Sector movers: Media pushed higher by guidance-beating updates

Media is one of the top performing sectors today led by market research and consulting group Cello and publishing giant Pearson, who both provided positive updates that said results will beat guidance.Cello said it expects full year pre-tax profit to be ahead of expectations after a strong second half. "Performance has been particularly strong in the pharmaceutical and health related client sectors," the group explained.Pearson said 2010 earnings will be ahead of previous guidance, as all of its major businesses sustained their strong trading momentum throughout last year. The firm expects full year operating profits to come in around 20% higher than 2009's level, at about £850m.Cambium Global Timberland is dragging the forestry and paper sector lower after it lost a "disappointing" £6.1m before tax in the six months ended 31 October compared with a £961,000 profit in 2009 on revenue up to £770,000 from £570,000. The firm, which has a global portfolio of timberland properties, reported a drop in fair value of investment property and plantations of £2.54m and a net foreign exchange loss of £223,000 versus a £3m profit last time.Top performing sectors so far todayFood Producers & Processors 5,113.70 +0.97%Media 4,218.40 +0.53%Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology 8,769.46 +0.46%Aeronautics and Defence NULL 0.00%Alternative Investment Instruments NULL 0.00%Bottom performing sectors so far todayAlternative Energy 3,927.95 -3.28%Automobiles & Parts 5,188.17 -3.02%Forestry & Paper 5,477.24 -2.59%Oil Equipment, Services & Distribution 25,152.14 -2.27%Tobacco 26,925.28 -2.26% Pearson