A hefty share fall for blue-chip insurer Aviva failed to hold back a rally on London’s FTSE 100 Index today as positive US jobs data boosted sentiment.
The life and pensions firm nosedived 13%, or 45p to 314.8p, wiping around £1.5billion off its market value, after new chief executive Mark Wilson announced a 44% cut in its full-year dividend to 9p a share.
But figures showing a fall in claims for unemployment benefits in the US helped the wider FTSE 100 maintain its recent ascent to close 11.5 points higher at 6,439.2.
Scottish insurer Standard Life fell 1.2p to £3.73 despite plans to return £302million to shareholders through a special dividend and better-than-expected profits for 2012.
Glasgow-based temporary power firm Aggreko was the biggest riser in the FTSE 100, up 10% or £1.81 to £19.39 after its 2012 profits rose 11% to £367million.
Outside the top flight, National Express fell sharply, by 25.5p to 204.5p, after New York-based hedge fund Elliott sold more than £100million worth of shares in the coach and bus operator.
Carrie Keenan, of investment manager and financial planning specialist Brewin Dolphin in Aberdeen, noted Weir Group adding 1.34% at £24.17 and Bridge Energy rising 0.82% to 121.5p, as well as Johnston Press falling 3.77% to 12.75p and Royal Bank of Scotland losing 1.91% to 303.2p.