Midweek and the markets are serving a pick-and-mix of profit trims, bullish fly-bys and a dash of retail drama. Here’s your rapid-fire run-through of the day’s big movers. Here's your daily Five at Five:
1. Persimmon slips on 2026 profit trim: Housebuilder’s bricks are still stacking, but a shaved 2026 margin outlook knocked 3.4% off the share price faster than you can say “location, location, location.”
2. Beazley takes an 8% hit: Lloyd’s insurer’s half-year profit tumbled and guidance went south — premium growth slowed, costs climbed and claims swelled like a storm surge.
3. Dow struts, Footsie snoozes: Wall Street woke up to rate-cut dreams, but London stayed in its deckchair, barely budging into the green.
4. Claire’s heads for administration: From tween piercings to tough trading, the accessories chain faces 2,150 job losses as falling sales and online rivals take their toll.
5. Rolls-Royce analysts rev engines: Two-thirds of the City says “buy” and strap in, though one lone voice insists the valuation’s already flying too close to the sun.
Pick of the day's small-caps
Light Science Technologies Holdings PLC (AIM:LST) swung to its first interim profit thanks to stronger margins and higher-value work. The order pipeline now stands at £58 million, with the fire protection and agri-tech divisions leading the charge. Read more
Sunda Energy PLC (AIM:SNDA) says drilling at its Chuditch-2 well in Timor-Leste is now planned for the first half of 2026. It’s held positive talks with regulators and is pushing ahead with permitting and rig tendering. Read more
Galileo Resources PLC (AIM:GLR) confirmed copper mineralisation at the Kalahari Copperbelt and is planning more drilling at the PL253 target. Copper values of up to 0.96% were identified, supporting earlier soil and geophysical results. Read more
Cornish Metals Inc (AIM:CUSN, TSX-V:CUSN, OTC:SBWFF) has hit a key milestone at its South Crofty tin project, reaching the mid-shaft pump station at 360 metres. Permanent pumps are being installed now, with full dewatering still on track for mid-2026. Read more
Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE:DEC, NYSE:DEC) is making boardroom changes, with Sandra Stash stepping down after five years as a director. David Turner will replace her, and other committee reshuffles are also on the way. Read more