Macquarie Group Stock in Focus After $7 Billion Kuwait Pipeline Exit and Fresh Buyback Filing
Macquarie Group withdrew from a bid for Kuwait’s oil pipeline network worth up to $7 billion,
Northern Star Resources Ltd Share Price Slides 9.5% as Gold Slump Deepens Output Warning Fallout
Northern Star Resources shares fell 9.5% to A$18.96 Thursday, extending losses after last week’s output warning. The stock is down 29% since March 11. About A$207.1 million traded hands as gold prices
GSK Stock Price Today: Shares Rise After FDA Approval of Lynavoy for Rare Liver-Disease Itch
GSK shares rose 0.6% after the FDA approved Lynavoy, the first U.S. drug specifically for severe itching in primary biliary cholangitis. Alfasigma
Legal & General Group Plc Share Price Falls 3% as BoE Jolt Revives Capital Worries
Legal & General shares fell 3.3% to 241.3 pence Thursday, outpacing the FTSE 100’s 2.35% drop, after its Solvency II ratio fell
Lloyds Banking Group Stock Price Falls After Bank of England Hawkish Hold Hits UK Bank Shares
Lloyds Banking Group shares fell 3.7% to 92.94 pence Thursday as the FTSE 100 dropped 2.48% amid a broad selloff. The Bank
HSBC Stock Price Falls as 20,000 Job-Cut Report Hits London, Hong Kong and New York Shares
HSBC shares fell Thursday across London, Hong Kong, and New York after Bloomberg reported the bank may cut up to 20,000 jobs
Why Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Stock Price Fell as Oil Shock and BoE Hold Hit FTSE 100
Rolls-Royce shares fell 5.66% to 1,184.5 pence on March 19, outpacing the FTSE 100’s 2.83% drop, as oil prices rose and markets braced for tighter UK monetary policy. The decline followed news that Rolls-Royce secured €64 million in EU funding for its UltraFan 30 engine project. The Bank of England held rates at 3.75%, with traders now expecting two hikes by year-end.
Glencore plc Stock Price Falls Today as Copper Slide and Bank of England Hold Hit Miners
Glencore shares dropped 4.2% to 503.7 pence in London by 12:40 GMT Thursday, falling from near a one-year high as metal miners
Woodside Energy Share Price Near Flat as New CEO Liz Westcott Flags Louisiana LNG Priority
Woodside Energy shares closed up 0.06% in Australia after new CEO Liz Westcott named the $17.5 billion Louisiana LNG project a top
National Australia Bank Limited Stock Price Slips After RBA Hike as NAB Raises Home Loan Rates
National Australia Bank shares fell 0.48% to A$47.23 after the bank raised variable home-loan rates by 25 basis points, following the Reserve
Eli Lilly stock rises as new orforglipron data puts side effects in the spotlight
Eli Lilly shares rose 0.8% Friday after full trial results for its oral diabetes drug orforglipron showed higher discontinuation rates—8.7% to 9.7%—than
Technology News 20.03.2026
LIVETechnology news rolling coverageStarted: March 20, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: March 20, 2026, 1:22 AM EDT iOS 26.4 arrives in days: 3 features we're excited about March 20, 2026, 1:22 AM EDT. Apple is poised to release iOS 26.4 next week, after a beta surfaced via 9to5Mac. Three features stand out. First, **new emoji** including a trombone, a distorted face, a ballet dancer, an orca and a sasquatch. Second, **Liquid Glass** changes in the UI point to refinements in visuals and responsiveness. Third, additional tweaks and minor features are expected, with Apple offering few specifics. The update is expected in
Qantas Share Price Drops as Fuel Shock, Demand Fears Keep Pressure on Airline Stocks
Qantas shares closed at A$8.43 on March 19, down 1.1% for the day and near monthly lows, as investors reacted to higher jet fuel costs and weaker demand on U.S. routes. The airline has hedged 81% of its fuel needs for the second half of fiscal 2026 and raised international fares, but the stock remains pressured amid sector-wide cost concerns.
Wesfarmers Stock Holds Near A$74 as Investors Weigh Retail Strength Against Rate Pressure
Wesfarmers shares traded near A$73.64 Friday, within a A$73.38-A$74.38 range, as investors assessed resilient Bunnings and Kmart earnings against weaker retail trends. The company posted a 9.3% rise in first-half net profit to A$1.1 billion in February but flagged softer second-half trading. Australia’s recent rate hike and higher fuel prices have raised concerns about discretionary spending. The interim dividend is set for payment on March 31.
Evolution Mining Shares Slide as Gold Selloff Deepens, Putting ASX Miner’s March Rally Under Pressure
Evolution Mining shares fell 7.63% to A$12.08 in Sydney after spot gold dropped 4.3% to $4,612.21 an ounce, its lowest since early February. The decline extends Evolution’s retreat from its March 2 record high of A$17.75. The company last month reported record half-year profit and kept FY26 production guidance unchanged. No new market-sensitive updates have been released in the past two days.
