Category: Market News

U.S. stock futures are signalling a strong start to Thursday’s session, pointing to a potential rebound after equities suffered heavy losses in the prior trading day.

Sentiment improved after the U.S. Labor Department released consumer inflation figures showing price pressures easing more than expected. The data helped calm fears that stubborn inflation could delay further interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

The report showed annual consumer price inflation slowed to 2.7% in November, down from 3.0% in September, defying expectations for an increase to 3.1%. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, also eased to 2.6% from 3.0%, when it had been expected to remain unchanged. The Labor Department noted that October 2025 survey data was not collected due to the federal government shutdown.

The cooler inflation readings are likely to bolster confidence that the Fed will continue easing monetary policy into the new year, supporting risk assets.

Markets had a difficult session on Wednesday. After finishing Tuesday with mixed results, stocks initially moved higher early in Wednesday’s trading before sellers quickly regained control. The major indexes fell sharply from their intraday highs and ended the session near their lows.

The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite led the decline, falling 418 points, or 1.8%, to 22,693. The S&P 500 dropped 1.2% to 6,721, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.5% to 47,886.

Technology stocks bore the brunt of the selloff. Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) tumbled 5.4% to a six-month closing low after a Financial Times report said its largest data centre partner, Blue Owl Capital, would not support a $10 billion project in Michigan, though the company later said the project remains on track.

Other major technology names, including Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) and Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD), also posted sharp losses. Semiconductor shares were among the weakest performers, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index sliding 3.8%.

Selling pressure extended beyond technology, with computer hardware, networking, airline, brokerage and housing stocks also declining.

Energy shares, however, moved higher, tracking a rebound in crude oil prices from their lowest levels since early 2021. Oil prices rose after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela.

In a Truth Social post, Trump labelled the government of President Nicolas Maduro a foreign terrorist organisation and said he was ordering a “total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers” entering and leaving Venezuela.

European stock markets delivered a mixed performance on Thursday as investors digested fresh policy decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England.

The ECB opted to keep interest rates unchanged, while the Bank of England moved to ease monetary policy, cutting its key rate by 25 basis points. The contrasting decisions helped shape divergent moves across regional markets.

Adding to the day’s developments, sentiment among French manufacturers improved sharply in December. Data from statistics agency INSEE showed business confidence rising to its highest level in more than 18 months. The manufacturing confidence index climbed to 102.0 from 98.0 in November, exceeding expectations that it would remain unchanged.

In market trading, the UK’s FTSE100 was down around 0.2%, while France’s CAC40 advanced 0.3% and Germany’s DAX gained 0.5%.

At the company level, shares in Swiss engineering group ABB (TG:ABB) edged slightly lower after the company agreed to acquire IPEC, a UK-based technology firm with over three decades of expertise in electrical diagnostics.

Perfume retailer Douglas (TG:DOU) came under pressure after warning of increased price sensitivity among consumers and intensifying competition from promotional discounting during the 2024–25 financial year.

By contrast, electronics retailer Currys (LSE:CURY) jumped sharply after reporting that its adjusted profit before tax for the first half of the year more than doubled.

LONDON — Delta Gold Technologies PLC (AQSE:DGQ) has officially entered the public markets, listing on the Aquis Growth Market to fund a radical new approach to quantum computing hardware. In a recent interview on The Watchlist, CEO Mike Jones detailed the company’s mission to move beyond laboratory-scale quantum demonstrations and toward a commercially viable, stable qubit.

A New Approach to the “Qubit Elusive”

While tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have dominated headlines with quantum milestones, Jones argues that the fundamental “building block” of the industry—the qubit—is still far from perfect. Traditional quantum computers are notoriously fragile, requiring extreme environments to maintain stability.

“Everybody knows about bits in your basic computer—a zero and a one,” Jones explained. “A qubit is either a zero, a one, or something in between at the same time. It’s a very hard thing to get your head around… but the basic physics of what a qubit is going to be made from is still elusive.”

