FTSE 100 movers: Aviva leads as it beats expectations

10th Mar 2016 14:39

(ShareCast News) - The FTSE 100 was trading in the red on Thursday afternoon, as the markets were left to digest surprise stimulus moves from the European Central Bank.Aviva was leading the risers, after it beat forecasts with a 20% operating profit increase. The insurer also reported a solvency capital ratio under the new EU rules of 180%, at the top end of its target range. Chief executive Mark Wilson said its strong capital position meant it could grow organically, as well as make bolt-on acquisitions in markets like Poland. Wilson also indicated capital returns to shareholders were "on our radar".Shopping centre operator Intu Properties was also up after being upgraded to 'outperform' by Macquarie. The research referred to the company's recent results and underlying earnings per share growth of 6.8%, and the firm's increased leasing activity, improved tenant mix, higher passing rentals and lower vacancies. It wasn't all roses for Intu, however, with its Potteries centre in Stoke on Trent closed following a break-in and fire in the early hours on Thursday.Direct Line led the index down, having gone ex-dividend on Thursday. The company was due to pay 18p per share on 19 May, representing a dividend yield of 1.39%. Other firms to go ex-dividend on Thursday included Barclays and BHP Billiton, which were also down.Ashtead was another big faller, following continuing the slump seen on Wednesday. Analysts had slashed their forecasts for the company this week over fears for the tool-hire group's prospects in the US. Credit Suisse predicted profit growth would stall in the next few years, cutting its earnings forecasts for the year by 15% and for the following year by 29%. FTSE 100 - RisersAviva (AV.) 477.10p 3.81%Intu Properties (INTU) 304.20p 2.94%Legal & General Group (LGEN) 239.80p 2.22%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 6,415.00p 1.99%Whitbread (WTB) 3,774.00p 1.97%Schroders (SDR) 2,736.00p 1.90%Shire Plc (SHP) 3,810.00p 1.74%Standard Life (SL.) 360.30p 1.46%Unilever (ULVR) 3,163.00p 1.39%RSA Insurance Group (RSA) 444.90p 1.37%FTSE 100 - FallersDirect Line Insurance Group (DLG) 365.50p -7.44%Antofagasta (ANTO) 509.00p -4.77%Ashtead Group (AHT) 812.00p -4.75%Glencore (GLEN) 136.80p -4.50%BHP Billiton (BLT) 796.90p -4.13%Anglo American (AAL) 508.60p -4.09%Tesco (TSCO) 190.05p -2.64%BP (BP.) 347.05p -2.51%Barclays (BARC) 164.20p -2.38%Rio Tinto (RIO) 1,983.00p -2.34%