Sector movers: Leisure stocks in demand

8th Jan 2010 11:34

Well-received updates from a handful of leisure stocks have lifted the sector.Pub group Mitchells and Butlers said trading in the new financial year has remained strong, thanks to sales growth across the main brands, but cautioned that it is still cautious on the outlook for consumer spending.The Restaurant Group, the company behind the Frankie & Bennie's and Chiquito chains, expects full-year profits to be well ahead of the top end of the range of current market forecasts.Bingo and gaming group Rank grew revenues by 3% in 2009 and sees earnings ahead of expectations thanks to expansion of its casinos business and tax changes announced in last year's Budget.Top performing sectors so far todayForestry & Paper 4,033.87 +3.57%Life Insurance 3,992.44 +1.37%General Industrials 2,279.70 +1.36%Industrial Engineering 4,189.08 +1.28%Travel & Leisure 4,185.55 +0.96%Bottom performing sectors so far todayMobile Telecommunications 3,181.37 -0.82%Oil & Gas Producers 8,431.57 -0.80%Household Goods 6,437.48 -0.61%Oil Equipment Services & Distribution 16,006.52 -0.56%Personal Goods 10,813.68 -0.49%