Investment 4 March 2026 - 5 March 2026

Lloyds is leading the first round of bids for Aegon’s UK business, valued at £1–1.5 billion, according to Financial News. Phoenix Group and Canada Life also submitted offers, with final bids due next month. Lloyds disclosed a new share buyback, purchasing over 20 million shares at an average 98 pence each. Aegon began reviewing its UK unit as it shifts focus to the U.S.

Whitehaven Coal bought back 65,440 shares for A$534,770 on March 3, bringing total repurchases since Feb. 20 to 698,009 shares worth about A$5.5 million. The on-market buyback, managed by UBS Securities Australia, is capped at A$32 million and runs through June 30. Whitehaven’s interim dividend goes ex-dividend Feb. 26 and pays March 13. The company reported first-half EBITDA of A$446 million and net debt of A$710 million.

Sea Limited’s U.S.-listed shares fell 16.5% Tuesday after the company warned of higher costs and slower 2026 growth for Shopee’s sales volume. Operating expenses jumped over 28% to $2.43 billion in the December quarter, with marketing costs up at Shopee and Monee. Shopee’s gross merchandise value reached $36.7 billion, up 30.5%. Citi and Maybank called the sell-off an “overreaction” but flagged near-term profit concerns.

British American Tobacco shares rose 0.7% in early London trading after Tuesday’s 3.3% drop, as the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill returned to the House of Lords. The company disclosed a buyback of 92,891 shares on March 2 for cancellation. Lawmakers backed new enforcement funding and penalties in the bill, which faces its next session on March 5. Investors also watch BAT’s late-March ex-dividend date and U.S. vape enforcement.