UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 02.05.2026
LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: May 2, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: May 2, 2026, 5:59 AM EDT Martin
Cochlear Limited Stock Bounces After Profit Shock — Why ASX Investors Are Still Nervous
Cochlear shares closed Friday at A$98.77, up 5.1% but still down 41.6% for the month after a sharp profit downgrade. The company cut its FY26 underlying net profit guidance to A$290 million–A$330
Why Woolworths Group Shares Slid After A$18.1 Billion Sales Beat
Woolworths shares dropped as much as 9.8% on Thursday after the company warned its Australian Food EBIT growth would no longer reach
PLS Group Stock Alert: AustralianSuper Cuts Stake as Lithium Rally Heats Up
AustralianSuper cut its stake in PLS Group Limited to 12.87% from 13.88%, reducing its voting power by about 32.5 million votes, according
Woodside’s $17.5 Billion Louisiana LNG Bet Hits a Buyer Snag
Woodside Energy is struggling to secure buyers for LNG from its planned Louisiana export plant due to liquefaction fees above U.S. market
Westpac Banking Corporation Earnings Preview: $75 Million RAMS Hit, RBA Rate Hike and Bad-Debt Watch
Westpac raised provisions for bad debt to their highest since COVID-19 after Middle East-linked energy shocks hit Treasury and Markets income. The
Macquarie’s Mortgage Surge Before Earnings: Why Australia’s Big Banks Are Watching
Macquarie’s banking arm posted the fastest March home-loan growth among Australian deposit-taking institutions, adding A$3.6 billion, or 2.1%. Its mortgage book rose 27.1% over 12 months, reaching a 7% market share. The data comes ahead of Macquarie’s full-year results on May 8. Higher interest rates and APRA lending caps continue to restrain overall loan growth.
ANZ Group Holdings Profit Beat Gets a Hard Look as Shares Slide on Revenue Worries
ANZ Group Holdings reported a first-half cash profit of A$3.78 billion, beating analyst estimates, but shares dropped 2.8% as investors focused on
Commonwealth Bank Australia Sees 250% Fixed-Rate Search Surge Before RBA Decision
Commonwealth Bank of Australia reported a 250% surge in searches for fixed-rate loan terms in March as borrowers brace for a likely
BHP Group Ltd’s Quiet Critical-Minerals Bet Lands Just as Copper Takes Center Stage
BHP Ventures backed a $33 million funding round for U.S.-based DISA Technologies, which develops mineral-recovery technology, DISA said Friday. The round was
CSL Limited Buyback Tops A$1 Billion After Stock Hits 2017 Low
CSL Limited repurchased 110,004 shares on April 30, bringing its total buyback to 6.35 million shares for about A$1.06 billion, according to
National Australia Bank Limited Faces a 72-Hour Test as NAB Results, Bad-Debt Charges and RBA Rate Risk Converge
National Australia Bank will report first-half earnings May 4, with A$706 million in credit impairment charges and a software amortisation charge of A$1.347 billion before tax. NAB shares closed at A$39.83 Friday. The bank said capital buffers fell by about 20 basis points, and it may raise up to A$1.8 billion through a dividend reinvestment plan and partial underwriting.
3i Group plc Directors Buy Shares as Action Growth Concerns Put Stock Back in Focus
Five 3i Group directors or senior managers acquired shares via the Share Incentive Plan, disclosed Friday after the stock closed at £25.35, down 2.2% and 43.63% below its October high. Each bought 70 shares at 2,572.33 pence and received 140 matching shares. 3i’s annual results are due May 14. The company remains closely tied to Action, its Dutch discount-retail holding.
Rentokil Initial plc Stock Back in Focus as BlackRock Discloses 6.9% Stake
BlackRock disclosed a 6.9% stake in Rentokil Initial, with 175 million shares reported in a Schedule 13G/A filing dated April 30. Rentokil posted Q1 group revenue of $1.677 billion and organic growth of 3.4%, with North America organic growth at 3.9%. Shares closed at 498.30 pence, near a year high. The BlackRock filing was passive, not signaling activist intent.
Why Sage Group plc’s Buyback Is Back in Focus Before May Results
Sage Group bought and will cancel 644,527 shares on Friday, part of a £300 million buyback program. The stock closed up 1.69% at £8.92, outpacing the FTSE 100. Sage also acquired Doyen AI to accelerate customer migrations to its software. Interim results are due May 21.
Prudential plc’s $1.2 Billion Buyback Is Back in Focus After Q1 Profit Rise
Prudential plc bought back 488,861 shares on April 30 as part of its $1.2 billion 2026 repurchase plan, following a 10% rise in first-quarter new business profit to $686 million. The company paid an average £10.93 per share, with shares to be cancelled. Prudential flagged energy-driven inflation as a risk. Shares closed May 1 at 1,100.50 pence, up 0.23%.