Delta Gold’s strategy hinges on nanoscale gold-based technology. By utilizing the unique physical properties of gold at the atomic scale, the company aims to host induced superconductivity, creating a more robust and scalable memory state for quantum processors.

Strategic Roadmap: The 18-Month Plan

Following a successful £2.5 million fundraise, the company has set clear measurable goals for its first two years as a public entity:

• Intellectual Property Protection: Over the next 12 months, the primary focus is on securing patent filings for their nanoscale innovations.
• Proof of Concept: By the 18-month mark, the company expects to advance its research toward a physical proof-of-concept device.
• Academic Collaboration: Central to this roadmap is a three-year research partnership with the University of Toronto.

“We have some of the smartest people in the world working on that very basic physics concept,” said Jones.

The project is led by Professor Harry Ruda, Director of the Centre for Advanced Nanotechnology at the University of Toronto. Ruda, a globally recognized authority who will chair the Global Conference on Quantum Computing in Switzerland this summer, provides Delta Gold with access to high-level expertise and specialized laboratory equipment that would be prohibitively expensive to build in-house.

Navigating the Multi-Billion Dollar Landscape

Despite competing in a space where “Big Tech” spends billions annually, Delta Gold sees a clear path for a lean, research-driven enterprise. Rather than attempting to build a complete mainframe computer from scratch, the company is positioning itself as an IP powerhouse.

“Creating a stable, scalable qubit could be enormously interesting to the bigger players,” Jones noted. The company’s business model focuses on licensing and partnerships, offering its core hardware breakthroughs to existing industry leaders who are already struggling with error correction and scalability.

With its market capitalization recently exceeding £10 million following its debut, Delta Gold Technologies is betting that a small company focusing on fundamental physics can provide the missing link in the global race for quantum supremacy.

For more information on the company’s research roadmap and intellectual property developments, visit the official website at deltagoldtech.com.

U.S. equity futures were trading mostly higher on Thursday, supported by a strong outlook from memory chipmaker Micron (NASDAQ:MU), although investors remain cautious ahead of the release of key U.S. inflation figures. In Europe, attention is split across several central bank policy decisions, with the Bank of England widely expected to be the only authority to ease monetary conditions.

Micron lifts tech sentiment as CPI looms

Wall Street futures showed modest gains in early trading, driven by strength in technology stocks after Micron delivered an upbeat earnings outlook. Even so, markets are bracing for the latest U.S. consumer price data, which could quickly shift sentiment.

By early morning in New York, S&P 500 futures were higher by around 18 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures climbed roughly 0.6%. Dow Jones futures edged lower, slipping about 0.1%.

Micron’s update helped offset recent disappointment from other major technology names, including Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) and Oracle (NYSE:ORCL). Still, the broader market remains under pressure after another weak session, with the S&P 500 and Dow both extending their losing streaks to four days. The Nasdaq Composite lagged after a sharp drop in Oracle shares, following reports that a key backer had withdrawn from a $10 billion data centre project in Michigan.

With risk appetite fragile, investors are now focused on U.S. inflation data for clearer guidance on the Federal Reserve’s policy path in the year ahead.

Inflation report takes centre stage

Recent U.S. economic data point to a cooling labour market, with unemployment rising to a more than four-year high of 4.6%. That has increased scrutiny of Thursday’s consumer price index release, which brings inflation back into the spotlight.

While Fed officials have shown greater concern about employment trends than stubborn price pressures, the CPI figures remain critical. Both headline and core inflation are expected to come in at 3.0% year on year, matching the pace seen in September. Overall, progress toward the Fed’s 2% inflation target has stalled for over a year, with readings stuck in a relatively narrow range.

Micron signals sustained demand for chips

Market confidence had been shaken last week by lacklustre results from several companies exposed to artificial intelligence spending. Micron Technology has helped restore some optimism by forecasting a strong second quarter.

