London’s FTSE 100 was up 0.1% at 7,308.92 in afternoon trade on Tuesday.
Associated British Foods gained after it reported a jump in full-year sales and profits despite surging input cost inflation, following a bumper performance at its budget fashion brand Primark.
Retailers in general got a boost, with B&M and Frasers Group also up.
Soft drinks bottler Coca-Cola HBC was trading higher after it raised full-year earnings guidance as it reported a boost to revenue from rising prices in the third quarter.
Sales, marketing and support services group DCC slid even as it posted a rise in first-half profit and revenue.
Persimmon slumped as it warned of fewer completions and a hit to margins from falling house prices amid the cost-of-living crisis. The company said cancellation rates had risen to 28% from 21% in the last six weeks after the government’s disastrous mini budget – which saw thousands of mortgage offers pulled from the market – and rising interest rates.
Admiral fell after FTSE 250 peer Direct Line reported a dip in gross written premiums as it pointed to a challenging market backdrop for the motor and home segments.
FTSE 100 – Risers
B&M European Value Retail S.A. (DI) (BME) 370.40p 3.75%
Associated British Foods (ABF) 1,478.50p 3.50%
Frasers Group (FRAS) 726.50p 2.90%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 1,979.00p 2.78%
Experian (EXPN) 2,756.00p 2.34%
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 42.98p 2.30%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,992.50p 2.23%
National Grid (NG.) 976.60p 2.18%
Rentokil Initial (RTO) 538.80p 2.12%
Centrica (CNA) 78.24p 2.11%
FTSE 100 – Fallers
DCC (CDI) (DCC) 4,655.00p -5.85%
Persimmon (PSN) 1,254.50p -5.18%
Admiral Group (ADM) 1,909.50p -3.78%
Harbour Energy (HBR) 394.20p -3.19%
Shell (SHEL) 2,452.50p -1.94%
RS Group (RS1) 878.00p -1.68%
BP (BP.) 493.65p -1.62%
Glencore (GLEN) 526.70p -1.00%
M&G (MNG) 177.45p -0.81%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 122.95p -0.81%
