British stocks started the week in positive territory as traders awaited a dense slate of economic data that could shape expectations for monetary policy decisions. Employment figures are due on Tuesday and consumer price readings arrive on Wednesday - both seen as potential inputs into forecasts for the Bank of England's interest rate decision next month.
As of 1029 GMT the blue-chip FTSE 100 was up 0.1%. The pound traded slightly weaker against the dollar, slipping 0.01% to 1.3647. In continental Europe, Germany's DAX held flat while France's CAC 40 climbed 0.3%.
Corporate and sector movers
Building and construction-related names came under pressure after one broker reduced its outlook for a major housebuilder. Barratt Redrow PLC (LON:BTRW) shares fell by a little more than 2% on Monday following a note from Deutsche Bank that trimmed profit forecasts and cut its price target by 15%. The analyst Chris Millington lowered the target price to 454p from 536p but kept a buy rating on the shares, which closed at 388.90p.
Deutsche Bank adjusted its underlying pre-tax profit estimates downward by 9% for fiscal year 2026, by 6% for FY27, and by 7% for FY28. The bank cited worsening trading conditions and growing costs linked to fire-safety remediation as drivers behind its revisions.
A separate and more acute shock hit the small-cap skin-health sector. SkinBioTherapeutics PLC (LON:SBTX) plunged more than 37% after announcing an investigation into its former chief executive, Stuart Ashman, prompted by allegations of material financial misrepresentation. The company said the issue will trigger a 17% reduction in its reported revenue for 2025.
To reflect the new information, the group will reverse A3770,000 in royalty income. Management warned this reversal is expected to markedly widen operating losses and to leave fiscal 2026 results well below market expectations. SkinBio said new information received late on Feb. 13 had cast "significant doubt" on the validity of the previously recorded royalty income.
In health services consolidation, Optima Health PLC (LON:OPT) shares dropped 4.8% after the company disclosed an agreement to acquire PAM Healthcare Limited for roughly A3100 million. Financing for the deal will include A370 million in new debt facilities provided by HSBC and Barclays, together with a A330 million bridge facility from Deacon Street Partners Limited, an entity controlled by substantial shareholder Lord Ashcroft.
Asset management activity also drew attention. RBC Capital Markets downgraded Schroders PLC (LON:SDR) to "sector perform," arguing there is limited upside for the group's shares in light of a bid from Nuveen. To reflect the cash consideration in the offer, RBC raised its price target to 610p, linked to the 612p-per-share bid proposal.
Wider economic and political context
On the housing front, property portal Rightmove reported that British asking prices were effectively unchanged in February after a sharp jump in January. The average asking price for newly listed homes slipped A312 to A3368,019, following a 2.8% rise in January. Despite the pause in February, prices are still 2.8% higher than in December, constituting the strongest start to a year since 2020.
Politically, the government is reportedly considering whether to accelerate plans to lift defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product. Last February the country committed to raise annual defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, alongside an ambition to reach 3% after the 2029 general election. Officials are weighing the potential of moving that timetable forward, according to reports.
Market implications
With key labour and inflation data looming this week, market participants are likely to monitor incoming figures closely for signs of momentum or cooling in the economy. At the same time, company-specific developments - from broker revisions and acquisition financing to accounting investigations - are continuing to generate idiosyncratic volatility across sectors such as construction, healthcare, and asset management.