FTSE 100 movers: Old Mutual marches higher but EasyJet flies lower

London's FTSE 100 index was up 0.5% to 7,528.91 in afternoon trade on Monday amid hopes that the US tax reform bill will be passed this week.

Old Mutual was the top gainer following reports at the end of last week that fund manager Richard Buxton and private equity group TA Associates are nearing a deal to buy a large part of Old Mutual Global Investors for about £600m.

3i Group was on the front foot as 3i Infrastructure agreed to sell its stake in Anglian Water Group, the parent company of Anglian Water, to a consortium of Dalmore Capital and GLIL Infrastructure.

Paper and packaging company Mondi was boosted by an upgrade to 'buy' from 'hold' at Deutsche Bank, which said it was too cheap and highlighted strong industry dynamics.

Budget carrier EasyJet flew lower after confirming that it has bought part of collapsed Air Berlin's operations at Berlin Tegel Airport.

As a result of the acquisition, EasyJet will operate 25 aircraft from Berlin Tegel Airport. The agreement includes EasyJet leasing former Air Berlin aircraft, taking over other assets including slots, and offering employment to former Air Berlin flying crew.

Risers

Old Mutual (OML) 212.94p 4.69%
3i Group (III) 918.00p 2.97%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 852.00p 2.53%
Prudential (PRU) 1,889.50p 2.27%
G4S (GFS) 257.50p 2.18%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,440.50p 2.16%
Persimmon (PSN) 2,681.00p 2.09%
Standard Life Aberdeen (SLA) 426.70p 2.08%
Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) 2,454.00p 2.00%
Mondi (MNDI) 1,853.00p 1.93%

Fallers

Mediclinic International (MDC) 599.50p -1.56%
Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets (MRW) 212.60p -1.35%
easyJet (EZJ) 1,401.12p -1.12%
Whitbread (WTB) 3,823.00p -1.06%
BT Group (BT.A) 275.10p -0.88%
Tesco (TSCO) 205.70p -0.77%
Paddy Power Betfair (PPB) 8,530.00p -0.64%
Shire Plc (SHP) 3,739.00p -0.62%
Next (NXT) 4,221.00p -0.59%
Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,416.50p -0.49%