FTSE 100 movers: Barratt Developments rises on broker comment

9th Apr 2014 14:57

Barratt Developments raced to the top of the leaderboard today after Deutsche Bank named the house builder as a top pick. Sector peer Travis Perkins was also making strong gains.ARM Holdings was a notable riser today, with investors feeling a renewed sense of confidence after the tech-heavy Nasdaq snapped its recent slump. Analysts at UBS gave DIY retailer Kingfisher a lift after raising its price target on the back of expectations that the purchase of Mr.Bricolage offers greater scope to contribute to earnings than initially thought. The broker initially thought the transaction might be about 2% earnings accretive at the earnings per share level. Now it believes the deal may deliver even greater returns from converting the owned stores - which lost €13m last year - to the Brico format. Tullow Oil was higher as hopes for the Jubilee field, in which Tullow holds a 35.5% stake, were lifted after operator Ghana National Petroleum Corporation said the field could produce between 105,000 and 110,000 this year, ahead of previous expectations of 100,000. Standard Chartered rose despite Investec reducing its target price from 1,700p to 1,600p, while staying with its 'buy' recommendation.Meanwhile, Standard Life led the way lower after going ex-dividend. The Royal Mail has warned of a 'period of uncertainty' in the UK postal market as Ofcom investigates the company after TNT Post UK complained about price increases. TNT Post protested that the recently privatised Royal Mail plans to raise charges on wholesale mail contracts or so-called 'Access' contracts. Charges include a last-mile delivery fee on items. Credit Suisse also issued a negative note on the stock, pointing out that consensus is too positive on the company's margin forecasts. Tesco was also in the red after JP Morgan cut its target price from 285p to 250p, keeping its 'underweight' rating. Sector peer Morrison was also in the red. FTSE 100 - RisersBarratt Developments (BDEV) 396.60p +4.04%ARM Holdings (ARM) 1,022.00p +3.81%Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,426.00p +3.78%Kingfisher (KGF) 437.50p +3.60%Travis Perkins (TPK) 1,846.00p +3.30%Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,333.00p +3.29%Tullow Oil (TLW) 845.00p +3.11%Ashtead Group (AHT) 928.00p +3.00%Persimmon (PSN) 1,318.00p +2.97%TUI Travel (TT.) 434.00p +2.62%FTSE 100 - FallersStandard Life (SL.) 380.90p -1.19%Royal Mail (RMG) 519.50p -1.14%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 4,705.00p -1.09%Tesco (TSCO) 285.10p -0.96%BG Group (BG.) 1,118.00p -0.93%Associated British Foods (ABF) 2,623.00p -0.83%G4S (GFS) 247.20p -0.80%Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets (MRW) 201.40p -0.79%Fresnillo (FRES) 898.00p -0.77%SABMiller (SAB) 3,118.50p -0.45%NR