Today: 7 February 2026
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Ashtead share price in focus as buyback rolls on and NYSE switch clocks closer
7 February 2026
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Ashtead share price in focus as buyback rolls on and NYSE switch clocks closer

London, February 7, 2026, 09:41 GMT — Market closed. Ashtead Group plc shares closed at 4,936 pence on Friday, up 1.09% on the day. The stock traded between 4,838p and 4,985p, with volume of about 1.1 million shares after a 2.6% drop on Thursday. (Share Prices) The moves matter now because Ashtead is preparing to shift its primary listing to New York through its Sunbelt Rentals structure, a change that can alter who owns the stock and where it trades. The company has said the SEC filing that starts the U.S. registration process is expected to become effective on Feb.
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Imperial Brands share price jumps 1.5% into weekend as dividend dates and BoE cut bets loom

Imperial Brands share price jumps 1.5% into weekend as dividend dates and BoE cut bets loom

Imperial Brands shares closed up 1.49% at 3,341p in London on Friday, outpacing the FTSE 100. The company flagged a final dividend for March 31, with Feb. 20 as the record date. Trading volume was below average, and the stock remains about 8% below its December high. UK rate-cut bets increased after the Bank of England’s split vote this week.
7 February 2026
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Prudential plc share price ends week higher as PRU buyback and BoE rate bets shape the next move

Prudential plc share price ends week higher as PRU buyback and BoE rate bets shape the next move

Prudential plc shares closed 0.5% higher at 1,182 pence Friday after the insurer repurchased 494,445 shares, averaging 11.87 pounds each, for cancellation. The FTSE 100 rose 0.6% on the day. Bank of England survey data showed markets expect the policy rate to fall to 3.0% by March 2027 from 3.75% now. Prudential’s $1.2 billion buyback program runs through December 2026.
7 February 2026
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Compass Group PLC stock price slips to 2,125p as AI worries hang over office catering demand

Compass Group PLC stock price slips to 2,125p as AI worries hang over office catering demand

Compass Group shares fell 2.48% to 2,125p on Friday, underperforming the FTSE 100’s 0.59% gain. The caterer reported 7.3% first-quarter organic revenue growth and reiterated its 2026 outlook. Shares hit a three-year low amid investor concerns over AI’s impact on office catering. Compass will switch its London trading currency to U.S. dollars from April 1.
7 February 2026
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Meta stock faces an AI split: ad gains vs a $135 billion bill

Meta stock faces an AI split: ad gains vs a $135 billion bill

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7 February 2026
Meta shares dropped 1.3% to $661.46 on Friday after the company projected 2026 capital spending of up to $135 billion, raising investor concerns over cash flow. Meta reported Q4 revenue of $59.89 billion, up 24% year-over-year, with ad impressions rising 18%. Analysts remain divided on whether AI-driven ad gains can offset the steep spending ramp.
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IAG share price jumps toward a 52-week peak — what to watch before London reopens

IAG share price jumps toward a 52-week peak — what to watch before London reopens

IAG shares rose 4.33% to 438.50 pence Friday, near their 52-week high, ahead of full-year results due later this month. The company reported 162,073,135 treasury shares and total voting rights of 4,565,128,012. Brent crude fell 2.2% Thursday to $67.93 a barrel. South Europe Ground Services logged 712,340 operations in 2025 and seeks approval to operate in Portugal.
7 February 2026
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Binance scoops up 3,600 more Bitcoin for SAFU as BTC whipsaws after brutal selloff

Binance scoops up 3,600 more Bitcoin for SAFU as BTC whipsaws after brutal selloff

Binance bought 3,600 bitcoin for its Secure Asset Fund, bringing its holdings to 6,230 BTC after bitcoin rebounded above $70,000 following a sharp drop. The broader crypto market lost about $2 trillion since October, with $1 billion in leveraged bitcoin positions liquidated in 24 hours. Strategy reported a wider Q4 loss as bitcoin fell. Gemini will cut up to 200 jobs and exit the UK, EU, and Australia.
7 February 2026
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National Grid share price: what to know before London reopens after BoE signal

National Grid share price: what to know before London reopens after BoE signal

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7 February 2026
National Grid shares closed at 1,285 pence in London on Friday, up 0.23%. The Bank of England held rates at 3.75% after a close vote, signaling possible cuts if inflation falls. National Grid announced a wireless power transmission study with Space Solar and marked five years of IFA2 interconnector operations. Its U.S. ADR ended at $88.06, up $1.17.
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BAE Systems share price rises into weekend — what to watch before Monday’s London open

BAE Systems share price rises into weekend — what to watch before Monday’s London open

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7 February 2026
BAE Systems shares closed up 1.2% at 1,879 pence on Friday, tracking gains in European defence stocks. The company’s market value stands near £54.8 billion. Investors await BAE’s full-year results on Feb. 18 for updates on cash returns and orders. GXO Logistics renewed and expanded its contract to support BAE’s Type 26 frigate program in Scotland.
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Idox share price sits just under 71.5p bid as takeover backer flags 49% support

Idox share price sits just under 71.5p bid as takeover backer flags 49% support

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7 February 2026
Idox shares closed at 71.0 pence Friday, just below the 71.5p cash offer, after Frankel UK Bidco reported near-50% aggregate support and 19% valid acceptances for its takeover bid. The offer’s next key deadline is March 16, with the bidder needing over 50% of voting rights to proceed under UK rules.
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Barclays share price jumps into earnings week as BoE rate-cut bets shift the story

Barclays share price jumps into earnings week as BoE rate-cut bets shift the story

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7 February 2026
Barclays shares closed up 2.7% at 479.1 pence on Friday, outperforming the FTSE 100 ahead of next week’s full-year results. Trading volume was 18.8 million shares, well below the 50-day average. A split Bank of England vote on rates led traders to price in more UK rate cuts, sending sterling down 0.6%. Barclays announced non-executive director Mary Francis will retire in May.
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Lloyds share price steadies after buyback update and BoE rate jitters — what to watch next week

Lloyds share price steadies after buyback update and BoE rate jitters — what to watch next week

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7 February 2026
Lloyds shares closed up 0.9% at 106.75 pence Friday after the bank announced fresh buybacks totaling 17 million shares over two days, all to be cancelled. The stock rebounded from a 5.6% drop Thursday as traders adjusted UK rate-cut bets. About 121 million Lloyds shares changed hands. Investors await the bank’s annual report on February 18 and the next Bank of England decision March 19.
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Vodafone shares steady up after Q3 wobble — Germany, buyback and next results now set the tone

Vodafone shares steady up after Q3 wobble — Germany, buyback and next results now set the tone

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7 February 2026
Vodafone shares rose 1.47% to 110.60p Friday, recovering part of Thursday’s 4.68% drop after a Q3 update. Group revenue climbed 6.5% to €10.5 billion, but Germany’s 0.7% service revenue growth missed some forecasts. Vodafone launched a new €500 million buyback tranche, bringing total buybacks since May to €3.5 billion. Investors remain focused on Germany’s pace and cash flow execution.
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NatWest Group stock: buyback filing and Rightmove mortgage deal set up a busy week

NatWest Group stock: buyback filing and Rightmove mortgage deal set up a busy week

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7 February 2026
NatWest shares closed up 1.45% at 659.4 pence Friday, buoyed by a buyback of 797,428 shares and a new digital mortgage deal with Rightmove. The Bank of England held rates at 3.75% but signaled possible cuts, with markets pricing in two reductions for 2026. NatWest plans to expand its Accelerator community to 50,000 members by 2026. Annual results are due Feb. 13.
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Unilever share price holds at 5,250p as results week looms — what investors watch next

Unilever share price holds at 5,250p as results week looms — what investors watch next

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7 February 2026
Unilever shares closed flat at 5,250p in London Friday, underperforming the FTSE 100’s 0.6% gain. The company issued 4.2 million new shares for employee plans, bringing total shares to over 2.18 billion. Investors await Q4 and full-year results on Feb. 12, with analyst consensus pointing to 3.9% Q4 sales growth. Unilever’s U.S. ADR rose 0.8% to $72.12.
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BP share price near 52-week high ahead of Feb 10 earnings as buyback runs on

BP share price near 52-week high ahead of Feb 10 earnings as buyback runs on

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7 February 2026
BP shares closed up 1.9% at 478 pence Friday, just below a 52-week high, as the company continued buybacks ahead of next week’s results. BP repurchased 2.789 million shares on February 6. Oil prices firmed on geopolitical risk, with Brent at $68.05 a barrel, but sector outlook remains uncertain. Investors await BP’s earnings and dividend decision due Tuesday.
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SSE share price near 2,510p as BoE rate-cut bets return; UK GDP and SSE updates ahead

SSE share price near 2,510p as BoE rate-cut bets return; UK GDP and SSE updates ahead

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7 February 2026
SSE shares closed Friday at 2,510p, up 1.2%, with about 6.6 million shares traded. The company’s transmission arm secured over £6.9 million in Ofgem innovation funding for four projects. Investors adjusted UK rate-cut bets after a split Bank of England decision. SSE maintained 2025/26 earnings guidance and reported a 7% rise in renewables output.
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Rolls-Royce shares end the week higher as buyback rolls on — what to watch before results

Rolls-Royce shares end the week higher as buyback rolls on — what to watch before results

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7 February 2026
Rolls-Royce Holdings closed up 1.78% at 1,229.0 pence on Friday, outperforming the FTSE 100. The company reported buying 742,570 shares on Feb. 5 as part of its £200 million buyback, bringing the total repurchased to over 12.6 million shares. The buyback is set to end Feb. 24. Full-year results are due Feb. 26.
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Aye Finance IPO: Rs 454-crore anchor haul follows valuation cut below last round

