1. Government-owned NatWest to repay shareholders
NatWest Group PLC (LSE:NWG) is expected to be flush with cash this year, with results released on Friday likely to put more meat on the bones of expectations of strong dividends for the taxpayer-owned bank.
Cash set aside for impairments from COVID-19 loans that went largely unused, along with an expected boost to its net interest margin as the Bank of England targets further rate rises this year, should combine to boost the company’s endowments.
2. Britishvolt to raise £200mln to develop UK Gigafactory
Britishvolt, an investor in battery cell technologies, said it hopes to raise £200mln in a new round of funding to develop its UK gigafactory.
The funds will help further develop its Northumberland gigaplant site as well as expand the company’s research and development capabilities.
3. Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic offers public spaceflights
Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc announced that tickets for its first public spaceflights will go on sale to the public tomorrow, at a cost of US$450,000 apiece.
An initial deposit of US$150,000 is required to reserve a seat on a 90-minute flight into the Earth’s orbit in the final quarter of the year.
4. Pantheon completes Theta West well drilling and awaits further tests
Pantheon Resources PLC (AIM:PANR, OTC:PTHRF) told investors it has drilled the Theta West well down to total depth and encountered both the Upper Basin Floor Fan (UBFF) and Lower Basin Floor Fan (LBFF) targets, measuring around 1,160 gross feet of hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir across the two.
5. FTSE 100 advances on easing Russia/ Ukraine tensions
The FTSE 100 closed 77.33 points, or 1.03% higher at 7,608.92 on Tuesday.
“Markets are reacting positively to this morning’s news that some Russian troops will return to their regular bases once completing drills. We’re seeing many of the commodity prices which are sensitive to Russian supply falling and some of the ‘Risk off’ moves caused by Friday’s headlines now reversing,” said Mike Owens at Saxo Markets.