FTSE dips amid concern over China

The FTSE 100 Index slipped back towards the 6000-mark as mining stocks took a pummelling amid concerns about the Chinese economy.

The Footsie fell 21.8 points, or 0.4%, to close on Friday at 6002.1, after China moved to fight inflation by raising the reserve requirements for the country’s biggest lenders, leading to fears that the country’s stellar economic growth may slow. This caused metal prices to tumble and with them the market value of miners.

The top three fallers in the Footsie were all mining stocks, with Fresnillo down 4.2% to 1492p, Anglo American off 3.2% at 3300p and Antofagasta behind 2.4% at 1502p.

Slipping oil prices also impacted the top tier, with BP shedding 4.2p at 499.5p, Royal Dutch Shell off 12.5p at 2107.5p and Cairn Energy down 1.4p at 453.3p.

But microchip maker Arm Holdings continued to benefit from strong Intel sales figures, topping the Footsie risers board with shares up 5.3% to 530.5p

It was a quieter session for corporate news as the recent run of Christmas trading updates from retailers came to an end, but outside the FTSE 100 several smaller caps reported on recent trading.

Fashion chain Ted Baker saw shares drop more than 1% after the retailer reported a slowdown in group sales growth as UK trading was hit by the extreme weather in the run up to Christmas. The British designer brand reported a 7.6% rise in group retail sales for the eight weeks to January 8, compared with 8.6% in the third quarter to November 13. Shares were down 8p at 660p.

Bovis Homes sparked share gains for the housebuilding sector after it said 2010 profits were expected to beat market forecasts. The group reported that average selling prices rose 4% last year and announced it will restart dividend payments for the first time since mid-2008. Bovis shares rose nearly 3% or 12p to 437.2p, helping rivals move higher. Taylor Wimpey added 0.7p to 33.9p and Redrow gained 2.7p to 130.1p.

Car dealership Lookers saw shares climb nearly 4%, up 2.3p to 64.3p, after the group said it will deliver results at the top end of analysts forecasts after its recent strong run continued through the fourth quarter.

But a profit warning from building services group T Clarke sent shares plunging by 18%, down 23p to 102p, as it said markets remain under pressure following the recession, with woes compounded by last month’s snow.