ADVFN UK Market News

Author: Fiona Craig

  • Oil Price Rebound Could Pressure Wall Street: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Futures

    Oil Price Rebound Could Pressure Wall Street: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Futures

    U.S. stock futures signaled a slightly weaker start on Wednesday, suggesting equities may slip at the open after finishing the previous session with mixed results following choppy trading.

    Higher oil prices could weigh on sentiment, as crude for April delivery has jumped nearly 4% after plunging almost 12% during Tuesday’s session.

    Oil is recovering after United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported receiving information that three vessels were struck by projectiles off the Iranian coast, raising concerns about maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz.

    Separate reports indicating that Iran may be attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz have also increased worries about shipping through the crucial energy corridor.

    In U.S. economic news, new figures from the Labor Department showed consumer inflation rose in February in line with economists’ expectations.

    The report indicated that the consumer price index increased by 0.3% in February, following a 0.2% rise in January, matching forecasts.

    Core prices, which exclude food and energy, advanced 0.2% in February after increasing 0.3% in January, also in line with estimates.

    The data further showed that annual inflation remained steady, with headline consumer prices rising 2.4% year-over-year and core inflation holding at 2.5%.

    After rebounding from an early decline to finish Monday mostly higher, U.S. markets struggled to maintain momentum on Tuesday. The major indices moved back and forth around the unchanged level throughout much of the session.

    By the end of trading, the results were narrowly mixed. The Nasdaq added 1.16 points, or less than 0.1%, to close at 22,697.10. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 34.29 points, or 0.1%, to 47,706.51, and the S&P 500 dropped 14.51 points, or 0.2%, to 6,781.48.

    Sharp swings in crude prices contributed to the volatility, with oil for April delivery falling nearly 12% on Tuesday after briefly approaching $120 per barrel earlier in the week.

    Investors were also reacting to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the U.S. conflict with Iran following recent remarks from President Donald Trump.

    Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Trump said the conflict with Iran could end “very soon,” although he did not provide specific details about how the war might conclude.

    In a later post on Truth Social, the president warned that Iran would face retaliation “twenty times harder” if it attempted to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

    “We will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!” Trump said.

    Echoing the president’s remarks, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a press conference earlier today that Iran is “badly losing,” but added that the United States still plans to carry out its “most intense day of strikes” in Iran later today.

    Reflecting the subdued market environment, most sectors posted only limited movements.

    Software companies were among the biggest laggards, with the Dow Jones U.S. Software Index falling 1.7%.

    Stocks of oil producers, natural gas companies and homebuilders also moved lower, while gold-related shares rallied alongside gains in the price of the precious metal.

  • European Stocks Edge Lower as Oil Prices Rebound: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European Stocks Edge Lower as Oil Prices Rebound: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities mostly declined on Wednesday as oil prices recovered following a sharp drop of more than 11% in the previous trading session.

    Benchmark Brent crude futures were up about 2.6% during European hours, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) contracts climbed over 4% as the conflict involving Iran continued to intensify, with the United States and Israel carrying out air strikes against Iranian targets across the Middle East.

    On a relatively quiet economic calendar, data showed that inflation in Germany cooled in February in line with earlier estimates, largely due to a slower rise in food prices.

    Final figures from Destatis indicated that the consumer price index increased 1.9% year-on-year in February, matching the preliminary reading.

    The EU-harmonised inflation rate in Germany also edged down slightly, easing to 2.0% in February from 2.1% in January.

    Across European markets, Germany’s DAX index fell around 1.3%, while the UK’s FTSE 100 and France’s CAC 40 each declined roughly 0.7%.

    Shares of German consumer goods and adhesives producer Henkel (TG:HEN3) dropped sharply after the company released mixed results for the fourth quarter.

    Defense manufacturer Rheinmetall (TG:RHM) also declined significantly after issuing a 2026 sales outlook that fell short of market expectations.

    Promotional products distributor 4imprint (LSE:FOUR) also tumbled after announcing weaker-than-expected results for 2025.

