Loss of share dividends hits FTSE firms

The FTSE 100 index dropped 7.9 points or 0.2% to 4532 within the first hour of trading, led by British American Tobacco which also fell 26p or 3.1% to 813p. Hotel chain the Hilton Group also lost 5p or 2.2% to 223p as a wealth of shares changed hands without the right to a 5.52p final dividend. Scottish & Southern Energy has also declined 2.5% to 676p after withdrawing the shareholders’ rights to an interim dividend of 11.3p. In Asia, the Japanese Nikkei 225 index finally halted its five-day rally, and closed almost flat. Had it not been for strong interest in Mizuho Bank, the Nikk...