FTSE 100 movers: Unilever rallies after lifting outlook; Barclays slumps

28th Jul 2026 14:55

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was 0.9% higher at 10,873.28 in afternoon trade on Tuesday.

Consumer goods giant Unilever rallied as it boosted its full-year outlook following a strong first half.

Underlying sales growth in the six months to June end rose by 4.8%, driven by robust performances in homecare and beauty and wellbeing. Volumes sparked 4.2% and prices 0.6%. Operating profits were 2.6% higher at €4.9bn.

As a result, the blue chip now expects underlying sales in the second half to rise by between 4% and 5%, led by pricing, with full-year sales growth of between 4% and 6%.

GSK shot up as it unveiled sweeping cost-saving plans as part of moves to ramp up research and development, including a £400m investment in the UK.

The update came as GSK posted above-forecast second-quarter numbers. Turnover rose 5% to £8.41bn, ahead of consensus for £8.24bn, while core earnings per share were 9% stronger at 50.5p. Analysts had been expecting EPS closer to 47.1p.

Full-year guidance was reaffirmed, although it noted that while turnover would likely come in at the top end of the forecast 3% to 5% range, core EPS - anticipated to be grow by between 7% and 9% - would likely be in the lower half.

Croda was also a high riser as the chemicals firm backed its full-year expectations and posted 4.6% growth in half-year organic sales.

Admiral gained as Citi upgraded the insurer to 'buy' from 'neutral', hiked the price target to 4,243p from 3,277p and opened a 'positive catalyst watch' on the shares.

On the downside, Barclays fell despite delivering a better-than-expected 17% jump in half-year profits driven by higher income in its global markets division and investment banking fees.

Pre-tax profit for the six months to 30 June came in at £6bn, beating forecasts of £5.94bn, while group income increased 11% to £16.5bn boosted by higher structural hedge income and a one-off £225m gain from the sale of the American Airlines credit card portfolio. Barclays also announced a £1bn share buyback.

Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, said: "Barclays results may have surpassed expectations, boosted by a revival in dealmaking, stronger investment banking activity and resilient consumers, but investors have a glass-half-empty view, unnerved about bad debt provision growing.

"There are also likely to be concerns about whether the bank can keep riding this investment wave or whether revenues could become choppier ahead."

Other banks followed suit, with NatWest, Lloyds and Standard Chartered also lower.

Games Workshop slid as the miniature wargames manufacturer reported record full-year revenue and profit, citing a "good" performance from the core business, but cut its dividend.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Unilever (ULVR) 5,008.00p 7.94%

GSK (GSK) 2,078.00p 6.22%

Croda International (CRDA) 3,091.00p 5.78%

Admiral Group (ADM) 3,764.00p 4.85%

Relx plc (REL) 2,806.00p 4.55%

Compass Group 11 (CPG) 32.38p 4.51%

Diageo (DGE) 1,658.00p 4.43%

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (DI) (CCEP) 8,475.00p 4.31%

Experian (EXPN) 2,926.00p 4.10%

The Sage Group (SGE) 923.00p 3.50%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Barclays (BARC) 494.65p -6.68%

Lion Finance Group (BGEO) 11,220.00p -4.67%

NATWEST GROUP (NWG) 661.20p -2.67%

Games Workshop Group (GAW) 19,740.00p -2.32%

Entain (ENT) 566.60p -2.16%

Glencore (GLEN) 504.80p -2.06%

Prudential (PRU) 1,074.00p -2.05%

Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 112.35p -1.92%

Centrica (CNA) 156.65p -1.88%

Standard Chartered (STAN) 2,094.00p -1.64%