Drug stocks send FTSE lower

clock

The FTSE 100 has ended the day slightly down with a drop of 7.1 points, or 0.11%, to 6,479.7, as the market reacted badly to bid news.

AstraZeneca was the biggest loser with a fall of 4.1% to £28.32, as it announced it has agreed to buy US biotech firm MedImmune for $15.2bn, while Barclays slipped 2.27% to 733p, following confirmation of its €67bn offer for Dutch rival ABN Amro. Marks & Spencer Group also fell 1.53% to 709p, closely followed by ICAP which slipped 1.3% to 511p, while GlaxoSmithKline dropped 1.48% to £14.66, although losses were limited by Royal Dutch Shell which added 1.36% to £17.89. Brewer Scottish & Newcastle posted the biggest gains with a rise of 2.8% to 587.5p, closely followed by Hanson which add...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Economics / Markets

UK inflation rises to 3.8% in July

UK inflation rises to 3.8% in July

Core CPI also up to 3.8%

Sorin Dojan
clock 20 August 2025 • 2 min read
Bank of England meets expectations and cuts rates to 4%

Bank of England meets expectations and cuts rates to 4%

Lowest level in two and a half years

Isabel Baxter
clock 07 August 2025 • 4 min read
Think tank warns UK fiscal hole could surpass £50bn by 2030

Think tank warns UK fiscal hole could surpass £50bn by 2030

Government not on track to meet ‘stability rule’

Sorin Dojan
clock 06 August 2025 • 1 min read