Capital One Financial Corporation Could Get Capital Relief After Discover Deal as U.S. Basel Rewrite Nears
U.S. regulators plan a softer rewrite of Basel bank-capital rules, which could benefit Capital One as
Occidental Petroleum Debt Tender Advances as OXY Stock Slides With Oil
Occidental Petroleum’s $1.2 billion debt tender offer took effect after bond-term changes, with $843.3 million of 2031 notes and $335.2 million of 2030 notes accepted. OXY shares fell 3.5% to $53.08 Tuesday.
M&G Plc Shares Slide Ahead of 2025 Results as Dividend and Cash Generation Face Test
M&G Plc shares fell 2.1% to 297 pence ahead of Thursday’s full-year 2025 results. Analyst consensus points to a drop in adjusted
Informa Plc presses on with £200 mln share buyback ahead of 2025 results as Gulf risks shadow outlook
Informa bought 1.363 million shares for cancellation last week as part of a 2026 buyback of at least £200 million, reducing total
Diageo plc Shares Stay Near Lows After Dave Lewis Slashes Dividend and Cuts Forecast
Diageo shares closed down 0.29% at 1,521 pence Monday after the company cut its 2026 organic sales forecast and halved its interim
Legal & General Group Plc Shares Slide Ahead of Results as £1.2 Billion Buyback Comes Into Focus
Legal & General shares fell 1.8% to 249.9 pence ahead of its March 11 full-year results, as investors focus on capital returns
Experian PLC cuts VantageScore 4.0 to 99 cents in fresh challenge to FICO
Experian will charge 99 cents for each VantageScore 4.0 mortgage origination score, undercutting Fair Isaac's FICO and matching new prices from Equifax and TransUnion. The move follows FHFA's decision to allow VantageScore 4.0 or Classic FICO for loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Lenders buying both scores through Experian’s bundle will continue to get VantageScore free. Fannie and Freddie have not yet finalized acceptance of VantageScore 4.0.
National Grid plc stock back in focus as BofA lifts target after £70 billion plan
Bank of America raised its price target for National Grid to 1,525 pence from 1,300 after the utility lifted its FY27 earnings
Lloyds Banking Group plc hires Trusha Pillay as £1.75 billion buyback rolls on ahead of July strategy update
Lloyds Banking Group hired Trusha Pillay as managing director in its infrastructure and project finance team, recruiting her from BNP Paribas and
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc starts £540 million share buyback after Europe warning rattles investors
Reckitt Benckiser launched a new share buyback of up to £540 million on Monday, with Deutsche Bank handling purchases through July 27.
Nu Holdings stock slips as Nubank’s U.S. push keeps cost fears alive
Nu Holdings shares fell 0.75% to $14.47 in New York on Monday after an earlier low of $14.12. The drop follows a
Santos Limited greenlights $357 million Moomba Central Optimisation project to cut costs, extend Cooper Basin gas output
ADELAIDE, March 11, 2026, 09:07 (UTC+10:30) Santos Limited and Beach Energy have taken a final investment decision, the formal go-ahead to commit capital, on the Moomba Central Optimisation project in South Australia’s Cooper Basin. Santos said it will invest $357 million over three years to replace seven ageing gas-driven compressor stations with a single electric-driven hub and add new capacity at the Moomba gas plant. (Reuters) The timing matters for Santos. The company is trying to squeeze more cash from existing infrastructure after a 25% drop in 2025 underlying profit and a plan to cut about 10% of jobs, while
Fortescue Ltd Completes Alta Copper Deal, Deepening Peru Copper Bet
Fortescue Ltd has acquired all remaining shares of Alta Copper for C$1.40 each, valuing the Peru-focused copper developer at about C$139 million. Alta shares will be delisted from Toronto, Lima, and OTCQX exchanges. Fortescue’s Cañariaco copper project in Peru is not expected to start production until next decade. The company posted a 23% rise in first-half profit to $1.91 billion in February.
Macquarie hires former Ares executive Eli Appelbaum for EMEA lending push as private credit strains deepen
Macquarie Group has hired Eli Appelbaum from Ares Management to lead its EMEA lending and asset finance business as it expands private credit operations in the region. The firm recently funded AI infrastructure projects, including a €117 million commitment to Polarise’s Munich data center. Macquarie reported less than £50 million exposure to the collapsed UK lender Market Financial Solutions. Industry defaults and fund withdrawals have increased.
ANZ Group Holdings to Reopen Chinchilla Branch as Pressure Builds on Big Banks to Keep Regional Services
ANZ Group will reopen its Chinchilla branch in regional Queensland in the second half of 2026, following the closure of the town’s Suncorp Bank agency on May 29. The move comes after ANZ’s A$4.9 billion purchase of Suncorp Bank and amid government restrictions on regional branch closures until July 2027. ANZ said it will support Suncorp customers during the transition.
