FTSE rallies, but closes slightly down

Talk of US property investor Starwood Capital launching an offer for Whitbread propelled the leisure group to a 7.04% increase, finishing up 128 to 1946. BSkyB also had a positive day, its announcement of 90,000 customer additions in the last three months led to the satellite broadcaster gaining 28 points, or 4.17%, to 700. The UK's leading home and general merchandise retailer, the Home Retail Group, lost the most ground, it fell 10.75 points, or 2.39%, to 438.75. In New York, the Dow Jones is starting to recover some of yesterday’s losses – it is up 55.93 points, or 0.41%, to 13557...