Next shares surge after profit guidance lifted again on soaring summer sales.
Shares in Next surged on Wednesday as the UK retailer lifted profit guidance again after second quarter full-price sales smashed estimates due to the hotter summer and the release of pent‑up demand in the Middle East and Northern Europe.
Source: Sharecast
The retailer said it now expects pre‑tax profit of £1,243m for 2026/27, an increase of £25m from its prior forecast in March, which itself was an upgrade from January. Next shares were up 7% in early trade.
It added that the latest increase reflected the benefit of £70m in additional full‑price sales during Q2, which boosted profit by £15m, alongside a £10m uplift from stronger‑than‑expected returns on its equity investments.
Full‑price sales in the quarter rose 9.2%, well ahead of the company’s earlier forecast for 4% growth.
The group maintained its guidance for the rest of the year, expecting full‑price sales to rise 5% in the second half.
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