Among the companies with reports and trading updates today are Thames Water, Lloyd's of London, Spirent Communications, AO World and JD Sports.
Hayes (pictured), who was jailed in 2015 for manipulating benchmark lending rate Libor, will now seek to take his case to the Supreme Court.
In a dramatic move on Tuesday, International Paper hijacked a proposed takeover of DS Smith by fellow FTSE 100 firm Mondi.
Former Endeavour boss Sebastien de Montessus (pictured) was ousted after the gold firm said he made an 'irregular payment' of £4m.
H&M chief exec Daniel Erver said it was 'on the right track' as it seeks to maintain its market share. Net sales are up 2% so far in March.
Three years ago, Marex, backed by British private equity firm JRJ, cancelled plans to float in the UK due to difficult market conditions.
Morrisons chief exec Rami Baitiéh (pictured) said his plan to 'reinvigorate, refresh and strengthen' the supermarket was starting to bear fruit.
The Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee has unsheathed withering criticism of buyouts and is launching a deeper study.
Spending his 32nd birthday behind bars will have come as a shock to Sam Bankman-Fried (pictured with supermodel Gisele Bundchen).
Carnival's bookings hit an all-time high in the first three months of this year, while revenues rose 22% to a record £4.3bn and profits reached £690m.
The FTSE 100 closed up 1.02 points at 7931.98. Among the firms with updates today are Ithaca Energy, Travis Perkins, S4 Capital, Revolution Beauty Group, Nanoco and CMC Markets.
Sir Martin Sorrell's firm revealed its like-for-like net revenues declined by 4.5 per cent to £873.2million in 2023, following double-digit growth over the previous four years.
The FTSE 100 firm last night said it is in talks with US rival International Paper over a possible takeover offer worth 415p a share or £5.7bn.
Falling investment in North Sea crude and natural gas extraction helped drag Britain's production sector into contraction in the three months to January 2024, Office for National Statistics data ...
The University of Manchester spinoff scored a £2.4million operating profit in the six months ending January, compared to a £2.1million loss for the equivalent period the previous year.
Trump Media & Technology Group, which is behind his Truth Social platform, rose almost 60% to $79 on the Nasdaq in early trading.
Last month, the lender reported a sharp fall in pre-tax profits from to £71.4m from £132.6m the year before. Staff costs rose by a fifth.
Hannah Gibson, chief executive of the online grocer's joint venture with Marks & Spencer, said it made a 'strong start to the year.
The cocoa bean surged above $10,000 a tonne for the first time on world commodity markets yesterday with prices having doubled in 2024.
Blackrock boss Larry Fink (pictured) cited figures showing that one in six people will be over 65 by the middle of the century, up from one in 11 in 2019.
Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust manager Tom Slater (pictured) attempted to quell fears insisting the two firm's interests were aligned.
Centrica chief exec Chris O'Shea (pictured) took home £8.2m in 2023. That compared to £4.5m in 2022 - a figure he said was impossible to 'justify'.
Kim Kardashian (pictured) was fined £1m in the US for failing to disclose she was paid £200,000 to promote cryptocurrency Ethereum Max.
The FTSE 100 closed up 13.39 points at 7930.96. Among the companies with updates today are Bellway, Revolution Bars, Ocado, Asos, 888, Flutter, Fevertree and Pets at Home.
The Financial Conduct Authority has warned social media influencers could be breaking the law if they promote unregulated financial products.
The Newcastle-based company reported pre-tax profits plummeted by 61.6 per cent to £117.4million in the six months ending January.
Flutter revealed its adjusted earnings before nasties jumped by 45.4 per cent to $1.87billion in 2023, while William Hill's parent company, 888, saw a 41 per cent increase to £308.3million.
Ocado Retail sales soared in the first quarter of 2024 as the Marks & Spencer joint venture enjoyed a jump in active customer numbers and weekly orders.