    Insurance group Legal & General Group (LSE:LGEN) also slid despite reporting 2025 results broadly in line with forecasts and unveiling its largest-ever share buyback program, worth £1.2 billion.

    On the upside, German state-owned energy company Uniper (TG:UN0) advanced after posting strong financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025.

    Meanwhile, shares in British construction firm Balfour Beatty (LSE:BBY) surged after the company announced a £200 million share buyback and increased its full-year dividend following higher profits and a record order backlog.

  • Oil prices fluctuate as markets assess potential IEA reserve release and lingering supply risks

    Oil prices fluctuate as markets assess potential IEA reserve release and lingering supply risks

    Oil markets moved unevenly on Wednesday as traders weighed whether a possible record release of emergency reserves by the International Energy Agency would be sufficient to counter supply disruptions linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

    Brent crude futures rose 59 cents, or 0.7%, to $88.39 per barrel by 07:27 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 98 cents, or 1.2%, to $84.43 per barrel.

    Earlier in the Asian session both benchmarks extended their losses after plunging more than 11% on Tuesday, even though U.S. crude initially surged roughly 5% at the opening of trading.

    The Wall Street Journal reported that the IEA is evaluating a strategic reserve release that could surpass the 182 million barrels made available by member countries in two rounds during 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The report cited officials familiar with the discussions.

    Goldman Sachs analysts wrote in a client note that a release of that magnitude would compensate for around 12 days of disruption, based on the bank’s estimate of a 15.4 million barrel-per-day interruption in oil exports from the Gulf region.

    On Tuesday, the United States and Israel launched what Pentagon officials and Iranian sources described as the most intense round of airstrikes since the conflict began.

    The U.S. military also “eliminated” 16 Iranian vessels believed to be involved in laying naval mines near the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command. U.S. President Donald Trump warned that any mines placed in the waterway must be removed immediately.

    However, some analysts questioned whether a coordinated reserve release would meaningfully change the price outlook.

    “Moves like IEA SPR release are not the solution to the crisis. How oil prices will evolve will depend on the duration of the Iran war,” said Suvro Sarkar, head of the energy sector team at DBS.

    Short-term price spikes may be “reined in through periodic strategic signalling moves like we have seen over the past couple of days to calm markets down,” Sarkar added.

    Officials from the Group of Seven have also held online discussions about a possible release of emergency oil reserves to cushion the market impact of supply disruptions.

    French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host a virtual meeting with other G7 leaders on Wednesday to discuss the conflict’s implications for global energy markets and consider possible responses.

    Trump has repeatedly said that the United States stands ready to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if required. However, sources told Reuters that the U.S. Navy has declined requests from shipping companies for military escorts for now, citing the elevated risk of attacks.

    Supply risks persist

    Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company ADNOC has halted operations at its Ruwais refinery after a fire broke out within the complex following a drone strike, according to a source. The incident represents another disruption to energy infrastructure tied to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

    Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, is reportedly increasing shipments through the Red Sea, though volumes remain far below the levels needed to offset reduced flows through the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data.

    The kingdom is relying on its Red Sea export hub at Yanbu to boost shipments and avoid steep production cuts, while neighbouring producers including Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have already reduced output.

    Energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie estimates that the conflict is currently removing roughly 15 million barrels per day of Gulf crude and refined products from the global market, a disruption that could potentially drive oil prices as high as $150 per barrel.

    “Even a quick resolution probably implies weeks of disruption for energy markets yet,” Morgan Stanley said in a note.

    Highlighting stronger demand, U.S. inventories of crude oil, gasoline and distillates declined last week, according to market sources citing data released Tuesday by the American Petroleum Institute.

  • Markets Monitor Oil Swings, Middle East Tensions and U.S. CPI Data; Oracle Lifts Outlook: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    Markets Monitor Oil Swings, Middle East Tensions and U.S. CPI Data; Oracle Lifts Outlook: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    U.S. equity futures traded slightly in negative territory on Wednesday as investors continued to track the uncertain course of the conflict in the Middle East. Oil prices fluctuated following reports that the International Energy Agency may consider a record release of emergency reserves. Markets are also awaiting key U.S. inflation figures later in the session, while Oracle issued a stronger revenue outlook supported by robust demand for artificial intelligence data centers.

