FTSE 100 movers: Centrica rallies again; Berkeley takes a hit
London’s FTSE 100 was up 1.4% at 7,337.70 in afternoon trade on Friday, boosted by a weaker pound and optimism over a trade deal between the US and China.
British Gas owner Centrica was the standout gainer for a second day running after backing its full-year guidance on Thursday and increasing its efficiency savings forecast by £50m to £300m.
Miner Glencore was on the rise amid renewed hopes of a Sino-US trade deal.
AstraZeneca was in the green after the pharmaceutical giant announced late on Thursday that Calquence had won approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Shore Capital said: "This is a very significant milestone in the history of AstraZeneca, in our view, marking the validation of its blood cancer strategy."
On the downside, speciality chemicals company Johnson Matthey was in the red for the second day in a row after saying on Thursday that half-year pre-tax profit declined 8% and net debt rose.
Housebuilder Berkeley Group retreated, with traders pointing to the Conservatives’ pledge to make foreign buyers pay 3% more in stamp duty than UK residents.
FTSE 100 - Risers
Centrica (CNA) 82.60p 4.14%
Glencore (GLEN) 247.45p 3.28%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 2,496.00p 2.89%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 780.00p 2.79%
TUI AG Reg Shs (DI) (TUI) 1,074.00p 2.73%
Smith & Nephew (SN.) 1,715.00p 2.66%
AstraZeneca (AZN) 7,530.00p 2.64%
Intertek Group (ITRK) 5,554.00p 2.55%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 732.80p 2.49%
Vodafone Group (VOD) 155.80p 2.47%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 2,893.00p -3.21%
Fresnillo (FRES) 582.40p -2.71%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 1,135.00p -1.73%
Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 4,425.00p -0.90%
Kingfisher (KGF) 196.05p -0.73%
Evraz (EVR) 352.10p -0.28%
NMC Health (NMC) 2,469.00p -0.12%
Barclays (BARC) 168.06p -0.07%
Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB.) 5,943.00p 0.08%
British Land Company (BLND) 553.40p 0.18%