FTSE regains ground after slide on retail sales

Technology and basic materials were the strongest performing sectors, up 1.21% and 1.08% respectively. At the stock level, the Carphone Warehouse Group led the winners, rising 3.85%, while Invensys was up 3.68%. Thermoplastics company Victrex and Essar Energy also climbed in early trading. The heaviest faller was biopharmaceutical company Shire, down 0.79%, with drinks supplier Britvic falling 0.66%. Cable and Wireless, Carillion, and Melrose also saw their shares slide. In Europe the German Dax rose 0.84% or 53 points to 6,302, while the French Cac 40 gained 1.03% or 38 points to ...