A flurry of merger and acquisition rumours failed to prevent the FTSE slipping into negative territory after making initial gains on the back of buoyant mining stocks.
Shortly after 9.15, London's leading index was down by 14 points, or 0.26%, to 5730. Mining companies are faring well on the back of buoyant metals and surging oil prices. Anglo-Swiss miner Xstrata leads the winner's board, up 1.4%, with Kazakhmys and Lonmin also making gains. Engine designer Rolls-Royce is another early winner, advancing 1.1% after winning several global energy projects worth $110m. But merger and acquisition activity takes centre stage, with banknote printer De La Rue and outsourcing firm Mouchel climbing higher after receiving approaches. Britain's biggest pub g...
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