News 31 March 2026 - 1 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, 10:05 PM EDT BHP's Iron Ore Unit Hit by Port Hedland Strike, $50 Million at Risk July 15, 2026, 10:01 PM EDT. About 200 workers at BHP’s iron ore division are on strike at the Port Hedland export terminal in Western Australia, marking the company’s first protected industrial action in more than 25 years. The stoppage runs from 2pm to 10pm AWST and comes after failed talks with unions and the Fair Work Commission. Workers are pushing for equal pay, more transparent promotions, and better workplace rules, saying
July 15, 2026
British American Tobacco’s Velo Push Hits FDA Delay as U.S. Nicotine Pouch Reviews Stall
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British American Tobacco’s Velo Push Hits FDA Delay as U.S. Nicotine Pouch Reviews Stall

British American Tobacco’s attempt to ramp up Velo nicotine pouch sales in the U.S. has hit a snag with regulators. Reuters said Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration still hasn’t signed off on multiple products under a fast-track process, which had been expected to wrap up decisions by end-2025. BAT’s applications remain in limbo. Timing is key for BAT right now. The company’s counting on its smoke-free lineup—nicotine pouches, vapes, heated-tobacco—to offset the drag from falling cigarette sales. Back in February, BAT flagged that 2026 results would probably arrive at the lower boundary of its medium-term growth targets, despite 2025 shaping up to hit the top end of its guidance.
April 1, 2026
Barclays PLC buyback tops 105 million shares as fresh risks test £15 billion return plan
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Barclays PLC buyback tops 105 million shares as fresh risks test £15 billion return plan

Barclays PLC reported Wednesday it has repurchased 105.5 million shares since Feb. 10, continuing its £1 billion buyback effort. March filings put total voting share capital at 13.73 billion shares, with 3.49 million new ordinary shares entering trading during the month. Just a day after Barclays handed out its 5.6 pence full-year dividend, the spotlight stayed fixed on capital returns. The buyback—Barclays snapping up and retiring its own shares—means fewer shares in play. Investors are left weighing how much longer Barclays can keep buying back at this clip, with UK car-finance compensation claims and ongoing private credit worries still hanging over the outlook.
April 1, 2026
Unilever PLC’s $65 Billion McCormick Deal Draws Union Warning, Splits Investors
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Unilever PLC’s $65 Billion McCormick Deal Draws Union Warning, Splits Investors

Unilever PLC announced Tuesday plans to merge its food division with McCormick in a $65 billion deal—marking the largest shake-up under CEO Fernando Fernandez. Knorr, Hellmann’s, and other brands would shift to the new joint food entity, narrowing Unilever’s scope to household and personal care goods. This shift pulls out a segment responsible for 12.9 billion euros in sales last year—over a quarter of group revenue—but one that managed just 2.5% growth, falling behind other parts of Unilever. For years, investors have urged Unilever to streamline, with calls to double down on the higher-growth beauty and personal care space.
April 1, 2026
Glencore Extends South Africa Smelter Job-Cut Deadline to April 7 in Eskom Power Talks
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Glencore Extends South Africa Smelter Job-Cut Deadline to April 7 in Eskom Power Talks

Glencore’s South African chrome joint venture extended the deadline for its retrenchment talks to April 7, giving Eskom more time—another week—to wrap up internal sign-off on a discounted electricity rate. The Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture confirmed that a 62 South African cents per kilowatt-hour rate has in-principle approval, though the final commercial terms are still being hammered out. The additional week is pivotal: the outcome of the tariff could determine if the planned job cuts are still avoidable and whether the venture can sustain its ferrochrome operations commercially. On Tuesday, Merafe told shareholders it had already lodged a counterproposal back on March 12, and the partners agreed to push the Section 189 consultation—a process under South Africa’s Labour Relations Act regarding
April 1, 2026
HSBC appoints new China wealth chiefs as mainland growth push gathers pace
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HSBC appoints new China wealth chiefs as mainland growth push gathers pace

