Melrose Industries Shares Plunge 12% on Weak 2026 Profit Guidance

Melrose Industries PLC saw its share price tumble by 12% to 564p following the release of its latest financial guidance. While the company reported a robust free cash flow of £179 million, beating consensus estimates by 18%, investor focus shifted toward future projections. The aerospace group's profit guidance for 2026 was positioned at the lower end of analyst expectations, sparking a wave of selling across the market. This conservative outlook overshadowed the strong current operational performance and significant beat in cash generation metrics. Market analysts noted that the cautious medium-term forecast has raised concerns regarding the company's growth trajectory over the next two years. The double-digit decline reflects a sharp shift in investor sentiment despite the underlying strength in current liquidity.