(Sharecast News) – London’s FTSE 100 was down 0.3% at 7,665.35 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
NatWest was under the cosh as it announced that Alison Rose has stepped down as chief executive in a high-profile row about former UKIP leader Nigel Farage.
Rio Tinto fell as the miner reported a slide in half-year profits after global commodity prices fell sharply.
Gold and silver miner Fresnillo was in the red despite reaffirming its full-year guidance.
Reckitt Benckiser was weaker even as it posted a jump in first-half like-for-like net revenue, driven by solid performances across its portfolios.
The company – which makes Dettol, Lysol, and Nurofen, among other things – said first-half LFL net revenue was up 6% to £7.4bn. Revenue in the hygiene and health segments rose 3.6% and 8.8% respectively, while the nutrition segment saw a 5.3% increase.
Engine maker Rolls-Royce surged to the top of the index as it lifted its full-year guidance after a strong first half.
Ocado was also a high rise. On Monday, the shares surged as it emerged the online supermarket had secured £200m in its patent battle against Norwegian rival AutoStore.
FTSE 100 – Risers
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 182.90p 19.82%
Ocado Group (OCDO) 871.20p 13.23%
Entain (ENT) 1,348.00p 3.77%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 151.70p 1.78%
M&G (MNG) 204.30p 1.44%
Frasers Group (FRAS) 774.00p 1.24%
WPP (WPP) 834.20p 1.24%
Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 283.70p 1.07%
Unite Group (UTG) 971.50p 0.99%
Next (NXT) 7,072.00p 0.97%
FTSE 100 – Fallers
NATWEST GROUP (NWG) 241.50p -3.86%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 5,244.00p -2.78%
Glencore (GLEN) 469.70p -2.56%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 152.15p -2.03%
Fresnillo (FRES) 619.40p -1.99%
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 45.18p -1.99%
Anglo American (AAL) 2,458.50p -1.90%
Diageo (DGE) 3,391.50p -1.89%
Reckitt Benckiser Group (RKT) 5,832.00p -1.85%
Croda International (CRDA) 5,848.00p -1.38%
