FTSE 100 down as investor sentiment drops
The leading share index was down this morning, consolidating overnight losses in Asia and the US.
Miners led the fallers in early trading, with Eurasian Natural Resources, Kazakhmys and Anglo American among the blue chips feeling the heat.
On the FTSE All-Share, Finnish miner Talvivaara slid more than nine per cent in early deals. Yesterday it posted an operating loss for the third quarter.
Broker Tullet Prebon sank almost six per cent as it reported a drop in revenue over the third quarter.
International Ferro Metals dropped 3.64 per cent this morning, while platinum miner Lonmin fell 2.74 per cent as it said industrial action at its Marikana mine had dragged it to a full-year loss.
Miner Eurasian Natural Resources fell 2.38 per cent.
At the other end of the spectrum, transmission systems maker Torotrak added 5.77 per cent in early deals.
Recruiter Michael Page rose 5.58 per cent, while credit card insurer CPP Group increased 3.92 per cent.
Explorer Heritage Oil was up 4.3 per cent in early deals, as it said it had completed its acquisition in Nigeria.
Coal miner Bumi was up 3.76 per cent.
Property firm Metric added 1.75 per cent. This morning fellow property investor London & Stamford made a £209m takeover offer for Metric, three days after the companies said they were in advanced discussions to merge.
UK banking shares were in negative territory this morning. HSBC was down 0.43 per cent, RBS was down 0.15 per cent, Barclays slipped 0.14 per cent while Lloyds Banking Group sank 2.49 per cent.
In Asia, the Nikkei closed 0.9 per cent down and in the US, the Dow Jones closed 0.94 per cent down as it fell again on concerns over the upcoming fiscal cliff.