    U.S. futures edge lower

    As of 04:51 ET, futures tied to major U.S. stock indexes were modestly down. Dow futures declined by 98 points, or 0.2%, S&P 500 futures slipped by 5 points, or 0.1%, and Nasdaq 100 futures fell by 20 points, or 0.1%.

    The previous session on Wall Street ended with mixed results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 both closed slightly lower, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite managed a small gain.

    Investors spent much of the session focused on developments in the Middle East, where the United States warned it could launch its most intense wave of strikes against Iran since the start of its joint military campaign with Israel late last month.

    Despite the escalating rhetoric, equity markets remained relatively steady. Analysts at Vital Knowledge noted that investors appeared to look beyond the comments, while sentiment also received support from stronger-than-expected U.S. existing home sales data and upbeat Chinese trade figures. Technology shares performed particularly well, with semiconductor and chip component companies posting notable advances.

    IEA reportedly weighing record oil reserve release

    A major concern in the Iran conflict is the potential disruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime route that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude supply.

    Fears that Tehran could attempt to block the passage have led to significant volatility in oil markets in recent days. Brent crude, the global benchmark, is currently trading near $90 per barrel after climbing to roughly $120 earlier in the week. Shipping activity through the strait has slowed sharply, as tanker operators worry about crew safety and face difficulties securing insurance coverage.

    “The current risk premium in oil prices, driven by threats to the Strait of Hormuz, highlights the severe fragility of global supply chains and the urgent need to develop massive, stable energy reserves,” said Robert Price, CEO of March GL.

    According to a Wall Street Journal report, the International Energy Agency is considering releasing strategic oil reserves on an unprecedented scale in an effort to stabilize prices after the surge caused by the Iran conflict.

    Officials familiar with the matter told the newspaper that the release could exceed the 182 million barrels made available by IEA member countries following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Member nations could decide on the proposal as soon as Wednesday.

    Trump warns of stronger action over mining reports

    U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could intensify attacks on Iran after reports suggested Tehran had deployed naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

    Following a CNN report that Iran had placed mines in the waterway—although not widely yet—Trump said on Tuesday that Iran would be struck “at a level never seen before” if the mines were not removed.

    The U.S. military said it had targeted 16 Iranian vessels suspected of laying mines near the strait. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, added that storage facilities for naval mines had also been attacked.

    However, uncertainty remains over how long the conflict may continue. Trump has said the fighting will end only with Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” although a White House spokesperson indicated that Trump—not Iran’s leadership—would determine when Tehran had surrendered.

    On Wednesday, the United States and Israel exchanged strikes with Iranian targets across several locations in the Middle East.

    CPI data in focus

    Markets will also be closely watching the release of U.S. consumer inflation data for February.

    Economists expect the consumer price index to rise 2.5% year-over-year, slightly higher than January’s 2.4% increase. On a monthly basis, prices are projected to climb 0.3%, up from 0.2% previously.

    Core CPI, which excludes volatile components such as food and energy, is forecast to reach 2.5% annually and 0.2% month-on-month.

    Later this week, the core personal consumption expenditures price index for January will also be published. Analysts expect an annual increase of 3.1% and a monthly rise of 0.4%. This gauge is closely monitored because it is one of the Federal Reserve’s preferred measures of inflation.

    Importantly, the upcoming data largely reflects a period before the escalation of U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran. The resulting surge in oil prices has raised concerns that inflationary pressures could intensify globally, potentially prompting central banks to consider tightening monetary policy.

    Oracle beats estimates

    Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) reported quarterly results that exceeded expectations and issued an optimistic revenue forecast, driven by strong demand for cloud infrastructure used in artificial intelligence data centers.

    The company also increased its revenue guidance for fiscal 2027, sending its shares sharply higher in extended trading.

