B&M European Value Retail shares rose 16% to 323.60 pence in midmorning European trading, reaching a level last seen in June 2025 after the discount retailer reported higher first-half profit and a return to comparable-sales growth in its main U.K. market.
The FTSE 250-listed company said adjusted pretax profit for the half year ended Sept. 26 climbed to 121 million pounds ($160.6 million), from 103 million pounds a year earlier. The adjusted margin increased to 4.2% from 3.8%. Group revenue grew 3.6% to 2.85 billion pounds, with like-for-like sales rising across all three businesses.
At B&M U.K., comparable sales increased 0.4% in the half, supported by general merchandise and improved performance in fast-moving consumer goods compared with the first quarter. Second-quarter comparable sales were up 3.2%. B&M France posted half-year growth of 5.9%, while Heron Foods, the group’s other U.K. business, recorded a 2.9% increase.
B&M shares were up 92% year to date. The retailer operates 797 B&M-branded stores in the U.K. and 156 in France. Its board forecast adjusted pretax profit of 280 million to 330 million pounds for the full year, compared with 284 million pounds in fiscal 2026.
“Early golden quarter trading has been positive in each of our operating businesses, with continued LFL growth at B&M U.K. in both FMCG and general merchandise,” Chief Executive Tjeerd Jegen said. Adjusted pretax profit is the company’s preferred measure and excludes exceptional and other one-off items.
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