Revolution Bars shares lost almost 40% of their value this morning after it said it was considering strategic options on the back of continued weak trading performance.
The Government had effectively nationalised the bank after it was brought to the brink of collapse under the leadership of Fred 'the Shred' Goodwin.
McCall's pay package for 2023 was 22% down from the year before. ITV said it reflected the 'economic backdrop impacting financial performance'.
Manolo Blahnik shoes are known for being worn by Sarah Jessica Parker's character Carrie Brdshaw in sex and the City (pictured),
Ageas first approached Direct Line in January with an offer of 231 p a share, or £3.1bn. It raised this to 237p a share, or £3.2bn this month.
UFC is an American mixed martial arts promotion company based in Las Vegas, which hosts around 40 fights a year and has more than 700m fans.
Chief exec Dave Calhoun (pictured) will step down by the end of the year with chairman Larry Kellner and commercial aircraft boss Stan Deal also bailing out.
Unilever is looking to spin off its ice cream division which includes Magnum choc ices, as promoted by singer Kylie Minogue (pictured).
Among the companies with reports and trading updates today are Kingfisher, Henry Boot, Mobico.
B&Q's parent company revealed adjusted pre-tax profits declined by 25.1 per cent to £568.1million in the 12 months ending January following weaker results in France and Poland.
Direct Line shares sank more than 10 per cent on Monday as investors reacted to Belgian suitor Ageas' decision to walk away from its takeover efforts.
The Sheffield-based firm declared a 4.4 pence per share dividend, bringing its total dividends for 2023 to 7.33 pence per share, a 10 per cent rise on the previous year.
Direct Line has brought back its dividend despite posting a huge increase in losses, as its new boss attempts to reassure investors with a cost-cutting programme.
Mobico once again lowered its annual profit range on Monday as the group flagged accounting issues related to its German rail business.
The Chinese-owned group is understood to be 'nowhere near' striking an agreement for the cash, an industry source said.
The 'King of Trainers' will update the market on Thursday. Analysts are forecasting record sales of £10.5billion for the 12 months to February 3, up 4 per cent on last year.
In less than a decade, Tom and Phil Beahon have gone from 'Mum's kitchen table in Liverpool' to 'the top table' in Downing Street.
Adrian Hallmark stunned the luxury car sector by quitting Bentley, after six years in charge of the luxury car maker, to take the wheel at Aston Martin.
We understand that apart from Hellmann's Mayonnaise and Knorr Soups, all other nutrition brands could go - including Bovril, Marmite and Pot Noodle.
Boss Richard Wilson urged the main parties to pledge to ditch the 'absurd' levy in their manifestos for the next General Election.
Baldock said firms should not be subjected to more red tape and government 'diktats' from any political party.
The building society agreed a £2.9billion deal last week to buy the challenger bank and create Britain's second biggest savings and loans group.
EVE Energy is in advanced talks to build a hub to make batteries for electric vehicles at Coventry airport.
In an unusual intervention, the UK boss of Airbus said the invasion of Ukraine had shown the sector can no longer be seen as a 'nice-to-have'.
My rather ambitious year-end predictions that, in 2024, the Footsie would reach 8,500 and the pound touch $1.40 might not look so hairy after all.
Reports suggest the fast fashion giant is leaning towards placing its £71 billion listing into the London Stock Exchange instead of the US.
Shoppers bought the same amount of goods last month as in January, according to official figures, defying doom and gloom predictions of a 0.4 per cent fall.
Trump Media & Technology Group - the firm behind the former US president's Truth Social site - is expected to list on New York's Nasdaq.
Such is the popularity of superstar, the tour has already grossed more than the total GDP of a number of small countries, having amassed more than one billion dollars before the end of 2023.
A technology fund run by US private equity shark KKR revealed it had sold 19.4m shares in the firm, equivalent to a stake of around 2.5 per cent.
