This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38505342
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
FTSE edges higher but gloomy Next outlook hits retailers | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Shares in Next slumped after the retailer reported falling sales and issued a gloomy outlook for next year. | Shares in Next slumped after the retailer reported falling sales and issued a gloomy outlook for next year. |
Its shares dived nearly 10% after it said sales fell 0.4% in the run-up to Christmas and added full-year profits would be at the low end of forecasts. | |
Next also warned that 2017 would be "another challenging year", and predicted a fall in profits. | Next also warned that 2017 would be "another challenging year", and predicted a fall in profits. |
The news hit shares in other retailers, with M&S down 4% and Primark owner Associated British Foods dropping 3.4%. | |
The falls weighed on the FTSE 100. The UK's benchmark index had closed at a record high on Tuesday, but spent most of the morning in negative territory. However, shortly before midday it was up 1.92 points at 7,179.81. | |
Shares in housebuilders helped to bolster the index after upbeat comments from Deutsche Bank. Barratt Developments rose 2.5%, while Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey were both 1.6% higher. | |
In the FTSE 250, B&M shares rose 7% after the discount retailer reported a 7.2% increase in UK like-for-like sales in the three months to 24 December. | |
On the currency markets, the pound rose 0.3% against the dollar to $1.2274 and edged up 0.1% against the euro to €1.1774. |