Xstrata disappeared from the top of stockbrokers’ sell lists this morning, with Lloyds Banking Group and United Utilities climbing high up the chart.

The latest figures from TD Waterhouse show that United Utilities hit the top two on the sell list, accounting for 13.5 per cent of this morning’s trades, after it confirmed it was cutting dividends by a lower margin than anticipated.

Lloyds Banking Group was wrapped up in a flurry of trading too, topping the sell list at 20 per cent of all trades, up from fourth place on yesterday’s list.

It was also placed second on the top retailer buys, accounting for a similar percentage of buying activity. Barclays, however, overtook yesterday’s top dog – Xstrata - as the top stock purchased, having topped the sell list yesterday.

After closing yesterday at 300.85p, it reached 305.25p by 0834 this morning. However, it has since fallen back and stood at 290.65 by 1158.

Joshua Raymond, market strategist at City Index said that the Bank of America and Morgan Stanley earnings yesterday have put a bit of a warning sign for bank earnings in the investment community.

Miners maintain their stronghold in customer buy activity this morning, with mining stocks Xstrata, Rio Tinto, Kazakhmys and Anglo American accounting for 31 per cent of the overall top ten buys.

TD Waterhouse
Top ten trades
Thursday 21 January 2010 (AM)

Buys
1. Barclays, 27 per cent
2. Lloyds Banking Group, 20.5 per cent
3. Xstrata, 18 per cent
4. RBS, 7.5 per cent
5. Solo Oil, 6 per cent
6. Rio Tinto, 5 per cent
7. Kazakhmys, 4.5 per cent
8. Vialogy, 4 per cent
9. Anglo American, 3.5 per cent
10. Desire Petroleum, 3.5 per cent

Sells
1. Lloyds Banking Group, 20 per cent
2. United Utilities – 13.5 per cent
3. RBS, 13 per cent
4. Barclays, 12.5 per cent
5. Matra Petroleum, 8 per cent
6. Range Resources, 7.5 per cent
7. Xstata, 7.5 per cent
8. Petropavovsk, 7 per cent
9. Solo Oil. 5.5 per cent
10.Taylor Wimpey, 5.5 per cent