Financial stocks drag down Footsie
The FTSE 100 Index is down 22.5 points to 3714.2 as financial stocks suffer from fears over the possible war with Iraq.
Banks and insurers are again feeling the pressure from the poor economic outlook, with Legal & General topping the fallers board.
The insurer has eased more than 4% - off 3.75p to 77.5p - while Prudential has slipped 16p to 362p and Aviva is down 15.5p to 382p.
Among the banks Lloyds TSB is off 10p at 399.5p, HBOS has weakened 10p to 579p and Abbey National has lost 3.5p to stand at 466.5p.
Tesco's possible bid for Safeway has had a lukewarm reception and Safeway is down a penny at 323p, while Tesco is off 1.25p at 185.75p.
