FTSE 100 movers: Ocado rockets on takeover speculation; Airtel Africa ex-div
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0.9% at 7,493.29 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Airtel Africa, United Utilities and 3i Group were all weaker as they traded without entitlement to the dividend.
Going the other way, Ocado rocketed amid speculation it could be a takeover target for Amazon.
According to The Times, there has been talk the London-listed online supermarket is being eyed up by technology heavyweights such as Amazon. It was understood that Amazon could be looking at an 800p-a-share takeover bid, with Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan acting for the bidders.
Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said: "The shares have been about as flat as an open bottle of lemonade since the pandemic but third parties, including reportedly Amazon, may still see value in the brand, technology and infrastructure.
"Ocado’s hopes of becoming an online groceries partner to businesses across the globe has only had limited success and shareholders may be open to a bidder putting them out of their misery."
FTSE 100 - Risers
Ocado Group (OCDO) 560.80p 30.42%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,512.00p 2.47%
Croda International (CRDA) 5,402.00p 1.58%
Diageo (DGE) 3,328.50p 0.70%
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 2,330.00p 0.43%
Anglo American (AAL) 2,346.00p 0.43%
Haleon (HLN) 323.90p 0.39%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 146.85p 0.31%
British American Tobacco (BATS) 2,600.00p 0.13%
Imperial Brands (IMB) 1,756.50p 0.11%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Airtel Africa (AAF) 112.30p -5.95%
Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 581.80p -4.56%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 996.20p -3.89%
Tesco (TSCO) 250.30p -3.21%
DCC (CDI) (DCC) 4,402.00p -3.00%
Rightmove (RMV) 493.40p -2.99%
Fresnillo (FRES) 606.60p -2.85%
Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust (SMT) 651.40p -2.72%
Persimmon (PSN) 1,104.50p -2.60%
3i Group (III) 1,907.50p -2.53%