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London open: Stocks fall on Trump auto tariffs; Next bucks trend
London stocks fell in early trade on Thursday, taking their cue from a downbeat session on Wall Street after Donald Trump announced a new 25% tariff on all imported cars and car parts.
Octopus Renewables continues to hike divi in line with inflation
Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust delivered a positive net asset value total return of 2. 5% in 2024, supported by stronger operational performance and progress on its capital allocation strategy.
Arbuthnot hikes dividend despite fall in earnings
Arbuthnot Banking Group reported a profit before tax of £35. 1m for 2024 on Thursday, down from £47. 1m in the prior year, despite maintaining broadly stable operating income at £179. 5m.
LondonMetric agrees acquisition of Highcroft Investments
LondonMetric Property has agreed to acquire Highcroft Investments in a recommended all-share deal, it announced on Thursday, that values the UK real estate investment trust at £43. 8m.
Fintel appoints Tom Hegarty as new Simplybiz CEO
Fintel has announced the appointment of Tom Hegarty as the new chief executive officer of its Simplybiz division on Thursday, effective 1 April.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower as Trump announces 25% auto tariffs
London stocks were set to fall at the open on Thursday following a downbeat session in the US, after Donald Trump announced a new 25% tariff on all imported cars.
AJ Bell to sell Platinum SIPP and SSAS business to InvestAcc for £25m
AJ Bell said on Thursday that it has agreed to sell its Platinum SIPP and SSAS business - AJ Bell Platinum - to InvestAcc for up to £25m.
Next lifts sales guidance despite cautious outlook
Retail giant Next boosted its sales outlook on Thursday following a strong start to the year, but warned that consumer confidence was set to deteriorate as the year progressed.
Former Mobico CEO Phil White returns as chair
Transport operator Mobico has appointed Phil White as chair with effect from 1 May 2025, replacing Helen Weir.
Drax enters fuel ash facility venture, LondonMetric agrees to acquire Highcroft
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 46 points lower on Thursday, having closed up 0. 3% on Wednesday at 8,689. 59.
Sage CFO Jonathan Howell to step down, replaced by Jacqui Cartin
Sage Group said chief financial officer Jonathan Howell would step down at the end of the year to focus on non-executive work and be replaced by Jacqui Cartin, currently financial controller at EVP Group.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Retailers, Trump tariffs, tax rises
Major investors including Axa and Scottish Widows are backing shareholder resolutions pressing retailers Next, Marks & Spencer and JD Sports to increase pay for thousands of workers. More than 100 individuals and eight institutional investors, which manage over £1tn in assets, are backing an effort to encourage companies to pay a “real living wage”, which is designed to ensure workers can cover necessary household costs. – Guardian.
Drax signs JV deal to process byproduct for building industry
Drax said it has agreed a 20-year joint venture agreement with Power Minerals to build a facility to process pulverised fuel ash into material which can be sold to the construction industry and used in the production of cement with a lower carbon footprint.
US close: Stocks slide on automotive tariff concerns
Wall Street ended lower on Wednesday, weighed down by renewed trade concerns after reports suggested the US administration may impose tariffs on the automotive sector.