London’s FTSE 100 was down 0.1% at 6,931.92 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
IAG was the standout gainer following reports that British Airways has secured an agreement with pilots’ union Balpa in a bid to avert strikes.
HSBC was also on the front after an upgrade to ‘outperform’ at KBW.
Lloyds was in the red, however, along with Barclays and NatWest, following a report that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is preparing to raid bank as well as energy profits as he looks to fill a £40bn fiscal hole.
CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson said: “UK banking shares have struggled the most today on fears that they could be hit by a new windfall tax on top of the 8% banking surcharge they pay on top of the corporation tax rate.
“With that due to rise to 25% next year it seems there is no length that politicians will stoop to try and fill various holes in the public finances.”
FTSE 100 – Risers
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 118.66p 2.42%
BP (BP.) 453.60p 1.88%
HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 472.15p 1.37%
Vodafone Group (VOD) 100.96p 1.36%
Centrica (CNA) 70.14p 1.12%
Pershing Square Holdings Ltd NPV (PSH) 2,700.00p 1.12%
Imperial Brands (IMB) 2,014.00p 0.85%
BT Group (BT.A) 127.75p 0.83%
BAE Systems (BA.) 805.40p 0.83%
F&C Investment Trust (FCIT) 878.00p 0.80%
FTSE 100 – Fallers
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 40.73p -4.40%
Dechra Pharmaceuticals (DPH) 2,598.00p -4.27%
SEGRO (SGRO) 719.20p -4.18%
Rightmove (RMV) 460.50p -4.16%
Kingfisher (KGF) 207.30p -3.89%
Land Securities Group (LAND) 512.20p -3.83%
Auto Trader Group (AUTO) 512.80p -3.75%
Intermediate Capital Group (ICP) 973.20p -3.64%
Persimmon (PSN) 1,225.00p -3.51%
Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 771.60p -3.43%
