FTSE 100 movers: Sage boosted by upgrade; ex-divs in the red

London’s FTSE 100 was up 0.4% at 6,911.21 in afternoon trade on Thursday, with sentiment underpinned by dovish minutes from the US Federal Reserve.

Sage was a high riser after Citi upgraded its stance on shares of the software company ‘buy’ from ‘neutral’ as it pointed to improving news flow.

"Covid uncertainty and the short-term margin outlook have led to Sage underperforming since its 100p price fall to 588p on FY21 results day (20th November 2020)," Citi said. "We believe that news flow has begun to turn more positive and the valuation will begin to reflect growing confidence in the group’s longer-term growth prospects."

Elsewhere, Anglo American gained as it announced the demerger of its thermal coal operations in South Africa.

On the downside, Aviva, Smurfit Kappa, DS Smith and Mondi all fell as they traded without entitlement to the dividend.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Aveva Group (AVV) 3,761.00p 3.61%
Experian (EXPN) 2,625.00p 3.51%
Sage Group (SGE) 651.20p 3.50%
Anglo American (AAL) 3,074.50p 2.89%
Diageo (DGE) 3,173.00p 2.67%
Spirax-Sarco Engineering (SPX) 11,955.00p 2.49%
Intertek Group (ITRK) 5,990.00p 2.46%
Reckitt Benckiser Group (RKT) 6,625.00p 2.46%
3i Group (III) 1,240.50p 2.44%
SSE (SSE) 1,548.00p 2.35%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Aviva (AV.) 405.40p -3.57%
Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 1,399.40p -2.85%
Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 1,336.20p -2.78%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 108.88p -2.68%
Smurfit Kappa Group (CDI) (SKG) 3,492.00p -2.65%
BP (BP.) 297.50p -2.60%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 171.15p -2.45%
Smith (DS) (SMDS) 414.50p -2.33%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 212.95p -2.25%
Mondi (MNDI) 1,896.50p -1.58%