7th Aug 2024 14:33
(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was up 1.7% at 8,166.34 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
Ladbrokes owner Entain rallied ahead of interim results on Thursday.
Banks were among the top performers, with Standard Chartered, Barclays, NatWest and Lloyds all up.
Vodafone gained as it announced a share buyback programme of up to €500m (£430m) to start on Wednesday and end no later than 29 November.
Housebuilder Persimmon was on the rise as the latest data from Halifax showed house prices increases in July after three flat months. Prices were up 0.8% on the month, coming in comfortably ahead of expectations for 0.3% growth.
On the year, house prices rose 2.3% in July following a 1.9% increase in June. This marked the highest annual growth rate since January 2024.
The average house price stood at £291,268 compared to £289,042 in June.
WPP was under the cosh as the advertising giant cut its full-year like-for-like revenue growth forecast. The company put this down to pressure in China and in its project-related businesses, as well as an uncertain macro environment.
Coca-Cola HBC was in the red even as it lifted full-year guidance after a "strong" first half.
FTSE 100 - Risers
Entain (ENT) 533.60p 5.96%
Standard Chartered (STAN) 717.60p 4.45%
CRH (CDI) (CRH) 6,244.00p 4.21%
Barclays (BARC) 216.20p 3.84%
NATWEST GROUP (NWG) 334.70p 3.62%
Ashtead Group (AHT) 5,282.00p 3.53%
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 57.04p 3.41%
Vodafone Group (VOD) 72.82p 3.38%
Glencore (GLEN) 405.25p 3.08%
Persimmon (PSN) 1,546.00p 2.96%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
WPP (WPP) 704.80p -1.70%
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 7,288.00p -1.65%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 2,702.00p -1.39%
Sage Group (SGE) 1,006.50p -1.13%
easyJet (EZJ) 422.10p -0.47%
Pearson (PSON) 1,038.00p -0.14%
Smith (DS) (SMDS) 444.80p -0.13%
Land Securities Group (LAND) 618.50p -0.08%
RELX FINANCE BV 3.375% GTD NTS 20/03/33 (BW73) 99.72p 0.00%
Compass Group (CPG) 2,337.00p 0.04%