The FTSE 100 Index has dropped 57.9 points, or 1%, to 5688.9 points this morning led by mining and energy companies after metals prices fell and crude oil traded near a four-week 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...
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