ADVFN UK Market News

Category: Top Story

  • European Shares Mixed After Strong Run to New Highs

    European Shares Mixed After Strong Run to New Highs

    European equity markets were mixed on Tuesday, pausing after a strong rally earlier in the session that had pushed several indices to record levels.

    The initial surge was underpinned by calmer conditions in commodity markets, signs of easing trade and geopolitical frictions, and expectations that the U.S. Congress will vote on a spending package to end the government shutdown.

    Sentiment was also supported by data showing that French inflation unexpectedly slowed to a five-year low last month, reinforcing the view that euro zone inflation could remain below the European Central Bank’s target for longer this year.

    By mid-session, Germany’s DAX was up around 0.3%, while France’s CAC 40 was down 0.2% and the UK’s FTSE 100 had fallen 0.7%.

    At the stock level, Fortum Oyj moved lower after reporting 2025 earnings that missed market expectations. Alfa Laval also declined after posting a sequential drop in fourth-quarter margins.

    Shares in Publicis Groupe (EU:PUB) slid sharply after the company reported a full-year profit that was lower than the prior year. Akzo Nobel (EU:AKZA) also came under pressure after adjusted EBITDA fell in the fourth quarter amid weak revenue performance.

    In London, AstraZeneca (LSE:AZN) shares dropped after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected a subcutaneous version of its lupus treatment, which would have simplified administration.

    On the upside, Amundi (EU:AMUN) rallied after reporting stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter net inflows, as clients sought greater diversification within Europe and away from the U.S. dollar.

    Meanwhile, Nordex (TG:NDX1) advanced after announcing it had secured a 189MW order from OX2 to supply turbines for the Fagerasen wind farm project in Sweden.

  • European Markets Inch Up as Metals Slide Reverses; Publicis Draws Attention: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European Markets Inch Up as Metals Slide Reverses; Publicis Draws Attention: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities traded modestly higher on Tuesday, supported by a positive finish on Wall Street overnight and signs that the recent selloff in precious metals was short-lived.

    By 08:05 GMT, Germany’s DAX was up around 0.8%, France’s CAC 40 had added 0.4% and the UK’s FTSE 100 was edging 0.1% higher.

    Calmer metals markets lift sentiment

    After several volatile sessions marked by sharp falls in gold and silver prices late last week and over the weekend, global markets appear to have steadied. Precious metals rebounded on Monday, helping restore confidence and pushing the Dow Jones Industrial Average more than 500 points higher, a gain of roughly 1%, on Wall Street.

    Broader sentiment was also buoyed after US President Donald Trump announced late Monday that Washington had reached a trade agreement with India, cutting tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from as high as 50%. The deal followed months of negotiations and was widely interpreted as a move toward easing previously strained trade relations.

    Publicis in focus

    In Europe, attention has returned to the earnings season, with a heavy slate of results from major companies expected this week.

    Publicis Groupe (EU:PUB) was among the stocks in focus after a series of strong client wins helped lift fourth-quarter underlying revenue ahead of expectations at the French advertising group. For 2025, Publicis generated €2.03 billion in free cash flow before working capital movements, up 10.6% year on year, and proposed a dividend of €3.75 per share, an increase of 4.2%, to be paid entirely in cash.

    French asset manager Amundi (EU:AMUN) also reported a solid set of numbers, posting a 6% rise in adjusted pretax income for 2025 to €1.86 billion. The performance was driven by record net inflows of €88 billion as the group launched a new strategic plan running through 2028.

    Elsewhere, Akzo Nobel (EU:AKZA) said fourth-quarter margins improved strongly from a year earlier, as the Dutch paints maker continues to navigate weak demand while pursuing a potential merger with US rival Axalta Coating Systems.

    Investors were also digesting a busy earnings calendar in the United States, including results from PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL), Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC), ahead of numbers from Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) due after the close. Sentiment toward AI-related stocks remains fragile following a poorly received update from Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) last week.

    French inflation surprises on the downside

    Economic data released earlier showed inflation pressures remain muted in France, the euro zone’s second-largest economy. Consumer prices fell 0.3% month on month in January, while the annual rate slowed to just 0.3%, below expectations of 0.6%.

    The European Central Bank meets later this week and is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at 2% for a fifth consecutive meeting. ECB President Christine Lagarde may face questions on the impact of a stronger euro on inflation, after the single currency briefly rose above $1.20 last week, its highest level since 2021. Although the euro has since eased, it remains more than 2% higher over the past two weeks.