Severn Trent Plc Shares Drop After Citi Cut as UK Water Stock Rally Hits a Test
Severn Trent shares fell 2.2% to 3,196 pence Friday after Citigroup downgraded the stock, following a sector rally the previous day. United Utilities also weakened after Citi’s move, despite confirming it raised about £800 million for infrastructure. Severn Trent’s market value stood at £9.63 billion. The FTSE 100 slipped 0.1% to 10,363.93 amid thin trading.
Fresnillo Stock Rebounds, But Silver Output Drop Leaves a Bigger 2026 Question
Fresnillo shares closed at 3,255p on Friday, up 0.62%, following a 3.95% rebound Thursday. First-quarter silver output fell 8.5% from the previous quarter to 11.1 million ounces, but the company maintained its 2026 production guidance. Silver futures rose 3.23% Friday, supporting mining stocks. Work on the Jarillas shaft at Saucito remains on track for completion later this year.
SSE PLC Stock: Why Investors Are Watching Its £33bn Grid Bet Before May Results
SSE PLC set its total voting rights at 1,212,191,770 after excluding treasury shares, according to a regulatory notice Friday. Norges Bank’s disclosed stake in SSE rose to 3.15% of voting rights this week. SSE shares traded at 2,619.00 GBX Friday, still below their April peak. Preliminary results are due May 28.
St. James’s Place Shares Slip Again: Why £1.5 Billion of Inflows Did Not Calm Investors
St. James’s Place shares closed down 0.74% in London after reporting a drop in funds under management to £216.94 billion, despite £1.53 billion in first-quarter net inflows. Pension net inflows fell to £1.01 billion from £1.26 billion a year earlier. The firm cited market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty as factors weighing on results.
Airtel Africa’s $2 Billion Airtel Money IPO Plan Puts London Listing in Focus
Airtel Africa plans to list its Airtel Money unit in London, aiming to raise $1.5–$2 billion and potentially value the business at up to $10 billion, according to Reuters and Bloomberg. The company will release full-year results on May 8. Airtel Money reported 52 million customers and $210 billion in annualised processed value for the nine months to December 2025. Airtel Africa shares closed down 0.39% in London on Friday.
Beazley Plc Deal Watch: SocGen Position Nears 10% as Zurich Takeover Clock Ticks
Societe Generale raised its stake in Beazley Plc to 9.43%, crossing the threshold on April 30, according to a regulatory filing. Zurich Insurance also increased its holding to 3.11% after buying 605,476 shares. Beazley shareholders overwhelmingly backed Zurich’s takeover, but the deal still requires court and regulatory approvals. Beazley reported 601.5 million shares in issue.
BT Group News: Ofcom Probe Puts EE and Plusnet Data Under the Microscope Before Results
Ofcom has launched an investigation into BT Group over possible failures to provide complete customer-service data from its EE and Plusnet units, citing evidence of incomplete or inaccurate responses. BT has not been found in breach and says it takes compliance seriously. The probe comes as BT prepares to report full-year results on May 21. BT shares closed at 216.20p, valuing the company at £21.11 billion.
Halma Shares Jump Near Record: FTSE 100 Safety Stock Faces June Results Test
Halma shares climbed 2.72% to 4,527p on Friday, nearing the April 17 record high of 4,580p, while the FTSE 100 slipped 0.14%. The move came without new regulatory news. Halma’s last update reaffirmed mid-teens organic revenue growth and a 22% adjusted EBIT margin for the year to March 31. First-half revenue rose 15.2% to £1.24 billion, with adjusted pre-tax profit up 29.3% to £270.5 million.
UK Stock Market Today: Why FTSE 100 Slipped as AstraZeneca, NatWest and BP Dragged London Shares
London’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.1% to 10,363.93 on Friday, weighed down by AstraZeneca, NatWest, BP, and Shell. AstraZeneca dropped 3.1% after a U.S. FDA panel voted against its breast cancer drug. NatWest fell despite a 12% profit rise, citing economic uncertainty and higher impairment charges. BP lost over 2% amid reports it may sell North Sea assets.
ASX Today: Australia Stock Market Finally Bounces — But the RBA May Decide How Long It Lasts
Australian shares ended an eight-day losing streak Friday, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.74% to 8,729.80, led by gains in miners and supermarkets. Coles reported a 3.1% rise in third-quarter sales revenue, while rival Woolworths’ shares slipped 0.7% despite higher sales. ANZ fell 2.8% after posting a statutory profit of A$3.65 billion. Oil prices dropped as Iran proposed talks but continued to block the Strait of Hormuz.
