cannibalization.

    Glencore Trading Profit

    Glencore reported first-half profits of around $3.3 billion from its commodities trading arm, slightly below its annual earnings guidance of $3.5 billion. CEO Gary Nagle said the company delivered a “strong production performance” with key assets meeting expectations. Full-year production guidance for copper, zinc, and nickel remains unchanged, while energy and steelmaking coal guidance saw minor adjustments.

    Global Market Overview

    In the US, the Dow Jones climbed 537 points (1%) to 52,747, and the S&P 500 added 0.2%, while the Nasdaq slipped 0.2% to 24,877. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.49% to 61,434.19, China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.4%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 1.77%, and South Korea’s Kospi edged lower by 5.98%. India’s Nifty 50 and Sensex rose 0.99% and 1.15%, respectively.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.

  • FTSE 100 Edges Up 16.79 Points to 10,798 Despite Tech Sell-Off; Unilever Surges, Barclays Slips

    FTSE 100 Edges Up 16.79 Points to 10,798 Despite Tech Sell-Off; Unilever Surges, Barclays Slips

    The FTSE 100 opened 16.79 points higher at 10,798.54 on Tuesday, defying an early tech-driven sell-off triggered by reports of Chinese advancements in domestic semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The index’s resilience came as investors weighed sector-specific earnings and global oil price declines.

    Market Movers: Unilever Leads Gains, Barclays Falls

    Unilever climbed 5.74% to 4,892.50p after posting its strongest quarterly volume growth in over a decade. The consumer goods giant reported underlying sales rose 5.8% in the second quarter, exceeding the 4.14% consensus estimate, with revenue reaching €13.05 billion. CEO Fernando Fernandez hailed it as “the best volume quarter at Unilever in over a decade,” driven by Power Brands and emerging markets.

    Other gainers included Admiral Group (+3.18%), Reckitt Benckiser (+2.63%), Babcock International (+2.45%), Diageo (+2.33%), and The Sage Group (+2.22%).

    On the downside, Barclays shares tumbled as much as 7% in early trading, their steepest decline since April last year, despite the bank topping profit and income expectations in Q2. Analysts noted that the investment bank’s strong performance had already been priced in, while earnings outside that division were more muted than expected. Games Workshop fell 3.17%, Lion Finance Group dropped 2.21%, and AstraZeneca slipped 1.63%.

    Unite Students Reports £400 Million Loss

    Unite Students, the UK’s largest student landlord, plunged to a £417 million pre-tax loss in the six months to June, reversing a £186 million profit a year earlier. The loss was driven by a £530 million revaluation of its property portfolio and “extremely challenging” building costs. The company plans to sell up to 20,000 beds as it reduces its footprint. Shares fell 3.4% to £538.

    Oil Prices Extend Decline

    Brent crude futures fell 1.95% to $86.64 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate declined 1.49% to $81.38 per barrel, as concerns over global demand and Chinese semiconductor news weighed on energy markets.

    Global Market Overview

    In the US, the Dow Jones gained 0.5%, while the S&P 500 was flat and the Nasdaq fell 0.2%. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 3.95%, China’s Shanghai Composite fell 1.16%, but Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.36%. India’s Nifty 50 and Sensex both edged higher.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.

  • FTSE 100 Opens Lower After Rally as Brent Crude Surges Above $97; Mixed Corporate Earnings in Focus

    FTSE 100 Opens Lower After Rally as Brent Crude Surges Above $97; Mixed Corporate Earnings in Focus

    The FTSE 100 opened 16.72 points lower at 10,700.25 on Wednesday, pulling back after a sharp rally that pushed the index to a 20-week high of 10,716.97. The decline came as oil prices continued to climb, with Brent crude futures jumping 3.36% to $97.23 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gaining 2.75% to $89.22.

    Gainers & Losers

    On the upside, Segro led the gainers with a 7.06% rise to 958.20p. Anglo American advanced 4.93% to 3,703p, while 3i Group rose 2.98% to 2,628p. RELX gained 2.61% to 2,518.00p, BP climbed 2.32% to 551.80p, and Tritax Big Box REIT added 1.84% to 171.90p.

