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Interest Rates 1 February 2026 - 7 February 2026

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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Barclays share price jumps into earnings week as BoE rate-cut bets shift the story

Barclays share price jumps into earnings week as BoE rate-cut bets shift the story

Barclays shares closed up 2.7% at 479.1 pence on Friday, outperforming the FTSE 100 ahead of next week’s full-year results. Trading volume was 18.8 million shares, well below the 50-day average. A split Bank of England vote on rates led traders to price in more UK rate cuts, sending sterling down 0.6%. Barclays announced non-executive director Mary Francis will retire in May.
7 February 2026
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SSE share price near 2,510p as BoE rate-cut bets return; UK GDP and SSE updates ahead

SSE share price near 2,510p as BoE rate-cut bets return; UK GDP and SSE updates ahead

SSE shares closed Friday at 2,510p, up 1.2%, with about 6.6 million shares traded. The company’s transmission arm secured over £6.9 million in Ofgem innovation funding for four projects. Investors adjusted UK rate-cut bets after a split Bank of England decision. SSE maintained 2025/26 earnings guidance and reported a 7% rise in renewables output.
7 February 2026
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Lloyds share price near 106p after BoE close vote stirs rate-cut bets

Lloyds share price near 106p after BoE close vote stirs rate-cut bets

Lloyds Banking Group shares hovered near 105.8 pence Friday after dropping 5.6% Thursday, following the Bank of England’s decision to keep rates at 3.75%. The bank bought back 7 million shares on Feb. 5 at an average 106.86 pence. UK bank stocks fell as the FTSE 100 slipped 0.9%. Investors now focus on the Bank of England’s March 19 meeting for signals on rate cuts.
6 February 2026
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NAB share price jumps 2% after RBA hike — what traders watch next

NAB share price jumps 2% after RBA hike — what traders watch next

National Australia Bank shares rose 2.1% to A$43.93 Wednesday after the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted its cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%. Major banks, including NAB, announced matching increases to variable mortgage rates, their first such move in two years. Investors await the RBA’s meeting minutes on Feb. 17 and NAB’s trading update on Feb. 18.
4 February 2026
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Australia stock market today: ASX 200 jumps as RBA hikes rates and miners rebound

Australia stock market today: ASX 200 jumps as RBA hikes rates and miners rebound

The S&P/ASX 200 closed up 0.89% at 8,857.10 after the Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate to 3.85%, the first hike in two years. Miners, tech, and banks led gains as investors adjusted to the new rate outlook. Major banks will lift variable home-loan rates by 25 basis points by mid-February. The index traded between 8,778.60 and 8,896.60 during the session.
3 February 2026
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Utilities stocks face a big rate test next week after XLU slips — what to watch

Utilities stocks face a big rate test next week after XLU slips — what to watch

The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) closed Friday down 0.18% at $43.25, while the Utilities Select Sector Index slipped 0.21%. Investors are watching President Trump’s Fed chair pick and upcoming U.S. jobs data as interest rates regain influence. A new reliability warning highlighted concerns over grid investment after storms left 38 dead and nearly 300,000 without power.
1 February 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • How to Earn a £12,548 Annual Second Income from UK Shares Starting with £10,000
    May 2, 2026, 3:03 AM EDT. UK shares present some of the highest dividend yields, with 13 FTSE 100 stocks currently paying more than 5%, averaging 6.4%. To generate a second income of £12,548 annually, equivalent to the 2026/27 full State Pension, an investor would need a portfolio valued at £196,063 at this yield. Starting with £10,000 invested in dividend shares paying 6.4%, reinvesting dividends could grow the portfolio to £47,516 in 25 years. Supplementing with a monthly investment of about £214 can reach the needed portfolio size to draw the target income. However, investors must note dividend risks; for example, housebuilder Persimmon cut payouts amid economic pressures, showing dividends are not guaranteed.

Latest article

Wall Street Feels the Heat (and Thrill): Fed Cuts, Tariffs & Mega-Mergers Set NYSE Buzz

US Stock Market Today: Live Updates 02.05.2026

2 May 2026
LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: May 2, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: May 2, 2026, 3:11 AM EDT How to Earn a £12,548 Annual Second Income from UK Shares Starting with £10,000 May 2, 2026, 3:03 AM EDT. UK shares present some of the highest dividend yields, with 13 FTSE 100 stocks currently paying more than 5%, averaging 6.4%. To generate a second income of £12,548 annually, equivalent to the 2026/27 full State Pension, an investor would need a portfolio valued at £196,063 at this yield. Starting with £10,000 invested in dividend shares paying 6.4%, reinvesting dividends could grow the portfolio to £47,516
US Stock Market Today After Hours: Nasdaq Tops 25,000 As S&P 500 Hits Record High

US Stock Market Today After Hours: Nasdaq Tops 25,000 As S&P 500 Hits Record High

2 May 2026
Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.68% and S&P 500 futures edged up 0.06% in early after-hours trading Friday, while Dow futures slipped 0.48%. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs, driven by first-quarter S&P 500 profit growth of 27.8%, according to LSEG. Oil prices, inflation signals, and upcoming jobs data remain in focus. GameStop shares rose 4% after reports it was preparing an offer for eBay.
McDonald’s Corporation Stock Slides Before Earnings as Its Big Drink Bet Comes Due

McDonald’s Corporation Stock Slides Before Earnings as Its Big Drink Bet Comes Due

2 May 2026
McDonald’s shares fell 2.37% to $286.64 on Friday, underperforming rivals ahead of its May 7 earnings report and a U.S. launch of six new McCafé specialty drinks. The company will begin selling the drinks nationwide on May 6, adding beverage specialist roles at 14,000 restaurants. Investors are watching whether the new drinks and value offers can boost traffic without slowing service or hurting margins.
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