Business 14 May 2026 - 15 May 2026

BAT’s Velo Bet Faces a Fresh WHO Warning After Shares Hit a 52-Week High
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BAT’s Velo Bet Faces a Fresh WHO Warning After Shares Hit a 52-Week High

The World Health Organization on Friday called for tighter controls on nicotine pouches, citing risks to youth, just after British American Tobacco shares hit a 52-week high. BAT stock climbed 3.22% Thursday, then slipped 1.67% Friday morning. The U.S. FDA this week eased enforcement on some nicotine products, boosting tobacco shares. WHO said about 160 countries lack specific regulations for pouches.
May 15, 2026
Unilever’s McCormick Deal Gets Awkward After Terry Smith Walks Away
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Unilever’s McCormick Deal Gets Awkward After Terry Smith Walks Away

Fundsmith, led by Terry Smith, has sold its entire Unilever stake, citing concerns over the company’s planned $44.8 billion food business merger with McCormick. Unilever shareholders approved all AGM resolutions, including Nelson Peltz’s re-election, but will not vote on the McCormick deal. Unilever shares rose 0.18% in London morning trade. The transaction is expected to close by mid-2027, pending approvals.
May 15, 2026
Reckitt Benckiser’s AI Push Faces a Bigger Test After Dettol Maker’s Growth Miss
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Reckitt Benckiser’s AI Push Faces a Bigger Test After Dettol Maker’s Growth Miss

Reckitt Benckiser highlighted its use of digital science and generative AI to speed product development and boost innovation across brands like Dettol and Durex. The move follows a missed quarterly revenue forecast and a warning of lower first-half margins due to high oil prices and weak demand. Shares traded at 4,558p early Friday, near a year low. Over 2,000 staff have been trained on the new tools, now used in more than 20 countries.
May 15, 2026
REA Group Buyback Faces a Hard Test After Shares Slide 5.7%
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REA Group Buyback Faces a Hard Test After Shares Slide 5.7%

REA Group bought back 33,457 shares for A$5.74 million Wednesday, bringing total buybacks to 554,112 shares worth about A$89.6 million. REA shares closed Thursday at A$161.24, down 5.7%. April new buy listings on realestate.com.au rose 19.4% year-on-year, while total listings fell 5.3%. The Reserve Bank of Australia raised rates to 4.35% on May 5.
May 15, 2026
Northern Star Resources Stock Slips as Cyber Outage Delays Supplier Payments
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Northern Star Resources Stock Slips as Cyber Outage Delays Supplier Payments

Northern Star Resources expects supplier payments to be delayed until May 21 after a cyber incident took part of its ERP system offline. Shares fell 2.36% to A$21.13, underperforming peers, as the company shifted to manual procurement processes. Northern Star said backups were intact and no supplier data had been compromised. The KCGM mill expansion remains on track for early FY27 commissioning.
May 14, 2026
Telstra Buyback Nears A$1.25 Billion Cap as Mobile Price Rises Face Their First Test
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Telstra Buyback Nears A$1.25 Billion Cap as Mobile Price Rises Face Their First Test

Telstra bought 1.14 million shares for A$6.05 million on May 14, moving within A$140 million of its A$1.25 billion buyback cap, a market filing showed. The program, set to end June 30, has covered about 219.38 million shares so far. Telstra raised most mobile plan prices this month, intensifying competition with Optus and TPG. The company reported A$1.1 billion half-year profit in February, up 9%.
May 14, 2026
Goodman Group’s Data Centre Bet Faces a Crucial May Test as ASX:GMG Shares Rise
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Goodman Group’s Data Centre Bet Faces a Crucial May Test as ASX:GMG Shares Rise

Goodman Group shares closed at A$31.40 Thursday, up 0.32% after a 1.39% rise Wednesday, as investors focused on its data-centre pipeline ahead of a Q3 FY26 update due May 26. Data centres accounted for 73% of its A$14.4 billion work in progress in February. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.12% Thursday, while the RBA cash rate stands at 4.35%. Goodman reported first-half operating profit of A$1.20 billion.
May 14, 2026
Wesfarmers Limited Just Put ASX:WES Investors on Notice: Bunnings, Kmart and Rates Are the Test
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Wesfarmers Limited Just Put ASX:WES Investors on Notice: Bunnings, Kmart and Rates Are the Test

Wesfarmers will hold its Strategy Briefing Day in Sydney on June 10, with presentation materials set for release before an 8:30 a.m. AEST webcast. Shares closed at A$71.73 on May 14, near recent lows, as the Reserve Bank of Australia’s rate hike to 4.35% dampens hopes for retail relief. February’s half-year net profit rose 9.3% to A$1.603 billion, but shares fell after the result missed trading expectations.
May 14, 2026
Fortescue Ltd’s A$150 Million Hit Isn’t Over: Yindjibarndi Weighs Appeal
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Fortescue Ltd’s A$150 Million Hit Isn’t Over: Yindjibarndi Weighs Appeal

