GFS.L Share News (GFS)

LONDON (Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers within the main London indices on Wednesday.----------FTSE 100 - WINNERS----------Shire, up 24% to 3,841.50 pence. Japanese pharmaceutical firm Takeda Pharmaceutical Co confirmed it was "considering marking an approach" for the Irish drugmaker. At its current share price, Shire has a market capitalisation of GBP34.77 billion up from GBP27.96 billion the day prior. "Takeda confirms that it is considering making an approach to Shire regarding a possible offer for the company," Takeda said in a statement. "Takeda's consideration of such an offer is at a preliminary and exploratory stage and no approach has been made to the board of Shire. There can be no certainty that an approach, if made, will lead to any transaction". Takeda emphasised it "continuously considers" options with regards to accelerating its growth. In particular, it is focused on growing its core gastroenterology, oncology and neuroscience plus vaccines. The deal with Shire - should it emerge - would "strengthen" its core therapeutic areas.G4S, up 1.2%. HSBC upgraded the security services firm to Hold from Reduce.Associated British Foods, up 1.0%. Morgan Stanley upgraded the Primark clothing chain owner to Overweight from Equal Weight. Burberry Group, up 0.4%. Goldman Sachs promoted the fashion house to its Conviction Buy List straight from a Neutral rating. ----------FTSE 250 - WINNERS----------Diploma, up 1.1%. The technical products and services provider said it expects an increase in revenue for the first six months ending this month, supported by strong market conditions in many of company's key markets and geographies. Reported revenue is expected to increase about 8% year over year, despite a 4% currency headwind from the strengthening of the pound. At constant exchange rates, revenue is expected to increase by 12% with acquisitions completed during the last 12 months contributing 5% and underlying growth 7%. Diploma said it has robust balance sheet with net cash funds in excess of GBP16.0 million expected as at the end of March. The company also has access to a GBP60.0 million revolving credit facility.----------OTHER MAIN MARKET AND AIM - WINNERS----------DFS Furniture, up 14%. The sofa retailer said it delivered a performance in line with expectations in first half of its financial year, despite "a furniture market that continues to be challenging". Pretax profit fell to GBP7.0 million in six months ending January 27 from GBP16.7 million in the same period of prior year, stated after GBP4.6 million of non-underlying costs and the impacts of buying rival retailer Sofology, and it is in line with board's expectations. However, revenue rose 4.3% to GBP396.1 million from GBP379.9 million in the corresponding period, "reflecting increasing scale and relative market leadership", following the acquisition of Sofology. Expectations for profit remain unchanged, the company said. "Our trading momentum has strengthened during the first half of the financial year and through into March 2018. We therefore continue to expect the second half of the financial year to demonstrate a stronger year-on-year revenue trend than the first half," said DFS Chief Executive Officer Ian Filby.----------