FTSE holds it grounds despite Abbey takeover

The benchmark FTSE 100 index was almost flat at 4331 points within the first hour of trading even though the Abbey deal has hit the banking stock hard. Other FTSE stock markets are also relatively flat, the as the FTSE All-Share sits at 2155 points and the FTSE 250 index remains at 5990. Abbey National is currently down shed 22.5p or 3.88% to 557.5p as it emerged on Friday the banking group is in talks for a takeover by Abbey. On Friday the share price rose 18%, but all talk now waits for the announcement later today by Abbey. RBS is likely to be affected by the deal as it holds a stak...