Investing.com — British stocks opened lower on Monday as uncertainty over U.S. trade tariffs weighed on sentiment, while the pound strengthened against the dollar and broader European markets also retreated on trade concerns.
Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new global tariff under a different legal authority, initially set at 10% and later raised to 15%, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down most of his earlier tariffs, ruling that the emergency powers used did not authorize them.
As of 0832 GMT, the blue-chip index fell 0.1% and the British gained 0.% against the dollar to 1.3518.
index in Germany dropped 0.4%, the in France fell 0.1%.
UK round up
MONY Group PLC (LON:MONY) reported a 2% increase in revenue to £446.3 million in 2025, while adjusted EBITDA rose 2% to £145.1 million, reaching a record level for the company. Profit after tax increased to £80.7 million from £80.2 million in the prior year.
Adjusted basic earnings per share rose 5% to 17.9p, while basic EPS increased 2% to 15.3p. Operating cash flow fell 7% to £107.7 million, and net cash decreased to £4.1 million from £8.4 million in 2024.
Operating costs declined 4%, supporting an adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 33%.
Smiths News PLC (LON:SNWS) announced on Monday that it has received a warning notice from the UK’s pensions regulator concerning the Tuffnells Parcels Express pension scheme.
The newspapers and magazines distributor said the regulator is considering whether the company will be required to establish financial support arrangements for the pension scheme.
The warning notice marks the latest development in the regulator’s assessment of the Tuffnells Parcels Express pension scheme’s funding situation.
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LON:RR) is requesting British government funding support for the £3 billion development of a new aircraft engine as it seeks to re-enter the short-haul market, the Financial Times reported Monday, citing people familiar with the talks.
The aerospace and defence group is seeking an initial £100 million to £200 million to help fund development and testing of a demonstrator for its UltraFan 30 engine, part of a programme expected to cost about £3 billion in total, the report said.
Chief Executive Tufan Erginbilgiç has discussed the matter in recent weeks with Business Secretary Peter Kyle, according to the newspaper. Rolls-Royce wants to secure a funding commitment in the first half of the year.
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC plans to announce a fresh buyback worth up to £1.5 billion when it reports its annual earnings this week, Sky News reported Sunday, citing unspecified sources.
The aircraft engine maker had last year upgraded its annual guidance, expecting a stronger profit and free cash flow on improving demand from commercial airplane makers.
Johnson Matthey PLC (LON:JMAT) and announced Monday they have extended the deadline for completing the sale of Johnson Matthey’s Catalyst Technologies business to Honeywell and reduced the transaction price.
The companies agreed to extend the long stop date for satisfying closing conditions from February 21 to July 21, 2026. If antitrust approval remains the only outstanding condition by that date, the deadline may be further extended to August 21, 2026, subject to certain conditions being met. Johnson Matthey and Honeywell expect to complete the transaction by the end of August 2026.
The financial terms of the deal have been amended to reflect Catalyst Technologies’ business performance during 2025/26, which included deferred sustainable solutions licensing projects and reduced profitability from catalyst supply due to challenging market conditions. Johnson Matthey will now sell the Catalyst Technologies business to Honeywell for an enterprise value of £1,325 million on a cash and debt-free basis.