    Oracle reported adjusted earnings of $1.79 per share on revenue of $17.19 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2026. Analysts had forecast earnings of $1.70 per share on revenue of $16.92 billion.

    Revenue in the cloud segment surged 44% year-over-year to $8.91 billion.

    Commenting on the results, Barclays analyst Raimo Lenschow said the report suggests “a clearer path ahead.”

  • European Stocks Slip as Oil Volatility and Middle East Tensions Weigh on Markets: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European Stocks Slip as Oil Volatility and Middle East Tensions Weigh on Markets: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities moved slightly lower on Wednesday as investors monitored developments in the conflict involving Iran and reacted to reports about a potential release of additional oil supplies.

    By 08:00 GMT, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index had declined 0.5%. Germany’s DAX dropped 1.0%, France’s CAC 40 fell 0.9%, and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 was down 0.6%.

    Markets in Europe followed a relatively steady lead from Asian trading, where investors responded to a Wall Street Journal report stating that the International Energy Agency was considering the largest release of strategic oil reserves in its history in an effort to curb rising crude prices.

    The news provided some relief after significant volatility in energy markets earlier in the week. The global Brent benchmark is now trading close to $90 per barrel after briefly approaching $120.

    At 04:04 ET, Brent crude futures were up 2.2% at $89.75 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures rose 2.2% to $85.33 per barrel.

    Meanwhile, tensions in Iran remained elevated. The United States and Israel exchanged air strikes with Iran across the Middle East on Wednesday, while authorities in Tehran signaled readiness to suppress any internal unrest.

    Financial markets have largely been betting that U.S. President Donald Trump will seek a swift end to the confrontation. However, Trump has warned that Washington could launch strikes against Iran if the country attempts to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route through which roughly one-fifth of global crude supply is transported.

    Outside geopolitical developments, investors in Europe also examined fresh inflation figures from Germany, which showed harmonized consumer prices rising month-on-month in February as expected.

    Later in the day, U.S. inflation data will be closely watched by markets. Economists expect headline consumer prices to increase 2.4% year-on-year through February and 0.3% compared with the previous month.

  • Canal+ Shares Drop 16% as MultiChoice Subscriber Decline and Cash Burn Weigh on Results

    Canal+ Shares Drop 16% as MultiChoice Subscriber Decline and Cash Burn Weigh on Results

    Canal+ SA (LSE:CAN) shares fell more than 16% on Wednesday after the group reported negative free cash flow and weaker performance at MultiChoice, the African broadcaster it purchased for €3.5 billion only months after its London listing.

    At MultiChoice Group, revenue dropped 6% to €2.40 billion in the year ended 31 December 2025 as the subscriber base declined to 14.4 million from 14.9 million. Adjusted EBIT fell 14% to €159 million, while free cash flow turned negative at €42 million.

    For 2026, Canal+ expects MultiChoice to report negative free cash flow of around €50 million and adjusted EBIT of €170 million before restructuring costs. The group said these projections reflect a €140 million headwind stemming from falling revenue and rising operating costs.

    Chief Executive Maxime Saada said Canal+ entered 2026 “from a position of strength, clarity and confidence,” and detailed a €100 million investment plan aimed at boosting growth at MultiChoice. The company is also accelerating integration efforts, targeting cost synergies worth more than €220 million in free cash flow terms by 2026, with total synergy expectations reaching €400 million by 2030.

    Across its historical operations—excluding MultiChoice and its Vietnamese business, which has been reclassified as a discontinued operation—Canal+ reported 2025 revenue of €6,266 million, representing 1% organic growth. Adjusted EBIT rose to €542 million, lifting operating margins to 8.7% from 8.1%.

    Operating cash flow reached €606 million, surpassing earlier guidance of €500 million.

    On a combined basis including MultiChoice’s full-year contribution, the group generated €8,665 million in revenue and €701 million in adjusted EBIT, corresponding to an 8.1% margin. Free cash flow totalled €447 million, while the combined subscriber base reached 42.3 million.

