THE MOST READ
London pre-open: Stocks seen down as BoJ ends negative interest rates
London stocks were set to fall at the open on Tuesday as investors mulled policy announcements from the Bank of Japan and Reserve Bank of Australia, and looked ahead to a key UK inflation reading this week.
Tuesday newspaper round-up: P&O Ferries, National Grid, Heathrow, Mike Lynch
P&O Ferries, which controversially sacked about 800 workers in 2022, has paid some crew members less than half the UK minimum wage thanks to an ongoing legal loophole the British government promised to close two years ago. Agency workers at the company, which is owned by the Dubai-based DP World, have in some cases been earning about £4.87 an hour – even lower than the £5.15 an hour the company suggested was its lowest pay rate – an analysis of recent payslips conducted by the Guardian and ITV News suggests. – Guardian
AstraZeneca to buy Fusion Pharmaceuticals, Diageo names Sir John Manzoni as next chair
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 15 points lower on Tuesday, having closed down 0.06% on Monday at 7,722.55.
DFS warns on profits after demand weakens 'significantly'
DFS cut its FY24 profit and revenue guidance on Tuesday as it said market demand has weakened "significantly" over the last two months following a solid start to January.
Japan lifts rates for first time in 17 years
Japan’s central bank raised interest rates on Tuesday, ending an eight-year policy of keeping them in negative territory in an attempt to boost economic growth.
Diageo names Sir John Manzoni as next chair
Diageo has announced that non-executive director and former Cabinet Office official Sir John Manzoni will step in as its new chair when Javier Ferrán retires from the head of the board next year.
Wickes' profits fall less than expected, but challenges remain
DIY and trade home-improvement retailer Wickes beat market forecasts despite a drop in its annual profits, but warned that trading since the start of the year continues to be challenging.
Unilever announces plans to separate ice cream business
Unilever unveiled its latest move to expedite its growth action plan (GAP) on Tuesday, through the separation of its ice cream business and the introduction of a significant productivity programme.
AstraZeneca to buy US-listed Fusion Phrama for $2bn
AstraZeneca said it had agreed to buy biopharmaceutical company Fusion Pharmaceuticals for up to $2bn.
Crest Nicholson to fork out up to £15m on more build defects
Crest Nicholson said on Tuesday that it has become aware of build defects on four sites that were completed prior to 2019 that could cost it up to £15m to fix.
Diversified Energy in $410m US gas acquisition
Oil and gas explorer Diversified Energy posted a rise in earnings despite weaker prices and announced the $410m acquisition of producing reserves in the central region of the US.
London open: FTSE nudges up as BoJ hikes rates
London stocks nudged higher in early trade on Tuesday as investors mulled the first rate hike by the Bank of Japan in 17 years and looked ahead to policy announcements from the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England this week.
RBA leaves rates unchanged, but warns inflation risks still remain
Australia's central bank left interest rates unchanged on Tuesday, as expected, but governor Michele Bullock warned that inflation remained at high levels.
Phoenix Group to report one-off £70m provision in results - report
Phoenix Group slumped on Monday after The Times suggested it will report a one-off provision of £70m in its annual results on Friday to cover the cost of reducing customer charges.
US close: Stocks reclaim some of Friday's losses
Wall Street stocks closed higher on Monday as major indices clawed back some of the previous session's losses ahead of tomorrow's Federal Reserve meeting.
London close: Stocks slip ahead of central bank decisions
London markets closed with a slight downturn on Monday as investors monitored upcoming rate decisions from a number of central banks.
Director dealings: Vodafone CFO makes share purchase
Vodafone Group revealed on Monday that chief financial officer Luka Mucic had acquired 2.46m ordinary shares in the FTSE 100-listed telecommunications giant.
Eurozone CPI confirmed at 2.6% in February; Trade hits surplus
Eurozone inflation in February was confirmed at 2.6%, down from 2.8% in January, according to official data released on Monday.
FTSE 100 movers: Phoenix under the cosh; Reckitt recovers
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0.1% at 7,721.31 in afternoon trade on Monday.
Week ahead: Bank of England, Fed rate decisions in the spotlight
Investors' focus over the coming week would be squarely on central bank policy decisions in the UK and U.S..
Currys lifts annual profit guidance after bid battle
UK electrical retailer Currys lifted guidance as it reported stronger-than-expected sales since the busy Christmas period.
Broker tips: Team Internet Group, Centrica, Beazley
Analysts at Berenberg slightly raised their target price on global internet company Team Internet Group on Monday after the group's full-year results came in "marginally ahead" of numbers provided at the time of its trading update on 29 January.
Europe close: Stocks little changed ahead of raft of central bank decisions
European shares were softer on Monday, having started the session higher thanks to upbeat China data.
London midday: Stocks edge up ahead of rate decisions
London stocks had edged higher by midday on Monday as investors eyed rate decisions this week from the Bank of Japan, the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England.
FTSE 250 movers: Chemring up on EU funding; Bytes Tech slumps as CEO goes
FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,495.60 -0.09%