The 2026 midterm election cycle kicked off Tuesday with primaries in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas, delivering dramatic results in key Senate races and signaling voter preferences ahead of November’s battle for congressional control.

In Texas, the most expensive Senate primary in U.S. history unfolded as incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton advanced to a May 26 Republican runoff, while state Rep. James Talarico defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic contest. North Carolina voters nominated former Gov. Roy Cooper for Democrats and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley for Republicans in an open Senate seat expected to be one of the cycle’s most competitive. In solidly Republican Arkansas, Sen. Tom Cotton easily won renomination, and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders faced no primary opposition.

The March 3 contests marked the start of statewide primaries that will continue through September, with the general election set for Nov. 3. Turnout varied, but early voting and Election Day participation reflected high stakes in battleground and red states alike.

**Texas Senate Drama Dominates Headlines**

Texas provided the night’s biggest surprises. On the Republican side, Cornyn, seeking a fifth term, led with about 42% of the vote with most precincts reporting, narrowly ahead of Paxton at around 41%. U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt trailed with 13.5%. Neither secured a majority, forcing the runoff in late May — a test of establishment versus MAGA forces in the GOP. Cornyn positioned himself as a “workhorse” legislator, while Paxton, despite controversies, rallied conservative voters with hardline appeals.

The Democratic primary saw Talarico, a progressive state representative and seminarian from the Austin area, prevail over Crockett, a Dallas-area congresswoman known for her sharp rhetoric. Talarico captured about 53% to Crockett’s 46% in a race that grew personal and drew national attention. Democrats have not won a statewide office in Texas since the 1990s, but Talarico’s win sets up a long-shot challenge in November against the GOP nominee.

Other Texas highlights included the defeat of U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a prominent Republican, by state Rep. Steve Toth in a district primary — the first incumbent House member ousted this cycle. Crenshaw, who lacked former President Donald Trump’s endorsement, fell in what analysts called a sign of party shifts. Gov. Greg Abbott cruised to renomination.

The Texas Senate race, fueled by over $122 million in ad spending, underscored divisions within the GOP and Democratic hopes for competitiveness in a red state.

**North Carolina Senate Race Sets Up November Showdown**

North Carolina’s open Senate seat — vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis — featured straightforward primary wins. Roy Cooper, the popular former two-term governor, dominated the Democratic field with over 90% of the vote. Michael Whatley, who chaired the RNC, secured the GOP nomination with around 65%.

The matchup promises intensity in a purple state where Democrats aim to flip the seat and influence Senate control. Cooper’s moderate record and name recognition contrast with Whatley’s party insider status. Redistricting shifted congressional maps, with Republicans targeting gains in districts like the 1st, where Laurie Buckhout won the GOP nod to challenge Democratic Rep. Don Davis. Some House primaries, including Valerie Foushee’s in the 4th District, saw competitive challenges from the left.

North Carolina’s results highlighted party unity heading into fall, with no major upsets.

**Arkansas Delivers Expected Incumbent Wins**

In deep-red Arkansas, outcomes aligned with expectations. Sen. Tom Cotton won the Republican primary decisively for a third term, facing minimal opposition. Democrat Hallie Shoffner earned her party’s nomination. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, seeking reelection, ran unopposed in the GOP primary, while Fred Love topped the Democratic field.

House races saw incumbents like French Hill and Bruce Westerman advance easily in Republican primaries. Some districts featured minor Democratic contests, but the state remains firmly GOP territory. A few local and judicial races drew attention, including one involving a sheriff facing charges, but federal outcomes reinforced Arkansas’ conservative lean.

**Broader Implications for Midterms**

Tuesday’s primaries offered early insights into voter sentiment amid national issues like the economy, immigration and foreign policy. In Texas, the Cornyn-Paxton runoff will test Trump’s influence, as both candidates vied for his support. North Carolina’s Senate contest could prove pivotal for majority control, with Democrats viewing it as winnable. Arkansas provided stability for incumbents.

Analysts noted incumbent vulnerabilities, with Crenshaw’s loss a warning for Republicans facing internal challenges. High spending and turnout in select races signal engagement, though overall participation remained typical for primaries.

As results finalized Wednesday, attention shifts to upcoming primaries and the long road to November. Runoffs in Texas (May 26), North Carolina (potential May 12 if requested) and Arkansas (March 31 if needed) will further shape ballots.

The 2026 midterms, testing the party in power and opposition strength, are now underway in earnest.

