ADVFN UK Market News

Author: Fiona Craig

  • Gold Extends Gains as Investors Position Ahead of Key U.S. Economic Releases

    Gold Extends Gains as Investors Position Ahead of Key U.S. Economic Releases

    Gold prices moved higher on Monday, rising almost 1% and building on last week’s strong advance, which included a sharp 4% jump on Friday, as investors awaited a slate of delayed U.S. economic data.

    The precious metal held firm throughout the session, extending a rally that has lifted prices to multi-week highs amid ongoing uncertainty across global financial markets.

    Silver outpaced gold, climbing nearly 5% on the day after surging close to 10% in the previous session, highlighting renewed demand for precious metals as a broader asset class.

    Market focus has now shifted to upcoming U.S. economic indicators, including postponed employment and inflation reports, which could offer fresh insight into the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.

    The continued strength in precious metals reflects investors reassessing growth risks and the likely path of interest rates, with the forthcoming data expected to play a key role in shaping near-term market direction.

  • Wall Street Braces for Uneven Trading as Investors Await Key Economic Signals: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Futures

    Wall Street Braces for Uneven Trading as Investors Await Key Economic Signals: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Futures

    U.S. equity futures point to a muted start on Monday, with markets struggling for clear direction after last week’s sharp late-session rebound.

    Traders appear to be stepping back after a volatile stretch that saw technology shares drive a steep selloff midweek, followed by a strong recovery on Friday. With few major U.S. data releases scheduled at the start of the week, activity may remain cautious ahead of several high-profile economic reports due in the days ahead.

    The spotlight is expected to fall on the Labor Department’s monthly employment report, which was postponed last week because of a brief federal government shutdown. Economists forecast that U.S. employers added around 70,000 jobs in January, compared with 50,000 in December, while the unemployment rate is seen holding steady at 4.4%.

    Investors will also be watching upcoming releases on retail sales and consumer price inflation, as both could shape expectations for the future path of interest rates.

    After sliding sharply over multiple sessions, stocks mounted a powerful comeback on Friday. All three major benchmarks posted strong gains, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average finishing above the 50,000 level for the first time.

    The rally pushed indices to fresh intraday highs before some profit-taking into the close. The Dow advanced 1,206.95 points, or 2.5%, to 50,115.67, while the Nasdaq climbed 490.63 points, or 2.2%, to 23,031.21. The S&P 500 rose 133.90 points, or 2.0%, to end at 6,932.30.

    For the week as a whole, the Dow gained 2.5%, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.1% and the Nasdaq fell 1.8%.

    The rebound was largely driven by bargain hunting, with investors stepping in after the recent pullback. Technology stocks had led the earlier decline, dragging the Nasdaq to its lowest closing level in more than two months and briefly pushing the S&P 500 to its weakest intraday level in over a month on Thursday.

    Sentiment also improved after a University of Michigan survey showed U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly strengthened again in February. The consumer sentiment index rose to 57.3 from 56.4 in January, beating forecasts for a decline to 55.5 and marking its highest reading since August 2025. The gain was led by households with larger equity holdings.

    The broader market rebound came despite a sharp drop in Amazon shares. Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) slid 5.6% after reporting slightly weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and projecting capital spending for 2026 well above analyst estimates.

    Elsewhere, airline stocks staged a strong rally, with the NYSE Arca Airline Index jumping 7.1% to its best close in more than three years. Computer hardware and semiconductor shares also rebounded sharply, lifting the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index by 6.8% and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index by 5.7%.

    A surge in gold prices added further support, pushing the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index up 5.5%, while gains across networking, financial and oil services stocks helped fuel broad-based strength across most market sectors.

  • European Shares Advance as Tech Fears Fade and Deal Activity Lifts Sentiment: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European Shares Advance as Tech Fears Fade and Deal Activity Lifts Sentiment: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities traded mostly higher on Monday as concerns around the technology sector subsided and a series of merger-and-acquisition headlines helped buoy investor confidence.

    The macroeconomic calendar was relatively quiet, though the latest KPMG/REC Report on Jobs showed that permanent job placements in the U.K. fell again in January amid subdued demand and employer worries over costs. That said, the rate of decline slowed to its mildest pace in 18 months, offering a small note of reassurance.

