The FTSE 100 Index fell 0.61% to 6,023 points today, led by Amvescap after the fund manager fell to a bout of profit taking after the sharp rally earlier in the week.
Amvescap fell 3.07% to 599.50p. But a surge in banking stocks helped to limit the losses as Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered rose on the back of talk Temasek is considering a bid. Standard Chartered advanced 2.90% to 1,456p. Alliance & Leicester rose 0.99% to 1,123p after BNP Paribas gave “outperform” advice and a 1,230p price target as part of a wider review into the UK mortgage bank sector. Life insurer Friends Provident gained 0.25% to 196.75p as it beat market forecasts with a 26% rise in life and pensions sales in the first quarter. The company said it had total new sal...
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