The UK stock market nudged higher on Tuesday 9 December 2025, but beneath the calm headline numbers there were some dramatic individual moves – led by a double‑digit jump in Unilever and sharp gains in WPP, defence contractor Babcock, and mid‑cap names such as Trustpilot, Ocado, Helios Towers, Man Group and Moonpig.
The FTSE 100 closed fractionally up at 9,653.19 (+0.08%), while the FTSE 250 added 0.17% to 21,957.79, both indices finishing in positive territory after a cautious session. European markets more broadly were also slightly higher, with investors focused on the US Federal Reserve’s two‑day policy meeting that begins later today.
Below is a breakdown of the top gainers on the UK stock market today, why they moved, and what investors are watching next.
Market snapshot: modest index gains, big stock‑specific moves
Across Europe, the STOXX 600 rose about 0.2% by mid‑morning, supported by financials and defence‑linked industrial stocks, even as traders stayed cautious ahead of the Fed’s interest‑rate decision and updated “dot plot” projections.
In London:
- FTSE 100: +0.08% – consumer staples, defence and software outperformed.
- FTSE 250: +0.17% – technology, online platforms and financials led the mid‑cap risers.
Yet the real action was in single names, where corporate actions, government contracts, buybacks and analyst upgrades drove outsized moves.
Top FTSE 100 gainers today (9 December 2025)
1. Unilever (ULVR) – spin‑off & share consolidation power a 13% “jump”
- Move: Unilever shares surged 13.1% to 4,704.75p, making the consumer giant the single biggest gainer in the FTSE 100.
The outsized move is mostly technical rather than a sudden re‑rating. Unilever has just completed the demerger of its ice cream arm – The Magnum Ice Cream Company – and implemented an 8‑for‑9 share consolidation:
- On 8 December, the group confirmed that shareholders will receive 8 new Unilever shares for every 9 existing ones following the spin‑off of Magnum. [1]
- The consolidation became effective after Monday’s close, with “New Unilever Shares” starting to trade on the London Stock Exchange at 8:00 a.m. today, 9 December 2025. [2]
- Magnum itself began trading yesterday in Amsterdam, initially around €12.96 per share, implying a market value close to €7.9–8.0 billion, and launched secondary listings in London and New York. [3]
In other words, the headline 13% rise largely reflects the new share structure rather than an overnight transformation in fundamentals. The underlying business is now a leaner, non‑ice‑cream Unilever focused on beauty, personal care and home care brands. Analysts following the restructuring say the spin‑off and consolidation are intended to sharpen strategic focus and improve capital allocation to faster‑growing, higher‑margin categories. [4]
What to watch next
- How the market ultimately values “new” Unilever vs. Magnum once the initial technical noise fades.
- Management’s medium‑term growth and margin targets for the remaining portfolio at upcoming updates.
2. WPP (WPP) – shares spark on reported £2bn UK government ad contract
- Move: WPP climbed 4.9% to 312.95p, putting it second on the FTSE 100 risers board.
The advertising group rallied after reports that WPP‑owned media agency Wavemaker has secured a major UK government contract worth around £2 billion over four years:
- A Halifax/Sharecast market note said WPP shares “rallied” after The Times and trade title Campaign reported that Wavemaker won a Cabinet Office deal to plan and buy media for hundreds of central government campaigns, ranging from blood donation to military recruitment. [5]
- As of around 10:15 GMT, the stock was up about 5% at 313.2p on the report, before settling near the close with a gain just under 5%. [6]
The contract has not yet been formally confirmed and remains subject to a short standstill period, during which rival bidders can challenge the decision. [7]
The rally comes against a challenging backdrop:
- WPP is being ejected from the FTSE 100 after nearly three decades, with British Land due to take its place at the December quarterly reshuffle following a collapse in WPP’s market value. [8]
- The shares have fallen by roughly two‑thirds so far in 2025, amid client losses, AI‑driven competition and two profit warnings. [9]
Why it matters
A multi‑year, multi‑billion‑pound government account would:
- Provide high‑visibility revenue at a time when the company is under severe pressure.
- Offer an early win for new CEO Cindy Rose, who is conducting a strategic review after the ousting of former chief executive Mark Read. [10]
Investors, however, remain cautious: even after today’s bounce, WPP is still deeply down year‑to‑date and faces the symbolic blow of dropping into the FTSE 250 later this month. [11]
3. Babcock International (BAB) – defence exposure and buybacks keep the rally going
- Move: Babcock International advanced 3.7% to 1,220p, placing it third among FTSE 100 gainers.
Today’s rise extends a strong run that has been building through late November:
- Babcock recently reported half‑year results showing profit growth on the back of robust defence demand and nuclear‑related projects, and lifted its payout while reaffirming its full‑year outlook.
- A flurry of analyst activity has followed, including raised price targets and reiterated “buy” ratings from several brokers such as JPMorgan and Jefferies.
- The group has also been executing strategic share buybacks, which tend to support the share price by reducing the free float.
