A blockbuster, £1 billion deal for telecoms testing firm Spirent is the standout news of the day, helping the FTSE 250 ring up overall gains even as the FTSE 100 drifts lower.
Heavily weighted resource stocks are a drag, on worries over the outlook for global economic growth. . Mixed news from the retail sector is drawing some big high-street names into the action. There are gains for Greggs as the bakery chain’s sales hot streak continues, but disappointing sector-wide numbers for February are taking a toll elsewhere.