NASA Satellite Crash Alert: Van Allen Probe A Set for Earth Re-Entry With Low Risk to People
NASA said its defunct Van Allen Probe A satellite, weighing 1,323 pounds, is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere around 7:45 p.m. EDT Tuesday, with some debris likely to survive. Officials say there is no targeted landing area and the exact timing remains uncertain. The mission ended in 2019, years earlier than planned, after increased solar activity accelerated the craft’s descent. NASA maintains the risk to the public is low.
Westpac Banking Corporation Sees Consumer Sentiment Lift, but Late-Week Drop Sets Up RBA Test
Australian consumer sentiment rose 1.2% in March, but late survey responses showed a sharp drop as Middle East tensions escalated, Westpac said Tuesday. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index reached 91.6, while a rival ANZ-Roy Morgan measure fell to 73.4, its lowest since July 2023. Westpac reported A$1.9 billion in unaudited December quarter profit, but flagged housing supply and inflation as ongoing concerns.
National Australia Bank Survey Shows Australian Business Confidence Turns Negative After RBA Hike
Australian business confidence fell to -1 in February, its first negative reading in 11 months, according to NAB’s monthly survey, while business conditions stayed at +7 and sales rose. The decline followed the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Feb. 3 rate hike to 3.85%. NAB’s first-quarter cash earnings climbed 16% to A$2.02 billion as business banking volumes increased. Inflation pressures persisted, with purchase and labour costs up 1.5% for the quarter.
Woodside Energy Launches Trion Drilling Campaign, Testing Mexico Oil Bet Amid CEO Search
Woodside Energy has begun drilling at the $7.2 billion Trion oil field with Pemex, targeting first oil in 2028. The campaign will drill 24 wells tied to a floating production unit, with capacity for 100,000 barrels per day. The Deepwater Thalassa drillship entered Mexican waters on March 5. Woodside owns 60% of Trion and approved the project in 2023.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Says Wage Growth Held at 3.1% Ahead of RBA Rate Call
Commonwealth Bank of Australia reported internal wage growth steady at 3.1% for the year to February and about 21,000 jobs added last month. The Reserve Bank meets March 16-17, with markets pricing a 50% chance of another rate hike after February’s increase to 3.85%. Major banks have already passed on higher rates to home-loan customers. CBA’s data shows stable wages despite a tight labor market.
BHP Group Ltd Succession Spotlight Sharpens as Geraldine Slattery Emerges in Twin CEO Race
BHP Australia President Geraldine Slattery is under consideration to succeed BHP CEO Mike Henry and is also a contender for the top job at Woodside Energy, according to reports from The Australian and Reuters. Woodside is interviewing candidates and plans to name a CEO in early 2026. BHP has not commented on succession. The miner’s next production update is set for April 22.
ConocoPhillips Shares Slide as Oil Plunges 11%, Putting 2026 Cash Plan in Focus
ConocoPhillips shares dropped 2.5% to $114.16 Tuesday after Brent and U.S. crude prices plunged over 11%, their steepest one-day fall since 2022. The company kept its 2026 production target steady and is aiming for $1 billion in cost cuts this year. ConocoPhillips is also exploring a $2 billion Permian Basin asset sale after closing $3.2 billion in sales last year.
CoreWeave rolls out flexible AI cloud pricing after capex selloff rattled investors
CoreWeave launched Flex Reservations and Spot instances Tuesday, expanding its AI cloud offerings as it ramps up spending to $30–$35 billion in 2026. Shares rose 0.7%. The company’s revenue backlog reached $66.8 billion at the end of 2025, but management warned the rapid build-out will pressure margins. Flex Reservations is in preview; Spot is generally available.
Capital One Financial Corporation Could Get Capital Relief After Discover Deal as U.S. Basel Rewrite Nears
U.S. regulators plan a softer rewrite of Basel bank-capital rules, which could benefit Capital One as it absorbs Discover and awaits the Brex deal. The draft is expected in coming weeks and may lower capital requirements for large banks. Capital One completed its $35.3 billion Discover purchase in May 2025 and agreed to buy Brex for $5.15 billion. A proposed 10% cap on credit card rates remains a risk for card-heavy lenders.
Spotify Delays Some API Restrictions After Developer Backlash, Keeps Premium Rule
Spotify on Monday delayed changes to its developer API after complaints from third-party app makers, but kept new restrictions including a Premium subscription requirement, five-user cap, and single client ID per developer. Some developers say the limits have already forced them to shut down public access to their apps, citing unclear upgrade paths and stricter rate limits. Spotify cited security and automation risks for the overhaul.
Australia Fuel Prices Spike as ACCC Checks Gouging and Reserve Claims Unravel
Diesel prices in parts of Australia have surged past A$2.50 a litre, with some stations near Dubbo hitting 259.9 cents, as Middle East tensions disrupt supply. The ACCC is investigating pricing and supply practices, warning fuel companies against misleading explanations. United Petroleum has begun rationing deliveries, and some wholesalers are restricting sales. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia has 34 days of diesel in reserve.
