FTSE 100 movers: Property companies rally; Ashtead hit by United Rentals update
London's FTSE 100 was up 0.9% at 7,229.14 in afternoon trade on Thursday as investors digested news that the UK and EU had reached an agreement on Brexit.
Property companies Segro and British Land rallied on Brexit optimism.
Consumer goods giant Unilever was trading up even as it reported slightly weaker-than-expected growth in third-quarter underlying sales. Growth came in at 2.9% versus expectations of 3% as growth in India softened, while China slowed a little.
Hiscox was on the front foot, having fallen on Wednesday after Barclays pointed to the possibility of a profit warning from the insurer.
On the downside, BAE Systems and Smiths Group were weaker as their stock went ex-dividend.
Equipment rental firm Ashtead was in the red after US peer United Rentals narrowed its FY19 revenue guidance.
FTSE 100 - Risers
SEGRO (SGRO) 831.80p 2.74%
Spirax-Sarco Engineering (SPX) 7,525.00p 2.66%
Prudential (PRU) 1,495.50p 2.47%
TUI AG Reg Shs (DI) (TUI) 1,058.00p 2.42%
British Land Company (BLND) 633.60p 2.19%
Croda International (CRDA) 4,772.00p 2.10%
3i Group (III) 1,081.00p 2.08%
Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,549.00p 2.04%
Unilever (ULVR) 4,702.00p 2.03%
RSA Insurance Group (RSA) 527.20p 1.97%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) 2,460.00p -2.92%
BAE Systems (BA.) 540.20p -2.74%
Smith (DS) (SMDS) 342.90p -2.50%
Smiths Group (SMIN) 1,572.00p -2.45%
Mondi (MNDI) 1,578.50p -2.23%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 2,406.00p -1.84%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 875.40p -1.64%
Ashtead Group (AHT) 2,080.00p -1.47%
Severn Trent (SVT) 2,265.00p -1.39%
Evraz (EVR) 392.50p -1.33%