Investing.com -- British stocks slightly rose at the open on Thursday, building on prior gains, amid a busy earnings day as Unilever (LON: ULVR ) reported stronger-than-expected growth in first-quarter underlying sales and maintained its full-year 2025 guidance.
As of 0710 GMT, the blue-chip index FTSE 100 rose 0.06%. The British pound also rose 0.2% against the dollar to 1.32.
Meanwhile, DAX index in Germany dropped 0.3%, the CAC 40 in France slipped 0.6%.
Company updates
- Hikma Pharmaceuticals (OTC: HKMPY ) (LON: HIK ) said it expects a core operating profit of $730 to $770 million and revenue growth of 7% to 9% for the fiscal year, while noting that its outlook does not factor in any potential impacts from tariffs. The company reiterated group guidance for 2025.
- ASOS (LON: ASOS ), the British online fashion retailer reported half-year earnings that exceeded expectations, attributing the success to a reduction in promotional sales. Looking forward said it remains optimistic about further growth and continues to closely watch the changing U.S. tariff situation.
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Weir Group (OTC: WEGRY ) ’s (LON: WEIR ) 1Q25 trading update showed a 5% year-on-year rise in group orders, with management expecting FY25 trading to align with forecasts while anticipating mitigation of direct tariff effects and continuing to monitor potential indirect impacts.
- Inchcape (OTC: INCPY ) (LON: INCH ), the British car distributor revealed a 5% decline in revenue for the first quarter of the year. The company also issued a warning about the potential impact of escalating tariffs on the supply from some vehicle manufacturers.
- Revolut , the British fintech company reported a record annual net profit of £1.1 billion ($1.5 billion) for 2024, marking a 149% year-over-year surge and crossing the $1 billion threshold for the first time, driven by its expanding suite of digital banking services.