5th Jan 2026 07:46
(Alliance News) - Balfour Beatty sells ten UK assets for GBP87 million, Wizz Air and Ryanair report growth in passenger numbers for December, while Auction Technology Group rejects 11 takeover proposals from FitzWalter Capital.
Here is what you need to know before the London market open:
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MARKETS
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FTSE 100: called up 0.6% at 10,008.14
GBP: lower at USD1.3427 (USD1.3491 at previous London equities close)
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BROKER RATINGS
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Berenberg raises Johnson Matthey to 'buy' (hold) - price target 2,550 (2,050) pence
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COMPANIES - FTSE 100
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GSK says China's medicines regulator has approved Nucala as add-on maintenance treatment of adult patients with inadequately controlled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characterised by raised blood eosinophils. The London-based pharmaceuticals firm says the approval is based on data from the positive Matinee and Metrex phase three trials where the drug showed a clinically meaningful and statistically significant reduction in the annual rate of moderate and severe exacerbations. "Given the high incidence of COPD in China and a mortality rate that is above the global average, there is a clear need for novel options to address COPD," says Kaivan Khavandi, head of respiratory, immunology & inflammation R&D at GSK. "The approval of Nucala offers patients in China a monthly add-on maintenance treatment to reduce exacerbations, including those leading to emergency department visits and/or hospitalisations which account for a large proportion of annual direct medical costs." COPD is a progressive inflammatory lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.
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Barratt Redrow starts the second GBP50 million tranche of its GBP100 million share buyback programme. The Leicestershire, England-based housebuilder says UBS will carry out the programme, which starts on Monday and will be completed by June 26.
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COMPANIES - FTSE 250
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Balfour Beatty sells ten UK assets from its infrastructure investments portfolio for a total of GBP87 million. The London-based international infrastructure construction firm says it makes a GBP7 million total gain on the sales to London-based investor, developer and fund manager Equitix. It says the assets are offshore transmission owners, five street lighting projects, one biomass plant and one road concession. The firm adds that the proceeds are in excess of the directors' June valuation. Balfour Beatty starts its 2026 share buyback programme with an initial GBP50 million tranche. It adds that the total anticipated 2026 share buyback will be confirmed at its full year results in March.
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Hays Chief Executive Officer Dirk Hahn returns to work after a period of medical leave following surgery in November. During Hahn's absence from the London-based recruitment firm, Chair Michael Findlay took the role of executive chair. Findlay will now resume his role as non-executive chair.
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Wizz Air carries 5.8 million passengers in December, up 16% from 5.1 million a year ago. The carrier says total capacity was up 16% to 6.7 million from 5.9 million, while load factor for the month slips to 85.9% from 86.5%. On a 12-month rolling basis, the number of passengers carried rose 9.4% to 68.6 million from 62.7 million, while the load factor rises to 91.0% from 90.7%.
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OTHER COMPANIES
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Ryanair Holdings says passenger numbers climbed 6.6% to 14.5 million in December from 13.6 million a year ago, while the load factor remained at 92%. On a rolling 12-month basis, passenger numbers were up 4.7% to 206.5 million from 197.2 million. The load factor was unchanged at 94%. The airline says it operated over 82,000 flights in December.
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Auction Technology says its board has unanimously rejected eleven unsolicited takeover proposals from FitzWalter Capital. The London-based auction market operator says the most recent proposal on December 23 was at 360 pence per share in cash. It says the board rejects the proposals on the basis that they "fundamentally undervalue" the company. "The ATG board believes that FitzWalter's proposals represent an opportunistic attempt to acquire the company at a time when ATG's public market valuation is currently disconnected from the company's fair value," it says. The firm adds that FitzWalter's latest proposal came with an irrevocable commitment to announce the terms and nature of its proposals next Monday. The board requests FitzWalter either "make a firm offer on terms which reflect fair value" or confirm its intention not to make a firm offer. FitzWalter is required to make a firm offer or confirm no bid by February 2. ATG says it remains confident in its standalone prospects as a publicly listed company. "The board has undertaken significant engagement with FitzWalter over the past four months. The board believes FitzWalter's proposals fundamentally undervalue the business and that it is time for FitzWalter either to make a proposal which reflects fair value, or otherwise allow the business to dedicate its full focus and resources on the execution of its strategy," says ATG Chair Scott Forbes.
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Lakestreet Capital Partners "demands change" at Palace Capital. Lakestreet is the largest shareholder in the London-based property investor with a 23% shareholding. It requisitions a general meeting of Palace Capital to remove Chair Steven Owen and appoint its founders as directors. "Lakestreet is deeply troubled by the excessive amount of remuneration that Steven Owen continues to extract for himself and the value destruction that shareholders suffer as a result," Lakestreet says.
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By Michael Hennessey, Alliance News reporter
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Related Shares:
Johnson MattheyGlaxosmithklineBarratt RedrowBalfour BeattyHaysWizz AirRYA.LAuction Technology GroupPalace Capital