FTSE 100 movers: Baratt gains after results; M&S drops

16th Sep 2026 14:00

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was up 0.4% at 10,704.77 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.

Barratt Redrow shot to the top of the index as it trimmed its guidance for FY27 home completions but reported a 5% jump in FY26 completions to 17,667 - towards the top of its guidance range - and said it had entered FY27 with a solid forward sales position.

Barratt posted full-year adjusted pre-tax profit of £572.8m, down 7.1% on the previous year but ahead of forecasts of £560m.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "Even though the housebuilding sector is being shaken by unhelpful market conditions, Barratt Redrow's latest results suggest the company is built on solid foundations.

"Full-year profit ahead of forecasts, a strong balance sheet and continuing benefits from the successful integration of Redrow were clear positives for the market to take away - and helped spark a relief rally in the stock.

"Less positively, margins are under pressure, and Barratt has scaled back its completions target for the current year thanks to planning delays. The industry has consistently signalled its frustration with this issue over several years, suggesting that recent reforms are yet to gain much traction.

"Unsurprisingly, Barratt has added its voice to the chorus of calls for greater government support to boost the housing market. But these may not get much of a hearing ahead of the Budget given the amount of competing demands Chancellor John Healey is having to weigh.

"What Barratt needs is a shift in the geopolitical and macroeconomic backdrop which would allow for an easing of borrowing costs, boosting the availability and affordability of mortgages and thereby bolstering the confidence of prospective buyers. The latest update suggests Barratt should be resilient enough to ride out a testing period."

Peer Persimmon also gained.

Babcock advanced as it said trading for the first five months of the fiscal year was in line with expectations, with strong Nuclear and Aviation performance and its full‑year outlook unchanged.

Marks & Spencer was in the red, having gained on Tuesday after data from Worldpanel by Numerator showed that grocery sales at the food, clothing and homeware retailer jumped 14.8% on the year in the 12 weeks to 6 September.

Software stocks LSEG and Informa were weaker again.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Barratt Redrow (BTRW) 304.00p 9.95%

Persimmon (PSN) 1,152.50p 4.87%

Antofagasta (ANTO) 3,636.00p 3.88%

Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,030.00p 3.71%

Fresnillo (FRES) 2,959.00p 3.43%

3i Group (III) 2,678.00p 3.12%

Centrica (CNA) 152.75p 2.72%

Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 111.05p 2.25%

NATWEST GROUP (NWG) 701.40p 2.22%

Weir (WEIR) 2,650.00p 2.08%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 366.80p -2.32%

Convatec Group (CTEC) 214.60p -1.91%

JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 75.54p -1.49%

Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 332.50p -1.34%

Metlen Energy & Metals (MTLN) 46.02p -1.28%

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) 8,166.00p -1.14%

Associated British Foods (ABF) 1,822.00p -1.09%

Abrdn (ABDN) 239.20p -1.07%

Informa (INF) 883.60p -1.01%

Tesco (TSCO) 474.90p -1.00%