FTSE 100 movers: Micro Focus bounces back; Pearson hit by Berenberg note

London's FTSE 100 was up 0.4% to 7,408.18 in afternoon trade.

Micro Focus was the standout gainer, with traders pointing to a bounce-back following recent heavy losses.

Heavily-weighted mining stocks Glencore, Fresnillo, Anglo American and Antofagasta were all on the front foot after data released earlier revealed China's second-quarter gross domestic product grew 6.9% from a year earlier, unchanged from the first quarter and ahead of expectations for 6.8%growth. On a quarterly basis, the economy grew 1.7% compared to 1.3% in the first quarter, as expected. Chinese retail sales, industrial production and fixed asset investment data for June were also encouraging.

Broadcaster ITV advanced after it poached Carolyn McCall from easyJet to be its new chief executive.

AstraZeneca was recovering as last week's rumour that chief executive Pascal Soriot was leaving flip-flopped into new rumours that he was now in the remain camp.

Going the other way, education publisher Pearson was under the cosh as Berenberg cut its price target on the stock to 490p from 605p, saying that the value of the deal struck last week with Bertelsmann for the partial sale of its stake in Penguin Random House was slightly below its forecast.

Barclays nudged lower as it emerged that the trial of the bank and four of its former top executives charged with fraud over undisclosed payments to Qatari investors has been set for January 2019.

Risers

Micro Focus International (MCRO) 2,153.00p 3.06%
Ashtead Group (AHT) 1,617.00p 2.28%
Glencore (GLEN) 322.55p 2.04%
Fresnillo (FRES) 1,511.00p 2.03%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,136.00p 1.70%
Mondi (MNDI) 2,046.00p 1.64%
ITV (ITV) 177.80p 1.60%
AstraZeneca (AZN) 5,076.00p 1.55%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 871.50p 1.51%
Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 6,960.00p 1.31%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Pearson (PSON) 628.00p -1.18%
Shire Plc (SHP) 4,121.00p -1.16%
Experian (EXPN) 1,573.00p -0.94%
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 66.32p -0.93%
Imperial Brands (IMB) 3,471.00p -0.81%
Sage Group (SGE) 678.50p -0.66%
Intertek Group (ITRK) 4,228.00p -0.61%
Hammerson (HMSO) 581.00p -0.60%
Land Securities Group (LAND) 1,012.00p -0.59%
Barclays (BARC) 207.35p -0.55%