The FTSE 100 Index picked up pace this afternoon to close just 5 points, or 0.01%, lower at 6,239 points, with Scottish Power the best performer.
Scottish Power leapt 8.71% to £7.30 after it said it has received a bid approach, with market talk suggesting German peer RWE and Sweden's Vattenfall as possible suitors. Scottish & Southern Energy also rose 4.75% to £14.10 and International Power gained 2.99% to £3.44. But the gains were offset by a weak mining sector, with Anglo American down 2.08% at £24.54. BHP Billiton fell 1.23% to £10.47, Xstrata dropped 0.87% to £23.99, Rio Tinto declined 0.83% to £29.90 and Antofagasta fell 1.41% to £5.23. Standard Life closed 0.26% lower at £2.92 after it reported below par sales figures. ...
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