HSBC Holdings has tapped Max Xu to lead International Wealth and Premier Banking in China, the business that’s driving its affluent-client strategy. Samuel Chen will take over as head of the China private bank. Both appointments are effective April 1. According to the bank, mainland China remains a linchpin in its international wealth ambitions, with wealth invested assets up 37% in 2025. Kai Zhang, the group’s Asia wealth chief, put household cash holdings in China at “around USD22 trillion.” These hires take on fresh significance as wealth becomes a core growth lever for Chief Executive Georges Elhedery, who’s in the midst of reshaping HSBC and pushing to boost returns. The bank, in February, bumped up its return on tangible equity
April 1, 2026
BP PLC CEO Meg O’Neill Promises Consistency as Debt Reset Faces First Test (Reuters)
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BP PLC CEO Meg O’Neill Promises Consistency as Debt Reset Faces First Test (Reuters)

London, April 1, 2026, 12:14 BP Plc’s freshly appointed chief executive, Meg O’Neill, assured employees Wednesday she plans to deliver “clear direction and consistency,” kicking off her leadership with a pledge to maintain the company’s current course as it doubles down on oil and gas. O’Neill stands out as BP’s first external chief executive in over 100 years, and she’s also the first woman at the helm of any of the top five global oil majors, according to a staff memo reviewed by Reuters and previous company disclosures.
April 1, 2026
Rolls-Royce SMR Project Moves Closer to Wylfa Build After £300 Million Contract Award
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Rolls-Royce SMR Project Moves Closer to Wylfa Build After £300 Million Contract Award

Rolls-Royce Holdings took another step toward bringing its small modular reactors online this Wednesday, as Great British Energy-Nuclear tapped a joint venture between Amentum and Cavendish Nuclear for the Wylfa project in North Wales. The owner’s engineer contract, valued at up to £300 million, could stretch out over 14 years. According to the companies, the deal will back the rollout of Rolls-Royce SMR technology at the site. This award moves Britain’s first Rolls-Royce SMR project from the selection stage into the nuts-and-bolts of execution planning. Acting as owner’s engineer, the firm takes on the key role of independent technical adviser for the client, handling design, safety, and delivery oversight. SMRs—smaller reactors, built in modules for quicker assembly than conventional plants—are
April 1, 2026
Shell Plc Eyes 20 Trillion Cubic Feet of Venezuela Gas Near Trinidad as LNG Crunch Deepens
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Shell Plc Eyes 20 Trillion Cubic Feet of Venezuela Gas Near Trinidad as LNG Crunch Deepens

Shell Plc is close to sealing a deal with Venezuela's government for rights to four offshore gas blocks near Trinidad and Tobago, potentially unlocking around 20 trillion cubic feet of reserves and shoring up supplies for Atlantic LNG. According to two people with knowledge of the matter, Shell is pushing for more territory beyond the well-known Dragon field—something the company acknowledged in an emailed statement as it confirmed its interest in the extra acreage. Timing’s crucial here. The global liquefied natural gas market has tightened fast—Qatari supply and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz took a hit after the Iran war, and Trinidad’s Atlantic LNG has faced gas shortages, keeping it below full output. Asian spot LNG prices have soared
April 1, 2026
UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 01.04.2026

UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 01.04.2026

LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: April 1, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: April 1, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT ASX 200 Healthcare Shares Draw Investor Attention April 1, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT. Several ASX 200 healthcare shares are gaining investor interest today amid mixed market conditions. The ASX 200 index includes top Australian companies by market capitalization. Healthcare stocks often attract attention due to their defensive nature and innovation potential. While specific stock movements vary, the healthcare sector's performance reflects broader investor sentiment toward stability and growth in challenging markets. Traders should note the disclaimer from Kalkine Media, highlighting that the content is for
April 1, 2026
Westpac Banking Corporation Warns RBA Could Hike Three More Times, Cash Rate Seen at 4.85%
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Westpac Banking Corporation Warns RBA Could Hike Three More Times, Cash Rate Seen at 4.85%

