FTSE flat in pre-holiday trading

Smith & Nephew is posting the biggest gains so far with a rise of 4.35% to 503.5p, closely followed by BG Group which is up 2.12% to 721p, while BP has gained 1.12% to 586.5p. Centrica is also up 1.1% to 344.25p, closely followed by retailer Next with a rise of 0.73% to £18.03, although gains are being limited by Imperial Tobacco Group which is down 1.14% to £20.02. Tate & Lyle is the biggest drag on the index with a fall of 2.32% to 801.5p, closely followed by miner Lonmin which is down 1.62% to £31.01, while Cairn Energy has slipped 1.52% to £18.85, and BY has dropped 1.51% to 310.2...