FTSE 100 movers: Shire gains on results; ex-divs weigh
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0.2% to 7,284.98 in afternoon trade as ex-dividend stocks weighed on the index.
Drug maker Shire was the standout gainer as its fourth-quarter sales and earnings beat City estimates and the company said it was confident of generating strong top- and bottom-line growth in 2017.
Revenues for the quarter came in at £3.81bn, versus the consensus $3.77bn, while earnings per share of $3.37 beat the forecast $3.24.
Coca-Cola HBC fizzed higher as it hiked its dividend 10% after a calendar year that saw flat volumes and a dip in sales due to currency but much improved profits thanks to improved costs and efficiencies.
British Airways and Iberia parent International Consolidate Airlines Group flew higher after peer Air France KLM reported solid results for 2016.
The airline sad full-year profit rose to €792m from €118m the year before, while operating income increased 34.5% to €1.05bn.
On the downside, ex-dividend stocks were the biggest drag on the index, with AstraZeneca, Imperial Brands, BP, and Royal Dutch Shell all in the red.
Risers
Shire Plc (SHP) 4,791.50p 4.41%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 1,883.00p 3.29%
Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) 2,204.00p 2.08%
Capita (CPI) 517.50p 1.97%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 510.50p 1.39%
Mediclinic International (MDC) 835.50p 1.33%
Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 2,013.00p 1.26%
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 1,614.50p 1.25%
Mondi (MNDI) 1,851.00p 1.15%
BT Group (BT.A) 312.60p 0.94%
Fallers
AstraZeneca (AZN) 4,517.00p -3.57%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,352.50p -3.05%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 848.50p -2.02%
Imperial Brands (IMB) 3,626.00p -2.00%
BP (BP.) 450.40p -1.56%
Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,137.00p -1.54%
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 3,066.00p -1.54%
Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 2,241.00p -1.47%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 695.00p -1.35%
Fresnillo (FRES) 1,494.00p -1.19%