Today: 21 March 2026
Subscribe

Michał Rogucki

National Grid shares rise after utility lifts 2027 earnings view and maps out £70 billion plan

National Grid shares rise after utility lifts 2027 earnings view and maps out £70 billion plan

National Grid shares rose 1.33% after the company raised its 2027 earnings growth forecast and extended its investment plan through 2031. The utility accepted Ofgem’s new UK transmission price control, effective from April 2026. National Grid now expects adjusted EPS growth of 13%-15% in 2027 and at least £70 billion in capital investment by FY31. Investors await further details in a management call later Monday.
2 March 2026
···
IAG share price slides as oil jumps and British Airways cancels Middle East flights

IAG share price slides as oil jumps and British Airways cancels Middle East flights

IAG shares fell 6.8% to 395 pence Monday as travel stocks dropped on surging oil prices and Middle East disruption. British Airways canceled several Middle East flights and offered rebooking or refunds. IAG’s €500 million share buyback begins Monday and runs through May 29. About 14.4 million IAG shares traded as the STOXX 600 lost 1.8% and oil jumped up to 13%.
2 March 2026
··
Lloyds shares slide as oil shock rattles bank stocks; BoE decision looms

Lloyds shares slide as oil shock rattles bank stocks; BoE decision looms

Lloyds Banking Group shares fell about 3.3% to 99.1 pence in London Monday as European bank stocks dropped on surging oil prices after disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose as much as 13%, last up 9.5% near $79.78 a barrel. Investors cited concerns over Middle East conflict, inflation, and the Bank of England’s upcoming March 19 rate decision. Trading volume in Lloyds reached roughly 25 million shares.
2 March 2026
··
Shell share price in focus as oil jumps on Hormuz disruption ahead of London open

Shell share price in focus as oil jumps on Hormuz disruption ahead of London open

Shell shares closed Friday at 3,073.5 pence, up 1.6% and near a 52-week high, ahead of Monday’s London open. Brent crude surged up to 13% after attacks disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with over 200 vessels anchored outside the route. OPEC+ agreed to raise April output by 206,000 bpd, but analysts say prices hinge on Gulf developments and shipping flows. FTSE futures fell 0.6% in early trading.
2 March 2026
···
Ashtead share price: AHT set to disappear from London screens as Sunbelt listing goes live

Ashtead share price: AHT set to disappear from London screens as Sunbelt listing goes live

Ashtead’s London listing will be cancelled at Monday’s market open after its court-approved restructuring took effect. Shares in new U.S. holding company Sunbelt Rentals Holdings are set to begin trading in London at 0800 GMT and New York at 1430 GMT. Ashtead last closed at 5,326 pence on Feb. 27 before trading was suspended. FTSE Russell will remove Ashtead from the FTSE UK index series at the open.
2 March 2026
···
WiseTech Global stock slides 4.7%: AI job cuts, CEO buy and dividend dates now in focus

WiseTech Global stock slides 4.7%: AI job cuts, CEO buy and dividend dates now in focus

WiseTech Global shares fell 4.7% to A$45.29 Monday after recent volatility and ongoing scrutiny over its AI-driven overhaul and 2,000 planned job cuts. CEO Zubin Appoo purchased A$1 million in shares last week. The company reaffirmed FY26 revenue guidance and reported a half-year net profit of $68.1 million. Tech stocks lagged as broader markets held steady.
2 March 2026
···
Wesfarmers share price ends higher after ASX close as Bunnings-Uber Eats deal draws a complaint

Wesfarmers share price ends higher after ASX close as Bunnings-Uber Eats deal draws a complaint

Wesfarmers shares closed up 0.6% at A$80.08 after a volatile session Monday. Mitre 10 filed a complaint with the ACCC over Bunnings’ exclusive Uber Eats delivery deal, alleging anti-competitive conduct. The dividend reinvestment plan pricing window opened, with allocation to be set by the average daily VWAP through March 20. The S&P/ASX 200 ended nearly flat at 9,200.9.
2 March 2026
··
DroneShield share price jumps as ASX:DRO rides defence bid into the close

DroneShield share price jumps as ASX:DRO rides defence bid into the close

DroneShield shares closed up 6.9% at A$3.87 in Sydney on Monday, leading gains among defence stocks after renewed Middle East tensions. The company last week announced A$21.7 million in new contracts for portable counter-drone systems, with delivery set for early 2026. Broader ASX trading was steady, while energy and defence names outperformed. Markets await Tuesday’s open and further contract news.
2 March 2026
···
Woolworths share price jumps nearly 2% as WOW ex-dividend date nears

Woolworths share price jumps nearly 2% as WOW ex-dividend date nears

Woolworths Group shares rose 1.9% to A$36.68 at Monday’s close, ahead of a dividend reset and key economic data. The company filed routine director disclosures after the market, confirming Jon Alferness joined the board March 1. Net profit before significant items climbed 16.4% to A$859 million in the half-year, with interim dividend set to go ex-dividend March 4. Ord Minnett downgraded the stock to Accumulate from Buy.
2 March 2026
··
Qantas share price slides on Iran conflict and oil spike — what investors watch next

Qantas share price slides on Iran conflict and oil spike — what investors watch next

Qantas shares closed down 5.4% at A$9.41 after Brent crude surged up to 13% in early Asian trade amid fears of wider U.S.-Iran conflict. Airline stocks across the region fell as Middle East airspace closures forced rerouting and cancellations. Qantas will trade ex-dividend on March 10, with payment due April 15. The S&P/ASX 200 ended up 0.03%, led by energy and gold stocks.
2 March 2026
··
1 … 13 14 15 16 17 … 27

Stock Market Today

  • Micron and FedEx Shine with Blowout Earnings Amid Market Turmoil
    March 20, 2026, 10:15 PM EDT. Micron Technology and FedEx reported strong quarterly earnings that stand out in a week marked by broader market declines fueled by surging oil prices and economic uncertainty linked to the Iran conflict. Micron's fiscal Q2 revenue soared nearly threefold to $23.86 billion, driven by high demand for AI-related memory products, topping earnings per share (EPS) estimates by over 38%. The company projects robust Q3 sales growth at $33.5 billion and anticipates exceeding $100 billion in annual sales next year. FedEx posted a fiscal Q3 EPS of $5.25, beating estimates by nearly 27%, supported by disciplined operations and digital efficiencies. It raised full-year EPS guidance to $19.30-$20.10, surpassing Wall Street forecasts. Both stocks could appeal to investors seeking buy-the-dip opportunities amid volatile trading.
Go toTop