FTSE falls as banks drop

Northern Rock fell 4.25%, or 4.7 points, to 105.9p after Lib Dem leader Vince Cable said buyout plans for the bank would fail. Royal Bank of Scotland Group fell 2.33%, or 11.25 points, to 472.25p, while Barclays fell 1.68%, or 9.5 points, to 556.5p. Taylor Wimpey rose 2.91%, or 6.25 points, to 220.75p and British Airways rose 2.84%, or 9.5 points, to 344p. The Dow Jones rose 0.04%, or 5.69 points, to 13625.58c on Friday’s close. Alcoa rose 2.93%, or 1.05 points, to 36.91c, while Boeing rose 1.5%, or 1.38 points, to 93.16c as oil prices dropped. American Express fell 4.32%, or 2.57 poin...