Macquarie Group Stock in Focus After $7 Billion Kuwait Pipeline Exit and Fresh Buyback Filing
Macquarie Group withdrew from a bid for Kuwait’s oil pipeline network worth up to $7 billion, citing conflict-related uncertainty, according to sources. Shares closed Thursday at A$196.09, down 0.65%. The company extended its on-market buyback and will raise home-loan and deposit rates by 25 basis points from April 2. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation continues to seek offers despite force majeure and production cuts.
Northern Star Resources Ltd Share Price Slides 9.5% as Gold Slump Deepens Output Warning Fallout
Northern Star Resources shares fell 9.5% to A$18.96 Thursday, extending losses after last week’s output warning. The stock is down 29% since March 11. About A$207.1 million traded hands as gold prices slumped and peers Evolution Mining and Newmont also dropped. Northern Star now expects FY26 output above 1.5 million ounces, below previous guidance.
CSL stock price sinks despite buyback as pressure builds on Australian biotech
CSL shares closed at A$134.62 on Thursday, down 2.45%, despite ongoing buybacks, with the stock now more than 43% below last year’s level. The decline follows an 81% drop in first-half profit and CEO Paul McKenzie's abrupt exit in February. CSL’s buyback program allows up to US$750 million in repurchases through June 2026. The ASX 200 fell 1.65% Thursday, but CSL dropped further.
Westpac Banking Corporation Stock Price Falls 1% as ASX Slides, RBA Rate Hike Keeps Margin Debate Alive
Westpac shares fell 0.96% to A$41.13 Thursday as the S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.65% amid an oil shock and rate hike fears. The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate to 4.1% this week, prompting Westpac to lift home and business lending rates from March 31. February jobs data showed employment up but unemployment rising to 4.3%. Westpac’s interim results are due May 5.
Santos Share Price Climbs 3% to A$8.02 as Oil, LNG Surge Lifts ASX Energy Stocks
Santos Ltd shares climbed 3.2% to A$8.02 Thursday, hitting a 52-week high as oil and gas prices spiked after Gulf energy site attacks. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.7%. Brent crude reached $119.13 intraday, and European gas prices surged 35%. Damage at Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex cut 17% of the country’s exports for up to five years.
Why Commonwealth Bank of Australia Stock Price Is Holding Up as the ASX Sinks
Commonwealth Bank of Australia closed Thursday up 0.15% at A$177.36, outperforming a 1.7% drop in the S&P/ASX 200 to a four-month low. The stock remains about 7% below its June 2025 high, buoyed by record half-year earnings and a recent RBA rate hike to 4.1%. Fourteen analysts rate CBA as Underperform, citing valuation risks.
BHP Group Ltd Stock Price Falls 3.47% as China Iron Ore Risks, Oil Shock Overshadow CEO Bounce
BHP shares fell 3.47% to A$48.35 on March 19, wiping out gains after naming Brandon Craig as CEO. Rio Tinto dropped 3.22% and Fortescue 3.35%. ASX data showed A$586.6 million in BHP shares traded, while oil-linked stocks outperformed. Chinese iron ore imports rose but steel output fell and port stockpiles hit a record.
Woodside Energy share price jumps 7% as oil shock and CEO reset lift WDS stock
Woodside Energy shares jumped 7.2% to A$33.70 on Thursday as oil and gas prices surged following Middle East strikes and damage to Qatar’s LNG export capacity. New CEO Liz Westcott called Louisiana LNG a “key priority” as the company faces a year of major project milestones and possible output decline. Brent crude settled at $108.65 after touching $119.13. Former Anglo American chief Mark Cutifani joined Woodside’s board.
Prudential Boosts Buybacks After 12% New Business Profit Rise, Eyes More Cash Returns
Prudential PLC launched a $1.2 billion share buyback for 2026 after 2025 new business profit rose 12% to $2.78 billion, driven by sales growth in Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia. The insurer expects total shareholder returns to top $7 billion from 2024 to 2027. Operating free surplus generation climbed 15% to $3.06 billion. Prudential shares fell 2% after results.
BAE Systems Share Price Today: Why the Stock Slipped After Air Astana Exit
BAE Systems sold its remaining 6.9% stake in Air Astana for about $31 million, completing its exit from the airline. Shares closed at 2,306 pence, down 1%, while the FTSE 100 dropped 2.4% after the Bank of England held rates. BAE announced new U.S. defense contracts and a counter-drone system this week. The company reported 2025 sales of £30.66 billion and a record £83.6 billion order backlog.
GSK Stock Price Today: Shares Rise After FDA Approval of Lynavoy for Rare Liver-Disease Itch
GSK shares rose 0.6% after the FDA approved Lynavoy, the first U.S. drug specifically for severe itching in primary biliary cholangitis. Alfasigma agreed to pay GSK $300 million upfront for global rights to the drug, plus $100 million more on U.S. approval. GSK and Alfasigma have not disclosed launch pricing or availability. Lynavoy approval follows recent regulatory wins for GSK.
