FTSE dips below 6,000 as Standard Chartered plunges

BHP Billiton also weighs on the index

The FTSE 100 begun reversing gains made yesterday, as Standard Chartered plunged in early trading while shares in BHP Billiton dived following a 75% cut to its interim dividend.

The blue-chip index was back below 6,000 points this morning, declining 0.7% to trade at 5,996 by 10am, as mining firms were hit once again, while emerging market focused bank Standard Chartered reported a profits loss for 2015. Yesterday the FTSE 100 closed up 1.5% at 6,038, despite Brexit fears, led by the miners due to strengthening metal prices. However, this morning's results from BHP Billiton have revived concerns about how the group will tackle an environment of much lower oil and commodity prices. Miners plunge to 11-year low after Anglo American scraps dividend BHP poste...