FTSE 100 movers: AstraZeneca surges on results; Halma hit by downgrade

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was up 1.4% at 8,741.47 in afternoon trade on Thursday. AstraZeneca was the standout gainer as it posted forecast-beating numbers, fuelled by strong demand for its cancer and cardiometabolic drugs.

The blue chip said 2024 revenues jumped 21% to $54.1bn on a constant currency basis, ahead of guidance for high-teens growth.

Within that, oncology revenues improved 24% to $22.4bn, while sales in its CVRM (cardiovascular, renal and metabolism) unit rose 20% to $12.5bn.

Oncology accounts for around 43% of AstraZeneca's total sales.

Core earnings per share rose 19% to $8.21, while pre-tax profits spiked 38% to $8.7bn.

Anglo American was also in the black after a fourth-quarter production report.

Halma was weaker after a downgrade to 'reduce' by HSBC, while Weir Group was knocked lower by a downgrade to 'neutral' by BNP Paribas Exane.

Engineering firm IMI fell after saying it had been hit by a cyber attack on its computer systems.

Catering giant Compass lost ground as it reported a 9.2% increase in organic revenues in the first quarter but warned that, if current foreign exchange rates persist for the remainder of the year, they would have a $558m negative impact on revenues, compared with a hit of just $69m last year.



FTSE 100 - Risers

AstraZeneca (AZN) 11,948.00p 7.39% Anglo American (AAL) 2,478.00p 6.26% Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,795.50p 5.93% Prudential (PRU) 681.00p 3.97% CRH (CDI) (CRH) 8,238.00p 3.67% Barclays (BARC) 305.10p 3.32% Rio Tinto (RIO) 5,061.00p 3.29% Beazley (BEZ) 862.50p 3.11% Schroders (SDR) 373.80p 3.03% Glencore (GLEN) 358.25p 2.89%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) 11,760.00p -2.77% Halma (HLMA) 2,878.00p -2.11% Weir Group (WEIR) 2,312.00p -1.95% IMI (IMI) 1,930.00p -1.68% Compass Group (CPG) 2,744.00p -1.65% Experian (EXPN) 3,934.00p -1.40% BAE Systems (BA.) 1,193.50p -1.20% Pearson (PSON) 1,336.50p -1.15% Airtel Africa (AAF) 144.50p -1.03% Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 596.60p -0.86%%