25th Sep 2025 10:40
(Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers among London Main Market small-caps on Thursday.
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SMALL-CAP - WINNERS
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On the Beach Group PLC, up 5.2% at 215.72 pence, 12-month range 132.20p-304.50p. Shares recover after plunging 20% lower on Wednesday, after the firm warned profit will be lower than market forecasts. On the Beach reported a third consecutive year of growth in its financial year ending next week, despite a continued trend for holidaymakers to book at the last minute. Adjusted pretax profit on a continuing basis, excluding business-to-business operations, is expected to be between GBP34.5 million and GBP35.5 million for the financial year ending September 30. On the Beach said market consensus of adjusted pretax profit was GBP38.4 million, including GBP2 million in profit from the B2B segment. Adjusted pretax profit was GBP31.0 million in financial 2024. Back in May, at its interim results announcement, the company had said it expected adjusted pretax profit to be in line with the GBP38.2 million market consensus at the time.
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DFS Furniture PLC, up 4.5% at 156.68p, 12-month range 110.00p-179.50p. The Doncaster, England-based furniture retailer swings to pretax profit of GBP32.9 million for the 52 weeks that ended June 29, from a loss of GBP1.7 million in the 53 weeks to June 30, 2024. Revenue grows 6.1% to GBP1.39 billion from GBP1.31 billion. Like-for-like order intake is up 10% on-year, compared to a 1.8% on-year decline at the same time a year prior. "Given the market share gains that we have made in the last few years, the recovery in our gross margins and the significant reduction in our cost base, despite inflation, I am optimistic about the future," says Chief Executive Officer Tim Stacey. "We will continue to focus on what we can control and, even in a subdued market, we expect to grow our profit before tax in FY26 and further strengthen our balance sheet. When the market recovers we are well positioned to achieve strong growth and importantly profit and cash conversion and remain committed to achieving our medium term targets of GBP1.4 billion revenue and 8% [pretax profit] margins." DFS is "comfortable" with a company-compiled consensus for pretax profit before brand amortisation at GBP39.4 million in financial 2026. The company reports pretax profit before brand amortisation of GBP30.2 million for financial 2025.
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SMALL-CAP - LOSERS
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STV Group PLC, down 4.1% at 109.82p, 12-month range 107.00p-258.00p. The Glasgow-based media company swings to pretax loss of GBP200,000 for the six months to June 30, from profit of GBP4.8 million a year earlier. Revenue declines 0.4% to GBP90.0 million from GBP90.4 million, driven by advertising revenue falling 10% to GBP45.6 million from GBP50.7 million as national linear advertising was down 16% due to the Euros taking place in the year before. Compared to 2023, advertising revenue rose 3% in the first half. Operating expenses increase 3.3% to GBP86.7 million from GBP83.9 million, while finance costs rise 15% to GBP4.5 million from GBP3.9 million. STV declares no interim dividend, compared to 3.9p per share a year prior. "I have every confidence that STV will navigate the currently difficult trading environment in both our key markets, successfully implement our FastFwd strategy, and deliver sustainable value to our shareholders," says CEO Rufus Radcliffe. The firm maintains its full-year guidance for GBP165 million to GBP180 million in revenue, with an around 7% adjusted operating margin. This would be down 12% at worst from GBP188.0 million in 2024.
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By Emily Parsons, Alliance News reporter
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