Nikkei breaks new ground hitting new all-time high!

New record high!

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index hit a new all-time high on Monday 26th February 2024. In contrast China markets slipped after a nine-day winning streak.

The Nikkei 225 ended 0.4% higher at 39233 comfortably above its previous closing record of 39,098.68. The index breached its 1989 all-time high of 38915 on Thursday 22nd February 2024.

Nikkei 225 hit new all-time high Monday 26th February 2024 – one year chart

Nikkei 225 hit new all-time high Monday 26th February 2024

Rolls-Royce shares up10% after 2023 profits more than double

Jet engine

Rolls-Royce, a prominent jet engine manufacturer for commercial aircraft along with power systems for ships and submarines and other major projects posted an underlying operating profit of £1.6 billion in 2023, compared to £652 million in 2022.

Rolls-Royce was the top performer in the UK’s FTSE 100 in 2023, climbing over 200% on the back of a profit forecast upgrade and the announcement in November 2023 that profits could‘ quadruple by 2027.

Intuitive Machines lands on the moon 22nd February 2024 in historic first for a U.S. company

First U.S. landing on the moon since 1972

A U.S. company has gone to the moon – and creates a little piece of history

Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C cargo lander, named ‘Odysseus’ after the mythological Greek hero, is the first U.S. spacecraft to soft land on the lunar surface since 1972.

Japan, India and China have all had recent successful moon mission ahead of the U.S.

Intuitive Machines is the first company to pull off a moon landing – government agencies have carried out all previously successful missions.

The company’s stock surged in extended trading Thursday, after falling 11% in regular trading.

Lander visual

Hunt for water

The targeted landing site was a cratered terrain next to a 5km-high mountain complex known as Malapert. It’s the southernmost point on the Moon ever visited by a spacecraft.

It’s on the shortlist of locations where Nasa is considering sending astronauts later this decade as part of its Artemis programme.

It is reported that there are some deep craters in this region that never see any sunlight – they’re permanently in shadow – and scientists believe frozen water could be inside them.

Art illustration on Intuitive Machines luna lander

Art illustration on Intuitive Machines luna lander

See other recent moon landings