Investing.com -- UK stocks rebounded in Monday afternoon trading after opening lower, with sterling firmer, European markets mixed, and Barclays sliding after Trump’s remarks on card lenders.
As of 1230 GMT, the blue-chip index FTSE 100 rose 0.04% and the British GBP/USD rose 0.5% against the dollar to above 1.34.
DAX index in Germany was flat, the CAC 40 in France dropped 0.5%.
IQE expects 2025 revenue at upper end of guidance range
IQE PLC (LON:IQE) announced Monday that it anticipates full-year 2025 revenue of approximately £97 million, reaching the upper end of its previously guided range of £90 million to £100 million.
The Cardiff-based compound semiconductor wafer supplier attributed this performance to faster-than-expected execution of military and defense programs and increasing demand for photonics connected to artificial intelligence and data center applications.
IQE reported improved trading in the second half of 2025, which was driven by several factors including earlier deliveries of military and defense projects, ongoing growth in AI- and data center-related photonics, and better performance in wireless products associated with new handset introductions.
Plus500 reports strong FY 2025 results, exceeding market expectations
Plus500 Ltd (LON:PLUSP) reported Monday that its revenue reached approximately $792 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2025, with EBITDA of approximately $348 million, surpassing market expectations.
The global multi-asset fintech group maintained a strong financial position with cash balances of approximately $0.8 billion at the end of the year, despite distributing about $380 million to shareholders during 2025.
When adjusted for constant currency, the company’s EBITDA for FY 2025 was approximately 8% higher than what it achieved in FY 2024.
Bernstein upgrades Next, downgrades AB Foods on UK retail outlook
Bernstein upgraded UK clothing retailer Next to "outperform" from its previous rating and downgraded Associated British Foods PLC (LON:ABF) to "market-perform" in a note released Monday.
The brokerage adjusted its price targets alongside these rating changes, raising Next PLC’s (LON:NXT) target to £160 from £150, suggesting a potential 12% upside. Conversely, Bernstein lowered Associated British Foods’ target price to £18, indicating a possible 4% downside.
The rating changes reflect what Bernstein described as diverging earnings visibility and consumer exposure across the UK retail sector.
In the same note, Bernstein maintained its "outperform" rating on JD Sports Fashion PLC (LON:JD) but reduced the price target significantly to £1 from £1.60. The brokerage attributed this target reduction to ongoing pressure affecting lower-income and younger consumers in the retail market.
Mondi shares fall after Morgan Stanley downgrades to underweight
Mondi PLC (LON:MNDI) shares dropped more than 3% on Monday after Morgan Stanley downgraded the company to "underweight" from "equal weight" rating.
The downgrade was based on valuation concerns and weaker earnings visibility, according to the investment bank.
Morgan Stanley noted that Mondi’s group margins have declined to levels below those seen during the global financial crisis, which led the brokerage to revise its earnings forecasts for the company.
Sage Group shares rise after UBS upgrade to Buy on AI-driven growth
Sage Group PLC (LON:SGE) stock rose 1.4% on Monday after UBS upgraded the accounting software provider to Buy from Neutral, citing attractive growth prospects and artificial intelligence-driven pricing power.
UBS analyst Michael Briest raised his price target to 1425p from 1400p, suggesting a potential 33% upside from Sage’s current share price.
The upgrade highlights Sage’s ability to leverage AI technology to enhance its pricing strategy in the accounting software market.
Barclays shares drop after Trump threatens credit card lenders
Barclays PLC (LON:BARC) shares fell as much as 4.8% on Monday after President Donald Trump said credit-card lenders would be "in violation of the law" if they fail to cap interest rates at 10% for one year.
The British bank, which has significant credit card operations in the United States, was impacted by Trump’s comments suggesting potential regulatory action against lenders that don’t comply with his proposed interest rate cap.
Oxford Nanopore sees 2025 revenue above guidance on 22% growth
Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd (LON:ONT) said Monday it expects to report full-year 2025 revenue slightly above its guidance range after achieving approximately 22% growth compared to 2024.
The company anticipates revenue of approximately £223 million to £224 million for the year, representing about 22% growth on a reported basis.
This performance exceeds the company’s previous guidance, which had projected 20-23% growth on a constant currency basis.
British Land CEO Simon Carter to step down after five years
Simon Carter will step down as Chief Executive Officer of British Land Company PLC (LON:BLND) after more than five years in the role, the UK commercial property firm announced Monday.
Carter, who has been with British Land for 18 years, is leaving to take on the CEO position at P3 Logistics Parks, a logistics property investor, manager, and developer operating across Europe.
P3 Logistics Parks is owned by GIC, the Singapore sovereign wealth fund.
