Wednesday, 28 October 2026
- Alphabet shares fall almost 10% after hours as costs and Search growth disappoint
Alphabet shares fell almost 10% in after-hours trading, even though Google Cloud revenue more than doubled in the third quarter.
- Microsoft shares rise 2.5% after Azure growth accelerates to beat forecasts
Microsoft shares rose 2.5% in after-hours trading after Azure, its cloud computing platform, grew 48% in the first quarter of its 2027 financial year.
- Alphabet shares fall as revenue, profit miss estimates despite Cloud surge
Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) shares fell more than 8% after third-quarter revenue and operating income missed analyst estimates, even as Google Cloud revenue…
- OpenAI brings ChatGPT dot agents to iMessage and RCS
OpenAI has begun letting ChatGPT dot agents communicate through iMessage, SMS and RCS.
- Google rushes out second frontier AI model in weeks
Google has launched Gemini 4 Carbon, a frontier artificial intelligence model it describes as substantially more capable than the one it shipped less than a…
- Putin praises Musk as Russia races to build rival to Starlink
Vladimir Putin praised Elon Musk's "genius" at a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, contrasting SpaceX's satellite network with Russia's nascent Rassvet…
- Apple launches first touchscreen Mac as laptop market slumps
Apple has released its first touchscreen laptop, the MacBook Pro with ProLED XDR Display, on Wednesday.
- SpaceX launches Grok partner network with 130 early-access firms
SpaceX has launched the Super Intelligence Partner Network, a channel programme for its Grok artificial intelligence platform, CRN reported.
- Meta signals another delay to disputed business terms
Meta may delay its revised business terms for a second time, communications director Andy Stone said in a post on X, after publishers raised fresh objections…
- NASA and Google test robot for deep-space medical support
NASA is testing an artificial intelligence-powered robotic system designed to help astronauts with routine maintenance and medical support without waiting for…
- Intel to buy quantum software maker Classiq
Intel has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Classiq, a Tel Aviv-based quantum software company whose platform converts high-level algorithm descriptions…
- DeepSeek model resists shutdown in safety tests
DeepSeek, the Hangzhou-based AI startup, has released a model that performs better on safety benchmarks than its predecessors but still struggles to let humans…
- Nadella abandons belief that scale alone aligns AI
Satya Nadella said he no longer believes artificial intelligence alignment will emerge naturally as models become more capable, a reversal from the assumption…
- FIVE AT FIVE: Healey's Budget gives markets an easy ride, banks surge and the FTSE 100 closes just above the line
That's your lot for Wednesday
- Amazon Q3 preview: AWS acceleration expected to lead the way
Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) is expected to report a 12% increase in third-quarter revenue on Wednesday, with investors looking for further acceleration in its…
- Reckitt gets UBS target rise after sales miss as RBC stays cautious
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (LSE:RKT, OTCQX:RBGLY) received a higher UBS price target after disappointing third-quarter sales, while RBC maintained its more…
- Microsoft results preview: Azure growth of 45% is the number to watch
Microsoft reports fiscal first-quarter results on Wednesday after the US market close, with growth at Azure, its cloud computing platform, the figure most…
- Apple CEO teases touchscreen MacBook Pro ahead of Los Angeles unveiling
Apple has spent three straight days launching hardware this week.
- Oracle widens AI cloud with OpenAI, Nvidia and Google deals, but customers are wary
Oracle announced an expanded collaboration with OpenAI at its AI World conference in Las Vegas this week.
- 31 hours and counting: Big Tech's earnings test. Is the AI spending paying for itself?
Alphabet and Microsoft go first, after the US market close tonight, with calls at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
- Amazon rebuilds the Echo line around Alexa+ and ambient sensing
Amazon's Echo has spent a decade as a speaker that waits to be spoken to.
- Markets gave the Chancellor an easy ride, with gambling and banking shares the main winners
John Healey's first Budget passed without a market wobble, as the tax rises in the firing line proved less painful than feared.
