FTSE 100 movers: Halma jumps on results; Entain, NatWest go ex-div

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was down 0.2% at 8,524.47 in afternoon trade on Thursday. Entain and NatWest were both weaker as they traded without entitlement to the dividend.

Halma jumped after saying it expects an adjusted EBIT margin modestly above 21% for the full year to March 2025, compared to prior guidance of around 21%.

Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Halma, a FTSE 100 leader in life-saving technologies, has delivered yet another robust trading update, putting it firmly on course for an impressive 22nd consecutive year of record profits.

"Despite navigating tricky economic and geopolitical conditions, Halma's resilient business model and agile operations mean margins are better than expected, and that should mean profit expectations for the year can tick higher.

"In today's volatile environment, steady and dependable businesses like Halma - while not always headline-grabbing - offer investors an attractive blend of quality and reliability when it's needed the most."

FTSE 100 - Risers

Vodafone Group (VOD) 72.66p 3.71% Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,791.00p 1.85% Halma (HLMA) 2,687.00p 1.78% Airtel Africa (AAF) 149.40p 1.70% AstraZeneca (AZN) 11,842.00p 1.65% Imperial Brands (IMB) 2,779.00p 1.53% Shell (SHEL) 2,605.00p 1.42% BT Group (BT.A) 154.75p 1.31% Aviva (AV.) 545.20p 1.23% Rentokil Initial (RTO) 323.20p 1.00%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Entain (ENT) 627.80p -3.27% Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 3,364.00p -3.22% Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,114.00p -3.05% Melrose Industries (MRO) 502.80p -2.93% Diploma (DPLM) 3,956.00p -2.80% NATWEST GROUP (NWG) 434.60p -2.58% Intertek Group (ITRK) 4,868.00p -2.52% Croda International (CRDA) 3,102.00p -2.51% Persimmon (PSN) 1,164.00p -2.51% Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 2,020.00p -2.51%