Source: Sharecast
Topping the risers was publishing and exhibitions group Informa which said that strong forward visibility had led it to upgrade FY guidance. Informa said it delivered reported revenues had grown by more than 20%, while operating margins increased from 27.5% to 28.4%.
AstraZeneca was extending gains made the previous day on the back of its announced $50bn investment plan in the US, which it said will support its ambition to reach $80bn in revenue by 2030.
In contrast, a rebound in risk appetite – owing to a trade deal agreed between the US and major trading partner Japan – lifted global markets and dented share prices in the defensive utilities sectors, with Centrica, SSE and United Utilities among the day's worst performers.
Precious metals miner Fresnillo was slightly lower, erasing losses after dropping as much as 5.5% earlier on, following a mixed second-quarter update. The company said that gold output was trending towards the upper end of full-year guidance, though silver results have been weaker than hoped.
Other mining stocks were providing a lift, with Glencore and Anglo American among the top risers.
Also on the up was Admiral which rose slightly after Berenberg raised its target price for the insurance stock from 3,550p to 3,850p.
Market Movers
FTSE 100 (UKX) 9,066.66 0.47%
FTSE 250 (MCX) 22,002.04 0.31%
techMARK (TASX) 5,192.44 0.66%
FTSE 100 - Risers
Informa (INF) 864.40p 4.65%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 89.42p 4.22%
AstraZeneca (AZN) 10,648.00p 2.86%
Smurfit Westrock (DI) (SWR) 3,465.00p 2.61%
Smith & Nephew (SN.) 1,166.50p 2.55%
Ashtead Group (AHT) 4,849.00p 2.41%
Glencore (GLEN) 328.35p 1.80%
Associated British Foods (ABF) 2,247.00p 1.77%
Croda International (CRDA) 2,865.00p 1.70%
Anglo American (AAL) 2,378.00p 1.62%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Centrica (CNA) 159.60p -2.74%
SSE (SSE) 1,934.50p -1.80%
SEGRO (SGRO) 657.60p -1.59%
London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) 10,390.00p -1.52%
Severn Trent (SVT) 2,744.00p -1.40%
Airtel Africa (AAF) 183.20p -1.40%
Imperial Brands (IMB) 2,888.00p -1.30%
Rightmove (RMV) 780.20p -1.29%
Unite Group (UTG) 795.50p -1.24%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 1,153.00p -1.20%