Glaxosmithkline Share News (GSK)

Mining stocks declining sharply today on the back of the disappointing data from the world's top metals user, China. Fresnillo, Anglo American, Antofagasta, Glencore Xstrata and Rio Tinto were all falling sharply. China´s manufacturing sector purchasing managers´ index (PMI) for the month of September came in at 50.2, fractionally above last month´s reading of 50.1, according to Markit and HSBC.Financials were also under the weather due to a reduction in risk appetite with Aberdeen Asset Management and Aviva both firmly in the red.GlaxoSmithKline was also heading south. It today revealed that it is selling its thrombosis drug brands and a related factory to South Africa's biggest generic drug maker Aspen Pharmacare for £700m. The drug company has decided to let go of its Arixtra and Fraxiparine brands after experiencing falling sales. Meanwhile, house builder Persimmon was the best performer this afternoon after upbeat data from the UK housing market and an upgrade from JPMorgan to 'overweight'. Persimmon sank sharply last week as investors reacted to comments over stimulus from government officials as well as the news that the company is halting building work in some parts of the south Wales valleys.Sectors such as pharmaceuticals and utilities were performing well due to their defensive characteristics. SSE, United Utilities, Severn Trent and Centrica edged higher, along with AstraZeneca and Shire. Shire was also being helped higher by JPMorgan Cazenove which upgraded the stock to 'overweight'.Similarly, High Street bookie William Hill was higher after Deutsche Bank lifted its recommendation for the shares to 'buy'.AstraZeneca also inched higher after announcing that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has accepted its Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for olaparib, a drug used in the maintenance treatment of patients with a particular type of ovarian cancer. The group said it has the potential to be the first drug of its type.FTSE 100 - RisersPersimmon (PSN) 1,082.00p +1.98%Shire Plc (SHP) 2,487.00p +0.81%Centrica (CNA) 369.90p +0.79%SSE (SSE) 1,479.00p +0.75%Vedanta Resources (VED) 1,079.00p +0.56%United Utilities Group (UU.) 692.50p +0.44%William Hill (WMH) 403.00p +0.25%AstraZeneca (AZN) 3,207.00p +0.19%Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,040.50p +0.15%Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets (MRW) 280.20p +0.07%FTSE 100 - FallersFresnillo (FRES) 964.00p -3.60%Anglo American (AAL) 1,495.00p -2.92%GKN (GKN) 342.60p -2.70%Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 377.00p -2.56%Glencore Xstrata (GLEN) 335.20p -2.56%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 4,400.00p -2.46%Rio Tinto (RIO) 2,992.00p -2.45%Antofagasta (ANTO) 812.00p -2.17%BAE Systems (BA.) 456.80p -2.12%Aviva (AV.) 394.90p -2.11%NR