London’s FTSE 100 was up 0.1% at 7,112.20 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Entain and Flutter were the standout gainers, closely followed by Legal & General after its first-half results.
The financial services company lifted its interim dividend as it posted a rise in first-half profit and said its performance was now “well above” pre-Covid levels.
Operating profit jumped 14% from the first half of 2020 to £1.1bn, while pre-tax profit of £1.1bn, up from £290m the year before. The company said all of its businesses delivered at least double-digit growth, with strong contributions from LGRI and LGIM.
Taylor Wimpey was also a high riser after the housebuilder upgraded annual guidance and reinstated its dividend as it swung to a first-half profit on the back of a booming housing market.
On the downside, precious metals miner Fresnillo lost its shine, having gained a day earlier on the back of its interim results.
FTSE 100 – Risers
Entain (ENT) 1,902.00p 5.52%
Flutter Entertainment (CDI) (FLTR) 12,350.00p 3.00%
Legal & General Group (LGEN) 270.80p 2.65%
Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 169.05p 2.55%
SEGRO (SGRO) 1,241.50p 1.93%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 939.60p 1.91%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 2,171.00p 1.88%
St James’s Place (STJ) 1,621.00p 1.69%
Abrdn (ABDN) 291.10p 1.53%
ITV (ITV) 114.15p 1.47%
FTSE 100 – Fallers
Pearson (PSON) 796.20p -2.35%
Fresnillo (FRES) 826.40p -1.43%
BT Group (BT.A) 172.75p -1.20%
Evraz (EVR) 608.80p -1.20%
Royal Dutch Shell ‘A’ (RDSA) 1,462.00p -1.16%
Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 2,660.00p -1.12%
Just Eat Takeaway.Com N.V. (CDI) (JET) 6,321.00p -1.10%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 1,819.50p -1.09%
Glencore (GLEN) 327.00p -0.94%
Intermediate Capital Group (ICP) 2,158.00p -0.87%
