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The following are the leading risers and fallers among FTSE 100 and 250 index constituents on Thursday. ---------- FTSE 100 winners ---------- Informa PLC, up 2.2% at 859.10p, backs 2026 earnings view and sees ‘stronger growth’ in 2027 Polar Capital Technology Trust PLC, up 2.1% at 729.50p Melrose Industries PLC, up 2.0% at 483.40p Intertek Group PLC, up 1.3% at 5,792.50p, agrees 6,108p per share takeover from EQT Halma PLC, up 0.9% at 3,907.00p, Citigroup raises price target to 4,900p from 4,600p ---------- FTSE 100 losers ---------- Persimmon PLC, down 6.5% at 1,046.50p, shares trade ex-dividend Fresnillo PLC, down 5.6% at 3,123.50p Land Securities Group PLC, down 4.7% at 624.00p, shares trade ex-dividend 3i Group PLC, down 4.3% at 2,203.50p, shares trade ex-dividend London Stock Exchange Group PLC, down 3.8% at 8,623.00p ---------- FTSE 250 winners ---------- FirstGroup PLC, up 6.7% at 186.15p, launches new share buyback amid forecast of cash flow progress SSP Group PLC, up 3.7% at 184.40p Oxford Instruments PLC, up 3.6% at 3,027.00p Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Co PLC, up 1.9% at 710.50p Renishaw PLC, up 1.9% at 5,222.50p ---------- FTSE 250 losers ---------- Hochschild Mining PLC, down 6.8% at 575.25p, Berenberg cut price target to 570p from 590p Pan African Resources PLC, down 5.1% at 112.15p GB Group PLC, down 4.4% at 196.00p, shares trade ex-dividend Ocado Group PLC, down 4.1% at 182.05p AEP Plantations PLC, down 3.9% at 1,559.00p, shares trade ex-dividend ---------- FTSE 100 & 250 movers in focus: ---------- Informa PLC, up 2.2% at 859.10 pence, 12-month range 719.00p-1,000.00p. Reports underlying revenue growth of 6.4% in the five months to May 31, supported by continued strength in both its Academic Markets and B2B Live Events businesses. The company says more than $4 billion of revenue has already been traded, booked or is visible for the full year and reiterates guidance for double-digit underlying growth in adjusted earnings per share in 2026. Informa expects further strong adjusted EPS growth in 2027, supported by a full schedule of annual and biennial events and the restaging of deferred launches. The group says more than $600 million of revenue for the first half of 2027 has already been booked or confirmed. Informa also notes its £250 million share buyback programme remains ongoing. ---------- Intertek Group PLC, up 1.3% at 5,792.50 pence, 12-month range 3,519.42p-5,816.77p. Agrees to a £9.5 billion takeover by EQT Fund Management, with shareholders set to receive 6,107.7p per share, comprising 6,000p in cash and Intertek’s final dividend of 107.7p. The offer values the testing, inspection and certification provider at an enterprise value of around £10.9 billion and represents a 62% premium to its closing share price on April 9, before EQT’s approach became public. Intertek’s board unanimously backs the deal, describing it as an attractive offer that provides cash certainty for shareholders. ---------- FirstGroup PLC, up 6.7% at 186.15 pence, 12-month range 152.10p-240.40p. Launches a new £100 million share buyback programme and raises its annual dividend by 11% after outlining expectations for strong cash generation. The transport operator forecasts £400 million of free cash flow over the next three years and says it remains committed to returning surplus cash to shareholders. While annual pretax profit falls to £158.8 million from £169.6 million and revenue declines 9.2%, adjusted earnings per share rise 7.2%, and the company signals confidence in its medium-term outlook. ---------- Tesco PLC, down 2.2% at 446.80 pence, 12-month range 393.60p-508.20p. Reports first-quarter sales of £16.83 billion, with like-for-like growth of 1.0%, supported by a 1.8% rise in UK sales and strong online demand. The supermarket says customer satisfaction improved strongly during the quarter and that Tesco Media is growing well, with the World Cup creating opportunities for brand partnerships. Tesco maintains guidance for financial 2027 adjusted operating profit of £3.0 billion to £3.3 billion and free cash flow of £1.5 billion to £2.0 billion. For financial 2026 it had reported adjusted operating profit of £3.15 billion and free cash flow of £1.96 billion. The retailer says it has repurchased £341 million in shares under its £750 million buyback programme, which it expects to complete by April 2027. Tesco will publish its half-year results on October 8. ---------- XPS Pensions Group PLC, down 4.2% at 303.50 pence, 12-month range 275.00p-404.00p. Reports a fourth consecutive year of double-digit revenue growth, with revenue rising 13% to £262.7 million from £231.8 million, but pretax profit falls 5.1% to £38.7 million from £40.8 million, while adjusted pretax profit increases 8% to £64.2 million from £59.5 million. The pensions consultancy raises its total dividend by 11% to 13.2 pence per share from 11.9p, including a proposed final dividend of 9.1p. XPS says growth is driven by strong demand for advisory, administration and insurance consulting services, with the Polaris acquisition integrating well. Co-Chief Executive Paul Cuff says the group continues to benefit from changes in the pensions market, while Co-Chief Executive Ben Bramhall highlights opportunities from artificial intelligence and technology investment. XPS says it remains confident of delivering further growth in financial 2027 in line with board expectations. ---------- Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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