Barclays 7% gain fails to stir FTSE

Barclays had added 7.02% to 270p as the FT reports is could sell its Barclays Global Investors asset management business to potential buyers tipped to be BlackRock and the Bank of New York Mellon Corp. But, as of 12.15pm, the FTSE was down more than 11 points, or 0.27%, to 4,350. Earlier, Royal Bank of Scotland Group was up 6.08% to 41.6p, continuing yesterday's successful day of trading, while Friends Provident had advanced 5.45% to 75.5p. Lloyds Banking Group gained 3.19% to 90.6p. However, travel firms Thomas Cook Group and TUI Travel continue to suffer as Brits tighten their purse...