FTSE 100 movers: Micro Focus rallies as Elliott reportedly takes stake; Randgold loses its shine
London's FTSE 100 was down 0.1% to 7,249.32 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Micro Focus International surged following a report that activist investor Elliott has taken a stake in the software company.
Supermarket giant Tesco was riding high again following its results on Wednesday, while Shire rallied on reports that Japan’s Takeda has sounded out creditors for loans as it moves closer to making a bid for the group.
Budget airline EasyJet flew higher as it emerged that British Airways and Iberia parent International Consolidated Airlines Group has taken a minority share in Norwegian and that it is considering a full offer for the airline.
ITV, Reckitt Benckiser, Smurfit Kappa, Rentokil and Paddy Power were weaker as their stock went ex-dividend.
Gold miner Randgold Resources lost its shine as the price as the yellow metal retreated from its two-and-a-half month highs after US President Trump softened his stance on Syria.
BAE Systems was in the red as the defence company said it has launched a £10m investment programme in order to fund upgrades at its Hampshire based Maritime Integration and Support Centre (MISC) - a specialist facility that provides support to Royal Navy warships when researching its future combat systems and technologies.
Risers
Micro Focus International (MCRO) 1,284.00p 9.74%
Tesco (TSCO) 232.61p 3.20%
Shire Plc (SHP) 3,697.00p 2.99%
Next (NXT) 5,012.00p 2.79%
Standard Life Aberdeen (SLA) 374.70p 2.55%
easyJet (EZJ) 1,647.00p 2.33%
Croda International (CRDA) 4,663.00p 1.39%
Just Eat (JE.) 721.00p 1.38%
Legal & General Group (LGEN) 269.40p 1.35%
Aviva (AV.) 507.80p 1.16%
Fallers
ITV (ITV) 142.95p -4.83%
Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 5,730.00p -2.48%
Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) 2,908.00p -2.15%
Fresnillo (FRES) 1,261.00p -1.91%
Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB.) 6,042.09p -1.75%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 936.40p -1.47%
Rentokil Initial (RTO) 274.60p -1.44%
Paddy Power Betfair (PPB) 7,140.00p -1.24%
Compass Group (CPG) 1,468.50p -1.14%
BAE Systems (BA.) 590.40p -1.04%