UK Stocks-Factors to watch on February 26 (updated)
26/02/2026 07:56
Adds new items, updates futures Feb 26 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Thursday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.1%. * LSEG: LSEG LSEG.L said it plans to buy back a further 3 billion pounds of shares over the next 12 months. * ROLLS-ROYCE: Rolls-Royce RR.L posted a 40% rise in annual profit and upgraded its mid-term targets and significantly lift shareholder returns. * OCADO: Ocado OCDO.L said it was targeting becoming cash flow positive in the second half of 2026. * WPP: WPP WPP.L will combine its agencies into a single company underpinned by AI and data, with four units including a new WPP Creative. * HIKMA: Hikma HIK.L reported higher annual revenue driven by strong performance in its injectables division. * DRAX: Drax Group DRX.L beat annual profit expectations, helped by strong pellet production. * JUPITER FUND: Jupiter Fund Management JUP.L posted 1.3 billion pounds in net inflows for 2025 on growing demand for risk assets. * SHELL: Shell SHEL.L, JV partner in Raizen, is ready to pour more resources into a recapitalization of the distressed company, three people told Reuters. * HSBC: HSBC HSBA.L started the sale process for its Singapore life insurance product manufacturing business, said three sources. * SERAPHIM: Seraphim Space Investment Trust SSIT.L owner has raised over $100 million for its latest venture fund, it said. * ABF: Associated British Foods ABF.L is close to name Eoin Tonge as Primark's permanent CEO, Sky News reported. * ALDI UK: Aldi's British arm has raised the pay for more than 28,000 hourly paid store staff. * LSEG: Elliott Management has privately given assurances to the British government about its intentions for LSEG, the Financial Times reported. * COMMODITIES: Oil prices inched up, copper was steady, and gold prices edged higher. * EX-DIVS: Alliance Witan ALWA.L and Unilever ULVR.L will trade without entitlement to their latest dividend pay-out on Thursday. * For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/ TODAY'S UK PAPERS > Financial Times PRESS/FT > Other business headlines PRESS/GB (Compiled by Neeshita Beura in Bengaluru) ((Neeshita.Beura@thomsonreuters.com))