Glencore Pushes South Africa Smelter Job-Cut Deadline to April 7 as Eskom Talks Enter Final Week
Glencore’s South African ferrochrome venture has extended its layoff deadline to April 7 after Eskom requested
Centrica plc AGM 2026: British Gas owner seeks fresh buyback authority as 3.67p dividend vote looms
Centrica will seek shareholder approval on May 7 to renew authority to buy back up to 460.5 million shares and approve a 3.67-pence final dividend. The company paused buybacks in February after
NatWest Group Plc strikes new Sainsbury’s Nectar banking deal with savings, loans and card
NatWest Group and Sainsbury’s will launch new financial products for Sainsbury’s customers, including instant-access savings, unsecured loans, and a NatWest Nectar credit
Lloyds Banking Group Faces Fresh Provision Test After FCA Finalises UK Motor Finance Redress
Lloyds Banking Group is reviewing the UK regulator’s final motor finance redress scheme, which covers 12.1 million agreements and could return £7.5
Glencore Extends South Africa Smelter Job-Cut Deadline to April 7 in Eskom Power Talks
Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture extended its retrenchment consultation deadline to April 7 as Eskom requested more time to finalize a discounted power deal
HSBC appoints new China wealth chiefs as mainland growth push gathers pace
HSBC named Max Xu to lead International Wealth and Premier Banking in China and Samuel Chen as China private bank head, both
Rolls-Royce SMR Project Moves Closer to Wylfa Build After £300 Million Contract Award
Great British Energy-Nuclear awarded a contract worth up to £300 million to an Amentum-Cavendish Nuclear joint venture for the Wylfa small modular reactor project in North Wales. The 14-year agreement will support deployment of Rolls-Royce SMR technology. Britain selected Rolls-Royce SMR for the site in 2025, with the first units planned for the mid-2030s. Rolls-Royce expects regulatory design approval by December 2026.
Westpac Banking Corporation Warns RBA Could Hike Three More Times, Cash Rate Seen at 4.85%
Westpac expects the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise the cash rate three more times this year, reaching 4.85% by August, citing
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Flags Card Rewards Changes After Australia’s Surcharge Ban
Commonwealth Bank of Australia warned it may alter card rewards and benefits after the Reserve Bank banned most card surcharges and slashed
Centrica PLC stock price slips as Ceres fuel-cell deal targets AI power crunch
Centrica shares slipped 0.5% after announcing a partnership with Ceres Power to deliver on-site fuel-cell power to UK and European businesses. Ceres
M&G share price nears 52-week high after $1.1bn CVC private equity deal
M&G shares rose about 1% in London on Monday, reaching 316.3 pence intraday, after CVC committed $1.1 billion to M&G’s 2025 PE
Northern Star Resources Launches A$500 Million Buyback, Keeps 2026 Gold Outlook Intact
PERTH, April 3, 2026, 06:04 AWST Northern Star Resources said on Thursday it would buy back up to A$500 million of its shares and reported preliminary March-quarter gold sales of 381,000 ounces. The Australian miner said that kept it on track for revised full-year output of more than 1.5 million ounces. The twin updates land just weeks before Northern Star’s full March-quarter report. That makes the buyback more than a routine capital return: the company cut 2026 production guidance in January and said on March 13 that even the lower end would be hard to reach because of weaker milling
Ryanair Warns UK Summer Flights Face Jet Fuel Crunch, Cancellations and Higher Fares
Ryanair warned it may cancel up to 10% of summer flights if the Iran war keeps disrupting jet fuel markets, as UK route cuts began with Skybus ending its London-Newquay service early. Jet fuel averaged $195 a barrel last week, more than double last year’s price. The IEA said shortages hitting Asia are likely to reach Europe by May. British Airways reported no current supply disruption but is monitoring the situation.
Macquarie Group Ltd makes £100 million bet on UK social housing with Places for People deal
Kmart faces a class action in Australia’s Federal Court alleging systematic underpayment of salaried store managers over six years. The case, filed Thursday, claims managers worked beyond rostered hours without overtime or penalty rates. Adero Law says up to 6,000 current and former staff could be affected. Kmart acknowledged the lawsuit but has not yet filed a defence.
National Australia Bank contacts 200,000 firms as fuel shock squeezes Australia’s supply chains
National Australia Bank has contacted nearly 200,000 business customers as volatile fuel prices hit agriculture, transport, and manufacturing. Diesel prices in Australia are up 88% since the Middle East conflict began, with fertiliser costs also surging. Canberra announced up to A$1 billion in interest-free loans for critical businesses. NAB reported a 100% jump in EV loans in March as firms seek to cut fuel exposure.
