Hargreaves Lansdown lifts FTSE 100
The FTSE 100 pushed back over the 6,300 level this morning, as investment manager Hargreaves Lansdown topped the index, rising more than seven per cent.
This morning the company reported robust growth, with revenue up almost a quarter in the six months to December and pre-tax profit up 30 per cent over the period.
“Customer growth, better equity markets and increased client optimism combined with easier customer switching bodes well for flows and profit development going forward,” said analyst James Hamilton at Numis, reiterating his ‘hold’ rating.
Fellow financial stock Schroders rose three per cent.
Elsewhere, miners and engineering firms had a good showing. Eurasian Natural Resources – which this morning posted a 6.8 per cent increase in ferrochrome output in the fourth quarter – rose more than 2.5 per cent.
Copper miner Kazakhmys was up 2.62 per cent, while Weir Group added 2.33 per cent in early deals.
Outside of the blue chips, airline Flybe soared almost 13 per cent as it announced a new Irish airline deal with Ryanair.
As for the blue chip fallers, Unilever topped the FTSE 100 loser board, down 1.16 per cent in early deals.
Chip maker ARM Holdings, after rising yesterday following positive results, fell 0.75 per cent.
Siberian-focused oil and gas explorer RusPetro sank more than 26 per cent in early trades as it announced it is postponing a senior secured note offering.
UK banking shares had a good morning. HSBC rose 0.48 per cent, RBS was up 1.56 per cent, Barclays added 0.69 per cent and Lloyds Banking Group increased 1.57 per cent.
In Asia, the Nikkei closed up 3.77 per cent and in the US, the Dow Jones closed up 0.71 per cent.