LONDON (ShareCast) - Petrofac is leading oil and gas services stocks higher after reporting a 31% rise in half year profit and saying it expects to post full year results at the top end of market expectations. The facilities service provider predicts full year net profit will come in between $228m and $262m.

Engineering and project management firm Amec and oilfield services specialist John Wood Group also advance.

Better-than-expected results have helped lift the general retail sector higher today. Car dealer Lookers is up 7%, even after saying full-year results will be at the lower end of expectations.

Online sales helped second-hand retailer Cash Converters report a sharp rise in revenues and profits and the company said it was set to continue opening stores in the UK and Australia.

Top performing sectors so far today
Oil Equipment Services & Distribution 16,817.20 +1.60%
Mobile Telecommunications 3,202.10 +1.48%
Industrial Metals 6,422.90 +1.14%
Oil & Gas Producers 7,732.50 +1.08%
Mining 22,899.10 +1.01%

Bottom performing sectors so far today
Forestry & Paper 3,325.70 -6.01%
General Retailers 1,241.50 -2.73%
Real Estate 2,863.60 -2.63%
Personal Goods 7,415.80 -1.90%
Travel & Leisure 4,336.50 -1.73%

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