WINNERS & LOSERS: United Utilities lifts Severn Trent; DCC rejects bid

Thu, 30th Apr 2026 10:54

(Alliance News) - The following are the leading risers and fallers among FTSE 100 and 250 index constituents on Thursday.

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FTSE 100 winners

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United Utilities Group PLC, up 11% at 1,462.25 pence, annual profit and dividend up and launches GBP800 million share offer

Severn Trent PLC, up 6.7% at 3,252.50p, read-across from water peer United Utilities

Rolls-Royce Group PLC, up 5.9% at 1,163.30p, maintains 2026 outlook despite Middle East disruption

Endeavour Mining PLC, up 5.6% at 4,373.00p, posts record cash flow, miners up generally

Fresnillo PLC, up 2.7%% at 3,195.00p

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FTSE 100 losers

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Weir Group PLC, down 8.7% at 2,524.00p, CEO steps down, shares trade ex-dividend.

DCC PLC, down 4.4% at 5,620.00p, rejects KKR consortium's takeover bid

Whitbread PLC, down 3.5% at 2,301.50p, axes 3,800 jobs as part of five-year plan to boost returns

Entain PLC, down 2.8% at 541.10p

IG Group Holdings PLC, down 2.2% at 1491.50p, shares trade ex-dividend

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FTSE 250 winners

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Pennon Group PLC, up 5.6% at 550.50 pence

Raspberry Pi Holdings PLC, up 5.6% at 608.50p

Hochschild Mining PLC, up 5.1% at 623.00p

Goodwin PLC, up 4.8% at 11,630.00p

Metro Bank Holdings PLC, up 4.8% at 145.20p, reports quarterly growth

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FTSE 250 losers

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Greggs PLC, down 3.4% at 1,504.00p, ex-dividend

Genuit Group PLC, down 2.8% at 253.20p, ex-dividend

4imprint Group PLC, down 2.7% at 3,638.00p, ex-dividend

Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund Ltd, down 2.6% at 79.35p, ex-dividend

Playtech PLC, down 2.2% at 366.40p

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FTSE 100 & 250 movers in focus:

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United Utilities Group PLC, up 11% at 1,462.25 pence, 12-month range 1,042.00p-1,470.00p. Reports sharply higher annual results and announces a GBP800 million equity raise to fund increased investment. The Warrington, England-based water and wastewater utility says pretax profit more than doubles to GBP779.0 million in the year to March 31 from GBP355.0 million a year prior, while operating profit climbs 74% to GBP1.10 billion and revenue rises 22% to GBP2.62 billion. Plans a GBP2.5 billion increase to its AMP8 investment programme, taking total capital expenditure to GBP11.5 billion, and launches an equity offer to help pay for the increase. Also declares a higher dividend and guides for further revenue growth in financial 2027.

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DCC PLC, down 4.4% at 5,620.00 pence, 12-month range 4,188.00p-6,265.00p. The Dublin-based provider of sales, marketing and distribution services to the energy sector rejects a GBP58.00-per-share cash takeover approach from a consortium comprising Energy Capital Partners and KKR, saying the proposal "materially undervalues" the company and its future prospects. The board unanimously dismisses the unsolicited, indicative and conditional offer, which assumed no further dividends or distributions. The company says the consortium must, under Irish takeover rules, confirm a firm intention to make an offer or walk away by June 10. DCC notes there is no certainty that any firm offer will be made.

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Weir Group PLC, down 8.7% at 2,524.00 pence, 12-month range 2,204.00p-3,580.00p. Announces that Chief Executive Officer Jon Stanton will step down on August 1, to be succeeded by Andrew Neilson, currently president of the minerals division, who has been appointed CEO designate. Alongside the leadership change, Weir reports first-quarter trading in line with expectations, with order growth on track and full-year 2026 guidance reiterated. The company backs its targets for constant-currency revenue, operating profit, and margin growth, as well as a free operating cash conversion rate of 90% to 100%. The group says markets remain positive, supported by strong mining activity and a growing pipeline of projects, while acquisition integration is progressing as planned. It adds that its order book is encouraging, though it notes uncertainty over the Middle East conflict. Weir also says geopolitical volatility has had a "limited impact" on its supply chain so far.

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Whitbread PLC, down 3.5% at 2,301.50 pence, 12-month range 2,098.00p-3,302.00p. Reports lower annual pretax profit and unveiling a new five-year plan expected to result in 3,800 job losses. The Dunstable, Bedfordshire-based hotel and restaurant operator says pretax profit drops 19% to GBP298 million in the 52 weeks to February from GBP368 million a year prior, on flat revenue of GBP2.92 billion, as cost inflation and higher interest charges weigh on profitability. Adds the plan aims to deliver a material step-up in margins and returns by financial 2031, including cost savings, property disposals and reduced capital expenditure, while maintaining its dividend and targeting higher shareholder returns.

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Rolls-Royce Group PLC, up 5.9% at 1,163.30 pence, 12-month range 738.20p-1,420.00p. Maintains full-year guidance despite Middle East disruption and reporting a strong start to the year. The London-based aerospace and defence company says it continues to expect underlying operating profit of GBP4.0 billion to GBP4.2 billion and free cash flow of GBP3.6 billion to GBP3.8 billion, as it looks to fully mitigate the financial impact of the disruption. Adds trading in the three months to March was strong across all three divisions, with growth in civil aerospace flying hours, higher defence deliveries and robust demand in power systems driven by data centres and government activity.

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By Eva Castanedo, Alliance News reporter

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