Morning Markets: FTSE muted as Dow hits 19-month high

The FTSE 100 has opened 0.06% or 3.24 points lower to 5,774 in early trading as rises in retail stocks were offset by falling mining shares.

Retailers were in the spotlight after the British Retail Consortium said UK sales in March rose at their fastest rate in almost four years thanks to the earlier timing of Easter. Total retail sales rose 6.6%, against 0.6% growth in March 2009. Among the retailers making gains, Kingfisher rose 1.29% to 235.5p, Home Retail advanced 0.44% to 295.5p and Marks & Spencer added 0.64% to 378.2p. However, Debenhams fell 3.38% to 75.75p despite posting a rise in profits in the half year to 27 February. Miners led market fallers. Antofagasta dropped 2.3% to £10.21, while Kazakhmys fell 1.97% ...