Sector movers: Lafarge boosts demand for UK construction stocks

17th Feb 2012 16:28

Better-than-expected results from French cement maker Lafarge provided a lift to the UK construction and materials sector on Friday, with constituents finishing the day up an average 4.24%.Shares in Lafarge surged 8.26% in Paris today after reporting a forecast-beating fourth quarter operating profit of €538m, up 3% year-on-year."Overall the group sees cement demand moving higher and estimates market growth of between 1-4% in 2012 versus 2011," the firm's statement said.The results boosting buying in London, with FTSE 100 building materials group CRH finishing the day 5.25% higher at 1,343p. Keller Group, James Halstead and Prosperity Minerals Holdings were also making decent gains.BCTop performing sectors so far todayConstruction & Materials 3,662.22 +4.24%Industrial Engineering 7,812.35 +2.50%Electronic & Electrical Equipment 3,336.09 +1.88%Automobiles & Parts 5,216.22 +1.78%Insurance (non-life) 1,450.41 +1.58%Bottom performing sectors so far todayPharmaceuticals & Biotechnology 9,784.89 -0.48%Tobacco 36,142.31 -0.43%Technology Hardware & Equipment 756.48 -0.27%Beverages 11,309.51 -0.26%Personal Goods 22,068.78 -0.25%