FTSE 100 movers: ITV gains on CEO comments; Vodafone goes ex-div

London's FTSE 100 was down 0.2% to 7,467.75 in afternoon trade as Britons headed to the polls.

Broadcaster ITV was the standout gainer following comments by chief executive officer Adam Crozier at an FT conference in London. Crozier said ITV is arguably undervalued given short-term ad issues. In addition, he said a buyout is not inevitable and the company should continue its current strategy.

Rentokil Initial advanced as its joint venture with Germany's Haniel was given unconditional clearance by the European Commission. Rentokil announced its agreement to merge it Workwear and Hygiene divisions with Haniel in December last year.

The joint venture will bring together Rentokil Initial's Workwear and Hygiene businesses in 10 countries principally in the Benelux and Central & Eastern Europe regions, with Haniel's businesses in 17 countries which operate under the CWS-boco brand. The deal will be carried out by the transfer of the Rentokil businesses into CWS-Boco.

On the downside, Vodafone, WPP and Johnson Matthey retreated as their stock went ex-dividend, while Wolseley was hit by a note from UBS.

Risers

ITV (ITV) 187.10p 1.74%
Ashtead Group (AHT) 1,612.00p 1.26%
British Land Company (BLND) 641.50p 1.18%
CRH (CRH) 2,809.00p 1.12%
SSE (SSE) 1,491.00p 0.95%
Rentokil Initial (RTO) 279.00p 0.94%
Land Securities Group (LAND) 1,077.00p 0.94%
Hammerson (HMSO) 592.00p 0.85%
Worldpay Group (WPG) 312.00p 0.84%
AstraZeneca (AZN) 5,346.00p 0.83%

Fallers

Vodafone Group (VOD) 219.80p -4.02%
Barclays (BARC) 202.45p -2.74%
WPP (WPP) 1,638.00p -2.27%
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 2,919.00p -2.01%
Kingfisher (KGF) 309.30p -1.43%
Fresnillo (FRES) 1,659.00p -1.25%
Wolseley (WOS) 4,859.00p -1.16%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,716.00p -1.15%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 878.50p -1.07%
3i Group (III) 934.50p -1.06%