FTSE 100 movers: Sainsbury's boosted by upgrades; AB Foods goes ex-div

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was 0.3% higher at 9,685.72 in afternoon trade on Thursday. Equipment rental firm Ashtead, which has significant exposure to the US, was the top riser on the index.

Sainsbury's was among the gainers after an upgrade to 'buy' from 'neutral' at Citi, which lifted the price target to 349p from 333p. The upgrade was part of a broader note on European retail and brands.

Shares of the supermarket retailer were also boosted by an upgrade to 'outperform' at BNP Paribas.

Labdrokes owner Entain fell as it said its chief financial officer was set to step down after 13 years with the gambling and gaming group.

Rob Wood, who is also deputy chief executive, will leave in March 2026. He is being replaced by Michael Snape, chief financial officer at International Distribution Services.

He will join as chief financial officer designate in February, before taking up the role officially on 6 March.

Primark owner AB Foods was also in the red as it traded without entitlement to the dividend.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Ashtead Group (AHT) 4,959.00p 3.64% Smurfit Westrock (DI) (SWR) 2,773.00p 2.86% Convatec Group (CTEC) 231.40p 2.39% WPP (WPP) 325.20p 2.23% Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 3,776.00p 2.16% Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 323.60p 2.08% Metlen Energy & Metals (MTLN) 41.92p 2.01% Weir Group (WEIR) 2,952.00p 1.93% Pearson (PSON) 1,043.50p 1.85% Diageo (DGE) 1,631.50p 1.84%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Entain (ENT) 739.00p -2.74% Informa (INF) 909.80p -2.13% Associated British Foods (ABF) 2,093.00p -1.74% The Sage Group (SGE) 1,057.50p -1.40% Centrica (CNA) 165.25p -1.34% Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 593.40p -0.97% Severn Trent (SVT) 2,686.00p -0.92% Smith & Nephew (SN.) 1,237.50p -0.92% Games Workshop Group (GAW) 19,490.00p -0.92% Next (NXT) 13,465.00p -0.85%