News 24 April 2026

Etihad Orders 10 Boeing Jets, Raising Talk of Hard-to-Get 787 Slots

Stock Market Today: Live Updates 15.07.2026

LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: July 15, 2026, 4:00 AM EDTUpdated: July 15, 2026, 1:03 PM EDT RECI trust's 10.3% yield: £2,000 could be worth £2,396 by July 2027, analysts say July 15, 2026, 10:12 AM EDT. Real Estate Credit Investments (LSE:RECI), a FTSE-listed trust lending to European property developers, is paying a 10.3% dividend yield. The shares are down 8% in the last year, leaving them at a 15% discount to net asset value. But the dividend has held at 3p per share each quarter. The trust makes money on higher rates in riskier parts of the real estate market. European
July 15, 2026
Imperial Brands Stock Faces Fresh Downgrade as £1.45 Billion Buyback Keeps Rolling
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Imperial Brands Stock Faces Fresh Downgrade as £1.45 Billion Buyback Keeps Rolling

Morgan Stanley downgraded Imperial Brands PLC to “equal-weight” on Friday, bumping up British American Tobacco instead to “overweight” in a sector reshuffle. Imperial, which has kept buybacks and pricing at the center of its returns strategy, slipped 0.18% to 2,767 pence on MarketScreener’s Cboe Europe estimate. British American Tobacco, meanwhile, rose 3.23% to 4,342 pence. This downgrade comes at a tricky moment for Imperial, just as the company faces scrutiny ahead of its May 12 half-year numbers. Sticking to its full-year guidance, Imperial’s latest trading update flagged market-share losses in its top five regions and indicated that profit growth will be weighted toward the back half.
April 24, 2026
SSE PLC Stock: Norges Bank Stake Cut Puts £33 Billion Grid Bet Under Fresh Spotlight
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SSE PLC Stock: Norges Bank Stake Cut Puts £33 Billion Grid Bet Under Fresh Spotlight

Norges Bank trimmed its voting stake in SSE PLC to 3.1281%, according to a London Stock Exchange filing—a new ownership signal for the UK utility ahead of full-year results set for next month. The holding slipped from 3.9871%, with the threshold crossed April 20, and SSE notified a day later. Timing’s in play here. With SSE’s May 28 results approaching, the spotlight is less on any shareholder shuffle and more on whether the company can actually finance and execute its substantial power grid and renewables expansion—without denting returns.
April 24, 2026
Southern Co-op’s 300-Branch Warning: Back Co-op Group Deal Or Face Administration
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Southern Co-op’s 300-Branch Warning: Back Co-op Group Deal Or Face Administration

Portsmouth, England, April 24, 2026, 14:57 Southern Co-op has told members the business will “most likely” go into administration if they reject a proposed merger with Co-op Group, a move that could jeopardize stores, jobs, and suppliers following three consecutive years of losses. Chair Janet Paraskeva and chief executive Ben Stimson delivered the warning in a message to members, intensifying pressure ahead of two key meetings set for May.
April 24, 2026
BP Shareholder Revolt: Climate Vote Blow Puts New CEO Meg O’Neill on the Spot
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BP Shareholder Revolt: Climate Vote Blow Puts New CEO Meg O’Neill on the Spot

BP PLC’s new execs took a hit at the company’s annual general meeting, with shareholders rejecting two resolutions the board had supported—putting fresh scrutiny on Chair Albert Manifold and CEO Meg O’Neill. This vote landed at a crucial moment for O’Neill and Manifold, marking their first big public challenge as they work to move BP back toward oil and gas after pulling away from a wider green-energy push that proved expensive. What started as a climate fight has become a governance issue: who gets to question BP, and just how much information the company owes its investors.
April 24, 2026
Lloyds Banking Group Shares Slip as Buyback, Q1 Results and Car Finance Risk Put LLOY on Watch
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Lloyds Banking Group Shares Slip as Buyback, Q1 Results and Car Finance Risk Put LLOY on Watch

Lloyds Banking Group plc snapped up 7.54 million shares on Thursday, according to a filing, with plans to cancel the stock as part of its ongoing capital return programme—even as shares slipped Friday afternoon. The buyback, executed via Goldman Sachs International, came in at a volume-weighted average price of 98.8528 pence. AJ Bell showed Lloyds quoted at 97.63p on the sell side and 97.66p to buy, down 1.23%. Timing is key here. Lloyds will release its first-quarter interim management statement this Wednesday, April 29. Chief Financial Officer William Chalmers will run through the results at 9:30 a.m., letting investors dig into margins, credit quality, and conduct costs.
April 24, 2026
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Secures Czech SMR Contract as Europe’s Nuclear Race Heats Up
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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Secures Czech SMR Contract as Europe’s Nuclear Race Heats Up