- Microsoft results to test whether AI investment is paying off
Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) reports fiscal first-quarter results after the market close on Wednesday, with investors looking for evidence that its heavy…
- UK renewable funds could benefit from power price surge, RBC says
RBC Capital Markets expects UK renewable energy funds to report higher net asset values (NAVs) for the third quarter after wholesale electricity price…
- Oxford Nanopore price target raised by Deutsche Bank as AI adds optionality
Oxford Nanopore Technologies PLC (LSE:ONT) has had its price target raised to 260p from 210p by Deutsche Bank, which reiterated its 'buy' rating after meeting…
- Informa backed by multiple brokers despite Saudi disruption
Informa PLC (LSE:INF) remains a 'buy' at Deutsche Bank, Citi and Panmure Liberum despite disruption to events in Saudi Arabia prompting cuts to near-term…
- JD Sports gets target lift but Deutsche Bank stays at 'hold'
JD Sports Fashion PLC (LSE:JD., OTC:JDSPY) has had its price target raised from 95p to 105p by Deutsche Bank, which retains a 'hold' rating despite recognising…
- Metals Exploration shares fall as La India delay offsets strong Runruno quarter
Metals Exploration PLC (AIM:MTL), the gold miner, fell 3% to 15.5p on Tuesday as the market weighed a delay in first gold at La India against stronger…
- HSBC gets RBC target cut as Citi flags Hong Kong deposit risks
HSBC Holdings PLC (LSE:HSBA, NYSE:HSBC) price target was cut by RBC following lower profit forecasts, while Citi retained its 'neutral' rating amid questions…
- Banks cheer as Healey's surcharge hike falls short of the feared 8%
Barclays PLC (LSE:BARC), NatWest Group PLC (LSE:NWG) and Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LSE:LLOY) jump about 4% after the Chancellor asks banks for "a bit more" but…
- Bank shares jump 4% after Budget surcharge comes in below feared 8%
Shares in Barclays, NatWest and Lloyds rose about 4% after Chancellor John Healey announced a temporary increase in the bank surcharge, as relief spread…
- Ondine reports negligible adverse event rate for nasal light therapy in 5,188-patient trial - UPDATE Update
Shares in Ondine Biomedical Inc (AIM:OBI, OTC:OBIMF), the AIM-listed developer of light-activated antimicrobial treatments, rose 5% to 10% after it reported…
- Mirriad Advertising ends investment talks as AIM cancellation approaches
Mirriad Advertising PLC (AIM:MIRI, FRA:8WQ, OTCQX:MMDDF), the advertising technology group in administration, has ended discussions over a possible investment…
- Renalytix falls 8% as further funding may be needed
Shares in kidney diagnostics company Renalytix PLC (AIM:RENX, OTC:RNLXY, FRA:2O9) fell 8% to 5.50p as its results disclosed a ‘material uncertainty’ over its…
- Mid-morning markets: Budget day nerves, GSK and Hunting disappoint and Asia's chip stocks surge
The FTSE 100 is trading 28 points lower on Wednesday, with investors sitting on their hands ahead of Chancellor John Healey's maiden Budget speech later in the…
- Hunting shares drop 12% as Middle East conflict forces profit warning
Shares in Hunting, the FTSE 250 oil and gas equipment maker, fell 12% to 376p after a third-quarter trading update that cut full-year profit expectations.
- BRCK Group shares fall as earnings forecast falls short of market expectations
BRCK Group (formerly known as Brickability Group PLC (AIM:BRCK)) shares fell 12% to 43.35p after the construction products distributor warned that subdued…
- Hunting shares fall 11% as Jefferies flags weaker Middle East and North American activity
Hunting PLC (LSE:HTG) shares fell 11% to 377.5p after the oil and gas equipment supplier cut its 2026 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and…
- Plus500 backed by Panmure Liberum as US perpetual futures rollout strengthens growth case
Plus500 Ltd (LSE:PLUS) has strengthened its US growth prospects by becoming the first independent futures broker to offer Kalshi’s regulated perpetual futures…
- 88 Energy rises 18% after farm-out as Cavendish keeps ‘buy’
88 Energy Ltd (AIM:88E, ASX:88E, OTCQB:EEENF, FRA:POQ) shares rose 18% to 1.22p after announcing a farm-out that secures up to A$15.5 million for the Augusta-1…
- MARKETS LIVE: FTSE 100 slips as healthcare weakness offsets banking gains Update
9.00 am GMT: GSK weighs on blue chips
- FTSE 100 LIVE: London opens in the red ahead of Healey's maiden Budget Update
The FTSE 100 was down 27 points in early trading, with investors cautious ahead of the Budget and digesting a heavy batch of corporate news.
- Unilever shares fall 4% despite strong third-quarter beat, says Jefferies
Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) shares fell as much as 4% to an intraday low of 4,715.5p despite Jefferies describing its third-quarter performance as strong, with…
- Vaccines worries hit GSK
Drugs giant GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) has slipped despite beating forecasts, with investors focused on falling vaccine sales and a guarded profit outlook
- Drugs giant GSK has slipped despite beating forecasts, with investors focused on falling vaccine sales and a guarded profit outlook
GSK shares fell 4% to 1,852p in early trading, after the FTSE 100 drugmaker's third-quarter results beat expectations on sales and core earnings.
