FTSE down, but miners strong

Wolseley was the worst performer, as investors remained unimpressed with acquisition news coming from the plumbing supplies business, it closed down 32 points, or 2.63%, to 1183. Alternative investment provider Man Group also lost, sliding 16 points, or 2.6%, to 599. Reports O2 has won the much sought-after deal to sell Apple iPhones in the UK has pushed Vodafone stocks down. The telco giant dropped 4 points, or 2.41%, to 162.1. Miners enjoyed the day’s best results – BHP, Rio Tinto and Anglo American were all solid – but it was Xstrata who led the charge, up 61 points, or 1.96%, to 31...