WINNERS & LOSERS: Utilities under pressure; Workspace plummets

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

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FTSE 100 winners

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Intertek Group PLC, up 3.7% at 4,931.50 pence, rejects takeover proposal

Sage Group PLC, up 3.3% at 932.50p

ICG PLC, up 2.0% at 1,826.00p

Standard Life PLC, up 1.9% at 756.60p, Citigroup raises price target

Relx PLC, up 1.9% at 2,751.00p

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FTSE 100 losers

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SSE PLC, down 6.4% at 2,476.50p, London-listed utilities under pressure

Centrica PLC, down 6.0% at 195.22p

Tesco PLC, down 2.2% at 483.35, despite broker price target upgrades

Vodafone Group PLC, down 1.9% at 114.15p

Antofagasta PLC, down 1.8% at 3,701.75p

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FTSE 250 winners

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Softcat PLC, up 2.3% at 1,341.00 pence

GB Group PLC, up 2.2% at 217.75p

WH Smith PLC, up 2.1% at 636.25p

Me Group International PLC, up 2.1% at 153.60p

Metro Bank Holdings PLC, up 2.0% at 144.40p

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FTSE 250 losers

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Workspace Group PLC, down 13% at 326.20p, sees “step down” in profit as invests to reposition

Bluefield Solar Income Fund Ltd, down 4.0% at 81.55p

Greencoat UK Wind PLC, down 4.0% at 99.36p, flags carbon price support removal impact

Drax Group PLC, down 3.1% at 838.70p

Renewables Infrastructure Group Ltd, down 3.1% at 65.72p

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FTSE 100 & 250 movers in focus:

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Workspace Group PLC, down 13% at 326.20 pence, 12-month range 312.00p-459.00p. Warns of a “substantial step down” in trading profit as it invests to reposition the business and drive long-term growth. Says lower starting rents, the impact of disposals, higher debt costs, reduced capitalised interest and increased operating expenses will weigh on profit in financial 2027. Trading profit for the year to March 2026 is expected to be in line with market expectations. Adds weaker pricing and rents in the second half are set to impact property valuations, while total rent roll declines due to disposals and softer conditions. Plans further investment in its portfolio and may pursue additional disposals beyond its GBP200 million programme to support strategy execution, while remaining confident in long-term demand and sustainable earnings growth.

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Intertek Group PLC, up 3.7% at 4,931.50 pence, 12-month range 4,777.00p-4,962.00p. Shares in the assurance and testing firm rise after Barclays raises its price target to 5,902p from 5,630p, maintaining an ‘overweight’ rating. Separately, Intertek on Thursday confirms it has rejected an indicative GBP51.50 per share cash proposal from EQT, deeming it undervalued. EQT has until May 14 to announce a firm offer or walk away.

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Standard Life PLC, up 1.9% at 756.60 pence, 12-month range 633.50p-778.40p. Shares in the life assurance, pensions and long-term savings company rise after Barclays raises its price target to 5,902p from 5,630p, reiterating an ‘overweight’ rating.

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Greencoat UK Wind PLC, down 4.0% at 99.36 pence, 12-month range 92.20p-128.20p. Greencoat UK Wind PLC – investor in operating UK wind farms whose investment manager is Schroders Greencoat LLP – Notes the UK government on Thursday said it will legislate to remove carbon price support from April 2028. Says this tax on fossil fuels used in electricity generation is aimed to ensure a minimum carbon price for electricity generation. Notes that preliminary estimates from its investment manager indicate electricity prices used in its net asset value could fall by around GBP4 to GBP5 per megawatt hour from April 2028, running to the early 2030s, and by GBP2 to GBP3 per megawatt hour thereafter. Adds that this could lower its net asset value by 3 pence to 5p per share. Adds that it will provide further detail in its first-quarter factsheet, which it expects to publish on April 27.

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discoverIE Group PLC, up 1.6% at 633.00 pence, 12-month range 505.00p-754.00p. Reports stronger fourth-quarter trading as demand accelerates. Says orders rise 16% year-on-year at constant currency in the final quarter, with sales up 6%, reflecting a broad-based increase in demand across all operating units. For the full year, revenue grows 5% to GBP442.9 million, with the group on track to deliver adjusted earnings per share growth in line with market expectations. Adds it is investing in capacity and sees further growth ahead, supported by a strong pipeline of organic opportunities and acquisitions.

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By Eva Castanedo, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Risers and Fallers Market News Intertek Group Sage Group Icg Plc Standard Life Relx SSE Centrica Tesco Antofagasta Softcat Vodafone Gb Group Wh Smith ME Group Metro Bank Workspace Bluefield Solar Greencoat UK Wind Drax Renewables Infrastructure Group DiscoverIE