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FTSE 100 closes lower on Friday

Xinhua, January 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

The FTSE 100 Index, the British benchmark stock market gauge, Friday decreased by 0.90 percent, or 61.20 points, to 6,749.40 points.

The London stock index declined on Friday as Eurozone consumer prices fell more than forecast and U.S. economic growth slowed sharply.

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be minus 0.6 percent in January 2015, down from 0.2 percent in December 2014, according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

U.S. real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014, below market expectations, the U.S. Commerce Department said Friday.

Randgold Resources's share price increased by 4.89 percent, topping the gainers of the blue chips. Fresnillo, Tullow Oil, Dixons Carphone and BHP Billiton increased by 4.23 percent, 4.02 percent, 2.55 percent and 2.09 percent respectively.

International Consolidated Airlines Group led the top losers of the blue chips with a share price drop of 3.46 percent, followed by Sainsbury (3.18 percent), Ashtead Group (2.77 percent), Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets (2.70 percent) and BT Group (2.61 percent).

The index has gained 2.90 percent so far this year when measured in U.S. dollars. Endit