Sector movers: Balfour Beatty profits rise lifts construction stocks

12th Aug 2009 13:14

The construction and materials sector is going well after engineer Balfour Beatty posted a rise in pre-tax profits and revenues. Revenue climbed to £5.1bn from £4.3bn over the same period the previous year as pre-tax profit before exceptional items rose to £108m from £95m. The interim dividend climbed 8% to 5.5p.Elsewhere in the sector, Norcros falls back after the company behind Triton showers said trading remains tough as poor sales in Ireland continue to impact overall revenues.The travel and leisure sector is one of the worst performers after shares in TUI Travel dropped more than 4% when the package holiday group warned of a tough winter seasons.Chief financial officer Paul Bowtell told analysts he expects the 2009/10 winter season to be the 'toughest period we will have', according to Dow Jones Newswires.It's not all gloom in the sector though. Shares in Birmingham City climbed by 10% after the football club confirmed it has received an approach from Grandtop, the company owned by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.Top performing sectors so far todayConstruction & Materials 3,535.34 +3.09%Food & Drug Retailers 4,282.88 +1.08%General Industrials 1,819.37 +1.00%Real Estate 1,882.65 +0.99%Oil & Gas Producers 7,040.39 +0.83%Bottom performing sectors so far todayBeverages 6,561.22 -1.30%General Financial 4,675.02 -1.30%Health Care Equipment & Services 2,622.91 -1.27%Insurance (non-life) 1,209.26 -1.15%Travel & Leisure 3,513.46 -1.13%