Biggest Stock Losers on the UK Market Today (9 December 2025): Unilever Leads FTSE 100 Fallers

London – 9 December 2025

The UK stock market is starting the week on the back foot, and the biggest damage is concentrated in a handful of heavyweight names. After Monday’s close (8 December), the FTSE 100 ended lower and several blue‑chip stocks posted steep declines, setting the tone for trading on Tuesday, 9 December 2025. ^[1]

Below is a detailed look at the biggest stock losers on the UK market, why they fell, and what analysts and recent forecasts are saying about their outlook.

UK Stock Market Recap: Cautious Mood Ahead of Central Bank Decisions

On Monday, the FTSE 100 closed at 9,645.09, down about 0.2% (‑21.92 points). The more domestically focused FTSE 250 dropped around 0.7% to 21,921.28, while the AIM All‑Share slipped roughly 0.4%. Cboe’s UK indices showed a similar pattern, with the Cboe UK 100 down 0.2% and the Cboe Small Companies index off about 0.9%. ^[2]

The weakness in London mirrors a broader European pattern. The STOXX 600 ended Monday marginally lower, with real estate and consumer staples dragging the index, and the FTSE 100 underperforming slightly with a fall of about 0.23%. Unilever was one of the biggest drags after completing the demerger of its Magnum ice‑cream business. ^[3]

Macro‑wise, investors are in “wait‑and‑see” mode ahead of:

This week’s US Federal Reserve rate decision, where markets are pricing in a 25‑basis‑point cut.
A widely expected Bank of England cut next week, with many economists forecasting Bank Rate falling to around 3.75%. ^[4]

Fresh commentary from a Bank of England policymaker suggests UK inflation could soon be back near the 2% target, thanks to cooling wage growth and moderating services inflation. That supports the case for gradual easing, but also underlines how sensitive rate‑sensitive sectors (housing, REITs) are to bond‑yield moves. ^[5]

At the same time, surveys show UK consumers reined in spending in November, with Black Friday sales disappointing retailers – a bad omen for discretionary names heading into Christmas. ^[6]

Against that backdrop, here are the top 20 FTSE 100 fallers, led by Unilever:

Top 5 fallers (FTSE 100, Monday close):
• Unilever (ULVR) – ‑6.64%
• Barratt Redrow (BTRW) – ‑3.97%
• JD Sports Fashion (JD.) – ‑3.77%
• Persimmon (PSN) – ‑3.46%
• Entain (ENT) – ‑3.16% ^[7]

1. Unilever (ULVR): Magnum Demerger Hangover and Share Consolidation

Move:

Price: 4,160p
Day change: ‑296p (‑6.64%) ^[8]

Unilever was the worst performer on the FTSE 100 on Monday and the main reason the index finished in the red.

What happened?

Magnum spin‑off and listing

Unilever has completed the demerger of its ice‑cream arm, now listed as Magnum Ice Cream Company in Amsterdam (with additional trading in London and New York). ^[9]
Magnum’s valuation at listing – roughly €7.8–9.1 billion, depending on the reference – appears to have landed below some bullish expectations, prompting investors to reassess the combined value of “New Unilever + Magnum”. ^[10]

Index‑flow pressure

Morningstar analysis cited in London market coverage points out a technical nuance: Magnum is headquartered in the Netherlands and won’t qualify for FTSE UK index inclusion, so UK index trackers that received Magnum shares in the spin‑off now have to sell them. That forced selling can weigh on both Magnum and, indirectly, sentiment towards Unilever around the event. ^[11]

Share consolidation

Unilever has also announced it will consolidate its shares on an 8‑for‑9 basis – eight new shares for every nine currently held – following the Magnum demerger. While this is mechanically neutral (you own fewer shares at a higher price), such moves often create short‑term confusion and volatility, especially when they coincide with a big spin‑off. ^[12]

Analyst view and forecasts

Despite the sell‑off, consensus remains cautiously optimistic:

MarketScreener’s snapshot of analyst ratings shows a mean consensus of “Outperform” from 19 analysts, with an average target price roughly 20% above the latest close (around €64.6 vs ~€53.6 on the European line). ^[13]
A new note in the early hours of 9 December from J.P. Morgan reiterated a “Buy” rating on Unilever, signalling that at least some of the sell‑side sees the drop as overdone. ^[14]

Key things to watch

How Magnum trades in its first full week as a standalone company – sustained weakness could keep a lid on Unilever’s re‑rating.
The timing and details of the share consolidation, and management’s messaging around capital allocation post‑demerger.
Any fresh guidance on margin progression now that a lower‑margin ice‑cream business has been carved out.

2. Barratt Redrow (BTRW): Rate Jitters Hit the New Housebuilding Giant

Move:

Price: 363.20p
Day change: ‑15p (‑3.97%) ^[15]

The newly formed Barratt Redrow, created via the merger of Barratt Developments and Redrow, was the second‑biggest loser on the FTSE 100.

What’s behind the drop?

