Today: 20 March 2026
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LSE:BAB 19 November 2025 - 3 March 2026

BAE Systems and Babcock shares jump as Iran war jolts markets and lifts defence spending bets

BAE Systems and Babcock shares jump as Iran war jolts markets and lifts defence spending bets

BAE Systems shares jumped 6.1% and Babcock International rose 1.7% Monday, bucking a 1.2% drop in the FTSE 100, as investors responded to escalating conflict involving Iran. Oil prices surged and defence stocks rallied after Iranian attacks disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The White House signaled plans to boost the U.S. defence budget to $1.5 trillion by 2027.
3 March 2026
UK stock market today: FTSE 100 closes higher as NatWest buyback lifts banks; Pinewood tumbles

UK stock market today: FTSE 100 closes higher as NatWest buyback lifts banks; Pinewood tumbles

Britain’s FTSE 100 closed up 0.3% at 10,473.69 on Monday, led by NatWest’s 4.8% jump after it launched a £750 million buyback. Defence stocks gained as Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for faster defence spending. The FTSE 250 fell 0.2%, dragged by Pinewood Technologies’ 33% plunge after Apax Partners withdrew. SkinBioTherapeutics tumbled 45% after warning of a major earnings hit.
Babcock share price edges up after new buyback filing, near 52-week high

Babcock share price edges up after new buyback filing, near 52-week high

Babcock shares rose about 1% to 1,509p in early London trading after the company disclosed it repurchased 15,093 shares on Jan. 27. The stock traded between 1,500.66p and 1,518p, just below its 52-week high. Total buybacks since July 24 reached 7.93 million shares, costing £88.47 million. Traders are watching for further contract announcements and procurement signals.
28 January 2026
UK stock market today: FTSE 100 slips as upbeat UK data meets rate-cut doubts; Babcock, C&C move

UK stock market today: FTSE 100 slips as upbeat UK data meets rate-cut doubts; Babcock, C&C move

The FTSE 100 fell 0.13% to 10,136.43 on Friday, reversing early gains as strong UK retail sales and a jump in business activity fueled speculation the Bank of England may delay rate cuts. Retail sales rose 0.4% in December, beating forecasts, while the UK Composite PMI hit 53.9, its highest since April 2024. Babcock shares slipped 1.2% after its CEO announced plans to retire. C&C Group dropped 9.6% on a profit warning.
FTSE 100’s Record Run: Inside London’s Blue-Chip Rally and What’s Next

London Stock Market Outlook for 20 November 2025: Key Things to Know Before the FTSE 100 Opens

The FTSE 100 closed down 0.4–0.5% on Wednesday, marking its fifth straight loss and hitting a four-week low near 9,500. Aerospace, defence, and bank stocks led declines, while energy shares fell with oil prices. UK October inflation slowed to 3.6%, prompting markets to price in a December Bank of England rate cut with over 80% probability. Sterling and gilt yields slipped after the data.

Stock Market Today

  • Nasdaq Falls as Super Micro AI Chip Smuggling Charges Hit Market
    March 20, 2026, 12:01 PM EDT. The Nasdaq composite dropped about 1% on March 20, 2026, led by a sharp 28.37% plunge in Super Micro Computer shares following charges against its co-founder for conspiring to smuggle $2.5 billion of Nvidia AI chips to China. The indictment alleges complex export control violations, involving fake shipping documents and label swapping to mask shipments through Southeast Asia. Nvidia shares fell 1.66% given their exposure to Super Micro, and AMD dropped 2.32% amid sector-wide unease. The Invesco QQQ Trust also slipped 1%, extending its four-week losing streak amid ongoing geopolitical strains, including Iran tensions and volatile oil prices. Analysts question Super Micro's credibility and internal controls despite the charges targeting individuals rather than the firm itself.
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