Smith (DS) Group
Shares in DS Smith jumped 14% this morning as the market responded to news of management confirming that in line with media speculation, they had received a preliminary expression of interest from Mondi. There’s no detail over how any such deal would be structured and this comes with the usual caveats that it might not go anywhere at all, but one to watch. 

British American Tobacco
Amidst a busy day of reporting from heavyweight stocks, British American Tobacco issued its full year numbers. A progressive dividend policy and news that the company may look to liquidate some assets received a warm welcome from investors who put up with a pretty torrid ride in 2023. By mid-morning the stock was around 8% higher.

Sondrel Holdings
The corporate update posted at he start of the week did little to drive interest in the stock, but media speculation over the company’s involvement in Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain implant has been rather more consequential for the specialist microchip manufacturer. The company officially won’t disclose details of companies they may be working with but did reveal that demand for its products remains strong, including in the US. Shares jumped 130% before the morning was done, pushing management to acknowledge the move.