Diageo holds FTSE back

Carnival and Sage group are among the stocks attempting to give the market a boost, although Diageo is leading the fallers after inline figures from the drinks group prompted profit-taking. Diageo has slipped 2.29% to 937p, as it announced strong results on the back of continuing demand for its premium brands in North America, and reported a rise in sales to £9.7bn for the year to June with pre-tax profit of £2.14bn in the period. However Carnival is leading the rally with gains of 4.38% to 2,286p, closely followed by Sage Group which has added 1.57% to 242.75p, while Brambles Industr...