The FTSE closes down 32.1 points

The FTSE closed down 32.1 points at 6,412.30 today, led by drinks manufacturer Rexam.

The drinks can maker dropped almost 5% by the close of trading, or 27p to 517p as it was hit by concerns over input prices.

Others were hit by their sales and profit reports.

Scottish & Newcastle fell 23p to 552p.

Land Securities dropped 55p to 2,239p.

Cadbury Schweppes fell 12.50p to 564p.

Alliance & Leicester was down 16p at 1,066p ahead of preliminary results due tomorrow.

Shire was lifted from its statement of an acquisition to buy into bigger sales of attention deficit drugs, increasing 40p to 1,115p.

Across the Atlantic in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average index is being led by Wal Mart.

The biggest retailer said sales increased in its last reported period, boosting shares by $1.32 to $49.80.

Adapted from investegate.co.uk