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| Yesterday’s UK 100 Leaders | Price (p) | % Chg |
| Antofagasta | 3,870.0 | 6.1% |
| BP | 472.8 | 5.4% |
| Persimmon | 1,509.0 | 5.3% |
| AstraZeneca | 14,818.0 | 4.6% |
| Coca-Cola HBC | 4,630.0 | 3.4% |
| Yesterday’s UK 100 Laggards | Price (p) | % Chg |
| St James’s Place | 1,255.0 | -13.4% |
| RELX | 2,013.0 | -6.2% |
| Entain | 594.8 | -5.2% |
| Babcock International Group | 1,307.0 | -4.2% |
| Experian | 2,375.0 | -4.1% |
| Major World Indices | Price | % Chg | 1 Year |
| UK 100 INDEX | 10,472 | 1.1% | 19.3% |
| DOW JONES INDUS. AVG | 50,121 | -0.1% | 12.4% |
| DAX INDEX | 24,856 | -0.5% | 12.8% |
| NIKKEI 225 | 57,651 | 2.3% | 48.0% |
| S&P/ASX 200 INDEX | 9,015 | 1.7% | 5.6% |
| Commodities | Units | Price | % Chg |
| WTI Crude Oil (Nymex) | USD/bbl. | 64.63 | 1.05% |
| Brent Crude (ICE) | USD/bbl. | 69.60 | 1.16% |
| Gold Spot | USD/t oz. | 5,084 | 1.2% |
| Copper (Comex) | USd/lb. | 597 | 0.9% |
Click graph to enlarge
The UK 100 is called to open +74 at 10,546. The UK 100 looks set to open firmly higher this morning, breaking the 10,500 handle for the first time after new data showed the UK economy grew more slowly than expected at the final quarter of last year, the Office for National Statistics revealed that UK gross domestic product grew 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the third quarter, the same as in Q3 but below the 0.2% average forecast. Year-on-year, GDP expanded 1.0%, down from 1.2% and below the 1.2% consensus estimate.
The Dow Jones slipped on Wednesday and snapped a three-day win streak after the better-than-expected January jobs report failed to spark a sustainable advance. The blue-chip index lost 66.74 points, or 0.13%, and closed at 50,121.40. The S&P inched down less than a point to 6,941.47. The Nasdaq dropped 0.16% to end at 23,066.47. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ January nonfarm payrolls report, which had been delayed due to a partial government shutdown that ended on February 3rd, showed job growth of 130,000 last month. Economists polled by Dow Jones had called for a gain of 55,000. The latest figure also marked a sizable increase from December, which was downwardly revised to 48,000. The unemployment rate also landed at 4.3%, a bit below the Dow Jones forecast for 4.4%.
RELX, the British information group whose shares have been hit by concerns about advances in AI, said the new technology would drive growth for many years to come after it posted a 9% rise in 2025 operating profit.
Schroders today said its board had backed a £9.9 billion takeover offer from American investment firm Nuveen. The move creates one of the world’s largest global active asset managers, with £1.8 trillion of assets under management across institutional and wealth channels. The Schroders brand will be retained and London will serve as the combined group’s non-US headquarters and largest office. The proposed deal values each Schroders share at 612p, including dividends of 22p. The cash component of 590p is a 29% premium to last night’s price and 42% higher than the three-month average. Schroders chief executive Richard Oldfield said: “In a competitive landscape where scale can help deliver benefits, in Nuveen we see a partner that shares our values, respects the culture we have built and will create exciting opportunities for our clients and people.”
Unilever announced a €1.5 billion share buyback as the consumer good group reported improved sales momentum and expanding profit margins in 2025 after it spun off its ice cream arm. The owner of brands ranging from Marmite, Hellmans and Pot Noodle to Persil, Dove and Lynx posted results showing underlying sales growth was 3.5% for the year, with volumes up 1.5%. This was thanks to a stronger fourth quarter, where USG rose 4.2% and volumes 2.1%. Statutory turnover fell 3.8% over the year to €50.5 billion, reflecting a 5.9% currency headwind and a 1.2% impact from other smaller disposals. This excludes the impact of the Magnum Ice Cream split. Underlying operating profit fell 1.1% to €10.1 billion, even though underlying operating margin widened by 60 basis points to 20.0%, driven by tighter overhead control. Underlying earnings per share increased 0.7% to €3.08, while diluted earnings per share rose 6.2% to €2.59. Free cash flow was €5.9 billion, down €0.4 billion mainly due to demerger costs. The quarterly dividend was set at €0.4664 per share, up 3%. Chief executive Fernando Fernandez said: “In 2025 we became a simpler, sharper, and faster Unilever, delivering our commitment to volume growth, positive mix and strong gross margin.” For 2026, the group expects underlying sales growth of between 4% and 6%, with at least 2% volume growth, and a modest margin improvement.
UK
RELX (REL) – Full-year results
Ashmore Group (ASHM) – Trading Statement
Unilever (ULVR) – Full-year results
Schroders (SDR) – Full-year results
British American Tobacco (BATS) – Full-year results
US
Airbnb Inc (NASDAQ:ABNB) AMC
Applied Materials Inc (NASDAQ:AMAT) AMC
Arista Networks Inc (NYSE:ANET) AMC
Pinterest Inc (NYSE:PINS) AMC
Rivian Automotive Inc (NASDAQ:RIVN) AMC
Twilio Inc (NYSE:TWLO) AMC
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:VRTX) AMC
UK
NatWest Group (NWG) – Full-year results
US
Moderna Inc (NASDAQ:MRNA) PMO
UK Gross Domestic Product
UK Industrial Production
UK Manufacturing Production
US Initial Jobless Claims
US Existing Home Sales Change
UK 100 companies going ex-dividend on 12th February 2026:
Pershing Square Holdings
UK 250 companies going ex-dividend on 12th February 2026:
Greencoat UK Wind
International Public Partnerships
Rank Group
UK 250 companies going ex-dividend on 13th February 2026:
Carnival Corporation
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