Sector movers: Life insurers and aerospace lead gains

Life insurance and aerospace plays fared best at the start of the week.

Benefitting the former were supportive comments out of analysts at JP Morgan.

"Following a prolonged period of poor relative performance, we believe it is time to revisit the UK life sub-sector, particularly if we are close to 'peak yields' in the UK," they said in a research report sent to clients.

Aviva was still their "most preferred" stock to play the themes of superior growth potential relative to its European peers and the fact that it offered the highest capital return.

The broker also stayed overweight on Legal & General and Just Group, while upgrading M&G to neutral.

Rolls Royce paced gains in the Aerospace arena, with its shares notching up fresh 52-week highs, boosted by a flood of announcements regarding new jet orders for Airbus and Boeing at the Dubai Air Show.

Top performing sectors so far today

Tobacco 28,266.59 +2.48%

Life Insurance 6,002.22 +2.26%

Aerospace and Defence 7,930.62 +1.53%

Household Goods & Home Construction 11,015.55 +1.33%

Beverages 22,560.38 +1.25%

Bottom performing sectors so far today

Investment Banking and Brokerage Services 13,105.63 -1.12%

Personal Goods 23,852.68 -1.10%

Precious Metals and Mining 8,870.52 -0.89%

Software & Computer Services 2,186.55 -0.37%

Electricity 9,915.19 -0.25%