FTSE 100 movers: Packaging firms, Defensive issues pace losses

Packaging specialists DS Smith and Smurfit Kappa were two of the worst performers on the top-flight index as concerns around economic growth continued to mount.

Defensive issues including recent high-flyer Astra Zeneca were also on the back foot.

It was a similar case for shares of British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands, although the latter appeared to hace successfully pierced near-term technical resistance.

So too for Centrica and SSE.

Informa was prominent among the risers as analysts at Barclays sounded an upbeat note on the company's trading update from the day before.

"Informa's trading update is positive with FY comments reiterated (but China derisked a bit more) and 1H a little ahead. The acquisition of Industry Dive looks sensible to support the digital strategy at B2B events. The multiple is not cheap but also not too aggressive, even including earnouts."

Shares of Ocado caught a small bid, trading as they were near technical support ahead of its first-half numbers which were due out the next day.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 (UKX) 7,264.31 -0.44%

FTSE 100 - Risers

Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust (SMT) 838.20p 4.78%
Ashtead Group (AHT) 4,074.00p 3.43%
Aveva Group (AVV) 2,312.00p 3.03%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 774.80p 2.65%
Entain (ENT) 1,154.00p 2.44%
WPP (WPP) 853.80p 2.23%
Sage Group (SGE) 691.20p 2.19%
Flutter Entertainment (CDI) (FLTR) 8,028.00p 2.06%
Informa (INF) 579.00p 1.83%
Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 600.40p 1.80%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Smith (DS) (SMDS) 283.60p -3.83%
AstraZeneca (AZN) 10,918.00p -2.80%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 92.03p -1.94%
Reckitt Benckiser Group (RKT) 6,302.00p -1.90%
British American Tobacco (BATS) 3,463.50p -1.84%
Smurfit Kappa Group (CDI) (SKG) 2,819.00p -1.78%
Imperial Brands (IMB) 1,867.50p -1.74%
Prudential (PRU) 1,005.50p -1.66%
Aviva (AV.) 389.50p -1.44%
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 43.45p -1.41%