The company continues to see solid demand from data centres, driven by heavy investment from large cloud service providers. This trend is expected to persist, with Micron chief executive Sanjay Mehrotra telling investors that supply constraints mean the company is likely to meet only half to two-thirds of demand from certain major customers through 2026.

Micron’s products are used across a wide range of applications, from servers and personal computers to vehicles and smartphones. The group is also a key supplier of high-bandwidth memory, a crucial component in training and deploying generative AI models.

Bank of England in the spotlight

Several European central banks announce policy decisions on Thursday, but the Bank of England is expected to attract the most attention.

The European Central Bank is widely seen holding rates steady at 2%, potentially alongside slightly improved growth forecasts. Sweden’s Riksbank and Norway’s Norges Bank are also expected to keep policy unchanged.

In contrast, the BoE is expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.75%, down from 4.0%, following a sharp slowdown in inflation and softer economic momentum. UK inflation data released on Wednesday reinforced expectations of an imminent rate cut, even though at 3.2% inflation remains the highest among G7 economies.

Markets are currently pricing in just one additional BoE rate cut in 2026, most likely by the end of April, although expectations for a second cut increased after the November inflation data.

Oil prices rebound on Venezuela developments

Oil prices moved higher after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, raising concerns over possible supply disruptions.

Brent crude futures rose 0.7% to $60.08 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate gained 0.8% to $56.24.

The move followed Tuesday’s announcement that tankers carrying Venezuelan oil already under U.S. sanctions would be targeted, intensifying pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

“The key questions are, first, how effective this blockade will be, and second, how long it will last. This will be important in determining the impact on the oil market,” ING analysts said in a note.

Despite the bounce, oil prices remain on track for weekly declines of close to 2%, weighed down by expectations of oversupply and the possibility of a peace agreement in Ukraine.

European equity markets showed little clear direction on Thursday, with investors adopting a cautious stance ahead of several closely followed central bank policy announcements across the region.

By 08:35 GMT, Germany’s DAX was trading around flat levels, while the UK’s FTSE100 was also largely unchanged. France’s CAC40 edged slightly higher, gaining around 0.2% in early dealings.

Focus on central bank policy

Market participants appeared reluctant to take strong positions as they waited for guidance from multiple central banks that could influence sentiment heading into the new year. The European Central Bank is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged at 2% later in the day, with inflation close to its medium-term target and the eurozone economy showing relative resilience despite ongoing trade tensions driven by US President Donald Trump’s policies.

Sweden’s Riksbank and Norway’s Norges Bank are also expected to maintain current policy settings at their final meetings of 2025. In contrast, the Bank of England is broadly anticipated to lower interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.75%, down from 4.0%, which would mark the lowest borrowing costs since January 2023.

The case for easing has been reinforced by UK inflation data, with annual consumer price growth slowing to 3.2% in November from 3.6% the previous month, the weakest reading in eight months.

BP shares rise on leadership change

In company news, BP (LSE:BP.) shares moved higher after the energy group announced the appointment of Woodside Energy chief executive Meg O’Neill as its next CEO. She will succeed Murray Auchincloss, who steps down after less than two years in the role.

O’Neill is due to take up the position in April, becoming BP’s first externally appointed chief executive and the first woman to lead any of the world’s five largest oil majors.

Oil prices rebound on Venezuela developments

Oil prices advanced after US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade targeting sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, raising concerns over potential supply disruptions.

Brent crude futures climbed 0.7% to $60.11 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.8% to $56.27. The move followed Tuesday’s announcement that the blockade would apply to tankers already subject to US sanctions, increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

Despite the rebound, oil prices remain on track for weekly declines of nearly 2%, weighed down by expectations of oversupply and speculation around a possible peace agreement in Ukraine.

Campari (BIT:CPR) has entered into an agreement to divest its Averna and Zedda Piras brands to Illva Saronno Holding for €100 million, continuing its efforts to simplify its brand portfolio and reduce financial leverage.

