UK stock market news: Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, B&M. * By Tony Cross * 12th November 2026 Three key news stories unfolding as the UK stock market opens. Check out its companies reporting diary for upcoming results from FTSE 350 and selected international stocks. 1. Share buybacks accelerated as Rolls-Royce reiterates guidance. Rolls-Royce LON:RR. issued a trading update this morning, reiterating full year guidance and advising that the pace of the current £7bn-£9bn share buyback is being accelerated. The company has already completed the planned £2.5bn of purchases for 2026 so will acquire a further £1.5bn worth of stock before the publication of full year results in February. 2. QinetiQ sells US business to Serco, £200m buyback to be triggered. News this morning that defence play QinetiQ LON:QQ. has agreed to sell its US business to Serco for a purchase price of $292m. That will enable £200m to be returned to shareholders following the completion, which will be undertaken through share buybacks. The disposal follows the announcement six months ago that a strategic review of the operation was underway as the company looked to become more focused. In the last six month reporting period, the US operation generated $13m of operating profits. 3. UK sales growth returns for B&M, margins higher, too. Discounter B&M European Value Retail LON:BME issued full year results today which saw the company's back to basics campaign starting to yield results, striking a resonating tone with hard pressed consumers. Sales growth has returned to the UK stores, whilst at a group level, margin growth of 67 basis points was also seen. Early trading in the run up to Christmas is reported as being good, with initial expectations being that FY27 pre-tax profits will be in the range of £280m-£330m, so at or ahead of the £284m posted today. You could be eligible for up to £1,500 cashback if you transfer your cash and/or investments held with another provider to Charles Stanley Direct's platform. Investment involves risk. Find Out More In case you missed it. Armchair Trader Ltd start off with emerging markets, which now make up 61% of global GDP and are forecast to grow more than twice as fast as advanced economies this year. However, strong growth doesn't always mean strong returns. Find out why emerging markets are still the engines of global growth, and why being selective matters. In equities news, Tatton Asset Management has lifted operating profit by a third as assets under management and influence grow 15.5% to £28bn. Over in the US, Nvidia shares fell 4.3% on Monday after reports of a foreign intelligence effort targeting Jensen Huang, wiping around $190bn off its value. Armchair Trader Ltd ask whether this is an espionage scandal or a buying opportunity ahead of results on 17 November. Finally, Falco Resources' Horne 5 project carries a C$3.35bn after-tax value in its feasibility study with the company owning around C$8mn in cash. Discover why this gold project trades at a fraction of its underlying value. It's a busy day in the company diary today. Look out for trading updates from Rolls-Royce, Persimmon and Kier, half-year results from 3i Group, Burberry, B&M, United Utilities, Wise, QinetiQ, Wizz Air, Premier Foods, Syncona, Volex and Young's. Full-year results from WH Smith, and Q3 results from Endeavour Mining, Atalaya Mining and Caledonia Mining are also on the slate. Running into the close yesterday and the AIM All Share index was trading around four points higher at 763.51, keeping pace with the main market although lagging European bourses. * Potentially AI +18% * Mulberry +17% * Ampeak Energy +13% * Quadrise -31% * Pipehawk -21% Tony Cross is a market commentator with over 25 years of experience, producing compelling, insightful copy for journalists and investors alike. Focusing on macroeconomics, UK blue chip equities and inter market analysis, Cross's commentary is well regarded for its clarity and ability to cut through the waffle. He has been quoted in publications as diverse as The Financial Times, The Times, The Guardian and The Sun. Invest with these regulated brokers.

