Today: 18 February 2026
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Australia stock market today: ASX 200 retakes 9,000 as NAB hits record, BlueScope bid keeps deal talk alive
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18 February 2026
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Australia stock market today: ASX 200 retakes 9,000 as NAB hits record, BlueScope bid keeps deal talk alive

The ASX 200 closed up 0.54% at 9,007 on Wednesday, driven by record gains in National Australia Bank after a strong quarterly update and a jump in TechnologyOne on upgraded guidance. Wage growth held steady at 0.8% for the quarter. Investors await U.S. Federal Reserve minutes later in the day. BlueScope Steel traded below a raised takeover offer, signaling skepticism about the bid.
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FTSE 100 hits a fresh record as UK inflation cools — BAE, Glencore jump
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FTSE 100 hits a fresh record as UK inflation cools — BAE, Glencore jump

The FTSE 100 rose about 1% Wednesday, nearing record highs after UK inflation slowed to 3.0% in January. BAE Systems and Glencore led gains, while sterling steadied following recent losses. Investors increased bets on a Bank of England rate cut next month. The FTSE 250 also advanced, tracking broader gains in European markets.
18 February 2026
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Anglo American stock pops 2% in London after UK inflation cools, with results in focus

Anglo American stock pops 2% in London after UK inflation cools, with results in focus

Anglo American shares rose 2.3% to 3,578 pence by mid-morning in London, rebounding after Tuesday’s drop as UK inflation slowed to 3.0% in January. The miner’s gains come ahead of full-year results due Feb. 20, after it cut 2026 copper guidance and flagged $200 million in Chilean site charges. Glencore reported a 6% fall in adjusted EBITDA and announced a $2 billion shareholder return.
18 February 2026
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Haleon share price rises as UK inflation cools — what to watch before Feb 25 earnings

Haleon share price rises as UK inflation cools — what to watch before Feb 25 earnings

Haleon shares rose 0.9% to 412.6 pence in early London trading Wednesday, tracking gains in the UK market after softer inflation data. The stock traded between 410.60 and 414.80 pence, nearing its 52-week high. UK inflation slowed to 3.0% in January, fueling rate-cut bets. Haleon’s updated analyst consensus shows FY2025 revenue at £11.08 billion and organic growth of 3.4%.
18 February 2026
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Why GSK stock is moving today: Exdensur EU nod and a fresh buyback

Why GSK stock is moving today: Exdensur EU nod and a fresh buyback

GSK shares rose 1.1% to 2,263 pence after the European Commission approved its twice-yearly asthma drug Exdensur and the company launched a new tranche of share buybacks. GSK will repurchase up to £0.45 billion in shares by April 24. The company also reported new real-world data showing its RSV vaccine Arexvy was 75.6% effective against RSV-related hospitalisation in adults over 60.
18 February 2026
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BrewDog Sale Shock: Equity for Punks Investors Face a Hard Reality as CEO Speaks Out

BrewDog Sale Shock: Equity for Punks Investors Face a Hard Reality as CEO Speaks Out

BrewDog has hired AlixPartners to explore options including a sale, putting its 220,000 “Equity for Punks” crowdfunders at risk of losing their investments. CEO James Taylor told investors it remains “business as usual.” The company reported a £37 million loss in 2024. Private equity backer TSG Consumer Partners holds a 21% stake and could take priority in any payout.
18 February 2026
Raspberry Pi share price jumps again as CEO buy and AI chatter keep RPI.L in play

Raspberry Pi share price jumps again as CEO buy and AI chatter keep RPI.L in play

Raspberry Pi Holdings shares surged 25.2% to 519.5 pence in early London trading, after CEO Eben Upton disclosed buying 4,684 shares for about £13,224. The rally follows heavy social-media speculation on the company’s role in low-cost AI projects. Two traders said the driver was unclear. The company stated there was no new information beyond public disclosures.
18 February 2026
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SSE stock steadies near highs after £950m Scottish subsea cable plan drops

SSE stock steadies near highs after £950m Scottish subsea cable plan drops

SSE shares rose 0.1% to 2,653 pence in early London trading after the company named five contractors for up to £950 million of subsea network upgrades in Scotland. The framework, set for five years with an option to extend, is expected to support over 450 jobs annually. Investors now await SSE’s May 28 results update for details on spending and project delivery.
18 February 2026
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RELX share price slips as buyback and insider filings hit the tape

