Stock Market 29 March 2026 - 30 March 2026

UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 09.04.2026

UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 09.04.2026

LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: April 9, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: April 9, 2026, 8:24 AM EDT Metlen Energy & Metals Enhances Presence in FTSE Index April 9, 2026, 8:12 AM EDT. Metlen Energy & Metals has strengthened its position within the **FTSE landscape**, reflecting growing investor confidence in the company. This move underscores Metlen's strategic growth amid shifting market dynamics. The company's inclusion in the FTSE index, a benchmark for the UK's leading stocks, signals its rising prominence in energy and metals sectors. Investors should note that this development may influence trading volumes and valuation metrics. Financial advisors recommend reviewing portfolio
April 9, 2026
Wall Street Rebounds, but Dow and Nasdaq Stay in Correction as Oil Shock Deepens

Wall Street Rebounds, but Dow and Nasdaq Stay in Correction as Oil Shock Deepens

The Dow rose 324 points by midday Monday but remained in correction, with Brent crude near $113 as Middle East fighting widened and oil surged 60% in March. U.S. and European bond markets showed signs of stress, and Morgan Stanley cut its global equities outlook to neutral. President Trump warned Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 also stayed well below recent highs.
March 30, 2026
Informa Plc accelerates share buyback, cancels 1.9 million shares as stock stays off highs

Informa Plc accelerates share buyback, cancels 1.9 million shares as stock stays off highs

Informa Plc bought back 1.897 million shares last week for cancellation at an average 756.55 pence each, reducing its share count to 1.274 billion. The company raised its 2026 buyback target to £250 million and reported £4.04 billion in 2025 revenue. Some Middle East events have been delayed to late 2026 due to the Iran war. Shares closed Monday at 745.8 pence, down 25% from November’s high.
March 30, 2026
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Jumps 1.6% as Oil Rally Lifts Shell, BP and Rio Tinto

UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Jumps 1.6% as Oil Rally Lifts Shell, BP and Rio Tinto

The FTSE 100 jumped 1.6% to 10,127.96 on Monday, led by oil and mining stocks as Brent crude briefly topped $115 a barrel amid Middle East supply fears. The FTSE 250 slipped 0.05%. Sterling hit a three-week low against the euro, and UK two-year bond yields surged as traders shifted to expect more Bank of England rate hikes. Mortgage approvals rose to 62,600 in February.
March 30, 2026
Australia Stock Market Slips as Westpac Leads Bank Selloff, Rio Tinto and South32 Surge

Australia Stock Market Slips as Westpac Leads Bank Selloff, Rio Tinto and South32 Surge

Australian shares fell 0.6% Monday, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing at 8,461 as banks and tech stocks dropped and miners gained on surging oil and aluminium prices. Westpac now expects three RBA rate hikes by August, while Canberra halved fuel excise for three months. Rio Tinto rose 4.9% and Westpac fell 4%. Brent crude neared $115 a barrel after its steepest March rise on record.
March 30, 2026
RELX PLC shares rise as buyback tests whether AI fears have gone too far

RELX PLC shares rise as buyback tests whether AI fears have gone too far

RELX PLC shares climbed 1.9% to 2,438 pence in London on Monday after the company extended its buyback plan, authorizing up to £350 million in repurchases through April 22. The move follows a completed £450 million tranche and is part of a £2.25 billion program for 2026. RELX reported a 9% rise in adjusted operating profit in February. The company’s annual general meeting is set for April 23.
March 30, 2026
Barclays PLC Cancels 21.3 Million Shares Ahead of FCA Motor Finance Decision

Barclays PLC Cancels 21.3 Million Shares Ahead of FCA Motor Finance Decision

Barclays bought back 21.3 million shares last week, extending its £1 billion repurchase plan ahead of a key UK motor finance compensation ruling. The Financial Conduct Authority warned consumers not to use claims firms, which could take up to 30% of payouts. Barclays’ share capital will fall to 13.7 billion after cancellation. The bank faces uncertainty over potential compensation costs tied to motor finance commissions.
March 30, 2026
Anglo American plc Shares Open Higher in London as Miners Rally; Gemco and Teck Stay in Focus

Anglo American plc Shares Open Higher in London as Miners Rally; Gemco and Teck Stay in Focus

Anglo American shares opened 0.5% higher at 3,076 pence in London on Monday, topping Friday’s close. The move came as miners rose after Rio Tinto resumed Pilbara iron ore operations post-cyclone, though Anglo’s Gemco manganese mine remains shut. Anglo is preparing to delist from the Swiss exchange ahead of its Teck merger. The company cut 2026 copper guidance in February and posted a $3.7 billion annual loss.
March 30, 2026
UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 30.03.2026

UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 30.03.2026

LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: March 30, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: March 30, 2026, 11:57 PM EDT Bounty Oil & Gas Proposes Multi-Step Recapitalisation Plan Including $4 Million Raise March 30, 2026, 11:57 PM EDT. Bounty Oil & Gas N.L. (ASX:BUY) announced a multi-step recapitalisation plan featuring convertible notes issuance and a $4 million placement. The plan aims to tackle working capital needs and reduce short-term liabilities by converting $200,000 of debt into equity, with a 30-for-1 consolidation of securities. Convertible notes worth AUD 39,000 and loan notes totaling AUD 260,000 form part of the restructuring. Shareholder approval is required at a
March 30, 2026
Whitehaven Coal Limited shares rise even after CEO, chairman sell stock