    Oil prices ease again

    Oil prices moved lower for a second session on Tuesday, as easing tensions between the US and Iran reduced the geopolitical risk premium in crude markets. Brent futures slipped 0.4% to $65.96 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 0.4% to $61.90.

    Both benchmarks had dropped more than 4% in the previous session after President Trump said Iran was “seriously talking” with Washington, signalling a potential de-escalation with the OPEC member. Reuters reported on Monday that Iran and the US are expected to resume nuclear talks on Friday in Turkey.

    Additional pressure on prices came from a firmer US dollar, with the dollar index hovering near a one-week high, making dollar-denominated crude more expensive for overseas buyers.

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher as Metals Recover and Miners Advance; AG Barr Gains

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher as Metals Recover and Miners Advance; AG Barr Gains

    UK equities started Tuesday’s session on a firmer footing, supported by a rebound in metal prices that boosted mining stocks. Broader European markets also traded higher in early deals, outperforming the UK market.

    Mining shares led the gains after recovering from the previous session’s sharp sell-off in precious metals. Producers of gold, silver and copper including Fresnillo PLC (LSE:FRES), Antofagasta PLC (LSE:ANTO), Endeavour Mining (LSE:EDV), Anglo American PLC (LSE:AAL), Glencore PLC (LSE:GLEN) and Rio Tinto PLC (LSE:RIO) were all higher shortly after the open.

    By 08:39 GMT, the FTSE 100 was trading slightly higher, while sterling gained around 0.1% against the US dollar to 1.3686. European peers showed stronger momentum, with Germany’s DAX up 1.1% and France’s CAC 40 rising 0.6%.

    UK roundup

    A.G. Barr reports FY25/26 growth

    A.G. Barr PLC (LSE:BAG) shares rose 6.1% after the soft drinks group said results for FY25/26 met expectations. Revenue increased by around 4% to £437m from £420m a year earlier, while adjusted operating margin improved to approximately 14.7% from 13.6%. The margin expansion of about 110 basis points helped drive double-digit growth in adjusted profit for the year.

    AstraZeneca slips on FDA setback

    AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN) shares moved lower after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected the company’s initial application for a subcutaneous injection version of its lupus drug Saphnelo. The group said it has since submitted the requested additional information and is working with the regulator to progress the filing.

    Plus500 launches US prediction markets offering

    Plus500 Ltd (LSE:PLUS) announced it has entered the US retail prediction markets space with the launch of event-based contracts on its Plus500 Futures platform. The new B2C offering includes products from Kalshi Exchange, with transactions cleared directly through Kalshi Klear LLC.

    UK grocery inflation cools

    UK grocery inflation eased to 4.0% in the four weeks to 25 January, marking its lowest level since April last year, according to figures from Worldpanel by Numerator. The reading was down from 4.3% previously, offering modest relief for consumers.

  • Plus500 Shares Jump After Launch of US Prediction Markets Offering

    Plus500 Shares Jump After Launch of US Prediction Markets Offering

    Plus500 Ltd (LSE:PLUS) shares climbed around 7.5% after the fintech group announced its expansion into the US retail prediction markets space. The move comes with the launch of event-based contracts on its US B2C trading platform, Plus500 Futures, marking a new product vertical for the company in a fast-developing segment of the trading industry.

    The London-listed group said the new offering will feature products from Kalshi Exchange, the first US-regulated exchange dedicated to event-based contracts. Through this integration, Plus500’s US customers can trade regulated prediction markets linked to economic data releases, financial market events, geopolitical developments and other clearly defined real-world outcomes.

    Management described the launch as a strategic step in diversifying Plus500’s product suite, leveraging its proprietary technology, clearing memberships and established risk management infrastructure. Trades on the platform will be cleared directly via Plus500’s full clearing membership with Kalshi Klear LLC, providing a fully regulated and transparent framework for participants.

    Plus500 highlighted growing interest in prediction markets from both retail and institutional users, citing their appeal as a structured and compliant way to express views on real-world events. The company said its scalable infrastructure positions it well to support wider adoption of these products, both through direct-to-consumer innovation and business-to-business partnerships.

    The latest launch builds on Plus500’s earlier move into prediction markets in December 2025, when it became the clearing partner for CME Group and FanDuel on the FanDuel Prediction Markets platform. Management said this track record underlines its ambition to play a broader role across the regulated prediction markets ecosystem.

