Morning Markets: FTSE opens flat after declines in Japan and the US

The FTSE 100 opened flat following a mixed performance in the US overnight. The UK index was up 0.07% or 3.07 points to 5,610.

Investors reacted negatively to the news shopping centre owner Liberty International is to split into two separate listed businesses. It shares dropped 3.89% to 486.8p.

Meanwhile, miner Antofagasta fell 1.46% to 979.5p, after lower copper prices impacted on earnings.

In contrast, Old Mutual led early morning risers, advancing 1.51% to 121.2p. Among other winners, ARM Holdings was up 1.43% to 233.8p, BT Group grew 1.17% to
121.4p and SABMiller rose 1.02% to £18.78.

In Japan, the Nikkei ended two days of gains, falling 0.17% or 18.27 points to 10,567.

Fujitsu extended losses on investor worries a dispute with a former president over his abrupt resignation last year could hamper restructuring efforts. It shares shed 3.87% to ¥546.

On Wall Street, positive sentiment around tech stocks did not stop the Dow Jones falling 13.68 points or 0.13%, to end at 10,552.

An analyst upgrade for Research in Motion supported telcos in the main index. Cisco Systems was the day's biggest gainer, up 3.65% to $26.13, while Verizon Communications jumped 1.37% to $29.63 and AT&T Inc grew 1.16% to $25.28.

Meanwhile, McDonald's Corp advanced 2.28% to $65.12 on positive sales news.