Sector Movers: Real estate and housebuilders in the green, but tobacco takes a hit

LONDON (ShareCast) - The UK 2015 Budget continues to impact market sentiment as real estate and housebuilding stocks followed oil and gas services companies in posting an uptick in performance. In his final budget before the General Election on May 7, Chancellor George Osborne announced a series of measures considered to be price positive for shares in both sectors.

In a bid to appease those wanting to get on the property ladder, Osborne put forward plans for an ISA for first-time buyers which would see the government add 25% on top of the amount saved by potential homebuyers.

Housebuilder Crest Nicholson led the way on Thursday morning on the back of posting a 10% rise in its sales rate on an annualised basis. The company's shares rose by over 4% to 443p. Its rivals also benefited from the feel good factor with Barratt Developments (LSE: BDEV.L - news) up 0.28% to 530p, Bovis Homes (LSE: BVS.L - news) up 0.57% to 967.50p, and Taylor Wimpey (LSE: TW.L - news) up 0.59% to 154.10p at 15:15 GMT. Overall, the home & household good sector saw an uptick of 1.03% or 147.86 points to 14,465.29.

On a related note, real estate services provider Savills (Other OTC: SVLPF - news) posted a 21% increase in pre-tax profit to £84.7m, as revenue rose 19% to £1.08bn. The company's shares were trading 4% higher at 809p at 15:15 GMT. Additionally, rival Countrywide (Other OTC: CTYWY - news) saw its shares rise 3.74% to 554.50p while Foxtons saw a 6.1% uptick 208.75.

Oil and gas services companies with exposure to the North Sea carried positivity over from Wednesday into Thursday's trading session despite ongoing turmoil in the oil markets. On Wednesday, the Chancellor said the petroleum revenue tax (PRT) would be slashed from 50% to 35% to support investment in older fields. The supplementary charge will also be cut from 30% to 20% and backdated to January. It follows an earlier reduction from 32% to 30% announced in Osborne's Autumn Statement last December.

The move provides a shot in the arm for oil equipment and services companies. The sub-sector index came in at 18,403.95 points up 354.14 points of 1.91%, with key players Amec , Petrofac , Lamprell (LSE: LAM.L - news) and Wood Group all trading in the green.

However, going the other way, tobacco was the worst performing sector of day plummeting 3.13% or 1,398.54 points to 43,215.41. Blue chips British American Tobacco (LSE: BATS.L - news) came in at 3651p down 3.82% or 145p while Imperial Tobacco (LSE: IMT.L - news) shed 54p or 1.69% to 3148p. The UK government's decision to introduce plain cigarette packaging is said to be denting sentiment, even though a legal challenge from the industry is thought to be on the cards.

Leading Sectors: Oil Equipment, Services & Distribution 18488.07 +429.26 +2.38% Real Estate Investment Trusts 3404.05 +46.19 +138% Household Goods & Home Construction 14,503.56 +186.13 +1.30% Oil & Gas Producers 7047.18 +86.36 1.24% Mining 13839.04 +147.87 1.08%