The insurer reported a pre-tax profit of £107m for 2023 - after a loss of £145m in 2022 - while also returning more than £30m to members of the mutual.
The advertising tycoon reportedly turned down Stagwell's bids because they undervalued the company.
The Netherland's minister of economic affairs will meet with Unilever's Dutch boss Hein Schumacher as he mulls where to list the £15billion spin off.
Ageas said it would not make another offer for the insurer after two snubbed attempts.
The FTSE 100 closed up 48.37 points at 7930.92. Among the companies with reports and trading updates today are Vodafone, JD Wetherspoon and LV=.
Adrian Hallmark has left Bentley with immediate effect, having overseen a significant turnaround of the carmaker since becoming its chairman and chief executive in February 2018.
Nationwide yesterday agreed a deal to buy Virgin Money for £2.9bn to create a lender with 25m customers and nearly 700 branches.
The vessels are to be used by the Royal Australian Navy and will be the 'largest, most powerful and advanced' attack submarines ever deployed.
Bailey's comments came after members of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 to leave rates on hold - with one arguing for a cut.
The consumer giant is reportedly working with bankers at Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan to gauge interest in its ice cream division.
Peltz, 81, (pictured) is seeking two seats on the board of the media giant amid concerns about its performance under veteran boss Bob Iger.
Bankman-Fried (pictured) will be sentenced next week after he was convicted of seven charges of fraud and conspiracy in New York.
With inflation on the retreat and the economy recovering, Next boss Simon Wolfson said 'it feels like we are now entering a new era'.
The social media company priced shares in its initial public offering at $34. But last night, the stock traded as high as $57.80, a 70% rise on its target price.
The FTSE 100 rose 1.9%, or 145.17 points, to 7882.55 - its highest for 11 months and the FTSE 250 climbed 1.3%, or 256.91 points, to 19741.31.
Ascential shares rose on Thursday after the events, intelligence and advisory group unveiled a capital return of £850m to shareholders after beating analysts' forecasts for last year.
Among the companies with reports and trading updates today are Nationwide, Virgin Money, Next, Direct Line, Dowlais Group and Ascential.
Fintel is on the hunt for takeover opportunities in the mortgage and general insurance market in 2024, after the AIM-All Share firm made six acquisitions in just over a year.
The Nottingham-based group declared record dividends per share of 195p for the six months to 26 November after achieving its highest half-year revenue and profits in history.
A fortnight ago, the two groups struck a preliminary takeover agreement that would create the UK's second-biggest mortgages and savings provider.
Disney chief exec Bob Iger's running of the entertainment giant is under heavy fire from activist investors including billionaire Nelson Peltz.
British fashion house Burberry fell 3.3% after French giant Kering warned that sales at Gucci are down around 20% in the first quarter of the year.
Bankman-Fried (pictured) will be sentenced next week after being convicted of seven charges of fraud and conspiracy by a New York jury in November.
Treasury sources said the Government would love the Ben & Jerry's and Wall's maker to list in London alongside parent Unilever.
Shepherd Neame said demand has been particularly strong in London, amid signs that staff are spending more time in the office.
Ro&Zo - created by Rosie Bowden and Zoe de Abreu (pictured) to 'fill a gap' for women after the collapse of other retailers - is the latest line to join Marks.
The FTSE 100 closed down 0.92 points at 7737.38. Among the companies with updates today are Prudential, Johnson Matthew, Glencore, Computacenter and Investec.
The chemicals giant, which makes catalytic converters for cars, said the sale meant it had finished a programme announced in May 2022 to divest its 'value businesses.'
The Civil Aviation Authority has launched a six-week consultation to determine the maximum average amount the UK's largest airport can charge air carriers for each customer they fly.
With big businesses ploughing huge sums into their IT systems, London-based Computacenter saw its annual revenue rise by 7 per cent to £6.9billion.
