FTSE struggles despite positive end for Dow Jones

London shares are struggling for momentum as a positive finish to trading in New York failed to push the FTSE 100 Index above the 4200 barrier.

The Footsie reached 9am up 2.4 points at 4188, although the performance was affected by a number of blue-chip stocks going ex-dividend - causing the price of individual shares to strip out the amount of the shareholder payout.