Wolseley unit sale plan rumoured
Wolseley rose strongly on the Footsie amid market talk that the plumbing supplies firm has put three of its UK firms - Build Center, Electric Center and Encon - on the block.
The firm has been selling off units since it was hit by the slowdown in the housing market in the UK and the US, where the company has much of its business.
The stock closed up 67p at 2058p.
Wolseley will update the market today on third-quarter trading.
Analysts expect it to make annual profits of between £547m and £605m on sales of around £13.5bn.
Most watched Money videos
- BMW meets Swarovski and releases BMW i7 Crystal Headlights Iconic Glow
- Volvo's Polestar releases new innovative 4 digital rearview mirror
- Skoda reveals Skoda Epiq as part of an all-electric car portfolio
- How to invest for income and growth: SAINTS' James Dow
- Tesla unveils new Model 3 Performance - it's the fastest ever!
- Mercedes has finally unveiled its new electric G-Class
- 'Now even better': Nissan Qashqai gets a facelift for 2024 version
- 2025 Aston Martin DBX707: More luxury but comes with a higher price
- Land Rover unveil newest all-electric Range Rover SUV
- Blue Whale fund manager on the best of the Magnificent 7
- Mini Cooper SE: The British icon gets an all-electric makeover
- Mini celebrates the release of brand new all-electric car Mini Aceman
- Snoop Dogg cannabis firm to ditch London after losing 97%...
- BUSINESS LIVE: BoE base rate decision; ITV eyes ad market...
- Ford confirms it will cull another of its best-selling...
- TSB to close one in six branches: More than 6,000 shut by...
- Hedge fund tycoon's £34m silver salvage claim sunk at the...
- Watches of Switzerland buys Italy's Roberto Coin Inc for...
- ITV hit by Hollywood strikes as it pins hopes on Euros...
- Avon Protection handed £38m gas mask contract by MoD
- Controversial Brewdog founder James Watt steps downs
- We do need to resolve inequality admits £8m-a-year...
- Drivers abandon Direct Line after insurance premium hikes
- Why we need more than a British Isa to move the dial on...
- Mortgage rates are climbing again - should we be worried?...
- Used car sales hit a five-year high as fresh supply of...
- BAE Systems tools-up for growth as Britain plots defence...
- Oil industry engineer Wood Group rejects £1.4bn Dubai...
- Millions kept in the dark over City watchdog's mystery...
- Spring property bounce is a damp squib - Rics estate...