In London the FTSE 100 Index has declined about nine points to 5027.20 points at its close today, led by Xstrata.
The mining group shed 33.50p to £10.40, while defence contractor, BAE Systems lost 4.25p to 245.75p after it agreed to purchase United Defence Industries for $3.97bn. Brickmaker Hanson meanwhile added 12.50p to 514.50p, after announcing its purchase of the UK unit of Belgium's Etex Group for £120m to expand into concrete building block manufacturing. Cadbury Schweppes added 11.75p to 519p, as logistics firm Exel gained 15.50p to 854.50p. In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average index has started well adding about 35 points to 10976.02 points in its morning trading. Computer brand...
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