FTSE indices closed higher on Thursday, regaining some ground lost in the prior session, as positive jobs data boosted sentiment and Flutter Entertainment led the market higher after upbeat fourth-quarter results.
The FTSE 100 finished up 0.2% at 7,459.09, while the FTSE 250 closed 0.4% firmer at 18,948.04. The AIM All-Share ended Thursday with a 0.3% gain at 741.01.
Shares of Flutter Entertainment, owner of Paddy Power and Betfair, soared 16%, leading the blue-chips higher. The gambling group revealed double-digit revenue growth in the fourth quarter and for 2023, with total sales up 11% and 24% respectively as monthly active players increased. Flutter noted it was on track for a New York stock exchange listing by month’s end. Fellow gaming stock Entain rose nearly 6% in sympathy.
Offsetting the positivity, watches and jewellery retailer Watches of Switzerland plunged 36% after warning of a “volatile” festive trading period amid challenging economic conditions. The company said tough consumer spending would likely persist.
Among midcaps, iron ore producer Ferrexpo surged 17% after reinstating its dividend, while oil company Harbour Energy slid nearly 9% as it forecast a 28% drop in 2023 revenues.
On AIM, shares of Strategic Minerals leapt 50% as the miner welcomed back a major client that contributed to a 50% drop in 2023 sales volumes. The unnamed customer placed a new 30,000-tonne order for 2024.