Financials lead the FTSE 100 higher in early trade on Monday, with utilities and homebuilders again bearing the brunt of the selling pressure on the top flight index after Friday's much stronger-than-expected US jobs report for October. The FTSE 100 index is up 22 points, or about 0.3%, at 6,375 with midcaps and smaller company indexes rising by similar margins.

Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) and Standard Chartered (STAN) top the Footsie leader board on Monday, chalking-up 3.4% and 2.7% gains respectively.

Amid wider strength in the resources sector Tullow Oil (TLW) stands out with a 14% advance to 248.8p as the E&P arm of Danish shipping giant AP Moeller-Maersk (MAERSK-A:CPH) takes a stake in some of its acreage offshore east Africa providing a vote of confidence in the assets. The acquired licenses cover exploration areas in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia and include eight recent oil discoveries. Four of the blocks are operated by Tullow Oil and the remaining by Africa Oil (AOI:TSX). The deal - between Maersk and Africa Oil - sees the former make an upfront payment of $365 million with future contingent payments of up to $480 million. Read Shares web story exclusive here.

Stock in TalkTalk (TALK) is slides 5% to 214.3p on the back of a report in the Daily Telegraph that the company might scrap its dividend as its finances come under intense pressure in the wake of its 'crippling cyber attack.' The group has thus far failed to deny or confirm that its payout is under threat, although Shares recently pointed out the several stiff challenges ahead.

Five-a-side football centre operator Goals Soccer Centres (GOAL:AIM) plunges 9.8% to 138.5p after issuing another profit warning due to the 'challenging' summer period. Full year pre-tax profit is expected to be between £8.2 million and £8.6 million, down from the previous forecast of £9.3 million to £9.8 million. Read Shares web story exclusive here.

Industrial generator rental outfit Aggreko (AGK) gains 6.7% to 994p as it maintains its full year profit guidance of £250 to £270 million in a third quarter update. Underlying revenue growth was down 7% in the three months to 30 September 2015.

Government outsourcer Serco (SRP) adds 5.7% to 105p on an agreement to reduce the length of a loss-making contract maintaining Australian naval vessels. The deal will not affect trading profit but will reduce cash outflows previously expected to run out to 2022.

Among the smaller cap movers, PowerHouse Energy (PHE:AIM) jumps 25% to 1.53p as it starts a demonstration and review of tits G3-UHt System to a selection of engineering and commercial personnel from a Municipal and Regional Government based in Central Europe.

Betting minnow Red24 (REDT:AIM) slumps 18% to 22.75p as it posts a hefty fall in half-year pre-tax profits. The company chalked-up £340,000 versus £490.000 a year ago, although it retains its dividend at around 0.25p a share.

Junior gold digger Patagonia Gold (PGD:AIM) rallies 16% to 1.88p as it signs a letter of intent with Trilogy Mining to enter into an earn-in agreement to acquire up to 100% the latter's Carreta Quemada and Chamizo gold projects in Uruguay.

Funeral services provider Dignity (DTY) gains 1.8% at £25.03 on a strong third quarter trading statement. Given a continued high number of deaths versus 2014, up around 9% year-on-year, the Shares favourite says it expects to outperform market expectations for the full year.

Testing kit-maker EKF Diagnostics (EKF:AIM) advances 6.6% to 16p on positive data supporting the effectiveness of a biomarker that identifies people likely to develop diabetic kidney disease.

Medical insurance and hospital owner Georgia Healthcare (GHG) has raised £66 million as shares start conditional dealings at 170p each. This gives it a £218 million market cap, which is lower than the £260 million originally muted. Unconditional dealings start on Thursday (12 Nov).

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Issue Date: 09 Nov 2015