The FTSE 100 gains 0.3% to 7,340.33 as investors await the key non-farm payrolls release from the US this afternoon.

Telecoms giant BT (BT.A) gains 4.5% to 345.1p as it addresses a key uncertainty and agrees a deal with regulator Ofcom to legally separate its Openreach infrastructure arm. The new business will have its own management and independent board but, crucially, still be part of the wider BT group.

Motor insurer Esure (ESUR) is up 7.2% to 238.4p as it delivers an increase in full year premiums ahead of already increased expectations and at the top end of analysts’ forecastd. The company also left its numbers unadjusted despite the change in the Ogden rate, governing the payouts to victims of car accidents, which has hit several of its peers.

Oil services firm Amec Foster Wheeler (AMFW) advances 4% to 489p as it secures long-term contracts in Brunei and Kuwait with undisclosed values.

Property developer Segro (SGRO) slips 4.4% to 475p as it snaps up the remaining 50% stake in the Airport Property Partnership joint venture it does not already own from Aviva Group Entities for £365m.

The acquisition aims to position the firm to take advantage of the recent decision to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

The deal is being funded by a fully underwritten 1 for 5 rights issue at 345p. Meaning shareholders get the opportunity to buy one share at the discounted price for every five they already hold.

Specialist annuities provider JRP (JRP) is marked 3.9% higher to 155.9p on a strong set of numbers which reveal a 58% rise in 2016 operating profit to £164m with the promise of ‘more to come’. The business was formed through the merger of Just Retirement and Partnership Asssurance in April 2016 in part as a reaction to changes to the UK pensions set up.

Challenger bank Aldermore (ALD) falls 7.5% to 221.9p as major shareholder Anacap sells £113.7m worth of stock in the company at a discounted price of 220p per share.

Brick maker Ibstock (IBST) also sees a major shareholder exit some of its holding at a discount as Diamond S.A R.L sells a £97m slug at 200p per share, prompting a 4.4% decline to 202.6p.

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Issue Date: 10 Mar 2017