Karen Chan
Strategy & Investor Relations Director

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for attending the DFI Retail Group 2025 Full Year Results Presentation. I’m Karen Chan, Strategy and Investor Relations Director. Joining us today is Scott Price, Group Chief Executive; and Tom Van der Lee, Group Chief Financial Officer, who will be providing remarks on our full year results, followed by a Q&A session. Today’s presentation is being webcast in its entirety. In addition, the full text of our results announcement and slide presentation are uploaded on to our IR website.

And before we start, I would like to remind you of the following regarding information to be provided during the presentation. The information about to be presented is for information purposes only and is not intended to be investment advice for any person. There’s no intention to imply for any dealings in any securities. There may be forward-looking statements mentioned in the presentation materials, which include statements regarding our intent, belief, expectation with respect to DFI Retail Group businesses operations, market conditions, et cetera. You’re expressly advised not to rely on these forward-looking statements as they are subjective views, which are subject to risks and uncertainties.

And with that, I’ll pass it over to Scott. Scott, please.

Scott Price
Group CEO & Director

Good morning, everyone. Thank you, Karen. A pleasure to be here talking about our full year of 2025 results and also sharing with you some of the insights that we gleaned from the second half of

Wealth management firm lifted its dividend, with shares rising 1.8 per cent in morning trading

Wealth management business Quilter posted record net inflows and increased its dividend, as clients continue to turn to professional financial guidance in greater numbers.

Assets under management and administration (AUMA) surged 18 per cent to £141.2bn from £119.4bn in the previous year.

The increase was fuelled by an 83 per cent jump in net inflows to £8.7bn, alongside a favourable market contribution.

Turnover edged up five per cent, as higher management fee income was partly counterbalanced by reduced investment returns generated on shareholder capital.

Pre-tax profit reached £207m, up from £196m the year before, as reported by City AM.

The board unveiled a £100m share buyback scheme to be completed over the rest of the year, and put forward a final dividend of 4.3 pence, taking the full-year total to 6.3 pence per share.

The firm also confirmed that its bill for compensating clients who paid for financial advice but didn’t receive it will be £20m lower than initially anticipated, having previously earmarked £76m following scrutiny from the City regulator.

Shares climbed 1.8 per cent in early morning dealings to 190.2 pence.

Rae Maile, analyst at Panmure Liberum, said: “The potential for future growth is unchanged given the usual certainties of death and taxes.

“AI cannot augment but not, we are confident, replace personal advice because there are simply too many questions most of which most clients do not know that they do not know.

“We have long stressed that there will be many ways to win in Wealth and Quilter has a variety of options.”

The firm said its Affluent and High Net Worth divisions outperformed their market rivals for levels of inflows throughout the year.

The Affluent division recorded a 22 per cent increase in AUMA to £107.6bn, with its Quilter channel seeing net inflows climb to £2.8bn from £2.3bn.

Its Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) channel reported net inflow of £5.8bn, up from £3bn, reflecting an expanded market share of new business alongside winning assets from rival platforms.

Meanwhile, the High Net Worth division saw net inflows of £0.7bn, but Steven Levin, chief executive officer of Quilter, said that it can “improve performance” and attract a broader customer base.

Levin observed that the “business is well placed to be a winner” from the changes that are reshaping the face of the wealth management industry, and boost overall growth.

The transformation of UK personal tax legislation, including both the thresholds that apply for higher earners on pension contributions and introduction of inheritance tax on pensions from April 2027, has “increased the need for personalised financial advice”. The upheaval resulted in heightened adviser activity, as clients looked to reassess their current financial strategies, with the firm also anticipating a substantial rise in intergenerational wealth transfer over the coming decades, boosting demand.

Levin additionally recognised the transformation from being a nation of savers to a nation of investors, with the organisation “well-positioned” to satisfy this requirement.

The firm is also currently seeking approval from the Financial Conduct Authority to deploy its ‘Targeted Support’ framework, which will enable it to provide personalised recommendations without necessitating full, regulated advice.

He stated: “Our goal is for the Quilter brand to be recognised across UK retail financial services as a customer champion and a trusted destination for pensions, investment services and advice.”

The company anticipates high single digit to double digit growth in profit over the coming year, as it expects elevated costs stemming from pursuing growth opportunities in the marketplace and implementing the ‘Targeted Support’ scheme.

Maile commented: “We do expect net flows to continue to be delivered, and for profit growth to continue, but with the company rightly seeking to invest in future growth that profit growth will, initially, be below market expectations.”

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