News 19 May 2026

Howden Joinery Shares Up After UK Jobs Data Pushes FTSE 100 Higher; Kitchen Demand Remains Weak
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Howden Joinery Shares Up After UK Jobs Data Pushes FTSE 100 Higher; Kitchen Demand Remains Weak

Howden Joinery Group shares rose 0.44% to 736.25 pence on Tuesday, lifted by a broader London rally after UK jobs data reduced expectations of a near-term Bank of England rate hike. The FTSE 100 gained 0.64%. Howden’s shares remain down 11.35% for the year. The company reported a 3.7% rise in group sales for the first 16 weeks of 2026 and plans to open 30 new depots this year.
May 19, 2026
United Utilities Rises Again With Thames Water in Focus
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United Utilities Rises Again With Thames Water in Focus

United Utilities shares rose 1.76% to 1,329 pence in London at 14:01 BST Tuesday, valuing the company at about £9.88 billion. The move followed weak UK labour data, which eased concerns over an imminent Bank of England rate hike. Investors weighed the company’s £800 million share sale and expanded infrastructure plan against ongoing political risk in the water sector.
May 19, 2026
BAE Systems Gains as Europe Defence Stocks Attract Buyers
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BAE Systems Gains as Europe Defence Stocks Attract Buyers

Adobe shares rose 2.14% in premarket trading Tuesday to $261.10 after closing Monday up 3.25%. The move came as S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures fell, with technology stocks under pressure. Adobe’s market value stood near $103.33 billion, well below last year’s high. The company recently approved a $25 billion stock buyback through 2030.
May 19, 2026
SSE Shares Trade as Investors Watch Grid Test
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SSE Shares Trade as Investors Watch Grid Test

SSE shares rose 0.3% to 2,353p in London, trailing the FTSE 100’s broader gains after weak UK jobs data eased rate hike worries. The stock remains nearly 15% below its April 13 high, with investors awaiting full-year results on May 28. SSE is balancing a major grid investment plan and high debt levels. Peers National Grid and Centrica outperformed on the day.
May 19, 2026
Compass Group Shares Fall After Profit Outlook Raised
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Compass Group Shares Fall After Profit Outlook Raised

Compass Group shares fell 1.46% to $32.25 in London on Tuesday, underperforming the FTSE 100, after a recent profit forecast upgrade. The company reported first-half revenue of $25 billion, up 9% underlying, and raised its 2026 operating profit growth target to above 11%. Investors remain cautious over office demand and inflation. Compass switched its London share trading currency to U.S. dollars in April.
May 19, 2026
IAG Launches Buyback as Fuel Costs Loom
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IAG Launches Buyback as Fuel Costs Loom

International Consolidated Airlines Group shares held steady at 385.5 pence in midday London trading Tuesday after launching a new €500 million buyback, with 5.61 million shares traded by 12:53 BST. The buyback, which began May 18 and may run until September 30, follows a completed €500 million programme last week. IAG reported Q1 revenue up 1.9% to €7.18 billion and operating profit up 77.3% to €351 million. Fuel costs remain a concern.
May 19, 2026
Diageo Shares Up as Guinness Gains Counter Weak U.S. Spirits
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Diageo Shares Up as Guinness Gains Counter Weak U.S. Spirits

Diageo shares rose 1.26% to 1,571p in London on Tuesday, outpacing the FTSE 100, after stronger Guinness demand and early actions by CEO Sir Dave Lewis. Third-quarter net sales increased 2.3% to $4.5 billion, with gains in Europe, Latin America, and Africa offsetting continued weakness in North America. Non-executive director John Rishton bought 3,274 shares at £15.27 each on May 18.
May 19, 2026
Diploma Shares Rally After Profit Upgrade
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Diploma Shares Rally After Profit Upgrade

Diploma PLC shares rose 4.75% to 6,940p after the company raised its 2026 outlook, citing strong demand in aerospace, defence, datacentres, and energy. First-half revenue climbed 17% to £851.1 million, with adjusted operating profit up 33% to £208.9 million. Diploma now targets 12% organic revenue growth and over 30% adjusted operating profit growth for the year.
May 19, 2026
National Grid shares edge higher as £70bn grid plan draws UBS caution
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National Grid shares edge higher as £70bn grid plan draws UBS caution

