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Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

FTSE 100 movers: Next tumbles on cautious outlook, Centrica goes ex-div

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was 0.1% higher at 9,214.84 in afternoon trade on Thursday. Next tumbled as the high street retailer posted a surge in earnings, boosted by bumper international sales, sunny weather and disruption at Marks & Spencer, but sounded a cautious note on the outlook.

Total group sales, which include discounted items, rose 10.3% in the six months to July 2025, to £3.2bn, while pre-tax profits rallied 13.8% at £515m. Full-price sales were up 10.9%.

The fashion and homewares retailer said it had enjoyed an especially strong second quarter.

In the UK - where it has around 460 stores - it benefited from both warm summer weather and disruption at rival M&S, which was hit by a major cyberattack.

International trading was also strong. Total international sales surged 28% in the first half, compared to an 8% uplift domestically.

However, looking to current trading, and Next forecast group sales would slow in the coming months.

It expects sales growth of 4.5% in the second half, putting it on track to grow sales by 7.5% over the whole year.

British Gas owner Centrica also fell as it traded without entitlement to the dividend.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Relx plc (REL) 3,561.00p 3.22% Halma (HLMA) 3,364.00p 2.81% Experian (EXPN) 3,854.00p 2.04% Prudential (PRU) 1,039.00p 1.86% Informa (INF) 930.80p 1.68% ICG (ICG) 2,300.00p 1.68% 3i Group (III) 3,894.00p 1.64% The Sage Group (SGE) 1,102.00p 1.52% Barratt Redrow (BTRW) 378.60p 1.50% Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust (SMT) 1,127.50p 1.44%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Next (NXT) 11,555.00p -3.71% WPP (WPP) 381.30p -2.21% Admiral Group (ADM) 3,288.00p -1.97% Centrica (CNA) 166.15p -1.80% Vodafone Group (VOD) 84.56p -1.74% Mondi (MNDI) 992.40p -1.74% Tesco (TSCO) 432.30p -1.68% United Utilities Group (UU.) 1,131.50p -1.57% Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 318.80p -1.54% Severn Trent (SVT) 2,526.00p -1.25%

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Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

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