Utilities

• Alliance Witan PLC (LSE:ALW) purchased 140,000 of its own ordinary shares at 1,324.3562p per share on 1 June 2026, to be held in treasury.

• Airtel Africa plc (LSE:AAF) disclosed total voting rights of 3,648,093,469 as at 31 May 2026, as required under FCA DTR Rule 5.6.1.

• Airtel Africa plc (LSE:AAF) bought back 650,881 shares for cancellation in the period 22–29 May 2026 under its buyback programme announced on 22 May 2026.

• Percentage fall: Filtronic (FTC) dropped 8.82% in the session, ranking among the biggest UK losers.

United Utilities emerged among the strongest-performing FTSE 100 stocks as investors shifted capital toward defensive sectors capable of delivering reliable earnings and dividend income.

Severn Trent became one of the notable FTSE 100 gainers as investors sought exposure to defensive businesses capable of generating predictable earnings and sustainable dividends.

The AIM-listed business sits in a sector that has attracted growing public and regulatory interest, as governments, manufacturers and consumers reconsider the role of plastics in everyday life. Against that backdrop, the latest figures may prompt market participants to reassess how the company is …