1. FTSE 100 live
Stocks rally
2. HSBC unveils £3bn share buyback as profits remain flat
The dividend of $0.10 per share makes 20 cents for the first six months of 2024, flat on a year ago, with the share buyback expected to be complete within three months.
3. Myopic market pummels Microsoft for $81bn
The 2.6% pre-market fall in the Redmond megacap’s share price is due to revenue concerns in its Azure cloud-computing segment.
4. GSK forecast upgrade fails to impress the market
The market appears to have largely anticipated the performance (even if the forecasts didn't reflect this).
5. Metro Bank soars as eyes turn to profitability again
“Upgraded guidance includes profitability during the fourth quarter,” Metro said in interim results on Wednesday, following a £26.8 million underlying pre-tax loss over the first half.