The London market lost ground today as investors eyed events in the eurozone at the start of another vital week in its battle for survival.
The FTSE 100 Index had been near a four-month high but it slipped 28.1 points to 5,824.4 amid disappointment that the European Central Bank has played down speculation over the shape of any future bond buying programme.
Miner Evraz was the biggest top flight faller, off 4% or 11.3p at 259.2p, while Xstrata declined 31.8p to 907.5p on the eve of results from merger partner Glencore.
Platinum miner Lonmin declined 5% – off 29.5p to 610p – as fears grew over the financial impact of strikes at its flagship operations in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Bovis Homes lost hold of a 2% rise after it doubled its half-year dividend to 3p and forecast further strong growth in the wake of a 100% rise in interim profits to £16.2million. Shares were later 1.4p lower at 491.6p.
Elsewhere in the second tier, Argos owner Home Retail Group rallied 4% – up 3.3p to 96.3p – after Deutsche Bank removed its sell rating on the stock.
The biggest Footsie risers were British Land up 3.5p at 543.5p, Compass ahead 4.5p at 719.5p, Lloyds Banking Group up 0.2p at 34.4p, and SSE ahead 7p at £13.42.
Among the biggest Footsie fallers were Eurasian Natural Resources off 12.7p at 357p and Kazakhmys off 23.5p at 716.5p.
Barry Shepherd, of investment manager and financial planning specialist Brewin Dolphin in Aberdeen, noted Xcite Energy rose 6.7% to 84p, AG Barr added 1.7% to 441.75p and Faroe Petroleum closed 1.3% higher at 154.5p.
On the fallers board, Parkmead fell 4.5% to 12.875p, Hunting dropped 2.4% to 802.75p and Weir Group moved 1.6% lower at £17.50.
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