1. AstraZeneca breast cancer drug gives pharma giant £5bn boost
The pharma giant reported a "statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement" in progression-free survival rates compared with traditional chemotherapy treatments.
2. iPhone 15 launch, Pro Max model driving preliminary sales for Apple
iPhone 15 Google searches exploded in the run-up to the release of Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s latest mobile, with searches using the phrase ‘buy iPhone 15’ jumping by close to 500% since the tech firm’s live launch event earlier this month.
3. FTSE 100 flat
The UK's major index closed flat at 7,694 points.
4. Vodafone Spain in takeover talks with buy-fix-sell firm Zegona
Sources told the Spanish paper Expansion that Zegona is seeking out funding for either a total takeover, or 50% acquisition, of Vodafone Spain at a €5 billion (£4.3 million) valuation.
5. Mortgage rates fall after BoE holds steady
Average mortgage rates in the UK have already dropped amid expectations that the central bank's base rate won't go up as high as previously thought.