Westpac Banking Corp has shifted its outlook, now anticipating the Reserve Bank of Australia will raise the cash rate three more times—May, June, and August—pushing it up to 4.85%. The bank is flagging fallout from Middle East fuel disruptions as a driver behind the higher price forecasts. “We now expect the RBA to hike in June and August as well as May,” chief economist Luci Ellis said. Westpac is penciling in headline inflation at 5.4% for the June quarter, with its preferred trimmed mean measure landing near 4% later this year. Unemployment, Westpac projects, could edge up to around 5%, with no cuts to rates seen before 2028. As for the government’s temporary fuel excise cut, Ellis noted it would
April 1, 2026
UK Mortgage Rates Jump, Homebuyers Retreat as Iran War Threatens House Price Rebound
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UK Mortgage Rates Jump, Homebuyers Retreat as Iran War Threatens House Price Rebound

UK house prices jumped 0.9% in March, outpacing forecasts, with Nationwide reporting a 2.2% climb year-on-year to £277,186—the biggest monthly increase since December 2024. But the momentum is already under threat: a surge in mortgage rates is dampening buyer appetite and casting doubt on the spring rebound in Britain’s housing market. The rebound could be fleeting. Nationwide pointed out that in March, markets flipped from expecting two Bank of England rate cuts to betting on three hikes in the coming year. The shift followed the Iran conflict, which sent energy prices up and pushed swap rates higher—those are the market benchmarks lenders use when setting fixed mortgage deals.
April 1, 2026
American Express Replaces Visa as NFL Payments Partner, Leaves XRP Speculation Behind
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American Express Replaces Visa as NFL Payments Partner, Leaves XRP Speculation Behind

NEW YORK, March 31, 2026, 17:58 EDT American Express is set to take over from Visa as the NFL’s official payments partner starting with the 2026 season, following a multi-year global agreement revealed Monday. The deal hands AmEx cardholders perks including ticket presales, exclusive on-site experiences, and offers tied to certain NFL events both in the U.S. and internationally.
April 1, 2026
National Australia Bank Says It Contacted 200,000 Businesses as Fuel Costs and Rate Risks Mount

National Australia Bank Says It Contacted 200,000 Businesses as Fuel Costs and Rate Risks Mount

National Australia Bank Limited said Wednesday it has reached out to nearly 200,000 business clients since early March, aiming to assess the impact of fuel-price swings—especially across agriculture, transport, manufacturing, construction, and regional supply chains. The bank noted that most customers are handling the situation themselves, with few requesting hardship assistance. Australia is moving to cushion the impact of a fuel price spike linked to the Iran war. This week, Canberra announced it would cut fuel excise by half and pause the heavy road-user charge—applied to trucks—for three months, following Brent crude’s 59% jump in March and Australian diesel averaging over A$3 a litre last week.
March 31, 2026
Woodside Energy Group Ltd Resets Browse Carbon Capture Plan Under Australia’s New Law
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Woodside Energy Group Ltd Resets Browse Carbon Capture Plan Under Australia’s New Law

Woodside Energy pulled its Browse carbon capture and storage plan from Australia’s federal approval track, opting instead to resubmit under updated environment laws. The move keeps a key element of the Browse gas project’s emissions strategy in play. “The new rules allow a revised referral,” a spokesperson said March 30. This is significant: Browse is planned as the supply lifeline for the decades-old North West Shelf LNG plant in Western Australia, which secured federal approval last year to keep running until 2070. The timing is notable—just days ago, Cyclone Narelle knocked production offline at Woodside’s Karratha gas plant, the main onshore facility for the North West Shelf.
March 31, 2026
BHP Group Ltd shares jump 5% as China PMI surprise lifts miners (Reuters)
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BHP Group Ltd shares jump 5% as China PMI surprise lifts miners (Reuters)

BHP Group’s U.S. shares rallied 5.4% to $72.74 on Tuesday. Rio Tinto climbed roughly 5%. The gains came as fresh Chinese factory numbers—an official PMI reading—showed the fastest expansion in a year for March, boosting sentiment for the mining giants. This comes with BHP just weeks out from its April 22 operational review, which will cover the nine months ending March 31. That scheduled production update drops as investors hunt for more clarity around demand in the miner’s key iron ore and copper segments.
March 31, 2026
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Flags Card Rewards Changes After Australia’s Surcharge Ban
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Commonwealth Bank of Australia Flags Card Rewards Changes After Australia’s Surcharge Ban

