The FTSE 100 index is down about 8 points to 4,563 as shares trade in mixed directions ahead of an important US consumer confidence report due out later today.
Abbey National dropped 8.75p to 418p after Citygroup cuts its target share price and reiterated its ‘sell’ recommendation on news of poor retail banking figures. BAE Systems is down 2.25p to 217.5p as speculation continues to swirl about a possible sale of its shipbuilding business. BT is up 1.25p to 181.75p after promising “near universal” access to broadband services across the UK by the summer of 2005. The FTSE 250 index is down about 4 points to 6,366. Manchester United shed 8p to 246.25p as the noise surrounding yesterday’s stake building exercise by US billionaire Malcolm ...
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