TD Waterhouse customers call on the telecoms sector

Angus Rigby, Chief Executive Officer, TD Waterhouse comments: "FTSE market volatility has presented trading opportunities to TD Waterhouse customers this week, with a surge of interest in the telecoms and mining sectors.

"Trades of Vodafone and BT shares accounted for 12% of our top ten buys and sells, with BT in particular reaching seventh place in the top ten sells this week. A hike in BT's share price seems to have attracted customer interest - shares rose 2.75% over the week after the firm announced second quarter revenue is in line with expectations. Further cost cutting could save the group £1.5bn before the year is out - more than its originally planned target of £1bn.

"Customers continued to dig deep for gains as the mining sector made up 29% of the overall top ten trades. Xstrata accounted for 16% of top ten sells and climbed to second place in the table as customers were again drawn to take advantage of share price rises. Shares rocketed by 107p during the week after the mining giant raised £7.76m by exercising and selling stock options at £10.26 each between 11 - 12 November.

"Russian-focused gold miner Petropavlovsk made its first appearance in the top ten buys this week as it claims to be on track to produce 500,000 ounces of gold this year. While production in the three months to September fell slightly from the same period last year, production for the year so far is up 29% compared to the first nine months of 2008.

"Solo Oil also made its debut in the top ten - spilling into sixth place of the buys - as bargain hungry customers snapped up falling shares. The firm, which acquires interests in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas assets, lost almost a quarter of its value after confirming plans to raise £6.4m. Solo Oil accounted for 21% of the top ten mining sector buys after its shares fell 30p over the past seven days."