(Alliance News) - The following are the leading risers and fallers among FTSE 100 and 250 index constituents on Thursday.
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FTSE 100 winners
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Entain PLC, up 7.5% at 629.00 pence, maintains 2026 view after first quarter growth
Halma PLC, up 3.8% at 4,342.00p, as Barclays raises price target
Metlen Energy & Metals PLC, up 3.8% at EUR36.40, PDMR buys EUR34,780 in shares
JD Sports Fashion PLC, up 2.6% at 77.58p, sells entire stake in Applied Nutrition
Standard Life PLC, up 2.5% at747.4p
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FTSE 100 losers
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Airtel Africa PLC, down 2.0% at 353.70p
ConvaTec Group PLC, down 1.7% at 237.30p, shares trading ex-dividend
Vodafone Group PLC, down 1.6% at 114.22p
Antofagasta PLC, down 1.4% at 3,834.25p, gets broker cuts
Rentokil Initial PLC, down 0.9% at 496.50p, backs annual outlook despite Middle East uncertainty
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FTSE 250 winners
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Morgan Sindall PLC, up 9.4% at 4,902.00 pence, expects 2026 profit "significantly" ahead of forecast
Hays PLC, up 6.0% at 34.08p, expects near-term trading to remain challenging as net fees slump
Ceres Power Holdings PLC, up 5.6% at 424.10p, as Jefferies raises price target
Ocado Group PLC, up 3.8% at 198.80p
B&M European Value Retail SA, up 3.5% at 179.40p
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FTSE 250 losers
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Jupiter Fund Management PLC, down 6.7% at 150.80p, shares trade ex-dividend
easyJet PLC, down 4.7% at 372.75p, warns of larger-than-expected loss from higher fuel costs
Dunelm Group PLC, down 4.6% at 809pp, expects lower end yearly profit
Wizz Air Holding PLC, down 2.8% at 969.00p
Rathbone Brothers PLC, down 2.7% at 2,057.50p, shares trade ex-dividend
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FTSE 100 & 250 movers in focus:
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Entain PLC, up 7.5% at 629.00p, 12-month range 520.00p-1,031.50p. Reaffirms full-year guidance after a solid first quarter, with UK & Ireland and Australia outperforming expectations. Net gaming revenue increases 3% year-on-year at constant currency, with online growth of 5% offsetting a 3% decline in retail. UK & Ireland NGR rises 6%, supported by a 13% jump in online, while Australia posts 12% growth, ahead of forecasts. Maintains guidance for 5% to 7% online NGR growth in 2026 and says it remains comfortable with market expectations for group Ebitda, citing ongoing strategic progress and stronger cash generation.
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JD Sports Fashion PLC, up 2.6% at 77.58 pence, 12-month range 65.50p-106.18p. Sells its entire stake in Applied Nutrition PLC via a GBP48.9 million placing. Disposes of around 22.8 million shares at 215p each, representing roughly 9.1% of Applied Nutrition's share capital. The move follows an earlier plan to halve its holding, with Peel Hunt acting as sole bookrunner on the transaction.
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easyJet PLC, down 4.7% at 372.75 pence, 12-month range 337.10p-590.60p. Expects a wider first-half loss, citing the impact of the Middle East conflict and competitive pressures in some markets. Guides for a headline pretax loss of GBP540 million to GBP560 million, compared to GBP394 million a year earlier, including around GBP25 million of additional fuel costs in March and higher legal provisions. Says underlying performance is broadly in line with expectations, with revenue and costs tracking forecasts. Demand remains resilient, with load factor rising to 90% and strong growth in holidays, while second-half bookings are 67% sold. Notes booking visibility has shortened amid geopolitical uncertainty, though it remains well positioned with strong liquidity and expects full-year customer growth in the low double digits.
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Morgan Sindall PLC, up 9.4% at 4,902.00 pence, 12-month range 3,310.00p-5,730.00p. Raises 2026 profit outlook for the second time in three months on strong trading momentum. Expects pretax profit to be significantly ahead of previous expectations, driven by strong performance and visibility in its Construction and Fit Out divisions. Says Fit Out profit will exceed the top end of its GBP80 million to GBP100 million target range, while margins in Construction and Infrastructure are seen at the top end of guidance.
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Hays PLC, up 6.0% at 34.08 pence, 12-month range 28.68p-77.50p. Reports continued pressure on net fees in the third quarter, though the decline is less severe than expected. Net fees fall 7% year-on-year, or 8% like-for-like, ahead of consensus forecasts for a steeper drop. Temporary and contracting fees decline 6%, while permanent placements fall 12%. Expects full-year operating profit to be in line with market expectations, while highlighting progress on cost savings, with GBP30 million in annualised reductions achieved to date.
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By Eva Castanedo, Alliance News reporter
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