FTSE 100 today: Index open higher, pound edges above $1.34; B&M shares slumps

Published 20/10/2025, 08:24
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- British stocks rebounded on Monday as the index opened higher, with the pound weakening slightly against the dollar but climbing above $1.34, while B&M’s guidance cut sent its shares lower.

As of 0720 GMT, the blue-chip index FTSE 100 rose 0.4% and the British pound fell 0.08%.

DAX index in Germany rose 1.1%, the CAC 40 in France gained 0.6%. 

B&M announces guidance cut and CFO to step down

B&M European Value Retail SA (LON:BMEB) shares fell above 18% after it reduced financial outlook for fiscal year 2026 after discovering approximately £7 million in overseas freight costs that were not correctly recognized in cost of goods sold.

The discount retailer now expects Group Adjusted EBITDA (pre-IFRS 16) to be in the range of £470 million to £520 million for FY26, down from the previous estimate of £510 million to £560 million announced on October 7. For the first half of FY26, B&M now anticipates reporting Adjusted EBITDA of approximately £191 million, compared to previous guidance of around £198 million.

In a significant management change, Chief Financial Officer Mike Schmidt has informed the board of his intention to step down. A search for his successor has begun, and Schmidt will remain with the company until a replacement is found to ensure an orderly transition.

Plus500 reports strong Q3 results, driven by U.S. futures growth

Plus500 Ltd (LON:PLUSP) reported that third-quarter 2025 results exceeded market expectations, with performance boosted by its expanding U.S. futures business and consistent over-the-counter trading activity.

The London-listed fintech trading platform operator posted revenue of $182.7 million for the quarter, approximately 10% above consensus forecasts of $165 million.

The quarterly revenue comprised $161.6 million in trading income and $21.1 million in interest income. The interest income component showed significant growth compared to approximately $15 million recorded in each of the first two quarters of the year.

The company achieved EBITDA of $82.7 million, representing a 45% margin. According to Jefferies, this performance was about 5% ahead of implied consensus expectations.

GlobalData sees FY25 revenue in line with market expectations

In separate news, GlobalData PLC (LON:DATA) announced that it anticipates its revenue performance for the financial year ending December 31, 2025, to align with market expectations.

The data and technology company achieved 13.5% revenue growth in the third quarter. This growth was partially attributed to an improvement in underlying subscription revenue growth, which reached 2%, up from 1% in the first half of 2025.

The company also benefited from additional revenue streams from recently completed acquisitions.

AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu shows strong results

AstraZeneca PLC (ST:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. (TYO:4568) announced on Saturday that their drug Enhertu demonstrated strong results in two pivotal studies focused on early-stage breast cancer.

The data revealed positive outcomes from the trials that evaluated Enhertu’s effectiveness in treating a specific type of breast cancer in its early stages.

The companies shared these findings as part of their ongoing development and testing of the cancer treatment medication.

 

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