Oil, AI worries and inflation weigh on markets, while LSEG rises, Fresnillo falls, and Cornish Metals, Bloomsbury and James Cropper trend.
The FTSE 100 and wider UK markets experienced a difficult week, with rising oil prices and growing concerns over returns on artificial intelligence investment weighing on investor confidence.
Escalating tensions in the Middle East and persistent inflation worries contributed to the downturn, while European markets also struggled, with indices in Paris and Frankfurt recording losses.
Across the Atlantic, Wall Street delivered a mixed performance as investors weighed geopolitical uncertainty against continued volatility in the technology sector. Questions surrounding the scale of AI investment and the timing of potential returns added to the cautious mood.
Looking ahead, attention turns to key UK economic releases and international interest rate decisions. With geopolitical developments, inflation and central bank policy continuing to influence sentiment, investors face another potentially eventful week.
Notable Moves Last Week
A selection of FTSE 350 risers and fallers, with accompanying company news.
London Stock Exchange Group PLC ▲8.46%
London Stock Exchange Group raised its annual outlook and confirmed the acquisition of Octus, strengthening its position in credit and private market data.
The company also reported strong profit growth and continued its share buyback programme, highlighting its solid financial performance and ongoing strategic expansion.
Fresnillo PLC ▼15.1%
Fresnillo reported a decline in gold and silver production during the third quarter, broadly in line with expectations.
Lower ore grades and reduced processing volumes at several of its Mexican mines contributed to the fall in output.
Despite the weaker production figures, the precious metals producer maintained its full-year production guidance for 2026.
Trending Shares in ShareScope
The 10 most searched shares by ShareScope users last week.
| Rank | Company |
| 1 | Volex PLC |
| 2 | Cornish Metals PLC |
| 3 | Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
| 4 | Auction Technology Group PLC |
| 5 | Renishaw PLC |
| 6 | Hardide PLC |
| 7 | Halfords Group PLC |
| 8 | Ashtead Technology Holdings PLC |
| 9 | Duke Capital Ltd |
| 10 | Cropper (James) PLC |
Several of the most searched companies featured prominently in the news last week. Here’s a closer look at three of them.
Cornish Metals PLC
Cornish Metals successfully raised additional funds to advance the development of its South Crofty tin project in Cornwall.
The company also secured an offtake agreement with Glencore International for tin concentrate, providing further support for the project’s commercial development.
Backing from both new and existing investors highlights the strategic importance of South Crofty, with the additional funding intended to accelerate progress towards production.
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Bloomsbury Publishing reported a decline in first-half revenue and profit but remained confident in its prospects for delivering record full-year results.
The publisher highlighted an encouraging start to the second half, supported by upcoming releases from bestselling authors and continued revenue from artificial intelligence licensing agreements.
The company also increased its interim dividend, reflecting confidence in its longer-term outlook.
Cropper (James) PLC
James Cropper delivered a stronger-than-expected first-half performance, driven primarily by its paper and packaging business.
Improved revenue growth and effective cost management helped the company outperform expectations, prompting an upgrade to its full-year earnings forecast.
Investors will be watching for further updates from the company in November.
This Week’s Market Calendar
Here’s a look at the key company announcements, dividend dates, economic releases and potential new listings scheduled for the week commencing 26 October 2026.
Upcoming Company Results
Key company results expected in the week ahead.
Monday 26 October 2026
| Company | TIDM | Results |
| Quadrise Plc | QED | Final |
Tuesday 27 October 2026
| Company | TIDM | Results |
| Ultimate Products plc | ULTP | Final |
Upcoming Ex-Dividend Dates
Companies scheduled to trade ex-dividend this week.
