Expert views
Commentary submitted by Derren Nathan in their own words.
Back to profileShell under fire over ‘outrageous’ profits after boost from soaring oil prices
Shell’s first quarter underlying earnings came in nearly $1billion ahead of forecasts against a backdrop of unprecedented disruption in energy markets.
Wetherspoons warns on profits due to ‘substantial’ cost increases
In an uncharacteristically short trading update ‘Spoons’ revealed like-for-like sales of 3.4 per cent in the third quarter, compared to 4.3 per cent year-to-date.
Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk boosted by successful weight-loss pill launch
2026 remains a transitional year but there’s still a long runway of growth ahead for GLP1s and Novo’s a key player.
Premier Inn owner Whitbread plans 3,800 job cuts under five-year overhaul
Whitbread’s shares have been trading strongly ahead of results, after the company’s five-year plan was leaked to the press earlier this week.
Oil prices race to highest level since 2022 over fears of Iran war escalation
Brent crude prices have risen to over $113 per barrel, levels not seen since 2022, after President Trump rejected Iranian proposals to re-open the Strait of Hormuz and speculation mounts on the resumption of military action by US forces.
BP slammed over ‘astronomical’ profits amid oil price spike caused by Iran war
BP’s new CEO, Meg O’ Neill’s, first address to investors came with a solid beat of upgraded profit expectations.
Croda formula holds as price hikes offset inflation
Crucially, the company notes no material impact from the Middle East conflict.
Fresh uncertainty over US-Iran war sends oil price back up
Further downstream, the crisis is starting to have tangible effects.
Imperial Brands releases trading update
Low single-digit reductions are on the manageable side.
Unilever nearing deal worth £11.9bn to merge food unit with US rival McCormick
A deal could include a $15.7billion up-front payment but would be mainly settled in McCormick shares.
Meagre economic growth at end of 2025 confirmed amid fears over Iran war hit
Confirmation that the UK economy barely grew in the final quarter of 2025 (real GDP +0.1 per cent) hasn’t upset the apple cart, but the potential for activity to dip won’t be lost on the Treasury as the Chancellor battles to balance the books.
FTSE holds over 10,000 as oil resumes its climb above $100
It may take a formal agreement or at least a move to the negotiating table to steady markets further.