14th Feb 2024 15:27
(Sharecast News) - FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,081.00 0.83%
UK furniture and homewares chain Dunelm lifted its dividend and declared a special payout after a rise in interim profits and sales amid volatile trading conditions.
The dividend was lifted 7% to 16p a share. Shareholders will also receive a special 35-a-share payout as pre-tax profit for the six months to December 30 rose 4.8% to £123m and sales increased 4.5% to £872.5m.
Full-year guidance was maintained, despite the "uncertain" consumer outlook in line with analyst consensus estimates at £199m -207m.
UK inflation data fuelled hopes of interest rate cuts, with economists now expecting one in May. UK housebuilder Redrow joined FTSE 100 peers Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon in making gains on the prospect of lower borrowing costs. Building materials suppliers Marshalls and Grafton were also up on the news.
Tui shares fell as shareholders in the travel giant bid bon voyage to the travel giant's London listing in yet another blow to the City's reputation as a home for major firms.
Market Movers
FTSE 250 - Risers
Softcat (SCT) 1,548.00p 4.38%
UK Commercial Property Reit Limited (UKCM) 66.00p 3.77%
Dr. Martens (DOCS) 90.90p 3.77%
Marshalls (MSLH) 285.40p 3.33%
Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 360.40p 3.33%
Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 837.60p 3.03%
Grafton Group Ut (CDI) (GFTU) 978.30p 2.79%
Babcock International Group (BAB) 467.80p 2.77%
Auction Technology Group (ATG) 578.00p 2.48%
Redrow (RDW) 666.00p 2.46%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
TUI AG Reg Shs (DI) (TUI) 548.00p -5.27%
Spirent Communications (SPT) 114.20p -3.14%
Dunelm Group (DNLM) 1,056.00p -2.67%
W.A.G Payment Solutions (WPS) 83.40p -2.11%
Diversified Energy Company (DEC) 901.50p -1.53%
Bytes Technology Group (BYIT) 633.00p -1.48%
TP Icap Group (TCAP) 176.50p -1.40%
PZ Cussons (PZC) 100.40p -1.38%
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 85.85p -1.32%
Keller Group (KLR) 841.00p -1.29%