AI spending worries and Budget anticipation keep markets cautious, AstraZeneca rises and Tek4, Shell, Computacenter and Plus500 trend in ShareScope.

UK markets experienced a mixed week, with the FTSE 100 and wider indices showing modest movements as investors weighed a range of economic and geopolitical developments.

Concerns surrounding the scale of investment in artificial intelligence continued to create volatility in the technology sector, while attention also focused on the UK’s fiscal outlook and the implications of government spending and investment plans.

Internationally, central bank interest rate decisions in the US and Europe contributed to cautious investor sentiment, as markets assessed the outlook for inflation, borrowing costs and economic growth.

Meanwhile, fluctuating oil prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions added further uncertainty to global markets.

Overall, investors remained watchful, balancing optimism over economic resilience with concerns surrounding interest rates, technology valuations and the wider geopolitical environment.

Notable Moves Last Week

A selection of FTSE 350 risers and fallers, with accompanying company news.

AstraZeneca PLC ▲8.86%

AstraZeneca reported impressive third-quarter results, with revenue growth exceeding market expectations.

Strong performances across its oncology and rare disease treatments helped drive the results, supported by regulatory approvals and positive clinical trial developments.

The pharmaceutical group also highlighted significant progress across its drug development pipeline, reinforcing confidence in its longer-term growth prospects.

Hunting PLC ▼6.56%

Hunting lowered its earnings forecast as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East affected trading conditions during the third and fourth quarters.

The energy services group also faced challenges in North America, alongside supply chain disruptions that added further pressure to its operations.

In response, the company has introduced cost-saving measures and operational restructuring initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and managing the impact of weaker trading conditions.

Trending Shares in ShareScope

The 10 most searched shares by ShareScope users last week.

Rank	Company
1	Auction Technology Group PLC
2	Tek4 Group PLC
3	Shell PLC
4	Volex PLC
5	Hardide PLC
6	Computacenter PLC
7	Rolls-Royce Group PLC
8	Plus500 Ltd
9	Barclays PLC
10	Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Several of the most searched companies featured prominently in the news last week. Here’s a closer look at four of them.

Tek4 Group PLC

Tek4 Group made its debut on AIM, attracting strong support from institutional investors.

The company specialises in advanced machinery used in cooling systems for the aerospace and power generation industries, with its technology supporting precision manufacturing processes.

Chief Executive Jason Duffin welcomed the successful listing, highlighting the contribution of the company’s employees and the continued loyalty of its customers.

Shell PLC

Shell announced further share buybacks following a strong quarterly performance, supported by higher oil prices and improved operational results.

The energy group also highlighted progress with strategic investments and acquisitions designed to support longer-term growth.

A reduction in debt levels and continued cost discipline further strengthened its financial position.

Computacenter PLC

Computacenter delivered a stronger-than-expected third quarter, prompting the company to forecast annual profits ahead of market expectations.

The technology services group benefited from robust performances across its Technology Sourcing and Professional Services divisions, particularly in North America and the UK.

A strong order backlog also provides encouraging visibility for future trading.

Plus500 Ltd

Plus500 reported strong third-quarter progress, putting the trading platform operator on course to exceed market expectations for 2026.

The company highlighted several strategic and operational developments, including the launch of new products, expansion into additional geographic markets and increased new customer acquisition.

These initiatives supported a robust financial performance and reinforced confidence in its growth strategy.

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 2 November 2026.

Upcoming Company Results

Key company results expected in the week ahead.

Tuesday 3 November 2026

Company	TIDM	Results
Associated British Foods plc	ABF	Final
Gattaca plc	GATC	Final
Sareum Holdings plc	SAR	Final

Wednesday 4 November 2026

Company	TIDM	Results
Smiths News plc	SNWS	Final

Thursday 5 November 2026

Company	TIDM	Results
ASOS plc	ASC	Final

Upcoming Ex-Dividend Dates

Companies scheduled to trade ex-dividend this week.

Thursday 5 November 2026

Company	TIDM	Type	Payment Date	Amount	Yield
AEP Plantations PLC	AEP	Q2	11/12/26	2.79p	3.9%
AEW UK REIT PLC	AEWU	Advance	04/12/26	2.00p	7.8%
Ashmore Group PLC	ASHM	Q4	07/12/26	12.10p	7.5%
Avingtrans PLC	AVG	Q4	18/12/26	3.10p	0.7%
BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust PLC	BRSC	Advance	10/12/26	2.23p	3.3%
Brunner Investment Trust PLC	BUT	Advance	03/12/26	6.75p	1.6%
Bytes Technology Group PLC	BYIT	Q2	20/11/26	3.30p	2.3%
CVC Income & Growth Ltd	CVCG	Advance	27/11/26	2.31p	8.6%
CVS Group PLC	CVSG	Q4	04/12/26	9.00p	0.7%
Card Factory PLC	CARD	Q2	11/12/26	1.40p	5.6%
Dunedin Income Growth Inv Trust PLC	DIG	Q2	27/11/26	4.25p	6.1%
Edinburgh Investment Trust (The) PLC	EDIN	Advance	20/11/26	8.40p	3.7%
GCP Infrastructure Investments Ltd	GCP	Advance	04/12/26	1.75p	8.5%
Galliford Try Holdings PLC	GFRD	Q4	04/12/26	17.00p	3.4%
Me Group International PLC	MEGP	Q2	27/11/26	3.60p	7.7%
Octopus AIM VCT 2 PLC	OSEC	Q2	26/11/26	1.10p	11.6%
Partners Group Private Equity Ltd	PEYS	Q2	11/12/26	32.50c	9.8%
Thorpe (F W) PLC	TFW	Q4	04/12/26	5.53p	2.9%
Tritax Big Box REIT PLC	BBOX	Advance	27/11/26	2.00p	5.5%
VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Ltd	VOF	Q4	09/12/26	5.42p	2.5%
Warpaint London PLC	W7L	Q2	20/11/26	4.25p	6.6%

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).

Monday 2 November 2026

• 09:30: UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)

• 14:00: US ISM Manufacturing PMI

Tuesday 3 November 2026

• US: Total vehicle sales

• 12:55: US Redbook Index

• 14:45: US Manufacturing PMI

• 15:00: US factory orders

Wednesday 4 November 2026

• 09:30: UK Services PMI

• 09:30: UK Composite PMI

• 13:15: US ADP employment report

• 13:30: US trade balance

• 14:00: US ISM Services PMI

• 14:30: US EIA crude oil stocks

• 14:45: US Services PMI

• 14:45: US Composite PMI

Thursday 5 November 2026

• 09:00: UK new car sales

• 09:30: UK Construction PMI

• 12:00: Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting minutes

• 12:00: Bank of England interest rate decision

• 12:00: Bank of England Monetary Policy Report

• 13:30: US initial jobless claims

• 15:30: US EIA natural gas stocks

Friday 6 November 2026

• 13:30: US nonfarm payrolls

• 13:30: US labour force participation rate

• 13:30: US average weekly hours

• 15:00: US Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index

Upcoming IPOs

Companies expected to list on public markets in the coming days.

There are no IPOs currently scheduled for this week.

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.