2nd Feb 2026 07:56
(Alliance News) - UK annual house price growth rises more than expected in January, while AstraZeneca starts trading in New York and FitzWalter Capital says it does not intend to make an offer for Auction Technology Group.
Here is what you need to know before the London market open:
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MARKETS
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FTSE 100: called down 0.6% at 10,163.04
GBP: lower at USD1.3684 (USD1.3719 at previous London equities close)
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ECONOMICS
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UK house price growth rose more than expected in January, according to a report. The Nationwide house price index showed UK house price growth accelerated to 1.0% year-on-year in January from 0.6% in December. It was ahead of the FXStreet-cited consensus which forecast an increase of 0.7%. The building society said house prices rose 0.3% in January on-month after taking account of seasonal effects, swung from a 0.4% fall in December, and in-line with the market consensus. This left the average UK house price at GBP270,873 in January, down from GBP271,068 in December. "Housing market activity also dipped at the end of 2025, most likely reflecting uncertainty around potential property tax changes ahead of the budget. Nevertheless, the number of mortgages approved for house purchase remained close to the levels prevailing before the pandemic," said Nationwide's Chief Economist Robert Gardner. "Housing market activity is likely to recover in the coming quarters, especially if the improving affordability trend seen last year... is maintained."
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BROKER RATINGS
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Citigroup raises Anglo American to 'buy' (neutral) - price target 4,500 (3,300) pence
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Shore Capital cuts Lloyds Banking to 'sell' (hold) - price target 91 (84) pence
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COMPANIES - FTSE 100
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AstraZeneca starts trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday for the first time. The Cambridge, England-based pharmaceutical company says the trading of its shares is now aligned across the NYSE, the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stockholm under a harmonised listing structure. "Today marks the start of an exciting new period for AstraZeneca, one which we believe gives broader access to the largest capital market in the world. This will allow even more investors to participate in AstraZeneca's future. Our harmonised listing across New York, London and Stockholm reflects strong shareholder support for our growth strategy and positions AstraZeneca to deliver more innovative medicines to more patients around the world," says Chair Michel Demare. Separately, the firm says Imfinzi has been recommended for approval in the EU for the treatment of adult patients with resectable, early-stage and locally advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency based its positive opinion on event-free survival and overall survival data from the Matterhorn phase three trial, AstraZeneca adds. Imfinzi is approved in the US and other countries in the same indication based on the Matterhorn results. Regulatory applications are currently under review in Japan and other countries.
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COMPANIES - FTSE 250
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3i Infrastructure says it enjoyed "another strong period" in the three months to the end of January, apart from developments at DNS:NET. The Jersey-based infrastructure investor says DNS:NET has seen a material worsening of the lending appetite for German fibre roll-out businesses. "The main trigger of this deterioration was news in December of a significant restructuring of the debt at the largest altnet rolling out fibre across Germany," it says. Bernardo Sottomayor, managing partner and head of European infrastructure at the investment manager 3i Investments says: "TCR continues to perform well and the strategic review is progressing according to plan. I am also pleased that we have signed a number of bolt-on acquisitions at Joulz and ESVAGT, in both cases adding immediate incremental earnings to our portfolio. The material impact of the worsening finance environment around the fibre roll-out sector in Germany and consequently on our investment in DNS:NET is a disappointing outlier."
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Genus forms Chinese porcine joint venture with Beijing Capital Agribusiness, with the deal as announced in September. Following the formation of the joint venture, the Basingstoke, England-based animal biotechnology and genetics firm will receive a gross cash payment of USD160 million, estimated USD140 million net of withholding tax and transaction costs. The gross cash payment is in addition to a gross milestone payment to Genus of USD7.5 million which was recognised in the first half of the financial year. Genus now holds 49% of PIC China, so it will be deconsolidated from its group accounts.
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OTHER COMPANIES
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The Helios consortium says it is seeking the recommendation for an increased possible offer to buy CAB Payments. The consortium comprises Helios Fund V and Helios Fairfax Partners. It holds, controls, or has received a letter of support for the increased possible offer for just over 50% of CAB Payments shares. Under the increased possible offer, CAB shareholders would receive USD1.15 in cash per share. Should a firm offer be made, the consortium would also make a partial unlisted share alternative available. The increased possible offer represents a value of USD292 million for CAB Payments. "The Helios consortium believes after CAB Payments' challenging period as a listed company, including a profit downgrade, executive leadership change and a withdrawn possible offer from StoneX Group, the long-term success of the business will be better supported under the Helios consortium's private ownership," it says. The consortium must announce a firm intention to make an offer or that it does not intend to make an offer by the end of March 2.
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FitzWalter Capital says it does not intend to make an offer for Auction Technology Group. Last week, FitzWalter was informed that the board of the auction operator unanimously rejected its proposed offer of 400 pence per share. FitzWalter says it has decided not to make an offer "in light of the board's rejection and refusal to facilitate access to due diligence".
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By Michael Hennessey, Alliance News reporter
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Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
Anglo AmericanLloydsAstrazeneca3i InfrastructureGenusCab PaymentsAuction Technology Group