FTSE 100 movers: CRH gains on results; WPP in the red

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was down 0.8% at 9,092.05 in afternoon trade on Thursday. CRH was the standout gainer on the index as it lifted its financial guidance for 2025, noting that underlying demand in its key end-use markets remains positive.

InterContinental Hotels rallied as it posted a 34.1% jump in first-half pre-tax profit and said it remains on track to meet full-year consensus profit and earnings expectations.

Flutter Entertainment advanced following well-received results from US sports betting firm DraftKings.

Halma rose after Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on the stock with a 'buy' rating and 3,740p price target as it said its analysis demonstrates the sustainability of the company's high-growth, high-returns model.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals tumbled after reporting a 7% drop in first-half core operating profit and cutting the outlook for the operating margin in its injectables segment.

BAE Systems and Babcock were both weaker after German defence firm Rheinmetall's second-quarter results fell short of estimates.

WPP fell as the advertising agency reported a slump in half-year earnings as clients spent less and the use of artificial intelligence hit the bottom line. Operating profit fell 48% to £221m on the back of a 7.8% decline in revenue to £6.6bn.

BT Group fell as it traded without entitlement to the dividend.

FTSE 100 - Risers

CRH (CDI) (CRH) 7,898.00p 7.37% InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 9,314.00p 7.30% Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 3,764.00p 3.07% Flutter Entertainment (DI) (FLTR) 23,480.00p 2.89% Halma (HLMA) 3,312.00p 2.48% easyJet (EZJ) 502.60p 1.78% Spirax Group (SPX) 6,170.00p 1.73% Smith & Nephew (SN.) 1,355.50p 1.35% Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,993.00p 1.30% Bunzl (BNZL) 2,276.00p 1.25%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,745.00p -7.38% BAE Systems (BA.) 1,756.50p -5.46% Babcock International Group (BAB) 954.00p -5.17% BT Group (BT.A) 204.30p -3.68% Vodafone Group (VOD) 82.32p -3.65% WPP (WPP) 389.30p -3.18% Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 325.90p -2.72% Next (NXT) 11,820.00p -2.52% St James's Place (STJ) 1,318.00p -2.37% Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,347.00p -2.32%