Sector movers: Nanoco lifts tech stocks higher

The technology hardware and equipment sector is being lifted by AIM-quoted Nanoco, which makes cadmium-free quantum dots used in lighting and solar panels.The company announced today that following the completion of its material joint development agreement with a major Japanese electronics group, it has signed a follow-on product development agreement, triggering an upfront payment of $0.8m.Meanwhile, the mobile telecommunications sector is among the worst performing sectors being led lower by Vodafone, who is unaided by a target price reduction by Nomura. With the disposal of its 44% stake in SRF now removed as positive catalyst, the Japanese broker thinks that Vodafone faces more difficult newsflow, such as a new telecom policy draft in India and a tough outlook in Spain. "There is scope for the stock to fall back towards 170p in the near-term," warns the broker. ---bcTop performing sectors so far todayTechnology Hardware & Equipment 764.46 +2.12%Beverages 9,561.15 +1.02%Tobacco 29,227.95 +0.78%Financial Services 6,039.61 +0.77%Personal Goods 20,209.50 +0.71%Bottom performing sectors so far todayConstruction & Materials 4,171.35 -2.24%Mobile Telecommunications 4,011.11 -1.77%Industrial Engineering 7,125.54 -1.13%Gas, Water & Multiutilities 4,589.35 -1.10%Forestry & Paper 6,446.66 -1.07%