Sector movers: International Power lights up electricity sector

Strong gains from International Power after full-year results help lift the electricity sector higher. The energy company reported a slight increase in its full-year dividend but said its near-term performance will be impacted by weak market conditions in the US and the UK. Antofagasta is among the stocks dragging the mining sector lower. Lower copper prices hit the Chile-based miner and railway owner's earnings last year. Net earnings fell to $668m compared with $843m in 2008 excluding one-offs on sales of $2.96bn, down from $3.37bn. Copper production was 442,500 tonnes, ahead of the original forecast for the year of 433,000 tonnes. Top performing sectors so far today Electricity 6,649.96 +0.78% Industrial Engineering 4,390.02 +0.71% Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology 8,800.26 +0.55% Industrial Transportation 2,232.60 +0.35% Food Producers & Processors 5,157.15 +0.31% Bottom performing sectors so far today Mining 22,773.02 -2.07% Banks 4,961.47 -1.98% Tobacco 27,568.25 -1.74% Alternative Energy 7,194.65 -1.37% Insurance (non-life) 1,360.27 -1.24%