Skip Header
Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

FTSE 100 movers: Next rallies on guidance upgrade; Croda hit

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was up 0.6% at 7,368.30 in afternoon trade on Wednesday. Next was the standout gainer on the index after the retailer boosted its full-year guidance as third-quarter trading beat internal expectations. The fashion retailer said full-price sales in the three months to 28 October rose 4% year-on-year, £23m ahead of earlier guidance for 2% growth.

Next increased its full-year guidance for pre-tax profits by £10m, to £885m. It also upped its forecast for full-year sales, which are now expected to be 3.1% stronger at £4.74bn on the assumption full-price sales remain 2% higher for the rest of the year. Next previously forecast full-year sales growth of 2.6%.

Marks & Spencer also gained.

GSK was under the cosh despite lifting its full-year profit outlook. It now expects turnover to increase by 12% to 13%, up from previous guidance of 8% to 10%, and adjusted operating profit growth of 13% to 15%, up from 11% to 13%. Adjusted earnings per share are set to grow between 17% and 20%, versus previous guidance of 14% to 17%.

Chemicals company Croda International also lost ground after US cosmetics brand Estee Lauder - which it supplies - cut its full-year forecasts, pointing in part to a slower-than-expected recovery in China.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Next (NXT) 7,164.00p 4.07% Melrose Industries (MRO) 485.60p 3.98% Airtel Africa (AAF) 117.50p 3.71% Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 224.10p 3.37% Centrica (CNA) 162.40p 3.24% Unite Group (UTG) 888.00p 2.25% InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 5,940.00p 2.24% 3i Group (III) 1,977.50p 2.22% CRH (CDI) (CRH) 4,519.00p 2.22% Associated British Foods (ABF) 2,069.00p 2.12%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Croda International (CRDA) 4,274.00p -2.38% IMI (IMI) 1,436.00p -1.98% Endeavour Mining (EDV) 1,667.00p -1.94% JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 125.05p -1.92% GSK (GSK) 1,429.80p -1.89% Intertek Group (ITRK) 3,773.00p -1.31% Standard Chartered (STAN) 622.00p -1.27% Barclays (BARC) 130.38p -0.93% Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 109.80p -0.90% Rightmove (RMV) 469.60p -0.72%

Share this article

Related Sharecast Articles

London midday: Stocks stay up but GSK tumbles on Zantac court ruling
(Sharecast News) - London stocks were still in the black by midday on Monday ahead of an expected rate cut by the European Central Bank this week, but GSK tumbled on the back of the latest US court ruling on its heartburn drug Zantac.
US pre-open: Futures mixed as traders looks to build on last month's momentum
(Sharecast News) - Wall Street futures were mixed ahead of the bell on Monday after a big day for the blue-chip Dow Jones in the previous session.
London open: Stocks gain ahead of UK manufacturing data
(Sharecast News) - London stocks rose in early trade on Monday, taking their cue from a positive session in Asia, as investors eyed the latest UK manufacturing reading.
Europe open: Shares make strong start ahead of ECB rate call
(Sharecast News) - European markets made a strong start to the week as investors look ahead to a European Central Bank interest rate decision on Thursday, widely expected to be a 25 basis point cut.

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Award-winning online share dealing

Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.

Expert insights into investing your money

Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.