Investing.com -- British stocks were mostly flat on Monday, with the pound remaining strong amid persistent tariff concerns, and U.K. house prices posting their strongest monthly rise since December.

The blue-chip index FTSE 100 edged 0.04% lower and the GBP/USD rose 0.7% against the dollar to above 1.3550. 

Meanwhile, European indices fell, with Germany’s DAX down 0.3% and France’s CAC 40 slipping 0.2%.

Trump’s latest tariff move

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50%.

In response, the European Union said it was prepared to take countermeasures.

European markets opened sluggishly on Monday amid renewed tariff concerns.

Indivior plans LSE exit 

Indivior PLC (LON:INDV) announced it will withdraw its secondary listing from the London Stock Exchange (LON:LSEG) on July 25, making Nasdaq its sole primary listing venue.

The company has formally asked the FCA and LSE to cancel its London listing, with July 24 marked as the final trading day.

Rosebank to resume ECI buyout talks

U.K.-listed Rosebank Industries PLC (LON:ROSE) announced Monday plans to restart talks for acquiring U.S.-based Electrical Components International (ECI) in a deal valued at under $1.9 billion.

While deal terms remain private, Rosebank disclosed it would fund the acquisition through a combination of debt and equity, including a fully underwritten £1.2 billion share offering priced at £3 per share, open to current and new investors.

FirstGroup expands rail operations

FirstGroup PLC (LON:FGP) announced it has signed rolling stock lease agreements with Eversholt Rail to start an open-access route between London Euston and Stirling by mid-2026.

The route, operated under the Lumo brand, will use five Class 222 six-car diesel trains, each offering 340 standard seats.

UK house prices jump in May, beating forecasts

U.K. house prices saw a stronger-than-anticipated increase in May, rising 3.5% compared to the same month last year, according to figures published Monday by mortgage provider Nationwide.

On a monthly basis, property values climbed 0.5%, recovering much of April’s drop and recording the biggest monthly advance since December.

The upward move surpassed market forecasts.

Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) Given More Time to Decide on Alphawave Bid

Alphawave IP Group (LON:IPO) said Monday that Qualcomm has been granted a fourth extension to determine whether it will proceed with a takeover bid, pushing the deadline to Thursday.

Vodafone (NASDAQ:VOD) (LON:VOD), Three UK completes merger

Vodafone and Three UK have officially completed their merger, forming the country’s biggest mobile provider under the new name VodafoneThree. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Vodafone holds a controlling 51% stake in the combined company, while CK Hutchison, Three’s parent firm, retains the remaining 49%.

The newly unified business will be headed by Max Taylor, who currently leads Vodafone’s UK operations.

NatWest returns to full private ownership

The Treasury confirmed on Friday the sale of its remaining shares in the NatWest Group PLC (LON:NWG), marking the return of the bank to complete private ownership.

This significant development comes nearly 20 years after the bank required a bailout from taxpayers during the 2008 financial crisis.

The NatWest Group, previously under partial public ownership due to the bailout, is now fully under private control following the Treasury’s final share sale.