  • Wizz Air Confirms Share Capital Base and Fully Diluted Voting Rights

    Wizz Air Confirms Share Capital Base and Fully Diluted Voting Rights

    Wizz Air Holdings (LSE:WIZZ) has provided an update on its share capital and voting rights structure, confirming that as at 31 January 2026 the company has a single class of ordinary shares in issue. Total issued share capital stands at 103,438,631 shares, with no shares held in treasury, and each share carrying one voting right, subject to proportional disenfranchisement provisions applicable to certain non-qualifying foreign shareholders.

    The airline also disclosed a theoretical fully diluted share count of 127,758,164 shares. This figure assumes the full conversion of outstanding convertible notes alongside the exercise of vested employee share options, offering investors a clearer basis for assessing voting rights, disclosure thresholds and ownership calculations under UK transparency regulations.

    From an investment perspective, the group’s outlook is increasingly supported by an improving financial trajectory, with notably stronger cash generation complemented by positive technical momentum and a relatively low price-to-earnings valuation. These positives are balanced by ongoing balance sheet leverage and execution risks highlighted in recent market commentary, including pressure on unit revenues, rising cost inputs and timing uncertainty associated with the fleet transition.

    More about Wizz Air Holdings

    Wizz Air Holdings is a European ultra-low-cost airline operating under the Wizz Air brand. The group focuses on short-haul, point-to-point routes across Central and Eastern Europe and selected Western European markets, targeting cost-conscious leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) travellers. Operating in a highly competitive budget aviation sector, Wizz Air’s strategy centres on maintaining a low-cost base, high aircraft utilisation and network expansion to drive long-term growth.

  • A.G. Barr Posts Strong Profit Growth and Expands Adult Drinks Portfolio

    A.G. Barr Posts Strong Profit Growth and Expands Adult Drinks Portfolio

    A.G. Barr (LSE:BAG) delivered full-year results for the year ended 31 January 2026 that broadly met market expectations, as revenue increased by around 4% to £437m and adjusted operating margins widened by approximately 110 basis points to 14.7%, underpinning double-digit growth in profits. Performance was supported by steady top-line momentum and improved operational efficiency across the group.

    The company reported continued progress against its strategic objectives, with increased investment in innovation leading to several new product launches from January 2026. Ongoing spend on manufacturing capacity and capabilities also remained a priority. From a brand perspective, marketing activity helped return IRN-BRU to modest growth in the second half of the year, while Rubicon and Boost delivered resilient performances despite softer trading conditions at Funkin.

    During the period, A.G. Barr strengthened its exposure to the adult soft drinks category through targeted acquisitions. The group purchased premium juice brand Frobishers for £13m close to year-end and completed the approximately £38m acquisition of botanical soft drinks and mixers specialist Fentimans shortly after the reporting period. Both transactions were funded through a combination of cash and debt, with management expecting cost synergies and margin enhancement as integration advances through FY26/27.

    Looking ahead, management said the group enters the new financial year with solid momentum, supported by a strong pipeline of brand initiatives, including refreshed designs for IRN-BRU and Rubicon. The company reiterated its focus on driving efficiency, protecting margins and enhancing shareholder returns.

    While recent financial performance and corporate developments have been positive, these are partially offset by weaker technical indicators. The shares are viewed as fairly valued, with the dividend yield contributing to overall appeal. The absence of an earnings call means no additional insight from management commentary was available.

    More about AG Barr

    A.G. Barr is a UK-based multi-beverage producer best known for its IRN-BRU, Rubicon and Boost brands. The group operates across the soft drinks and mixers market, with an increasing emphasis on adult soft drinks. It serves a broad UK consumer base through ongoing brand innovation, channel expansion and continued investment in manufacturing and supply-chain infrastructure to support its portfolio of established and emerging drinks brands.

  • European shares advance on easing U.S.–Iran tensions and upbeat German retail data: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European shares advance on easing U.S.–Iran tensions and upbeat German retail data: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities turned mostly higher on Monday after an early dip, supported by signs of reduced geopolitical tension between the United States and Iran, along with encouraging retail sales figures from Germany.

    Official data showed German retail sales rose 0.1% month on month in December, reversing a 0.5% decline in November. On an annual basis, sales increased 1.5%, accelerating from 1.3% growth the previous month.

    Against that backdrop, Germany’s DAX gained about 0.7%, while the UK’s FTSE 100 and France’s CAC 40 were each up around 0.6%.

    The U.S. dollar held on to recent gains after House Speaker Mike Johnson said it could take several days before a government funding package is brought to a vote, keeping some uncertainty in Washington.

    Among individual stocks, Julius Baer (TG:JGE) moved lower after the Swiss lender reported a sharp fall in profits for 2025.