    By mid-morning, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 was down 0.2%, while France’s CAC 40 edged up 0.1% and Germany’s DAX gained 0.5%.

    Italy’s banking sector provided notable upside, with UniCredit (BIT:UCG) jumping after posting a record net profit of €10.6 billion for 2025.

    In the technology space, STMicroelectronics (BIT:STMMI) surged after announcing an expanded strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services.

    Deal news also drove sharp moves elsewhere. Shares in InPost (EU:INPST) rallied strongly after a consortium led by Advent, alongside FedEx, agreed to acquire the Polish parcel locker group at €15.60 per share.

    In the healthcare sector, Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) climbed after U.S. telehealth group Hims & Hers said it would withdraw its copycat weight-loss pill from the market.

    Not all stocks joined the rally, however. NatWest (LSE:NWG) shares moved lower after the British lender announced a deal to acquire private equity-backed wealth manager Evelyn Partners.

  • Richmond Hill Targets Q1 2026 Drill Start at Martello Gold Project

    Richmond Hill Targets Q1 2026 Drill Start at Martello Gold Project

    Richmond Hill Resources PLC (LSE:RHR) announced that consultant Critical Discoveries has completed the compilation and digitisation of historic exploration data at the Martello Gold Project, allowing the company to outline a set of high-priority targets ahead of its first drilling campaign.

    The initial drill programme is expected to comprise seven holes for a combined length of around 1,100 metres, although the final layout may be adjusted as planning progresses. Richmond Hill is aiming to begin drilling during the first quarter of 2026 and said it will provide more detailed scheduling updates in the coming weeks.

    Alongside drill preparation, the company has appointed an external contractor to carry out a drone-based magnetic survey across the project area. The DRONE-MAG survey will be flown using a Blacksquare Hercules X4 platform fitted with a GEM Systems GSMP-35U potassium vapour magnetometer, supported by GEM Systems GSM-19 Overhauser base stations.

    Richmond Hill also announced a consultancy agreement with James Ikin, under which he will deliver strategic and advisory support to the company for an annual fee of £30,000. As Ikin is a substantial shareholder, the arrangement is classified as a related party transaction under AIM Rule 13. The board said it had consulted nominated adviser Cairn Financial Advisers LLP and concluded that the terms are fair and reasonable for shareholders.

    Commenting on recent progress, chief executive Hamish Harris said: “With the data compilation complete, the contracting of a third party for a MAG survey and drilling on the near horizon, the Board is enthused about the momentum gained since listing.”

    Richmond Hill Resources joined the AIM market following its announcement on 5 January 2026, which highlighted the Martello Gold Project as its flagship asset.

    Consultancy agreement

    Separately, the company confirmed that under the consultancy agreement, James Ikin will provide strategic, advisory and other consultancy services as reasonably requested by Richmond Hill from time to time, in return for a fee of £30,000 per year.

  • Five Market Drivers to Watch in the Week Ahead

    Five Market Drivers to Watch in the Week Ahead

    The coming week is set to be shaped by high-profile U.S. employment and inflation releases, another round of technology earnings after sharp sector swings, and contrasting political developments in Japan and the UK. Below are the key themes likely to steer markets in the days ahead.

    1. U.S. labour report under the microscope

    The main economic highlight will be the long-awaited release of U.S. January employment data, now scheduled for Wednesday after being delayed by a brief three-day federal government shutdown that ended last week.

    Forecasts suggest the U.S. economy added around 70,000 jobs in January, compared with 50,000 in December. Investors will be closely examining the report for evidence that the labour market is “stabilizing,” a term recently used by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

    The Fed cut interest rates several times in 2025 to cushion a softening jobs market affected by tariff-driven uncertainty. Recent signals have been mixed: weekly jobless claims rose more than expected, partly due to severe winter weather, while job openings in December fell to a five-year low. The bulk of that decline occurred in professional and business services, which some analysts see as an early sign of AI-related pressure on white-collar employment.