    On the downside, Whitbread fell 3.14% to 2,379p. Endeavour Mining declined 2.49% to 3,650p, while London Stock Exchange Group slipped 1.34% to 8,566p. AstraZeneca dropped 1.26% to 12,542.00p, Games Workshop Group eased 0.90% to 19,920p, and Lion Finance Group edged 0.69% lower to 11,520p.

    Mixed Numbers from Centrica

    Centrica hiked its interim dividend by 9% despite lower first-half profits, as energy-market volatility slowed progress in parts of the British Gas owner’s business. Underlying earnings (EBITDA) of £737 million were reported for the six months to June, down 18% year-on-year. Statutory profit before tax swung to £672 million from a £43 million loss.

    Burnham to Cut Pub Business Rates

    Andy Burnham announced a 20% cut to business rates for pubs, clubs, and music venues, funded by cracking down on businesses like vape shops and tax-avoidant online sellers. The £100 million commitment follows a campaign by hospitality venues after tax bills soared due to Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget last year.

    EasyJet Profits Decline

    EasyJet reported a 70% fall in third-quarter profit, with headline profit before tax of £85 million for the three months to June, down from £286 million a year earlier. The Middle East conflict kept fuel costs elevated and affected bookings. Group revenue advanced 2% to £2.98 billion, but fuel costs jumped 17% to £732 million.

    Jupiter’s Net Inflows Continue

    Jupiter’s net inflows and profit jumped despite the loss of two mandates. Net inflows reached £700 million in the first half of the year, driven by momentum in retail, wholesale, and investments. Assets under management (AUM) rose 36% to £73.7 billion, supported by the acquisition of CCLA. Revenue grew 39% to £213.3 million.

    Global Market View

    In the US, the Nasdaq and S&P 500 fell 0.6% and 0.1%, respectively, while the Dow Jones finished little changed. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.46% to 66,422.6, and China’s Shanghai Composite gained 0.25%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 1.09%, and South Korea’s Kospi rose 4.4%. In India, the Nifty 50 and the Sensex fell 0.49% and 0.56%, respectively.

  • FTSE 100 Dips 34 Points Amid Middle East Turmoil; Brent Crude Surpasses $90

    FTSE 100 Dips 34 Points Amid Middle East Turmoil; Brent Crude Surpasses $90

    The FTSE 100 opened 34.07 points lower at 10,566.30 on Monday, as continued US airstrikes against Iran and expanding Iranian retaliation across the Gulf region deepened risk-off sentiment. Brent crude futures surged 2.62% to $90.41 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced 2.39% to $84.36 per barrel. Sterling edged lower to $1.3452 against the US dollar.

    Gainers and Losers

    On the upside, Computacenter led gains with a 3.49% rise to £4,740, followed by Entain (+1.61%), Auto Trader (+0.94%), BP (+0.81%), JD Sports Fashion (+0.76%), and Convatec Group (+0.74%). On the downside, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners fell 1.02%, Spirax Group slipped 1.15%, Unilever dropped 1.40%, Reckitt Benckiser eased 1.14%, Rio Tinto declined 0.83%, and Next edged 0.37% lower.

    Political Shake-Up: Andy Burnham Poised to Become UK Prime Minister

    Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester and new Labour Party leader, is expected to succeed Keir Starmer as Britain’s seventh prime minister in the last decade. Burnham returned to Parliament last month after winning a special election and was sworn in on July 12, shortly after Starmer announced his resignation. Starmer will formally step down during a meeting with King Charles III.

    Ryanair Profit Slumps on Fuel Costs

    Ryanair reported a 36% slump in pre-tax profit to €593 million for the three months to June, as rising jet fuel prices driven by the Iran conflict took a toll. The airline noted that the cost of 20% of unhedged fuel more than doubled to $150 per barrel, pushing operating costs up 11% to €3.8 billion. Although traffic rose 6%, lower fares caused revenue to dip 1% to €4.3 billion.

    Craneware Cyberattack Shakes Shares

    Craneware shares fell as much as 8% after the healthcare software firm disclosed a cyberattack involving unauthorized access to a subset of its data environment. Employee data and a portion of customer and partner records were accessed and exfiltrated. Analysts at Panmure Liberum warned that consistency in breach reporting is critical to avoid regulatory penalties.

