FTSE 100 movers: HSBC gains as results impress; Diageo loses its fizz

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was 0.9% higher at 10,775.63 in afternoon trade on Wednesday. Precious metals miner Fresnillo shone, along with miners Antofagasta, Anglo American, Rio and Glencore as copper and gold prices rose.

HSBC Holdings was a high riser as it reported better-than-expected annual results despite a 7.4% fall in pre-tax profits due to the adverse impact from legal provisions, organisational simplification and the sale of its French-retained portfolio of loans.

Pre-tax profits at the lender came in at $29.9bn in 2025, beating estimates of $28.86bn. Revenue rose 4% to $68.27 versus company-compiled consensus forecasts of $67.36bn.

St James's Place advanced as it reported record full-year funds under management, while Metlen Energy advanced after it signed a landmark agreement with Shell for cooperation in LNG supply and trading.

Hiscox pushed higher as it hailed record full-year results and announced a new $300m share buyback.

On the downside, drinks giant Diageo tumbled as it posted a fall in interim sales and halved the dividend after weak trading in North America weighed heavily.

Net sales fell 4% to $10.5bn in the six months to 31 December, or by 2.8% on an organic basis. Adjusted operating profits before one-off items were 2.8% lower, at $3.3bn. The dividend was cut to 20 cents a share, from 40.5 cents. Diageo said the reduction would bolster the balance sheet and create more financial flexibility.

Haleon was also in the red as it posted weaker-than-expected annual sales, hit by a less severe cold and flu season and ongoing softness in the US.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Fresnillo (FRES) 4,326.00p 7.29% HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 1,369.00p 6.01% St James's Place (STJ) 1,333.00p 5.84% Antofagasta (ANTO) 4,458.00p 5.82% Relx plc (REL) 2,402.00p 5.68% Anglo American (AAL) 3,856.00p 5.13% Metlen Energy & Metals (MTLN) 36.70p 5.01% Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,526.00p 4.38% Rio Tinto (RIO) 7,527.00p 3.55% Glencore (GLEN) 535.40p 3.10%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Diageo (DGE) 1,668.50p -10.97% Haleon (HLN) 378.30p -6.75% easyJet (EZJ) 463.30p -1.55% Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,182.50p -1.29% Croda International (CRDA) 3,173.00p -1.21% 3i Group (III) 3,250.00p -1.16% BAE Systems (BA.) 2,122.00p -0.89% Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,391.00p -0.86% Unilever (ULVR) 5,430.00p -0.77% Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,642.00p -0.67%