Sector‑wide pressure on housebuilders

Reuters notes that UK housing stocks were among the worst hit on Monday, pushing their dedicated FTSE 350 sub‑index more than 3% lower, as investors reacted to rising bond yields and rate‑sensitive sectors sold off. ^[16]

Citi trims its target price

Within that sell‑off, Barratt Redrow fell after Citigroup cut its target price from 530p to 506p. While the cut isn’t dramatic, it reinforces a narrative of limited upside in the near term and reminds investors that earnings are still highly sensitive to mortgage costs and planning delays. ^[17]

Still a medium‑term bull case

Interestingly, the same London‑market wrap cites Citi’s view that a “spring bounce” could drive a sector re‑rating into 2026, as lower rates and an improving planning backdrop support volume housebuilders. ^[18]

What to watch next

Incoming UK housing data (mortgage approvals, prices, transaction volumes) over the next quarter.
The Bank of England’s decision and guidance – any hint of a faster easing path would be a clear positive for housebuilders.
Barratt Redrow’s synergy and integration updates following the merger; the market will want evidence that the combined group can protect margins and cut costs despite a soft housing cycle.

3. JD Sports Fashion (JD.): Profit Guidance at the Low End Meets Weak Consumer Trends

Move:

Price: 79.60p
Day change: ‑3.12p (‑3.77%) ^[19]

JD Sports has been under pressure for weeks, and Monday’s drop extends a rough run for the sportswear retailer.

Why the shares are sliding

A 20 November trading update from JD Sports is still echoing through the share price:

The company guided full‑year profit towards the lower end of market expectations, citing a tough macro backdrop.
Like‑for‑like sales fell 1.7% in the third quarter, with declines in North America, the UK and Europe, only partly offset by growth in Asia‑Pacific. ^[20]
Management highlighted continued softness in footwear and persistent discounting in key markets, particularly in the US, where JD derives nearly 40% of revenue. ^[21]

Monday’s sell‑off coincided with fresh data showing British consumers cutting back spending in November and Black Friday under‑delivering for many retailers, reinforcing concerns that the crucial Christmas period may be weaker than hoped. ^[22]

The bigger picture

According to Reuters, JD Sports’ shares were already down about 30% over the past 12 months heading into that November update, reflecting:

A discount‑driven market that squeezes margins.
A drop‑off in demand for Nike products, which still account for around 45% of JD’s sales. ^[23]

Analysts note that sales of flagship brands should gradually improve as Nike’s own reset takes hold and as the 2026 football World Cup in North America approaches, but investors are clearly not willing to pay up for that future just yet. ^[24]

What to watch next

JD’s Christmas trading update – any sign of deeper discounting or weak full‑price sales could prompt another leg down.
Progress on US margins and inventory management.
How quickly JD can diversify brand exposure beyond Nike while keeping shoppers engaged.

4. Persimmon (PSN): Short‑Term Pain, Medium‑Term Optimism

Move:

Price: 1,298.50p
Day change: ‑46.50p (‑3.46%) ^[25]

Persimmon joined Barratt Redrow among the hardest‑hit housebuilders, caught in the same downdraft of rising bond yields and cautious sentiment around the upcoming Fed and BoE meetings. ^[26]

Fresh analyst calls are more positive than the share move

Despite Monday’s sharp fall, recent broker research on Persimmon has been notably constructive:

MarketBeat and AmericanBankingNews highlight that Persimmon now carries an average analyst recommendation of “Moderate Buy”, with multiple updates in early December reiterating positive views. ^[27]
J.P. Morgan recently raised its price target to about 1,800p and upgraded the stock to “Outperform”, implying substantial upside from current levels if the housing market stabilises and volumes recover. ^[28]

Other recent commentary has even suggested that, over a 12‑month horizon, Persimmon’s share price and dividend combined could deliver double‑digit returns if the macro picture doesn’t deteriorate materially – though that remains a forecast, not a guarantee. ^[29]

What to watch next

Forward‑sales trends and cancellation rates in upcoming trading statements.
Any changes in government housing policy or planning reform that might unlock new supply.
The path of mortgage rates after the next Bank of England decision.

5. Entain (ENT): Tax Overhang and Valuation Reset in Gambling

Move:

Price: 735.20p
Day change: ‑24p (‑3.16%) ^[30]

Entain, the owner of brands such as Ladbrokes and Coral, rounded out the top five fallers.

Monday’s move in context

MarketWatch reports that on Monday, Entain closed at £7.35, down 3.16%, leaving the stock almost 29% below its 52‑week high of £10.32 set in late July. Trading volume was about 1.2 million shares, roughly half the 50‑day average of 2.5 million, suggesting orderly but persistent selling, not outright panic. ^[31]

The tax and regulation overhang

The bigger issue hanging over Entain is higher UK gambling taxes and a tougher regulatory backdrop:

In a late‑November statement, Entain flagged that recent UK gambling duty increases could cut earnings by about £100–150 million annually in 2026 and 2027, forcing the group to look for cost savings and marketing cuts to offset some of the impact. ^[32]

At the same time, analysts are recalibrating their models:

A recent valuation piece (via Simply Wall St, syndicated across several tickers) trimmed its fair‑value estimate for Entain from roughly £11.63 to £10.96, reflecting a slightly cooler growth outlook after tax changes and other revisions. ^[33]

Yet not all the news is negative: other brokers have upgraded Entain or highlighted it as potentially undervalued, pointing to improving international operations and the long‑term opportunity in the BetMGM joint venture in the US. ^[34]

What to watch next

Further clarity on UK tax policy and whether additional regulatory tightening is coming.
BetMGM growth metrics in the next set of results.
Any balance‑sheet actions (asset sales, buybacks, or dividend tweaks) designed to restore investor confidence.

