Financials take FTSE down

Old Mutual led declines by financial stocks, down 2.68% to 191p, while HBOS fell 1.65% to 952p and Lloyds TSB dropped 1.60% to 522p. HSBC declined 1.09% to 954.50p, Standard Chartered dropped 1.19% to 1,416p and Barclays fell 0.81% to 676p, all on concern they could become embroiled in a bidding war for Korean credit card group LG Card. Crude prices close to $75 a barrel pushed Shell down 0.05% to 2,042p, while BP fell 0.07% to 711.50p, Cairn Energy dropped 0.83% to 2,419p and BG declined 0.32% to 782.50p. But higher metal prices took Xstrata up 1.96% to 2,128p and Anglo American u...