FTSE 100 down as Japanese exports fall
The leading share index fell back this morning, as weak economic data from Japan weighed on sentiment.
Sausage skin maker Devro led the poor performers this morning, shedding 7.74 per cent as it issued a profit warning.
Brewer Punch Taverns fell 4.41 per cent, while software development firm Northgate dropped 4.4 per cent.
Trading software company Fidessa fell four per cent this morning, as it said revenue for the full year would remain flat.
Miners Bumi and Aquarius Platinum dropped 3.05 per cent and 2.56 per cent respectively.
At the other end of the spectrum, retinal imaging company Optos added 6.51 per cent in early trading. Last week it announced a strong rise in sales.
Aerospace technology maker Senior rose 4.64 per cent as it said this morning it was on track to meet its 2012 profit expectations.
India-focused Essar Energy increased 2.87 per cent, while insurer CPP Group was up 2.5 per cent.
Miner Petra Diamonds added almost two per cent in early deals, as it announced a strike at its Cullinan mine in South Africa ended on Friday evening.
Gold explorer Randgold Resources was up by 1.69 per cent, as the gold price rose.
UK banking shares were mainly in positive territory this morning. HSBC rose 0.11 per cent, RBS was up 0.33 per cent and Barclays added 1.36 per cent. However, Lloyds Banking Group fell 4.48 per cent.
In Asia, the Nikkei closed up 0.09 per cent, while in the US the Dow Jones closed down 1.52 per cent.