The enormous discount to net asset value on FTSE 250-listed HarbourVest Global Private Equity (HVPE) shares could finally narrow after an overhaul of shareholder payouts.
Rolls-Royce stock has more than quadrupled in value since 'Turbo' Tufan Erginbilgic (pictured) took over as chief exec in January last year.
Mike Ashley has agreed to act as a consultant to model train maker Hornby as his retail empire continues to build a stake in the business.
It is the last central bank to end negative rates, a policy that has also been pursued by the ECB, as well as Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark.
Astra, led by boss Pascal Soriot (pictured), has snapped up several small firms since December including rare disease firm Amolyt Pharma.
Yesterday the consumer goods giant announced a radical shake-up that will see it spin off the unit in a move that is set to cost 7,500 jobs worldwide.
Lidl had accused Britain's biggest supermarket of riding on its coat tails by using the logo when it launched its Clubcard discount scheme.
No Ordinary Designer Label, which trades as Ted Baker and is owned by US company Authentic Brands has hired restructuring firm Teneo Financial Advisory.
The FTSE 100 closed up 15.75 points at 7738.30. Among the companies with updates today are Unilever, Diageo, AstraZeneca, Close Brothers, Crest Nicholson and DFS Furniture.
The STEM-specialist recruiter revealed net fees declined by 6% year-on-year to £93.7million between the beginning of December and 29 February.
The merchant banking firm declared last month that it would axe dividends for the current fiscal year and not restart payments until the FCA's probe into car finance lenders has concluded.
Bytes said long-serving chief exec Neil Murphy (pictured) took part in unauthorised share trading on more than 100 separate occasions.
Britain's largest drugmaker intends to spend $2billion upfront for the Canadian firm, equivalent to $21 per share, followed by up to $400million in potential contingent payments.
Diageo has hired a former civil service boss as its next chair, replacing Javier Ferran when he retires in February next year.
Unilever will spin-out its ice cream unit into a separate and independent business as part of efforts to 'simplify' the consumer goods giant and cut costs.
The pharmaceutical group plans to lower its holding in Haleon, which also makes Panadol painkillers and Nicorette gum, from 32% to 24%.
Standard Chartered, one of the world's biggest banks, said the digital currency was on course to reach $150,000 by the end of this year.
Lynch (pictured) allegedly committed a 'massive fraud' when he fooled computer giant Hewlett-Packard into buying Autonomy in 2011.
Musk (pictured), the world's third richest person defended his prescribed use of the drug, arguing that it does not impact his leadership.
US drugmaker Pfizer will offload around 630m shares - reducing its holding in the Sensodyne toothpaste maker from 32% down to 24%.
The war in Gaza and a perverse reaction to events, fuelled by social media, has tarnished Israel's reputation and standing in the world.
Chemring said it has been granted £57m by the European Commission as part of a scheme to make ammunition and missiles for Ukraine.
Sir Patrick (pictured) was City Editor of the Daily Mail for 25 years and founder of the hugely successful Euromoney magazine.
The FTSE 100 closed down 4.87 points at 7722.55. Nightcap losses persist Among the companies with updates today are Currys, Nightcap, Assetco, British Land and Marshalls.
Sir Douglas Flint, one of the most respected figures in finance, is among more than 130 money managers to sign the letter to Jeremy Hunt.
The electronics retailer now anticipates reporting adjusted pre-tax profits of at least £115million for the current financial year, against a previous forecast of £105million to £115million.
The paving stone specialist's adjusted profit before tax for 2023 was down 41% to £53.3million, it reported.
Hospitality firm Nightcap, founded by ex-Dragons' Den star Sarah Willingham, admitted trading has remained challenging as it reported first-half losses doubled.
Andrew Rhodes likes a flutter. The boss of the Gambling Commission has just had 'a bit' of success at Cheltenham, landing two winners on the opening day.
Meta paid British Land a £149million surrender premium to walk away from its lease on the building last year - and the property firm now wants to make it a science and innovation hub.
