FTSE 100 movers: Travel stocks take a beating; Ocado shines

(Sharecast News) - London's FTSE 100 was down 3.2% at 7,076.83 in afternoon trade on Friday amid worries about the new Covid variant found in South Africa.
Unsurprisingly, travel-related shares suffered the brunt of the selling. British Airways and Iberia owner IAG, engine maker Rolls-Royce, GKN owner Melrose, InterContinental Hotels, Premier Inn owner Whitbread and caterer Compass all slid.

Oanda analyst Craig Erlam said: "The most worrying thing about the new strain at the moment is how little we know about it, with early indications being that it could be more problematic than delta. The biggest fear is that it will be resistant to vaccines and be a massive setback for countries that have reaped the benefits from their rollouts.

"We'll no doubt learn more in the days and weeks ahead but for now, fear of the unknown will weigh heavily going into the weekend and could carry over into next week."

Going the other way, online supermarket Ocado - which has benefited greatly from lockdowns and Covid restrictions - was the standout gainer.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Ocado Group (OCDO) 1,828.50p 4.55%
Croda International (CRDA) 10,055.00p 2.60%
B&M European Value Retail S.A. (DI) (BME) 628.80p 1.55%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 1,096.50p 0.87%
SEGRO (SGRO) 1,412.00p 0.86%
Bunzl (BNZL) 2,838.00p 0.85%
Polymetal International (POLY) 1,372.50p 0.62%
Darktrace (DARK) 482.20p 0.54%
London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) 6,850.00p 0.38%
National Grid (NG.) 1,010.60p 0.36%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 132.92p -13.87%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 123.64p -10.11%
Standard Chartered (STAN) 413.10p -8.55%
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 45.50p -8.43%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 147.25p -8.43%
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 4,648.00p -7.81%
Intermediate Capital Group (ICP) 2,128.00p -7.48%
Whitbread (WTB) 2,879.00p -7.37%
Compass Group (CPG) 1,468.50p -7.29%
Prudential (PRU) 1,318.00p -7.15%