A fresh valuation piece published today by Simply Wall St argued that:
- Babcock’s shares are trading roughly 13% below its estimate of intrinsic value.
- Earnings are expected to grow about 11% over the next few years, supported by a strong contract backlog, suggesting room for further upside if execution remains solid. [12]
Key theme: Babcock sits at the crossroads of several investor favourites – defence, nuclear infrastructure and government contracts – which remain in focus as global security concerns keep defence spending elevated.
4. Sage Group (SGE) – software stalwart climbs on continued buybacks
- Move: Sage Group gained 3.0% to 1,100p.
The accounting and ERP software provider has been quietly but consistently returning cash to shareholders:
- A new “Transaction in Own Shares” RNS, released on the evening of 8 December, detailed additional purchases of Sage shares under its ongoing buyback programme.
- Recent trading data show the share price had been range‑bound around 1,060–1,080p in the days before today’s move, suggesting the combination of buybacks and investor appetite for stable, subscription‑based software earnings helped push the stock higher.
With recurring revenue from cloud‑based subscriptions and a long track record of dividends, Sage continues to appeal to investors looking for defensive growth in a market still grappling with rate and macro uncertainty.
5. BAE Systems (BA.) – defence giant benefits from sector tailwinds and insider buying
- Move: BAE Systems rose 2.9% to 1,740.75p, rounding out the top five FTSE 100 gainers.
Two factors stand out behind today’s strength:
- Sector momentum: European defence and aerospace stocks have been outperforming, helped by a robust order backdrop and reports of large procurement packages in key markets. A Reuters market update today highlighted defence names among the best‑performing industrials indices in Europe.
- Insider confidence: A MarketBeat filing summary reports that BAE insider Ewan Kirk acquired 10,000 BAE shares in a transaction dated Friday, a purchase that investors often interpret as a vote of confidence from within the company.
Fundamentally, BAE continues to ride a multi‑year upgrade cycle:
- The company recently reiterated guidance for 2025 sales growth of 8–10% and underlying operating profit growth of 9–11%, underpinned by a large order book and long‑term defence programmes.
Top FTSE 250 gainers: Trustpilot, Ocado, Helios Towers, Man Group, Moonpig
On the mid‑cap FTSE 250, the top five risers were all up between roughly 3.7% and 4.3%:
- Trustpilot (TRST) – 158.75p, +4.27%
- Ocado (OCDO) – 195.57p, +3.90%
- Helios Towers (HTWS) – 164.80p, +3.78%
- Man Group (EMG) – 215.40p, +3.75%
- Moonpig (MOON) – 222.00p, +3.74%
Trustpilot (TRST) – continuing buybacks fuel recovery
Trustpilot’s shares rose 4.3% to the top of the FTSE 250 risers list. The online review platform has been aggressively buying back stock:
- A series of “Transaction in own shares” RNS announcements through early December detail repeated on‑market purchases under a buyback programme that began on 16 September 2025.
- An Investegate filing summarised a purchase of 700,000 shares on 5 December, taking total repurchases since the programme began to over 11 million shares at a cost of around £21.1 million, all intended for cancellation.
A separate analysis piece noted that Trustpilot extended its programme while the stock was trading near 12‑month lows, underscoring management’s view that the shares are undervalued.
Buybacks do not change the underlying business, but they increase earnings per share and can support valuations if executed at attractive prices – a dynamic investors appear to be factoring in today.
Ocado (OCDO) – Kroger payout, bond redemption and record market share
Ocado gained 3.9% to 195.57p, continuing a rebound that began late last week. The move reflects a cluster of recent developments:
- Kroger compensation payout:
- On 5 December, Reuters reported that Ocado will receive a $350 million cash payment from US partner Kroger after the grocer decided to close three Ocado‑powered robotic warehouses and cancel another planned site.
- The payment, due in January 2026, is meant to offset lost future capacity fees and helped Ocado shares jump about 6% on the day, partially reversing earlier losses tied to Kroger’s strategy shift.
- Convertible bond overhang removed:
- A TipRanks company‑announcement article today highlighted that Ocado has fully redeemed its 0.875% guaranteed senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2025, with a remaining principal of £55.8 million, and cancelled the issue, leaving no bonds of that series outstanding.
- Removing this relatively small but symbolic liability helps simplify the balance sheet and reduces near‑term refinancing questions.
- Record UK grocery market share:
- New Worldpanel (formerly Kantar) data reported by Retail Gazette show Ocado reaching a record 2.2% share of the UK grocery market, with sales up 15.8% in the 12 weeks to 30 November 2025, making it the fastest‑growing UK grocer over that period.
Taken together, investors are starting to view Ocado not just as a capital‑intensive story of far‑out automation projects, but as a growing online retailer with improving financial visibility, even if the company still faces high leverage and patchy profitability.
Helios Towers (HTWS) – stronger growth outlook and buybacks
Helios Towers, the Africa‑ and Middle East‑focused telecom tower operator, climbed 3.8% to 164.80p.
