Sky Owner Strikes £1.6bn ITV Deal; easyJet Shares Hit Four-Year High

Sky's parent company has announced a significant £1.6 billion acquisition of ITV, marking a major shift in the UK media landscape. This deal is expected to reshape the broadcasting sector, enhancing Sky's content offerings and competitive edge in the market.

In other financial news, easyJet shares have surged to a four-year high following the airline's agreement to a £5.5 billion takeover 'in principle'. This move is seen as a strategic effort to strengthen easyJet's position in the competitive aviation industry.

Meanwhile, new data from Germany indicates a surprising rise in industrial orders, which increased by 1.9% in May, surpassing analysts' expectations of 1.5%. This growth is attributed to the reallocation of international orders amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict in the Middle East. Experts suggest that while this uptick is promising, the overall recovery of order books remains slow, with previous months showing only modest gains.

In the automotive sector, battery electric vehicles now account for one-third of new car sales in the UK, driven by heightened consumer interest and competition. However, industry analysts caution that the market's long-term stability depends on consistent government policies and incentives to maintain buyer confidence.

As the UK navigates these developments, the focus remains on how these corporate strategies and economic indicators will impact consumers and the broader market.

Source: www.theguardian.com – https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/jul/06/sky-takeover-itv-broadcasting-media-deal-business-live-news