Whitehaven Coal Limited shares rise even after CEO, chairman sell stock

Whitehaven Coal shares jumped 4.9% to A$9.23 on March 27, despite CEO Paul Flynn and Chairman Mark Vaile selling a combined A$10.1 million in stock this month. The company faces an April cash outflow for its Daunia and Blackwater mine purchase and is seeking to refinance a US$1.1 billion facility. Dimensional Entities disclosed a 5% stake. First-half revenue fell 28% to A$2.48 billion; EBITDA dropped 54% to A$446 million.
March 29, 2026
Australia Stock Market Week Ahead: Oil Spike, RBA Minutes, China PMI Put ASX on Alert

Australia Stock Market Week Ahead: Oil Spike, RBA Minutes, China PMI Put ASX on Alert

The S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.11% lower at 8,516.30 on Friday but ended the week up 1.0%, as Brent crude climbed above $112 a barrel and Wall Street fell sharply. The Reserve Bank of Australia will release March meeting minutes Tuesday after raising its cash rate to 4.10%. China’s March manufacturing PMI and key Australian economic data are due this week. Miners face rising diesel costs, with a 10-cent increase costing top firms $500 million.
March 29, 2026
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Week Ahead Faces Oil Shock, GDP Test and Good Friday Closure

UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Week Ahead Faces Oil Shock, GDP Test and Good Friday Closure

The FTSE 100 slipped 0.05% Friday and the FTSE 250 dropped 1.5%, both heading for steep monthly losses as oil prices surged and Middle East tensions persisted. The OECD cut its UK 2026 growth forecast to 0.7% and raised inflation expectations to 4%. London trading will pause for holidays April 3 and 6, delaying reaction to U.S. jobs data. Retail sales fell 0.4% in February and consumer confidence hit an 11-month low.
March 29, 2026
Fortescue Set to Pay A$0.62 Dividend as Macquarie Upgrade Pushes Shares Back Above A$20

Fortescue Set to Pay A$0.62 Dividend as Macquarie Upgrade Pushes Shares Back Above A$20

Fortescue Ltd will pay its A$0.62 interim dividend Monday, after shares closed at A$20.19 Friday following a Macquarie upgrade and A$22 target. February’s half-year profit rose 23% to $1.91 billion on record shipments and higher ore prices. Shareholders opting for stock will receive shares at A$19.2518. Fuel costs remain a risk, with a 10-cent diesel price change costing Fortescue $70 million.
March 29, 2026
BHP Group Ltd Stock Price Defies Selloff as India Demand, Pilbara Disruption Offset China Risk

BHP Group Ltd Stock Price Defies Selloff as India Demand, Pilbara Disruption Offset China Risk

BHP Group's U.S. shares closed up $0.97 at $69.50 on Friday, outperforming a falling market as iron ore talks with China remain unresolved and no new company disclosures emerged. Cyclone Narelle disrupted Pilbara ports, but Port Hedland stayed open. India's iron ore imports are rising, with BHP shipping rare cargoes there amid Chinese restrictions. Copper earnings surpassed iron ore for BHP in its latest results.
March 29, 2026
Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) Stock Price Faces New Test After UNITE Update, Rate Reset

Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) Stock Price Faces New Test After UNITE Update, Rate Reset

Westpac shares closed at A$40.74 on Friday, up 0.69%, ahead of a 25-basis-point home-loan rate hike set for March 31. The bank invested A$195 million in its UNITE overhaul last quarter, reducing products by over 70% and decommissioning 180 applications. Westpac sold a 1 billion euro covered bond on March 26. Interim results are due May 5, as investors weigh higher lending rates against overhaul costs.
March 29, 2026
Why Woodside Energy Stock Price Is Back in Focus as Cyclone Narelle Deepens LNG Crunch

Why Woodside Energy Stock Price Is Back in Focus as Cyclone Narelle Deepens LNG Crunch

Woodside Energy said Sunday that Tropical Cyclone Narelle continues to disrupt output at its Karratha gas plant, a key North West Shelf LNG hub. Chevron’s Wheatstone facility also remains partly offline after storm damage, deepening a global LNG supply crunch following Qatar’s shutdown. Woodside shares rose 0.26% in Sydney Friday. Port of Dampier reopened, but cargo imports are still suspended due to damage.
March 29, 2026
NAB share price outlook: National Australia Bank Limited stock enters Monday under pressure after 8% weekly slide

NAB share price outlook: National Australia Bank Limited stock enters Monday under pressure after 8% weekly slide

National Australia Bank shares closed at A$41.99 Friday, down 1.34% on the day and 7.9% over five sessions, now 12.4% below February’s record. The bank faces pressure after proposing about 170 job cuts in Australia and shifting roles offshore, while the Reserve Bank of Australia raised rates to 4.1% amid rising oil prices and Middle East tensions.
March 29, 2026
AIA Group Stock in Focus as Insurer Sets March 30 Start for $1.74 Billion Buyback

AIA Group Stock in Focus as Insurer Sets March 30 Start for $1.74 Billion Buyback

AIA Group said it will start a US$1.743 billion share buyback on March 30, running up to four months, after a sharp stock drop linked to confusion over an $18 billion debt programme. The insurer’s 2025 value of new business rose 15% to US$5.516 billion, with Hong Kong leading growth. The board raised the final dividend 10%. AIA received a waiver to allow buybacks during restricted trading periods.
March 29, 2026