London’s FTSE 100 was down 1.6% at 6,923.47 in afternoon trade on Wednesday amid worries about rising inflation.
Miners Anglo American, Antofagasta, BHP and Glencore all lost ground as copper and iron prices fell.
Credit-checking firm Experian was on the back foot despite saying it made a strong start to the current financial year and reporting a 14% increase in annual profit and fourth-quarter revenue growth at the top of guidance.
Pre-tax profit rose to $1.08bn (£0.76bn) from $942m in the year to the end of March as statutory revenue increased 4% to $5.37bn. Organic revenue growth was 5% in the final quarter of the year.
Going the other way, plumbing and heating products distributor Ferguson rose to the top of the index as it lifted its full-year guidance after better-than-expected third-quarter results.
Tobacco company Imperial Brands was up for the second day in a row after well-received results on Tuesday.
FTSE 100 – Risers
Ferguson (FERG) 9,470.00p 2.16%
Imperial Brands (IMB) 1,635.00p 1.30%
Polymetal International (POLY) 1,685.50p 0.66%
DCC (CDI) (DCC) 6,018.00p 0.47%
Unilever (ULVR) 4,296.50p 0.41%
Tesco (TSCO) 232.55p 0.32%
AstraZeneca (AZN) 7,947.00p 0.21%
National Grid (NG.) 931.30p 0.19%
SEGRO (SGRO) 1,007.00p 0.05%
Rentokil Initial (RTO) 469.80p -0.02%
FTSE 100 – Fallers
Anglo American (AAL) 3,141.50p -5.09%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,544.50p -4.31%
BHP Group (BHP) 2,150.50p -4.02%
Scottish Mortgage Inv Trust (SMT) 1,104.00p -3.66%
Glencore (GLEN) 312.75p -3.65%
Compass Group (CPG) 1,475.50p -3.56%
Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 169.85p -3.47%
Experian (EXPN) 2,539.00p -3.46%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 889.40p -3.33%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 156.15p -3.10%