Beazley Plc Share Price Drops 2% After Dividend Reset, but Zurich Bid Gap Stays Tight
Beazley shares fell 2% Thursday as the stock traded ex-dividend, closing at 1,265p after Zurich Insurance’s 1,335p takeover offer was adjusted for a 25p payout. The 8.1 billion pound deal, announced March 2, gives Beazley holders 1,310p cash plus the 25p dividend. Regulatory approvals are pending, with a shareholder vote expected in April. The dividend will be paid May 1 to shareholders on the register March 20.
LSEG Stock Price Today: Shares Outperform FTSE 100 Rout After Turquoise Shake-Up
London Stock Exchange Group shares slipped 0.3% to 8,618 pence Thursday, outperforming the FTSE 100’s 2.35% drop amid a broad selloff. LSEG named Tom Stenhouse CEO of Turquoise and expanded Simon McQuoid-Mason’s role. The group bought back 342,245 shares on March 18 for cancellation. The Bank of England held rates at 3.75% and signaled caution on inflation.
Legal & General Group Plc Share Price Falls 3% as BoE Jolt Revives Capital Worries
Legal & General shares fell 3.3% to 241.3 pence Thursday, outpacing the FTSE 100’s 2.35% drop, after its Solvency II ratio fell to 210%, missing consensus. Chief Risk Officer Chris Knight sold over 250,000 shares this week after exercising options. The insurer’s buyback and profit gains failed to reassure investors amid broader market pressure and Bank of England rate uncertainty.
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Drops 2.4% to Two-Month Low After BoE Rate Hold and Oil Shock
London’s FTSE 100 fell 2.4% Thursday to its lowest in two months after the Bank of England held rates and oil prices jumped on Middle East tensions. The FTSE 250 also dropped 2.4%. UK two-year bond yields hit a 14-month high before easing. Of the FTSE 100, 97 stocks fell; BP rose 4.9% after a refinery sale, while HSBC lost 3.1% on job cut reports.
IG Group Weighs New York Listing in Fresh Test for London Market
IG Group is considering moving its stock listing from London to the U.S. as part of a strategic review, following record 2025 revenue of £1.1234 billion and a new £125 million share buyback. The review, set to conclude in autumn, comes as IG prepares to join the FTSE 100 on March 23. Shares rose 5.5% to a record high despite wider market declines. About a quarter of IG’s business is already in the U.S.
Australia Stock Market Sinks: ASX 200 Hits 4-Month Low as Oil Spike, RBA Rate Risk Bite
Australian stocks fell 1.7% on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing at 8,497.8, its lowest in nearly four months, after strikes on Gulf energy facilities sent oil prices higher. Materials dropped almost 5%, while energy stocks surged, led by Woodside Energy up 7.2% and Viva Energy up 15.2%. The Reserve Bank’s rate hike and weak jobs data added pressure. Brent crude hovered near $112 a barrel.
BAT Stock Price Today: British American Tobacco Slips After £25 Billion Debt Programme Refresh
British American Tobacco shares closed down 0.6% at 4,355 pence in London, outperforming the FTSE 100’s 2.4% drop. The company refreshed a £25 billion Euro Medium Term Note programme and bought back 125,797 shares for cancellation. Investors remain focused on cash returns amid a lower-end 2026 growth outlook and ongoing regulatory pressure.
International Consolidated Airlines Group stock price drops 4% as oil surge rattles airline shares
International Consolidated Airlines Group shares fell to 343 pence Thursday, underperforming the London market as Brent crude briefly topped $119 a barrel after Gulf energy site attacks. British Airways extended flight cancellations across the Middle East, while rivals including Air France-KLM and Lufthansa raised fares or added flights to offset fuel and airspace disruptions.
SSE Share Price Today: SSE PLC Slips From 52-Week High Despite Jefferies Target Hike
SSE shares traded at 2,653 pence Thursday, about 4% below their 52-week high, despite Jefferies raising its price target to 3,060 pence and reaffirming a “buy” rating. The company expects adjusted earnings per share of 144–152 pence for the year ending March 2026, down from 160.9 pence last year. SSE’s preliminary results are due May 28.
Lloyds Banking Group Stock Price Falls After Bank of England Hawkish Hold Hits UK Bank Shares
Lloyds Banking Group shares fell 3.7% to 92.94 pence Thursday as the FTSE 100 dropped 2.48% amid a broad selloff. The Bank of England held rates at 3.75% but warned inflation could reach 3.5%, prompting traders to price in two hikes by year-end. HSBC lost 2.7%, and the FTSE 350 banks index slid 3.7%. Lloyds also faced scrutiny over a recent app glitch and political pressure.