Today in the UK stock market: indices fell, BP paused share buybacks; AstraZeneca and Barclays become focal points

Investing.com - On Tuesday, the UK stock market declined under pressure from a wave of earnings updates, led by BP, which paused its share buyback program. Other major companies releasing earnings included AstraZeneca and Barclays.

The blue-chip index fell 0.3%, and the pound sterling declined 0.2% against the US dollar to 1.3666.

Germany’s DAX index was flat, while France’s CAC 40 rose 0.1%.

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BP (LON:BP) announced on Tuesday that it will suspend share buybacks and use excess cash to strengthen its balance sheet, after reporting a Q4 loss of $3.4 billion, compared to a profit of $1.2 billion in the previous quarter. The quarterly loss includes $4.3 billion of adjustments, mainly related to impairments in its natural gas and low-carbon energy businesses. For the full year 2025, BP reported a basic replacement cost profit of $7.5 billion, down from $8.9 billion in 2024, reflecting a weaker oil price environment.

In other company news, AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) expects revenue and profit to continue growing into 2026, with Q4 results in line with expectations. The pharmaceutical company anticipates total revenue growth in the high single digits at fixed exchange rates next year, with core profit expected to grow in the low double digits. In 2025, revenue is forecast to grow 8%, and core profit 11%.

Barclays (LON:BARC) reported a 12% increase in annual profit on Tuesday and outlined updated performance targets through 2028. Pre-tax profit for 2025 is expected to reach £9.1 billion, up from £8.1 billion a year earlier, in line with analysts’ consensus forecast of around £9 billion. Full-year total income rose from £26.79 billion in 2024 to £29.14 billion. In Q4, pre-tax profit was £1.9 billion, higher than £1.7 billion a year ago and above market expectations of £1.72 billion.

UK home retailer Dunelm Group PLC (LON:DNLM) maintained its full-year profit outlook despite a challenging second quarter, while announcing a special dividend above expectations. The company reported a pre-tax profit of £114 million in the first half, down 7.5% year-over-year but at the upper end of its guidance range. Revenue increased 3.6% to £926.3 million, with digital sales now accounting for 41% of total sales.

Bellway PLC (LON:BWY) reported a 2.7% increase in housing completions for the six months ending January 31, 2026, to 4,702 units, up from 4,577 units a year earlier. Despite challenging market conditions, the UK homebuilder maintained its full-year guidance. Revenue grew over 6% to £1.51 billion, up from £1.42 billion last year, supported by an average selling price of approximately £322,000, compared to £310,581 previously.

Standard Chartered PLC (LON:STAN) has appointed Andy Burrill as interim CFO following the departure of Diego De Giorgi, who joined Apollo Global Management (NYSE:APO). Burrill, currently Group Head of Group Finance and Deputy CFO at Standard Chartered, will be based in London.

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