    Big Yellow Group Invests in Automation

    Big Yellow Group said it is increasing investment in automation and energy efficiency to reduce headcount and staff costs amid rising national insurance and minimum wage pressures. CEO Jim Gibson noted the move allows the company to avoid replacing certain leavers. Group revenue edged up 3% to £53.2 million, though the operating environment is expected to remain challenging until autumn.

    Global Market Overview

    US futures were mixed early Monday, with S&P 500 futures up 0.04% and Nasdaq-100 futures up 0.14%, while Dow futures dipped 59 points. Asian markets saw sharp declines: Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 4.03%, China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 0.85%, and South Korea’s Kospi slid 4.46%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng bucked the trend with a 2.25% gain. Indian indices Nifty 50 and Sensex declined 0.42% and 0.53%, respectively.

    This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please conduct your own research before making investment decisions.

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher as Vodafone Surges 3.57% and Wise Reports 25% Revenue Growth

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher as Vodafone Surges 3.57% and Wise Reports 25% Revenue Growth

    The FTSE 100 opened 37.30 points higher at 10,609.54 on Friday, as continued US strikes on Iran weighed on investor sentiment and a sharp sell-off across Asian markets added to the risk-off mood. Brent crude futures rose 0.44% to $84.60 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) advanced 0.94% to $79.69 a barrel.

    Sterling was quoted at $1.3465 early Friday, lower than $1.3483 at the London equities close on Thursday. Against the euro, sterling fell to €1.1768 from €1.3558 a day earlier.

    Gainers & Losers

    On the upside, Vodafone Group rose 3.57% to £120.40, while British American Tobacco advanced 2.67% to £4,656. Severn Trent gained 2.42% to £3,052, and National Grid climbed 2.34% to £1,245. BT Group added 2.30% to £197.90, and United Utilities Group climbed 2.22% to £1,381.

    On the downside, Lion Finance Group declined 1.66% to £11,280, while Games Workshop Group slipped 0.79% to £20,120. Antofagasta fell 2.48% to £3,499, and Anglo American declined by 2.24% to £3,407. Rio Tinto dropped 1.01% to £6,673, while Spirax Group eased 0.94% to £6,865.

    Burberry Upgrades Revenue Target

    Burberry upgraded its revenue estimates for the first half of the year after demand in the US market helped offset headwinds in Europe. The luxury fashion house reported revenue increased 5% to £455 million in the first quarter. Revenue was up 12% in the US, closely followed by 9% growth in Greater China. Wholesale revenue was upgraded on the back of the first-quarter performance and is expected to grow by a high-single-digit percentage in the first half.

    Wise Revenue Jumps 25%

    Global payments company Wise posted first-quarter net revenue of $714 million, up 25% from last year, with cross-border volume jumping 26% to $69.3 billion. Active customers rose 21% to 11.9 million, while customer holdings grew 31% to $41.2 billion. The average fee dropped to just 0.50%, the lowest in Wise’s history, and 77% of transactions now arrive instantly, up from 70% a year ago. Full-year guidance was reiterated, with revenue growth expected around the middle of its 15%-20% target range and margins near the top of the 20%-25% range.

    Bridgepoint Earnings Surge

    Bridgepoint’s earnings surged after growth in management fees and performance-related earnings. Earnings before tax jumped 77.6% to £227.3 million in the first half of the year, up from £128 million the previous year. This was driven by a 22.8% rise in management fees to £254.4 million and performance-related earnings more than doubling to £120.7 million. Assets under management rose 12.4% to £72.3 billion. The group declared an interim dividend of £4.8 per share.

    Global Market View

    In the US, Wall Street ended lower. The Nasdaq fell 1.5%, while the S&P 500 lost 0.5% and the Dow Jones declined 0.2%. In Asia on Thursday, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 4.03% to 64,141.14, while China’s Shanghai Composite dipped 3.05%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 2.15%, and South Korea’s Kospi fell 6.37%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex rose by 0.87% and 1.04%, respectively.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.