As reported by: ShareCast
London's blue chip stocks eased lower, as gambling stocks weighed on the market, despite a strong finish on Wall Street overnight.

Retail group GUS delivered first half profits at the top end of estimates, as its catalogue group Argos saw sales up 13%, though growth down slightly on the year earlier period

The group said pre-tax profit rose to £323m for the six months to September against £247m a year earlier. The dividend was hiked 13% to 9.0p.

Hilton Group said like for like profit increased by 19% reflecting a lower interest charge, though its Ladbrokes chain was hit by some poor results in sporting events.

The news also dragged down betting shop chain rival William Hill, the heaviest faller in opening deals.

SABMiller beat forecasts with a 28% rise in half-year profits as it said continued progress in its US Miller arm and a good performance in South Africa helped figures. SABMiller jumped to the top of the risers early on.

Elsewhere power supplier National Grid helped matters also, with news that it is hiking its dividend by 20%.

CSFB cut its advice on fixed line giant BT Group to “underperform” from "neutral" and trimmed its target on the shares to 185p from 190p.

Support services firm Balfour Beatty has won contracts worth over £150m from two UK local authorities, Manchester and Cambridgeshire.