BP Q2 Profit Jumps to $5.7B as Iran Crisis Lifts Oil Prices
August 4, 2026, 6:18 AM EDT. BP reported a $5.73 billion profit for Q2 2026, its best quarterly result since 2022, as the Iran war pushed oil prices higher and tightened supply worldwide. Brent crude averaged $103.85 a barrel, well above the $67.88 average from a year ago. The price jump helped BP double profits and also pushed up earnings at peers like Shell. CEO Meg O’Neill said BP will sell off its US renewables and North Sea assets to stick with higher-value projects. Environmental groups criticized the profit surge, calling it profiteering while fuel prices jumped. Analysts pointed to BP’s strategy shift as a way to keep the company resilient if the oil market cools off.
BP profits highest in four years as Iran w…
Pressure grows for bigger UK bank windfall tax as HSBC HSBA.L Q2 profit jumps to £7.5bn
August 4, 2026, 6:03 AM EDT. HSBC posted a 60% rise in Q2 profit to £7.5bn, helped by strong wealth fees and higher rates. Profits at the UK’s four top banks, including NatWest, Barclays and Lloyds, hit £29.2bn for the first half of 2024. Campaign groups Positive Money and the Trades Union Congress are calling for a windfall tax like Spain’s 38% levy on bank revenues over £800m, saying it might raise £19bn. Andy Burnham is backing the idea for public cost of living relief like VAT cuts on electricity and bus fare caps. Bank leaders admit they power growth, but push back on new tax ideas. Campaigners say lenders could handle the hit, ramping up the fight before the October budget.
Calls for UK bank tax to fund cost of livi…
FTSE 100 up 0.3% as US tech surge lifts sentiment
August 4, 2026, 6:02 AM EDT. The FTSE 100 added 0.3% on Tuesday, tracking a lift in global sentiment after a US tech rally and reports of possible US-Iran talks, though Iran denied them. Miners were strong, Antofagasta jumped 4%. BP rose after reporting solid quarterly profits and less net debt. Smith & Nephew lost 7% after it cut its profit outlook. HSBC dropped 1% even as profits rose 23% and it launched a $1 billion buyback. Analysts kept a cautious but upbeat tone, saying US tech earnings and oil prices could steer markets into August, with geopolitics in play.
FTSE 100 gains as sentiment improves
BP, Keller, Filtronic In Focus As London Shares React To Earnings On Aug 4
August 4, 2026, 5:32 AM EDT.BP posted half-year underlying replacement cost profit of $8.93 billion, nearly triple from last year’s $3.73 billion, mainly on earlier oil price gains. Operating cash flow hit $13.7 billion and net debt dropped to $22.25 billion. BP’s Q2 dividend rises 4% to 8.66 cents a share, while oil price swings remain a risk. Keller Group reported revenue up 11.1% to £1.61 billion and EPS up 22.4% to 120.1p, raising its interim payout 57% to 28.7p and cutting debt. Forward P/E at 12; US infrastructure drives value though cycles still a threat. Filtronic missed on revenue at £55.5 million and profits fell to £4.6 million from £14 million, dropping EPS to 1.78p. Shares dropped 8%. Results set a mixed tone for London trading today.
UK stock market results today: BP, Keller,…
Trump Blasts Oil Giants on Profits as Iran Tensions Rock Market
August 4, 2026, 5:31 AM EDT. Donald Trump hit out at big U.S. oil companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron for pulling in record profits during the energy market disruption tied to Iran. Brent crude ran up from $70 a barrel to $126 before easing back to around $85. ExxonMobil and Chevron together reported over $26 billion in profit for Q2-Chevron with $12.2 billion and ExxonMobil at $14.5 billion. BP saw its profit double to $5.7 billion. Trump urged the firms to give profits back to consumers and lower fuel prices, pointing to the $4.11 per gallon average, and said oil prices fell but prices at the pump didn’t. Climate groups called the profits exploitative, with inflation still weighing on households.
Trump slams oil companies for ‘making too …
Travis Perkins Shares Jump 17% After Profit Beat, Strong Balance Sheet
August 4, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT. Shares in Travis Perkins climbed 17% after the company posted first-half revenue of £2.26 billion, down 1.8% from last year as volumes fell. Adjusted operating profit rose 6.3% to £67 million, helped by an £11 million boost to gross margins. The balance sheet improved, moving from net debt of £103 million to £55 million in net cash, driven by tighter working capital and property disposals. General Merchant and Toolstation UK delivered solid results, but Toolstation’s Benelux unit reported a £7 million loss. CEO Gavin Slark highlighted the group’s operational gains and stronger finances. The interim dividend was cut to 4.0p, in line with a 30%-40% payout policy. Travis Perkins expects flat trading in the second half with UK construction weak.
