FTSE slightly off on earnings fears

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Although the market took today's interest rate hike in its stride - there were no nasty surprises - certain fears about prices relative to earnings potential helped the FTSE 100 index to a mild 3.40 points loss at 4,486.10.

William Hill shed 18.5p to 540p as its chief investor sold nearly £6m worth of shares. Imperial Tobacco dropped 27p to 1,203p on analyst warnings on earnings, particularly in its important German market. British Airways fell 4p to 259.5p as rival low-cost airline Now Airlines went into liquidation because of the ongoing far war across Europe. Rentokil surged 8p to 152.5p as bid speculation arose based on credit spreads on the company’s debt. The insurance sector did well. Friends Provident added 3.5p to 142.75p. Legal & General added 2p to 92p. Royal & Sun Alliance ga...

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