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| Yesterday’s UK 100 Leaders | Price (p) | % Chg |
| Howden Joinery Group | 948.0 | 10.8% |
| London Stock Exchange Group | 8,500.0 | 9.1% |
| RELX | 2,525.0 | 4.6% |
| Experian | 2,778.0 | 4.4% |
| Haleon | 394.2 | 4.3% |
| Yesterday’s UK 100 Laggards | Price (p) | % Chg |
| Hikma Pharmaceuticals | 1,373.0 | -16.9% |
| Fresnillo | 4,104.0 | -5.1% |
| Antofagasta | 4,260.0 | -4.4% |
| Anglo American | 3,693.0 | -3.6% |
| Metlen Energy & Metals | 36.4 | -3.5% |
| Major World Indices | Price | % Chg | 1 Year |
| UK 100 INDEX | 10,847 | 0.4% | 23.9% |
| DOW JONES INDUS. AVG | 49,499 | 0.0% | 14.5% |
| DAX INDEX | 25,289 | 0.5% | 12.1% |
| NIKKEI 225 | 58,850 | 0.2% | 53.8% |
| S&P/ASX 200 INDEX | 9,199 | 0.3% | 11.3% |
| Commodity | Units | Price | % Chg |
| WTI Crude Oil (Nymex) | USD/bbl. | 65.69 | 0.72% |
| Brent Crude (ICE) | USD/bbl. | 71.17 | 0.59% |
| Gold Spot | USD/t oz. | 5,179 | -0.1% |
| Copper (Comex) | USd/lb. | 611 | 1.8% |
Click graph to enlarge
The UK 100 is called to open +37 points at 10,883. The UK 100 looks set to open at a fresh record high this morning, having closed again yesterday at an all time closing high, the 21st this year for the UK’s bluechip index.
US indices closed mixed yesterday as Nvidia’s post-earnings reversal pressured the growth complex. The Nasdaq fell 1.2%, S&P -0.5%, while the Dow edged marginally higher and remains on pace for a tenth consecutive monthly gain.
Most Asian equities softened Friday with technology shares tracking Wall Street’s Nvidia-led decline; Nasdaq 100 futures -0.3% in Asian trade. South Korea’s KOSPI pulled back (about 2% from recent highs) on chip weakness (Samsung -0.9%, SK Hynix -2.6%) but remains set for a near 20% February gain, the strongest in the region. Hyundai Motor +2.5% to a record after announcing a 9 trillion won ($6.26bn) investment into an AI data centre and robotics facility. Japan’s Nikkei -0.2% while TOPIX +0.8% as Tokyo CPI cooled, with core inflation falling below the BOJ’s 2% target. Expectations of additional fiscal stimulus supported domestically exposed names; Nikkei up nearly 10% in February. Australia’s ASX 200 flat, tracking a 3.3% February gain following record highs led by mining and bank stocks. China’s CSI 300 -0.5%, Shanghai flat; Hang Seng +0.7% on the day but down 3.2% in February amid AI disruption concerns.
British Airways and Iberia owner IAG today hailed “world-class” financial results after operating profits for 2025 rose by 13.1% to five billion euros (£4.4 billion). Revenues lifted 3.5% to 33.2 billion euros (£29.1 billion), with the operating margin up 1.3 percentage points to 15.1%. Air France-KLM recently posted a margin of 6.1%. IAG highlighted a positive outlook for 2026, supported by “compelling market dynamics and secular long-term demand”. IAG last night announced a final dividend of 5 euro cents per share, resulting in a total for the year of 9.8 cents per share at a cost of 448 million euros (£392.6 million). It also intends to return $1.5 billion (£1.3 billion) in share buybacks over the next 12 months.
Melrose Industries reported a strong 2025 performance, with revenue up 8% to £3.59 billion and adjusted operating profit rising 23% to £647 million, lifting margins to 18%. Free cash flow swung to £125 million from a £74 million outflow, while leverage remained within target at 1.8x net debt to EBITDA. Engines led growth with 15% higher revenue and a 27% jump in adjusted operating profit, supported by robust original equipment and aftermarket demand and variable consideration from risk-and-revenue-sharing contracts. The Airframes division delivered 3% like-for-like revenue growth and a 10% rise in adjusted operating profit, driven by defence platforms despite softer civil volumes and some productivity constraints.
Rightmove has reported growing profit and revenue as it stood by AI plans which had proved divisive with investors. The UK’s top property portal reported profit before tax of £290m, up 12% from last year, in its financial results for the year ended December 2025.
UK
International Consolidated Airlines Group (British Airways) (IAG) – Full Year Results
Rightmove (RMV) – Full Year Results
Melrose Industries (MRO) – Full Year Results
US
Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class B (NYSE:BRK.B) AMC
Diversified Energy Co (NYSE:DEC) AMC
UK
None
US
MongoDB Inc (NASDAQ:MDB) AMC
UK GfK Consumer Confidence
German Unemployment
German Consumer Price Index
BoE’s Pill speech
US Producer Price Inde
US Chicago PMI
ECB’s Kocher speech
UK 100 companies going ex-dividend on 5th March 2026:
Rio Tinto
UK 250 companies going ex-dividend on5th March 2026:
Energean
Dr. Martens
Renishaw
Genus
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