FTSE 100 movers: Auto Trader surges on results; Coca-Cola HBC goes ex-div

London’s FTSE 100 was up 0.5% at 8,221.28 in afternoon trade on Thursday.

Auto Trader surged to the top of the index as it said the new financial year had got off to a strong start and posted in jump in annual sales and profits.

The car marketplace specialist said revenues in the year to 30 May rose 14% to £570.9m. Within that, Auto Trader sales increased 12% to £529.7m while leasing specialist Autorama saw a 51% increase to £41.2m. Group adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 14% to £375.3m, while pre-tax profits increased 18% to £345.2m.

Sports Direct owner Frasers Group and JD Sports were both in the black on positive read-across from well-received first-quarter results from Footlocker and Dick’s Sports Goods in the US.

Mike Ashley’s Frasers was also in focus following a report it is closing in on a deal to take control of Ted Baker’s British arm, putting the future of its head office staff firmly in the balance.

According to Drapers, the prospective deal will not include the business’s head office workers in London.

On the downside, Coca-Cola HBC and Severn Trent were both weaker as they traded without entitlement to the dividend.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 818.80p 12.07%
Frasers Group (FRAS) 875.00p 6.06%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 380.50p 5.67%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 132.45p 4.54%
St James's Place (STJ) 497.60p 2.60%
Land Securities Group (LAND) 654.50p 2.43%
Barclays (BARC) 218.60p 2.08%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 618.80p 2.01%
SEGRO (SGRO) 905.60p 1.98%
Beazley (BEZ) 683.00p 1.94%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Antofagasta (ANTO) 2,177.00p -4.10%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 2,648.00p -3.15%
Sage Group (SGE) 1,033.00p -2.55%
Severn Trent (SVT) 2,328.00p -2.31%
Intertek Group (ITRK) 4,746.00p -1.74%
Glencore (GLEN) 477.05p -1.28%
National Grid (NG.) 828.20p -1.22%
BP (BP.) 483.85p -1.07%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 5,424.00p -0.99%
RS Group (RS1) 712.50p -0.97%