Ex-dividend firms drag down FTSE 100

(Close): London's leading shares fell in Thursday morning trade after several big companies went ex-dividend.

Among those trading without entitlement to their latest dividend pay-out were Dixons Carphone, Taylor Wimpey and Hammerson, all down.

Others included the London Stock Exchange group, which shed 0.74%.

Overall, the FTSE 100 index was down 18.88 points or 0.28% at 6,816.90. On the currency markets, the pound fell 0.37% against the dollar to $1.3183.

Sterling was 0.47% lower against the euro at €1.1692.