BT Group stormed ahead of the FTSE 100 leading pack today after Citigroup upped its rating on the outlook for the telecoms operator.

Initial fears that BT’s pension deficit would continue to weigh it down were quickly forgotten as analysts suggested that any intervention from the Pensions Regulator was likely to remain limited to tighter repayment timing.

BT’s share price responded, ascending 2.6 per cent to 126.5 pence (0915 hrs), leading the FTSE.

Leading the chasing pack this morning was energy distributor Centrica which also benefitted from analyst news relating to its rating.

Nomura increased its target price for Centrica from 340 pence to 370 pence, sending its share price up 1.8 per cent to 295.1 pence.

12 out of 16 current broker ratings, referenced by database Digital Look are a buy or a strong buy for the stock, with 10 of those a strong buy.

Distribution and outsourcing group Bunzl also saw a rise in its share price after confirming it had acquired Weita Holdings and its subsidiary businesses.The stock was up at little under 1 per cent at 722.6 pence (0915 hrs).

Weita is a supplier of cleaning
and hygiene, foodservice, retail, healthcare and safety consumable products to both end users
and redistributors throughout Switzerland.

Michael Roney, chief executive of Bunzl, said this was an important acquisition for the group.

He explained, ‘This significantly increases the size of our existing retail supplies business there. Weita has a strong position in its markets, has a reputation for excellent customer service and will provide a base to develop further our business in Switzerland. We welcome all of their employees to the Group.’

Top ten trades
The Share Centre
8 March 2010 – 14 March 2010

To order free annual reports of the companies below, please just click on their name

Buy
1. Royal Bank of Scotland, 3 per cent
2. Lloyds Banking Group, 2 per cent
3. Desire Petroleum, 2 per cent
4. Aviva, 2 per cent
5. Barclays, 2 per cent
6. Prudential, 2 per cent
7. MAN Group, 1 per cent
8. UK Coal, 1 per cent
9. ITV, 1 per cent
10. BP, 1 per cent

Sell
1. Lloyds Banking Group, 6 per cent
2. Barclays, 4 per cent
3. Royal Bank of Scotland, 3 per cent
4. BP, 2 per cent
5. Vodafone, 2 per cent
6. Gulf Keystone, 1 per cent
7. Tesco, 1 per cent
8. Share, 1 per cent
9. Prudential, 1 per cent
10. Afren, 1 per cent