1. Premier Inn owner impresses with divi hike and share buyback
Whitbread PLC (LSE:WTB) boosted its dividend by 40% and launched a new £300 million share buyback and analysts now see scope for upgrades.
2. UK inflation unchanged as rising fuel costs dash hopes for fall
Inflation remained unchanged in September, putting pressure on the Bank of England to keep interest rates high in its efforts to curb price growth.
3. FTSE 100 sinks on stubborn inflation figures and rising tensions in the Middle East
At the close, London's blue chip index was down 87.21 points, 1.1%, at 7,588.00 while the FTSE 250 fell 286.00 points, 1.6%, at 17,403.46.
4. Energy stocks tipped as Israel/Hamas fighting keeps oil prices 'higher for longer'
Geopolitical risks and a tight supply-demand balance should keep oil and gas prices higher for longer, strategists believe.
5. Investec offers 5.8% on new two-year savings account
Looking to capitalise on a shift by savers from instant to fixed-rate accounts, Investec PLC (LSE:INVP) upped returns after a downturn in savings rates across the market.