FTSE hits 12-month low as risk appetite slumps again

The UK's blue chip index has shed 100 points to drop below 6,350, hitting a fresh 12-month low at the end of a volatile week for equity markets.

The FTSE 100 was down 1.6% at 6,330 by mid-morning, the lowest intra-day level since 7 October last year, and eventually closed down 1.4% at 6,340. Earlier, just two stocks - insurers Admiral and RSA - were in the black, rising 0.7% and 0.4% respectively. Miners including BHP and Glencore are among the worst affected as resource prices continue to lose ground. The largest faller was TUI Travel, down 6.5% on concerns over the spread of the Ebola virus. The FTSE's drop follows a 2.1% fall for the S&P 500 yesterday. The fluctuations of the US index have meant a volatile week for globa...