- Coinsilium Group continues to advance AI ads venture
Coinsilium Group Limited (AQSE:COIN, OTCQB:CINGF, FRA:5CT) has told investors that its AI advertising venture BeatingHeart remains on track for a public launch…
- Gem Resources sells Grevlotte mine for $1.7m
Gem Resources PLC (LSE:GEMR, FRA:UZS) has agreed to sell its interests in South Africa’s Gravelotte emerald mine for a fixed US$1.7 million plus potential…
- MARKETS LIVE: London opens lower as Budget caution offsets banking and mining gains Update
8.15 am GMT: London opens lower before Budget
- Standard Chartered shares jump 5% as bank raises 2026 outlook - UPDATE Update
Standard Chartered PLC (LSE:STAN) shares jumped as much as 5% to an intraday high of 2,126p after the bank raised its 2026 income and returns guidance…
- 88 Energy strikes Alaska farm-out deal
88 Energy Ltd (AIM:88E, ASX:88E, OTCQB:EEENF, FRA:POQ) has announced a farm-out deal, worth up to US$10.9 million (A$15.5 million), for its South Prudhoe…
- Plus500 first broker to offer Kalshi's no-expiry futures contracts to US clients
Plus500, the FTSE 250 online trading group, has become the first broker outside Kalshi's own to offer a new type of futures contract on Kalshi's US exchange.
- Ondine reports negligible adverse event rate for nasal light therapy in 5,188-patient trial
Ondine Biomedical Inc (AIM:OBI, OTC:OBIMF) the AIM-listed developer of light-activated antimicrobial treatments, has reported safety data from its Phase 3…
- Unilever lifts volume growth outlook after strong third quarter
Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) has raised its 2026 volume growth outlook after strong third-quarter trading, with underlying sales increasing 5% and turnover rising…
- Standard Chartered raises 2026 outlook as third-quarter profit jumps 29%
Standard Chartered PLC (LSE:STAN) has raised its 2026 income and returns guidance after third-quarter pre-tax profit increased 29% to $2.3 billion.
- GSK keeps guidance as specialty drugs power sales, but £328m restructuring charge dents profit
GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK), the FTSE 100 drugmaker, reckons it is on track for the year after specialty medicines drove another quarter of growth.
- Aston Martin revenue jumps 36% as Valhalla deliveries lift margins
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC (LSE:AML) reported a 36% rise in third-quarter revenue as deliveries of its Valhalla supercar helped lift margins and…
- C&C lifts first-half profit and margin despite 3% revenue fall as it exits low-margin business
C&C Group, the owner of the Tennent's and Bulmers drinks brands, has reported higher first-half profit and margins despite lower revenue.
- Aston Martin keeps 2026 guidance as Valhalla deliveries lift gross margin to 35%
Aston Martin Lagonda, the British luxury carmaker, has held its full-year guidance after deliveries of its Valhalla hybrid supercar lifted margins.
- Elementis nudges up 2026 profit guidance as personal care drives 7% revenue growth
Elementis, the specialty chemicals maker, now expects full-year adjusted operating profit of $133 million to $135 million, slightly above its previous guidance.
- Intertek reports 7% third-quarter revenue growth as EQT takeover nears completion
Intertek, the FTSE 100 testing and quality assurance group, has reported 7.0% third-quarter revenue growth at constant currency.
- MARKETS LIVE: FTSE 100 set for cautious open on Budget day
London stocks face a subdued start, with IG pricing the FTSE 100 near 10,710 after the blue-chip index fell 81 points, or 0.8%, to 10,687 on Tuesday.
- GSK holds 2026 guidance as specialty medicines lift sales, but restructuring charge hits profit
GSK, the London-listed drugmaker, has reaffirmed its full-year guidance after specialty medicines drove third-quarter sales growth.
- Unilever lifts volume forecast as emerging markets and Home Care drive third quarter
Unilever, the Dove and Hellmann's maker, has raised its full-year volume forecast after emerging markets powered a strong third quarter.
- Standard Chartered raises income guidance as wealth and trading arms drive 29% profit jump
Standard Chartered, the London-headquartered bank focused on Asia, Africa and the Middle East, has raised its 2026 income guidance after a strong third quarter.
- FTSE 100 LIVE: London set to open in the read ahead of Healey's maiden Budget Update
The FTSE 100 looks set to open around 22 points in the red, piling on Tuesday's pain, which saw the blue-chip index close 81 points lower.
- FTSE 100 LIVE: Asian markets rally as Korea surges 6% while hot inflation wipes out ASX gains
Asian markets were mostly higher on Wednesday, led by a powerful semiconductor rally in South Korea and gains in Japan and Taiwan, while Australian shares…