FTSE slumps to five-week low on Euro debt fears

Barclays is leading the downward plunge, down 6.20% and miners are faring particularly badly, with Xstrata down nearly 6% and Rio Tinto down 5.7%. Expectations of heavy losses in Wall Street have dragged London's leading index below the 5,000 mark for most of the day. Such fears appear well founded, with the Dow down 2.19% to 9916 shortly after 15.00 UK time. Stocks plunged sharply trading began, mirroring heavy falls in Asia overnight, and reflecting concerns of muted Chinese growth. London's leading index was down more than 106 points, or 2.1%, at 4,964.95, shortly after 11am. ...