LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Beazley was a top gainer after the specialist insurer reported "strong" first quarter trading and reiterated its full-year guidance.
"The first quarter saw us deliver good headline growth in line with our expectations, underpinned by growth in property, where we are taking advantage of the excellent and continuing market conditions," Beazley chief executive officer, Adrian Cox, said

Airtel Africa was right behind, having reported the day before a dip in full-year profits as a result of $250m in charges linked to foreign exchange and derivatives contracts.

GSK shares were also on the move after the pharma group announced that it had sold a 2.5% stake in Haleon at 335p a share, raising £804m.

Both GSK and Pfizer, which held a 32% stake in Haleon, undertook not to dispose of any further shares in Haleon for a period of 60 days following settlement of the placing.

Pacing losses was Diageo after analysts at Jefferies downgraded their recommendation from 'buy' to 'hold'.

FTSE 100 - Risers

JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 174.95p 3.77%
Beazley (BEZ) 607.50p 3.58%
Airtel Africa (AAF) 115.00p 2.95%
3i Group (III) 1,849.00p 2.81%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 149.30p 2.33%
Persimmon (PSN) 1,334.00p 2.30%
GSK (GSK) 1,471.00p 1.81%
Convatec Group (CTEC) 222.20p 1.74%
Compass Group (CPG) 2,147.00p 1.56%
SSE (SSE) 1,885.00p 1.24%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Diageo (DGE) 3,516.50p -2.85%
British Land Company (BLND) 375.60p -1.68%
Mondi (MNDI) 1,280.50p -1.39%
Smurfit Kappa Group (CDI) (SKG) 2,982.00p -1.32%
Smith (DS) (SMDS) 312.70p -1.29%
Land Securities Group (LAND) 618.00p -1.28%
Prudential (PRU) 1,169.50p -1.02%
Anglo American (AAL) 2,328.00p -0.83%
Fresnillo (FRES) 685.00p -0.78%
Vodafone Group (VOD) 90.28p -0.78%

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