1. Marks & Spencer restores dividend as profit leaps
Pre-tax profits in the six months ending September jumped 56% to £325.6 million from £208.5 million, led by strong growth in food sales.
2. Wetherspoon sales outperform, but inflation remains a challenge
In an update on trading, the group said bar sales had seen a 10.7% rise, with food sales not far behind at an 8.2% increase.
3. FTSE 100 little changed but M&S stars
At the close, the FTSE 100 was down 8.32 points, 0.1%, at 7,401.72 while the FTSE 250 rose 84.55 points, 0.5%, at 17,846.26
4. ITV posts flat revenue as advertising slump weighs
Looking ahead, ITV expects ITV Studios to deliver total organic revenue growth of at least 5% per annum on average to 2026 and to grow ahead of the market.
5. BoE's Bailey pushes back against hopes for early rate cuts
Bailey said: “The market of course will reach a view. It has to reach a view on the future path of interest rates, I understand that. But we’re very clear, we’re not talking about that.”