London close: Stocks erase losses as ITV, StanChart and IAG gain

The FTSE 100 snapped three days of losses to finish up 0.44% at 6,919.24.

Economic data from across the globe came in mixed on Wednesday compared with consensus expectations, but broadly showed that service sectors across the world were growing at a solid pace in February.

Purchasing managers’ indices released during the session indicated that non-manufacturing activity growth accelerated last month in China, the Eurozone and US, but tailed off slightly in the UK.

Meanwhile, while the ADP employment report showed that US private-sector job growth eased in February, there were positive revisions to January and every month of the fourth quarter, “underscoring the strength of the US labour market”, said analyst Jasper Lawler from CMC Markets.

Investors were also looking ahead to the European Central Bank meeting on Thursday, where policymakers will announce details of their €1trn quantitative easing programme designed to boost growth and lift the Eurozone out of deflation.

Retail data from the region released on Wednesday showed that lower energy costs were having a positive impact on consumers’ wallets, with sales jumping 1.1% compared with the 0.2% increase expected.

ITV, StanChart and IAG provide a boost

ITV surged 5.7% after the strongest advertising performance in five years helped it beat forecasts for 2014, as it hiked its annual dividend 34% and proposed an extra payout for shareholders. Numis Securities upped its rating on the broadcaster and producer from ‘add’ to ‘buy’.

Emerging markets-focused lender Standard Chartered was 5.1% higher despite announcing that pre-tax profits in 2014 dropped 25% to $5.2bn. Results missed analysts’ forecasts by a long way, though the market gave the report a warm welcome as the bank eased concerns by maintaining its dividend and not signalling any intention to raise capital.

Meanwhile, BA owner IAG gained 2.4% after saying that passenger traffic increased at a year-on-year rate of 5.5% in February, in line with the previous month.

Heading the other way was Mexican precious metals producer Fresnillo which dropped 8.5% after the company said profits plunged 40% to $251.1m in 2014 as record silver production was offset by lower prices and higher production costs.

Glencore also declined with traders linking the fall to a placing of 53.7m shares by Deutsche Bank priced at 282.45p each, compared with Tuesday’s close of 291.2p. Other miners such as Anglo American, Antofagasta and BHP Billiton were also weaker.

Annual results from insurance, savings and investment group Legal & General received a frosty reception from the market as pre-tax profits rose a less-than-expected 9% to £922m.

Afren’s stock tumbled 27% after the struggling oil group said it will default on $15m of interest payments and that shareholders could by “substantially” diluted as part of a possible restructuring.

Meanwhile, British baker Greggs raced ahead after posting 50% profit growth for last year and planning a cash return to shareholders.

Market Movers
techMARK 3,159.97 +0.68%
FTSE 100 6,919.24 +0.44%
FTSE 250 17,135.65 -0.06%

FTSE 100 - Risers
ITV (ITV) 234.50p +5.73%
Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,024.00p +5.11%
Barclays (BARC) 262.40p +3.19%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 569.50p +2.43%
Reed Elsevier (REL) 1,130.00p +2.36%
easyJet (EZJ) 1,738.00p +2.18%
Shire Plc (SHP) 5,250.00p +1.74%
Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB.) 5,850.00p +1.65%
Travis Perkins (TPK) 1,975.00p +1.59%
RSA Insurance Group (RSA) 426.60p +1.52%

FTSE 100 - Fallers
Fresnillo (FRES) 724.50p -8.46%
Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 4,786.00p -4.22%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,167.00p -3.11%
Legal & General Group (LGEN) 270.30p -2.84%
Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 1,138.00p -2.82%
Glencore (GLEN) 283.25p -2.73%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,073.50p -1.96%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 740.50p -1.92%
Babcock International Group (BAB) 967.00p -1.63%
BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,573.50p -1.56%

FTSE 250 - Risers
Greggs (GRG) 963.00p +10.63%
Moneysupermarket.com Group (MONY) 259.00p +6.41%
Diploma (DPLM) 805.00p +5.16%
Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 352.00p +5.07%
Fisher (James) & Sons (FSJ) 1,285.00p +2.80%
CLS Holdings (CLI) 1,725.00p +2.68%
Domino's Pizza Group (DOM) 751.50p +2.52%
Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 2,452.00p +2.51%
Electrocomponents (ECM) 243.30p +2.44%
Rightmove (RMV) 3,041.00p +2.43%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Afren (AFR) 6.60p -27.43%
Rotork (ROR) 2,465.00p -5.19%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 576.00p -4.16%
Laird (LRD) 338.00p -4.11%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 284.50p -4.08%
Allied Minds (ALM) 623.50p -4.00%
Soco International (SIA) 261.60p -3.96%
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 60.60p -3.81%
Premier Oil (PMO) 150.30p -3.72%
Wood Group (John) (WG.) 651.00p -3.56%