Sector movers: Vectura lifts pharma stocks after study

16th Nov 2010 14:17

Respiratory inhaler developer Vectura is among the stocks lifting the pharmaceutical sector after positive data from a Phase II clinical study of a treatment for Parkinson's disease.Vectura said the results of its study show that the Parkinson's treatment VR040 improves the control of movement in patients with the disease.It also announced higher revenues and sharply narrower losses in the six months to September 30.Mining stocks are in decline as metal prices fall back amid worries over the global economy centred on Ireland's debt problems and concerns China will act against inflation.Big-hitters such as Antofagasta, Fresnillo and Xstrata are nursing significant losses.Top performing sectors so far todayAlternative Energy 3,478.56 +1.85%Automobiles & Parts 4,238.91 +0.72%Technology Hardware & Equipment 539.50 +0.52%Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology 8,859.55 +0.38%Real Estate Investment & Services 1,507.93 +0.37%Bottom performing sectors so far todayIndustrial Metals & Mining 7,522.88 -3.49%Mining 25,445.45 -2.88%Banks 4,947.37 -1.95%Chemicals 6,206.97 -1.83%Industrial Transportation 2,264.86 -1.72%