FTSE 100 movers: Diageo rallies on cost-cutting plan; Relx goes ex-div

6th Aug 2026 15:04

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was flat at 10,882.95 in afternoon trade on Friday.

Insurer Admiral was the top gainer on the index after results, while Diageo shares fizzed higher as the drinks giant outlined plans to save around $1bn over the next three years alongside its full-year results.

The company said the redesign of its operating framework will deliver around $850m of savings, while supply chain initiatives will deliver approximately $150m. Restructuring costs will total around $1.2bn, said the owner of Guinness and Johnnie Walker, among others.

News of the cost savings came alongside Diageo's results for the year to the end of June, which showed a 2% decline in organic sales to $19.6bn and a 27.2% drop in operating profit to $3.2bn, with organic operating profit growth offset mostly by exceptional restructuring costs and impairment charges.

Housebuilder Persimmon gained as it said full-year completions were set to be at the upper end of guidance, as it reported a rise in first-half profit and completions but warned over inflationary pressures.

In the six months to 30 June, underlying pre-tax profit edged up 3% from the same period a year earlier to £170.1m, new home completions rose 13% to 5,189 and the average sales price of a new home was 1% higher at £285,752.

Underlying operating profit was up 10% at £189.1m. Persimmon said this was driven by increased volume and ongoing operational discipline.

The housebuilder said it was on track for around 12,500 in the full year, at the upper end of guidance, while underlying pre-tax profit was set to be in line with market expectations of £454m.

On the downside, Relx and St James's Place both lost ground as they traded without entitlement to the dividend.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Admiral Group (ADM) 3,904.00p 5.56%

Diageo (DGE) 1,698.00p 3.81%

Vodafone Group (VOD) 118.50p 3.76%

Persimmon (PSN) 1,157.50p 3.16%

Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,824.00p 1.79%

Airtel Africa (AAF) 332.20p 1.71%

Aviva (AV.) 711.80p 1.63%

BAE Systems (BA.) 2,188.00p 1.48%

Legal & General Group (LGEN) 308.70p 1.34%

Weir Group (WEIR) 2,722.00p 1.34%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Relx plc (REL) 2,625.00p -3.31%

Melrose Industries (MRO) 478.60p -2.51%

IG Group Holdings (IGG) 1,318.00p -2.37%

Glencore (GLEN) 559.80p -2.25%

St James's Place (STJ) 1,114.50p -1.85%

Antofagasta (ANTO) 3,989.00p -1.75%

Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust (SMT) 1,354.50p -1.63%

Autotrader Group (AUTO) 512.80p -1.38%

Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 4,952.00p -1.30%

Reckitt Benckiser Group (RKT) 5,260.00p -1.20%