Today: 8 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.

DWP Christmas Payments 2025: Full List of Early Universal Credit and Benefit Dates, Jobcentre Opening Times and £10 Christmas Bonus

DWP Christmas Payments 2025: Full List of Early Universal Credit and Benefit Dates, Jobcentre Opening Times and £10 Christmas Bonus

Millions of UK benefit and pension payments will arrive earlier than usual over Christmas and New Year due to bank holidays, according to the Department for Work and Pensions. Universal Credit due 25 or 26 December will be paid on 24 December; other DWP benefits due 24–26 December will be paid on 23 December. Jobcentre Plus and helplines will operate reduced hours on certain days.
21 December 2025
Visa Stock (NYSE: V) News and Forecasts on Dec. 21, 2025: Stablecoin Settlement, Swipe-Fee Litigation, and Wall Street’s 2026 Outlook

Visa Stock (NYSE: V) News and Forecasts on Dec. 21, 2025: Stablecoin Settlement, Swipe-Fee Litigation, and Wall Street’s 2026 Outlook

Visa closed Friday at $349.25, up 0.94%, as the company expanded USDC stablecoin settlement to U.S. partners, including Cross River Bank and Lead Bank. Visa reported a $3.5 billion annualized run rate for stablecoin settlement and plans broader rollout in 2026. The week also brought continued merchant-fee litigation and regulatory scrutiny.
21 December 2025
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IonQ Stock (IONQ) News and Forecasts on Dec. 21, 2025: New Europe Deals, Fresh Wall Street Coverage, and What Comes Next

IonQ Stock (IONQ) News and Forecasts on Dec. 21, 2025: New Europe Deals, Fresh Wall Street Coverage, and What Comes Next

IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ) is closing out 2025 back in the center of the “quantum trade,” driven by a mix of company announcements in Europe and a wave of new Wall Street coverage that put big numbers on a still-early industry. As of the latest available trading data heading into Sunday, December 21, 2025, IonQ shares were recently around $48.48 after a volatile week that included sharp up-and-down moves. StockAnalysis This week’s IonQ story, in one sentence: the company is stacking up partnerships and government-adjacent milestones, while analysts argue over whether the stock’s long-term potential justifies today’s valuation. Reuters+3IonQ+3IonQ Investors+3
21 December 2025
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Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) Stock News and Forecasts: Buybacks, Rate Cuts, Motor Finance Risk and What Analysts Expect Next

Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) Stock News and Forecasts: Buybacks, Rate Cuts, Motor Finance Risk and What Analysts Expect Next

Lloyds shares closed at 97.42p on Friday, 19 December 2025, just below their 52-week high and up around 79% over the past year. Trading volume surged above average as the Bank of England cut rates to 3.75% and signaled more reductions if inflation stays in check. Lloyds’ structural hedge has helped stabilize earnings during the shifting rate cycle.
21 December 2025
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Rolls-Royce Holdings Stock (RR.L) Forecast & News: £200m Buyback, Defence Momentum and the 2026 Outlook

Rolls-Royce Holdings Stock (RR.L) Forecast & News: £200m Buyback, Defence Momentum and the 2026 Outlook

Rolls-Royce shares closed at £11.70 on December 19, just below their 52-week high, after announcing a new £200 million interim share buyback to run through February 2026. The company completed a £1 billion buyback in November and will update on further capital returns with full-year results due February 26. Shares remain near the top of their recent range.
21 December 2025
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BP plc Stock News and Forecasts (Dec. 21, 2025): Meg O’Neill Named CEO, Buyback Questions, and Analyst Targets for BP.L and NYSE:BP

BP plc Stock News and Forecasts (Dec. 21, 2025): Meg O’Neill Named CEO, Buyback Questions, and Analyst Targets for BP.L and NYSE:BP

BP named Meg O’Neill, current Woodside Energy CEO, as its next chief executive effective April 1, 2026, marking the company’s first external CEO hire in over a century. BP shares closed at 424.85p in London and $33.94 in New York on Dec. 19. Markets remain focused on O’Neill’s potential strategy changes and renewed takeover speculation. Carol Howle will serve as interim CEO until O’Neill takes over.
21 December 2025
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British American Tobacco Stock (BATS.L, BTI): £1.3bn Buyback, 2026 Outlook, and What Analysts Forecast as of Dec. 21, 2025

