Sector movers: Telecoms buzzes higher as BT lifts dividend dial

31st Oct 2013 16:16

BT led the fixed line telecoms sector higher on Thursday as it lifted its dividend and provided an update on a 'confident start' for its new BT Sport television channel. BT said increased adjusted half-year profits rose 3% to £1.204bn, and for the second quarter climbed 2% to £609m. This led to reported earnings per share leaping 16% to 7.8p for the quarter to arrest first quarter declines and produce a 1% rise to 12.2p for the half year.The group delivered a 13% jump in the interim dividend to 3.4p and reaffirmed its full-year outlook.Slipping down the other direction, the industrial metals and mining sectors was the main faller, down 1.5% as commodities prices retreated. Top performing sectors so far todayFixed Line Telecommunications 4,304.79 +1.38%Automobiles & Parts 8,573.69 +0.41%Food Producers & Processors 7,191.26 +0.22%General Retailers 2,738.17 +0.17%Life Insurance 6,807.00 +0.15%Bottom performing sectors so far todayIndustrial Metals & Mining 1,446.22 -2.19%Oil & Gas Producers 8,023.77 -2.17%Chemicals 9,958.78 -2.08%Mining 16,918.15 -1.91%Technology Hardware & Equipment 1,149.21 -1.43%