The FTSE 100 closed down 24.1 points or 0.4% to 5,711 today, a weekly loss for the first time in six weeks as the telecoms and drug sectors headed lower, while nerves over Iran's nuclear intentions added further pressure.
Telecoms stocks found themselves under fire for a second straight session, still suffering the effects of France Telecom's second profit warning in 4 months on Thursday. BT Group eased 2.4% to 215.25p and Vodafone lost 1% to 127.50p. On the upside, International Power bucked the lower trend to top the blue-chip leaderboard with a 2.3% gain to 257.75p as dealers reported renewed talk of a bid for the electricity generator. Other utilities also featured on the blue-chip leaderboard: Scottish Power rose 1.07% to 565p, Scottish & Southern Energy gained 1.02% to 1,041.50p and Kelda rose 0.92%...
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