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc’s small nuclear reactor arm inked an early-works contract with Czech utility CEZ on Friday, pushing forward the Czech Republic’s debut small modular reactor project at the Temelín nuclear facility. The company noted the deal marks another European commitment for its SMR unit, following a UK contract signed earlier this month. Right now, what’s at stake for Rolls-Royce is converting years of talk about nuclear exports into firm contracts—no more just collecting government endorsements or being shortlisted for tech. Landing the Czech deal hands the company a new European foothold, crucial as policymakers hunt for reliable, low-carbon energy sources to complement renewables and conventional nuclear plants.
April 24, 2026
Barclays PLC Faces Fresh MFS Shock Days Before Q1 Results
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Barclays PLC Faces Fresh MFS Shock Days Before Q1 Results

Barclays PLC is under renewed scrutiny following the collapse of UK mortgage lender Market Financial Solutions, as the bank claimed in court that missing funds may have been “fraudulently circulated” via entities linked to the defunct lender. MT Newswires, with information from Bloomberg, reported that Barclays made the allegation while opposing a move to unfreeze assets held by Trident Funding, a firm backed by Banco Santander. Barclays will release first-quarter results at 7:00 a.m. UK time on Tuesday, April 28—a date that lands amid growing scrutiny of credit losses, private-credit holdings, and capital return plans.
April 24, 2026
Lufthansa Axes 20,000 Summer Flights As Jet Fuel Shock Hits Europe
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Lufthansa Axes 20,000 Summer Flights As Jet Fuel Shock Hits Europe

Lufthansa Group plans to axe 20,000 short-haul flights from its summer roster through October, a significant retreat as jet fuel prices climb on fallout from the Iran conflict. The German airline expects to save upwards of 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel with the move, while group capacity will shrink by under 1%—measured in available seat kilometers, or the total number of seats multiplied by distance flown. The timing is crucial, with peak summer bookings ramping up just as airlines face soaring fuel bills. Jet fuel has jumped sharply—Reuters puts prices in the $150-$200 per barrel range lately, compared to $85-$90 previously. That’s a huge hit, considering fuel often eats up as much as 25% of airline operating costs.
April 24, 2026
British American Tobacco Stock Jumps As Morgan Stanley Upgrade Meets Fresh Buyback
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British American Tobacco Stock Jumps As Morgan Stanley Upgrade Meets Fresh Buyback

Shares of British American Tobacco surged Friday, catching a 3.0% boost to 4,330 pence in late-morning trading after Morgan Stanley shifted its view on the FTSE 100 firm to “overweight” from “underweight.” The upgrade put BAT near the top of the FTSE 100’s leaders, according to Alliance News, on a day when the broader London market lagged. The call is drawing attention as investors rework how they rank tobacco stocks—cash flow, defensive profits, and who’s got the most riding on rapid-growth smoke-free lines. Morgan Stanley lowered its rating on Imperial Brands, BAT’s UK rival, to “equal-weight.” That split decision sharpened comparisons within a sector pressured by falling cigarette demand and tighter regulation.
April 24, 2026
National Grid Adds Capacity for 480,000 Homes as UK Grid Upgrade Push Accelerates
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National Grid Adds Capacity for 480,000 Homes as UK Grid Upgrade Push Accelerates

LITTLE HORSTED, England, April 24, 2026, 12:56 BST National Grid plc has fired up its Little Horsted substation in East Sussex, bringing an extra 0.5 gigawatts online for Britain’s grid. The company says the new site, positioned along the pylons running from Bolney to Ninfield, can supply energy for as many as 480,000 homes — a boost that lands as the South East sees power connection requests climb.
April 24, 2026
Why Unilever PLC’s Nigeria Profit Rise Is Landing at a Critical Moment
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Why Unilever PLC’s Nigeria Profit Rise Is Landing at a Critical Moment

Unilever PLC’s Nigerian arm posted stronger first-quarter numbers: revenue jumped to ₦59.17 billion, up from ₦46.98 billion a year ago, according to unaudited results. Profit before tax reached ₦13.42 billion, compared with ₦10.75 billion. Net profit moved higher as well, coming in at ₦7.02 billion versus ₦5.55 billion. The clock’s ticking for Unilever, with its first-quarter trading statement set for April 30. Investors want to see if the company’s emerging-market units are still pulling their weight when it comes to volume growth, especially as Unilever ramps up its focus on beauty, personal care, and home care.
April 24, 2026
JD Sports Boardroom Fight: Chair Quits After Failed Move Against CEO
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JD Sports Boardroom Fight: Chair Quits After Failed Move Against CEO

Andrew “Andy” Higginson stepped down as chair of JD Sports Fashion after his attempt to oust Chief Executive Regis Schultz failed to gain full board support, the Financial Times said Friday, citing four sources with knowledge of the situation. According to Reuters, which relayed the FT’s story, Higginson had urged the board to replace Schultz, who has been in the role for three and a half years. JD Sports’ breakup comes just ahead of its full-year earnings report set for May 7, zeroing in investor attention on how the British retailer plans to regain momentum in North America and address sluggish sales at home in the UK and across Europe. The stock slipped in London on Friday, extending declines from
April 24, 2026
London Stock Exchange Group’s Record Q1 Puts AI Doubts on the Back Foot
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London Stock Exchange Group’s Record Q1 Puts AI Doubts on the Back Foot