    In France, Sanofi (EU:SAN) shares rose after the drugmaker said a treatment for a genetic disorder delivered encouraging results in a late-stage clinical trial.

    Meanwhile, UK-listed 3i Infrastructure (LSE:3IN) came under pressure after warning it is likely to write off around £212 million tied to its investment in DNS:NET.

  • European Markets Open Lower as Precious Metals Slide and Investors Brace for Key Events: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European Markets Open Lower as Precious Metals Slide and Investors Brace for Key Events: DAX, CAC, FTSE100

    European equities moved lower at the start of the week on Monday, with investor sentiment dented by a continued sell-off in precious metals ahead of a packed schedule of corporate earnings, central bank decisions and major economic releases.

    By 08:05 GMT, Germany’s DAX was down 0.4%, France’s CAC 40 had slipped 0.5% and the UK’s FTSE 100 was trading 0.6% lower.

    Precious metals slump weighs on sentiment

    Market mood was further undermined by renewed weakness in gold and silver, which extended their declines after Friday’s sharp sell-off. The retreat followed the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the US Federal Reserve, a development that pushed the US dollar higher and prompted investors to lock in profits after a powerful rally that had driven precious metals to record highs only days earlier.

    Spot gold fell by just under 6% to $4,597 per ounce on Monday, after plunging nearly 10% on Friday in its steepest single-day drop since 1983. Silver also remained under heavy pressure, following last Friday’s 30% collapse — its worst daily performance since March 1980 — after having surged on safe-haven demand and speculative inflows.

    Adding to the strain, CME said it would raise margin requirements on several metals contracts from the close of Monday’s session, a move that suggests some market participants may be struggling to meet margin calls and could be forced to sell liquid assets.

    Intesa Sanpaolo and earnings in focus

    Attention also turned to company results, with another busy earnings week ahead. Around 30% of the EuroSTOXX index’s market capitalisation is due to report over the coming days.

    Earlier on Monday, Intesa Sanpaolo (BIT:ISP) posted a 7.6% increase in net profit for 2025 to €9.3 billion and unveiled plans to return €8.8 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, reinforcing its standing as one of Europe’s most profitable banks.

    Swiss lender Julius Baer (TG:JGE) reported 2025 net profit of CHF764 million, down 25% year on year but modestly ahead of consensus expectations of CHF679 million.

    In the US, investors are closely watching upcoming results from Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN). Sentiment around AI-related stocks has cooled after Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) flagged rising costs linked to heavy AI investment, raising concerns over near-term returns.

    Data and central banks in focus

    On the macro front, data released earlier showed German retail sales rose 0.1% month on month in December, improving from a 0.5% decline in the previous month.

    Manufacturing PMI figures for January are due later in the session for the eurozone and are expected to show a modest improvement, though activity is likely to remain in contraction. Data released on Saturday indicated that China’s official manufacturing PMI slipped further below the 50 threshold in January, signalling ongoing contraction and persistent weakness in domestic demand.

    Both the European Central Bank and the Bank of England are scheduled to hold policy meetings this week, with markets widely expecting interest rates to remain unchanged.

    Oil prices drop as geopolitical risk eases

    Oil prices fell sharply on Monday as fears of a potential US strike on Iran receded, after US President Donald Trump said the Middle Eastern oil producer was “seriously talking” with Washington.

    Brent crude futures dropped 4.8% to $65.97 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate fell 5% to $61.91. Crude prices had surged last week as markets priced in a higher risk of supply disruptions after Trump repeatedly threatened Iran with military action over nuclear negotiations and ongoing domestic unrest. Those risks appeared to ease following Trump’s comments over the weekend.

    Meanwhile, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known collectively as OPEC+, left production levels unchanged at a weekend meeting, in line with market expectations.

  • FTSE 100 Today: Shares Open Lower as Miners and Defence Stocks Weigh; Pound Steady

    FTSE 100 Today: Shares Open Lower as Miners and Defence Stocks Weigh; Pound Steady

    UK equities started the week on the back foot, with losses in mining and defence names dragging the market lower, while broader European indices also slipped amid cautious investor sentiment.

    By 08:20 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 0.4%, while sterling was little changed, with GBP/USD trading flat at $1.3691. On the continent, Germany’s DAX edged 0.2% lower and France’s CAC 40 fell 0.3%.

