BHP Billiton causes early decline for FTSE

The decline is being led by commodity producers including Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. Rio Tinto, the world's third-biggest mining company, has declined 1.9% to 2,176p, while BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company, has slipped 3.1%, to 793p. Oil stocks including BP and Royal Dutch Shell have also dropped in response to oil prices which have fallen below $63 a barrel despite the news Hurricane Wilma is likely to miss key oil facilities in the Gulf of Mexico. BP has fallen 7.5p, or 1.21%, to 612.5p, while Shell has dropped 24p, or 1.39%, to 1700p. Elsewhere Touchstone Group...