    2. Inflation figures take centre stage

    Attention will also turn to U.S. inflation data due on Friday. The headline consumer price index for January is expected to ease to 2.5% year on year from 2.7% in December, while the monthly increase is forecast to remain at 0.3%.

    Alongside employment, inflation sits at the heart of the Fed’s dual mandate, meaning both releases could play a decisive role in shaping expectations for monetary policy in 2026. Policymakers kept rates unchanged last month, pointing to a labour market showing signs of stabilisation and inflation that remains subdued, though still above the 2% target.

    The data come after a volatile spell for markets, driven in part by worries over the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence in the software sector. Following a steep sell-off last week, U.S. equities bounced back on Friday.

    Analysts at Capital Economics said they “suspect U.S. economic data this week might help investors’ nerves recover further[.]”

    3. Tech earnings back in focus

    A busy earnings calendar, particularly for technology companies, will also be in the background. Results are due from ON Semiconductor (NASDAQ:ON), Datadog (NASDAQ:DDOG), Spotify (NYSE:SPOT), Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) and Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT).

    These updates may offer new insight into an industry adjusting to the rapid rollout of advanced AI tools. Software stocks tumbled last week after AI startup Anthropic launched a new workplace plugin aimed at legal and administrative tasks, raising concerns about potential pressure on demand for traditional software products.

    As a result, investors are likely to focus closely on management commentary around AI adoption, investment and longer-term strategy.

    “[I]nvestors had a lot to think about following the extreme volatility from the last several sessions, including the huge rebound on Friday, which raises the question of whether the swoon (especially in tech) is over?” analysts at Vital Knowledge said.

    “We think the recent market swings are simply the most visible manifestations of large structural changes that have been underway beneath the surface for months, specifically in tech and AI[.]”

    4. Japan’s prime minister strengthens her hand

    Beyond the U.S., Asian markets started the week higher after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a commanding victory in a snap election held over the weekend.

    The election came just 110 days after Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister, making the outcome particularly significant. Reports indicate her Liberal Democratic Party captured a rare supermajority in the lower house, bolstering her political authority.

    The result appears to open the door to increased public spending and tax cuts, underpinned by what many observers describe as a relatively stable political environment.

    “Takaichi’s decision to leverage her popularity for her party turned out to be successful. The landslide victory will reinforce her responsible but expansionary fiscal spending and a more Japan-focused foreign policy. Risk-on sentiment will dominate the market for now,” said Min Joo Kang, Senior Economist at ING.

    5. Political uncertainty grows in the UK

    While Japan’s leadership emerges strengthened, political risk is rising in the UK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting scrutiny over the appointment of a senior ambassador linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

    Over the weekend, Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigned, taking responsibility for the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States. Newly released U.S. Justice Department files showed Mandelson shared government documents with Epstein, while Mandelson and his now husband received payments from the late American sex offender.

    Markets are watching closely for potential fallout. If Starmer or UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves were replaced, “[t]he most likely longer-lasting influence is a loosening in fiscal policy that leads to higher gilt yields than otherwise and a weaker pound than otherwise,” said Ruth Gregory, Deputy Chief UK Economist at Capital Economics.

  • Oil Prices Slide as U.S.–Iran Talks Reduce Immediate Supply Risks

    Oil Prices Slide as U.S.–Iran Talks Reduce Immediate Supply Risks

    Crude oil prices fell by more than 1% on Monday after easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East reduced concerns about potential supply disruptions. The pullback followed confirmation from both the United States and Iran that they plan to continue indirect negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

    By 07:47 GMT, Brent crude futures were down 84 cents, or 1.2%, at $67.21 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude declined by 82 cents, or 1.3%, to $62.73.

    “With more talks on the horizon, the immediate fear of supply disruptions in the Middle East has eased quite a bit,” said Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG.

    Officials from Washington and Tehran said discussions held on Friday in Oman were constructive and agreed to keep the dialogue going. The announcement helped calm fears that a breakdown in diplomacy could push the region closer to open conflict, particularly given the recent buildup of U.S. military assets in the area.

    The Middle East remains a critical chokepoint for global energy markets, with roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil consumption passing through the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran.

    Both Brent and WTI ended last week more than 2% lower, marking their first weekly decline in seven weeks as geopolitical risks appeared to ease.