Ispace appoints Anas Al-Shuwayer to lead Saudi Arabia operations. 1 hour ago With over 20 years of leadership experience in KSA, including his most recent role at Serco, Anas will lead ispace's expansion in the Kingdom and connect its lunar exploration expertise with the country's growing space sector. Japanese lunar exploration company ispace, inc. has appointed Anas Al-Shuwayer as General Manager and Managing Director of its Saudi Arabian entity, ispace S A, as it expands its presence in the Kingdom's growing space sector. Al-Shuwayer will lead the development of the company's operations in Saudi Arabia, focusing on business growth and strategic initiatives that connect ispace's international lunar exploration capabilities with the Kingdom's expanding space industry. He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across Saudi Arabia's energy, industrial services, critical infrastructure and government sectors. His background includes business development, organisational management and international operations, as well as establishing businesses, expanding markets and managing complex operations. Before joining ispace, Al-Shuwayer served as Director of Defense, Critical Infrastructure & Energy at Serco in Saudi Arabia, where he led strategic engagements with government and industry stakeholders. He previously held leadership positions at SANKYU Saudi Arabia, Weatherford and Expro. He also served as General Manager of an oil and gas services company, overseeing business establishment, market expansion and operational activities. Throughout his career, he has been involved in organisational growth, capability development and localisation initiatives aligned with Saudi Arabia's national development priorities. The appointment follows ispace's announcement in January 2026 of the establishment of its Saudi Arabian entity, further extending its global operations alongside its existing presence in Japan, Luxembourg and the United States. The expansion supports the company's efforts to develop new business opportunities, strengthen international partnerships and contribute to Saudi Arabia's ambitions to build its domestic space capabilities under Vision 2030. In his new position, Al-Shuwayer will work with ispace's international teams and local stakeholders to establish the company's operational foundation, identify business opportunities and advance initiatives supporting the Kingdom's space sector. He will also explore ways to apply ispace's global expertise and technologies to support business and technological development in Saudi Arabia. Commenting on the appointment, Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace, inc. said: "Saudi Arabia represents an important part of ispace's global growth strategy, and establishing a strong operational presence in the Kingdom is a key priority for us. Mr. Al-Shuwayer brings the leadership experience, local market knowledge, and international business perspective needed to guide this next stage of development. His proven ability to establish and grow businesses will be valuable as we build our operations, pursue new opportunities, and explore how ispace's global capabilities can contribute to the Kingdom's developing space sector." Anas Al-Shuwayer, General Manager & Managing Director of ispace S A, added: "Saudi Arabia's unique ambition and growing space sector provide a strong foundation for ispace's future in the Kingdom. Drawing on my experience and the expertise of our global teams, I aim to grow ispace's footprint and build a sustainable presence that contributes to Saudi Arabia's journey in space for generations to come."

Serco Group PLC (SRP.L) performance highlights: navigating the industrials sector with a 10.62% upside potential. Serco Group PLC (SRP.L), a stalwart in the specialty business services segment within the industrials sector, has been making waves on the London Stock Exchange. Headquartered in Hook, United Kingdom, the company is known for providing an array of public services across the globe, including crucial sectors such as defense, health, and transport. Currently trading at 287.4 GBp, Serco's stock demonstrates a steady presence in the market. Despite a recent minor dip of 0.20 GBp, the stock maintains a promising position, comfortably situated between its 52-week range of 219.00 GBp to 324.80 GBp. This range reflects the stock's resilience and capacity to weather market fluctuations. One of the key metrics that investors should pay attention to is Serco's potential upside of 10.62%, based on an average target price of 317.92 GBp. This projection, derived from comprehensive analyst ratings, places Serco in an attractive spot for those eyeing growth opportunities. The company enjoys strong backing, with eight buy ratings outshining the three holds and a solitary sell recommendation. Serco's technical indicators further bolster its investment appeal. The stock's current price sits above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages of 259.36 GBp and 270.82 GBp, respectively. This upward momentum is reinforced by a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 27.52, suggesting the stock is nearing oversold territory - a potential signal for a buying opportunity. Additionally, the positive MACD value of 7.78 over the signal line at 5.23 hints at bullish momentum. Financially, Serco Group showcases a robust revenue growth of 3.70% and a commendable return on equity of 17.58%. These figures reflect the company's effective management and strategic operations across diverse geographies and service sectors. Its free cash flow of £361.2 million underscores the firm's ability to generate cash, reinforcing its financial health and operational efficiency. Serco's dividend yield of 1.62%, coupled with a prudent payout ratio of 30.06%, offers investors a steady stream of income while retaining sufficient capital for reinvestment and growth. This balance of rewarding shareholders and maintaining growth potential is a hallmark of Serco's commitment to long-term value creation. Despite the absence of certain valuation metrics like the P/E ratio and PEG ratio, which are not available or applicable, Serco's forward-looking P/E ratio of 1,398.88 suggests a complex valuation landscape that investors should consider with due diligence. Serco Group's strategic positioning in providing essential services to governments and public sector clients in regions like the UK, North America, and the Asia Pacific positions it as a key player in the global market. This extensive network and diversified service offering enhance its resilience and growth prospects. For investors focused on the industrials sector, Serco Group PLC presents a compelling case with its stable stock performance, growth potential, and strategic market positioning. As the company continues to support public service sectors globally, it remains a noteworthy consideration for those seeking to balance growth with dependable income streams. * Written by: Olivia Thompson