The deal covers the Sicilian bitters brand Averna and the Sardinian myrtle liqueur Zedda Piras, while explicitly excluding Braulio, which will remain Campari’s sole bitters brand. The transaction is expected to complete in the first half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Campari said the disposal is consistent with its broader strategic priorities. Commenting on the announcement, chief executive Simon Hunt said: “The sale of Averna and Zedda Piras marks a further key step in our portfolio rationalization strategy, with the aim of focusing on fewer but more strategically impactful initiatives, while continuing to drive deleveraging, as highlighted at our Capital Markets Day.”

The agreement includes transitional arrangements covering both production and distribution. Campari will continue to handle certain blending and bottling activities for Averna at its Canale facility for a limited period. In addition, the group will temporarily manage distribution of Averna and Zedda Piras in selected markets, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, until Illva Saronno has established its own distribution network.

Illva Saronno owns a portfolio of well-known brands, including Disaronno amaro and the Sicilian wine labels Florio and Duca di Salaparuta, and is expected to integrate the newly acquired brands into its existing global operations.

Naked Wines PLC (LSE:WINE) said it now expects adjusted EBITDA for the 2026 financial year to come in at the top end of its previously issued guidance, following a strong peak trading period across all of its markets.

The online wine retailer said performance has been supported by robust seasonal trading and tighter cost control, with disciplined management of general and administrative expenses, cost of goods sold, and customer acquisition investment. These measures have helped offset the impact of a more selective growth strategy.

The company acknowledged that its decision to scale back less efficient investment is likely to result in revenue landing toward the lower end of guidance. Management reiterated that this approach is consistent with its longer-term aim of building “a smaller but materially more profitable business” that can return to sustainable, profitable growth.

Looking ahead, Naked Wines said it expects adjusted EBITDA to increase progressively over the medium term. A more detailed trading update covering peak performance is scheduled to be released in mid-January 2026. The company also confirmed that adjusted EBITDA excludes the impact of inventory liquidation and related costs.

BP Plc (LSE:BP.) has confirmed the appointment of Meg O’Neill as its new chief executive, with her tenure set to begin on 1 April 2026. The announcement follows the decision by current CEO Murray Auchincloss to step down, with Carol Howle appointed as interim chief executive during the transition period.

The energy group said Auchincloss will resign from both his executive role and the board on 18 December. Howle, who currently serves as executive vice president for supply, trade and transportation, will lead the company on an interim basis until O’Neill formally takes up the position. Auchincloss will continue to support BP in an advisory capacity through to December 2026 to ensure a smooth handover.

O’Neill has been chief executive of Woodside Energy since 2021, a period during which BP noted that the company became the largest energy business listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. During her tenure, she also led the acquisition of BHP Petroleum International, creating a more geographically diversified oil and gas portfolio.

Prior to joining Woodside in 2018, O’Neill spent 23 years at ExxonMobil, where she held a range of technical, operational, and senior management roles across multiple countries, according to BP.

Commenting on the appointment, BP chairman Albert Manifold said the board viewed the change as a strategic opportunity. “After a comprehensive succession planning process, the board believes this transition creates an opportunity to accelerate our strategic vision to become a simpler, leaner, and more profitable company,” Manifold said in a statement.

O’Neill said BP “plays a crucial role in providing energy to customers around the world” and added that she was “honored to serve as the company’s next CEO”.

Auchincloss, who has spent more than 30 years with BP, said his departure followed discussions with the chairman. “After more than three decades at BP, the time has come to hand over the reins to a new leader,” he said.

Interim chief executive Carol Howle has been with BP for 25 years and has held her current executive vice president role since July 2020. Her previous responsibilities included leading BP Shipping and overseeing integrated oil supply and trading operations. Outside the company, she also serves as a non-executive member of the Royal Navy Board of Trustees and chairs the Navy’s Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.