A Federal Court ordered Fortescue to pay A$150 million to Yindjibarndi traditional owners for cultural loss tied to its Solomon Hub iron ore mine. Yindjibarndi leaders are considering an appeal after the court rejected their royalties-based economic claim. Fortescue said it accepts compensation is owed and could pay quickly. The case is Australia’s largest native title compensation award to date.
May 14, 2026
BHP’s Incoming CEO Opens Door to Copper Deals as Shares Hit Record
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BHP’s Incoming CEO Opens Door to Copper Deals as Shares Hit Record

BHP incoming CEO Brandon Craig said the miner will pursue smaller acquisitions and partnerships to drive growth beyond 2035. BHP shares hit record highs this week, buoyed by copper exposure, closing at A$62.06 in Australia. China’s port stocks of BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore dropped 3.1% after Beijing lifted purchase curbs, but inventories remain elevated. Former BlueScope CEO Mark Vassella joins BHP’s board June 1.
May 14, 2026
Diageo PLC Gets an India Profit Boost as Premium Drinks Outrun U.S. Weakness
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Diageo PLC Gets an India Profit Boost as Premium Drinks Outrun U.S. Weakness

United Spirits, Diageo’s Indian unit, posted a 28% rise in March-quarter consolidated profit to 5.39 billion rupees, with revenue at 68.55 billion rupees. The board recommended a final dividend of 11 rupees per share. Growth in higher-priced drinks offset some local policy pressures. Diageo’s North American sales fell 9.4% in the third quarter, contrasting with India’s gains.
May 14, 2026
IAG Just Cleaned Up €822 Million of Debt — But Fuel Costs Are Still the Real Story
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IAG Just Cleaned Up €822 Million of Debt — But Fuel Costs Are Still the Real Story

International Consolidated Airlines Group repurchased €821.7 million of its 2028 convertible bonds, canceling 99.6% of the issue. The move follows a profit warning tied to rising jet-fuel costs and supply disruption from the Iran conflict. IAG shares fell 1% to 387.20 pence. The company reported a first-quarter operating profit of €351 million and net leverage at 0.5 times EBITDA.
May 14, 2026
Tesco PLC’s Equal Pay Fight Just Got Harder After Court Ruling
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Tesco PLC’s Equal Pay Fight Just Got Harder After Court Ruling

Tesco Stores lost most grounds in a Court of Appeal challenge over evidence in its equal pay litigation, with only one appeal point upheld. The court allowed employment tribunals to use Tesco’s own documents to assess job demands. Tesco faces about 62,000 equal pay claims from store staff and says any liability could be material but remains uncertain. The underlying case continues at a separate tribunal.
May 14, 2026
Shell Plc Reveals $23.8 Billion Government Payments Before AGM Climate Vote
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Shell Plc Reveals $23.8 Billion Government Payments Before AGM Climate Vote

Shell reported $23.84 billion in 2025 payments to governments for oil, gas, and mineral extraction, with Brazil, Oman, and Norway receiving the most. The disclosure comes five days before Shell’s annual meeting, where investors will vote on a climate resolution. The report excludes refining and joint ventures. Shell’s effective tax rate was 39% for 2025, nearly double the OECD average.
May 14, 2026
BP Stock News: Uzbekistan Oil Deal Deepens Pivot as Whiting Labor Talks Loom
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BP Stock News: Uzbekistan Oil Deal Deepens Pivot as Whiting Labor Talks Loom

BP acquired a 40% stake in six oil and gas exploration blocks in Uzbekistan’s North Ustyurt region, marking its first project in the country. SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz each retain 30%, with SOCAR as operator. No purchase price or drilling timeline was disclosed. The deal comes as BP reorganizes under new CEO Meg O’Neill and faces investor scrutiny over debt and suspended buybacks.
May 14, 2026
Aviva Q1 Update: Premiums Jump 19% as Direct Line Deal Starts to Feed Through
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Aviva Q1 Update: Premiums Jump 19% as Direct Line Deal Starts to Feed Through

Aviva reported a 19% rise in first-quarter general insurance premiums to £3.4 billion after acquiring Direct Line, with UK and Ireland personal lines up 59%. Wealth net flows jumped 49% to £3.3 billion, but retirement sales dropped to £1.1 billion from £1.8 billion as bulk annuity volumes fell. The combined operating ratio improved to 94.1%. Aviva maintained its 2026 financial targets.
May 14, 2026
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