FTSE slips up on oil prices

But the slide came too late to halt Cairn’s positive performance, which ended up 2.51% to 1,632p, well off earlier highs, originally sparked by a £1.2bn bid for North Sea specialist Paladin Resources from Canadian group Talisman Energy. The offer had dealers raising valuations for Cairn as the two have similar assets, though Royal Dutch Shell ended down 0.57% to 1,750p after a barrel of crude oil fell below $60 for the first time since July. Cruise liner Carnival ended as one of the day’s top riser, as it surged 2.88% to 2,782p on the back of prospects for cheaper fuel bills, although t...