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Investing.com -- British stocks traded lower on Thursday following a record close in the previous session, while the broader European market traded mostly lower and the pound weakened, slipping below $1.34 once again.
The blue-chip index FTSE 100 dropped 0.3% and the British GBP/USD fell 0.7% against the dollar to just above 1.33.
DAX index in Germany gained 0.2%, the CAC 40 in France fell 0.1%.
UK round up: Volution tops forecasts; Lloyds warns on provisions; SSP misses estimates
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Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LON:LLOY) stock dropped 3.3% after the British lender warned it may need to set aside a "material" provision related to motor finance regulations. The bank said it continues to analyze the impact of the Financial Conduct Authority’s recently published consultation paper on motor finance. Lloyds noted that "uncertainties remain outstanding on the interpretation and implementation of the proposals" from the FCA. The warning comes as the British financial regulator reviews practices in the motor finance sector, which could potentially lead to significant costs for lenders involved in this market.
- Volution Group plc (LON:FAN) reported fiscal year 2025 results that exceeded analyst expectations, driven by strong second-half organic revenue growth of 7.2%, which surpassed the company’s target range of 3% to 5%. The UK-based company posted total revenue of £419 million for FY25, representing a 21% increase from the previous year. Organic revenue from ongoing operations rose 5.7%, slightly above Jefferies’ estimate of 5.1%.
- In other corporate news, Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LON:LLOY) announced it may need to set aside an additional provision related to the Financial Conduct Authority’s proposed scheme addressing motor finance mis-selling. The British bank indicated this potential provision could materially impact its financial position.
- Meanwhile, Grainger PLC (LON:GRI) reported strong operational metrics in its trading update ahead of full-year 2025 results due November 20. The residential landlord achieved portfolio occupancy of 98.1%, up from 96% at the March half-year mark, and delivered total like-for-like growth of 3.6%, aligning with its medium-term guidance of 3%-3.5%.
- SSP Group PLC’s (LON:SSPG) fourth-quarter group sales grew 4% year-over-year in constant currency, below the 6% consensus expectation. Like-for-like sales increased 2% versus the expected 4%. For fiscal year 2025, SSP reported constant currency revenue of £3.7 billion and expects pre-IFRS 16 constant currency operating profit of £230 million, at the lower end of its guidance range.
- Johnson Matthey PLC (LON:JMAT) said Thursday it expects full-year underlying operating profit to reach the upper end of its growth guidance, with performance weighted toward the second half of the fiscal year. The company’s outlook is supported by a £10 million boost from current platinum group metal prices and foreign exchange rates.
- In regulatory news, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority provisionally rejected nearly 80% of water price increases sought by five water companies. The CMA’s provisional redeterminations will allow only £556 million of the total £2.7 billion in additional revenue requested.
- On the political front, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the agreement on the first stage of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, calling for "its full and immediate implementation."