UK equities opened little changed on Monday after a volatile previous week that was unsettled by tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump linked to Greenland. Sterling strengthened above $1.36, while major European markets showed mixed early moves.
By 09:05 GMT, the FTSE 100 was flat, while the pound rose 0.2% against the dollar to trade at 1.3670. On the continent, Germany’s DAX edged up 0.1%, while France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.1%.
UK round-up
Ryanair Holdings PLC (LSE:0A2U) reported a sharp fall in third-quarter profit, weighed down by a sizeable penalty from Italian regulators. The budget airline posted profit after exceptional items of €30 million for the quarter ended December 31, down 80% from €149 million a year earlier. Ryanair said the decline was driven by an €85 million charge linked to a fine imposed by Italy’s competition authority.
In separate updates, S4 Capital PLC (LSE:SFOR) said its full-year 2025 trading performance came in ahead of both its revised guidance issued in November and current market expectations. The digital marketing group exceeded forecasts for £664 million of net revenue and £75 million of operational EBITDA, delivering an EBITDA margin of around 12% despite an 8.5% fall in like-for-like net revenue.
Meanwhile, infrastructure specialist Costain Group (LSE:COST) said its FY25 adjusted operating profit was in line with market forecasts. Net cash increased to £190 million, ahead of the £171 million consensus estimate, while adjusted operating margins exceeded the group’s 4.5% run-rate target. Costain noted solid trading through the year, with second-half revenue expected to match the £525 million recorded in the first half as projects reached completion.
Elsewhere, shares in Spire Healthcare Group (LSE:SPI) jumped more than 16% after the hospital operator confirmed it is in early-stage discussions with private equity firms. The company named Bridgepoint Advisers Limited and Triton Investment Advisers LLP as parties involved in talks under a strategic review announced in September.
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