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(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was up 0.3% at 10,907.48 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Next surged to the top of the index as it lifted profit guidance for the second time this year after second-quarter full-price sales smashed estimates due to the hotter summer and the release of pent‑up demand in the Middle East and Northern Europe.
The retailer said it now expects pre‑tax profit of £1.24bn for 2026/27, an increase of £25m from its prior forecast. The latest increase reflects the benefit of £70m in additional full‑price sales during Q2, which added £15m of profit, alongside a £10m uplift from stronger‑than‑expected returns on its equity investments.
Coca‑Cola HBC rallied as it lifted its full‑year guidance after delivering a strong first half, with operating profit rising sharply on the back of broad‑based volume growth and improved margins.
Glencore was in the black after it posted a rise in half-year earnings, mainly thanks to firmer commodity prices.
On the downside, Asia-focused Prudential, HSBC and Standard Chartered all slumped following a report that Chinese mainland tax authorities have started levying personal income tax on the returns of offshore insurance policies.
Tax lawyers and insurance insiders told Caixin that early enforcement cases in Beijing and Hangzhou show authorities applying a 20% tax rate to returns from Hong Kong policies. The levies target dividend payouts and interest earned on prepaid premiums.
HSBC was also hit by rating downgrades at Citi and Shore Capital.
FTSE 100 - Risers
Next (NXT) 15,600.00p 4.84%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 5,005.00p 4.02%
AstraZeneca (AZN) 12,128.00p 3.80%
Fresnillo (FRES) 2,713.00p 3.31%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 1,576.80p 3.24%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 4,030.00p 3.10%
Pearson (PSON) 1,260.50p 3.05%
Glencore (GLEN) 569.10p 3.05%
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (DI) (CCEP) 7,945.00p 2.97%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 493.00p 2.79%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Prudential (PRU) 1,024.50p -6.12%
HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 1,509.20p -4.62%
Metlen Energy & Metals (MTLN) 46.86p -2.33%
Entain (ENT) 537.20p -1.68%
Standard Chartered (STAN) 2,204.00p -1.60%
Croda International (CRDA) 3,285.00p -1.41%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,194.50p -1.24%
Whitbread (WTB) 2,496.00p -1.23%
Vodafone Group (VOD) 115.25p -1.11%
IG Group Holdings (IGG) 1,346.00p -1.03%
