Interest in the insurance sector continued this morning (Wednesday 10 February), after Aviva (AV.L) appeared high up on the top trades list for a third consecutive day. 

The insurer, formerly known as Norwich Union, appeared in the top buys for a third day in a row as investors respond to increasing market sentiment that further consolidation in the insurance sector is likely.

In early trading on Wednesday, Aviva’s share price ascended by almost 5 per cent to 360.9p while Legal & General (LGEN.L) also gained, rising a little under 3 per cent by 0915hrs.

Financials generally continued to dominate the top trades though, although Barclays (BARC.L), Lloyds (LLOY.L) and Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS.L) all accounted for lower percentages of activity than in recent days.

In yesterday’s afternoon session, investors cashed in recent gains from the mining stocks after the rising gold price boosted stocks.

The FTSE mining sector added over 15 points to the index with Xstrata (XTA.L), Rio Tinto (RIO.L) and Antofagasta (ANTO.L) all on the gainers list.

Xstrata accounted for just under 4 per cent of sales activity, while Rio Tinto represented 1.5 per cent.

Barclays Stockbrokers
Top ten trades
Tuesday 9 February 2010

Buy
1. Lloyds Banking Group, 6.3 per cent
2. RBS, 5.8 per cent
3. Barclays, 4.9 per cent
4. Gulf Keystone, 3.3 per cent
5. Aviva, 2.7 per cent
6. Desire Petroleum, 2.5 per cent
7. BP, 2.4 per cent
8. Xstrata, 1.6 per cent
9. Vodafone, 1.6 per cent
10. Petrofac, 1.3 per cent

Sell
1. Barclays, 8.3 per cent
2. Lloyds Banking Group, 6.2 per cent
3. RBS, 6 per cent
4. Xstrata, 3.9 per cent
5. Gulf Keystone, 2.8 per cent
6. Desire Petroleum, 2 per cent
7. Petrtofac, 1.8 per cent
8. Rio Tinto, 1.5 per cent
9. Kazakhmys, 1.3 per cent
10. Afren, 1.3 per cent