FTSE dragged lower by poor results

A potential bid for mid-cap water firm AWG sent FTSE 100 water firms higher, with Kelda adding 3.08% to 836.5p, while Severn Trent gained 2.2% to £13.48, and United Utilities jumped 1.46% to 696p. DIY retailer Kingfisher also jumped 2.29% to 245.25p, despite reporting a 12.6% fall in first half pre-tax profit on weak trade at B&Q, although it says it expects progress during the second half to see B&Q UK returning to profit growth. But it wasn’t such good news for GUS which dropped 2.66% to 970.5p, after the retail giant reported a mixed set of figures for its Experian and Home Retail ...