News 6 April 2026 - 7 April 2026

Lloyds Banking Group plc tests quantum computing to catch money mules
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Lloyds Banking Group plc tests quantum computing to catch money mules

Lloyds and IBM completed a nine-month quantum computing test that identified a deliberately embedded money mule network using anonymised transaction data on a 156-qubit IBM system. Lloyds called it the first-known quantum experiment targeting mule detection. UK regulators continue to press banks to improve anti-fraud controls. The technology remains experimental and is not yet ready for widespread use.
April 7, 2026
BP PLC Gets Fresh Egypt Gas Boost After Eni Finds 2 Trillion Cubic Feet Offshore

BP PLC Gets Fresh Egypt Gas Boost After Eni Finds 2 Trillion Cubic Feet Offshore

Eni reported a discovery of about 2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 130 million barrels of condensates at the Denise W-1 well offshore Egypt, where BP is a partner. The find comes as BP halts its $750 million quarterly buyback to reduce debt and boost oil and gas investment. BP named Carol Howle deputy CEO ahead of its April 23 annual meeting, where shareholders will vote on climate resolutions. Oil traded near $110 a barrel Tuesday amid Middle East tensions.
April 7, 2026
Shell Plc Q1 Update Could Show an Oil Windfall, but Qatar Damage Clouds Outlook
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Shell Plc Q1 Update Could Show an Oil Windfall, but Qatar Damage Clouds Outlook

Shell will release its first-quarter update on April 8, with crude prices near $110 a barrel and the Strait of Hormuz still shut. Analysts raised Shell’s Q1 profit estimates by an average of 15% after Middle East disruptions. Shell’s Pearl GTL plant in Qatar remains offline following attacks. The company’s $3.5 billion buyback and dividend policy remains under scrutiny after a weak fourth quarter.
April 7, 2026
Rolls-Royce Holdings Buyback Rolls On as Fresh Filing Sharpens Focus on £2.5 Billion 2026 Return Plan
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Rolls-Royce Holdings Buyback Rolls On as Fresh Filing Sharpens Focus on £2.5 Billion 2026 Return Plan

Rolls-Royce bought 385 shares at 1,172.5 pence each on April 2 under its £2.3 billion buyback programme, set for cancellation. Since launching the plan, the company has repurchased 28.2 million shares for about £344 million. Shares traded at 1,159 pence Tuesday, roughly 18% below the year’s high. Rolls-Royce will go ex-dividend on April 23, with a final 5.0 pence dividend due June 3.
April 7, 2026
UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 07.04.2026
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UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 07.04.2026

LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: April 7, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: April 7, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT Greatland Resources Increases Activity on ASX All Ordinaries Index April 7, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT. Greatland Resources has expanded its operations across the ASX All Ordinaries index, reflecting a strategic push in its market presence. The move demonstrates the company's intent to leverage broader market opportunities within Australia's primary stock market. Investors tracking Greatland Resources will note this expanded footprint as a potential signal of growth ambitions. Details about specific initiatives or financial implications remain limited at this stage. The ASX All Ordinaries index represents
April 7, 2026
Macquarie Group Provides $150 Million for Mesabi Metallics as Minnesota Iron Ore Project Nears Startup

Macquarie Group Provides $150 Million for Mesabi Metallics as Minnesota Iron Ore Project Nears Startup

Mesabi Metallics said Macquarie will provide $150 million to support a planned third-quarter 2026 startup of its Minnesota DR-grade iron ore mine and pellet plant. The project has also secured a $520 million Breakwall Capital facility and up to $10 billion in support from the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Mesabi expects to produce about 7 million tons of pellets a year. More than 800 construction workers are currently on site.
April 7, 2026
National Australia Bank Keeps Lowest Big Four One-Year Fixed Home Loan Rate Ahead of May Results
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National Australia Bank Keeps Lowest Big Four One-Year Fixed Home Loan Rate Ahead of May Results

National Australia Bank kept its one-year fixed home loan rate at 6.04% for owner-occupiers borrowing up to 80%, undercutting ANZ and Commonwealth Bank. NAB raised variable rates by 25 basis points after the Reserve Bank of Australia’s March hike. No NAB Connect payments processed on Easter Monday except fast and linked transfers. NAB’s half-year results are due May 4.
April 7, 2026
Virgin Australia Doha Flights Cancelled Until June 15 as Qatar Airways Lags Gulf Rivals
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Virgin Australia Doha Flights Cancelled Until June 15 as Qatar Airways Lags Gulf Rivals

Virgin Australia has cancelled all Qatar Airways-operated flights between Australia and Doha until at least June 15 due to ongoing security restrictions. Passengers can rebook, accept travel credit, or request refunds. Qatar Airways flights remain far below normal levels, with only 153 flights logged on April 5 compared to over 560 daily before February 28. Australian government travel advice for Qatar remains “Do not travel.”
April 6, 2026
Commonwealth Bank of Australia rolls out one-minute passport scan sign-up in digital banking push
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Commonwealth Bank of Australia rolls out one-minute passport scan sign-up in digital banking push

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has launched an NFC passport chip verification for new account openings via its app, onboarding over 2,700 users since January. The feature, which matches the passport chip with a selfie, is currently limited to some Australian customers. Migrants and international students must still visit a branch for full access. CBA says the process meets anti-money-laundering rules.
April 6, 2026
Santos Limited shares near 52-week high as LNG disruption keeps Barossa in focus
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Santos Limited shares near 52-week high as LNG disruption keeps Barossa in focus

