Falling commodities pull FTSE lower

BHP Billiton was among the worst affected with a drop of 4.89% to 934p as metal prices reacted to news of record trade figures from China, heightening fears further rate hikes may be needed to slow growth. Copper and gold prices also fell in response, with Vedanta Resources the biggest drag with a fall of 6.21% to £12.39, closely followed by Kazakhmys which dropped 4.67% to £12.26, while Anglo American slipped 4.13% to £21.35 and Rio Tinto slumped 4.79% to £25.44. Elsewhere oil companies fell with BP down 1.35% to 583p, while Royal Dutch Shell slipped 1.57% to £18.23 and BG Group droppe...