Sector movers:

18th May 2009 11:02

Lloyds is leading the banking sector higher after Sir Victor Blank announced that he is planning to step down as chairman of Lloyds Banking by June next year, following continuing criticism of his bank's ill-fated purchase of rival HBOS.Lord Leitch has been appointed as deputy chairman with immediate effect."I believe it is the right time for the group to appoint a new chairman," said Sir Victor. "I will continue working until my successor is appointed to ensure the successful integration of the two banks. This remains - in the medium term - a unique value-enhancing opportunity."Mining stocks are down amid a backdrop of slumping metals prices.Copper fell for an eighth day running in New York after a rise in stockpiles in China, a huge consumer of the red metal. Rio Tinto, Xstrata, and ENRC are among the big names posting substantial gains. Shares in Antofagasta which announced today that it has arranged a $1.05bn, 12-year financing facility for its Esperanza copper-gold project in Chile, are also lower.Among smaller companies, shares in Minco surged after the mining firm reported 'excellent' drilling results at its Pallas Green zinc-lead exploration project in Limerick, Ireland.Top performing sectors so far todayAutomobiles & Parts 1,842.35 +4.24%Banks 4,068.62 +3.87%Mobile Telecommunications 2,884.37 +1.98%Travel & Leisure 3,575.93 +1.81%Real Estate 1,532.78 +1.79%Bottom performing sectors so far todayMining 13,244.55 -2.59%Industrial Transportation 1,586.81 -1.48%Chemicals 3,329.84 -0.97%Construction & Materials 3,677.29 -0.65%Electricity 6,389.19 -0.60%