Friday markets: miners hit by commodity falls, drag down FTSE

Miners have dragged the UK's benchmark index down today thanks to plummeting commodity prices. But...

Miners have dragged the UK’s benchmark index down today thanks to plummeting commodity prices. But beleaguered retailers have been given a boost as John Lewis reported strong sales and Next and Marks and Spencer benefited from a 13.7% rise in fashion sales. The FTSE 100’s worst performers were mining and metals outfit Kazakhmys, down 6.26% to 1183 points, and Eurasian Natural Resources down 5.98% to 974 points as at 15:38. Good days were had by Wolseley, up 5.48% to 433.25, and First Group, up 3.94% to 580. The index dropped by almost one per cent from its 5497.4 morning open to 5443...