The retailer raised its full-year profit guidance by £12m to £1,255m after first-half pre-tax profit rose 10.5% to £569m, driven by better-than-expected UK and international sales.

DB raises its price target to 16000p from 14000p, arguing the retailer's valuation premium is justified even as he maintains a Hold rating.

Shore Capital Markets stuck with its Buy rating on Next as international growth of 37% drove a second profit upgrade in as many quarters.

Next raised its full-year pre-tax profit guidance by £25m after second-quarter full price sales came in £70m ahead of forecast.

Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, says Next has nudged up full-year sales and pre-tax profit guidance after first-quarter full-price sales rose 6.2%.