FTSE declines on poor utilities

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The FTSE 100 index has ended the day down 45.5 points or 0.72% to 6,269.3, on a weak utility sector and a poor opening on Wall Street.

Drax was the biggest drag on the index with a fall of 3.62% to 719.5p, closely followed by miner Vedanta Resources which dropped 3.36% to £11.50, while Experian slipped 2.52% to 581p. British Airways also declined 2.52% to 523p, on concerns over a proposed staff strike, while insurer Old Mutual slipped 1.97% to 174.5p, although Home Retail climbed 0.84% to 422.5p. Sage Group posted the biggest gains with a rise of 1.2% to 275p, closely followed by 3I which added 1.11% to £10.95, while Pearson gained 0.93% to 817.5p, and Cable & Wireless climbed 0.91% to 166p. In the US, the Dow Jon...

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