MPC decision fails to steady FTSE

Vodafone posted the biggest gains with a rise of 2.13% to 158.4p, closely followed by GlaxoSmithKline which climbed 2.12% to £12.99, while BHP Billiton advanced 1.82% to £12.86. Cable and Wireless also added 1.13% to 197p, while Royal Dutch Shell ‘B’ shares gained 1.08% to 319.72, although early gains were offset by Alliance & Leicester which slipped 2.61% to £11.21. Property companies also fell as Persimmon declined 3.65% to £12.40, closely followed by Land Securities which slipped 3.57% to £17.57, while Hammerson fell 2.58% to £14.73, and Drax slumped 2.86% to 747.5p. In the US, ...