London Stock Exchange Group plc bumped up its revenue-growth target for 2026 following a record-setting first quarter. Volatile trading conditions drove volumes higher, while the company’s data arm continued to expand—this, even as some investors keep a close eye on AI risks. LSEG now sees organic constant-currency total income growth, excluding recoveries, landing in the upper half of its 6.5% to 7.5% guidance range. LSEG’s update comes at a tricky moment. The stock has been under pressure, with investors worried that AI technology could erode the value of its core financial data business. On top of that, activist Elliott Management is agitating for changes to LSEG’s portfolio and a boost in margins. Thursday saw LSEG shares jump as much as
April 24, 2026
Porsche Exits Bugatti in Supercar Shake-Up as Rimac Takes the Wheel
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Porsche Exits Bugatti in Supercar Shake-Up as Rimac Takes the Wheel

Porsche is selling its shares in both Bugatti Rimac and Rimac Group to a consortium fronted by HOF Capital out of New York, paving the way for Rimac Group in Croatia to seize control of Bugatti. With this move, Porsche steps back from a high-profile hypercar alliance that’s drawn industry attention. Timing is critical here. Porsche is looking to unlock capital and sharpen its priorities, coming off a brutal 2025 that saw operating profit plunge 93% and margins shrink to just 1.1%—down steeply from 14.1% the year before. U.S. tariffs, along with sluggish demand in China, hit hard.
April 24, 2026
HSBC Dividend Watch: May 5 Earnings Date Puts Cash Returns Back on the Line
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HSBC Dividend Watch: May 5 Earnings Date Puts Cash Returns Back on the Line

HSBC Holdings plc is lining up its initial shareholder payout for 2026, putting the first interim dividend on the table as a board committee plans to meet May 5. The group will approve first-quarter results and weigh the first scheduled cash return for the new financial year. The decision is in focus as investors reassess HSBC’s payouts amid a shakier market mood. UK bank stocks lost ground Friday—both HSBC and Barclays fell over 1%, tracking a lower FTSE 100. Higher oil prices and fresh Middle East concerns kept traders on edge.
April 24, 2026
RELX PLC Stock Gets Fresh AI Test After £350 Million Buyback and 2026 Outlook Reassurance
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RELX PLC Stock Gets Fresh AI Test After £350 Million Buyback and 2026 Outlook Reassurance

RELX PLC kept its full-year outlook steady and announced a new £350 million share buyback, aiming to reassure investors following a choppy period for legal and data names unsettled by worries that artificial intelligence might disrupt parts of their business. Timing is key here. The London-listed information and analytics group is touting gains from its own AI-enabled products to shareholders, even as investors keep probing if newer AI tools might eat into the value of its proprietary legal, risk and research data.
April 24, 2026
KPMG Cuts 10% of U.S. Audit Partners After Retirement Push Falls Short
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KPMG Cuts 10% of U.S. Audit Partners After Retirement Push Falls Short

KPMG is set to axe roughly 10% of its U.S. audit partners—a notable move for the Big Four, which has spent years quietly steering more partners toward early exits. The news surfaced first in the Financial Times, then Bloomberg Tax filled in further details, reporting that partners got word of the cuts this Wednesday. Timing counts here—this isn’t a routine staff reduction. Partners occupy that upper tier in audit firms, carrying both ownership stakes and client oversight, so trimming their ranks signals a more aggressive overhaul of audit’s business model, even though demand for assurance hasn’t cratered. According to The Wall Street Journal, about 100 partners are affected, and performance isn’t the reason behind it.
April 24, 2026
UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 24.04.2026
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UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 24.04.2026

LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: April 24, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: April 24, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT 4 Key Valuation Metrics for Westpac Banking Corp (WBC) Shares April 24, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT. Westpac Banking Corp (WBC), Australia's second-largest bank, last traded at $39.01. Key valuation numbers include its net interest margin (NIM) of 1.93%, higher than the ASX major bank average of 1.78%. This margin reflects Westpac's profitability from lending. Its return on equity (ROE) stands at 9.7%, surpassing the sector average of 9.35%, indicating efficient profit generation for shareholders. Employee culture rating of 3.4/5, above the banking sector average, supports
April 24, 2026
Lynas Rare Earths Revenue Jumps 115% as U.S., Japan Lock In Non-China Supply
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Lynas Rare Earths Revenue Jumps 115% as U.S., Japan Lock In Non-China Supply

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd delivered gross sales revenue of A$265 million in the March quarter, jumping 115% from the same period a year ago and marking its highest result since late 2022. Buyers continued to seek rare earths outside China, keeping demand robust, the Australian miner said, as customers aimed to lock in non-Chinese supply chains. Timing is key here. The U.S. and allied nations are working to loosen China’s grip on the critical minerals trade, a sector it’s dominated for years. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said this week that partners should expect to incur a "national security premium" for minerals that don’t come from China. Meanwhile, new Chinese customs figures show U.S. imports of Chinese rare-earth magnets dropped
April 24, 2026
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