FTSE 100 movers: Croda boosted by upgrade; BP gushes lower

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was down 0.2% at 10,363.02 in afternoon trade on Tuesday. Croda shot to the top of the index after JPMorgan reiterated its 'overweight' rating on the shares and hiked the price target to 4,000p from 3,600p.

The bank said its bullish stance on Croda was based on the fact that the earnings downgrade cycle is behind us and on expectations that sharpening company execution will drive better organic growth from recent significant organic and inorganic growth investments.

JPM also said that market pessimism on fundamentals appears excessive and that improving earnings growth delivery leaves some room for a re-rating given.

Coca-Cola HBC fizzed higher after it said reported revenue grew 7.9% in 2025, driven by strong organic growth.

Persimmon, Berkeley and Barratt Redrow were all up as FTSE 250 peer Bellway said it was on track to meet its full-year completions guidance as it hailed a "robust" first-half performance in a "challenging" market. It also highlighted "clear signs" of improving customer demand in the early weeks of the current spring selling season.

Burberry was in fashion after quarterly sales at Gucci owner Kering beat expectations.

Standard Chartered slumped as it announced the surprise departure of chief financial officer Diego De Giorgi and named Peter Burrill as interim group CFO. De Giorgi is stepping down with immediate effect to join Apollo as a partner and head of EMEA.

BP gushed lower after the oil giant said it was putting its share buyback programme on hold. BP posted underlying replacement cost (RC) profit of $1.5bn in the fourth quarter, down sharply on the previous three months but up 32% year-on-year and largely in line with expectations.

Barclays fell even as it lifted performance targets after annual profits jumped 13% as it also unveiled a new £1bn buyback.

Pre-tax profit came in at £9.1bn, with group income up 9% to £29.1bn also boosted by the acquisition of Tesco Bank. Barclays is now aiming for a return on tangible equity of more than 14% in 2028 and capital distributions of greater than £15bn in the next two years.

Dan Coatsworth at AJ Bell said: "Barclays has outlined near and medium-term targets which imply stronger returns and big share buybacks. The targets sound impressive, but the market seems nonplussed by the overall package.

"There wasn't enough to blow the lights out in terms of recent performance, and so much good news is already in the price."

FTSE 100 - Risers

Croda International (CRDA) 3,098.00p 5.88% Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 4,480.00p 4.72% Spirax Group (SPX) 7,735.00p 2.25% Persimmon (PSN) 1,428.00p 2.07% Kingfisher (KGF) 353.30p 2.05% Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 4,194.00p 1.99% Barratt Redrow (BTRW) 382.60p 1.92% Severn Trent (SVT) 3,001.00p 1.83% Diageo (DGE) 1,786.50p 1.77% Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,195.50p 1.70%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) 7,034.00p -6.49% Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,357.00p -5.04% Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,819.50p -4.19% BP (BP.) 459.85p -3.73% Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,450.00p -3.59% Antofagasta (ANTO) 3,723.00p -2.49% Aviva (AV.) 628.40p -2.42% Experian (EXPN) 2,441.00p -2.40% International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 437.90p -2.36% Barclays (BARC) 478.00p -1.76%