The FTSE 100 index eventually closed the day down almost 23 points or 0.5% to 4,430 after downgrades for high street retailers Boots and Next lowered confidence elsewhere.
This is despite a boost for Marks & Spencer’s share price as the high street firm is now being considered for a takeover by billionaire retail giant Philip Green.M&S’s share value closed up 14.5p or 4.2% to 359.5p after Green suggested the deal was close to being presented to the M&S board. Boots had one of the worst losses of the day, having started with a downgrade on its retail position. The high street pharmaceutical, health and beauty chain eventually closed the day down 17.5p or 2.59% to 658p. AstraZeneca suffered a 50p loss – equal to under 2% - to £25.41 compared with its riva...
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