10:06 — WPP jumps 26%, Harworth surges on takeover bid
WPP (LSE:WPP) is the FTSE 100's biggest riser, up 26% to 387.2p after confirming its 2026 interim results showed H1 performance in line with expectations, with the group's Elevate28 "Stabilise" phase on track and management continuing to expect an improving like-for-like trajectory into the second half.
Takeover news saw Harworth Group (LSE:HWG) shares surge 19.79% to 172.02p as the market digests the detail of Peel Pepper's cash offer, confirmed at 172.5p a share, a 36% premium to the three-month volume-weighted average price and part of the wider Peel Group's move on the AIM-listed real estate and regeneration specialist.
Devolver Digital (AIM:DEVO) shares are dropping as investors look to liquidate holdings promptle whilst the indie game developer is still publicly traded, as it detailed a proposal to cancel its AIM listing, alongside a tender offer to return up to $5 million to qualifying shareholders.
Corero Network Security (AIM:CNS) has climbed to 18.79% and Tekcapital (LSE:TEK) to 16.46%, both extending earlier gains on their half-year updates, while Solvonis Therapeutics (LSE:SVNS) has pulled back to 7.86% from a larger early spike, still supported by news that its SVN-015 stimulant-use-disorder candidate is advancing into further NIDA-funded studies after encouraging initial screening.
Admiral (LSE:ADM) has pushed to a fresh 52-week high of 3,858p, up 4.1%, and Serco (LSE:SRP) has touched a session high at 254.8p, up 5.03%.
The FTSE 100 holds at 10,920, up 0.3% for the session so far.
09:01 — Admiral hits 52-week high at 3,832p as FTSE tops 10,920
FTSE 100 constituent and UK insurer Admiral Group (LSE:ADM) leads the blue-chip gainers, up 3.4% to 3,832p, touching a fresh 52-week high in the session.
The move follows the insurer's half-year results, which reported continued growth in group turnover and insurance revenue alongside a higher interim dividend.
Elsewhere, Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LSE:HIK) holds its earlier gain, up at 3.1% trading at 1,619.7p, after chief executive Said Darwazah reported 9% growth in core operating profit and reiterated full-year guidance.
Housebuilder Persimmon (LSE:PSN) extended its advance to 2.72%, at 1,153.5p, building on results that showed new home completions were up 13% for the half.
On the downside, European airline Wizz Air (LSE:WIZZ) was the session's sharpest faller among the big-caps, down 4.26% to 1,098p after swinging to a €198.2m loss in the June quarter against a €38.4m profit a year earlier. Panmure Liberum's Gerald Khoo, meanwhile, cut the stock to Sell with a 700p target, flagging deteriorating unit revenue guidance and what he called evidence of "balance sheet stress and poor earnings quality."
The FTSE 100 index itself at 10,920.84, was up 0.3% on the session.
08:21 — FTSE 100 starts Thursday firmer, to 10,909
The FTSE 100 started Thursday slightly firmer at 10,909, up 21 points or 0.19%.
Thursday morning's announcements were a mixed bag, producing a number of early movers.
Corero Network Security leads the pack, up 14.79% to 9.47p after swinging to profit on a jump in first-half revenue.
Tekcapital (LSE:TEK) is close behind, up 13.92% to 4.5p following its unaudited half-year report.
Solvonis Therapeutics (LSE:SVNS) is the outright top mover, up 19.29% to 0.167p after saying its SVN-015 stimulant-use-disorder candidate is advancing into further NIDA-funded studies on encouraging initial screening data.
Harbour Energy, up 3.37% to 240.03p, raised its 2026 outlook and launched a $250m buyback, while Hikma Pharmaceuticals (LSE:HIK) added 3.1% to 1619.66p after reporting 9% growth in core operating profit and reiterating full-year guidance.
Pensana (LSE:PRE) gained 5.04% in early deals, to 70.8p, as it revealed that Qatar investors are interested in backing an expanded funding, but, int the meantime some $150m of existing project financing commitment is still outstanding.
On the losing side, Wizz Air is down 4.26% to 1098.12p after swinging to a first-quarter loss on surging fuel costs. Tritax Big Box REIT (LSE:BBOX) is off 2.8% to 166.9p following the results of its equity issue, and Devolver Digital (AIM:DEVO) is down 6.25% to 15p after proposing to cancel its AIM listing and return up to $5m to shareholders via tender offer.
06:46 — FTSE 100 seen firmer at open, Wall St mixed close last night
The FTSE 100 is seen firmer ahead of Thursday's open, with IG Market's early pre-market quote marked at 10,880.6, up 9.8 points..
It follows a mixed finish on Wall Street, as the Dow closed Wednesday at 54,456.11, up 370 points or 0.68%, while the S&P 500 was essentially flat at 7,737.9.
The Nasdaq Composite lagged, down 153 points or 0.58% to 26,431.936.
Asia had a cautious session overnight, with the Nikkei 225 down 582 points, or 0.88%, to 65,717.59.
Gold ticked up 0.3% to $4,318 an ounce, bitcoin firmed 0.37% to $64,842.91, and Ether added 0.21% to $1,911, a broadly steady tone across risk assets.
Brent crude was just 0.36% softer at $78.68, and the dollar index was little changed at 99.737.
