Prudential was the strongest riser after posting a 25 per cent increase in its annual operating profits, saying its performance was largely driven by its "sweet-spot" markets including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

Food retailer Sainsbury was up on the back of comments from broker Jefferies, saying its expectations of fourth quarter like-for-like growth would result in a "strong" year for the group. It also noted that "the company has traded through the 2012 events much more successfully than peers".

Centrica was higher after Nomura shifted its target price on the stock from 335p to 350p, retaining a neutral rating.

Meanwhile, emerging markets lender Standard Chartered was among the worst performers on the day after going ex-dividend, along with British American Tobacco, Hargreaves Lansdown, Land Securities, Meggitt and Serco.

Security solutions group G4S was also out of favour after announcing the resignation of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Trevor Dighton. The news came as the firm unveiled a 10.4% rise in 2012 revenues despite taking a hit over its London Olympic contract blunder.

Miners were also performing poorly as risk appetite weakened as the FTSE sunk lower.


FTSE 100 - Risers
Prudential (PRU) 1,116.00p +8.45%
Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 353.50p +1.23%
Intu Properties (INTU) 331.50p +1.22%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 1,064.00p +1.14%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 260.10p +1.13%
Tate & Lyle (TATE) 829.00p +0.97%
ITV (ITV) 129.30p +0.94%
Centrica (CNA) 356.40p +0.93%
IMI (IMI) 1,334.00p +0.76%
Imperial Tobacco Group (IMT) 2,396.00p +0.67%

FTSE 100 - Fallers
Evraz (EVR) 248.60p -4.64%
Kazakhmys (KAZ) 529.50p -4.08%
Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,723.00p -3.66%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,088.00p -3.63%
British American Tobacco (BATS) 3,499.50p -3.14%
G4S (GFS) 298.30p -2.99%
Vedanta Resources (VED) 1,164.00p -2.68%
ARM Holdings (ARM) 925.00p -2.63%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,375.00p -2.09%
Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 300.10p -2.02%

NR

Related share prices
Centrica (CNA) share price
Prudential (PRU) share price
Rio Tinto (RIO) share price
Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) share price
Standard Chartered (STAN) share price
Vedanta Resources (VED) share price
Kazakhmys (KAZ) share price
G4S (GFS) share price
Evraz (EVR) share price