FTSE 100 movers: Miners hit by sector-wide downgrades

Citigroup downgraded its stance on the mining sector on Monday to 'neutral' from 'bullish', saying that upside is "now capped" by weaker iron ore prices. Citigroup now expects iron ore price to $45 per tonne in 2015 and $40 per tonne in 2016.

Consequentially, the bank lowered its ratings on BHP Billiton, Antofagasta , Rio Tinto and Anglo American, driving the stocks down.

Pearson was in the red following a downgrade to 'underperform' from analysts at Jefferies.

HSBC was boosted after Morgan Stanley lifted its rating on the stock to 'equal weight', following a 17% underperformance against the Stoxx 600 banks index so far this year.

Aviva was also heading higher after Barclays, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley analysts all reportedly weighed in with positive recommendations.

BG Group surged after Investec raised its rating from 'sell' to 'hold' following week's surprise £47bn takeover bid by Shell.

Risers
Aviva (AV.) 567.50p +2.25%
Weir Group (WEIR) 1,801.00p +1.24%
HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 619.70p +1.24%
Fresnillo (FRES) 711.50p +1.14%
Royal Dutch Shell 'B' (RDSB) 2,065.50p +0.85%
Barclays (BARC) 259.20p +0.84%
Ashtead Group (AHT) 1,084.00p +0.74%
Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,041.00p +0.72%
BG Group (BG.) 1,173.50p +0.47%
Diageo (DGE) 1,947.50p +0.46%

Fallers
BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,425.00p -2.63%
Tesco (TSCO) 244.75p -2.49%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 725.50p -2.03%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,002.00p -1.96%
easyJet (EZJ) 1,879.00p -1.88%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,772.00p -1.88%
Pearson (PSON) 1,445.00p -1.77%
Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 163.30p -1.69%
Sage Group (SGE) 476.10p -1.63%
Barratt Developments (BDEV) 549.00p -1.61%