FTSE 100 movers: CRH gains on results; WPP in the red.


London’s FTSE 100 was down 0.8% at 9,092.05 in afternoon trade on Thursday.

WPP

Source: Sharecast

CRH was the standout gainer on the index as it lifted its financial guidance for 2025, noting that underlying demand in its key end-use markets remains positive.

InterContinental Hotels rallied as it posted a 34.1% jump in first-half pre-tax profit and said it remains on track to meet full-year consensus profit and earnings expectations.

Flutter Entertainment advanced following well-received results from US sports betting firm DraftKings.

Halma rose after Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on the stock with a ‘buy’ rating and 3,740p price target as it said its analysis demonstrates the sustainability of the company’s high-growth, high-returns model.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals tumbled after reporting a 7% drop in first-half core operating profit and cutting the outlook for the operating margin in its injectables segment.

BAE Systems and Babcock were both weaker after German defence firm Rheinmetall’s second-quarter results fell short of estimates.

WPP fell as the advertising agency reported a slump in half-year earnings as clients spent less and the use of artificial intelligence hit the bottom line. Operating profit fell 48% to £221m on the back of a 7.8% decline in revenue to £6.6bn.

BT Group fell as it traded without entitlement to the dividend.

FTSE 100 - Risers

CRH (CDI) (CRH) 7,898.00p 7.37%
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 9,314.00p 7.30%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 3,764.00p 3.07%
Flutter Entertainment (DI) (FLTR) 23,480.00p 2.89%
Halma (HLMA) 3,312.00p 2.48%
easyJet (EZJ) 502.60p 1.78%
Spirax Group (SPX) 6,170.00p 1.73%
Smith & Nephew (SN.) 1,355.50p 1.35%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,993.00p 1.30%
Bunzl (BNZL) 2,276.00p 1.25%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,745.00p -7.38%
BAE Systems (BA.) 1,756.50p -5.46%
Babcock International Group (BAB) 954.00p -5.17%
BT Group (BT.A) 204.30p -3.68%
Vodafone Group (VOD) 82.32p -3.65%
WPP (WPP) 389.30p -3.18%
Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 325.90p -2.72%
Next (NXT) 11,820.00p -2.52%
St James's Place (STJ) 1,318.00p -2.37%
Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,347.00p -2.32%

Compare our accounts

If you're looking to grow your money over the longer term (5+ years), we have a range of investment choices to help.

Halifax is not responsible for the content and accuracy of the Markets News articles. We may not share the views of the author. Understand the risks, please remember the value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invest. We don't provide advice so if you are in any doubt about buying and selling shares or making your own investment decisions we recommend you seek advice from a suitably qualified Financial Advisor. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.