Investment accounts
Adult accounts
Child accounts
Choosing Fidelity
Choosing Fidelity
Why invest with us Current offers Fees and charges Open an account Transfer investments
Financial advice & support
Fidelity’s Services
Fidelity’s Services
Financial advice Retirement Wealth Management Investor Centre (London) Bereavement
Guides
Guidance and tools
Shares
Share dealing
Choose your shares
Tools and information
Tools and information
Share prices and markets Chart and compare shares Stock market news Shareholder perks Stock plan guidance
Pensions & retirement
Pensions, tax & tools
Saving for retirement
Approaching / In retirement
Approaching / In retirement
Speak to a specialist Creating a retirement plan Taking tax-free cash Pension drawdown Annuities Investing in retirement Investment Pathways
FTSE 100 movers: Pharma, telecoms stocks weigh on blue-chip index
(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was set to finish lower on Wednesday for the first time in four weeks, with heavyweight names in the pharmaceutical and telecoms sectors providing a drag.
Shares in GSK and AstraZeneca came under pressure after vaccine-sceptic Vinay Prasad was appointed to a key role at the US Food and Drug Administration. GSK was down 4.2% while AstraZeneca fell 1.8%
Prasad, an oncologist who has been vocal in his criticism of the FDA's leadership as well as Covid-19 mandates, will oversee the regulation of costly biologic drugs, including vaccines, gene therapies and blood supply, and is widely expected to tighten up vaccine approvals, likely leading to much longer approval timelines for new drugs.
Vodafone was trading 2% lower after revealing that its finance chief announced his decision to step down to join another company. Luke Mucic was to leave the telecoms operator no later than "early 2026" to join German real estate firm Vonovia. Sector peer BT was also among the worst performers.
In contrast, Entain continued its recent march higher to top the risers list with a gain of 2%. The stock has surged by 40% over the past month, helped by last week's appointment of interim boss Stella David as its permanent CEO and the announcement of a stronger-than-expected first-quarter performance.
Marks & Spencer was attempting to rebound, up 1% after hitting a one-month low the previous session as operations continued to be impacted by last month's cyberattack. While the retailer still has a pause on taking orders via the M&S.com website, apps and over the phone, the shares have tanked more than 12% over the past three weeks.
Defence blue chip BAE Systems fell 2.3% despite reaffirming its full-year 2025 guidance following a steady first quarter as it highlighted strong operational performance and a robust order backlog.
FTSE 100 - Risers
Entain (ENT) 702.40p 2.12% Prudential (PRU) 830.40p 1.89% Smurfit Westrock (DI) (SWR) 2,995.00p 1.42% Imperial Brands (IMB) 3,165.00p 1.41% Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 363.80p 1.00% International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 284.40p 0.99% Ashtead Group (AHT) 4,069.00p 0.97% Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,149.00p 0.97% Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 72.30p 0.95% InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 8,506.00p 0.90%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
GSK (GSK) 1,389.00p -4.21% Rentokil Initial (RTO) 353.00p -2.35% SEGRO (SGRO) 672.40p -2.32% BAE Systems (BA.) 1,730.00p -2.29% BT Group (BT.A) 165.70p -2.18% Vodafone Group (VOD) 71.52p -2.00% Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,686.00p -1.86% AstraZeneca (AZN) 10,510.00p -1.78% 3i Group (III) 4,225.00p -1.70% LondonMetric Property (LMP) 193.10p -1.63%
Share this article
Related Sharecast Articles
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.
Award-winning online share dealing
Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.
Expert insights into investing your money
Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.
Policies and important information
Accessibility | Conflicts of interest statement | Consumer Duty Target Market | Consumer Duty Value Assessment Statement | Cookie policy | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Reports | Doing Business with Fidelity | Investing in Fidelity funds | Legal information | Modern slavery | Mutual respect policy | Privacy statement | Remuneration policy | Staying secure | Statutory and Regulatory disclosures | Whistleblowing programme
Please remember that past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance, the performance of investments is not guaranteed, and the value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you may get back less than you invest. When investments have particular tax features, these will depend on your personal circumstances and tax rules may change in the future. This website does not contain any personal recommendations for a particular course of action, service or product. You should regularly review your investment objectives and choices and, if you are unsure whether an investment is suitable for you, you should contact an authorised financial adviser. Before opening an account, please read the ‘Doing Business with Fidelity’ document which incorporates our client terms. Prior to investing into a fund, please read the relevant key information document which contains important information about the fund.
This website is issued by Financial Administration Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (FCA Register number 122169) and registered in England and Wales under company number 1629709 whose registered address is Beech Gate, Millfield Lane, Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 6RP.
