Premier Inn owner Whitbread and the US-focused plant hire firm Ashtead are in the spotlight during an improved session for the FTSE 100.
Whitbread’s update for the three months to 31 May showed a stronger UK performance but with demand for weekend trips to London slowing.
Sunbelt owner Ashtead reported annual profits of around ÂŁ3.9 billion after benefiting from demand linked to US mega projects.
FTSE 100 Live Tuesday
-
Ashtead powered by mega US projects
-
Whitbread in London slowdown
-
XP Power bidder walks away
Whitbread and airline stocks in demand, Ashtead under pressure
08:37 , Graeme Evans
Whitbread is top of the FTSE 100 index after the Premier Inn owner’s first quarter trading update left shares 4% or 110p higher at 3013p.
The improvement reverses a poor run for the stock, which started the year closer to 3600p.
Ashtead moved the other way, dropping 230p to 5280p despite the plant hire firm reporting…


