27 Mar, 2025 14:28 27 Mar, 2025 14:28

FTSE 100 movers: Next surges on outlook; M&G goes ex-div

FTSE 100 (UKX) 8,653.56 -0.41%

Retail giant Next boosted its sales outlook on Thursday following a strong start to the year, but warned that consumer confidence was set to deteriorate as the year progressed.

The fashion and home retailer said full-price sales in the first eight weeks of the year had been ahead of expectations.

As a result, it has hiked its first-half forecast to 6.5%, having previously guided for sales growth of 3.5%.

However, the retailer - which is known for its cautious outlook - did not upgrade its second-half guidance. Instead it was kept at 3.5%, with Next citing strong comparatives and potentially weakening conditions.

Marks & Spencer and Primark owner AB Foods also gained.

M&G, Taylor Wimpey, Schroders and Melrose fell as they traded without entitlement to a dividend.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 - Risers

Next (NXT)10,945.00p9.60%
Marks & Spencer Group (MKS)345.10p2.49%
Compass Group (CPG)2,553.00p2.28%
Associated British Foods (ABF)1,936.00p1.47%
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (DI) (CCEP)6,640.00p1.22%
Unilever (ULVR)4,533.00p0.96%
Imperial Brands (IMB)2,774.00p0.87%
Haleon (HLN)384.40p0.60%
Beazley (BEZ)903.50p0.56%
Sainsbury (J) (SBRY)237.60p0.42%