1. BAT profits hit by 'illicit vapour' competition
However, the cigarette maker insisted that it remains on track to hit its previous targets for this year, helped by market share gains in its tobacco business and a recovery from its vaping and other new categories.
2. India trusts tumble as early election count shows smaller majority for PM Modi
The Sensex index was down 7.95% around halfway through the Bombay Stock Exchange session, while the broader Nifty 50 index was down 8.35% and losses on the Nifty Infrastructure index reached 11%.
3. Standard Chartered faces fresh allegations of terrorist-linked transactions
In newly filed court documents, former Standard Chartered banker turned whistleblower Julian Knight accused US authorities of either overlooking or concealing evidence of the illegal transactions allegedly conducted in the mid-2000s.
4. FTSE 100 live
Stocks trim losses
5. Vistry signs £580m partnership deal with Blackstone, Regis
Vistry Group PLC (LSE:VTY) announced a £580 million partnership deal to build 1,750 homes for the private rented sector in south-east England, with the first homes ready later this month.
In the small-cap space:
Faron Pharmaceuticals unveils plans to raise up €30.7m
88 Energy completes maiden resource estimate at Project Leonis