Today: 7 February 2026
Subscribe

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.

Prudential plc stock slips after buyback update as BoE decision and March results loom

Prudential plc stock slips after buyback update as BoE decision and March results loom

Prudential shares fell 0.5% to 1,210 pence in early London trading Thursday after the insurer bought back 286,469 shares at an average £12.29 each, with plans to cancel them. The buyback is part of a $1.2 billion repurchase program. Investors are watching for Prudential’s full-year results next month and the Bank of England’s rate decision later today.
5 February 2026
····
Broadcom stock braces for a choppy open after AI selloff, Jefferies sticks to $500 target

Broadcom stock braces for a choppy open after AI selloff, Jefferies sticks to $500 target

Broadcom shares fell 3.9% to $308.05 Wednesday, hitting an intraday low of $295.30, as chip stocks sold off and the Nasdaq dropped 1.5%. Jefferies reiterated its Buy rating, citing Google’s higher capital spending plans and strong demand for Broadcom’s AI chips and networking gear. Broadcom launched an enterprise Wi‑Fi 8 platform this week targeting “AI-ready” networks. Earnings are due March 4.
5 February 2026
·····
BAE Systems share price slides as buyback update lands and investors eye Feb 18 results

BAE Systems share price slides as buyback update lands and investors eye Feb 18 results

BAE Systems shares fell about 1.5% in early London trading Thursday, extending a two-day slide and closing near 1,847 pence. The company disclosed the purchase of 110,861 shares for cancellation as part of its buyback. Investors are watching a $195 million U.S. Marine Corps vehicle order and ongoing UK strike action ahead of full-year results due February 18.
5 February 2026
·····
Compass Group shares slide after Q1 sales beat, guidance held and USD trading switch flagged

Compass Group shares slide after Q1 sales beat, guidance held and USD trading switch flagged

Compass Group shares fell about 3% in early London trading after its Q1 update, despite organic revenue rising 7.3%, just above consensus. The company will switch its London trading currency to U.S. dollars from April 1. Net new business growth stayed within target, and client retention topped 96%. Compass kept its full-year outlook unchanged.
5 February 2026
·····
National Grid share price edges up ahead of Bank of England decision — what’s driving NG.L today

National Grid share price edges up ahead of Bank of England decision — what’s driving NG.L today

National Grid shares rose 0.2% to 1,281 pence in early London trading, hovering near recent highs as investors await the Bank of England’s rate decision on Thursday. CEO Zoë Yujnovich received a small Sharesave option grant, according to a regulatory filing. The FTSE 100 set a record high Wednesday amid a shift toward value stocks.
5 February 2026
····
BP share price slips as oil drops 2% and buyback scrutiny grows before earnings

BP share price slips as oil drops 2% and buyback scrutiny grows before earnings

BP shares fell 0.6% to 474.90 pence in early London trading Thursday, retreating from a one-year high as oil prices dropped and investors awaited earnings. Brent crude slipped 2% to $68.02 a barrel after news of U.S.–Iran talks. BP repurchased 2.7 million shares on Feb. 4 under its ongoing buyback plan. Investors are watching for signals on buybacks and spending when BP reports results Feb. 10.
5 February 2026
····
NatWest share price slips as BoE rate call, Evelyn Partners bid talk crowd the tape

NatWest share price slips as BoE rate call, Evelyn Partners bid talk crowd the tape

NatWest shares fell 0.2% to 690.4 pence in early London trading, after touching 676.4 pence. Investors are watching for the Bank of England’s rate decision at midday and reports that NatWest and Barclays will bid over £2 billion for Evelyn Partners. NatWest announced a £10 billion social housing funding package and confirmed it met a previous lending target early. Annual results are due Feb. 13.
5 February 2026
·····
Shell share price slips after profit miss, despite $3.5bn buyback and dividend rise

Shell share price slips after profit miss, despite $3.5bn buyback and dividend rise

Shell shares fell 1.6% after reporting fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of $3.3 billion, missing analyst estimates and marking the weakest result since early 2021. The company raised its dividend by 4% and announced a $3.5 billion buyback program. Net debt stood at $45.7 billion with gearing at 20.7%. Operating cash flow reached $9.44 billion, above forecasts but below last year’s level.
5 February 2026
····
Rio Tinto share price slips as Glencore merger deadline nears — what investors watch next

Rio Tinto share price slips as Glencore merger deadline nears — what investors watch next

Rio Tinto shares fell 1.3% in early London trading Thursday as merger talks with Glencore stalled and commodity prices weakened. The UK deadline for a formal takeover bid or extension is set for 5 p.m. London time. Glencore shares slipped 1.1%. Sources say Rio may seek more time but could withdraw if shareholder opposition rises.
5 February 2026
·····
1 … 26 27 28 29 30 … 885

Stock Market Today

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

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.
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

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.
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

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.
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

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.
Go toTop