Food and Beverage Retail

WH Smith PLC

WH Smith Under Investigation For Potential Breach Of Listing And Disclosure Rules

WH Smith plans to release its delayed annual performance report

WH Smith PLC repurchased 42,836 ordinary shares

SMWH

European stocks neared record highs, driven by optimism over policy easing and US growth. The Stoxx 600 Index rose 0.37%, with energy and insurance shares outperforming. Consumer products declined, impacted by Nike's sales warning. US inflation cooling and ECB's growth forecast boosted sentiment. WH Smith dropped 3.7% after cutting its dividend. FedEx's strong earnings may activate delivery stocks. Michael Brown remains bullish on equities due to robust earnings and resilient economy.

Businesstimes

European stocks hover near record on lingering policy optimism

FTSE 100 Ends Week Higher; WH Smith Falls Amid UK Probe

marketscreener

FTSE 100 Ends Week Higher; WH Smith Falls Amid UK Probe

Housebuilders' stocks fell as investors weighed the Bank of England's rate cut. The FTSE 100 index rose slightly, while the FTSE 250 and European equities saw declines. Retail sales in the UK were weaker than expected, adding to the negative sentiment. DCC led the FTSE 100 with a 2% rise after a successful tender offer. Chrysalis Investments climbed 2.7% on positive progress. WH Smith shares dropped 5.3% due to an FCA investigation and accounting errors in its US business.

Housebuilders fall as investors weigh BoE cut

WH Smith is under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for a multimillion-pound accounting scandal. The retailer admitted to overstating profits by tens of millions, leading to a 40% drop in share price. Former CEO Carl Cowling and CFO Robert Moorhead received significant bonuses, which WH Smith is now seeking to recover. The company is cooperating with the FCA and searching for new executives. This follows WH Smith's exit from the high street and a focus on airport and train station stores.

The telegraph

WH Smith investigated over accounting scandal as execs lose bonuses

UK stocks remained near multi-week highs despite a dip in homebuilder shares, following weak retail sales and consumer sentiment data. The FTSE 100 was flat, while the FTSE 250 fell 0.1%. Sterling hit a 17-year high after a Bank of England rate cut. WH Smith faced scrutiny over accounting issues, and mid-size lenders gained after reclassification by the Bank of England. Homebuilders and miners saw declines, while UK financial stocks drove year-to-date gains.

Reuters

UK stocks muted near multi-week highs as retail sales, consumer sentiment sag

The UK Financial Conduct Authority is investigating WH Smith for potential breaches of listing and disclosure rules following accounting failures. The company's shares fell 7% on the news, and it reported lower-than-expected profits, leading to a dividend cut. WH Smith plans to recover overpaid bonuses from former executives and is reviewing its business strategy, including potential exits from underperforming markets. The company aims to rebuild confidence and improve returns, with a focus on a more streamlined travel retail operation.

UK regulator investigates WH Smith after accounting failures hit profits

FTSE 100 Live 19 December: Retail sales below forecast, WH Smith results -

FTSE 100 live: Retail sales below forecast, WH Smith results

European stocks remained stable after hawkish signals from the ECB and Bank of England. Focus is on the U.S. core PCE price index following a decline in inflation. EU leaders opt to borrow for Ukraine's defense. Stoxx 600 slightly up; DAX, CAC 40 marginally higher; FTSE 100 down. Puma, Adidas, Hornbach, Ipsen, and WH Smith see stock declines; Capita rises on contract renewal.

rttnews

European Shares Muted; US PCE Data Eyed

WH Smith plc announced that Nicky Dulieu, Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, will step down from the board at the Annual General Meeting on 2 February 2026.

WH Smith Director Nicky Dulieu to Step Down at 2026 AGM

European shares are subdued but set for a weekly gain, with the STOXX 600 up 1.3% for the week. Major indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, and London remain largely unchanged. WH Smith shares drop 3.2% due to an investigation by the UK financial regulator, contributing to a 40% decline this year. Wall Street futures are higher.

LIVE MARKETS-European shares subdued, set for weekly gain

WH Smith shares fell 6% before recovering slightly after the UK's FCA launched an investigation into potential listing and disclosure rule breaches. The stock is among the top losers on the FTSE mid-caps index. WH Smith expects FY26 pretax profit between £100-115 million, similar to FY25, but reported FY headline pretax profit of £108 million, below consensus. Shares are down nearly 42% YTD.