FTSE 100 movers: Chinese data boosts commodities and retail, Unilever sinks on dissapointing growth

Fast-moving consumer goods giant Unilever was among the fallers after revealing slower-than-expected growth in 2014. Underlying sales were up 2.9%, faster than the markets they operate in but lower than analyst forecasts, with volumes higher by 1% and prices advancing by 1.9%.

The company's core operating margins improved by 40 basis points at current exchange rates and free cash-flow came in at €3.1bn following €0.8bn in taxes on the profits earned from disposals, while core earnings were up by 11%.

Tullow Oil shares took a hit after its price target price was lowered from £5.45 to £3.85 by analysts at Investec.

Admiral Group was also faring badly after a research report from Morgan Stanley speculated that 2015 could be problematic for UK motor insurers. Analyst Marcus Rivaldi suggested that in the next 12 months, insurers could be at tipping point for top-line growth and margin expansion.

Glencore and Fresnillo were boosted by better-than expected Chinese data was released on Tuesday. Gross domestic product rose 7.3% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, more than the 7.2% growth that was expected. Burberry Group also rose after Chinese retail sales in December grew 11.9% from the previous month, beating analysts’ estimates for an 11.7% climb.

Readthrough from Investec’s upgrade to TSB from ‘hold’ to ‘buy’, rippled through the banking sector, with Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays both trading higher.

Risers
Fresnillo (FRES) 912.50p +4.17%
Glencore (GLEN) 255.35p +3.09%
Sports Direct International (SPD) 755.50p +3.00%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 509.50p +2.93%
Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 379.10p +2.74%
easyJet (EZJ) 1,652.00p +2.48%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,116.00p +2.43%
Barclays (BARC) 234.95p +2.15%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,704.00p +2.04%
St James's Place (STJ) 819.00p +1.99%

Fallers
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 1,076.00p -4.10%
Admiral Group (ADM) 1,419.00p -2.27%
Associated British Foods (ABF) 3,060.00p -1.70%
SABMiller (SAB) 3,333.00p -1.51%
Barratt Developments (BDEV) 427.20p -1.45%
Weir Group (WEIR) 1,672.00p -1.42%
BG Group (BG.) 843.80p -1.32%
Tullow Oil (TLW) 365.00p -1.22%
Dixons Carphone (DC.) 441.40p -1.14%
Royal Mail (RMG) 425.40p -1.12%