LONDON (ShareCast) - Lloyds Banking Group topped the risers after delivering a bigger-than-forecast 21% jump in underlying profits in the first quarter, as impairment charges more than halved. The UK lender also lifted its net interest margin guidance for the full year and improved its capital position.
Stimulus hopes were helping the mining sector higher, with Anglo American, Rio Tinto, BHP Biliton Glencore and Antofagasta among the best performers.

Severn Trent was among the risers after securing a quality control contract with environment monitoring specialist Enitial. The partnership will focus on the purification of waste water treatment methods and the measurement of chemical substances in the UK's rivers.

Insurer Admiral was in demand after Barclays Capital lifted its ratings on the stock to 'equal weight'.

United Utilities was in the red as election uncertainty continued to spook investors, with a prospective energy price freeze on the cards under a Labour government.

Meanwhile, property stocks including Intu Properties, Barratt Developments and Taylor Wimpey dipped as investors anticipated Labour's mansion tax weighing on the premium sector.

Risers
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 83.14p +7.44%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,171.00p +5.97%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,021.00p +4.71%
BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,612.00p +3.27%
Admiral Group (ADM) 1,597.00p +2.50%
Smith & Nephew (SN.) 1,141.00p +2.15%
Glencore (GLEN) 316.75p +2.10%
Capita (CPI) 1,167.00p +2.01%
Reed Elsevier (REL) 1,102.00p +1.85%
Tesco (TSCO) 225.05p +1.83%

Fallers
Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 463.60p -2.42%
Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 1,202.00p -2.28%
Severn Trent (SVT) 2,082.00p -2.02%
3i Group (III) 497.50p -1.78%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 956.00p -1.54%
TUI AG Reg Shs (DI) (TUI) 1,206.00p -1.39%
Land Securities Group (LAND) 1,233.00p -1.28%
British Land Company (BLND) 822.50p -1.20%
Dixons Carphone (DC.) 419.20p -1.20%
Intu Properties (INTU) 339.00p -1.17%

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