Thursday 29 October 2026
| Company | TIDM | Type | Payment Date | Amount | Yield |
| Balfour Beatty PLC | BBY | Q2 | 04/12/26 | 4.70p | 1.7% |
| Banco Santander SA | BNC | Q2 | 02/11/26 | 12.70c | 2.1% |
| CQS New City High Yield Fund Ltd | NCYF | Advance | 27/11/26 | 1.00p | 9.0% |
| City Natural Resources Growth and Income PLC | CYN | Advance | 30/11/26 | 7.88p | 2.1% |
| Ecofin Global Utilities And Infrastructure Trust | EGL | Advance | 30/11/26 | 2.25p | 3.3% |
| Fidelity Asian Values PLC | FAS | Q4 | 04/12/26 | 22.00p | 3.8% |
| Fiske PLC | FKE | Q4 | 16/11/26 | 1.21p | 2.4% |
| Henderson Far East Income Ltd | HFEL | Advance | 27/11/26 | 6.30p | 9.8% |
| Hilton Food Group PLC | HFG | Q2 | 27/11/26 | 10.10p | 4.9% |
| JD Sports Fashion PLC | JD. | Q2 | 27/11/26 | 0.40p | 1.3% |
| JPMorgan Claverhouse Investment Trust PLC | JCH | Advance | 01/12/26 | 8.50p | 3.9% |
| Kier Group PLC | KIE | Q4 | 04/12/26 | 5.20p | 2.5% |
| M&G Credit Income Investment Trust PLC | MGCI | Advance | 20/11/26 | 1.77p | 8.2% |
| McBride PLC | MCB | Q4 | 27/11/26 | 3.10p | 1.7% |
| NWF Group PLC | NWF | Q4 | 04/12/26 | 7.70p | 5.3% |
| Renishaw PLC | RSW | Q4 | 03/12/26 | 65.20p | 1.6% |
| Renishaw PLC | RSW | Special | 03/12/26 | 70.00p | 1.6% |
| Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund | SEQI | Advance | 27/11/26 | 1.72p | 8.5% |
| Supermarket Income REIT PLC | SUPR | Advance | 27/11/26 | 1.57p | 7.4% |
| Sylvania Platinum Ltd | SLP | Q4 | 04/12/26 | 4.00p | 6.7% |
| The European Smaller Companies Trust PLC | ESCT | Advance | 27/11/26 | 3.16p | 3.9% |
| Tufton Assets Ltd | SHIP | Advance | 25/11/26 | 2.05p | 6.7% |
| Whitbread PLC | WTB | Q2 | 04/12/26 | 36.40p | 3.7% |
| Wilmington PLC | WIL | Q4 | 02/12/26 | 9.40p | 4.5% |
| Yu Group PLC | YU. | Q2 | 20/11/26 | 24.00p | 3.9% |
Upcoming Economic Events
The major UK and US economic releases and central bank announcements scheduled for the coming week.
All times are Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), following the end of British Summer Time on 25 October.
Monday 26 October 2026
- 12:30: US Chicago Fed National Activity Index
- 14:30: US Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index
Tuesday 27 October 2026
- 12:00: US building permits
- 12:30: US durable goods orders
- 12:55: US Redbook Index
- 13:00: US House Price Index
- 13:00: US S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index
- 14:00: US new home sales
- 14:00: US Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index
- 14:00: US Conference Board Consumer Confidence
- 18:00: US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting begins
Wednesday 28 October 2026
- UK: Autumn Budget 2026
- 12:30: US wholesale inventories
- 14:30: US EIA crude oil stocks
- 18:00: US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting
- 18:00: US Federal Reserve interest rate decision
- 18:30: US Federal Reserve press conference
Thursday 29 October 2026
- 09:30: UK mortgage approvals
- 12:30: US initial jobless claims
- 12:30: US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE)
- 12:30: US quarterly Personal Consumption Expenditures
- 14:30: US EIA natural gas stocks
Friday 30 October 2026
- 13:30: US Employment Cost Index
- 13:45: US Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)
Sunday 1 November 2026
- US: Daylight Saving Time ends. Clocks move back one hour.
Upcoming IPOs
Companies expected to list on public markets in the coming days.
Monday 26 October 2026
| Company | Market |
| TEK 4 Group Plc | AIM |
Market Pulse is brought to you by ShareScope, providing private investors and traders with market data, investment research tools and company insights.
Information is based on data available at the time of publication. Scheduled events, results dates and dividend information may be subject to change.
This article is for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell shares or other investments. Do your own research before buying or selling any investment or seek professional financial advice.
