31st Jul 2026 10:53
(Alliance News) - The following are the leading risers and fallers among FTSE 100 and 250 index constituents on Friday.
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FTSE 100 winners
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Polar Capital Technology Trust PLC, up 4.5% at 639.0p, boosted by sharp rises in portfolio holdings
NatWest Group PLC, up 4.1% at 711.5p, beats consensus in second quarter, and eyes earlier buyback resumption
BAE Systems PLC, up 3.8% at 2,128.0p
J Sainsbury PLC, up 3.4% at 367.8p, announces deal to sell Argos
Anglo American PLC, up 3.4% at 3,853.0p
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FTSE 100 losers
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IG Group Holdings PLC, down 8.9% at 1,555.0p, half-year profit falls and makes acquisition
Melrose Industries PLC, down 2.3% at 464.1p
Entain PLC, down 2.3% at 537.8p
Vodafone Group PLC, down 2.1% at 116.95p
BT Group PLC, down 1.9% at 200.1p
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FTSE 250 winners
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Ceres Power Holdings PLC, up 9.3% at 379.3p, partner Doosan Fuel Cell Co Ltd jumps 30% in Seoul
AEP Plantations PLC, up 7.6% at 184.0p
Pacific Horizon Investment Trust PLC, up 7.1% at 1,073.0p, investees Samsung and SK Hynix jump
Fidelity Emerging Markets Ltd, up 5.0% at 1,413.0p, also holds stakes in Asian tech shares
Templeton Emerging Markets Investment Trust PLC, up 4.5% at 311.0p, its holdings also include Samsung and SK Hynix
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FTSE 250 losers
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Greggs PLC, down 5.0% at 1,930.5p, RBC cuts to 'sector perform' from 'outperform'
Taylor Wimpey PLC, down 4.6% at 79.2p, cuts dividend
Helios Towers PLC, down 2.7% at 199.3p
Plus500 Ltd, down 2.4% at 4,001.0p
Hays PLC, down 2.3% at 58.925p
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FTSE 100 & 250 movers in focus:
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IG Group Holdings PLC, down 8.9% at 1,555.0p, 12-month range 1,016.00p-1,956.00p. The London-based online trading platform's total revenue for the first six months of 2026 increases 18% to GBP642.8 million from GBP545.2 million a year prior, it said after the market close on Thursday. Pretax profit falls 6.8%, however, to GBP227.7 million from GBP244.3 million. In addition, IG agrees to acquire US fantasy sports and prediction markets operator Underdog for around USD1.3 billion.
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Pacific Horizon Investment Trust PLC, up 7.1% at 1,073.0p, 12-month range 638.00p-1,262.00p. The trust counts Samsung Electronics Co and SK Hynix Inc among its investees. The duo added 27% and 30% on Friday, as equities in Seoul recover from chip sector strife earlier in the week. The wider Kospi surges 18% on Friday, and loses just 1.4% over the course of the week, recovering after falls of 11% and 6.0% on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Taylor Wimpey PLC, down 4.6% at 79.2p, 12-month range 74.10p-116.93p. The housebuilder cuts its dividend amid a "backdrop of continuing market uncertainty". "The board has reviewed the level of cash returns and deemed it prudent to revise our distribution policy to preserve balance sheet strength, retain financial flexibility and support our commitment to optimising shareholder returns through the cycle," it adds. It announces a 1.20p per share half-year dividend, cut from 4.67p a year prior.
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NatWest Group PLC, up 4.1% at 711.5p, 12-month range 500.20p-713.60p. The lender reports a second quarter earnings beat, lifts its guidance and announced it will "consider share-buybacks from full year 2026, six months earlier than previously planned". It now expects annual total income excluding notable items to be around GBP17.9 billion, including around GBP275 million relating to Evelyn Partners. It previously expected total income at the top end of a GBP17.2 billion to GBP17.6 billion range. It "will consider share-buybacks from full year 2026, six months earlier than previously planned". It previously expected its next share buyback announcement to be at its half-year results in 2027. NatWest shares are at roughly an 18-year high.
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J Sainsbury PLC, up 3.4% at 367.8p, 12-month range 291.20p-380.30p. Sainsbury's has agreed to sell its Argos, leaving the grocer able to "fully focus on its core food business". The London-based grocer is divesting the brand, which includes its homeware offering, to Swift Partners. It expects proceeds of GBP120 million, well below the GBP1.2 billion Sainsbury's had paid for Argos back in 2016. The deal is expected to complete in February 2027, with a full separation expected two years later.
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By Eric Cunha, Alliance News news editor
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Related Shares:
Polar Capital Technology TrustBAE SystemsSainsbury'sNatwestAnglo AmericanIGVodafoneBTMelroseEntainTempleton Emerging MarketsPacific HorizonFidelity E.m.ldAnglo-Eastern PlantationsCeres PowerGreggsTaylor WimpeyHelios TowersPlus500Hays