Santos Pushes Ahead With Yarrow Gas Wells as Australia’s Tax Fight Intensifies
Santos will drill two more wells at the Yarrow gas field in South Australia after Red Sky Energy approved project spending and confirmed its 20% stake. Drilling on the first well is set to begin soon. Yarrow 1, online since November, initially produced 2.4 million standard cubic feet per day, above forecasts. The new wells come as Santos faces political scrutiny over gas exports and recent profit declines.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Says Fuel Shock Is Hitting Wallets as RBA Rate Risks Build
Commonwealth Bank of Australia reported a sharp rise in fuel spending through March 27 as Middle East conflict drove up petrol and diesel prices, while overall household spending stayed flat. CBA now expects inflation to reach 5.4% by mid-2026 and unemployment to rise to 4.6% by early 2027. The bank said households are shifting budgets rather than cutting back. Markets see about a 60% chance of another rate hike in May.
Woodside Energy Restarts North West Shelf LNG After Cyclone as Australia Eyes Gas Security
Woodside Energy has restarted LNG and domestic gas production at its North West Shelf project in Western Australia after Cyclone Narelle halted operations. Chevron’s Wheatstone LNG plant remains fully offline, with repairs expected to take weeks. The Australian government may trigger the ADGSM to secure local gas supply as east-coast shortages loom. Brent crude closed at $109.03 a barrel, up nearly 8% amid ongoing supply concerns.
BHP closes $4.3 billion Antamina silver deal, unlocking cash for copper push
BHP Group received a $4.3 billion upfront payment from Wheaton Precious Metals after finalizing a silver streaming deal tied to its share of Peru’s Antamina mine output. The agreement gives Wheaton rights to 33.75% of BHP’s silver from Antamina until 100 million ounces are delivered, then 22.5% after, with settlement via metal credits. BHP retains full exposure to copper, zinc, and lead from the mine.
Stellantis, Leapmotor Explore Brampton EV Production as C10 “Leap Mode” Proves Fictional
Stellantis is in early talks with China’s Leapmotor to build electric vehicles at its idled Brampton, Ontario, plant, Bloomberg reported Thursday. Stellantis shares rose 4.1% in Milan after the news. The discussions follow Canada’s recent move to lower tariffs on some Chinese EVs and seek joint-venture investment. Stellantis holds a 21% stake in Leapmotor and controls Leapmotor International.
RELX PLC Reaffirms Strong 2026 Outlook in April Investor Update as AI Fears Linger
RELX reaffirmed its forecast for strong revenue and adjusted operating profit growth in a new investor presentation Thursday. The company reported 2025 revenue of £9.6 billion and an adjusted operating margin of 34.8%. RELX shares remain down 36% over the past year amid investor concerns about AI competition. The group is conducting a £350 million share buyback through April 22.
Tesco PLC keeps UK grocery lead as inflation holds ahead of April results
Tesco’s UK grocery market share rose to 28.0% in the 12 weeks to March 22, with sales up 5.0%, according to Worldpanel by Numerator. Sainsbury’s increased its share to 15.6%, while Lidl’s sales jumped 9.6%. Grocery inflation held at 4.3%. Tesco will report preliminary results on April 16.
UK Diesel Hits £2 a Litre in Southern England as Record March Fuel Rise Squeezes Drivers
UK diesel prices neared £2 a litre at some southern England stations this week, with March seeing record monthly increases amid Middle East tensions and rising crude. RAC data showed average diesel up 40p to 182.77p a litre, pushing a 55-litre fill above £100 for the first time since 2022. Asda reported temporary shortages at some sites, but industry groups said national supply remains stable. Brent crude traded near $107.50 a barrel Thursday.
Prudential plc fixes $13.83 scrip dividend price as 2026 buyback rolls on
Steven, 60, missing from Ingoldmells near Skegness since March 26, was found Wednesday, ending a police appeal. Petrol prices in Skegness ranged from 149.7p to 155.9p per litre on Thursday, with nearby Mablethorpe stations posting up to 163.9p. Police expect over 250,000 daily visitors on the Lincolnshire coast for Easter, with heavy traffic and increased patrols planned.
Aviva plc says accidental damage now tops home insurance claims as costs jump 63%
Accidental damage accounted for 32% of Aviva’s home insurance claims over four years, with average claim values up 63% to £1,869 in 2026. Property insurance claims across the UK hit a record £6.1 billion in 2025, while average premiums fell to £379. Televisions made up 18% of Aviva’s accidental-damage claims. Aviva reports first-quarter results on May 14.