Spirax Group Shares Slip Before May 13 Update That Could Shape 2026 Growth View
Spirax Group shares fell 0.98% to 7,096p in London on Friday, while the FTSE 100 dropped 0.14%. The company is set to release a trading update and hold its annual meeting on May 13. No new regulatory filings were posted in the past day. In March, Spirax reported 2025 revenue of £1.70 billion, up 5% organically, and completed a restructuring program with £40 million in annualized savings.
Anglo American’s Teck Merger Enters Crucial China Stretch After AGM Sweep
Anglo American shareholders approved all 21 AGM resolutions this week, including the final dividend and board re-elections, as the company advances its planned merger with Teck Resources. China’s antitrust approval remains the last major regulatory hurdle for the deal, expected to close between September 2026 and March 2027. Anglo’s shares closed at 3,590 pence in London on Friday, up 0.10%.
IAG’s British Airways Pay Setback Puts Summer Travel and May 8 Results in Focus
British Airways pilots narrowly voted against a proposed pay overhaul, with just under 51% opposing changes that included a 4% raise but cuts to pension and flying pay, according to Sky News. The vote comes as IAG, BA’s parent, prepares to report first-quarter results on May 8 and faces rising fuel costs amid sector-wide price hikes. BALPA plans further talks with the airline, which said it would review feedback. IAG shares fell 0.13% to 371.90 pence.
Haleon PLC Stock Rebounds: Sensodyne Maker Keeps Its 2026 Bet Despite Cost Warning
Haleon shares rose 1.2% in London after first-quarter revenue reached £2.86 billion, with 2.2% organic growth. Oral health sales climbed 8.3% while respiratory health fell 3.4% due to weak cold-and-flu demand. Management reaffirmed 2026 guidance but warned of higher freight costs and weaker Middle East consumer spending. Haleon has completed 36% of its planned £500 million share buyback for 2026.
Bunzl plc Shares Edge Higher as Voting Rights Update Keeps 2026 Margin Test in Focus
Bunzl plc reported 324,211,429 ordinary shares in issue as of April 30, with no shares held in treasury. First-quarter revenue rose 1.5% at constant exchange rates, but fell 0.4% at actual rates. Bunzl shares closed 0.29% higher in London, valuing the group at about £7.8 billion. The company reiterated its 2026 guidance, expecting moderate revenue growth and a slightly lower operating margin.
Santander’s £2.9bn TSB Takeover Is Done — What It Means for 28m UK Customers
Santander UK has completed its £2.65 billion takeover of TSB, adding about 5 million TSB customer accounts and £71.5 billion in assets. The combined group becomes the UK’s third-largest bank by current account balances. TSB will continue to operate separately for now, with no immediate changes for customers. Santander plans to fully integrate TSB by mid-2027, pending court and regulatory approval.
BAE Systems Faces £120 Million Aid-Aircraft Lawsuit as Defence Boom Draws Scrutiny
Kenya-based EnComm Aviation has filed a £120 million lawsuit against BAE Systems, alleging the company’s withdrawal of support for Advanced Turbo-Prop aircraft grounded aid flights across Africa. EnComm claims the move forced cancellation of humanitarian contracts, including a UN programme in Somalia. BAE reported 2025 sales of £30.7 billion and a record order backlog of £83.6 billion. BAE declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.
Rio Tinto-Backed MRN Clears $1.8 Billion Brazil Bauxite Hurdle
MRN received an IBAMA installation licence for the Novas Minas bauxite project in Pará, clearing the way for construction and operations through 2041. The project, backed by Rio Tinto, Glencore, and South32, is expected to preserve over 7,500 jobs and generate 380 million reais annually in taxes. MRN plans to invest 9 billion reais and maintain annual output near 12.5 million metric tons.
Legal & General Wins FCA Approval in Pension Cash Push as L&G Shares Climb
Legal & General has received FCA approval to offer targeted support to workplace pension savers, starting with members holding all savings in cash. The move follows the UK’s new targeted-support regime, which allows firms to make tailored suggestions to groups of consumers. L&G’s tests showed high engagement with its new communications. Shares rose 1.87% to 256.40 pence, outperforming a weaker FTSE 100.
Experian PLC’s AI Commerce Push: Agent Trust Aims to Police Bot Buying
Experian launched Agent Trust, a system to verify links between consumers and AI agents as bots begin making purchases. Shares rose 0.6% to 2,706 pence in late London trade, still far below last year’s high. The product is being developed with Visa, Cloudflare, and Skyfire. Experian also bought back 241,959 shares on April 30 as part of its ongoing repurchase program.