    Still, the situation remains fragile. Iran’s foreign minister warned that the country would retaliate against U.S. bases in the Middle East if attacked, underscoring the lingering risk of escalation.

    “Volatility remains elevated as conflicting rhetoric persists. Any negative headlines could quickly reignite risk premiums in oil prices this week,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.

    Beyond Middle East tensions, investors are also watching Western efforts to curb Russia’s oil revenues, which help finance its war in Ukraine. On Friday, the European Commission proposed sweeping restrictions on services that support Russia’s seaborne crude exports.

    In parallel, refiners in India—previously the largest buyers of Russian oil shipped by sea—are avoiding April deliveries and are expected to remain cautious for longer, according to industry sources. The shift could also support India’s efforts to advance trade negotiations with the United States.

    “Oil markets will remain sensitive to how broadly this pivot away from Russian crude unfolds, whether India’s reduced purchases persist beyond April, and how quickly alternative flows can be brought online,” Sachdeva added.

  • Bitcoin Steadies Above $70,000 as Markets Regain Balance After Sharp Swings

    Bitcoin Steadies Above $70,000 as Markets Regain Balance After Sharp Swings

    Bitcoin (COIN:BTCUSD) remained above the $70,000 level on Monday, holding onto gains after a strong rebound late last week from lows near $60,000. The stabilisation comes as investors reassess risk following heavy liquidation-driven volatility and turn their attention to a busy slate of U.S. economic data later in the week.

    The world’s largest cryptocurrency was trading about 1.5% higher at $70,402.5 by 01:25 ET (06:25 GMT), continuing to distance itself from a roughly 16-month low around $60,187 reached earlier in the week.

    After plunging sharply, Bitcoin surged back above $70,000 on Friday, posting a single-day gain of more than 12%. The recovery coincided with rallies in U.S. technology stocks and precious metals, which helped lift broader risk assets. Opportunistic buying after the deep sell-off and a general calming of global markets also supported the move.

    The prior week’s decline reflected a wider bout of risk aversion. Weakness in U.S. tech shares—particularly those linked to artificial intelligence—combined with forced unwinds in crypto derivatives markets to amplify selling pressure. Continued outflows from spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds and a reduction in leveraged positions added to the turbulence.

    Japan election supports risk tone

    Risk sentiment improved further after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a decisive election victory on Sunday, strengthening her mandate to pursue fiscal stimulus and tax relief. The result lifted regional equity markets and was associated with a renewed willingness to take risk across some global asset classes.

    Although the yen initially softened ahead of the vote, its subsequent stabilisation alongside rising equity markets helped reinforce the shift in sentiment.

    Looking ahead, investors are focused on several key U.S. data releases due later this week, including delayed labour market figures on Wednesday and the consumer price index on Friday. These reports could shape expectations for Federal Reserve policy, with markets weighing the possibility of rate cuts later in 2026 if inflation cools and labour market momentum eases.

    Altcoins trade sideways

    Most major alternative cryptocurrencies traded in narrow ranges on Monday following their recent rebound.

    Ethereum was little changed at $2,076.41, while XRP rose 1.1% to $1.43. Solana edged slightly lower, and both Cardano and Polygon were broadly flat. Among meme-related tokens, Dogecoin slipped about 2%.

  • European Markets Open Higher in Earnings-Heavy Week, UniCredit in the Spotlight: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European Markets Open Higher in Earnings-Heavy Week, UniCredit in the Spotlight: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities moved modestly higher on Monday, kicking off a packed week that features a fresh round of corporate earnings alongside a series of high-impact economic data releases.

    By 08:05 GMT, Germany’s DAX was up 0.5%, France’s CAC 40 had added 0.1%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 was trading 0.2% higher.

    UniCredit sets the tone for bank earnings

    The European earnings season is gaining momentum, with several large-cap names and major banks due to report in the days ahead. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index is hovering close to record levels, having logged seven positive weeks out of the past eight, as quarterly results have generally been well received.