Two strands of news are supporting the stock:
- Upgraded growth narrative:
A fresh Investing.com note today (citing Reuters research) said Helios Towers is “raising its growth prospects” as its African operations mature, with the business transitioning into a “predictable cash distributor” while still targeting mid‑teens free‑cash‑flow CAGR between 2025 and 2030. - Ongoing $75m buyback:
In November the company announced a US$75 million share buyback programme running through to the end of 2026, part of a broader capital‑return plan following a year of double‑digit profit growth.
A regulatory notice today (via ADVFN) indicated Helios repurchased around 154,000 shares on 8 December as part of this programme, reinforcing the message of returning surplus cash to investors.
Helios is increasingly being pitched as a tower REIT‑style cash‑flow story, with long‑term contracts tied to mobile penetration and data growth across emerging markets, rather than as a pure high‑risk growth play.
Man Group (EMG) – JPMorgan upgrade lifts quant asset manager
Man Group advanced 3.8% to 215.40p, making it one of the strongest financials in the FTSE 250.
A Reuters European markets piece singled out Man Group as a notable gainer:
- Man Group shares were up about 3.5–4.2% after J.P. Morgan upgraded the stock to “overweight” from “neutral” and increased its price target, helping lift the broader financial services sector.
Man’s positioning in systematic strategies, macro funds and alternative risk premia has benefited from higher volatility and dispersion, and the group has been vocal about using AI and data science in its investment process – themes that remain attractive to many institutional allocators.
Moonpig (MOON) – swing to profit, higher payout and a new CEO
Digital cards and gifting platform Moonpig jumped 3.7% to 222p after unveiling half‑year results and a leadership change.
Key headlines from today’s announcements:
- Swing to interim profit: Moonpig reported a move back into profit for the six months to 31 October 2025, prompting Alliance News to note that earnings momentum across the group has been “strong”, helped by ongoing investment in data and AI‑driven personalisation.
- Higher payout: The company increased its payout (dividend) as part of the interim results, signalling confidence in cash generation.
- New chief executive: Moonpig announced that Catherine Faiers, currently chief operating officer at Auto Trader, will become CEO on 2 March 2026, succeeding long‑time boss Nickyl Raithatha.
Investors often welcome a combination of improving profitability, rising dividends and a high‑profile incoming CEO, which helps explain why Moonpig was among the FTSE 250’s best performers by late morning.
Themes behind today’s top gainers
Looking across the leaders in both the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250, several clear themes emerge:
1. Corporate restructurings and spin‑offs
- Unilever’s demerger of Magnum and subsequent share consolidation reshaped one of the UK market’s biggest consumer names, creating a technical pop in ULVR while giving investors direct exposure to the newly listed Magnum Ice Cream Company. [13]
- Such transactions can unlock value over time if the separated businesses are easier to value and manage individually.
2. Government and defence spending
- WPP’s reported government media contract, Babcock’s naval and nuclear programmes and BAE Systems’ deep defence backlog highlight how public‑sector demand continues to underpin earnings for several UK‑listed names. [14]
- European defence stocks remain in favour amid heightened geopolitical risk and large procurement packages, a tailwind that may persist into 2026.
3. Share buybacks and capital returns
A striking proportion of today’s winners are returning significant cash to shareholders:
- Trustpilot, Helios Towers, Sage and Babcock all have active share‑buyback programmes, with regular “transaction in own shares” notices hitting the tape.
- Buybacks don’t guarantee higher prices, but in markets where organic growth is moderate, investors often reward disciplined capital allocation.
4. Digital platforms, data and AI
Several top gainers are digital‑first or data‑rich businesses:
- Moonpig emphasised its use of data and AI to drive personalisation and higher customer spend.
- Ocado and Helios Towers both lean heavily on proprietary technology and long‑term contracts to monetise structural changes in retail and mobile connectivity.
- Man Group runs systematic and quant strategies that depend on advanced data analytics – another attractive theme for allocators.
Outlook: what could move UK stocks next?
Looking ahead, traders and investors will be watching:
- The US Federal Reserve decision and projections later this week, which could sway global risk appetite and sterling.
- Final confirmation – or any challenge – to WPP’s reported Cabinet Office contract during the standstill period. [15]
- How markets digest the new Unilever / Magnum structure, including index flows and early trading in Magnum’s London listing. [16]
- Ongoing buyback activity from Trustpilot, Helios Towers, Sage and others, especially if volatility picks up.
Important note:
This article is for information and news purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Always do your own research or consult a regulated financial adviser before making investment decisions.
References
1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.londonstockexchange.com, 3. www.reuters.com, 4. uk.investing.com, 5. www.investments.halifax.co.uk, 6. www.investments.halifax.co.uk, 7. www.investments.halifax.co.uk, 8. www.theguardian.com, 9. www.theguardian.com, 10. www.theguardian.com, 11. www.theguardian.com, 12. simplywall.st, 13. www.reuters.com, 14. www.investments.halifax.co.uk, 15. www.investments.halifax.co.uk, 16. www.reuters.com
