Leisure firms leave FTSE on a high after slow start

Hilton Group helped the index get off to a strong start on confirmation it is in talks over a sale of its hotels division to Hilton Hotels of the US. Shares in Hilton Group raced 13.4% higher to close at 345.50p, spurred by news it was in talks to sell its hotels to US-based Hilton Hotels for an expected £3.6bn, more than anticipated. The prospective disposal also lifted shares in rival Intercontinental Hotels 4.9% to 723p as investors scrambled to re-rate leisure firms in the wake of the news. Leisure firm Whitbread also gained 1.4% to 970p. The oil sector was the weakest, with BG Gro...