FTSE 100 dips on Greece debt worries

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33161772

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(Close): London's leading shares lost ground on Wednesday as investors continued to fret about debt negotiations between Greece and the EU.

The FTSE 100 index ended the day down 29.55 points, or 0.44%, at 6,680.55.

Building firms led the way after Berkeley Group announced a jump in annual profits.

Housebuilder Persimmon gained 1.6%, while Barratt Developments was up 1.5%. Building materials group CRH was up 0.3%, while rival Wolseley rose 0.1%.

Berkeley, listed on the FTSE 250, surged 10.2% after it announced a 40% rise in pre-tax profits.

The company said strong demand in its core markets of London and the south of England helped to bolster results.

Chairman Tony Pidgley did, however, warn of upcoming potential uncertainty amid plans for a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union.

On the downside, credit reference agency Experian fell 2.9%.

On the currency markets, the pound was up 0.35% against the dollar at $1.5703 after figures showed unemployment falling and wages rising at the highest pace for almost four years.

The pound was also up 0.37% against the euro at €1.3962.