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Stock Market 26 January 2026

Reckitt share price slides in London: what RKT investors are watching ahead of the special dividend vote

Reckitt share price slides in London: what RKT investors are watching ahead of the special dividend vote

Reckitt shares dropped 3.8% to 5,788 pence in early London trading Monday, ahead of a shareholder vote on a £1.6 billion capital return plan set for Jan. 27. The proposal includes a 235p special dividend and a 24-for-25 share consolidation, with the record date on Jan. 30 and payment due Feb. 20. The moves follow the sale of Reckitt’s Essential Home business.
26 January 2026
National Grid share price ticks up in early London trade as North Sea wind push puts grids back in focus

National Grid share price ticks up in early London trade as North Sea wind push puts grids back in focus

National Grid shares rose 0.4% to 1,196.5 pence in early London trading, outpacing the FTSE 100. Investor attention shifted to policy moves on North Sea wind and cross-border cables ahead of a clean-energy pact at the Hamburg summit. The company reaffirmed its medium-term earnings target after a first-half profit beat. Full-year results are due May 14.
Unilever share price today: ULVR slips in early London trade as Fed and Feb 12 results loom

Unilever share price today: ULVR slips in early London trade as Fed and Feb 12 results loom

Unilever shares slipped 0.1% to 4,860 pence in early London trading Monday, ahead of its Feb. 12 results and updated guidance. The stock moved in a narrow range as investors awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy decision later this week. Unilever expects 2025 underlying sales growth of 3–5% and will classify ice cream as discontinued in upcoming results. European stocks edged higher, with the STOXX 600 up 0.06%.
26 January 2026
Lloyds Banking Group share price lifts as profit-target talk grows ahead of results

Lloyds Banking Group share price lifts as profit-target talk grows ahead of results

Lloyds Banking Group shares rose 0.6% to 102.30 pence in early London trading Monday ahead of its full-year results due Thursday. Trading volume reached 92.6 million shares by 0855 GMT. Investors are watching for guidance on profit targets, net interest margin, and possible capital returns as UK banks signal higher earnings ambitions. CEO Charlie Nunn and CFO William Chalmers will brief investors at 0930 GMT.
SSE stock price edges up in London as Europe doubles down on 100GW North Sea wind plan

SSE stock price edges up in London as Europe doubles down on 100GW North Sea wind plan

SSE shares rose 0.2% to 2,326 pence by 0902 GMT after securing a 20-year contract for 1.4 GW of offshore wind in the UK’s latest CfD auction. The company’s Berwick Bank project will receive £89.49 per megawatt hour, inflation-adjusted. SSE’s market cap stood near £27.9 billion. Britain and other European countries plan to sign a pact Monday for 100 GW of joint offshore wind projects.
Ashtead shares slip in London: AHT investors eye Fed week and the March buyback clock

Ashtead shares slip in London: AHT investors eye Fed week and the March buyback clock

Ashtead Group shares fell 1.1% to 5,168 pence in early London trading Monday, extending recent volatility. Investors are watching for the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate decision Wednesday and updates on Ashtead’s planned U.S. listing and March 2 buyback launch. The company earns most revenue in North America and is sensitive to U.S. economic shifts.
Bigger tax refunds in 2026? IRS opens filing season as Trump tax breaks hit returns

Bigger tax refunds in 2026? IRS opens filing season as Trump tax breaks hit returns

The IRS began accepting 2025 federal tax returns Monday, requiring a new Schedule 1-A for several deductions under Trump’s tax law. Refunds may rise sharply, with the average projected at $3,800, as employers used outdated withholding tables. New deductions include extra amounts for seniors, reported tips, and overtime. The IRS urges e-filing and direct deposit to speed refunds.
26 January 2026
British American Tobacco share price ticks up after buyback update — what to watch before Feb 12 results

British American Tobacco share price ticks up after buyback update — what to watch before Feb 12 results

British American Tobacco shares rose 0.4% to 4,344 pence in early London trading Monday after the company disclosed it bought back 101,395 shares on Jan. 23 at prices between 4,295 and 4,339 pence. BAT extended its buyback program by up to £1.3 billion for 2026 and will cancel the repurchased shares. The board declared an interim dividend of 240.24 pence per share, with the final payment set for Feb. 4, 2026.
Aviva share price rebounds in early London trade after Friday’s slide — what’s next for AV.L

Aviva share price rebounds in early London trade after Friday’s slide — what’s next for AV.L

Aviva shares rose 1.8% to 630.4 pence in early London trading Monday, partially rebounding from Friday’s 5.17% drop. The stock remains about 11.6% below its Jan. 6 high after heavy trading late last week. Investors are watching for March 5 results and updates on the Direct Line integration. Aviva will launch unlimited 24/7 digital GP appointments for policyholders starting Jan. 29.
26 January 2026
BP share price rises as oil firms on storm disruption and Iran risk, with earnings next in focus

BP share price rises as oil firms on storm disruption and Iran risk, with earnings next in focus

BP shares rose about 1% to 448.05 pence in early London trading Monday, tracking gains in oil and gas prices after U.S. winter storms cut output and geopolitical tensions lifted Brent crude to $66.30 a barrel. U.S. natural gas futures surged 70% over the week to $5.35 per MMBtu. BP’s earnings report is due Feb. 10, with investors focused on impairment charges and cash flow.
26 January 2026

Stock Market Today

  • Social Security Faces 2033 Benefits Cliff Amid Debate Over S&P 500 Gains
    April 30, 2026, 12:13 PM EDT. A 64-year-old retiree's claim that Social Security payroll taxes could have grown into a $4 million S&P 500 investment revives debates on the program's future. The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund (OASI) is projected to run dry by 2033, with only 77% of scheduled benefits payable thereafter. Unlike investment accounts, Social Security funds are invested conservatively in U.S. government securities to minimize risk. Experts warn shifting to stock market investments could raise fees and add volatility, risking the system's reliability. The core issue remains solvency, as the system faces increasing financial pressure amidst uncertain market conditions and global events.

Latest article

Social Security’s $4 Million Question: Can the S&P 500 Beat a 2033 Benefits Cliff?

Social Security’s $4 Million Question: Can the S&P 500 Beat a 2033 Benefits Cliff?

30 April 2026
A retiree’s claim that Social Security payroll taxes could have grown to $4 million in the S&P 500 has renewed debate over the system’s structure. The Social Security Administration projects its main trust fund will be depleted by 2033, with incoming revenue covering 77% of benefits. The fund invests only in government securities, not stocks. The payroll tax rate is set at 12.4% of earnings up to $184,500 in 2026.
Everspin Technologies Stock Surges After $40 Million Defense MRAM Deal Puts Growth Back in View

Everspin Technologies Stock Surges After $40 Million Defense MRAM Deal Puts Growth Back in View

30 April 2026
FatPipe shares jumped 18% to $2.92 Thursday after the company announced expanded access to its SD-WAN and cybersecurity products through public-sector procurement channels. The move follows a VeloCloud replacement program targeting customers of Arista Networks’ SD-WAN business. Trading volume reached 42.2 million shares. Investors remain cautious over execution and customer concentration risks.
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