Morning Markets: Banks and miners weigh on FTSE

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The FTSE 100 plunged sharply in morning trading, as banks and mining stocks dragged the index down.

The index dropped more than 25 points (0.50%) to 5,056.90. Lloyds banking group fell 3.34% to 99p as Alistair Darling pledged afresh to cut down on bank bonuses. Kazakhmys shares dropped 3.13% to £10.22 after the price of commodities fell back. Wolseley headed up the winners table, adding 6.42% to £13.93. Despite the Builders supplies specialist recorded losses in excess of £1bn last year, the company reported underlying profits ahead of forecasts. Pharma performed well with AstraZeneca up 1.56% to £27.94 after the US appeal court upheld the company's infringement claim against ge...

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