Market Overview#

On Thursday, British stocks opened lower, with the FTSE 100 index declining by 0.5%. The British pound also slipped below $1.34 against the US dollar, trading at 1.3385. This downturn in the market is largely attributed to rising oil prices, which have been influenced by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Rising Oil Prices#

Oil prices surged back above $100 per barrel following attacks on tanker ships by Iran, raising concerns about potential supply disruptions in the region. Additionally, Oman has taken precautionary measures by evacuating vessels from its main oil export terminal. These developments have contributed to a negative sentiment among investors, impacting European equities as well.

Company Updates#

Shell PLC#

Shell PLC reported adjusted earnings of $18.5 billion for 2025, a decrease from $23.7 billion in 2024. The company generated cash flow from operating activities of $42.9 billion, down from $54.7 billion the previous year. Despite the decline in earnings, Shell maintained significant shareholder distributions, totaling approximately $22.4 billion, which included $8.5 billion in dividends and $13.9 billion in share buybacks.

Computacenter PLC#

Computacenter PLC announced its full-year results for 2025, meeting its pre-announced guidance. The company reported an adjusted profit before tax of £272.0 million, reflecting a 7.1% year-over-year growth. Revenue reached £9.19 billion, a 32.0% increase from the previous year, driven by strong performance in Technology Sourcing.

Bridgepoint Group PLC#

Bridgepoint Group PLC exceeded expectations with its full-year results, reporting a 4% adjusted EBITDA beat. The company’s underlying management fee income rose to £427.7 million, up 13.0% from the prior year, driven by higher catch-up fees and improved performance-related earnings.

Trainline PLC#

Trainline PLC reported its FY26 trading results with total revenue of £453 million, a 2% increase, which was at the upper end of its guidance. Net ticket sales grew by 6% on a constant currency basis, although this was slightly below consensus expectations. Ancillary revenue showed strong growth at 17%.

M&G#

M&G reported net inflows of £7.8 billion for the full year 2025, a significant improvement from net outflows of £1.9 billion in 2024, indicating a positive shift in investor sentiment.