1. Ex-Shell boss makes case for London exit
Van Beurden said he believes rivals listed in the US benefit from higher multiples, wider access to cash and a more welcoming investor community.
2. March retail sales trounce forecasts thanks to early Easter spending
Early Easter sales helped drive food sales ahead of the long weekend, with analysts also suggesting a rebound in spending points to easing cost-of-living pressures.
3. WPP employs Google’s Gemini AI to write, narrate ads
It’s a “groundbreaking new collaboration” according to WPP PLC (LSE:WPP), but news that the advertising giant has employed Google’s Gemini large-language artificial intelligence model to produce advertisements for its blue-chip client is sure to divide opinion.
4. FTSE 100 Live
The FTSE 100 closed the day 8 points lower at 7,934.
5. Imperial Brands boosts profits after hiking tobacco prices
Management says it is confident in meeting full-year guidance, which targets improvements to net revenues and aims to deliver a step-up in adjusted operating profit growth.