    Net debt stood at €1,997 million at the end of 2025, equivalent to 2.75 times covenant EBITDA, comfortably below the company’s ceiling of 3.5 times.

    During the year, Canal+ also strengthened its financing position by issuing a €700 million Eurobond with a 4.625% coupon, securing €320 million through Schuldschein loans and arranging a new €1.8 billion syndicated credit facility.

    In December 2025, the company reached a €385 million settlement with French tax authorities regarding VAT, although the final payment schedule has yet to be determined. All of the group’s 2026 guidance figures exclude the impact of the VAT settlement and restructuring charges.

    Looking ahead, Canal+ forecasts combined adjusted EBIT of €735 million in 2026, cash flow from operations above €500 million and free cash flow exceeding €250 million. Over the medium term, the group is targeting adjusted EBIT above €800 million and free cash flow of more than €500 million.

    The board proposed a dividend of €2.2 cents per share, representing a 10% increase, with payment scheduled for June 15.

  • Harbour Energy Shares Slide After Investor Sells 3.8% Stake

    Harbour Energy Shares Slide After Investor Sells 3.8% Stake

    Harbour Energy plc (LSE:HBR) shares dropped 9.4% on Wednesday after a major shareholder carried out a secondary share placing.

    Potomac View Investments, L.P., an entity managed by EIG Management Company, sold 60 million ordinary shares in the company through an accelerated bookbuild process. The shares were placed with institutional investors at 255 pence each, representing about 3.8% of Harbour Energy’s issued share capital.

    The transaction raised approximately £153m in gross proceeds for the seller. Following completion of the sale, Potomac View Investments’ holding in Harbour Energy will decline to roughly 3.5% of the company’s issued share capital.

    The seller has also agreed to a 90-day lock-up period during which it will not sell further shares in Harbour Energy, subject to customary exceptions.

    Barclays Bank plc acted as sole global coordinator and sole bookrunner for the transaction. The shares were offered exclusively to institutional investors and were not made available through a public offering.

    Large secondary share placings can increase the supply of stock available in the market, which may put downward pressure on share prices. Significant disposals by major shareholders can also influence investor sentiment, as market participants may interpret them as a sign of reduced confidence in the company’s near-term outlook.

  • Balfour Beatty Shares Rise After Strong 2025 Earnings and Larger Buyback Plan

    Balfour Beatty Shares Rise After Strong 2025 Earnings and Larger Buyback Plan

    Balfour Beatty plc (LSE:BBY) shares jumped after the company reported strong results for 2025 and increased its planned share buyback, while also forecasting further profit growth in 2026.

    The stock gained about 7% in London trading shortly after the announcement.

    The group reported profit from operations in its earnings-based businesses of £293m for the year, supported by solid performance across both its UK and US operations. Analysts at Jefferies said the result exceeded their forecast of £272m.

    One of the standout contributors was the Support Services division, which delivered margins of 8.5% in 2025—above expectations of 8.0%. The improvement was driven partly by increased activity on power infrastructure projects.

    Overall operating profit for the year was £252m, broadly unchanged from the previous year. Net income increased to £239m compared with £227m in 2024. The company also reported a significant rise in net cash generated from operations, which climbed to £656m.

    Average net cash reached £1.21bn over the year, slightly exceeding the company’s guidance range of £1.1bn to £1.2bn. The stronger cash position was helped by improvements in working capital management.

    Balfour Beatty also confirmed plans to return additional capital to shareholders, announcing a £200m share buyback programme for 2026. The figure was higher than the £125m analysts had anticipated.

    Looking ahead, the company expects profit from its earnings-based businesses to grow by a “high single-digit percentage” in 2026. Construction margins in both the UK and US are projected to improve, while the Support Services segment aims to maintain margins above 8% alongside continued growth.

    “A ~7% beat on net profit and buyback raised to £200m should be well received,” analysts at Jefferies led by Graham Hunt wrote in a note. “Support Services was again a highlight, with margins beating expectations and now raised to >8%, supporting guidance for further earnings-based business growth in 2026 (HSD) and in 2027.”

