Welcome to today’s Five at Five – the EOB snapshot of the five most impactful market stories shaping investor sentiment.
1a: Trump’s UK visit sparks $40 billion AI investment surge
– President Trump’s state trip helped unlock over $40 billion in pledges from Microsoft, Nvidia, Google and OpenAI others for AI and infrastructure projects in the UK. Read more …
1b: GSK commits £30 billion to US drug R&D and manufacturing
– On the other side of the coin, the FTSE 100 pharma group accelerated investment in the US with plans to significantly expand its research, development and production footprint. Read more …
2. UK inflation deadlock ahead of Bank of England meeting
– Inflation remained elevated in the last big macroeconomic update ahead of tomorrow's meeting. Read more …
3. FTSE 100 live: London shares perk up after mixed Wall Street open, Fed meeting awaited
– The UK index recovered 12 points to close at 9,208, as markets largely sat on their hands ahead of this evening's Federal Reserve decision. Read more …
4. Nvidia slides as China expands US chip ban
Beijing regulators banned big tech in the country from using the special AI chips made by the semiconductor colossus, knocking billions off its value. Read more ...
5. Rome Resources CEO on Mont Agoma tin discovery
– Paul Barrett joined Proactive to chew over the latest drilling results from the company’s Mont Agoma project in the Congo, which will shape expectations for the upcoming maiden resource estimate. Watch here …
More UK SMID news
Galliford Try Holdings PLC (LSE:GFRD) has kicked off the year slightly ahead of expectations, with 92% of 2026 revenue already secured. Profits jumped nearly 29% to £45 million, and the group’s order book now stands at £4.1 billion. Read more
IP Group PLC (LSE:IPO) booked £30 million of portfolio sales in the first half, a ninefold increase on last year. The highlight was Hinge Health’s US listing, while Oxford Nanopore also beat revenue guidance. Read more
Supermarket Income REIT PLC (LSE:SUPR, OTC:SUPIF) has reported a “transformational” year, with its £1.73 billion portfolio fully let. A £403 million JV and £250 million bond issue leave it positioned for fresh growth. Read more
Pantheon International PLC (LSE:PIN) has unveiled Step Three of its strategy, focused on narrowing the share price discount. A new buyback pool funded by 20% of distributions will support the plan. Read more
Hercules PLC (LSE:HERC) has landed £6.5 million of water sector contracts as utilities ramp up spending under Ofwat’s £104 billion AMP8 cycle. The firm expects more wins as the record investment programme gathers pace. Read more
Quadrise PLC (AIM:QED) has completed successful trials of its MSAR and bioMSAR fuels in Panama. The tests cut nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 32%, paving the way for commercial supply deals. Read more