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.

IRS tax refunds in 2026: Why payouts could be bigger — and why paper checks are fading

IRS tax refunds in 2026: Why payouts could be bigger — and why paper checks are fading

Analysts expect the average IRS refund to reach $4,167 this season, about $1,000 more than last year, due to new tax-law changes. The IRS is phasing out paper checks and urging taxpayers to use e-file and direct deposit. Refunds linked to EITC and ACTC claims are being held until mid-February, with most early filers set to receive them by March 2.
1 February 2026
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Sage Group share price: buyback disclosure puts SGE in focus ahead of AGM and dividend

Sage Group share price: buyback disclosure puts SGE in focus ahead of AGM and dividend

Sage Group shares closed at 957.4p Friday, up 0.25% after a volatile week that saw an 8% drop from Jan. 26. The company repurchased 1.39 million shares on Jan. 30 as part of its buyback program. Investors await the Feb. 5 annual meeting and a vote on a 14.40p final dividend. Sage reported a 10% rise in quarterly revenue to £674 million and confirmed its full-year guidance.
1 February 2026
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Ashtead share price slips into weekend as buybacks roll on and U.S. listing clock ticks

Ashtead share price slips into weekend as buybacks roll on and U.S. listing clock ticks

Ashtead Group shares fell 0.8% to 4,687p Friday, after a 7.6% drop the day before. The company repurchased 72,800 shares at an average 4,836.89p, above the closing price. Ashtead expects its U.S. listing to go live March 2, pending regulatory approval. The stock is trading ex-dividend ahead of a 37.5 cent payout due Feb. 6.
1 February 2026
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IAG share price jumps on Friday — what to watch before Monday’s open and Feb 27 results

IAG share price jumps on Friday — what to watch before Monday’s open and Feb 27 results

IAG shares rose 2.05% to 418.2 pence Friday, beating the FTSE 100’s 0.51% gain. The stock remains 4.65% below its January 7 peak. Investors await IAG’s full-year results on Feb 27, with focus on unit revenue and fuel costs as OPEC+ meets Sunday to discuss output. Brent crude traded near $70, with analysts expecting a surplus in 2026.
1 February 2026
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SSE share price flat at 2,422p as a key trading update looms this week

SSE share price flat at 2,422p as a key trading update looms this week

SSE shares closed flat at 2,422 pence Friday after touching a 52-week high earlier in the session. The company paid an interim dividend of 21.4 pence per share, with directors reinvesting through share schemes. The FTSE 100 rose 0.5% for a seventh straight monthly gain, while sterling slipped 0.6% against the dollar. SSE will issue its third-quarter trading update on Feb. 4.
1 February 2026
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Antofagasta share price: UBS downgrade and metal selloff put ANTO stock in the spotlight before Monday

Antofagasta share price: UBS downgrade and metal selloff put ANTO stock in the spotlight before Monday

Antofagasta shares fell 3.65% to 3,648 pence Friday after UBS downgraded the stock to neutral, citing valuation concerns following a 135% rally. Copper, gold, and silver prices dropped late in the week, pressuring miners as the FTSE 100 rose 0.5%. Investors await Antofagasta’s full-year results on Feb. 17, with copper volatility a key factor.
1 February 2026
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Fresnillo stock price slides 5% as gold and silver plunge — what could move FRES.L next

Fresnillo stock price slides 5% as gold and silver plunge — what could move FRES.L next

Fresnillo shares fell 5.1% to 3,702 pence Friday in London, with trading volume doubling its 50-day average. The miner cut its 2026 silver and gold output forecasts, citing mine plan changes and project delays. Gold and silver prices dropped sharply after hitting records earlier in the week. Morgan Stanley flagged 5%-9% downside risk to 2026 consensus volume estimates and kept an underweight rating.
1 February 2026
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LSEG share price holds near 8,100p — buyback update and the dates that could move the stock

LSEG share price holds near 8,100p — buyback update and the dates that could move the stock

London Stock Exchange Group shares closed Friday up 0.05% at 8,122 pence after announcing further buybacks. The stock hovered near a 12-month low as investors awaited the Bank of England’s Feb. 5 decision and LSEG’s full-year results on Feb. 26. Sterling slipped 0.56% to $1.3742. The FTSE 100 ended the day up 0.5%.
1 February 2026
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Stock Market Today

GSK share price set for Monday watch after EU clears Nucala COPD use

GSK share price set for Monday watch after EU clears Nucala COPD use

7 February 2026
GSK shares closed Friday up 0.83% at a 52-week high after the EU approved Nucala for certain uncontrolled COPD patients. Insider filings showed chairman Jonathan Symonds bought 2,500 shares while executive David Redfern sold 100,000. The FTSE 100 rose 0.6%. Broker ratings on GSK remained mixed.
Aye Finance IPO: Rs 454-crore anchor haul follows valuation cut below last round

Aye Finance IPO: Rs 454-crore anchor haul follows valuation cut below last round

7 February 2026
Aye Finance raised Rs 454.5 crore from 19 anchor investors ahead of its Feb 9 IPO, pricing shares at the top of a Rs 122–129 range. The company’s profit fell 40% to Rs 64.3 crore in the six months to September as bad loans rose to 4.85%. The IPO values Aye at about Rs 3,200 crore, below its last private round. Major investors include Nippon Life India and Goldman Sachs funds.
BAT share price closes near 52-week high as buyback rolls on ahead of results week

BAT share price closes near 52-week high as buyback rolls on ahead of results week

7 February 2026
British American Tobacco shares closed up 1.2% at 4,609 pence Friday, near a 52-week high. The company disclosed further share buybacks and management share purchases ahead of its Feb. 12 full-year results. BAT bought 121,668 shares for cancellation on Feb. 5. Investors await updates on nicotine alternatives and cash returns.
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