The company's warning yesterday came as other UK retailers' share prices took a hit as stock market investors continue to digest the implications of the changes to employers' national insurance contributions (NICs) announced in Rachel Reeves's first budget as chancellor.
Marks & Spencer (-4.8%), JD Sports (-2.6%) and Tesco (-1%) were among the fallers on the FTSE 100, pulling it down to a three-month low. On the FTSE 250 index of smaller companies, the share prices of the bakery chain Greggs (-6%) and the pub group Mitchells & Butlers (-7.7%) also fell.
The share price of the prison contractor Serco dropped nearly 10% yesterday, making it the biggest faller on the FTSE 250, after it told investors changes to employer NICs will cost it about £20m a year. Serco's share price was also affected by its announcement that it had a key contract with the Australian government's Department of Home Affairs to provide onshore immigration detention facilities and services.
This story is from the November 09, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 09, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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