Sector movers: Smiths lifts industrial sector

24th Mar 2010 13:24

Technology firm Smiths Group is giving the general industrials sector a lift. The company, which supplies X-ray machines to airports, posted a rise in pre-tax profits in the six months to January 30 despite flat sales as it benefited from actions taken to increase efficiency, including laying off staff.Investors have given a mixed reception to mining updates, but the sector is higher overall.Weak demand and lower prices hammered profits at Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC) last year, but the Kazakhstan-based miner said things improved in the second half and it remains upbeat about 2010. The shares are higher.Shares in Latin America-focused miner Hochschild Mining are lower. It reported record full year production and a move into profit as it announced the resignation of CEO Miguel Aramburú.Top performing sectors so far todayIndustrial Metals & Mining 6,576.24 +2.28%Industrial Transportation 2,347.88 +0.97%General Industrials 2,524.16 +0.94%Alternative Energy 6,191.51 +0.92%Construction & Materials 3,633.63 +0.73%Bottom performing sectors so far todayLife Insurance 3,683.25 -1.53%Gas, Water & Multiutilities 4,149.63 -1.02%Electricity 6,330.23 -0.93%Forestry & Paper 5,092.70 -0.67%Real Estate Investment & Services 1,548.69 -0.57%