    UniCredit (BIT:UCG) was a standout, after reporting record net profit of €10.6 billion for 2025, representing a 14% increase year on year. Italy’s second-largest lender also outlined ambitious medium-term goals, targeting €13 billion in net profit by 2028 and committing to €30 billion of shareholder returns over the next three years.

    The bank has deployed several billion euros from its surplus capital to build significant stakes in Germany’s Commerzbank and Greece’s Alpha Bank, stopping short of full acquisitions but positioning itself as a key shareholder in both institutions.

    This week also brings results from Commerzbank (TG:CBK), alongside UK peers Barclays (LSE:BARC) and NatWest Group (LSE:NWG).

    Beyond the banking sector, earnings updates are due from a wide range of blue-chip companies, including Koninklijke Philips (EU:PHIA), AstraZeneca (LSE:AZN), TotalEnergies (EU:TTE), Heineken (EU:HEIA), Mercedes-Benz Group (TG:MBG), Siemens (TG:SIE) and L’Oreal (EU:OR).

    U.S. data in focus

    Away from company results, investors will also be digesting fresh growth figures from both the eurozone and the UK. The main attention, however, is on the United States, where several key economic indicators are due after being delayed by a brief government shutdown.

    January’s nonfarm payrolls report and consumer price index data are scheduled for later in the week, and will be closely watched for insight into the resilience of the U.S. economy. The releases follow the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve, adding further significance to the data.

    Oil prices ease on diplomatic signals

    Oil prices edged lower on Monday after the U.S. and Iran agreed to continue negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme, easing concerns about potential supply disruptions in the Middle East.

    Brent crude futures slipped 0.9% to $67.46 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell by the same margin to $62.98 a barrel. Both benchmarks declined by more than 2% last week, marking their first weekly drop in seven weeks, as geopolitical tensions showed signs of cooling.

    Officials from both countries said indirect talks held in Oman on Friday would continue, reducing fears of a military escalation in a region that plays a critical role in global oil supply.

  • Markets Look to Earnings and Data This Week as Japan PM’s Election Bet Pays Off: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    Markets Look to Earnings and Data This Week as Japan PM’s Election Bet Pays Off: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq, Wall Street Futures

    U.S. equity futures were modestly higher at the start of the week, as investors prepared for a heavy run of corporate earnings and closely watched economic releases that had been delayed. Semiconductor group Onsemi is among the first major names due to report on Monday, while Japanese equities climbed after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a decisive election victory.

    Futures edge higher

    Wall Street futures pointed slightly upward early Monday ahead of a week packed with earnings updates and key macro data. By 03:43 ET, Dow futures were up 87 points, or 0.2%, S&P 500 futures had added 6 points, or 0.1%, and Nasdaq 100 futures were ahead by 13 points, also 0.1%.

    The move followed a strong finish to last week, when U.S. stocks rebounded from earlier losses driven by concerns that artificial intelligence could disrupt parts of the software sector. On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above the 50,000 mark for the first time, while the S&P 500 gained nearly 2% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced around 2.2%.

    Not all mega-cap stocks participated in the rally. Shares of Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) fell 5.6% as investors reacted cautiously to signals that the company plans to significantly ramp up spending on AI. Other large technology groups, including Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), have also outlined aggressive investment plans to remain competitive in AI, though questions persist over how quickly these investments will deliver sustainable returns.

    ON Semi to report

    Earnings attention on Monday turns to ON Semiconductor (NASDAQ:ON), which is set to release quarterly results after the closing bell. The chipmaker previously issued fourth-quarter revenue and profit guidance broadly in line with market expectations.

    Demand for ON Semi’s power management solutions used in AI data centres has helped offset softer conditions in the automotive sector, where weaker electric vehicle demand in North America and Europe has reduced spending on silicon carbide components.

    Consensus estimates compiled by Bloomberg suggest adjusted earnings per share of $0.63 on revenue of $1.53 billion.

    Later in the week, investors will also hear from a number of other technology-focused companies, including Datadog (NASDAQ:DDOG), Spotify (NYSE:SPOT), Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) and Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT).

    Japan PM scores big win

    Outside the U.S., Asian markets advanced after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a major victory in a snap election held over the weekend. The vote came just 110 days after Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister, making the gamble a high-stakes one.