RELX share price slips as buyback and insider filings hit the tape

RELX shares fell 2% to 2,180 pence in early London trading after routine filings showed buyback activity and executive share sales. The company bought 1.8 million shares on Feb. 17 as part of a £450 million repurchase program. CEO Erik Engstrom sold 22,000 shares on Feb. 13. Investors await further company documents and updates on the buyback schedule.
18 February 2026
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Glencore share price rises on $2 billion payout plan as Congo copper deal grabs attention

Glencore share price rises on $2 billion payout plan as Congo copper deal grabs attention

Glencore shares rose about 3% in early London trade after announcing a $2 billion shareholder payout and full-year results. The board proposed a $0.17-per-share cash distribution in two tranches, pending a May 28 AGM vote. Glencore also finalized a land-access deal for its Congo copper mine, aiming to extend its life into the 2040s. Adjusted EBITDA fell 6% to $13.51 billion, beating analyst expectations.
18 February 2026
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Unilever share price dips in London after broker downgrades flag limited upside

Unilever share price dips in London after broker downgrades flag limited upside

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18 February 2026
Unilever shares fell 0.6% in early London trading Wednesday after Berenberg and Kepler Cheuvreux downgraded the stock to “hold,” citing limited near-term upside. CEO Fernando Fernandez sold 17,327 shares for £909,711.65. The company announced a five-year Google Cloud partnership on Tuesday. Traders are watching the Feb 26 ex-dividend date and the April 30 Q1 update.
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BAE Systems share price jumps 6% after profit rise, record backlog and dividend lift

BAE Systems share price jumps 6% after profit rise, record backlog and dividend lift

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18 February 2026
BAE Systems shares jumped 6.2% in early London trading after reporting a 12% rise in underlying operating profit and a record £83.6 billion order backlog. 2025 sales climbed 10% to £30.7 billion, but free cash flow dropped to £2.16 billion. The company raised its dividend 10% and repurchased 30 million shares. Investors await a 09:30 GMT presentation for more detail on cash and margins.
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Evolution Mining share price slides for fifth day as gold whipsaws; what to watch next

Evolution Mining share price slides for fifth day as gold whipsaws; what to watch next

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18 February 2026
Evolution Mining shares fell 2.2% to A$14.59 in Sydney, marking a fifth straight session of losses and leaving the stock 10% below last week’s record. Gold rebounded 1.1% to $4,931.61 an ounce after a sharp drop, ahead of U.S. Federal Reserve minutes. Investors are watching Evolution’s March 3 ex-dividend date and April 15 quarterly results for further direction.
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Fortescue share price edges up as Wyloo North mine faces public comment, with results next week

Fortescue share price edges up as Wyloo North mine faces public comment, with results next week

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18 February 2026
Fortescue shares closed up 0.5% at A$20.20 Wednesday as Western Australia’s EPA opened a week-long public comment period for the proposed Wyloo North iron ore mine. The EPA described the project as a 13-year open-cut operation with groundwater pumping and up to 4,954.5 hectares of disturbance. Investors await the Feb. 23 comment deadline and Fortescue’s half-year results on Feb. 25.
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Pro Medicus share price drops again as insiders buy — what ASX:PME traders watch next

Pro Medicus share price drops again as insiders buy — what ASX:PME traders watch next

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18 February 2026
Pro Medicus shares fell 2.35% to A$123.00 Wednesday, extending a 43% drop for 2026 despite the S&P/ASX 200 closing higher. Directors Anthony Glenning and Deena Shiff bought shares on Feb. 13. The company reported half-year revenue of A$124.8 million and statutory profit after tax of A$171.2 million, boosted by a fair-value gain. Pro Medicus declared a 32-cent interim dividend, ex-dividend Feb. 26, payable March 20.
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Northern Star share price slips after ASX close as gold swings near $5,000

Northern Star share price slips after ASX close as gold swings near $5,000

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18 February 2026
Northern Star Resources closed down 0.7% at A$28.02 in Sydney on Wednesday, tracking gold’s rebound from a one-week low. The stock traded between A$27.52 and A$28.02 amid thin holiday liquidity and no new company news. Gold steadied above $4,850 an ounce as traders awaited U.S. Fed minutes and inflation data. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.5%, but gold miners lagged.
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BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL) share price jumps on revised SGH takeover offer — what investors watch next

BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL) share price jumps on revised SGH takeover offer — what investors watch next

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18 February 2026
BlueScope Steel shares rose 2.6% to A$28.74 after confirming it is reviewing a revised A$32.35 per share cash takeover proposal from SGH and Steel Dynamics. The offer remains about 11% above the closing price, reflecting market doubts. BlueScope posted first-half net profit of A$391 million and forecast higher earnings, while the board said no action is required and there is no certainty of a deal.
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Woodside Energy share price edges up after reserves update; eyes turn to Feb 24 results

