Yahoo Finance Trending tickers: LSE | Rolls-Royce | Hikma | BMW
A look at the stocks making headlines on Thursday
LSE (LSEG.L)
The London Stock Exchange Group was among the top fallers in the FTSE 100 (^FTSE) on Thursday, as markets opened in London.
The stock sank about 6% in early trade following as it slightly missed profit estimates for its first half. Adjusted operating profit hit £1.4bn ($1.78bn), compared to a consensus estimate of £1.5bn. This was almost flat compared with a year ago.
Capital markets was the segment that grew the least, up 1.5% on the year. Meanwhile post-trade grew 19.2% and the data and analytics business was up 7.6%.
Rolls-Royce (RR.L)
Engine maker Rolls-Royce also headed into the red on Thursday, declining around 2.8% in early trade following its first-half results.
Although it raised its guidance, the firm stressed that there is still uncertainty ahead. The results stated that Rolls-Royce has put an "increased focus on costs and productivity" which helped to offset the impact of inflation and supply chain pressures.
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"There is much more to do to deliver better performance and to transform Rolls-Royce into a high performing, competitive, resilient, and growing business," said CEO Tufan Erginbilgic.
On 26 July Rolls-Royce upgraded its 2023 guidance for underlying operating profit to £1.2bn-£1.4bn and free cash flow to £900m-£1bn.
BMW (BMW.DE)
Profit before tax for the second quarter was €4.2bn (£3.6bn/$4.59bn), up from €3.9bn in the same quarter a year ago. The company almost doubled electric vehicle deliveries from the previous year.
Overall deliveries of vehicles were up 11.3%.
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Profit before tax decreased 14% in the first half, owing to rising interest rates and a reduction in size of its contract portfolio, the company said. Interest rates put pressure on retail consumers as financing costs for cars rose.
Shares were down around 1.9% in Germany in early trade on Thursday, compounding a week of selling.
Hikma (HIK.L)
Pharma firm Hikma was among the risers in London on Thursday following its first-half report.
Operating profit was up 3% on the same half last year, to $245m from $239m.
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"Across our global operations we have continued to strengthen our businesses and processes, including adding to, and enhancing our manufacturing capabilities," said Said Darwazah, group chairman and CEO.
Riad Mishlawi is set to take over the firm in September.
Stock was up around 0.8% by 9.15am.
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