The FTSE 100 has started Friday lower, taking its lead from a weaker US session overnight. An hour into trade, the blue-chip index was down about half a percent at 8,662.
ASOS PLC (LSE:ASC) bucked the trend, surging 18% after the online fashion retailer said it expected interim earnings to beat expectations in an upbeat trading update.
But JD Wetherspoon PLC (LSE:JDW) headed in the other direction, shedding more than 4% in opening trades, after it warned that rising national insurance and labour costs will push company expenses up by £60 million a year.
Shares in Ceres Power Holdings PLC (LSE:CWR, OTC:CPWHF) are also under pressure, toppling close to 8%. That's despite reporting a record order intake and a 132% jump in 2024 revenue to £51.9 million.
The developer of electrochemical technologies noted that the termination of its contract with Bosch will have limited financial impact for 2025.