Business

Reckitt Benckiser shares up after food deal

  • 19 July 2017
Trader watching monitor Image copyright AFP

Consumer goods firm Reckitt Benckiser's shares rose 1.6% on Wednesday after the sale of its food unit.

US based McCormick & Co is paying $4.2bn for the business, which includes French's mustard.

Royal Mail was the biggest loser on the FTSE 100, falling 2.75%. Shares were up strongly on Tuesday after the company released a trading update.

The FTSE 100 rose steadily in afternoon trade, ending the day up 40.69 points or 0.55% at 7,430.91.

Aviva rose 0.4% after saying it would sell Friends Provident International, an insurance business focused on the Middle East and Asia.

The pound was little changed. Against the dollar, it was down 0.05% at $1.3034, while against the euro, it was 0.25% higher at 1.1315 euros.