News 27 April 2026 - 28 April 2026

Trump’s Tariff Plan B Targets Economies Behind 99% of U.S. Imports
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Trump’s Tariff Plan B Targets Economies Behind 99% of U.S. Imports

The Trump administration will open public hearings Tuesday on trade probes targeting forced labor and industrial overcapacity, following a Supreme Court ruling that blocked Trump’s emergency tariffs. The U.S. Trade Representative will examine 60 economies, including China and the EU, for forced-labor enforcement. A temporary 10% import surcharge expires July 24. Industry groups and foreign officials are set to testify.
April 28, 2026
UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 28.04.2026
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UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 28.04.2026

LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: April 28, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: April 28, 2026, 11:56 PM EDT ASX Midday Sector Update: Utilities Rise Amid UAE OPEC Exit, Materials Fall April 28, 2026, 11:56 PM EDT. Utilities stocks on the ASX gained 1.7% midday Wednesday after the United Arab Emirates announced its departure from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), heightening energy supply concerns amid US-Iran tensions. Origin Energy shares rose nearly 3%, recouping previous losses. Meanwhile, materials stocks declined 0.8%, led by Westgold Resources, which dropped over 2% following its fiscal third quarter gold production report of 93,145 ounces. Westgold's
April 28, 2026
Cochlear Limited Stock Shock Deepens as AustralianSuper Cuts Stake After Profit Warning
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Cochlear Limited Stock Shock Deepens as AustralianSuper Cuts Stake After Profit Warning

AustralianSuper cut its stake in Cochlear Limited to 5.02% from 7.24%, a filing showed Monday, after Cochlear slashed its profit outlook last week. Cochlear shares closed at A$95.25, down 2.16% Monday and 40.7% lower last Wednesday after the downgrade. The company now forecasts FY26 underlying net profit of A$290–330 million, far below consensus estimates.
April 28, 2026
Santos Limited CEO Gets A$5 Million Equity Award as Barossa, Pikka Deadlines Loom
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Santos Limited CEO Gets A$5 Million Equity Award as Barossa, Pikka Deadlines Loom

Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher received 665,283 share acquisition rights worth about A$5.1 million after shareholders approved the grant with 94.55% support. The award comes as Santos prepares for Barossa LNG’s production ramp and first oil sales from Alaska’s Pikka project. HESTA voted against Gallagher’s pay, citing performance concerns. Santos shares closed down 1.8% at A$7.65 on Monday.
April 28, 2026
National Australia Bank’s New AI Science Team Puts NAB Jobs and May Results in Focus
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National Australia Bank’s New AI Science Team Puts NAB Jobs and May Results in Focus

National Australia Bank has launched its first AI Science team, led by George Mathews and reporting to Chief AI Officer Mahya Knox. The move comes ahead of NAB’s May 4 half-year results, as investors focus on credit quality and tech spending. NAB recently warned first-half credit impairment charges would double to A$706 million. The bank is also restructuring, with a net loss of about 170 jobs in Australia and new roles offshore.
April 28, 2026
PLS Group Limited’s A$38.1 Million Lithium Trial Tests Australia’s Battery-Materials Ambition
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PLS Group Limited’s A$38.1 Million Lithium Trial Tests Australia’s Battery-Materials Ambition

PLS Group Limited has started commissioning a lithium-processing demonstration plant at Pilgangoora, backed by up to A$38.1 million in Australian government funding. The plant will use Calix’s electric-kiln technology and is expected to produce first lithium phosphate in the September quarter of 2026. PLS reported record March-quarter production and revenue, with lithium prices and sales both rising.
April 27, 2026
ANZ Group Holdings Faces New Cost Fight as Regional Banks Push $153 Million Branch Plan
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ANZ Group Holdings Faces New Cost Fight as Regional Banks Push $153 Million Branch Plan

Australia’s Regional Banking Investment Alliance has urged the government to require major banks, including ANZ, to fund face-to-face regional branch services through a levy estimated at A$153 million. The push comes as ANZ prepares to report half-year results on May 1. Regional banks claim they are losing revenue as customers use their services for transactions while holding accounts with larger banks. The proposal would exempt smaller banks with less than 1% of industry assets.
April 27, 2026
Northern Star Buyback: Why the KCGM Turnaround Is Back in Focus
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Northern Star Buyback: Why the KCGM Turnaround Is Back in Focus

