14th Nov 2025 07:56
(Alliance News) - Melrose reports strong earnings momentum, while Land Securities' interim pretax profit falls on disposal losses despite rental income growth.
Here is what you need to know before the London market open:
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MARKETS
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FTSE 100: called down 0.8% at 9,726.48.
GBP: lower at USD1.3151 (USD1.3197 at previous London equities close)
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ECONOMICS
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A ban on landlords in the UK evicting their tenants without reason will come into force in just over six months' time, ministers have announced. Landlords will also be prevented from increasing rent more than once a year, while bidding wars between prospective tenants will be outlawed from May 1. Housing Secretary Steve Reed insisted the government was "calling time" on "rogue landlords" by initiating a raft of measures in the Renters' Rights Act. Ministers have set out a timeline for implementing the act on Friday, with the aim of giving landlords and letting agents time to see through the changes for their tenants. From next May, the first tranche of law changes will be introduced. These include a ban on so-called "no-fault" section 21 evictions, as well as a ban on asking for more than one month's rent in advance when a tenancy begins, and a halt to bidding wars between tenants. Landlords will also no longer be able to discriminate against tenants for being on benefits or having children, and will not be able to unreasonably refuse requests from their tenants to own pets.
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BROKER RATINGS
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Deutsche Bank Research cuts 3i Group price target to 4,300 (4,600) pence - 'buy'
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Deutsche Bank Research raises Burberry price target to 1,550 (1,500) pence - 'buy'
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Barclays raises Wizz Air price target to 1,500 (1,400) pence - 'overweight'
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COMPANIES - FTSE 100
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Melrose Industries reports a "strong performance" in the four months to October 31, with group revenue up 14% year-on-year, driven by 28% growth in its Engines division and 5% growth in Structures. Adjusted operating profit is "significantly higher" than a year earlier and in line with expectations. The aerospace engineer says both civil and defence markets remain robust, supported by record production backlogs, resilient aftermarket demand, and increased defence spending. The aerospace firm reiterates its full-year guidance, expecting revenue of GBP3.43 billion to GBP3.58 billion, adjusted operating profit between GBP620 million and GBP650 million, and free cash flow above GBP100 million. It adds that recent UK–US and EU–US tariff agreements have been "welcomed by market participants." CEO Peter Dilnot says: "We have delivered another strong performance during this transformational year with continued positive momentum in both our civil and defence businesses. Our focus for the rest of the year remains on ramping up production and delivering for our customers."
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Land Securities reports interim results, with pretax profit for the six months ended September 30 falling to GBP98 million from GBP243 million, reflecting losses on disposals despite underlying income growth. EPRA earnings edge up to GBP192 million from GBP186 million, lifting EPRA EPS 3.2% to 25.8p as like-for-like net rental income rises 5.2% and overheads fall 6%. Net rental income increases to GBP284 million from GBP269 million, while the interim dividend is raised to 19.0p from 18.6p. EPRA NTA per share slips to 863p from 874p and the loan-to-value ratio stands at 40%. Landsec says it continues to capture "growing reversion" across its office and retail portfolio, with occupancy rising to around 98% and leasing achieved 10% above estimated rental value. Central government is its largest occupier at 5.1% as at September 30, followed by Deloitte at 2.1% and the BBC at 1.9%. The company says its outlook remains "firmly positive" and says guidance for FY26 EPS growth is expected to be at the top end of its 2% to 4% range.
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COMPANIES - FTSE 250
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Shareholders Eli Papouchado and Boris Ivesha, who collectively hold around 44% of the voting rights in PPHE Hotel Group, operator of Park Plaza and Art'otel hotels, say they plan to hold a small number of meetings with financial investors to discuss a range of potential options. These include contributing growth capital to the company or partially monetising their stakes. They stress they are not in discussions with any party and have not received any offer for their combined holding. The statement follows media reports, including a Bloomberg report suggesting the owners were exploring a possible move to take PPHE private. The announcement, made without PPHE's knowledge, places the company in an offer period under the Takeover Code.
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BNP Paribas, acting as sole bookrunner, says Burgundy C Nominees has sold 24.4 million Bridgepoint shares at 275 pence each through a secondary placing on behalf of 48 current and former employees and related parties. The shares represent around 3% of the company's issued capital. The placing followed the expiry of certain IPO lock-up arrangements, with 18.5 million shares granted waivers to allow participation. Around 167 million shares remain subject to the IPO lock-up, which runs until July 26, 2026. Bridgepoint is not a party to the transaction and will not receive any proceeds. After completion, roughly 78 million shares held for the selling shareholders will enter a 90-day lock-up.
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OTHER COMPANIES
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MJ Gleeson says it expects financial 2026 results to be in line with market expectations but the housebuilder remains mindful of potential impacts from the upcoming UK government budget. Gleeson Homes reports a marked improvement in demand, with its net reservation rate rising to 0.92 per site per week, including bulk sales, up from 0.46 in the comparable period and 22% higher than a year earlier. Its open-market net reservation rate for the eight weeks to November 7 stands at 0.50 per site per week.
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By Eva Castanedo, Alliance News reporter
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Related Shares:
MelroseLand SecuritiesBridgepoint3i GroupBurberryWizz AirMJGleeson