Qualcomm’s New Wayve Deal Puts Self-Driving AI at the Center of Its Auto Push
Qualcomm announced a partnership with UK startup Wayve to combine Wayve’s AI Driver software with Snapdragon Ride chips for advanced driver-assistance and automated driving systems. Qualcomm shares fell 1.9% to $135.54 Tuesday after the company warned last month that a global memory shortage was hitting phone demand. Wayve recently raised $1.5 billion at an $8.6 billion valuation. The joint platform is drawing automaker interest.
Occidental Petroleum Debt Tender Advances as OXY Stock Slides With Oil
Occidental Petroleum’s $1.2 billion debt tender offer took effect after bond-term changes, with $843.3 million of 2031 notes and $335.2 million of 2030 notes accepted. OXY shares fell 3.5% to $53.08 Tuesday. The company aims to cut principal debt to $14.3 billion in 2026, down from $20.63 billion at year-end. Oil stocks broadly declined as Brent crude dropped 12.6% to $86.50 a barrel.
RTX Corporation’s Pratt & Whitney Wins Leidos AGM-190A Engine Contract as U.S. Pushes Missile Output
Pratt & Whitney secured a new contract from Leidos Dynetics to supply TJ150 engines for the AGM-190A small cruise missile, with no financial terms disclosed. The deal follows a Pentagon push for higher weapons output after recent operations and comes as Leidos’ missile received its official U.S. Air Force designation. RTX and other defense contractors are increasing factory investment and scaling missile production.
GE Aerospace to Invest Another $1 Billion in U.S. Jet Engine Plants Amid Supply Crunch
GE Aerospace will invest $1 billion in its U.S. factories and suppliers in 2026, aiming to boost jet-engine and parts output amid ongoing industry shortages. The company expects the spending to create about 5,000 jobs across 17 states. Shares rose 2.2% Tuesday. GE’s backlog stands at roughly $190 billion, with 2026 profit guidance above analyst estimates.
Mastercard Incorporated launches AI ‘Virtual CFO’ for small businesses in new push beyond payments
Mastercard on Tuesday launched Virtual C-Suite, an AI product for small businesses starting with a Virtual CFO, to be distributed this year through banks and software providers. The company said the tool will use data from 175 billion transactions processed in 2025 to analyze performance and recommend actions. Mastercard shares fell 0.6% in afternoon New York trading; Visa dropped 0.3%.
Natural Gas Prices Today: Europe Gas Slides From 3-Year High, but Supply Risks Linger
European natural gas prices dropped sharply Tuesday, with the Dutch TTF benchmark falling 7.98 euros to 48.47 euros/MWh after President Trump suggested the Middle East conflict could end soon. Despite the decline, Europe’s gas storage remains below 30% and LNG shipments from Qatar are blocked, keeping competition for replacement cargoes high. U.S. LNG exports to Europe surged, but supply flexibility is limited.
Boeing Flags 737 MAX Wiring Flaw, Putting First-Quarter Deliveries at Risk
Boeing said a wiring flaw on some undelivered 737 MAX jets could delay first-quarter deliveries, sending shares down 1.4% by midday Tuesday. The company is reworking affected planes after finding scratches on wires but kept production at 42 jets a month and maintained its 2026 delivery target. Boeing notified customers and the FAA. The MAX fleet in service can continue operating safely, according to Boeing.
Why XRP Price Is Up Today: XRP Climbs 4% as Bitcoin Reclaims $70,000
XRP climbed about 4% to $1.42 on Tuesday as easing Middle East tensions boosted cryptocurrencies and sent bitcoin above $70,000. Despite the rally, CoinShares reported $30.3 million in outflows from XRP investment products last week, while bitcoin and ether saw strong inflows. Oil prices dropped over 12% after President Trump signaled the Iran war could end soon. Policy uncertainty persists as talks on the Clarity Act stalled in Washington.
Mortgage Rates Today: 30-Year Fixed Stays Near 6% as Spring Buyers Edge Back
U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rates hovered near 6% this week, with Bankrate reporting 6.21% and Freddie Mac at 6.00%. Existing home sales rose 1.7% in February to a 4.09 million annual rate, as affordability improved from a year earlier. The 10-year Treasury yield fell to 4.102% after oil prices dropped. Economists warned affordability remains a challenge despite recent gains.
Silver Price Today: Why Silver Rebounded Toward $90 as Dollar Eases and Oil Slumps
Spot silver jumped 2.8% to $89.42 an ounce Tuesday, rebounding after a drop the day before as oil prices plunged and the dollar weakened. Brent crude fell 12.6% to $86.50 a barrel after surging above $119 Monday on Middle East tensions. U.S. inflation data due Wednesday and Friday will test the rally. Gold and platinum also rose, while palladium slipped.