British American Tobacco Stock (BATS.L, BTI): £1.3bn Buyback, 2026 Outlook, and What Analysts Forecast as of Dec. 21, 2025

British American Tobacco shares closed at £42.36 in London on Dec. 19, down 1.14%, and $56.45 in New York, near the top of their 52-week range. The company reaffirmed 2025 guidance but warned 2026 growth will likely hit the low end of targets, citing U.S. vape market pressures. Trading volume spiked as investors reacted to a larger buyback and regulatory uncertainty.
21 December 2025
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HSBC Stock News and Forecast (Dec. 21, 2025): HSBC Shares Near Highs as Broker Upgrades, Hang Seng Buyout and Rate-Cut Bets Collide

HSBC Stock News and Forecast (Dec. 21, 2025): HSBC Shares Near Highs as Broker Upgrades, Hang Seng Buyout and Rate-Cut Bets Collide

HSBC shares closed at a 52-week high of £11.67 in London on Dec. 19, with trading volume above the 50-day average. The stock’s late-December surge follows broker upgrades from KBW and BofA, renewed rate-cut expectations after UK inflation dropped, and news of a $13.6 billion proposal to take Hang Seng Bank private.
21 December 2025
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Unilever PLC Stock (UL, ULVR) Outlook on Dec. 21, 2025: Post-Magnum Spin-Off Catalysts, Analyst Targets, and What Investors Are Watching

Unilever PLC Stock (UL, ULVR) Outlook on Dec. 21, 2025: Post-Magnum Spin-Off Catalysts, Analyst Targets, and What Investors Are Watching

Unilever completed the demerger of its ice cream business, The Magnum Ice Cream Company, on December 6, 2025, and began trading the new entity on December 8. The company also consolidated its shares 8-for-9, with the new shares trading from December 9. Unilever’s US-listed ADR last traded at $65.10. The company retains under a 20% stake in the spun-off business.
21 December 2025
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DCC Plc Stock (LSE:DCC): £600m Tender Offer Completed, Shares Cancelled — Latest News, Analyst Forecasts, and What to Watch

DCC Plc Stock (LSE:DCC): £600m Tender Offer Completed, Shares Cancelled — Latest News, Analyst Forecasts, and What to Watch

DCC Plc completed a £600 million tender offer on December 17, 2025, buying back and cancelling 11.6 million shares, about 12% of its share capital. The company now reports 85.4 million ordinary shares with voting rights. FTSE Russell will adjust DCC’s index weighting from December 24. The move follows recent divestments and a shift toward an energy-focused strategy.
21 December 2025
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TCS Stock News and Forecasts (21 December 2025): AI Pivot, $1B Telefónica UK Deal, Coastal Cloud Buyout and New Targets for Tata Consultancy Services Shares

TCS Stock News and Forecasts (21 December 2025): AI Pivot, $1B Telefónica UK Deal, Coastal Cloud Buyout and New Targets for Tata Consultancy Services Shares

Tata Consultancy Services closed at ₹3,282.60 on December 19, about 25% below its 52-week high. At its December Analyst Day, TCS disclosed an annualized AI services revenue run-rate of $1.5 billion and $11 billion from “new-age” tech segments. The company also secured a contract exceeding $1 billion from Telefónica UK.
21 December 2025
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Vodafone Idea Share Price in Focus on Dec 21, 2025: AGR Relief Buzz, ₹3,300 Crore Fundraise, and What Analysts Forecast for Vi Stock

Vodafone Idea Share Price in Focus on Dec 21, 2025: AGR Relief Buzz, ₹3,300 Crore Fundraise, and What Analysts Forecast for Vi Stock

Vodafone Idea shares closed at ₹11.96 on Dec 19, up sharply and nearly 49% higher year-to-date. On Dec 18, its infrastructure arm raised ₹3,300 crore via secured NCDs, with strong investor demand. The stock has swung from a 52-week low of ₹6.12 in August to a high of ₹12.03 in December. Markets remain focused on funding developments and possible government relief on AGR dues.
21 December 2025
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HDFC Bank Share Price Today: Latest Stock News, RBI Moves, Analyst Targets and 2026 Outlook (Dec 21, 2025)

