Rentokil proves FTSE pest

The pest control firm has slipped 6.25p to 147.75p following reports it is in talks to purchase cleaning rival PHS. Food brands, Unilever and Cadbury Schweppes, also both lost 13p to 536.50p and 13.50p to 536p respectively. Imperial Tobacco Group meanwhile, boosted the benchmark adding 38p to £14.89, after it won a court case against a UK widow, while the decision also boosted Gallaher Group, marching 16.50p higher to 848p. Mining firm Antofagasta continued to profit, rising 20p to £11.56. In the US the Dow Jones has started poorly, leaking close to 50 points to 10494.60 in its mor...