FTSE recovers after London alerts hit index

Top flight stocks stayed in positive territory today despite the second attack on London’s transport system in as many weeks.

The FTSE 100 Index slipped from an intra-day high of 5256 to a 35-point loss following the latest explosions across the capital, but recovered to end the day 6.4 points up at 5221.6.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was 59.7 points off just after London’s close.

Back in London, the heaviest fallers following initial news of the latest attacks included British Airways and cruise operator Carnival. However, both recovered somewhat, with BA closing the day down a penny at 275p and Carnival losing 2p to 3165p.

Plasterboard manufacturer BPB was the top Footsie riser, up more than 26% or 136p to 648.5p after French glass and building materials group Saint-Gobain said today it was mulling a takeover offer.

Miners performed well with shares in BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto reaching their highest mark since the millennium.

The biggest risers were BPB up 136p to 648.5p, Reckitt Benckiser gaining 55p to 1681p, Standard Chartered adding 35p to 1140p and Hanson lifting 14p to 547.5p.

Biggest fallers were Amvescap down 9.25p to 401p, BG Group easing 8.5p to 450.25p, Unilever weakening 9p to 557p and BP off 6.5p to 618.5p.