This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38593973

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
FTSE 100 dips despite strong retail updates FTSE hits 11th record close in a row
(about 5 hours later)
The UK market slipped back despite a number of mostly positive Christmas trading updates from retailers. (Close): London's main share index has closed at a record level for the 11th day in a row - a feat it has never managed before.
After closing at its 10th record high in a row on Wednesday, the FTSE 100 was down 5.51 points at 7,284.98 by midday. The FTSE 100 edged up by just 1.88 points to 7,292.37.
Tesco's shares fell 2.3%, despite the UK's largest supermarket reporting a 0.7% rise in UK like-for-like sales over Christmas. On a day nicknamed "Super Thursday" because so many retail updates were released, the biggest faller was Primark owner Associated British Food, with shares down 4.52%.
Primark owner Associated British Foods was another company on the back foot, with its shares down 3.6%. Dixons Carphone, Next, Shire and Carnival were the other big fallers.
Total sales at Primark rose 11%, with like-for-like sales "good". However, it said like-for-like sales were down in Germany and the Netherlands.Total sales at Primark rose 11%, with like-for-like sales "good". However, it said like-for-like sales were down in Germany and the Netherlands.
Investors welcomed news of better-than-expected sales at Marks and Spencer in its clothing division, sending the High Street giant's shares up 1.1%. Tesco's shares fell 1.3%, despite the UK's largest supermarket reporting a 0.7% rise in UK like-for-like sales over Christmas.
Investors welcomed news of better-than-expected sales at Marks and Spencer in its clothing division, sending the High Street giant's shares up 1.3%.
Underlying sales in the clothing and homeware division rose 2.3% - well above analysts' expectations for about 0.5%.Underlying sales in the clothing and homeware division rose 2.3% - well above analysts' expectations for about 0.5%.
In the FTSE 250, shares in JD Sports jumped 8.5% after it reported a strong increase in sales and raised its full-year profit forecast. In the FTSE 250, shares in JD Sports jumped 7.5% after it reported a strong increase in sales and raised its full-year profit forecast.
On the currency markets, sterling rose against the dollar as the US currency weakened following a news conference from US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday. Also on the FTSE 250 Debenhams rose by 5.4%, while Dunelm lost 6.9%.
The dollar fell after Mr Trump failed to give any further detail on his economic plans. The pound was trading 0.6% higher against the dollar at $1.2279, but slipped 0.1% against the euro to €1.1526. On the currency markets, sterling rose against the dollar earlier on Thursday as the US currency weakened following a news conference from US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday.
The dollar fell after Mr Trump failed to give any further detail on his economic plans.
However, it subsequently fell back on the news that Prime Minister Theresa May will give a major speech about her Brexit plans next Tuesday.
The pound was down 0.04% against the dollar at $1.2206, and down 0.81% against the euro to €1.1447.