Next, the fashion and furnishings retailer, has raised its guidance after reporting full price sales were up 10.5% in Q3, exceeding guidance by £76m.

UK sales increased by 5.4%, while overseas sales surged by 38.8%. Consequently, the company has raised its fourth-quarter full price sales guidance from 4.5% to 7%, adding £36m to the forecast.

As a result of the strong Q3 performance and improved Q4 outlook, Next is increasing its full-year profit before tax guidance by £30m to £1.135bn.

Full price sales are now expected to reach £5,552m, representing a 9.7% increase year-over-year.

The company anticipates generating £425m of surplus cash this year and intends to return remaining surplus cash by way of a special dividend at the end of January 2026, which would be around £3.10 per share.

Nick Sherrard, managing director of Label Sessions, said: “Next is a lesson in modern retailing – a fact underlined by its ability to keep upgrading expectations, with another uplift to sales and profits guidance today. The brands Next owns and is involved with, as well as its tech-enabled operations, are strong now because of years of innovation and smart investment.

“Although the weakness of the UK market could provide a ceiling to Next’s ambitions, the retailer continues to thrive and has diversified internationally to offset that risk.

“But, the fact that surplus cash is being returned to shareholders as a special dividend suggests management sees little in the way of opportunity for further acquisitions, the likes of which have helped the company reach its current position.

“Further pressing the accelerate button on international growth, or making a bold play and bringing some big new concepts to market, would intimidate a lot of UK retail leaders in the current environment.

“Next has the infrastructure and firepower in place to do both, taking its future growth back into its own hands and laying the foundation for the next step in its journey.”

Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst UK at investment and trading platform IG, said: “A double-digit rise in Q3 full-price sales and another profit upgrade show the group’s mix of disciplined inventory control and digital marketing is still working nicely.

“Overseas growth was striking, with online sales up nearly 40%, suggesting its platform strategy has real international traction. The only worry is weakness in the UK as the domestic consumer cools, but even that looks well managed given Next’s track record of navigating downturns.

The shares have rewarded this consistency, but at current levels they’re pricing in continued outperformance. Any stumble in the critical Christmas period could see some of those gains given back.”

Aston Martin Lagonda

Aston Martin Lagonda has posted lower than expected wholesale volumes in the third quarter, decreasing by 13% to 1,430 vehicles, compared to 1,641 in Q3 2024.

Revenue also declined by 27% to £285.2 million, down from £391.6m in the same period last year.

However, the adjusted EBIT loss of £50.6m was 133% lower, compared to a loss of £21.7m in Q3 2024.

The company has taken immediate actions to cut FY25 capex to £350m and SG&A to approximately £275m.

Deliveries of Valhalla began this month and the company anticipates improvement in Q4’25 financial performance.

The future product cycle plan is under review, targeting a 5-year capex of approximately £1.7 billion, reduced from £2bn.