Today: 7 February 2026
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Shan Ahmed Khan

As a journalist focused on finance and the stock market, he delivers fast, reliable, and easy-to-understand coverage of market news.

Ashtead share price in focus as buyback rolls on and NYSE switch clocks closer

Ashtead share price in focus as buyback rolls on and NYSE switch clocks closer

Ashtead shares closed Friday at 4,936p, up 1.09%, after the company bought 88,872 shares under its repurchase program. The group is set to shift its primary listing to New York on March 2, pending court approval, and will be removed from the FTSE UK index the same day. Ashtead paid a half-year dividend of 37.5 U.S. cents per share on Friday.
7 February 2026
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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

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.
7 February 2026
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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

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.
7 February 2026
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Stock Market Today

Ashtead share price in focus as buyback rolls on and NYSE switch clocks closer

Ashtead share price in focus as buyback rolls on and NYSE switch clocks closer

7 February 2026
Ashtead shares closed Friday at 4,936p, up 1.09%, after the company bought 88,872 shares under its repurchase program. The group is set to shift its primary listing to New York on March 2, pending court approval, and will be removed from the FTSE UK index the same day. Ashtead paid a half-year dividend of 37.5 U.S. cents per share on Friday.
Beazley share price: big funds reshuffle stakes as Zurich bid deadline nears

Beazley share price: big funds reshuffle stakes as Zurich bid deadline nears

7 February 2026
Beazley shares closed flat at 1,236 pence Friday as BlackRock disclosed a 6.55% stake and Vanguard reported 5.02%. Wellington Management cut its holding below 5%. The disclosures follow Zurich Insurance’s possible takeover offer of up to 1,335 pence per share, with a Feb. 16 deadline for a firm bid.
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