Travis Perkins strengthens balance sheet a…
How to Size Up NAB (ASX: NAB) Shares Fast
August 4, 2026, 5:15 AM EDT. National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is one of the big four and a heavy lender in both business and residential markets. NAB posts a net interest margin at 1.71%, under the majors’ 1.78% average, showing where profits from lending stand. Return on equity came in at 11.4%, ahead of the sector’s 9.35%. But employee culture ratings, like Seek’s 3 out of 5, stay behind peers, raising HR questions. Also watch the Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio for capital safety.
4 quick ways to assess the NAB share price
AstraZeneca Shares Recover as Merger Talk Swirls; Citi Sees Limited Downside
August 4, 2026, 5:14 AM EDT.AstraZeneca PLC shares climbed after Monday’s sharp fall on renewed merger rumors. A Citi broker said most deal risk already looks priced in, with little room left to drop. Analysts are still divided on the possible merger, with the deal’s outcome unclear. The stock move points to investors’ caution as discussions go on.
Brokers split on AstraZeneca merger talk a…
BP profit jumps 131% as oil prices surge on Middle East turmoil
August 4, 2026, 5:03 AM EDT. BP posted a 131% jump in quarterly profit to $5.73 billion in Q2, lifted by strong oil and gas prices as the Middle East crisis hit Gulf energy supply. CEO Meg O’Neill hinted at big strategic moves, even an exit from the North Sea after 60 years. The results come right after Shell and Saudi Aramco also logged heavy gains due to volatile markets and higher demand. The windfalls drew fire from environmental groups and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who slammed the soaring energy company profits with consumer bills and climate risks on the rise. O’Neill said BP is taking a pragmatic stance and focusing on UK resources under the new government.
BP profits more than double as Iran war se…
ASX 200 Closes at All-Time High With Tech, Healthcare, Banks Leading
August 4, 2026, 5:02 AM EDT. The ASX 200 finished at a record, pushed up by gains in technology, healthcare and banks. Tech shares got a lift from strong earnings. Healthcare names climbed on upbeat trial results. Bank stocks ticked up as the outlook for the economy improved. The index ended the session at its top close yet.
Evening Wrap: ASX 200 surges to record hig…
3 ASX ETFs you could pick with $3,000 in April 2024
August 4, 2026, 5:01 AM EDT. With $3,000, investors have options to spread risk using ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs). Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (NDQ) holds 100 big US names outside financials, covering themes like AI, cloud, and e-commerce, but it’s tech-heavy and can swing. Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF ASIA is aimed at Asia’s main tech players in chips, gaming, and digital, and brings more regional risk but a shot at growth. Betashares Global Cash Flow Kings ETF (CFLO) looks for companies with solid free cash flow, aiming for financial safety and possible dividends. Using these ETFs mixes global tech bets with some cash flow stability in 2024.
3 ASX ETFs to buy with $3,000 this month
DP Poland LSE:DPP drops 41% from March high as like-for-likes soften, new CEO steps in
August 4, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT. Shares in DP Poland LSE:DPP have slumped 41% since March 2024. The Domino’s operator in Poland and Croatia grew system sales 17.5% in H1, but weaker like-for-like orders in Poland hit Q2. The group is pushing a capital-light franchise model-38% of its stores are now franchised, up from 15% a year ago. CEO Nils Gornall pointed to cost efficiencies from commissary moves. New CEO Łukasz Ostrowski will step in before results in mid-September. Despite recent pressure, analysts see some UK equity potential during global uncertainty. Stock trades close to 7p, but investors need to watch the headwinds.
Down 41%, is there any way back for this 7…
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Drops as Investors Take Profits on H1 Beat
August 4, 2026, 4:59 AM EDT. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC shares slipped after the company posted higher first-half profits. Traders sold into strength, with profit-taking weighing on the stock after the interim update. The move comes even as earnings improved, showing investor caution following the latest results in the beverage group.
