Reckitt Benckiser (RB.L) was the biggest faller in early trading (1007) after it announced the retirement of Bart Becht.

The news sent share price falling, dropping by 7.6 per cent to 3,110p as it revealed Rakesh Kapoor would take over from September.

Miner Eurasian Natural Resources (ENRC.L) and microchip manufacturer Arm Holdings (ARM.L) both dropped by 2.3 per cent to 909p and 584.5p, respectively.

Elsewhere, BHP Billiton (BLT.L) and BAE Systems (BA.L) dropped 1.7 per cent to 2,497p and 328.6p, respectively.

Mining and resources stocks have been hit recently after a note from Goldman Sachs earlier this week calling the end of the commodities boom.

Private equity group 31 (III.L) was the biggest riser (at 1007) gaining 2 per cent to 207p, followed by Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG.L) which added 1.1 per cent to its share price of 1,295p.

Unilever (ULVR.L) increased by 0.9 per cent to 1,945p, shrugging off yesterday's news of a price-fixing fine from the European Commission.

Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.L) and insurer Admiral (ADM.L) both increased by 0.7 per cent to 625.5p and 1,640p, respectively.