Reckitt Benckiser helps FTSE make small gain

Reckitt advanced after agreeing to buy Boots' over-the-counter medicines unit rising 3.3% to 1,764p so far this morning. The company has agreed to buy the Boots unit for £1.93bn to add products including Clearasil acne medicine. Boots shares have also gained 1.3% to 630p. But there were some losers. Cable & Wireless, Britain's second-largest phone company, has tumbled after forecasting a drop in first-half sales slumping 15% to 120.5p. The company says first-half UK revenue is estimated to decline by 6% to £765m from a year ago because of a drop in retail- service sales. BHP Billiton, t...