Winslow will need to lay out his roadmap for transforming the business and make the case for fending off further takeover bids from Belgian rival Ageas.
English is the language of Dickens and Shakespeare. It is also the universal language of business. Yet firms seem intent on squandering one of our greatest national assets.
Forecasts from Make UK suggest the sector will remain 'flat' this year and grow by just half the rate of the rest of the economy in 2025.
More than one-in-four people are asked by their employers to sign 'non-disclosure agreements'. Eight in ten of these people are women.
Tadeu Marroco dismissed the idea of shifting the FTSE 100 group's primary listing to the US.
Shares in the consumer goods giant tumbled to their lowest level since 2014 following the judgment from an Illinois court.
Mazars said it could not give them a clean bill of health because of inadequate record-keeping as Laduree overhauled its accounting software systems.
Boss Al Cook is expected to lay out in more detail how many jobs will be cut, how it will slash costs and which projects it will sell or shut.
The number of potential claims, representing a tenth of clients, is far higher than Britain's biggest wealth manager has previously indicated.
Nationwide, which is led by Debbie Crosbie, has until April 4 to make a firm offer.
The digital coin hit an all-time high of $73,803 on Thursday. But it fell as low as $65,584 on Friday as its white-knuckle ride continued.
Sterling ended the week nearly 1 per cent lower against the dollar as bets on Bank of England rate cuts were brought forward.
The FTSE 100 engineer said half of the investment and two-thirds of the jobs would go to its site in Derby with the rest going to Dahlewitz, Germany.
Online giant JD.com said it would not make a formal bid for the High Street electrical retailer less than a month after expressing its interest.
The telecoms giant has agreed to sell Vodafone Italia to Swisscom as part of wider plans to reshape its sprawling business.
Vodafone has finally agreed to sell its Italian business to rival Swisscom for €8billion (£6.8billion) in cash, with the telecoms giant setting aside half the amount for shareholder payouts.
The company, which is headed by chairman Dame Sharon White (pictured), unveiled profits of £56m for the 12 months to the end of January.
Housebuilders have suffered in recent months, with demand having fallen due to weaker mortgage affordability and availability, as well as higher costs.
The trust has already bought back £353million of shares in the past two years, and will increase buybacks to at least £1 billion over the next two years.
Barratt claimed the deal would help tackle the UK's huge housing shortfall , but critics at the time raised concerns that it could lead to higher prices as a result of weaker competition.
It will be the biggest investment for generations in the region, which was once dominated by the now defunct steel industry and chemical plants.
Hayes, a former Citigroup and UBS trader, was convicted for rigging the London Interbank Offered Rate that tracks what banks pay to borrow cash.
Profits fell 30% to £374m as the company's net interest margin suffered a squeeze thanks to a big change in borrowers' behaviour last year.
Ageas has had a second offer of 237p-a-share, or about £3.2bn, snubbed by the Direct Line board and a top ten shareholder wants it to quit the hunt.
Shell scaled back its carbon reduction goal for 2030 and has ditched a further target for 2035 as it rethinks how it can achieve its net zero ambitions.
Tech group Smartspace Software, whose platform allows businesses to book office spaces, has agreed to a £28.35m 90p-a-share offer takeover.
Among the companies with reports and trading updates today are John Lewis Partnership, Shell, Vistry, Deliveroo, AstraZeneca, Savills and Trainline.
L&G admitted that the cash and share handout was 'significant' but said it was 'critical to securing the appointment' of the former Santander boss (pictured). .
The property developer said it expects to build 17,500 more homes in 2024, up from the 16,118 delivered in 2023, thanks to a shift in its strategy.
Australian hedge fund Tribeca Investment Partners wrote to Glencore's board with a list of proposals to boost the share price.
John Lewis reported a surprise return to profit after a 'challenging' year, but will not pay its staff a bonus for the second year in a row.
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