AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca AZN.L and Bristol Myers Squibb BMY.N held preliminary discussions about a possible combination that would create one of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies with a combined value of nearly $400 billion, according to a person familiar with the situation.
easyJet: easyJet EZJ.L extended the deadline for suitor Castlelake to decide whether to make a firm takeover offer, bringing it into line with the deadline facing Apollo APO.N.
BP: BP BP.L said it has completed the sale of its Gelsenkirchen refinery to investment firm Klesch Group, expecting about a $1 billion reduction in underlying operating expenditure, as the oil major simplifies its operations.
Plus500: Plus500 PLUSP.L said it has launched Single Stock Futures in the U.S., expanding its futures offering by giving customers access to CME Group-listed contracts tied to individual U.S. stocks.
Senior: Senior SNR.L said it expects to achieve its medium-term targets ahead of schedule, citing resilient demand across its aerospace and fluid systems businesses.
Economic and market backdrop
British hiring fell in the first six months of 2026 with job postings for graduates at their lowest since 2020.
Britain's economy is likely to shrink in 2027 if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen to shipping before the middle of next year.
