Today: 20 March 2026

Michał Rogucki

Why Lloyds Banking Group share price is moving: buyback update meets rate-cut nerves

Why Lloyds Banking Group share price is moving: buyback update meets rate-cut nerves

Lloyds bought back 15 million shares on Feb. 24 at a volume-weighted average price of 102.27 pence, and 5 million shares the previous day at 104.60 pence, both for cancellation. The stock rose about 0.7% to 103.3 pence in early Wednesday trade after a 1.2% drop Tuesday. Investors are watching for the Bank of England’s March 19 rate decision and UK inflation data on March 25.
25 February 2026
Stock market today: Dow futures steady as AI scare cools, Nvidia earnings and Trump tariffs loom

Stock market today: Dow futures steady as AI scare cools, Nvidia earnings and Trump tariffs loom

Japan’s Nikkei jumped 2.2% to 58,583.12 and the S&P 500 closed up 0.8% as Wall Street rebounded from a tech-led selloff. Anthropic launched 10 new AI plug-ins, boosting partner stocks such as Thomson Reuters and FactSet. AMD shares rose after a $60 billion AI chip deal with Meta. The U.S. began collecting a temporary 10% global import tariff, with a possible increase to 15% under consideration.
Nvidia earnings tonight: Europe’s chip stocks watch after AMD-Meta deal ups the pressure

Nvidia earnings tonight: Europe’s chip stocks watch after AMD-Meta deal ups the pressure

Nvidia will report quarterly results after the U.S. close Wednesday, with options pricing in a 4.8% move in either direction, equal to about $226 billion in market value. Wall Street expects profit to rise over 62% and revenue to hit $66.16 billion for the quarter. AMD’s $60 billion AI chip deal with Meta has raised competitive pressure. Nvidia will release results at 1:20 p.m. Pacific and hold a call at 2 p.m.
25 February 2026
HSBC Buybacks Put on Ice Until Capital Recovers After Hang Seng Deal

HSBC Buybacks Put on Ice Until Capital Recovers After Hang Seng Deal

HSBC will not launch new share buybacks until its core capital ratio returns to its 14–14.5% target, after the Hang Seng Bank privatisation cut it below that range in January. The bank reported 2025 pretax profit of $29.9 billion, down 7% after one-off charges but ahead of forecasts. HSBC shares rose as much as 4.1% in Hong Kong after the results. Management raised its profitability targets through 2028.
25 February 2026
Singapore Airlines Q3 profit dives 69% despite record revenue as Air India losses weigh

Singapore Airlines Q3 profit dives 69% despite record revenue as Air India losses weigh

Singapore Airlines reported fiscal third-quarter net profit of S$505 million, down 68.9% from a year earlier due to the absence of a one-off gain and higher Air India losses. Revenue rose 5.5% to a record S$5.51 billion, with operating profit up 25.9% to S$792 million. Passenger numbers and yields increased, but cargo revenue fell 5.4%. Total expenditure climbed 2.7% to S$4.71 billion.
25 February 2026
Coles share price slips as earnings loom and ACCC “Down Down” court fight hangs over stock

Coles share price slips as earnings loom and ACCC “Down Down” court fight hangs over stock

Coles Group shares fell 0.2% to A$21.82 on Wednesday as the ACCC pressed its case alleging Coles misled shoppers with some “Down Down” promotions. Justice Michael O’Bryan questioned the regulator’s framing; the trial resumes Thursday. Coles reports interim results Friday, with analysts expecting sales near A$23.77 billion and underlying NPAT of A$680–700 million.
Lynas Rare Earths share price jumps nearly 8% on ASX as results near and export curbs bite

Lynas Rare Earths share price jumps nearly 8% on ASX as results near and export curbs bite

Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC) surged 7.9% to A$17.03 after China barred exports of key rare earth metals to 20 Japanese entities. The stock traded 7.66 million shares, up from a previous close of A$15.78. Investors await Lynas’s half-year results and CEO Amanda Lacaze’s briefing Thursday at 11 a.m. Sydney time. Rare earth prices, especially dysprosium and terbium, have climbed outside China.
25 February 2026
Wesfarmers share price drops as ASX hits record; dividend clock and filings in focus

Wesfarmers share price drops as ASX hits record; dividend clock and filings in focus

Wesfarmers shares fell 1.36% to A$79.99 Wednesday, underperforming as the S&P/ASX 200 hit a record high. The company set February 25 as the record date for its 102-cent fully franked interim dividend, payable March 31. Director equity-plan conversions totaling 969 shares were disclosed in filings. Australia’s core inflation remained above target in January, fueling rate-hike speculation.
25 February 2026
Woodside share price rises again as dividend lift and CEO hunt keep WDS in focus

Woodside share price rises again as dividend lift and CEO hunt keep WDS in focus

Woodside shares closed up 1.8% at A$28.24 on Wednesday, rising about 4% over two sessions after full-year results and a dividend update. Net profit fell 24% to $2.718 billion, while operating cash flow reached $7.2 billion. The company guided to 2026 production of 172–186 million barrels of oil equivalent and capital spending of $4.0–$4.5 billion. Investors await news on the CEO appointment and progress on LNG projects.

Stock Market Today

  • Nevada Temporarily Bans Prediction Market Firm Kalshi Over Gaming License Dispute
    March 20, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT. Kalshi, a prediction markets platform offering event-based contracts on sports, elections, and entertainment, was temporarily banned in Nevada by a 14-day restraining order from the First Judicial District Court. The ruling prohibits Kalshi from operating its derivatives exchange without a gaming license, marking the first state-level forced cessation for the company. The ban follows earlier Nevada cease-and-desist actions and precedes a likely extension through the legal case, said gaming attorney Daniel Wallach. The dispute comes amid mounting regulatory scrutiny nationally, including criminal charges from Arizona and ongoing battles in multiple states. Kalshi contends its sports contracts are financial swaps, not gambling, a view supported by the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which claims jurisdiction over these markets. This case highlights tensions between state gambling laws and federally regulated prediction markets.
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