    According to reports, her Liberal Democratic Party won such strong support that it achieved a rare supermajority in the lower house of parliament. The outcome appears to clear the way for Takaichi to pursue plans for increased government spending and tax cuts, supported by what observers see as a stable political environment.

    “Calm may be on the way for Japan’s markets now the election is out of the way,” said Thomas Mathews, Head of Asia Pacific Markets at Capital Economics. He added that a recent sell-off in Japanese government bonds, which had unsettled global markets, is unlikely to persist, while the yen is expected to strengthen.

    Gold rises

    Gold prices moved higher in European trading, with silver also advancing, following sharp swings in precious metals markets last week. Those moves were driven by a mix of subdued safe-haven demand, profit-taking and uncertainty around the outlook for U.S. monetary policy.

    Investors are now focused on several key U.S. economic indicators due this week, notably nonfarm payrolls and consumer price index inflation data. Both releases are closely watched by the Federal Reserve when assessing the path for interest rates.

    Some haven demand eased after signs of progress in talks between the U.S. and Iran over the weekend, with both sides indicating a willingness to continue discussions on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

    Oil slips

    Oil prices declined as easing geopolitical tensions weighed on sentiment. Comments from Washington and Tehran suggesting that indirect nuclear negotiations will continue helped reduce fears of an imminent escalation in the Middle East.

    A firm U.S. dollar ahead of major economic data releases also pressured crude prices, which had already fallen about 2% last week. Investors are also awaiting fresh economic data from China, the world’s largest oil importer.

    Brent futures were last down 1.1% at $67.32 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 1.0% to $62.92 a barrel.

    The U.S. and Iran said over the weekend that talks held in Oman on Friday were constructive and would continue, helping to temper concerns of military conflict after earlier U.S. naval deployments to the region.

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher as UK and European Shares Advance, Sterling Edges Lower; Plus500 Spotlight

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher as UK and European Shares Advance, Sterling Edges Lower; Plus500 Spotlight

    UK equities moved higher at the start of the week, tracking gains across European markets, while sterling eased slightly against the U.S. dollar in early trading.

    By 08:12 GMT, the FTSE 100 was up 0.4%, while the pound slipped 0.07% versus the dollar to 1.3603. European markets also posted solid gains, with Germany’s DAX rising 0.8% and France’s CAC 40 adding 0.4%.

    UK market round-up

    Plus500 Ltd (LSE:PLUS) was in focus after the trading platform said it expects its 2026 performance to come in ahead of market expectations, following stronger-than-anticipated results for 2025. Growth was supported by institutional partnerships linked to U.S. prediction markets and increasing exposure to higher-value customers. The group reported full-year revenue of $792.4 million, up 3% year on year, while net profit also increased 3% to $281.3 million. Basic earnings per share rose 10% to $3.93 from $3.56.

    In the banking sector, NatWest Group PLC (LSE:NWG) announced an agreement to acquire wealth manager Evelyn Partners for £2.7 billion. The deal will merge Evelyn’s £69 billion of assets under management with NatWest’s existing £59 billion, creating a combined £127 billion in assets under management and administration. NatWest also unveiled a £750 million share buyback alongside the transaction.

    Elsewhere, Phoenix Global Mining Ltd (LSE:PXC) confirmed the immediate suspension of Executive Chairman Marcus Edwards-Jones and Chief Financial Officer Richard Wilkins. The board is investigating allegations relating to their recent conduct and historic payments made to Lloyd Edwards-Jones S.A.S., the company’s former corporate finance adviser.

    In the advertising sector, WPP is reportedly preparing to combine its three main creative agencies under a single brand, according to the Financial Times, as part of a wider effort to simplify its operating structure.

    On the regulatory front, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority said it plans to publish more comprehensive trading data for London-listed shares in a bid to address what it sees as significant under-reporting of market liquidity. The regulator is considering collecting data from all trading venues, including exchanges, dark pools and off-exchange platforms, to present a fuller picture of UK market activity. Simon Walls, the FCA’s interim director of markets, told the Financial Times that current liquidity measures can be misleading because they rely heavily on London Stock Exchange order book data while excluding a substantial volume of trading activity elsewhere.