Profit-taking and currency moves pare FTSE gains

The UK’s main benchmark index, the FTSE 100, closed at 4515 points after the dollar made ground against the pound sterling and euro and big companies Prudential and Alliance and Leicester saw their share prices drop in profit-taking. Having risen to $1.8939 to the pound yesterday, the price of sterling rebounded as the weakened dollar improved its currency position to $1.868 by close of business in London. Prudential‘s share price dropped back 2.3% by close of business in the UK after hitting a 14-month high yesterday, while Alliance & Leicester bank fell after reporting reduced profi...