Finance 25 February 2026

Haleon share price slides on softer 2026 growth view as buyback fails to calm investors
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Haleon share price slides on softer 2026 growth view as buyback fails to calm investors

Haleon shares dropped 4% to 389.30 pence in early London trading after the company forecast slower 2026 organic revenue growth of 3–5%, below its medium-term target. The Sensodyne maker cited weak U.S. demand and a mild cold-and-flu season. 2025 revenue slipped 1.8% to £11.03 billion. Haleon plans a £500 million buyback and proposed a 7.1 pence dividend.
February 25, 2026
Barclays share price today: buyback update lands as traders watch BoE rate-cut timing
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Barclays share price today: buyback update lands as traders watch BoE rate-cut timing

Barclays shares rose 1.2% to 465.5 pence in early London trading Wednesday, tracking gains in European bank stocks after a sector rebound. The bank bought back 4.38 million shares for cancellation at an average 456.35 pence on Feb. 24. Barclays also published a new base prospectus for its debt issuance program, approved by the UK regulator. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said a March rate cut remains uncertain.
February 25, 2026
NatWest share price ticks up on buyback update as BoE March cut stays an open question
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NatWest share price ticks up on buyback update as BoE March cut stays an open question

NatWest shares rose 1% to 610.4 pence after the bank disclosed a new round of buybacks, repurchasing 739,078 shares at just over 601 pence each. The bank also published final terms for a €750 million bond due 2037 and recently agreed to buy Evelyn Partners for £2.7 billion. Investors await the Bank of England’s March 19 rate decision and NatWest’s next results.
February 25, 2026
HSBC share price jumps after 2025 results as returns target rises and buyback pause looms
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HSBC share price jumps after 2025 results as returns target rises and buyback pause looms

HSBC’s Hong Kong shares closed up 4% after the bank raised its profitability target and set 2026 guidance for interest income, costs, and credit charges. The bank said it will pause new share buybacks until its core capital ratio returns to the target range, following the Hang Seng Bank deal. Annual pretax profit fell 7% to $29.9 billion due to $4.9 billion in one-off charges, but beat consensus by about $1 billion.
February 25, 2026
Orica share price edges up as buyback ticks on, with March deadline closing in
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Orica share price edges up as buyback ticks on, with March deadline closing in

Orica shares closed up 0.75% at A$24.19 after the company disclosed it bought back 220,106 shares for A$5.3 million on Feb. 24. The buyback program has absorbed 22.58 million shares for about A$468.4 million, leaving roughly A$32 million under its A$500 million cap. The buyback is scheduled to end March 27. Investors are watching for any change in pace ahead of May 7 results.
February 25, 2026
PLS Group share price extends two-day rally as lithium rebound takes hold — what to watch next
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PLS Group share price extends two-day rally as lithium rebound takes hold — what to watch next

PLS Group shares closed up 2.75% at A$4.85, extending Tuesday’s 8% gain amid heavy trading. A Morgan Stanley notice showed the bank crossed above and below the 5% substantial holder threshold within days. Investors tracked lithium price moves in China and awaited further ASX filings. PLS reported interim EBITDA of A$253 million and held about A$1 billion cash as of Dec. 31.
February 25, 2026
Fortescue share price jumps after half-year results; 62c dividend sets up next week
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Fortescue share price jumps after half-year results; 62c dividend sets up next week

Fortescue Ltd shares rose 4.7% to A$21.14 after reporting a 23% jump in half-year net profit to US$1.91 billion and record shipments of 100.2 million tonnes. The miner declared an interim dividend of A$0.62 per share, fully franked, with an ex-dividend date of March 2. Executives declined to comment on supply talks with China. Fortescue maintained FY26 shipment and cost guidance.
February 25, 2026
Woolworths share price jumps 13% on profit beat, dividend lift and upbeat outlook
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Woolworths share price jumps 13% on profit beat, dividend lift and upbeat outlook

Woolworths shares surged 12.97% to A$35.63 after first-half profit beat forecasts and the company raised its interim dividend. Group EBIT rose 14.4% to A$1.66 billion, while net profit after significant items dropped 49.4% to A$374 million due to a wage remediation charge. Australian Food sales rose 5.8% early in the second half. Investors await Coles’ results later this week.
February 25, 2026
CBA share price today: Commonwealth Bank stock edges up after A$90m AI plan as union flags 300 job cuts
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CBA share price today: Commonwealth Bank stock edges up after A$90m AI plan as union flags 300 job cuts

CBA shares closed up 0.1% at A$178.68 after announcing a A$90 million AI workforce program, as the Finance Sector Union said 300 jobs would be cut. Westpac rose 0.7% and ANZ gained 0.48%. Australia’s January inflation held at 3.8%, with markets pricing an 80% chance of a May rate hike. The S&P/ASX 200 ended at a record 9,128.30, up 1.17%.
February 25, 2026
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