Coca-Cola Europacific shares lose fizz aft…
Pinnacle (ASX: PNI) profit jumps 31% as fund inflows hit record
August 4, 2026, 4:44 AM EDT. Pinnacle Investment Management Group (ASX: PNI) posted a 31% rise in full-year statutory net profit after tax to $176.7 million, as funds under management climbed to a record $229.4 billion, up 28% on the year. Underlying NPAT, which strips out one-offs, increased 21% to $138 million. The board kept the final dividend at 31 cents a share, making the total payout for the year 60 cents, most of it franked. Pinnacle logged net inflows of $33.4 billion, with strong retail and offshore demand. The group bought the rest of Pacific Asset Management and took stakes in Japan’s Advantage Partners and the UK’s Asset Value Investors. Managing Director Ian Macoun said Pinnacle’s spread of businesses and international reach are helping drive future growth.
Pinnacle Investment Management: Profit up …
Filtronic shares slide 9% as profits slip but 2027 orders back guidance
August 4, 2026, 4:43 AM EDT. Filtronic shares fell 9% after the company posted lower profit for the year, with adjusted EBITDA dropping to £11.3 million from £17 million and operating profit down to £4 million from £13.4 million. Revenue was steady at £55.5 million, slightly down from £56.3 million last year. Investors focused on weaker 2026 revenue guidance. Filtronic cut its reliance on SpaceX to 68% of revenue from 83%, picking up more than $77 million in new contracts across space, aerospace and defence. It moved into a new site with £200 million capacity and pushed into higher-frequency RF tech. The company said its order book now covers around 90% of FY2027 revenue targets, backing its outlook.
Filtronic shares dip as profit falls in in…
Lloyds up 60% in a year as bank benefits from higher rates
August 4, 2026, 4:27 AM EDT.Lloyds Banking Group Plc shares jumped from 75p to 115p from August 2025 to August 2026, putting up almost a 60% return with dividends. £3,000 put into Lloyds a year ago would now total around £4,750. The rise comes as higher interest rates lift lending margins for the bank. Lloyds has outperformed most peers and tech names like Nvidia during a volatile global stretch. Some investors now question if gains can last, as inflation and geopolitical risk stay in focus. The FTSE 100’s strong run this year has helped Lloyds’ position stand out in UK stocks.
£3,000 invested in Lloyds shares 1 year ag…
BP Plans Sale of US Biogas Unit as Profits Jump
August 4, 2026, 4:16 AM EDT. BP said it will sell its US biogas business after profits jumped. CEO Bernard Looney said the company is seeing offers for its North Sea assets too. The company is moving to focus on its main operations. BP has built up biogas in recent years, but now it wants to cash in and put money into higher-return areas. BP is keeping its North Sea assets in focus as the sector shifts and deals continue.
BP to sell US biogas business as profits s…
BP, Keller, Filtronic move after half-year numbers in UK market
August 4, 2026, 4:14 AM EDT. UK stocks reacted today as BP, Keller Group, and Filtronic reported half-year results. BP posted profits of $8.93 billion as oil prices rose, and the board raised the dividend by 4% while cutting debt. Keller shares jumped 30% lately after reporting revenue up 11.1%, earnings per share up 22.4%, and a 57% dividend hike. Keller’s forward P/E is at 12, with the company looking to US infrastructure growth. The sector still faces risks tied to the economic cycle. BP’s payout could interest income hunters, but shares still track oil swings. Filtronic results weren’t out yet when this was published.
UK stock market results today: BP, Keller,…
HSBC HSBA.L Resumes $1B Buyback After Hong Kong-Driven Q2 Earnings Beat
August 4, 2026, 4:12 AM EDT. HSBC Holdings PLC said it will restart its $1 billion buyback after holding off since last October, as Q2 profit beat forecasts on strength from Hong Kong. Earnings topped analyst estimates, with the bank calling Hong Kong critical for growth. HSBC said the buyback shows confidence in shareholder returns.
Stock Market Today: Live Updates 04.08.202…
HSBC HSBA.L restarts $1 billion buyback after Hong Kong boosts Q2 profit
August 4, 2026, 4:04 AM EDT. HSBC Holdings PLC said on Tuesday it will restart a $1 billion buyback after pausing repurchases since October. Second-quarter profit came in strong, with the lender crediting Hong Kong for much of the growth. Earnings beat analyst forecasts. The bank is stepping up its focus on Hong Kong, which it calls a key market. HSBC said the fresh buyback shows it’s confident in future returns to shareholders.