  • Bodycote Beats Expectations and Announces £80m Share Buyback

    Bodycote Beats Expectations and Announces £80m Share Buyback

    Bodycote plc (LSE:BOY) reported full-year 2025 results that came in ahead of analyst forecasts, with adjusted earnings per share reaching 44.4p, around 2% above consensus estimates. Alongside the results, the company announced a new £80m share buyback programme.

    Revenue for the year ended 31 December 2025 was £727.1m, down 4.0% from £757.1m in the previous year and 3% lower on a constant currency basis. Adjusted operating profit declined 11.4% to £114.3m from £129.0m, with the adjusted operating margin narrowing by 130 basis points to 15.7%.

    Core revenue held relatively steady at £671.6m, slipping only 0.3% organically for the year. Trading improved during the second half, however, with year-on-year growth of 3.2%. Following the announcement, the company’s shares rose around 1.8%.

    Bodycote said it expects core organic revenue growth and stronger operating margins in 2026. Demand remains solid in the aerospace and defence sector as well as in industrial gas turbines, although conditions in automotive and broader industrial markets are expected to remain challenging.

    “2025 was a year of significant progress in executing our strategy, improving the quality of the Group’s portfolio and positioning us for growth,” said Jim Fairbairn. “The Optimise programme is well underway and is delivering benefits in line with our expectations.”

    The Optimise programme generated roughly £4m in cost savings during 2025, with a similar incremental contribution expected in 2026. During the year, Bodycote also completed the sale of 10 non-core sites in France, receiving net proceeds of £19m from the disposal in November.

    Adjusted profit before tax reached £105.2m, exceeding analyst expectations, while statutory operating profit rose to £83.6m from £37.9m in the prior year due to lower exceptional charges.

    The newly announced £80m share buyback programme is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. This follows £120m of share repurchases carried out since 2024. Net debt, excluding lease liabilities, stood at £104.8m at year-end, equivalent to around 0.6 times EBITDA.

    The board maintained the company’s full-year ordinary dividend at 23.0p per share.

  • Legal & General Reports Strong 2025 Results and Announces £1.2bn Share Buyback

    Legal & General Reports Strong 2025 Results and Announces £1.2bn Share Buyback

    Legal & General Group plc (LSE:LGEN) reported solid full-year results for 2025, with core operating profit rising 6% to £1.62bn and core earnings per share increasing 9%. The group generated £1.5bn of Solvency II capital during the year and maintained a strong solvency coverage ratio of 210%, highlighting the strength of its balance sheet.

    The company also pointed to a £13.3bn store of future profit and unveiled plans to return more than £5bn to shareholders between 2025 and 2027. As part of this programme, the board announced a £1.2bn share buyback and approved a 2% increase in the dividend per share.

    Operationally, Legal & General continued to expand across several key business areas. The group remained a major player in institutional pension risk transfer, completing £11.8bn of global transactions during the year. Its asset management division also grew significantly, with total assets under management reaching £1.2trn and private markets assets increasing by 32%.

    The company reported further progress in workplace defined contribution pensions and retail annuity products, reinforcing its strategy of building complementary retirement, workplace and investment platforms. Management said the business is becoming more focused and integrated, with greater collaboration between its retirement, workplace and asset management segments expected to drive higher fee income and improved margins.

    Looking ahead, the company’s outlook reflects a mix of supportive and challenging factors. Although some financial indicators show pressure on revenue growth and cash flow, technical signals point to positive market momentum. Recent corporate actions, including the large share buyback and continued capital returns, also indicate management confidence in future prospects. While the group trades at a relatively elevated price-to-earnings ratio, its strong dividend yield continues to attract income-focused investors.

    More about Legal & General

    Legal & General Group plc is a UK-based financial services group specialising in retirement solutions, asset management and retail insurance products. The company is a leading provider of defined benefit pension risk transfer services and operates a global asset management business with a growing presence in private markets. It is also expanding in defined contribution workplace pensions and retail annuities, aiming to support long-term savings and retirement outcomes for customers.