$SMWH.L

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UK Shares Edge Higher After Latest US-Iran Clash; Experian Declines

London's FTSE 100 gained 0.27% on Wednesday's close as US strikes in response to the alleged downing of an American helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz led Iran to attack a US base in Jordan and 21 other Gulf targets."Tehran has denied responsibility for shooting down the helicopter, although Iranian officials issued sharp warnings following the US operation," Deutsche Bank Research said. "The exchange has underscored the fragility of the April ceasefire and cast fresh doubt over President Trump's repeated assertions that a broader peace deal was close."In corporate news, Experian (EXPN.L) dropped 2.41% to take a spot among the worst performers on the blue-chip index after Deutsche Bank Research lowered the data and technology company's price target to 35 pounds sterling from 40 pounds, with a buy rating."In [business-to-business], our core thesis is that the AI platform shift strengthens the group's market position. For Experian, software is distribution not product... We expect the AI platform shift to further accelerate falling costs for these products - and expect the group to have an opportunity to pursue additional, richer value pools as a result. Experian has a preferential position to take advantage of these opportunities: it has scaled distribution, sits within complex embedded credit decisioning infrastructure, and is a highly trusted counterparty to regulated institutions," analysts said.On the flip side, Tritax Big Box REIT (BBOX.L) gained 4.86% after it received approval from the UK Secretary of State for its proposed data center in Manor Farm, Heathrow, UK. The decision comes earlier than Tritax expected.Meanwhile, mid-cap constituent WH Smith (SMWH.L) tumbled 16.17% after it lowered its fiscal 2026 outlook, citing uncertainty due to the Middle East conflict and gross margin pressures. The travel retailer now expects headline group pretax profit and non-underlying items of 75 million pounds to 90 million pounds, compared with the previous forecast of 90 million pounds to 105 million pounds.

FTSE 100$BBOX.L$EXPN.L$SMWH.L

US Markets5d ago

WH Smith Shares Slide as Challenging Market Conditions Prompt Outlook Cut

WH Smith (SMWH.L) shares fell sharply in early Wednesday trading in London after the travel retailer lowered its fiscal 2026 profit outlook, citing weaker consumer spending, an expected decline in passenger traffic and margin pressures stemming from uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict.The British travel retailer reduced its expectations for 2026 headline group profit before tax and non-underlying items to a range of 75 million pounds sterling to 90 million pounds, compared with its previously provided range of 90 million pounds to 105 million pounds.The stock plunged more than 18% after the revised outlook was announced.In its fiscal third-quarter trading update, the company cited the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, a recent deterioration in its North America division, and pressures on its gross margins as reasons for the outlook change. Management added it does not expect consumer confidence to recover in the near term or jet fuel prices to stabilize.The retailer also expects to record a significant non-underlying non-cash impairment charge of up to 150 million pounds for fiscal 2026 related to its store exit program and restructuring in North America.To mitigate the impact of the challenging market conditions, the company on the same day announced plans to raise fresh capital through the issuance of 26 million new shares under a share placement, a subscription offer and a retail offering."There is no doubt that current economic uncertainty and its effect on consumer appetite for spending has created headwinds. In this environment, sorting legacy issues while investing in the core model requires the financial flexibility of a stronger balance sheet in lock-step with self-help," said WH Smith Executive Chair Leo Quinn. "This placing is a prudent and proactive step to accelerate our transformation of what is, at heart, a good business with some great people and clear opportunity for profitable growth."For the 14 weeks ended June 6, the company recorded a 5% year-over-year increase in its total revenue on a constant currency basis.

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