Afternoon Markets: Oil concerns push FTSE under

Another positive day for the FTSE was ruled out due to oil concerns in the US, with a five-month low ...

Another positive day for the FTSE was ruled out due to oil concerns in the US, with a five-month low in oil prices hitting energy and mining groups. But, rumours earlier today that Alastair Darling is about to announce plans to stimulate the mortgage market buoyed the FTSE 100 throughout the afternoon and helped prevent aggressive falls. The UK’s benchmark index was at 5402.50, a fall of 0.8% for today, at 16:24. Barclays, RBS and HSBC were amongst the leading movers this afternoon alongside easyjet and Tate & Lyle. The U.S government’s takeover of mortgage-finance companies Fannie M...