London, Jan 19, 2026, 14:40 GMT — Regular session
Future plc shares (FUTR.L) slipped 2.9% to 499 pence on Monday, hitting a fresh 52-week low of 494.6 pence earlier in the session. The media company’s stock has dropped roughly 45% over the last year and last settled at 514 pence. (London South East)
London stocks slipped amid fresh tariff jitters sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose new duties on Britain and several European countries unless the U.S. gains permission to purchase Greenland, Reuters reported. The FTSE 250 dropped 0.9% in early trading, pulling mid-cap shares lower. (Reuters)
On Monday, another filing brought attention back to the register. FIL Limited boosted its total voting rights in Future to 11.0161%, up from 10.0167%. This includes 9.7246% held in shares and 1.2915% through cash-settled derivatives, the notice revealed. (Investegate)
Cash-settled contracts for difference, or CFDs, are derivatives providing economic exposure to a share price without actually transferring ownership of the underlying stock. Their quick adjustability can cause headline ownership figures to shift more dramatically than what happens in everyday trading.
Future revealed another move in its ongoing share buyback scheme, a tactic often used to cut stock and boost earnings per share. On Jan. 16, it purchased 28,064 shares at an average price of 513.522 pence, with plans to cancel them. Since Dec. 15, the company has repurchased 577,569 shares for around £3.03 million, leaving 95,012,103 shares outstanding. (Investegate)
The company presents itself as a global platform focused on intent-driven specialist media, supported by proprietary technology and data, with a range of revenue sources. (Future)
Risk appetite remains subdued as the latest tariff threat makes waves. “There is obviously a response (in financial markets) to the new tariff threats,” said George Lagarias, chief economist at Forvis Mazars. (Reuters)
Still, a larger disclosed position doesn’t necessarily signal a strategic move, especially since the derivatives part can unwind. If tariff discussions become actual policy and volatility persists, index swings could carry more weight than the filings themselves.
Next up, Future’s annual general meeting is scheduled for Feb. 5 in London. The company’s shareholder info page lists a final dividend of 17.0 pence per share, payable on Feb. 11. The stock went ex-dividend on Jan. 15. (Future)