Northern Star Resources repurchased 923,598 shares for about A$20.6 million in the first two days of its A$500 million buy-back, filings showed. Shares closed at A$22.14 Monday, up 1.28% on the day but down 6.82% over the week. The company reported March-quarter free cash flow of A$301 million and reaffirmed 2026 gold sales and cost guidance. KCGM mill expansion costs have increased.
April 27, 2026
Fortescue Ltd China Iron Ore Deal Nears as CMRG Tests ASX:FMG Pricing Power
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Fortescue Ltd China Iron Ore Deal Nears as CMRG Tests ASX:FMG Pricing Power

Fortescue Ltd is nearing a supply deal with China’s state-backed iron ore buyer, Bloomberg reported, as Beijing seeks greater control over pricing. Fortescue shipped 48.4 million tonnes in the March quarter, up 5% year-on-year, but cut Iron Bridge guidance after cyclone disruptions. Shares closed at A$19.77 on Monday. The board approved a US$680 million green energy project in the Pilbara, targeting completion by 2028.
April 27, 2026
CSL Shares Bounce After Buyback Tops 6 Million, But Pentagon Flu Vaccine Shock Lingers
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CSL Shares Bounce After Buyback Tops 6 Million, But Pentagon Flu Vaccine Shock Lingers

CSL Limited has repurchased over 6 million shares for about A$1.024 billion as of Monday, amid a sharp stock decline and ongoing buyback program. The company’s shares closed at A$131.82, just above last week’s 52-week low, after the U.S. scrapped its military flu vaccine mandate, affecting CSL’s key Seqirus unit. Half-year profit fell 81% to US$401 million. Gordon Naylor was named interim CEO in February.
April 27, 2026
BHP Group Ltd’s Electric Train Push Hits Union Roadblock as Pilbara Race Tightens
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BHP Group Ltd’s Electric Train Push Hits Union Roadblock as Pilbara Race Tightens

BHP’s plan to begin testing two battery-electric locomotives in Western Australia’s Pilbara region has been delayed by rail safety and union consultation rules, The Australian reported Monday. The locomotives, built by Wabtec, arrived in Port Hedland in November and were set for real-world trials on BHP’s iron ore rail network. Fortescue has started similar trials, while Rio Tinto has paused its own battery locomotive plans.
April 27, 2026
Woodside Energy Stock Slips Before Q1 Report as CEO Pay Revolt Tests New Boss
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Woodside Energy Stock Slips Before Q1 Report as CEO Pay Revolt Tests New Boss

Woodside Energy shares closed down 1.47% at A$32.13 on Monday, ahead of its first-quarter report due April 29. Nearly 35% of shareholders opposed the CEO’s FY26 long-term incentive award at last week’s AGM, reflecting governance concerns. Investors are focused on production guidance and progress at the Scarborough and Louisiana LNG projects. All AGM resolutions passed despite the protest vote.
April 27, 2026
Rachel Reeves Cash ISA Shake-Up: Skipton’s 4.55% Deal Lands As Savers Face 2027 Tax Hit
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Rachel Reeves Cash ISA Shake-Up: Skipton’s 4.55% Deal Lands As Savers Face 2027 Tax Hit

Skipton Building Society launched an 18-month fixed-rate cash ISA at 4.55% AER, ahead of new rules that will cut the annual cash ISA allowance for under-65s to £12,000 from April 2027. The government will also raise the tax rate on savings income by 2 percentage points that year. Skipton’s account requires a £500 minimum and does not allow withdrawals during the term. Average one-year fixed ISA rates hit 4.01% in April.
April 27, 2026
Aviva plc Extends Menopause Support to 675,000 More Customers as Health Cover Competition Tightens
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Aviva plc Extends Menopause Support to 675,000 More Customers as Health Cover Competition Tightens

Aviva will extend specialist menopause support to over 675,000 additional private medical insurance customers and families via its Digital GP service. The insurer bought 931,432 shares for cancellation on April 24 as part of its buyback programme. Aviva shares traded at 626.80 pence, down 0.32%, at 17:25 BST Monday. The company’s AGM is set for May 6, with a trading update and dividend payment scheduled for May 14.
April 27, 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • UK Bond Market Turmoil Signals Risks for Global Public Finances
    May 26, 2026, 2:44 PM EDT. The UK bond market is showing signs of strain, which could serve as an early warning for countries with unsustainable public finances. Market volatility in UK government bonds has raised concerns about potential ripple effects, especially for the U.S. Treasury market, often seen as a global benchmark. Investors and policymakers are watching closely to assess whether similar fiscal pressures could affect other economies.