FTSE 100 movers: CRH rallies on results; Compass slumps

London’s FTSE 100 was up 0.1% at 7,400.72 in afternoon trade on Tuesday, failing to gain any real ground despite some signs of progress in Sino-US trade relations.

Insurer Hiscox was in the green after an upgrade to ‘buy’ at HSBC.

Building materials group CRH was a high riser after saying it expects full-year core earnings to be more than €4.15bn (£3.55bn) after a strong Americas and European performance in the first nine months of 2019 and despite a downturn in the UK due to Brexit.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 7% on a like-for-like basis to €3.2bn. Cumulative nine-month sales to the end of September were up 4% to €21.8bn. Third quarter trading in CRH's Americas Materials Division benefited from more favourable weather conditions than experienced in the first half of the year, the company said.

On the downside, Compass Group was on the back foot after the catering company reported a rise in annual underlying operating profit but warned of a "more challenging trading environment" in Europe.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: "The share price reaction to the numbers is likely to be due to an element of profit-taking, as well as a tinge of disappointment at the headline level with the numbers themselves and a marginally cautious tone on prospects in Europe.

"Even so, over the last year the shares have risen by a thumping 34%, which compares to a hike of 5% for the wider FTSE 100 and, although the company is clearly well-regarded, it seems that the shares are for the moment up with events. The general market view of Compass as a hold is therefore likely to remain in place for the time being."

British American Tobacco shares slipped ahead of a pre-close trading update on Wednesday.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Fresnillo (FRES) 575.60p 6.67%
Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,308.00p 3.07%
St James's Place (STJ) 1,079.00p 2.76%
CRH (CRH) 2,985.00p 2.65%
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 2,992.00p 2.26%
London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 7,000.00p 2.01%
Kingfisher (KGF) 209.20p 1.90%
Standard Life Aberdeen (SLA) 319.80p 1.69%
Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 548.60p 1.52%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 235.70p 1.51%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Compass Group (CPG) 1,922.00p -7.19%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 790.60p -2.03%
Pearson (PSON) 647.80p -1.28%
Evraz (EVR) 366.50p -1.24%
Centrica (CNA) 82.08p -1.18%
Mondi (MNDI) 1,678.50p -1.00%
Barratt Developments (BDEV) 666.20p -0.89%
Rightmove (RMV) 623.60p -0.86%
British American Tobacco (BATS) 2,986.50p -0.76%
Legal & General Group (LGEN) 278.40p -0.71%