London’s top flight index slid into the red yesterday after it succumbed to market jitters ahead of a meeting between oil suppliers over a potential production freeze.
The FTSE 100 Index slipped 21.4 points to 6,343.8 as the falling oil price weighed on stocks amid concerns about the outcome of Sunday’s meeting between Opec and non-Opec oil producers in Doha.
Brent crude was down $1.13 to $42.71 a barrel, dragging BP down 2.6p to £3.55, while miner Anglo American edged down 11.9p to £6.78.
Housebuilders dominated the fallers board after analysts said on Thursday there were signs that Persimmon’s sales were starting to slow.
Barratt Developments fell 12.5p to £5.09, Taylor Wimpey was 4.3p lower at £1.72, while Persimmon was down 30p to £18.70.
SABMiller was the biggest riser after an agreement was reached with the South African government to help secure regulatory approval for its takeover by AB InBev.
The £71billion mega-merger would create the largest brewer in the world.
Its shares were up 67p to £42.86.
Tesco edged up 1.9p to £1.79 as it benefited from better-than-expected results from retailer Carrefour thanks to its performance in Brazil and southern Europe.