The biggest faller at the end of the trading day was microchip manufacturer Arm Holdings, which saw share price slide by 4 per cent to 389p.

The technology firm saw share price dip after reports of directors selling shares in the company, making rumours of a takeover less likely.

Company president Tudor Brown and independent non-executive director Young Sohn both sold shares in the firm.

Clothing retailer Next saw share price fall by 2.1 per cent to 2,040p ahead of interim results in the morning.

Engineeering firm Rolls Royce's share price slid by 1.9 per cent to 584p.

The biggest riser was Essar Energy, which increased by 3.7 per cent to 404p. