Today: 21 March 2026
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Michał Rogucki

BAE Systems and Babcock shares jump as Iran war jolts markets and lifts defence spending bets

BAE Systems and Babcock shares jump as Iran war jolts markets and lifts defence spending bets

BAE Systems shares jumped 6.1% and Babcock International rose 1.7% Monday, bucking a 1.2% drop in the FTSE 100, as investors responded to escalating conflict involving Iran. Oil prices surged and defence stocks rallied after Iranian attacks disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The White House signaled plans to boost the U.S. defence budget to $1.5 trillion by 2027.
3 March 2026
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LSEG share price drops again in London — war fears, rate bets and what’s next

LSEG share price drops again in London — war fears, rate bets and what’s next

London Stock Exchange Group shares dropped 0.7% to 8,716 pence in early Tuesday trading as European stocks fell on renewed Middle East war and inflation fears. The STOXX 600 index was down 1.3% by 0804 GMT. LSEG reported 505,332,519 total voting rights at February’s end and FTSE Russell set April 30 as “Rank Day” for the 2026 Russell US indexes reconstitution. The Bank of England’s next rate decision is due March 19.
3 March 2026
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Rio Tinto stock drops 2% in London as war jitters bite; investors eye what’s next

Rio Tinto stock drops 2% in London as war jitters bite; investors eye what’s next

Rio Tinto shares dropped 2.1% to 7,181 pence in early London trading Tuesday, tracking losses across European miners as Middle East tensions drive up energy costs. The company approved a $473 million restart of its Richards Bay mineral sands project in South Africa and secured C$18.95 million in Canadian government support for a gallium pilot plant. Oil shipping costs surged as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed.
3 March 2026
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Zurich’s $11 billion Beazley takeover: the 1,335p offer, the financing, and what could derail it

Zurich’s $11 billion Beazley takeover: the 1,335p offer, the financing, and what could derail it

Zurich Insurance Group agreed to acquire Beazley for £8.1 billion ($10.8 billion) in cash. Beazley shareholders will receive 1,335 pence per share, including a 25 pence dividend. Zurich raised CHF 3.9 billion ($5.0 billion) through a new share placement to help fund the deal. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending approvals.
3 March 2026
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HSBC share price drops again as oil shock hits banks — what investors watch next

HSBC share price drops again as oil shock hits banks — what investors watch next

HSBC shares fell 2.5% to 1,299 pence in early London trading Tuesday, extending last week’s slide as Middle East conflict drove oil prices higher and clouded interest rate outlooks. Barclays and Lloyds also dropped, reflecting a wider selloff in UK banks. HSBC disclosed two senior executives sold shares in late February. Investors are watching HSBC’s March 12 ex-dividend date and the Bank of England’s March 19 decision.
3 March 2026
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Lloyds share price drops again as oil shock hits UK banks ahead of Reeves update

Lloyds share price drops again as oil shock hits UK banks ahead of Reeves update

Lloyds shares fell over 2% to 97.86 pence in early London trading Tuesday, extending losses for UK banks amid inflation and rate cut uncertainty. Oil price gains and Middle East tensions have pushed investors toward safe-haven assets. Traders now see a 52% chance of a Bank of England rate cut in March, down from 78% last week. Lloyds disclosed continued share buybacks and new share issuances for employee plans.
3 March 2026
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Sunrise Energy Metals share price slips after feasibility study update puts ASX:SRL back in play

Sunrise Energy Metals share price slips after feasibility study update puts ASX:SRL back in play

Sunrise Energy Metals shares fell 3.6% to A$7.69 after the company released a feasibility study update for its Syerston scandium project and trading resumed. The study put development capital at about US$120 million, with commercial production targeted for mid-2028. Investors await a funding package and a board decision expected in the second half of 2026. The stock is down 29% over the past week.
3 March 2026
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Rolls-Royce share price: Fresh buyback filing drops before London open — what traders watch next

Rolls-Royce share price: Fresh buyback filing drops before London open — what traders watch next

Rolls-Royce bought about 1.09 million shares on Monday under its buyback programme, paying between 1,288 and 1,348 pence each, and plans to cancel them. The company has repurchased 2.91 million shares since the programme began, leaving 8.425 billion shares in issue. The stock closed unchanged at 1,354 pence, about 5% below its 52-week high. London’s FTSE 100 fell 1.2% Monday as oil prices rose.
3 March 2026
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Woolworths share price steadies near 52-week high as dividend date looms and rate nerves flare

Woolworths share price steadies near 52-week high as dividend date looms and rate nerves flare

Woolworths Group shares closed at A$36.90 Tuesday, up 0.6% and at the top of their 52-week range, ahead of trading ex-dividend for A$0.45 a share on Wednesday. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.34% to about 9,089, with supermarkets more resilient than the broader market. Ord Minnett downgraded Woolworths to “Accumulate” from “Buy.” Oil prices rose on Middle East tensions, prompting regulator warnings on fuel price gouging.
3 March 2026
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Westpac share price holds at A$41.80 as RBA flags March hike risk and GDP looms

Westpac share price holds at A$41.80 as RBA flags March hike risk and GDP looms

Westpac shares closed unchanged at A$41.80 on Tuesday after a volatile session for Australian banks. The pause followed Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock’s warning that a rate hike is possible at the March meeting, sending three-year bond yields up 13 basis points to 4.313%. Traders now await Wednesday’s GDP data and the March 17 policy decision. The broader S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.34% amid global market jitters.
3 March 2026
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Santos stock price ends higher as oil surges again; dividend FX update lands

Santos stock price ends higher as oil surges again; dividend FX update lands

Santos shares closed up 0.97% at A$7.28 Tuesday, tracking a third straight rise in oil prices as Middle East tensions fueled supply concerns. The company set currency rates for its 10.3 US-cent final dividend, payable March 25, and confirmed it will be unfranked. Director Vanessa Guthrie bought 5,500 shares at A$6.84 each, raising her indirect stake to 44,688 shares.
3 March 2026
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Fortescue share price sinks 4.5% as iron ore turns choppy and China’s policy week looms

Fortescue share price sinks 4.5% as iron ore turns choppy and China’s policy week looms

Fortescue shares fell 4.49% to A$19.58 at Tuesday’s close, underperforming BHP and Rio Tinto. Iron ore prices slipped, with the Singapore benchmark down 0.41% to $98.85 a tonne. Investors are watching China’s factory PMI due March 4 and Beijing’s policy targets set for March 5. Shipping disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz and weak Chinese steel demand weighed on sentiment.
3 March 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • Jim Cramer Warns of Further Stock Declines Amid Middle East Tensions, Sees Select Buying Opportunities
    March 20, 2026, 8:27 PM EDT. The U.S. stock market ended a difficult week as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalate. CNBC's Jim Cramer said on Friday's "Mad Money" that stock declines may continue due to the war's economic impact and surging oil prices. Brent crude hit a 10-month high above $112 per barrel, which typically pressures equities. The Dow and Nasdaq flirted with correction territory, both down at least 10% from recent highs, while the S&P 500 dropped 7%. Cramer highlighted that while the conflict's resolution remains uncertain, investors should consider selective buying amid market volatility. He also previewed upcoming corporate earnings, noting KB Home's expected lukewarm report as mortgage rates impact housing sales, underscoring the Fed's cautious approach to potential rate cuts.
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