HDFC Bank Share Price Today: Latest Stock News, RBI Moves, Analyst Targets and 2026 Outlook (Dec 21, 2025)

HDFC Bank shares closed at ₹985.50 on December 19 after volatile trading, with the stock near its 52-week high of ₹1,020.50. The Reserve Bank of India approved HDFC group entities to acquire up to a 9.5% stake in IndusInd Bank, valid through December 2026. RBI also directed banks to ringfence core operations from riskier businesses, with plans due by March 2026.
21 December 2025
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ICICI Bank stock in focus: Share price near ₹1,354 as GST demand, Nifty Bank rejig and ICICI Prudential AMC listing reshape the outlook

ICICI Bank stock in focus: Share price near ₹1,354 as GST demand, Nifty Bank rejig and ICICI Prudential AMC listing reshape the outlook

ICICI Bank shares closed at ₹1,354.10 on December 19, down 0.2%, as the bank said it will contest a ₹237.90 crore GST demand order. The Nifty Bank index is set for a methodology change that could reduce ICICI Bank’s weight. ICICI Prudential AMC surged 23% on debut, reaching a $14.4 billion valuation. ICICI Bank’s ADRs remain about 9% below their 52-week high.
21 December 2025
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Bharti Airtel Share Price Outlook (Dec 21, 2025): Latest News, Tariff-Hike Bets, Management Shake-Up and Analyst Targets

Bharti Airtel Share Price Outlook (Dec 21, 2025): Latest News, Tariff-Hike Bets, Management Shake-Up and Analyst Targets

Bharti Airtel shares traded near ₹2,100 in December, just below November’s record high of ₹2,175. The company announced major leadership changes effective January 1, 2026, and a final call on partly-paid shares to raise ₹15,740 crore. Proceeds will go toward debt repayment and corporate purposes. Investors are watching for tariff hikes and strategy shifts.
21 December 2025
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Reliance Industries Share Price Today: Why RIL Stock Is in Focus on Dec 21, 2025 as Brokerages Lift Targets and Jio IPO Buzz Builds

Reliance Industries Share Price Today: Why RIL Stock Is in Focus on Dec 21, 2025 as Brokerages Lift Targets and Jio IPO Buzz Builds

Reliance Industries shares closed at ₹1,565.10 on December 19, about 1% below their 52-week high, after rising 28% year-to-date. Market cap stands near ₹21.18 lakh crore. Morgan Stanley raised its target to ₹1,847, citing strong refining margins and new monetisation prospects. S&P Global upgraded Reliance’s credit profile, and Reuters reported progress toward a Jio IPO.
21 December 2025
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Infosys Stock (INFY) on December 21, 2025: NYSE “Mystery Spike,” Buyback Wrap-Up, and Fresh Analyst Targets Ahead of Q3 Results

Infosys Stock (INFY) on December 21, 2025: NYSE “Mystery Spike,” Buyback Wrap-Up, and Fresh Analyst Targets Ahead of Q3 Results

Infosys’ U.S.-listed ADRs surged to nearly $30 on December 19, triggering two NYSE volatility halts, while Indian shares saw little movement. The company said there were “no material events” behind the spike. ADR volume hit about 118.7 million shares, far above normal levels. Infosys reiterated steady revenue and margin guidance for FY26.
21 December 2025
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Stock Market Today

TE Connectivity stock jumps 3.5% into the weekend — what to watch for TEL next week

TE Connectivity stock jumps 3.5% into the weekend — what to watch for TEL next week

8 February 2026
TE Connectivity (NYSE: TEL) closed Friday up 3.46% at $215.91, rebounding after a 3.29% drop Thursday, but remains 5% lower for the week and 14% below its 52-week high. The company expects to close a $750 million senior notes offering on Monday and pay a $0.71 dividend March 13. Investors await Friday’s U.S. CPI report, seen as a key market driver.
SMIC stock set for results test this week as Hong Kong market reopens

SMIC stock set for results test this week as Hong Kong market reopens

8 February 2026
SMIC shares closed up 0.22% at HK$67.60 on Friday in Hong Kong. The board will announce unaudited results on Feb. 10, and shareholders vote Feb. 12 on acquiring the remaining 49% of SMNC. The register of members closes Feb. 9–12. SMIC plans to pay mainly with new RMB shares.
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