Other Notable FTSE 100 Losers: Property, Retail and Commodities in the Red

Beyond the top five, the rest of the FTSE 100 fallers list paints a clear picture of where investors see risk right now. ^[35]

Property and real estate

Land Securities (LAND): ‑2.27%
LondonMetric Property (LMP): ‑1.82%
Segro (SGRO): ‑1.70% ^[36]

These moves echo the wider European trend, where real estate stocks were the biggest drag on the STOXX 600, falling about 1.6% as long‑dated bond yields jumped to multi‑year highs. For rate‑sensitive REITs, higher yields pressure valuations and make their dividend streams less attractive relative to risk‑free alternatives. ^[37]

Retail and consumer discretionary

Marks & Spencer (MKS): ‑2.66%
Burberry (BRBY): ‑2.15%
Auto Trader (AUTO): ‑1.91% ^[38]

These names are directly exposed to UK consumer spending, which survey data shows was restrained in November, with disappointing Black Friday performance. That raises concerns about Q4 trading and pushes investors to lock in profits after strong runs in 2024–25. ^[39]

Commodities and cyclicals

Endeavour Mining (EDV): ‑1.73%
Antofagasta (ANTO): ‑1.73%
Anglo American (AAL): ‑1.68%
Mondi (MNDI): ‑1.65% ^[40]

Antofagasta’s own stock‑specific note from MarketWatch shows the miner down 1.73% on Monday, with the share price now about 4.4% below its 52‑week high and trading volume below average – another example of gentle de‑risking rather than capitulation. ^[41]

For gold and oil‑linked names, prices were relatively flat into Monday’s close as markets waited for the Fed, limiting any cushion for miners and resource plays. ^[42]

Macro Drivers Behind Today’s UK Stock Market Losers

Putting all of this together, three big macro stories explain most of today’s losers list:

Central bank uncertainty
- Investors are bracing for Fed and BoE rate decisions, with cuts widely expected but forward guidance uncertain.
- Higher long‑term yields, particularly in Europe, are hitting real estate and housing stocks the hardest. ^[43]
Consumer caution
- November data show UK consumers tightening their belts, with weaker spending and underwhelming Black Friday sales.
- That’s bad news for retailers and consumer discretionary names like JD Sports, Marks & Spencer and Burberry. ^[44]
Event‑driven volatility
- Unilever’s Magnum demerger and share‑consolidation plan triggered index‑flow selling, valuation reassessments and confusion around the new capital structure. ^[45]
- Entain continues to digest UK gambling tax changes and evolving analyst valuations. ^[46]

What This Means for UK Investors

For traders and investors scanning “biggest stock losers UK today”, a few themes stand out:

Sector clusters tell you where risk is concentrated
- Defensive consumer staples (Unilever),
- Domestic housing and property (Barratt Redrow, Persimmon, LandSec, LondonMetric, Segro), and
- Consumer and betting plays (JD Sports, Marks & Spencer, Entain)
are all under pressure for reasons that map cleanly to rates, real incomes, and regulation.
Analyst forecasts are often more optimistic than price action
- Unilever still carries an “Outperform”‑style consensus with double‑digit upside implied by average target prices. ^[47]
- Persimmon has multiple recent upgrades and a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating. ^[48]
- Entain, despite its tax headwinds, is being discussed in several research pieces as potentially undervalued if regulatory risks stabilise. ^[49]
That doesn’t mean the market is wrong – it may simply be pricing in more risk than analysts – but it’s a reminder that big daily moves don’t always equal broken long‑term stories.
Key catalysts over the next few days According to market diaries and “factors to watch” notes published overnight, investors will be focused on: ^[50]
- UK corporate updates, including results from Ashtead Group and Moonpig, both sensitive to capital‑spending and consumer trends.
- BRC retail sales data, which will either confirm or challenge the narrative of a soft November.
- The Fed meeting (starting today) and BoE decision next week, which will set the tone for rate‑sensitive sectors well into 2026.

Final word (and a quick disclaimer)

The biggest stock losers on the UK market today are being driven by a mix of macro nerves and company‑specific events, rather than a single shock. For some names – notably Unilever, Persimmon and Entain – the sell‑offs come even as analysts remain broadly constructive on the medium‑term outlook. For others, like JD Sports and the housebuilders, the price action reflects genuine worries about earnings momentum in a slow‑growth, high‑rate environment.

As always, this article is for information only and is not personal investment advice. Share prices and forecasts can change quickly, especially around major central‑bank meetings, so anyone considering trading on these moves should: