Afternoon Markets: FTSE slightly down after Pru deal fails

The index closed down 11.98 points, or 0.23%, to 5,151.32 points. Prudential shares shed 2.52% or 14.5p to 561p by close of play, after the company scrapped plans to buy the Asian business of US insurer AIG. The deal collapsed after Prudential failed to negotiate a lower price for AIA. Financials took the biggest hit today with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Lloyds, and Legal and General (L&G) all suffering losses. RBS was the biggest faller, ending down 3.6%, after it said it was cutting 500 jobs in its wealth management division. Lloyds fell 1.52p, or 2.65%, to 55.89p and L&...