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FTSE 100 movers: Next rallies on guidance upgrade; Croda hit

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was up 0.6% at 7,368.30 in afternoon trade on Wednesday. Next was the standout gainer on the index after the retailer boosted its full-year guidance as third-quarter trading beat internal expectations. The fashion retailer said full-price sales in the three months to 28 October rose 4% year-on-year, £23m ahead of earlier guidance for 2% growth.

Next increased its full-year guidance for pre-tax profits by £10m, to £885m. It also upped its forecast for full-year sales, which are now expected to be 3.1% stronger at £4.74bn on the assumption full-price sales remain 2% higher for the rest of the year. Next previously forecast full-year sales growth of 2.6%.

Marks & Spencer also gained.

GSK was under the cosh despite lifting its full-year profit outlook. It now expects turnover to increase by 12% to 13%, up from previous guidance of 8% to 10%, and adjusted operating profit growth of 13% to 15%, up from 11% to 13%. Adjusted earnings per share are set to grow between 17% and 20%, versus previous guidance of 14% to 17%.

Chemicals company Croda International also lost ground after US cosmetics brand Estee Lauder - which it supplies - cut its full-year forecasts, pointing in part to a slower-than-expected recovery in China.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Next (NXT) 7,164.00p 4.07% Melrose Industries (MRO) 485.60p 3.98% Airtel Africa (AAF) 117.50p 3.71% Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 224.10p 3.37% Centrica (CNA) 162.40p 3.24% Unite Group (UTG) 888.00p 2.25% InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 5,940.00p 2.24% 3i Group (III) 1,977.50p 2.22% CRH (CDI) (CRH) 4,519.00p 2.22% Associated British Foods (ABF) 2,069.00p 2.12%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Croda International (CRDA) 4,274.00p -2.38% IMI (IMI) 1,436.00p -1.98% Endeavour Mining (EDV) 1,667.00p -1.94% JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 125.05p -1.92% GSK (GSK) 1,429.80p -1.89% Intertek Group (ITRK) 3,773.00p -1.31% Standard Chartered (STAN) 622.00p -1.27% Barclays (BARC) 130.38p -0.93% Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 109.80p -0.90% Rightmove (RMV) 469.60p -0.72%

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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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