Director dealings: Next CEO sells shares after guidance upgrade

(Sharecast News) - Next chief executive Simon Wolfson, also known as Lord Wolfson of Aspley Guise, sold 20,272 shares in the retailer at 15,688.57p each for just over £3.1m. Earlier this week, Next shares surged as the clothing and homeware retailer lifted profit guidance again after second-quarter full-price sales smashed estimates due to the hotter summer and the release of pent‑up demand in the Middle East and Northern Europe.

Next said on Wednesday that it now expects pre‑tax profit of £1.24bn for 2026/27, an increase of £25m from its prior forecast in March, which itself was an upgrade from January.

It said the latest increase reflected the benefit of £70m in additional full‑price sales during Q2, which boosted profit by £15m, alongside a £10m uplift from stronger‑than‑expected returns on its equity investments.

Top Director Buys

Shuka Minerals (SKA) Director name: Lloyd,Richard Amount purchased: 356,913 @ 280.00p Value: £999,356.38

Shuka Minerals (SKA) Director name: Lloyd,Richard Amount purchased: 360,000 @ 277.00p Value: £997,199.99

Convatec Group (CTEC) Director name: Hestler,Tobias Amount purchased: 50,000 @ 225.80p Value: £112,899.99

Cvc Income & Growth Limited Npv Euro (CVCE) Director name: Neill,Vanessa Amount purchased: 9,940 @ 120.18p Value: £13,259.54

Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (cdi) (GTE) Director name: Guidry,Gary Amount purchased: 582 @ $7.12 Value: $3,417.04

Zegona Communications (ZEG) Director name: Pennington,Timothy Amount purchased: 6,588 @ 15.20p Value: £1,001.38

Top Director Sells

Next (NXT) Director name: Aspley Guise,Wolfson Amount sold: 149,728 @ $157.04 Value: $19,389,385.68

Next (NXT) Director name: Aspley Guise,Wolfson Amount sold: 20,272 @ 15,688.57p Value: £3,180,385.91

Croda International (CRDA) Director name: Oxley,Stephen Amount sold: 1,339 @ 3,214.00p Value: £43,035.46