(ShareCast News) - Tobacco stocks rose to the top of the leaderboard after analysts at Citi sung the praises of British American.In a research note sent to clients, analysts Adam Spielman, Jemima Benstead and Ravi Sharma said the firm was producing "some of the best" organic sales growth in the European staples space and its acquisition of Reynolds American would only serve to make it stronger.Indeed, the strengthening Russian ruble and Brazilian real meant the transaction would become a 'tailwind' in the second half of 2017.It would also help lower the combined company´s exchange rate risk and enhance its ability to generate cash.On the flip side, shares of Royal Mail were to be found at the bottom of the pile after the company reported flat revenues for the nine-month stretch to 25 December.Following close behind, Real Estate Investment Trusts were lower after Jefferies downgraded its recommendation on Hammerson, Derwent London, Great Portland Estates and Workspace from 'hold' to 'underfperform'.In parallel, Big Yellow and Londonmetric were downgraded from 'hold' to 'buy'."The last prop for asset values is the state sponsored coupon clipping by Local Authorities. When foreign capital flows reverse, property faces a toxic combination of falling rents and rising cap rates and REITs risk NAV deflation and earnings degradation," analysts at Jefferies said in a research note sent to clients.Electricity stocks were also lower as SSE went ex-dividend and despite supportive comments from Credit Suisse.Top performing sectors so far todayTobacco 53,718.34 +1.30%Automobiles & Parts 7,970.47 +0.41%Food & Drug Retailers 3,116.68 +0.21%Aerospace and Defence 4,677.64 +0.16%Bottom performing sectors so far todayIndustrial Transportation 2,943.30 -2.69%Real Estate Investment Trusts 2,780.61 -2.43%Electricity 9,042.35 -2.29%Oil & Gas Producers 8,301.26 -1.94%Oil Equipment, Services & Distribution 16,262.23 -1.41%