FTSE 100 movers: JD Sports surges on broker note; Taylor Wimpey hit by downgrade
London's FTSE 100 was flat at 8,244.41 in afternoon trade on Tuesday.
JD Sports was the top gainer on the index after Bank of America Merrill Lynch reinstated coverage of the stock at 'buy' with a 165p price target, citing a "compelling" valuation and upside of around 70%.
Next was a high riser as the clothing retailer lifted full-year guidance after better-than-expected December sales but warned UK growth is likely to slow, as employer tax increases, and their potential impact on prices and employment, begin to filter through into the economy.
Full-year guidance for the 12 months to January was lifted by £5m to £1.01bn after underlying full-price sales rose by 5.7% against expectations of a 3.5% increase. For 2026, Next anticipates full-price sales growth of 3.5% and profit before tax of £1.046bn, up 3.6%.
3i Group advanced after Citi opened an "upside catalyst watch" on the buy-rated shares in a note on diversified financials.
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey was in the red after a downgrade to 'equalweight' at Barclays.
Rival Persimmon was also weaker, with the sector more broadly hit after data from Halifax showed that house prices dipped in December for the first time since March.
Paper and packaging group Mondi was knocked lower by a downgrade to 'neutral' at BNPP Exane.
FTSE 100 - Risers
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 102.35p 4.50%
Next (NXT) 9,912.00p 3.75%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 302.00p 1.82%
Entain (ENT) 702.40p 1.39%
Shell (SHEL) 2,612.50p 1.36%
3i Group (III) 3,670.00p 1.33%
Sage Group (SGE) 1,307.00p 1.24%
Halma (HLMA) 2,735.00p 1.18%
Pearson (PSON) 1,302.50p 1.13%
Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 796.20p 1.12%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 116.20p -3.13%
WPP (WPP) 767.20p -2.94%
NATWEST GROUP (NWG) 398.50p -2.73%
Barclays (BARC) 266.65p -2.25%
Persimmon (PSN) 1,137.50p -2.07%
Smurfit Westrock (DI) (SWR) 4,181.00p -1.90%
Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 272.20p -1.80%
Standard Chartered (STAN) 987.00p -1.69%
Mondi (MNDI) 1,154.50p -1.62%
CRH (CDI) (CRH) 7,424.00p -1.49%
Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest
The information, investment views and recommendations in this article are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this article should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engaging in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the writer but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. Vox Markets may receive payment from companies mentioned for enhanced profiling or publication presence. The writer may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.