Wednesday, 21 October 2026
- FIVE AT FIVE: Musk floats a $3.5 trillion merger, GSK lands an FDA first and Ashtead agrees a £505 million exit
That's your five for Wednesday.
- Tesla-SpaceX 'good idea', say ebullient Musk
Elon Musk said it would be a "good idea" to merge Tesla and SpaceX, according to Bloomberg.
- SpaceX 'rockets' in pre-market trading. Are the bulls delded?
SpaceX's third-quarter results, released after the close on Tuesday, broke consensus models.
- FTSE 100 LIVE: London edges into the green ahead of positive Wall Street kick-off Update
The FTSE 100 nudged marginally into the green on Wednesday afternoon in subdued trading, taking its cue from a positive session in US futures markets where…
- JP Morgan backs ConvaTec ahead of trading update as full-year guidance worries ease
JP Morgan has reiterated its 'overweight' rating on ConvaTec, the medical devices group, arguing that concerns about a second-half growth step-up are overblown…
- FTSE 100 LIVE: London subdued as economic data piles pressure on Chancellor Update
UK public sector net debt exceeded £3 trillion for the first time in September, piling pressure on Chancellor John Healey ahead of next week's budget, as…
- Jersey Oil & Gas shares surge as Jackdaw approval boosts North Sea sentiment
Shares in Jersey Oil & Gas, the North Sea oil developer, jumped 14% in early trading on Wednesday after the UK government approved Shell's Jackdaw gasfield…
- Jefferies raises Next price target to £158 as colder weather boosts autumn trading outlook
Jefferies has lifted its price target on Next, the fashion and homeware retailer, from £145 to £158 ahead of the company's third-quarter trading update…
- UBS raises UK bank price targets as higher rates and loan growth offset budget tax fears
UBS has lifted price targets on several UK lenders ahead of a busy third-quarter results season, arguing that attractive valuations, accelerating loan growth…
- Jefferies raises Bellway target and flags Persimmon as top pick ahead of budget housing scheme detail
Jefferies has lifted its price target on Bellway and kept Persimmon as its top pick in the UK housebuilding sector.
- GSK wins US approval for hepatitis B drug with potential to achieve functional cure
GSK has secured approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Hibsago, a first-in-class treatment for chronic hepatitis B that can achieve…
- Hochschild Mining on track for full-year targets as Mara Rosa turnaround gathers pace
Hochschild Mining, the London-listed precious metals producer, has reported third-quarter attributable production of 74,004 gold equivalent ounces, with the…
- Aberdeen Group confident on full-year targets as interactive investor delivers strong inflows
Aberdeen Group, the FTSE 100 asset manager, has reported total assets under management and administration (AUMA) of £578.9 billion at the end of September, up…
- HUTCHMED closes GSK cancer therapy licence deal worth up to $1.3 billion
HUTCHMED, the biopharma company, has closed its exclusive licence agreement with GSK, granting the British drugmaker rights to develop and commercialise a…
- Fresnillo on track for full-year targets despite lower silver and gold output in third quarter
Fresnillo, the world's largest primary silver producer and Mexico's biggest gold miner, has reported lower production in the third quarter but said it remains…
- Ashtead Technology agrees £505m takeover by US infrastructure investor Ember
Ashtead Technology, the subsea equipment rental specialist, has agreed a recommended cash takeover worth approximately £505 million from Ember Infrastructure…
- Segro reports strong letting activity as Prologis merger moves through regulatory process
Segro, the FTSE 100 warehouse and data centre landlord, has reported robust third-quarter trading, with new rents contracted year to date running 32% ahead of…
- Domino's Pizza maintains full-year targets as World Cup boost gives way to steady growth
Domino's Pizza Group, the UK's largest pizza delivery chain, has reported continued trading momentum in its third quarter, keeping it on track to meet…
- FTSE 100 LIVE: London shares set for subdued start as inflation print takes shine off tech revival
The FTSE 100 is expected to open little changed on Wednesday, with hotter-than-expected UK inflation data offsetting a broadly positive session in Asia.
- Halfords backs upgraded profit guidance as strong summer drives 7% sales jump
Halfords, the motoring and cycling retailer, has reported a 7.1% rise in like-for-like sales for the first half of its financial year, backing the upgraded…
- UK inflation jumps to 3.5% as fuel surge heaps pressure on Bank of England
UK inflation accelerated sharply in September, piling pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates and arriving at an uncomfortable moment for…
- Asian markets rebound as Korean chips surge
Asian markets were mostly higher on Wednesday as investors returned to technology and semiconductor stocks following improved sentiment on Wall Street, with…