Source: Sharecast
Hilton Foods was in focus as it said it was on track to deliver 2025 earnings in line with guidance after a sharp jump in profits last year, driven by its core retail meat business which outperformed total market growth in every region.
The company posted a 25% rise in pre-tax earnings to £61m and hiked its dividend 7.8% to 34.5p.
JP Morgan Japan Investment Trust gained on hopes of tariff talks between Tokyo and the US.
Recruiter Hays jumped after an upgrade to ‘equalweight’ at Morgan Stanley. The bank previously had an ‘underweight’ rating on the shares as it saw risk from Hays' large exposure to Germany combined with a weaker balance sheet and higher likelihood of a dividend cut.
"While these risks remain, we think they are now better reflected in the valuation, and our price target implies limited further downside," it said. "We therefore neutralise our rating."
JTC posted a jump in full-year sales and profits on Tuesday, as it reiterated plans to double the size of the business by 2027.
The provider of fund administration services said revenues in the year to 31 December rose 18.6% to £305.4m, while underlying earnings before interest and amortisation was 18.4% stronger at £101.7m.
Pre-tax profits rose 17.8% to £71.6m on the same basis.
The performance was boosted by a near 16% jump in new business wins to £35.7m, as well as a raft of deals. A total of six acquisitions were announced or completed during the year.
Its institutional client services division reported net organic growth of 9.9%, while revenues surpassed £100m in the private client services unit for the first time.
Market Movers
FTSE 250 - Risers
ICG Enterprise Trust (ICGT) 1,170.00p 9.35%
Vistry Group (VTY) 544.80p 6.66%
HGCapital Trust (HGT) 482.00p 6.28%
Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) 104.50p 6.20%
Allianz Technology Trust (ATT) 326.00p 6.19%
JPMorgan Japanese Inv Trust (JFJ) 523.00p 6.09%
Carnival (CCL) 1,202.50p 6.04%
The Renewables Infrastructure Group Limited (TRIG) 76.90p 5.92%
BlackRock World Mining Trust (BRWM) 430.50p 5.90%
Kier Group (KIE) 122.00p 5.90%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
Ruffer Investment Company Ltd Red PTG Pref Shares (RICA) 285.50p -2.73%
JTC (JTC) 785.00p -2.61%
VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Ltd. (VOF) 383.00p -2.05%
Hilton Food Group (HFG) 839.00p -1.41%
Schroder Oriental Income Fund Ltd. (SOI) 244.00p -1.01%
Dr. Martens (DOCS) 47.38p -0.29%
BH Macro Ltd. GBP Shares (BHMG) 384.00p -0.26%
Diversified Energy Company (DEC) 881.50p -0.11%
Tami Senior Securitisation 2 Ltd Cls A-2 Mb Fxd Rte Nts 31/12/23 (Reg S) (BP00) 0.00p 0.00%
International Distribution Services (IDS) 365.20p 0.05%
