London open: Randgold leads risers as Footsie gains 0.6%

22nd Aug 2011 08:31

After slipping into the red in the opening minutes, the blue chip index quickly swung into the blue, recovering after the steep sell-off seen late last week.A surging gold price, which stands just below the $1,900 level drove FTSE 100 miner Randgold Resources to the top of the pile.Oilfield services group Petrofac was in demand as it said it is on course to deliver like-for-like profit growth of at least 15% in 2011, in line with current market expectations.Essar Energy, the India-focused integrated energy company, edged higher after it saw revenues soar by more than a third over the first half of 2011, primarily due to higher refining and marketing revenues, which offset lower power revenues.Pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline was firmer after announcing that it is to buy up over a quarter of UK-based biotech firm Autifony Therapeutics through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Glaxo Group.Mining colossus BHP Billiton was higher after it said that all conditions relating to its tender offer for Petrohawk Energy have been satisfied. Insulation board specialist Kingspan rose as it posted a 24% increase in half year trading profit and upped its dividend 12.5% following strong growth across most of its businesses.Micro Focus took a tumble after the acquisitive legacy software firm that suddenly found itself in the sights of predators said it is no longer involved in bid talks. While creating a headache for most, the recent volatility in stock markets has helped spread-betting firm IG Group achieve record levels of client activity in its first quarter. IG was higher in early trading.Amlin's share fell lower after the group reported that it swung to a deep loss in the six months ended 30 June, as a result of what the FTSE 250 insurance and reinsurance underwriter called "unprecedented first half catastrophe loss activity". BCFTSE 100 - RisersRandgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 6,755.00p +2.19%Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 29.00p +2.18%Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 1,191.00p +1.97%IMI (IMI) 752.00p +1.90%GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 1,265.50p +1.85%Reed Elsevier (REL) 481.30p +1.75%Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 301.30p +1.65%Wolseley (WOS) 1,427.00p +1.64%International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG) 170.80p +1.61%Legal & General Group (LGEN) 97.20p +1.46%FTSE 100 - FallersBurberry Group (BRBY) 1,183.00p -1.91%ARM Holdings (ARM) 485.40p -0.94%Glencore International (GLEN) 345.00p -0.85%Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,353.50p -0.66%Essar Energy (ESSR) 256.50p -0.47%Xstrata (XTA) 948.50p -0.34%Aggreko (AGK) 1,689.00p -0.30%GKN (GKN) 183.00p -0.27%Severn Trent (SVT) 1,405.00p -0.14%Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,427.50p -0.12%FTSE 250 - RisersRegus (RGU) 68.35p +5.15%Petropavlovsk (POG) 771.00p +5.11%Genus (GNS) 905.00p +4.62%IG Group Holdings (IGG) 410.70p +4.34%Laird (LRD) 147.80p +2.85%Talvivaara Mining Company (TALV) 305.10p +2.66%Senior (SNR) 144.90p +2.40%Domino Printing Sciences (DNO) 554.50p +2.40%Hochschild Mining (HOC) 458.70p +2.34%Hansteen Holdings (HSTN) 76.45p +2.34%FTSE 250 - FallersMicro Focus International Plc (MCRO) 237.50p -9.70%Kenmare Resources (KMR) 36.50p -3.95%Keller Group (KLR) 336.60p -3.72%Bankers Inv Trust (BNKR) 355.00p -3.45%Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 43.76p -3.06%Paragon Group Of Companies (PAG) 138.00p -2.75%Rank Group (RNK) 112.10p -2.61%Edinburgh Dragon Trust (EFM) 208.20p -2.25%JPMorgan Russian Securities (JRS) 499.90p -2.17%Cable & Wireless Worldwide (CW.) 33.30p -2.15%