FTSE on an energy low

BHP Billiton has fallen 45p, or 4.4%, to 968.5p, while Rio Tinto has declined 112p, or 3.9%, to 2,743p. BP has lost 11.5p, or 1.8%, to 636p and Royal Dutch Shell has retreated 40p, or 2.2%, to 1,792p. Crude oil for March delivery fell 3.1% to $63.09 yesterday on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest close since 5 January. AstraZeneca has also slipped 47p, or 1.8%, to 2,638p. Buyers of the stock today are not entitled to the second-half dividend of 92 cents, or 51.8p. Meanwhile, Alphameric has gained 4p, or 4.4%, to 95.5p. The company reported full-year earnings of £6.28m as d...