Hunting maintains FY guidance, Softcat expects strong FY25 profit growth
By Iain Gilbert
Date: Thursday 28 Aug 2025
(Sharecast News) - LONDON PRE-OPEN
The FTSE 100 was expected to open 12.6 points higher ahead of the bell on Thursday, after wrapping up the previous session 0.11% lower at 9,255.50.
STOCKS TO WATCH
Precision engineering group Hunting maintained full-year guidance on Thursday but cautioned that market uncertainty could impact results. The oil industry specialist posted a jump in half-year core earnings to $70.2m, up from $60.3m a year earlier, against what it called a "volatile" macroeconomic environment and unveiled a $40m share buyback.
IT infrastructure firm Softcat said on Thursday that it now expected to deliver "high-teens growth" in full-year gross profits and "mid-teens growth" in FY operating profits as it continued to "trade well during" the fourth quarter, supported by further conversion of larger solutions projects. Softcat also noted that it remains "highly cash generative", with FY25 cash conversion expected to be towards the top end of its 85%-95% forecasts.
NEWSPAPER ROUND-UP
Speculation that the chancellor could announce new property taxes in her autumn budget is likely to slow down an already price-sensitive housing market, estate agents have said. Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering a tax on the sale of homes over £500,000 and the removal of the capital gains tax exemption on primary residences above £1.5m as ways to boost income for the government. - Guardian
Ryanair will pay airport staff increased and unlimited bonuses of €2.50 for every non-compliant carry-on bag they take from passengers, the airline's boss has announced. Passengers whose cabin cases exceed the maximum dimensions for a small suitcase are charged fees of up to £75 and their luggage is taken into the hold. - Guardian
A leading green banking group founded by Mark Carney has paused all activities amid a growing backlash against environmental capitalism. The Net Zero Banking Alliance has halted operations following an exodus of the world's biggest banks in recent months, many of which quit the group after Donald Trump ramped up attacks on sustainable finance. - Telegraph
The founder of Octopus Energy has been appointed to an influential role advising the Government, weeks after Ed Miliband rejected his recommendations on energy pricing. Greg Jackson will become one of three non-executive members of the Cabinet Office board, providing him with a platform from which to challenge the thinking of ministers and officials. - Telegraph
A top-20 City law firm has bucked the market trend and frozen junior lawyer salaries to help fund higher bonuses for high-achieving associates and partners. Addleshaw Goddard, which is ranked 15th in the UK's list of law firm earnings, has reallocated £1m that would previously have been spent on higher salaries for newly qualified solicitors to a new bonus fund worth £19m. - The Times
US CLOSE
US stocks finished with small gains on Wednesday, with upside limited by nervousness ahead of the release of Nvidia's earnings and uncertainty surrounding the future of the Federal Reserve.
At the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.32% at 45,565.23, while the S&P 500 advanced 0.24% to 6,481.40 and the Nasdaq Composite saw out the session 0.21% firmer at 21,590.14.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
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