Late Tuesday, Commonwealth Bank of Australia flagged potential changes to its card lineup, rewards, and perks after the Reserve Bank of Australia moved to ban most card surcharges—those familiar checkout fees—and slashed interchange fees, upending the business model for consumer cards starting Oct. 1. Though the bank supported the surcharging ban, it cautioned that broader fee cuts could pressure a vital funding source for both cards and payments systems. The warning is notable: CBA, Australia’s biggest lender, tends to lead the pack in retail banking. According to the RBA, the changes could save consumers A$1.6 billion annually and reduce business payment costs by roughly A$900 million. Banks, though, push back, saying the interchange fee — embedded in card transactions and
March 31, 2026
Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Soar on Trump Hormuz Shift, but Oil Risk Lingers
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Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Soar on Trump Hormuz Shift, but Oil Risk Lingers

Wall Street rallied hard Tuesday, snapping higher as traders latched onto hints that Washington might opt for a muddled resolution to the Iran standoff instead of holding out for the Strait of Hormuz to clear. The S&P 500 surged 2.91% to 6,528.81, while the Nasdaq spiked 3.84% to 21,592.47. The Dow climbed 2.47%, adding roughly 1,125 points to finish at 46,334.83. The rebound landed just after a rough March, when oil prices, rising bond yields, and a fresh wave of inflation jitters hammered markets. Earlier in the week, the Dow and Nasdaq both dropped into correction—off more than 10% from their recent peaks—while the S&P 500 teetered on posting its harshest quarterly loss since 2022.
March 31, 2026
Macquarie Share Price Outlook: Analysts Still See 16% Upside After Volatile March
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Macquarie Share Price Outlook: Analysts Still See 16% Upside After Volatile March

Macquarie Group shares wrapped up March 31 at A$201.93, and broker targets tracked by MarketScreener suggest the price could climb roughly 16% in the coming year. Thirteen analysts, on average, see the stock hitting A$233.70; individual predictions stretch from a bullish A$255 to a more cautious A$205. The timing is key here: Macquarie wrapped up its fiscal year recently and is on deck to announce full-year numbers May 8. Investors are left guessing if the upbeat trading update back in February held up through a turbulent March. On Tuesday, minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia revealed policy confusion—with officials divided over a March rate hike and still uncertain about what happens next.
March 31, 2026
Anglo American Shares Rebound as Teck Merger Timeline, Chile Copper Bet Stay in Focus
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Anglo American Shares Rebound as Teck Merger Timeline, Chile Copper Bet Stay in Focus

Anglo American ended Tuesday at 3,153 pence, rising from Monday’s 3,093 pence finish but remaining a long way off the 3,701 pence it closed at back on Feb. 27. European stocks steadied, with some relief for miners as hints of a possible Iran de-escalation surfaced after a rough stretch. The rebound is significant, coming as Anglo pushes through an overhaul. The miner is offloading non-core units to sharpen its focus on copper and iron ore, even as it waits on final sign-offs for its $53 billion share-based merger with Teck Resources. Last week, Anglo announced plans to delist from Switzerland on June 26, moving closer to wrapping things up.
March 31, 2026
Vodafone Group PLC Accelerates Share Buyback With 5.4 Million Shares Ahead of Year-End
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Vodafone Group PLC Accelerates Share Buyback With 5.4 Million Shares Ahead of Year-End

Vodafone Group Plc ramped up its buyback on Tuesday, snapping up 5.4 million ordinary shares from Goldman Sachs International for treasury—part of the February program. That haul was more than twice Monday’s 2.7 million-share disclosure. Vodafone’s timing comes right at the close of its financial year, keeping capital return strategies in the spotlight as shareholders watch for signs that the Three UK merger and ongoing asset disposals will finally stabilize cash flow. Back in February, the company said its 500 million-euro buyback program would wrap up by May 11 at the latest, following 3.5 billion euros of repurchases since May 2024.
March 31, 2026
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