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FTSE 100 slips as Centrica shares plunge FTSE 100 slips as Centrica shares plunge
(about 4 hours later)
Centrica was the stand-out casualty on the London market after the owner of British Gas warned on profits and announced a sharp fall in customers. Centrica shares suffered their worst one-day fall after the British Gas owner warned on profits and announced a sharp fall in customers.
The company said it had lost 823,000 domestic customer accounts since the end of June.The company said it had lost 823,000 domestic customer accounts since the end of June.
Centrica's shares plunged 16%, putting it on track for its worst one-day fall on record. Centrica's shares plunged about 15%, bringing the fall since January to just over 40%.
It was by far the biggest faller on the FTSE 100. Shortly after midday the index was down 4.00 points at 7,415.02. It was by far the biggest faller on the FTSE 100, which closed almost flat at 7,417 points.
Morgan Stanley analysts said: "The question now is whether this weakness will persist in to 2018 and the longer-term potential impact on the dividend."
Housebuilders recovered some of the losses seen on Wednesday, when they had been hit by the Budget announcement that the government would reclaim land that was not developed quickly enough.Housebuilders recovered some of the losses seen on Wednesday, when they had been hit by the Budget announcement that the government would reclaim land that was not developed quickly enough.
Berkeley Group, Barratt Developments and Taylor Wimpey were all up by about 1.6%. Berkeley Group and Barratt Developments closed about 1.6% higher, with Taylor Wimpey adding 1.2%.
Outside the FTSE 100, shares in Mothercare sank nearly 17% after the baby goods retailer reported a half-year loss. Outside the FTSE 100, All Bar One owner Mitchells & Butlers fell 6.6% after warning it may axe its next dividend payment because of lower profits and poor trading amid Brexit uncertainty.
Shares in Mothercare sank almost 17% after the baby goods retailer reported a half-year loss.
The company said its international markets remained "challenging", mainly due to weak trading in the Middle East, and also said its UK sales had softened in recent weeks.The company said its international markets remained "challenging", mainly due to weak trading in the Middle East, and also said its UK sales had softened in recent weeks.
On the currency markets, the pound fell 0.1% against the dollar to $1.3312, and was 0.4% down on the euro at €1.1230. On the currency markets, the pound fell 0.2% against the dollar to $1.3302, and was 0.4% down on the euro at €1.1290.