FTSE 100 movers: NMC Health rallies but M&S hit by Debenhams profit warning
London's FTSE 100 was up 0.3% to 7,694.70 in afternoon trade on Thursday as investors digested the latest reading on the UK services sector and a profit warning from Debenhams.
UAE-based healthcare provider NMC Health was the standout gainer after it bought outstanding minority stakes in Fakih IVF and As Salama Hospital for a total of $218m. NMC said it would pay a combination of cash and new shares worth $205m for the 49% of Fakih IVF it does not own.
Meanwhile, security services company G4S was propelled higher by an upbeat note from Redburn.
In what's turned out to be a bit of a volatile week for retailers, Marks & Spencer was knocked back by Debenhams' profit warning.
Hot on the heels of a positive update from Next on Wednesday, Debenhams issued the first profit warning of 2018 as sales fell and "tactical promotional action" misfired in the department store group's crucial festive period.
Luxury retailer Burberry was also under the cosh, while Next was giving back some of the strong gains it made on Wednesday after it nudged up its full-year profit target following a better online sales performance in the run-up to Christmas.
British Land was in the red as its stock went ex-dividend.
Risers
NMC Health (NMC) 3,028.00p 3.70%
G4S (GFS) 272.00p 2.53%
CRH (CRH) 2,743.00p 2.39%
GKN (GKN) 323.60p 1.67%
Centrica (CNA) 141.87p 1.55%
Standard Chartered (STAN) 789.30p 1.52%
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 3,159.00p 1.35%
Micro Focus International (MCRO) 2,551.00p 1.31%
Standard Life Aberdeen (SLA) 427.40p 1.16%
Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 278.60p 1.13%
Fallers
Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 310.10p -3.24%
British Land Company (BLND) 668.00p -2.62%
Land Securities Group (LAND) 973.00p -2.20%
Hammerson (HMSO) 535.20p -2.16%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,754.00p -1.98%
easyJet (EZJ) 1,503.00p -1.86%
Mediclinic International (MDC) 627.80p -1.60%
Just Eat (JE.) 798.80p -1.43%
Next (NXT) 4,739.00p -1.27%
BT Group (BT.A) 269.50p -1.06%