Santos Ltd closed at A$8.08 on Monday, near its 52-week high, with trading volume more than double its 30-day average. The company recently forecast 2026 production of up to 111 million barrels of oil equivalent, boosted by Barossa LNG and the Pikka project. Santos temporarily shut Darwin LNG for equipment work and faces possible tax changes as LNG prices rise. Its annual general meeting is set for April 16 in Adelaide.
April 6, 2026
Woodside Energy Group Ltd Shares Back in Focus as Oil Shock Raises Stakes for Scarborough, Louisiana LNG
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Woodside Energy Group Ltd Shares Back in Focus as Oil Shock Raises Stakes for Scarborough, Louisiana LNG

Woodside Energy’s U.S. shares closed up 0.7% at $24.41 as Brent crude stayed above $109 a barrel and buyers sought non-Middle East supply. The Scarborough LNG project is over 94% complete, with first cargo targeted for late 2026. Woodside assumed control of the Beaumont New Ammonia plant in Texas in March, but lower-carbon output is delayed past 2026 due to construction setbacks.
April 6, 2026
BHP Group Ltd Shares Drop as Oil Shock, China Iron Ore Fight Put April Review in Focus
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BHP Group Ltd Shares Drop as Oil Shock, China Iron Ore Fight Put April Review in Focus

BHP shares fell 2.53% to A$51.23 in Sydney Monday as mining stocks dropped, with turnover at 8.7 million shares, below average. The company received US$4.3 billion from Wheaton Precious Metals in a silver streaming deal for future Antamina output. BHP reported a 22% rise in half-year profit, with copper surpassing iron ore in earnings. Iron ore sales face pressure from lower Chinese prices and shifting trade patterns.
April 6, 2026
Gold Prices Today: MCX Falls Below Rs 1.5 Lakh as Tanishq, Kalyan Cut 22K Rates
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Gold Prices Today: MCX Falls Below Rs 1.5 Lakh as Tanishq, Kalyan Cut 22K Rates

Gold June futures on MCX fell nearly 1% Monday, dropping Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,48,298 per 10 grams, with major jewellers cutting 22-carat retail rates. Tanishq listed 22-carat gold at Rs 13,710 a gram, down from Rs 13,875 on April 4. The decline follows a sharp FY26 rally and comes as the rupee weakens and Middle East tensions persist. Traders expect further volatility ahead of key U.S. economic data.
April 6, 2026
National Grid Gas Rate Hike Faces Key Massachusetts Test at Public Hearing
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National Grid Gas Rate Hike Faces Key Massachusetts Test at Public Hearing

National Grid’s proposal to raise gas delivery charges in Massachusetts would add about $24–$25 a month to typical winter bills in several regions if approved, with regulators set to hear public comment Monday in Lynn. The utility seeks a net $144 million annual increase in distribution revenue and a five-year plan to adjust rates yearly. New rates could take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Impacts would vary widely by customer type and income level.
April 6, 2026
GSK Shares Slip as U.S.-UK Drug Deal Eases Tariff Threat Before April Results
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GSK Shares Slip as U.S.-UK Drug Deal Eases Tariff Threat Before April Results

GSK’s U.S.-listed shares slipped 0.7% to $56.29 after a U.S.-UK medicines pact guaranteed zero U.S. tariffs on UK-made drugs for three years, in exchange for higher NHS prices and changes to NICE drug assessments. The deal comes as Trump imposed 100% tariffs on patented drugs not made in the U.S. or covered by pricing agreements. GSK will report first-quarter results April 29. AstraZeneca has similar tariff protection.
April 6, 2026
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA Heads Into Tougher Summer as Fuel Squeeze Deepens
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International Consolidated Airlines Group SA Heads Into Tougher Summer as Fuel Squeeze Deepens

IAG, owner of British Airways, faces rising fuel costs as U.S. crude for Europe hit a record $15 premium over Brent, driven by disrupted Middle East supplies. Jet fuel prices have outpaced crude, eroding IAG’s hedging protection ahead of the busy summer season. British Airways has extended flight suspensions to several Middle East destinations through May. IAG’s 2026 fuel bill has already climbed to €7.4 billion.
April 6, 2026
Prudential Opens Singapore Scrip Dividend Window After Pricing New Shares at $13.83
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Prudential Opens Singapore Scrip Dividend Window After Pricing New Shares at $13.83

Prudential plc has opened the election period for Singapore shareholders to choose new shares instead of cash for its 2025 second interim dividend, setting the scrip reference price at US$13.834482. The window runs until April 14, with new shares to be issued on the Hong Kong line. The scrip option may be withdrawn if London-listed shares drop 15% or more from the reference price by the deadline.
April 6, 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • Greencore Confirms Full-Year Profit Outlook After Bakkavor Merger Boost
    May 27, 2026, 4:54 AM EDT. Greencore Group PLC (LSE:GNC) reported double-digit earnings growth following its merger with Bakkavor, a UK-based food manufacturer. The company confirmed it remains on track to meet full-year profit expectations, driven by increased scale and operational efficiencies from the deal. The merger has positioned Greencore to strengthen its market share in the food manufacturing sector. Investors reacted positively to the update, seeing the consolidation as a strategic move to boost profits and long-term growth potential.