Woodside Energy share price edges up after reserves update; eyes turn to Feb 24 results

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18 February 2026
Woodside Energy closed up 0.4% at A$25.94 after releasing its annual reserves statement showing proved reserves fell to 1,882.1 MMboe at end-2025 from 1,975.7 MMboe a year earlier. Excluding production and divestments, proved reserves rose by 134.1 MMboe, supported by technical work and project approvals. The company produced 211.4 MMboe in 2025. Full-year results are due Feb. 24.
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Macquarie share price ends higher after $685 million IHS tower deal — what MQG investors watch next

Macquarie share price ends higher after $685 million IHS tower deal — what MQG investors watch next

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18 February 2026
Macquarie shares closed up 0.6% at A$219.60 after its asset management arm agreed to buy IHS Towers’ South American tower portfolio for $685 million. The deal is expected to close later in 2026. IHS Towers is exiting Latin America and said the portfolio includes about 8,860 sites. Macquarie’s next major event is its full-year results on May 8.
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NAB share price closes up 4% after Q1 update, hits record high and puts capital in focus

NAB share price closes up 4% after Q1 update, hits record high and puts capital in focus

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18 February 2026
NAB shares rose 4.0% to A$47.14, hitting a record A$47.96 after reporting first-quarter cash earnings up 16% to about A$2.0 billion. Net interest margin increased to 1.80%, while credit impairment charges fell to A$170 million. The bank’s core capital ratio slipped to 11.48% from 11.70%. Investors are watching capital levels and the May half-year result.
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BHP share price slips after record rally as dividend dates and copper shift grab focus

BHP share price slips after record rally as dividend dates and copper shift grab focus

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18 February 2026
BHP Group fell 0.9% to A$52.29 in Sydney on Wednesday, retreating after a record-high surge on Tuesday following a half-year profit and dividend beat. The miner set an interim dividend of 73 U.S. cents, with an ASX ex-dividend date of March 5. Investors weighed a $4.3 billion silver streaming deal and rising copper guidance against weaker iron ore prices. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.5% as materials lagged.
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Commonwealth Bank shares slip as CBA trades ex-dividend; what to watch next on ASX

Commonwealth Bank shares slip as CBA trades ex-dividend; what to watch next on ASX

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18 February 2026
Commonwealth Bank of Australia shares closed down 0.65% at A$176.88 after trading ex-dividend for an interim payout of A$2.35 per share. The decline followed a strong run earlier in February after record first-half earnings. Investors focused on sector margins and loan growth as National Australia Bank hit a record high. CBA’s net interest margin slipped to 2.04% amid rising competition.
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Wall Street Feels the Heat (and Thrill): Fed Cuts, Tariffs & Mega-Mergers Set NYSE Buzz

Stock Market Today 18.02.2026

18 February 2026
LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: February 18, 2026, 12:00 AM ESTUpdated: February 18, 2026, 4:42 PM EST Starboard urges Riot Platforms to accelerate AI shift to boost stock value February 18, 2026, 4:38 PM EST. Activist shareholder Starboard Value, owning 3.5% of Bitcoin miner Riot Platforms, called on CEO Jason Les to speed up the company's pivot to artificial intelligence (AI). Starboard sees Riot's 1.4 gigawatts of unused power capacity as a potential goldmine if repurposed for AI and high-performance computing (HPC) data centers. This shift could triple Riot's stock price, currently at about $15. Bitcoin mining firms face profitability challenges post
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Want to invest in China stocks in 2026? A beginner’s guide to A-shares, Hong Kong shares and ETFs

Want to invest in China stocks in 2026? A beginner’s guide to A-shares, Hong Kong shares and ETFs

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17 February 2026
China’s CSI300 and Shanghai Composite indexes each fell about 1.3% on Feb. 13, the last session before the Lunar New Year break, as traders cut risk. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed up 0.5% in a shortened session. Investors are watching if Beijing maintains tight controls and whether the AI-led rally persists when markets reopen. Liquidity remains thin due to holiday closures across Asia.
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FTSE Near Record Highs: A Beginner’s Guide to Investing in UK Stocks, ISAs and ETFs

FTSE Near Record Highs: A Beginner’s Guide to Investing in UK Stocks, ISAs and ETFs

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17 February 2026
London’s FTSE 100 rose 0.2% to 10,506.04 by late morning Tuesday, nearing a record high as traders increased bets on a Bank of England rate cut next month. The FTSE 250 slipped 0.1%, with Plus500 shares falling after an executive share sale. Investors awaited January inflation data due Wednesday. A Reuters poll found most economists expect a 0.25-point rate cut in March.
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