Financials pull FTSE lower

Fund manager Amvescap is the biggest drag on the index so far with a drop of 2.35% to 622p, as bid speculation died down, while Bradford & Bingley has slipped 1.76% to 473.75p after analyst’s cut its rating. Insurer Legal & General is also down 1.54% to 143.5p, closely followed by bank Alliance & Leicester which has slipped 1.49% to 470.75p, while steelmaker Corus has also fallen 1.52% to 470.75p. Elsewhere, Home Retail is posting the biggest gains with a rise of 1.2% to 421.5p, closely followed by energy firm BG Group which is up 1.11% to 681.5p, while Lloyds TSB has added 1.07% to 565...