National Grid shares rose 1.83% to 1,253.50p/1,254.50p in late-morning London trading Tuesday, continuing a rebound after last week’s profit miss. The company plans at least £70 billion in grid investment through 2031, but faces questions over debt, valuation, and execution risk. Operating profit rose 10% to £5.43 billion, though adjusted profit missed consensus due to higher U.S. storm costs.
May 19, 2026
Shell investors watch for AGM outcome as buybacks roll on
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Shell investors watch for AGM outcome as buybacks roll on

Shell shares fell 0.23% to 3,282 pence in London Tuesday as its annual meeting began, with investors set to vote on CEO pay, buybacks, and a call for more disclosure on future value if oil demand drops. The stock had surged nearly 3% Monday but remains 8% below its March high. Shell confirmed it bought back 231,000 shares on May 18 as part of a $3 billion buyback program running through July.
May 19, 2026
LSEG Shares Edge Up After Broadcom Deal Catches Market Eye
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LSEG Shares Edge Up After Broadcom Deal Catches Market Eye

London Stock Exchange Group shares rose 1.29% to 9,394 pence on Tuesday after announcing a renewed five-year technology partnership with Broadcom focused on VMware Cloud Foundation. LSEG also reported a 9.8% rise in first-quarter income excluding recoveries and continued its share buyback, purchasing 1.46 million shares for cancellation. The FTSE 100 gained 0.61%.
May 19, 2026
Barclays Shares Move After Buyback and Rule Changes
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Barclays Shares Move After Buyback and Rule Changes

Barclays shares rose 1.14% to 431.10p in early London trading Tuesday, outpacing the FTSE 100 after the bank bought back 22.5 million shares and the UK announced plans to loosen ring-fencing rules. The government said the changes could unlock up to £80 billion in extra business lending. Barclays reported Q1 pretax profit of £2.81 billion and launched a new £500 million buyback last month.
May 19, 2026
Why Standard Chartered Stock Is Slipping After Its Big AI Jobs Plan
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Why Standard Chartered Stock Is Slipping After Its Big AI Jobs Plan

Standard Chartered shares slipped 0.49% to 1,912 pence in London after the bank unveiled a new growth plan targeting a return on tangible equity above 15% by 2028 and about 18% by 2030. The lender will cut over 7,000 jobs by 2030, focusing reductions on corporate and back-office roles. Manus Costello was named group CFO, pending regulatory approval. The FTSE 100 rose 0.69% at the same time.
May 19, 2026
RELX shares climb again as buyback, AI stay in view
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RELX shares climb again as buyback, AI stay in view

RELX shares climbed 1.3% to 2,535.5p in London on Tuesday, continuing a rebound after the company disclosed buying 3.44 million shares for treasury last week. The stock remains well below its 2023 high of 4,183p. Monday’s close was up 3.34% at £25.04, with trading volume below the 50-day average. The FTSE 100 rose 0.68% to 10,393.81 in Tuesday trading.
May 19, 2026
Rio Tinto Drops Even as FTSE Pushes Higher
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Rio Tinto Drops Even as FTSE Pushes Higher

Rio Tinto shares fell 2.1% to 7,561 pence in London morning trade Tuesday, underperforming a rising FTSE 100. The decline followed a one-year high last week and came as iron ore prices slipped 0.21% to $110.54 a tonne. Other miners, including Glencore and Antofagasta, also traded lower. No major company-specific news was reported.
May 19, 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • Oil prices drop below $100 on Iran peace deal hopes, markets rise
    May 25, 2026, 8:37 AM EDT. Oil prices fell below $100 a barrel for the first time in two weeks as hopes grow for a US-Iran peace deal. Brent crude dropped 5.5% to just under $98. The conflict's focal point remains Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint. Equity markets responded positively, with Japan's Nikkei up nearly 3% and Europe's Stoxx 600 rising 0.8%. The dollar weakened while the pound hit its highest level since May. Analysts caution markets remain wary as past negotiations have stalled. Inflation fears have driven central banks to consider further rate hikes, with the Bank of England expected to raise rates twice in 2024.