$RTO

FTSE 100 was up around 51 points to 10,919 as Brent crude rose above $82 per barrel. Precious metals gains lifted Fresnillo, up about 5%, and Endeavour Mining. The move followed reports of Iran-Oman draft terms on Strait of Hormuz shipping restrictions. Investors also awaited US non-farm payrolls.

UBS reiterated a Buy rating on Rentokil Initial PLC (LSE:RTO) after meeting the company’s new CEO, citing a positive risk-reward after its second-quarter selloff. UBS kept a 480p target (35% upside from 370p), with upside/downside cases of 640p/280p. It expects North American volume recovery to resume in 2H 2027.

RBC Capital downgraded JD Sports to sector perform from outperform, citing difficult, promotional sports-fashion conditions and weaker mass-market brand momentum. RBC reiterated a 100p target, trimming FY27 pre-tax profit forecasts by 2% and setting FY28 4% below consensus. Deutsche Bank cut Rentokil Initial’s target to 405p from 465p after softer US Pest Services Q2 organic growth (2.4%).

FTSE 100 hit a record intraday high but closed down 0.1% at 10,897.27 as the Bank of England held bank rate at 3.75% in a 6-3 split. BoE minutes and bond yields shifted expectations. Rolls-Royce rose after guidance and profit growth; Rentokil Initial fell 21% after retiring a margin target.

The FTSE 100 hit new record intraday highs, reaching 10,979.24 on Thursday, and was set to exceed the prior close of 10,910.55 from Feb 27, despite ongoing Iran war. Gains were attributed to better-than-expected results, including Rolls-Royce (shares up 6% after guidance upgrade), BAE Systems (outlook raised, stock up 2%), and Shell’s Q2 results; Rentokil Initial fell after a weaker-demand warning.

The page covers Rentokil Initial plc (LON:RTO, NYSE:RTO) share news. It says institutional investors control about 84% of the company. It also notes the stock rose about 10% over the past week and 21% over the last quarter, while earnings and shareholder returns have trended down over five years. It references a full-year 2024 update in line with expectations.

Rentokil Initial (LSE:RTO) shares fell 17% to 368p after the company warned of weaker residential demand in North America and withdrew its 2027 North America operating margin target of 20%. It reported 1H revenue up 6.7% to $3.6B, adjusted operating profit up 6.6% to $556M, and maintained 2026 profit guidance.

Goldman Sachs upgraded Rentokil Initial PLC (NYSE:RTO) to Buy from Neutral on July 7, citing improving execution in North America since Q3 2025. The firm expects North American organic growth to support a return to mid-single-digit organic growth by 2027, with EBITA margins rising to 17.1%. It raised its 12-month price target to 590 pence from 515 pence.

ABB Ltd, via Bidco, has agreed a recommended cash acquisition of Rotork plc through a UK scheme of arrangement. Rotork shareholders will receive 506 pence per share, including 503 pence cash plus a permitted dividend up to 3 pence. The offer implies about £4.136bn equity value and a premium versus recent prices. ABB expects revenue and margin accretion post-close.

Rentokil Initial shares rose 2.3% to 455.1p after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy and raised its 12-month price target to 590p (from 515p), implying ~33% upside vs 444.7p. Goldman cited recovering North America organic growth and a return to mid-single-digit growth by 2027, noting recent underperformance despite Q1 2026 organic revenue growth of 3.4% and NA growth of 3.9%.