LONDON (ShareCast) - Shares in platinum refiner Johnson Matthey tumbled after it reported a six per cent drop in profits in the first half, while warning that it doesn't expect things to pick up in the latter part of the fiscal year and announcing a lower-than-expected dividend increase.

Chief Executive Neil Carson said: "Whilst precious metal prices have improved from their lows during the summer, largely due to the labour unrest in South Africa, the outlook in some of our other markets has weakened and visibility remains limited. We therefore expect that the group's performance in the second half will be similar to the first half of the year."

Vodafone shares were heading lower after the shares went ex-dividend.

Miners were also in retreat, helped by a decline in copper futures. Vedanta was the biggest sector faller (it also went ex-dividend today), alongside ENRC, Randgold, Anglo American and Rio Tinto.

Meanwhile, shares in BG Group climbed higher on the back of renewed takeover rumours.

United Utilities rose after water industry regulator Ofwat clarified proposed changes to water companies' licences. “The softening of Ofwat’s stance on a Competition Commission referral reduces the near-term risk of negative newsflow," said analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Sector peer Pennon was also in demand.

Real estate peers Land Securities and British Land were high risers this morning after Morgan Stanley upgraded its ratings on the stocks to 'overweight'.

Life assurer Aviva continued to rise after appointing a new Chief Executive Officer on Tuesday. Mark Wilson admitted to investors that there is 'substantial work to do', but promised he will listen to stakeholders.


FTSE 100 - Risers
BG Group (BG.) 1,059.50p +2.76%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 674.00p +2.28%
Aviva (AV.) 341.70p +1.94%
British Land Co (BLND) 524.50p +1.84%
Imperial Tobacco Group (IMT) 2,472.00p +1.81%
Severn Trent (SVT) 1,574.00p +1.75%
Centrica (CNA) 321.70p +1.45%
Shire Plc (SHP) 1,783.00p +1.36%
WPP (WPP) 824.50p +1.29%
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 1,654.00p +1.29%

FTSE 100 - Fallers
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 2,172.00p -6.58%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 1,045.00p -3.51%
Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. (ENRC) 268.30p -2.44%
Evraz (EVR) 225.40p -2.04%
Vodafone Group (VOD) 159.05p -2.00%
Kingfisher (KGF) 272.70p -1.87%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,224.00p -1.84%
Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 6,560.00p -1.65%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 2,988.00p -1.32%
Polymetal International (POLY) 1,120.00p -1.32%

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