UK equities opened firmer on Wednesday, while sterling strengthened against the dollar, as investors digested a series of company updates and took encouragement from positive moves across European markets.
By 0841 GMT, the FTSE 100 was up 0.3%, while the pound rose 0.2% against the US dollar to trade above 1.34. Elsewhere in Europe, Germany’s DAX climbed close to 1% and France’s CAC 40 gained around 0.5%.
FTSE 100 round-up
BP PLC (LSE:BP.) said it expects to book post-tax impairments of between $4 billion and $5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, largely within its gas and low-carbon energy division, as lower oil and gas prices weighed on performance. The group also said net debt is forecast to fall to $22–23 billion from $26.1 billion at the end of the third quarter, supported by around $3.5 billion of divestment proceeds in the quarter. Full-year divestments are now expected to total roughly $5.3 billion, ahead of earlier guidance of $4 billion.
Hays Plc (LSE:HAYS) reported a 10% year-on-year fall in group net fees for the three months to December 31. Permanent recruitment fees declined 14%, while temporary and contracting net fees were down 8%, with reduced average hours worked in Germany weighing on temporary revenues.
Vistry Group PLC (LSE:VTY) said total home completions fell about 9% year on year in fiscal 2025 to roughly 15,700 units, compared with 17,225 in FY24. The decline reflected weaker activity across both Partner Funded and Open Market segments, as uncertainty earlier in the year affected delivery.
Pearson PLC (LSE:PSON) reported stronger momentum toward the end of the year, with underlying revenue growth accelerating to 8% in the fourth quarter, led by its Assessment & Qualifications division. For the full year, sales rose 4%, while adjusted operating profit came in at £610–615 million, representing around 6% underlying growth.
Frontier Developments plc (LSE:FDEV) upgraded its full-year outlook after a strong first half, driven by the successful launch of Jurassic World Evolution 3. Revenue for the six months to November 30 increased 26% to £59.6 million, while adjusted operating profit surged 76% to £9.7 million.
Liontrust Asset Management (LSE:LIO) reported net outflows of £1.0 billion for the three months to December 31, 2025, an improvement on £1.6 billion of outflows a year earlier. Assets under management and advice stood at £21.5 billion at the end of December and rose to £21.7 billion by January 10, 2026.
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