1. Aviva, Legal & General and M&G are among insurance top picks for UBS
The bank cites Aviva's diversified business model and high 2024 estimated total capital return yield as key reasons for its preference.
2. UK's CMA blocks Microsoft’s US$75bn acquisition of Activision
The Competition and Markets Authority said it believed the company would be commercially motivated to make Activision’s games exclusive to its own cloud gaming service, adding that Microsoft had failed to address its concerns.
3. Persimmon new home sales tumble 42%, signs of green shoots boost shares
The FTSE 100-listed housebuilder said in recent weeks visitor numbers are up, cancellation levels are normalising and sales rates continue the steady improvement evident since the start of the year.
4. FTSE 100 slips on weak earnings showing
At the close, the FTSE 100 was down 0.5% to finish at 7,856 points.
5. GSK shares open higher as sales and profits beat expectations
For the three months ended 31 March 2023, the pharma giant posted adjusted earnings of 37p per share on sales of £6.95bn.