Sector movers: Construction stocks build more gains

24th Aug 2009 11:54

Some well received company updates have helped lift the construction & materials sector higher.Insulation board maker Kingspan climbed 16% even after it said EBITDA for the six months ended 30 June fell 55% as the group battled against tough market conditions. It reported strong sales of insulation boards, particularly in Western Europe.Engineer and construction contractor Balfour Beatty is posting more modest gains after it bagged a road building contract in Fort Worth, Texas.Mining stocks are posting good gains courtesy of a metals rally that comes amid continued optimism over the prospects of a global economic recovery.Reports that Rio Tinto is reportedly in talks with the Aluminium Corporation of China (Chinalco) over co-operation in bauxite and alumina production have also stirred up excitement in the sector.Top performing sectors so far todayMining 16,746.57 +2.99%Construction & Materials 3,670.04 +2.80%Industrial Metals 4,756.76 +1.88%General Financial 4,936.49 +1.84%Real Estate 2,004.38 +1.83%Bottom performing sectors so far todayFood Producers & Processors 4,122.71 -0.68%Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology 8,275.64 -0.66%General Retailers 1,601.09 -0.38%Personal Goods 8,470.42 -0.31%Beverages 6,845.90 -0.18%