Intercontinental checkout leads FTSE slightly down

The index is currently 1.20 points down (0.02%) to 6278.10. Intercontinental Hotels is leading the losses after a downgrade from Morgan Stanley, it is currently 2.9% lower, to 871. United Utilities, which owns and operates water and electricity networks in north west England, has also lost ground – falling 1.92% so far, to 739.50. Persimmon is performing the best on a solid morning for home builders, up 3.06% to 792.50. Mining giant Kazakhmys is ahead on a mixed morning for the sector, up 2.59% to 1307; while Northern Rock is up on more bid speculation – 2.53% ahead to 89.10. In...