1. FTSE 100 rallies to 12-month high
London's blue-chip index rallied 51 points to 7,934, brushing 12-months highs.
2. Vodafone-Three deal could hurt customers, watchdog rules
The CMA found that both telecoms providers “provide important alternatives for mobile customers”.
3. Wetherspoon slips on slim margins and slowing sales growth
“There was little in the statement to help see where an improvement might come from”, Hargreaves Lansdown’s Derren Nathan said.
4. Scottish Mortgage buybacks quizzed as activist investor builds stake
Elliot Investment Management declared a 5.04% equity stake, shortly after Scottish Mortgage unveiled a £1 billion buyback plan.
5. Retail sales highlight resilience of UK consumer
UK retail sales decreased 0.4% year on year in February, a slightly better result compared to the expected 0.7% decline.