FTSE 250 movers: WH Smith tanks; Domino's surges

(Sharecast News) - FTSE 250 (MCX) 22,765.46 -0.90% Travel outlet retailer WH Smith cut its full-year profit forecast and suspended its dividend, citing the impact of the Iran war on flight schedules to the Middle East, sending shares in the company down as much as 17% in morning trade on Thursday.

The group now expects to deliver full-year headline group profit before tax and non-underlying items of £90m - £105m compared with previous estimates of £100m - £115m. Half year profits on the same basis fell to £3m from £21m with its UK operations hit by inflation and the cost of refurbishing airport stores.

WH Smith, which sold off its UK high street business last summer, took the decisions as more airlines cancel flights to save jet fuel as stocks come under strain across Asia and Europe due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of the world's oil is shipped.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals reiterated full-year guidance on Thursday, despite a rise in costs following the outbreak of war in the Middle East.

Updating on first-quarter trading, the blue chip said all three of its business divisions - injectables, branded and Hikma Rx - were "performing well", with good demand across markets and portfolios.

UK-based master franchise Domino's Pizza Group said on Thursday that Q1 trading had marked "an encouraging start to the year", with year-on-year growth across total system sales, like‑for‑like sales and orders.

Ahead of its annual general meeting, Dominos said total system sales rose 5.8%, including like‑for‑like growth of 4.5%, while total orders increased 2.3%, with like‑for‑like orders up 0.9%.

Man Group reported assets under management of $228.7bn as at 31 March on Thursday, up from $227.6bn at the end of December, as positive investment performance more than offset net outflows in the first quarter, while the alternative investment manager also separately corrected previously disclosed ESG-integrated AUM figures in its 2025 annual report.

The FTSE 250 group said total AUM rose by $1.1bn over the quarter, with $3.1bn of investment gains offsetting net outflows of $1.6bn and a $0.4bn negative impact from other movements.

FTSE 250 - Risers

Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 199.20p 8.78% Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,400.00p 5.90% Applied Nutrition (APN) 224.25p 2.16% Ithaca Energy (ITH) 269.40p 1.74% Energean (ENOG) 864.00p 1.71% Diversified Energy Company (DI) (DEC) 1,152.00p 1.59% W.A.G Payment Solutions (EWG) 120.40p 1.52% Gamma Communications (GAMA) 953.40p 1.43% Telecom Plus (TEP) 1,426.00p 1.28% Hilton Food Group (HFG) 541.50p 1.21%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

WH Smith (SMWH) 583.50p -7.16% Man Group (EMG) 247.00p -6.72% Ocado Group (OCDO) 204.90p -5.70% Ceres Power Holdings (CWR) 458.80p -4.62% Twentyfour Income Fund Limited Ord Red (TFIF) 106.40p -4.14% Kainos Group (KNOS) 848.50p -4.12% GB Group (GBG) 210.30p -3.66% Dr. Martens (DOCS) 66.00p -3.65% Derwent London (DLN) 1,722.00p -3.64% AJ Bell (AJB) 535.50p -3.43%