Mixed retailers keep FTSE flat

Next has gained 3.39% to £23.80 following yesterday's report of a bid in the offing worth £25 per share. J Sainsbury has advanced 0.27% to £5.52 after it announced it beat fourth-quarter sales forecasts and said its recovery plan remains on track. BP has added 1.75% to £5.53 and Shell has gained 1.79% to £17.10, as tension mounts between the UK and Iran. Woolworths has fallen 1.54% to £11.80 on reports profits slumped from £61.5m to £16m last year on revenues from continuing operations of £2.74bn, up 4%. Scottish & Newcastle has dropped 3.11% to £5.29 and Wolseley has lost 2.30% to ...