FTSE 100 movers: Rolls-Royce rallies on results; airlines fly lower
London’s FTSE 100 was flat at 8,371.01 in afternoon trade on Thursday after the Bank of England cut rates for the first time in four years and amid an avalanche of corporate news.
Rolls-Royce rallied as it lifted full-year profit guidance, hailing a strong first half, and said it was reinstating dividends.
Next gained as the retailer increased its full-year profit guidance by £20m to £980m after second-quarter sales exceeded its expectations.
Smith & Nephew advanced as the medical equipment maker reported a jump in first-half operating profit and revenue.
LSEG was up as it reported consistent growth across its divisions in its interim results, alongside improved profitability and significant shareholder returns.
Consumer healthcare business Haleon rose as it said profits had grown in the six months ended 30 June, driven by solid H1 sales of its vitamins and oral health products.
Mondi was also in the black after first-half results, but Schroders was under pressure after it missed half-year profit forecasts.
EasyJet and BA and Iberia owner IAG both flew lower after Wizz Air reported a 44% drop in first-quarter operating profit and cut full-year profit forecasts.
FTSE 100 - Risers
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 498.70p 10.92%
Next (NXT) 9,854.00p 8.60%
Smith & Nephew (SN.) 1,185.00p 5.52%
London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) 9,850.00p 4.01%
Haleon (HLN) 360.00p 2.97%
Mondi (MNDI) 1,559.00p 2.53%
Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 336.00p 2.35%
SEGRO (SGRO) 936.80p 2.29%
Fresnillo (FRES) 599.50p 1.96%
Land Securities Group (LAND) 647.00p 1.81%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Schroders (SDR) 358.40p -8.76%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 541.80p -7.98%
HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 666.10p -5.38%
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 57.86p -2.89%
easyJet (EZJ) 440.40p -2.26%
NATWEST GROUP (NWG) 359.80p -2.25%
Standard Chartered (STAN) 750.20p -2.22%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,975.50p -2.20%
Rentokil Initial (RTO) 466.50p -1.73%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 162.95p -1.72%