31st Mar 2026 10:18
(Alliance News) - The following are the leading risers and fallers among FTSE 100 and 250 index constituents on Tuesday.
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FTSE 100 winners
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Antofagasta PLC, up 3.0% at 3,254.5 pence, miners rise on Middle East peace optimism
Fresnillo PLC, up 2.4% at 3,249p, gold price rises
JD Sports Fashion PLC, up 2.3% at 69.63p, risk-on trade lifts retail
Barratt Redrow PLC, up 2.2% at 262.55p, peace could ease fear of higher interest rates
Associated British Foods PLC, up 2.1% at 1,887.75p
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FTSE 100 losers
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Airtel Africa PLC, down 0.8% at 345.2p
Games Workshop Group PLC, down 0.6% at 1,7780p
BP PLC, down 0.3% at 600p, oil prices lower
Polar Capital Technology Trust PLC, down 0.3% at 475p
Shell PLC, down 0.3% at 3,544p, oil prices lower
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FTSE 250 winners
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Raspberry Pi Holdings PLC, up 26% at 368p, improved annual earnings and positive 2026 guidance
AG Barr PLC, up 7.3% at 662p, ups payout as profit rises
Ashmore Group PLC, up 5.8% at 209.5p, strikes deal with Japan Post Insurance Co Ltd
Pets at Home Group PLC, up 4.4% at 186.3p, says turnaround plan is progressing
Close Brothers Group PLC, up 3.4% at 394.6p, UK motor finance redress not as bad as once feared
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FTSE 250 losers
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Kier Group PLC, down 2.1% at 190.1p
Ithaca Energy PLC, down 1.9% at 249.75p
Templeton Emerging Markets Investment Trust PLC, down 1.7% at 243.25p
Wizz Air Holding PLC, down 1.6% at 852.25p
Pacific Horizon Investment Trust PLC, down 1.6% at 848.5p
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FTSE 100 & 250 movers in focus:
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Raspberry Pi Holdings, up 26% at 368p, 12-month range 253.80p-558.00p. The low-cost computing firm says pretax profit rises 63% to USD26.5 million in 2025, with adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation up 25% to USD46.4 million. Revenue also rises by a quarter to USD323.2 million, it says. "2025 was a year of strong execution for Raspberry Pi, with accelerating demand across our global markets and adjusted Ebitda ahead of expectations. We also passed an important milestone as semiconductor shipments exceeded those of our boards and modules for the first time, reflecting our progress towards a two-franchise business," Chief Executive Officer Eben Upton says. "We have entered FY 2026 with strong momentum, underpinned by growing demand and continued progress in direct customer engagements." The firm was among a handful of Main Market floats in 2024, pricing its initial public offering at 280p per share.
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Ashmore Group up 5.8% at 209.5p, 12-month range 122.10p-276.54p. The emerging market-focused investment manager strikes a deal with Japan Post, which will see the life insurer invest a further "USD1 billion into a range of Ashmore managed emerging market funds". These are in addition to Japan Post assets currently under management by Ashmore. "Ashmore will be Japan Post Insurance's strategic partner in emerging market asset classes, providing investment strategies that meet JPI's investment and risk objectives, with the potential for longer-term collaboration and additional capital allocations over time. Under the terms of the partnership, it is envisaged that Japan Post Insurance will acquire up to a 2.9% equity stake in Ashmore through open-market purchases," Ashmore says.
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Ithaca Energy PLC, down 1.9% at 249.75p, 12-month range 120.00p-288.50p. Brent oil is quoted at USD106.93 a barrel early in London on Tuesday, down from USD112.46 late Monday. Oil prices are hurt by a Wall Street Journal report suggesting US President Donald Trump was willing to end the Iran war even if the Strait of Hormuz stayed closed. The WSJ cited "administration officials". Ithaca shares have risen some 10% since the conflict began. Brent was priced around USD73 a barrel before the US and Israel attacked Iran a month ago.
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JD Wetherspoon PLC, down 1.7% at 567.00 pence, 12-month range 530.50p-814.50p. Barclays double downgrades the pub operator to 'underweight' from 'overweight', slashing its price target to 540p from 825p. On March 20, the FTSE 250 listing warned annual profit could fall short of the market view. Shares have fallen some 10% since.
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Lloyds Banking Group PLC, up 0.9% at 92.06 pence, 12-month range 60.78p-114.60p. The lender says the UK Financial Conduct Authority's motor finance redress plans differ "from the scheme as laid out in October 2025 and require careful analysis". "Accordingly, the group is assessing the implications and impact of the final rules," it adds. The scheme is expected to see financial firms pay out around GBP7.5 billion in compensation between them, with total costs including administration estimated at GBP9.1 billion. This is lower than earlier projections of up to GBP11 billion. Lloyds, which owns Black Horse, had previously set aside around GBP2.00 billion. Close Brothers Group PLC, up 3.4%, has set aside GBP300 million. Late Monday, it said it was "assessing the potential implications of the redress scheme on the group".
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Unilever PLC, up 0.7% at 4,561.50 pence, 12-month range 4,452.00p-5,542.11p. The consumer goods firm may finalise a business combination with McCormick & Co Inc, the owner of the Cholula and Frank's hot sauce ranges, later Tuesday, as "advanced discussions" continue. On the table is a merger of Unilever's Foods business, excluding assets such as its business in India, with McCormick. The upfront cash consideration would be around USD15.7 billion, though the deal would be satisfied mainly through McCormick shares, Unilever says. It expects to own 65% of the enlarged company. The Financial Times earlier Tuesday reported a deal was imminent. Unilever earlier this month disclosed an inbound offer for its Food division, which includes Hellman's mayonnaise, Knorr stock cubes and Colman's mustard.
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By Eric Cunha, Alliance News news editor
Comments and questions to [email protected]
Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
AntofagastaFresnilloJD SportsBarratt RedrowAB FoodsAirtel AfricaGames WorkshopBPPolar Capital Technology TrustShellRaspberry PiBarr (A.G.)Ashmore GroupPets at homeClose BrosKierIthaca EnergyTempleton Emerging MarketsWizz AirPacific HorizonUnileverLloyds