    UK market round-up

    Mining stocks were among the weakest performers in early trading, led by precious metals producers. Gold miner Endeavour moved lower, while gold and silver producer Fresnillo PLC (LSE:FRES) also declined. Copper-focused names were heavily sold, with Antofagasta PLC (LSE:ANTO) falling alongside Anglo American PLC (LSE:AAL), while Glencore PLC (LSE:GLEN) traded lower.

    Defence stocks were also under pressure at the open. Shares in BAE Systems PLC (LSE:BAES), Babcock International Group PLC (LSE:BAB), Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LSE:RR.), Senior PLC (LSE:SNR) and QinetiQ Group PLC (LSE:QQ.) all slipped. The weakness followed renewed comments from Prime Minister Keir Starmer signalling continued interest in securing UK access to the European Union’s €150 billion defence funding framework.

    On the macro front, UK house prices rose 0.3% in January, taking annual growth to 1.0% compared with January 2025, according to figures released by Nationwide Building Society.

    In company news, DiscoverIE Group PLC (LSE:DSCV) reported 1% organic sales growth for the three months to 31 December, with group sales up 5% at constant exchange rates. Orders increased 9% at constant exchange rates and 4% organically, lifting the book-to-bill ratio to 1.03x from 0.99x in the first half. The group also noted improving trends in its previously weaker Controls division.

    3i Infrastructure PLC (LSE:3IN) said it will write down its £212 million investment in German fibre operator DNS:NET to zero in its March NAV, citing tougher financing conditions in the sector. The move is expected to reduce NAV by around 23 pence per share, or 5.6%, before performance fee adjustments.

    Italy’s BFF Bank SpA (BIT:BFF) announced that its chief executive will step down, with CFO Giuseppe Sica set to take over as general manager. The bank is taking steps to de-risk its balance sheet ahead of a planned securitisation of non-performing assets, booking around €72 million in provisions and a €22 million one-off charge. For 2025, BFF expects adjusted net income of roughly €150 million, implying a 23% return on equity, with reported net income forecast at about €70 million.

    Separately, the Helios Consortium said it has raised its possible cash offer for Cab Payments Holdings PLC (LSE:CABP) to $1.15 per share, a 21% premium to the 30-day volume-weighted average price to 30 January. The proposal values the company at approximately $292 million.

    Finally, FitzWalter Capital Limited confirmed it does not intend to make an offer for Auction Technology Group PLC (LSE:ATG) after the board unanimously rejected its proposed 400 pence per share approach.

  • UK Defence Shares Retreat After Starmer Signals Openness to Future EU SAFE Fund

    UK Defence Shares Retreat After Starmer Signals Openness to Future EU SAFE Fund

    UK defence stocks moved lower on Monday after Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that Britain could revisit participation in a future European Union defence funding initiative.

    Speaking ahead of meetings with EU officials in London later this week, Starmer said the government would consider taking part in a possible second, multi-billion-euro expansion of the EU’s SAFE loans programme. The comments weighed on the sector, with BAE Systems (LSE:BAES) down 2.7% by 08:37 GMT, while Babcock (LSE:BAB), Rolls-Royce (LSE:RR.) and QinetiQ (LSE:QQ.) each fell by around 1%.

    The European Commission is currently assessing a new round of SAFE funding as Europe looks to accelerate defence spending amid rising tensions linked to Russia and growing uncertainty over long-term US security commitments under President Donald Trump. The original €150 billion SAFE scheme enables the EU to raise funds in capital markets and lend them to member states over long maturities to finance defence projects ranging from ammunition to drones and missile systems.

    The UK had previously explored joining the initial SAFE programme, but talks collapsed in November after London declined to make a financial contribution, undermining efforts to reset post-Brexit relations with Brussels. Asked whether the UK would pursue a revised SAFE structure, Starmer stressed the need for Europe to move faster on defence.

    “Europe, including the UK, needs to do more on security and defence — that’s an argument I’ve been making for many months now,” he said. “That should require us to look at schemes like SAFE and others to see whether there is a way in which we can work more closely together.”

    “Whether it’s SAFE or other initiatives, it makes sense for Europe in the broadest sense — the EU plus other European countries — to deepen cooperation,” he added.

    While the UK would not be able to apply directly for SAFE loans, joining as a third country could allow British defence companies to bid for EU-backed procurement contracts. Starmer is also seeking to build on recent bilateral defence agreements, with further deals under discussion. Norway has signed a £10 billion agreement for anti-submarine warfare vessels to be built in the UK, while Britain has agreed an £8 billion deal to sell 20 Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey.

    EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and other senior EU officials are due in London this week for broader talks covering trade, defence and cooperation.