FTSE 100 movers: Next tumbles on cautious outlook, Centrica goes ex-div

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was 0.1% higher at 9,214.84 in afternoon trade on Thursday. Next tumbled as the high street retailer posted a surge in earnings, boosted by bumper international sales, sunny weather and disruption at Marks & Spencer, but sounded a cautious note on the outlook.

Total group sales, which include discounted items, rose 10.3% in the six months to July 2025, to £3.2bn, while pre-tax profits rallied 13.8% at £515m. Full-price sales were up 10.9%.

The fashion and homewares retailer said it had enjoyed an especially strong second quarter.

In the UK - where it has around 460 stores - it benefited from both warm summer weather and disruption at rival M&S, which was hit by a major cyberattack.

International trading was also strong. Total international sales surged 28% in the first half, compared to an 8% uplift domestically.

However, looking to current trading, and Next forecast group sales would slow in the coming months.

It expects sales growth of 4.5% in the second half, putting it on track to grow sales by 7.5% over the whole year.

British Gas owner Centrica also fell as it traded without entitlement to the dividend.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Relx plc (REL) 3,561.00p 3.22% Halma (HLMA) 3,364.00p 2.81% Experian (EXPN) 3,854.00p 2.04% Prudential (PRU) 1,039.00p 1.86% Informa (INF) 930.80p 1.68% ICG (ICG) 2,300.00p 1.68% 3i Group (III) 3,894.00p 1.64% The Sage Group (SGE) 1,102.00p 1.52% Barratt Redrow (BTRW) 378.60p 1.50% Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust (SMT) 1,127.50p 1.44%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Next (NXT) 11,555.00p -3.71% WPP (WPP) 381.30p -2.21% Admiral Group (ADM) 3,288.00p -1.97% Centrica (CNA) 166.15p -1.80% Vodafone Group (VOD) 84.56p -1.74% Mondi (MNDI) 992.40p -1.74% Tesco (TSCO) 432.30p -1.68% United Utilities Group (UU.) 1,131.50p -1.57% Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 318.80p -1.54% Severn Trent (SVT) 2,526.00p -1.25%