Vodafone leads FTSE 100 higher
- Published
(Close): Vodafone was the star performer on the FTSE 100 in Friday trading, adding 4.64%, as the benchmark index made modest gains.
On Tuesday, the mobile phone operator reported a rise in quarterly sales for the first time in almost three years on increased demand for 4G services.
Overall, the FTSE 100 was up 18.25 points or 0.26% at 7,031.72.
The pound fell 1% against the dollar to $1.5500 and fell 0.33% against the euro to €1.4048.
Other major winners were Travis Perkins and Dixons Carphone.
Four other risers on the FTSE were mining stocks. BHP Billiton, Fresnillo, Anglo American and Randgold Resources all gained.
British Airways owner IAG topped the losers' list, shedding 2.08%, after a renewed rise in crude oil prices hit travel-related businesses.
Water firm Severn Trent fell 0.37%, despite reporting a 3.2% rise in full-year profits, while telecoms giant BT was down 1.76%.