Financials cut another 1.3% off FTSE

Mining and financial stocks have been the worst performers so far, with HBOS down 4.15% to £10.86, as there are fears of possible fall-out from the US sub-prime mortgage market on its profits, while Xstrata has slipped 3.83% to £23.84. Insurer Prudential is also down 3.22% to 662p, closely followed by cruise operator Carnival which has fallen 3.13% to £23.84, while miner Anglo American has declined 3.07% to £24.30. That said, there are some stocks which are making gains, as oil companies are leading the rally with Royal Dutch Shell up 0.29% to £17, while steelmaker Corus has added 0.17% t...