FTSE weaker after shock house price data

The FTSE slid into negative territory in afternoon trading following news of a record month-on-month drop in house prices.

The index is 0.26% lower at 5,666.34, with mining stocks such as Kazakhmys and Antofagasta among the worst performers. However, M&S Group has seen its price soar after positive sales news, rising 4.73% to 409.30p, while RSA Insurance Group, Man Group and GlaxoSmithKline are also performing well. Earlier, Halifax revealed house prices fell by 3.6% in September from the previous month. This is the biggest month-on-month drop since the bank began keeping records. Meanwhile, on Wall Street the Dow Jones has opened steadily, slightly down 0.03% to 10,964.43 in early trading. New figu...