Software group Sage is currently top of the FTSE 100 risers, after a broker recommendation and a spate of takeover talk.
Barclays has begun coverage of the European software sector, and has put an equal weight rating on Sage. But that alone does not explain the 7.6p rise in its shares to 265.8p, a near 3% increase. Traders were also hearing speculation of bid interest, with a price of 380p a share mentioned.
Other Barclays recommendations did well, with Autonomy up 26p at £17.97 and Micro Focus International 18.9p better at 384.9p. Barclays gave both companies an overweight rating.