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA Exits TAP Sale, Leaving Lufthansa and Air France-KLM to Compete for Portugal’s Flag Carrier
International Consolidated Airlines Group has withdrawn from bidding for a minority stake in TAP Air Portugal, leaving Lufthansa and Air France-KLM as the only known contenders. Portugal is selling 44.9% of TAP, with non-binding offers due Thursday. IAG cited a lack of a path to majority control and will focus on internal growth. TAP’s Lisbon slots and South Atlantic routes remain the main attractions for bidders.
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Ends Higher as BP, Shell Ride Oil Spike
London’s FTSE 100 rose 0.6% Thursday, led by Shell, BP, and AstraZeneca, after Britain announced talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The FTSE 250 fell 0.2%. U.S. crude surged over 11% as President Trump signaled intensified attacks on Iran. A Bank of England survey showed firms expect higher price increases, with traders now fully pricing in two rate hikes this year.
Australia Stock Market Today: ASX 200 Falls 1.1% as Iran War Fears Hit Shares Before Easter Break
Australian shares fell 1.1% Thursday, their steepest drop since March, after U.S. President Trump signaled more strikes on Iran with no end date for the war. Miners led losses as Rio Tinto dropped 3.3% and BHP 2.5%. The Australian dollar slid 0.6% to $0.6882. Prime Minister Albanese announced up to A$1 billion in interest-free loans for critical businesses as fuel market disruptions deepen.
3i Group plc shares rebound as insider buying follows Action-led selloff
3i Group shares climbed 3.99% to 2,687 pence Thursday, continuing a rebound after a steep drop linked to slower growth at its key asset, Action. The stock remains about 40% below its October high and trades at a near 20% discount to net asset value. Director Peter Wirtz bought 25,000 shares on March 30. Annual results are due May 14.
National Grid plc Advances LionLink as BritNed Turns 15, Deepening UK-Netherlands Power Trade
Tesla delivered 358,023 vehicles in the first quarter, missing analyst expectations and sending shares down 4.2%. Production outpaced deliveries by over 50,000 units, raising concerns about unsold inventory. Tesla’s China-made Model 3 and Model Y sales rose, but its share of China’s EV market slipped to 8%. Full first-quarter results are due April 22.
Glasgow Subway under fresh pressure after both circles suspended as access campaign grows
Both circles of Glasgow’s Subway were suspended Thursday afternoon amid an unspecified issue, local media reported, intensifying criticism from disability campaigners over poor accessibility. Only Govan and St Enoch stations have elevators, leaving wheelchair users with limited options despite ongoing system upgrades. SPT says it is committed to improving access but has not expanded lift access beyond the two stations.
Rochdale Appoints Rachel Laver to Lead Growth Push as Police Impose 48-Hour Town Centre Order
Rachel Laver was named managing director of Rochdale Development Agency on Thursday, as Greater Manchester Police imposed a 48-hour dispersal order in Rochdale town centre following reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. The Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre, part of the Atom Valley cluster, is set to receive up to £15 million from the Good Growth Fund and aims for completion by summer 2026.
British American Tobacco p.l.c. Hits Fresh FDA Hurdle as Velo Pouch Review Slows
British American Tobacco’s Velo nicotine pouch applications remain pending after a fast-track FDA review slowed, reviving uncertainty over its U.S. growth plans. BAT shares fell 1.5% on news of the delay but rebounded 1.6% the next day. The FDA gave no timeline for a decision but said reviews are moving faster than most. Velo is now BAT’s No. 2 smokeless brand by U.S. volume and value share.
SSE PLC Raises FY26 Earnings Guidance as Renewables Output Climbs, Grid Spend Accelerates
SSE raised the lower end of its full-year earnings guidance to 147–152 pence per share after stronger renewable output and higher network spending. Renewable generation for 2025/26 is expected to reach 14.5 TWh, up 10% year-on-year. Group capital spending stands at about £3.5 billion, with adjusted net debt and hybrid capital just over £10 billion at March 31. Shares were little changed in early trading.
GSK plc simplifies ViiV Healthcare ownership as Pfizer exits and Shionogi raises stake
GSK completed a reshaping of ViiV Healthcare’s ownership on April 1, with Shionogi raising its stake to 21.7% after Pfizer exited the HIV-focused venture. ViiV issued new shares to Shionogi for $2.125 billion and cancelled Pfizer’s holding. GSK retained a 78.3% majority and took a $250 million special dividend. The deal extinguished a put option liability tied to the old structure.
Glencore Pushes South Africa Smelter Job-Cut Deadline to April 7 as Eskom Talks Enter Final Week
Glencore’s South African ferrochrome venture has extended its layoff deadline to April 7 after Eskom requested more time to finalize approval of a 62 cent/kWh power tariff. Only 11 of 66 smelters are running, with Glencore warning up to 1,500 jobs are at risk if no deal is reached. The tariff, approved in principle, still requires final sign-off from Eskom and South Africa’s energy regulator.