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UPDATED ON 08 MAY 2026
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IAG, Intertek and Rightmove: Markets Live

News and updates on your investments
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May 8
˛ú˛âĚýMichael Fahy
IAG counts cost of higher jet fuel

International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) reported “strong demand” in the first quarter, with a 77 per cent increase in operating profit to €351mn (£303mn) coming in about €100mn ahead of analysts’ expectations.

The owner of airlines including British Airways and Iberia said it had experienced “limited impact” on costs due to the conflict in the Middle East during the quarter, but added that it expects full-year profit to be lower due to the increase in jet fuel prices.

Although it has hedged 70 per cent of its fuel requirements and is “confident of jet fuel supply in our main markets throughout the summer”, it warned that if the war continues there is a chance that jet fuel supplies could be restricted.

“We are engaging with governments in each of our home markets as well as the EU to ensure that the industry is getting the support it needs to navigate this situation,” the company said.

IAG expects its fuel costs this year to be €9bn, which is €2bn more than previously forecast. It will be able to recover about 60 per cent of the additional expense through “revenue and cost management actions”.

However, given the higher fuel prices it expects free cash flow to be weaker than the €3bn figure it estimated when publishing full-year results in February. The shares fell by 3 per cent.

May 8
˛ú˛âĚýHugh Moorhead
Rightmove sticks to guidance despite market weakness

There were few signs of a slowing housing market hurting Rightmove’s (RMV) business in the company’s AGM trading statement.

The property portal said that it was on track to achieve 2026 guidance of 8 to 10 per cent revenue growth, 3 to 5 per cent operating profit growth, and EPS growth of at least 5 per cent. Consensus is towards the lower end of the guidance ranges.

Chief executive Johan Svanstrom said that so far in 2026 the company was releasing new products at its fastest ever rate and had increased the number of estate agents on its portal since year end. Shares fell 1 per cent in early trading.

May 8
˛ú˛âĚýHugh Moorhead
House prices stutter in April

UK house prices edged lower again in April as economic uncertainty weighed on the market, with a 0.1 per cent fall following a 0.5 per cent drop in March, according to Halifax.

The average house price is now £299,000, just 0.4 per cent higher than this time last year. Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax, said the uncertainty “understandably leads to more caution among some households”.

Bryden also noted that “the underlying picture remains one of relative stability, supported by wage growth that continues to outpace house price inflation”.

May 8
˛ú˛âĚýValeria Martinez
Intertek rejects ÂŁ8.9bn takeover proposal by EQT

Intertek’s (ITRK) board has rejected the third takeover proposal from Swedish private equity firm EQT (SE:EQT), arguing its £58-a-share offer “significantly undervalues” the FTSE 100 testing specialist and its prospects.

The proposal, up from previous offers of £51.50 and £54 in cash, valued the company’s equity at roughly £8.9bn, or about £10.3bn including debt. The directors cited “significant execution risk” due to the conditional nature of the proposal.

Rather than engaging with EQT, Intertek is doubling down on its own strategic review, which was first announced last month. The company believes it can create more value for shareholders independently by potentially splitting the business.

The board said it was prioritising a “sale-led process” for the energy and infrastructure arm, noting they have already received “encouraging interest” from other potential buyers. They expect this restructuring to be completed by mid-2027.

EQT has until 14 May to either make a firm offer or walk away for at least six months. The shares fell 3.3 per cent to 4,887p.

May 8
˛ú˛âĚýHugh Moorhead
Saba seeks board shake up at Workspace

Saba Capital has proposed replacing all five of Workspace’s (WKP) non-executive board members at the flexible office provider’s July AGM, Workspace has disclosed.

The activist investor, who now holds an 18 per cent stake, has yet to name the four replacement directors it would propose.

Boaz Weinstein’s fund had previously proposed in January winding down the company by selling off its £2bn property portfolio over a 12-month time period, and distributing the proceeds to shareholders.

Workspace’s board has formally rejected the proposal today, labelling it “not achievable” and “not in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.” Industry experts agreed when Saba first publicised the idea, given the unlikely prospect of Workspace selling off an entire portfolio anywhere near NAV.

New chief executive Charlie Green last week used his first trading statement to warn that there would be a “substantial” reduction in trading profit next year due to a shrinking rent roll and rising operating costs.

Separately, property company Henry Boot (BOOT) has announced the retirement of chief executive Tim Roberts after six years at the helm. Ed Hutchinson, who runs the company’s housebuilding business, will replace him. Shares rose 3 per cent in early trading.