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Stock Market 8 January 2026

Standard Chartered stock edges up after buyback update; STAN.L investors eye Feb results

Standard Chartered stock edges up after buyback update; STAN.L investors eye Feb results

Standard Chartered shares rose 0.8% to 1,805 pence in early London trade after the bank bought back 537,006 shares, bringing total buyback spending to $1.11 billion. The buyback program, launched in August, is now about 86% complete and runs through Jan. 31. Full-year results are due Feb. 24. The bank also announced terms for three new bond issues under its $77.5 billion debt program.
Jefferies lifts Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest price targets as UK bank rally rolls into 2026

Jefferies lifts Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest price targets as UK bank rally rolls into 2026

Jefferies raised price targets on Barclays to 560p, Lloyds to 119p, and NatWest to 720p, citing room for UK bank shares to rise. UK banks now account for 17% of the FTSE 100 but still trade at a 25% discount to the wider market. Barclays kept Lloyds rated “overweight” and cut NatWest to “equal weight,” citing stronger capital returns at Lloyds. Shares were mixed in early London trading.
Unilever PLC stock hits a fresh 52-week low as Jefferies stays wary ahead of February results

Unilever PLC stock hits a fresh 52-week low as Jefferies stays wary ahead of February results

Unilever shares fell 0.7% to 4,599.6p in early London trading, hitting a 52-week low. Jefferies maintained an “underperform” rating, citing valuation and margin risks, and raised its target price to 4,100p. Unilever Indonesia agreed to sell its SariWangi tea unit for $89 million. Investors await Unilever’s Feb. 12 results for growth and margin updates.
8 January 2026
Rolls-Royce shares hit fresh highs in 2026 rally as valuation debate heats upLondon,

Rolls-Royce shares hit fresh highs in 2026 rally as valuation debate heats upLondon,

Rolls-Royce shares climbed to 1,286 pence Thursday, up 8.5% in the first week of 2026. The stock drew retail and institutional interest as defence-linked shares rallied after U.S. President Trump called for a $1.5 trillion military budget. Rolls-Royce reported £0.9 billion of a planned £1 billion buyback completed and reaffirmed 2025 profit guidance. Full-year results are due Feb. 26.
8 January 2026
Fresh Lloyds, Barclays and NatWest price targets hint at more upside for UK bank sharesLONDON,

Fresh Lloyds, Barclays and NatWest price targets hint at more upside for UK bank sharesLONDON,

Jefferies raised price targets for Lloyds to 119p, Barclays to 560p, and NatWest to 720p, citing room for UK bank shares to rerate despite a strong 2025. Lloyds traded near 99.6p, Barclays at 481p, and NatWest at 629p on Thursday. Barclays kept Lloyds “overweight” but cut NatWest to “equal weight,” citing diverging capital and earnings outlooks.
Utah’s New Wildfire Risk Map Flags Hot Zones as Central Texas Tracks Early 2026 FiresSALT LAKE CITY, Utah,

Utah’s New Wildfire Risk Map Flags Hot Zones as Central Texas Tracks Early 2026 FiresSALT LAKE CITY, Utah,

Utah officials released an updated wildfire risk map Thursday, placing about 60,000 structures in the highest risk tier and triggering new annual fees for property owners under House Bill 48. Insurers must use the state’s high-risk boundary starting Jan. 1. In Central Texas, state crews responded to four wildfires totaling 10 acres this week, with 2.5 acres burned so far in 2026.
8 January 2026
ABF shares plunge as Primark Europe slump triggers profit warning — what investors watch next

ABF shares plunge as Primark Europe slump triggers profit warning — what investors watch next

Associated British Foods shares dropped as much as 11.7% after the Primark owner cut its annual profit outlook, citing weak clothing demand in continental Europe and softer U.S. food sales. The company now expects adjusted operating profit and earnings per share below last year, reversing earlier growth forecasts. Primark’s like-for-like sales in continental Europe fell 5.7%. Final segment revenue will be published Jan. 22.
8 January 2026

Stock Market Today

  • Diageo Shares Fall to Lowest Since 2012, £7,500 Investment Drops to £5,750 in Five Weeks
    March 24, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT. Diageo (LSE:DGE) shares have plummeted to their lowest level since January 2012 amid rising UK national debt, inflation, and sector challenges. A £7,500 investment made five weeks ago is now worth just £5,750. The decline accelerated due to the Iran conflict heightening energy and food price inflation and disappointing interim results showing a 4% sales drop to $10.46 billion and halved dividends. Weakness in China and North America weighs on forecasts, with significant net debt of $21.7 billion. Despite setbacks, growth in Guinness sales and plans to expand ready-to-drink offerings among younger consumers suggest Diageo could rebound. The firm faces a tough climate as changing social habits and economic pressures reshape alcohol consumption globally.
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