LONDON (ShareCast) - Strong gains for Severn Trent and other utility providers helped offset weakness elsewhere on Tuesday morning as the FTSE 100 paused for breath following an eight-day winning streak.

"European markets moved forward modestly today shunning a mixed trading session in Asian stock markets overnight as investors preferred to take a more optimistic stance despite a series of growing concerns," said Financial Trader Shavaz Dhalla from Spreadex.

These concerns include a possible 'exit strategy' of the Federal Reserve's $85bn-a-month asset purchase programme. In turn, there are worries that policymakers in the Eurozone could adjust their own use of stimulus measures if the Fed begins to scale back quantitative easing in the States.

The Footsie opened broadly flat after hitting a fresh multiyear-high of 6,632 last night, a level not seen since late 2007 before the financial crisis hammered stock markets worldwide.

Severn Trent soars on takeover speculation

Severn Trent confirmed press speculation this morning that it has received a bid approach from a consortium of investors which is rumoured to value the UK utility company around £5.3bn. According to the Financial News magazine, sources said that a potential offer could come between 2,250p and 2,300p a share, compared with Monday's closing price of 1,825p.

Sector peers Pennon, United Utilities, National Grid, SSE and Centrica were also making decent gains early on.

Also in favour this morning was engineering support services outfit Babcock which reported a robust set of annual results, lifted its dividend and said it is well positioned for strong progress in the year ahead.

British Land edged higher after recording an annual profits rise of 1.9%, driven by the strong performance of property assets.

Banking group RBS was in the red ahead of its annual general meeting later today. The bank is expected to come under pressure from shareholders due to over £600m paid in bonuses despite the company recording a loss last year.

Airline IAG fell after saying it is launching a senior unsecured convertible bond offer of up to €400m to fund its acquisition of Spanish carrier Vueling, enhance liquidity and lower its cost of capital.

Vodafone was in the red despite saying that it is to receive £2.1bn via a dividend from its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless.

Online betting company Betfair slumped after saying that it has rejected two revised proposals from CVC Capital Partners. Talks have now been terminated regarding the latest offer, which valued the company at nearly £1.0bn.

FTSE 100 - Risers
Severn Trent (SVT) 2,149.00p +17.75%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 771.00p +4.26%
Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,117.00p +2.57%
Bunzl (BNZL) 1,322.00p +1.38%
Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB.) 4,765.00p +1.19%
Shire Plc (SHP) 2,046.00p +0.94%
National Grid (NG.) 842.00p +0.90%
Smiths Group (SMIN) 1,311.00p +0.85%
GKN (GKN) 290.10p +0.80%
Meggitt (MGGT) 520.00p +0.78%

FTSE 100 - Fallers
Capita (CPI) 925.50p -1.80%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,553.50p -1.49%
Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. (ENRC) 289.60p -1.33%
Prudential (PRU) 1,148.00p -1.20%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 1,265.00p -1.17%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 2,968.00p -1.10%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 268.00p -1.00%
Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 295.50p -0.64%
BG Group (BG.) 1,178.00p -0.63%
Glencore Xstrata (GLEN) 343.15p -0.62%

FTSE 250 - Risers
Pennon Group (PNN) 702.50p +5.56%
ICAP (IAP) 313.70p +5.48%
Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 95.35p +2.03%
Centamin (DI) (CEY) 37.58p +1.79%
ITE Group (ITE) 293.30p +1.73%
Menzies(John) (MNZS) 800.50p +1.52%
Jupiter Fund Management (JUP) 343.10p +1.51%
Tullett Prebon (TLPR) 268.80p +1.43%
Synthomer (SYNT) 214.20p +1.42%
Capital & Counties Properties (CAPC) 332.40p +1.25%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Betfair Group (BET) 840.00p -6.15%
Lonmin (LMI) 272.70p -4.65%
Barratt Developments (BDEV) 306.90p -2.29%
Kazakhmys (KAZ) 363.70p -1.65%
Bovis Homes Group (BVS) 738.00p -1.20%
Howden Joinery Group (HWDN) 250.20p -1.07%
Marston's (MARS) 149.10p -0.80%
Rathbone Brothers (RAT) 1,488.00p -0.73%
Travis Perkins (TPK) 1,446.00p -0.69%
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 363.70p -0.66%

BC

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