London shares slide lower in early trade on Friday following falls on Wall Street overnight, mixed trading in Asia and a lower Europe. Tapering resources, utilities retail and commercial property saw the blue-chip index southbound as crude oil remained below yesterday's intra-day highs.
News that Eurozone and Greek officials are to kick-start renewed debt talks adds the overall negative mood of investors. The FTSE 100 index flags around 55 points, or 0.8%, down to 6,326.
The takeover battle emerging at French electricals retailer Darty (DRTY) dominates corporate news. The stock adds another penny at 162.5p as South African retail giant Steinhoff International (SNH:SJ), which yesterday made a third increased cash offer of 160p as its bid battle with Groupe Fnac (FNAC:PA) intensifies, says it has upped its stake to 20.4% and wants to take more shares off Darty investors' hands.
Events firm UBM (UBM) is broadly flat at 585.5p as it announces the acquisition of US fashion trade shows specialist Business Journals for $69 million in cash.
Alaskan oil and gas company 88 Energy (88E:AIM) falls 2.5% to 2.27p as it announces an oversubscribed placing to raise A$25 million at 1.9p. The funds will be used to conduct further drilling on its Icewine project.
Gambling technology provider GameAccount Network (GAME:AIM) rises 1.8% to 28.5p after agreeing to launch its simulated gaming platform with a major Southwest US casino operator, its largest multi-property client to date. The group says the deal represents material revenue in 2016 and is expected to generate 'significant' earnings.
Homewares leader Dunelm (DNLM) gathers up 6p at 908p as new finance director Keith Down splashes out £29,700 on shares in the cushions, quilts and bedding purveyor priced at £9.15.
