LONDON -- Yesterday's early optimism over the results of the Greek election quickly faded as the realization that nothing has really changed dawned upon the markets. Spain, Italy, the whole eurozone -- it's all still in a mess.
After ending yesterday down overall, despite the early morning rise, the German DAX and French CAC 40 are both effectively flat this morning at 6,275 points and 3,064 points, respectively.
But the FTSE 100
High-street relief
News that the sales drop at Argos has slowed gave Home Retail a morning boost as the firm released its full-year results. That sales are falling slower than previously isn't exactly glowing news, but evidence of a bottoming-out was enough to send the shares up a stunning 19.5 pence, or 26%, to 94 pence.
High-street neighbor Dixons Retail
More risers
A first-quarter update from hotel and restaurant group Whitbread
Engineering and construction firm Kentz released a trading update telling us that its order book is strong, and that was enough to send the shares up nearly 7% to 347 pence.
Other big risers include Helphire Group, with a 12% gain. But that is only to 1.1 pence for a share with a 10% spread, and the price is still down more than 70% on the year. Weir Group also gained, up 5% to 1,506 pence, while Skyepharma put on 3% to 69 pence.
And today's fallers
Military engineer Chemring Group
Mobile media expert Imagination Technologies Group
Other fallers included Phytopharm, down 5.3% to 5.8 pence, and struggling music retailer HMV Group, down 4% to 3.4 pence.
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