Prudential gain compensates for Footsie losses

In afternoon trading the UK's benchmark index the FTSE 100 is 12 points down on its opening score of 5451.1 despite a near 10% gain in value for Prudential, while the technology-focused Techmark is 10.45 points down at 1760.57. Prudential climbed 70.5p to 814.5p, after the insurance group's earlier bid of $36.80 a share for American General was topped by AIG and a bid of $46 per share. Should Pru walk it can look forward to a $600m windfall. Stocks influencing the Footsie fall today include media groups WPP and Granada, retailers Kingfisher and Associated British Foods as well as chem...