Aye Finance IPO: Rs 454-crore anchor haul follows valuation cut below last round

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7 February 2026
Aye Finance raised Rs 454.5 crore from 19 anchor investors ahead of its Feb 9 IPO, pricing shares at the top of a Rs 122–129 range. The company’s profit fell 40% to Rs 64.3 crore in the six months to September as bad loans rose to 4.85%. The IPO values Aye at about Rs 3,200 crore, below its last private round. Major investors include Nippon Life India and Goldman Sachs funds.
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BAT share price closes near 52-week high as buyback rolls on ahead of results week

BAT share price closes near 52-week high as buyback rolls on ahead of results week

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7 February 2026
British American Tobacco shares closed up 1.2% at 4,609 pence Friday, near a 52-week high. The company disclosed further share buybacks and management share purchases ahead of its Feb. 12 full-year results. BAT bought 121,668 shares for cancellation on Feb. 5. Investors await updates on nicotine alternatives and cash returns.
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Anglo American share price slips as BofA turns neutral after copper outlook cut

Anglo American share price slips as BofA turns neutral after copper outlook cut

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7 February 2026
Anglo American shares closed down 0.75% at 3,435 pence Friday after BofA Global Research downgraded the miner to “neutral” and raised its price target to 3,600 pence. Anglo cut its 2026 copper production guidance and warned of continued weakness at De Beers. The company expects $200 million in charges tied to its Chile copper operations in the second half of 2025.
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Shell stock faces Kazakhstan pause and auditor switch — what to watch for SHEL shares next week

Shell stock faces Kazakhstan pause and auditor switch — what to watch for SHEL shares next week

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7 February 2026
Shell will pause new investments in Kazakhstan due to legal disputes over $16.5 billion in costs at major oil fields, CEO Wael Sawan said Friday. Shares closed up 0.18% in London after a volatile week, following a fourth-quarter profit miss and ongoing share buybacks. RBC downgraded the stock, citing weaker reserves and guidance. Shell named PwC as auditor from 2027, replacing EY.
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Amazon’s $200B AI Spending Jolt Spurs Stock Selloff as Big Tech Capex Nears $650B

Amazon’s $200B AI Spending Jolt Spurs Stock Selloff as Big Tech Capex Nears $650B

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7 February 2026
Amazon shares fell Friday after the company announced a $200 billion AI infrastructure plan for 2026, exceeding analyst expectations and reviving investor concerns about profitability. Combined 2026 capex flagged by Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta now tops $630 billion. Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom shares surged on the news, while software and data firms remained under pressure.
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HSBC share price rebounds after BoE vote jolts UK banks — what to watch before Monday

HSBC share price rebounds after BoE vote jolts UK banks — what to watch before Monday

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7 February 2026
HSBC shares closed up 2.2% at 1,305.8p in London on Friday, rebounding after a 2.3% drop the previous day. A narrow Bank of England vote revived expectations for rate cuts, lifting UK bank stocks and sending sterling and gilt yields lower. HSBC’s annual results on Feb. 25 are the next major event for investors.
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Nvidia stock jumps nearly 8% as Big Tech AI spending bets lift chipmakers and Dow tops 50,000

Nvidia stock jumps nearly 8% as Big Tech AI spending bets lift chipmakers and Dow tops 50,000

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7 February 2026
Nvidia surged 7.8% Friday, leading a chip stock rally that pushed the Dow above 50,000 for the first time. The PHLX semiconductor index gained 5.7% as Advanced Micro Devices rose 8.3% and Broadcom 7.1%. Amazon fell 5.6% after projecting $200 billion in 2026 capital spending. Investors weighed a $600 billion AI infrastructure outlay against sharp losses in software shares.
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City Developments Limited stock: $709 million land bid puts CDL share price in focus for Monday

City Developments Limited stock: $709 million land bid puts CDL share price in focus for Monday

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7 February 2026
A CDL-led consortium submitted the top bid of S$709.25 million for a Tanjong Rhu Road residential site, outpacing groups linked to Sunway MCL, Sim Lian, and GuocoLand. CDL shares closed down 0.6% at S$9.57 on Friday. The Urban Redevelopment Authority has yet to award the site. Investors await CDL’s results briefing on Feb 27.
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Glencore share price steadies after Rio Tinto walks away — what to watch next week

Glencore share price steadies after Rio Tinto walks away — what to watch next week

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7 February 2026
Glencore shares closed up 0.6% at 478.1 pence Friday, rebounding after a 7% drop following the collapse of merger talks with Rio Tinto. The company is expected to announce the sale of its Kazzinc stake soon and has signed a non-binding agreement with Orion for a potential $9 billion deal in the DRC. Investors await Glencore’s full-year results on Feb. 18 for further guidance.
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RELX share price slides again as AI fears linger, results next week in focus

RELX share price slides again as AI fears linger, results next week in focus

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7 February 2026
RELX closed down 4.6% at 2,145 pence in London on Friday, capping a volatile week ahead of its Feb. 12 full-year results. The company bought back 465,361 shares even as selling continued amid investor concerns over AI risks and pricing power. Peers Wolters Kluwer and Thomson Reuters also faced pressure. Markets await RELX’s outlook for 2026 trading.
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