London, Jan 19, 2026, 11:49 GMT — Regular session
- Aviva slipped 0.2% to 673.8p in mid-morning trading, following the wider selloff in London
- Trump’s tariff threat targeting Britain and seven European nations shakes risk appetite
- Attention turns to Aviva’s full-year results on March 5, with investors eyeing details on Direct Line integration and plans for capital returns
Aviva shares dipped 0.2% to 673.8 pence on Monday, sliding within a range of 670.2p to 678.2p. The fall came as London stocks dropped following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs targeting Britain and seven other European countries. 1
This matters because Aviva is known for its reliable cash returns, and a sharp risk-off shift can quickly alter how investors see financial stocks reliant on steady investment income. With the full-year report coming in early March, traders are hesitant to increase exposure amid the current macro headlines driving the market.
Trump announced on Saturday he plans to slap an extra 10% tariff starting Feb. 1 on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Britain. That rate would jump to 25% on June 1 if no agreement on Greenland is reached. The FTSE 100 slid 0.6% by late morning. 2
European stocks slipped roughly 1% as the STOXX 600 dropped, with volatility rising following a quiet start to the year. Kyle Rodda, senior financial market analyst at Capital.com, warned that “equities may experience some downside pressure” amid fresh trade concerns and geopolitical tensions. 3
Aviva hasn’t announced any fresh price-sensitive news on Monday, so its shares are moving with the wider UK financial sector.
Investors have been tracking Aviva’s integration of Direct Line. Earlier this month, Aviva announced that the UK Prudential Regulation Authority approved the revocation of Direct Line’s Solvency II partial internal model. The group also confirmed it is “remain[s] on track” to deliver over 0.5 billion pounds in total capital synergies by around the end of 2026. (Solvency refers to the capital buffer insurers must maintain under regulatory rules.) 4
Still, the broader macro backdrop carries the weight here. Should tariff threats turn into actual policy, expect a deeper hit to sentiment and growth forecasts, which could drag on UK domestic demand and push markets toward defensive stances. A retreat from Washington would probably cool things off on the tape just as fast.
The first firm deadline is Feb. 1, when Trump said the 10% tariff would kick in unless negotiations change course. For Aviva investors, a more immediate event is March 5, the date the insurer plans to release its 2025 full-year results. 5
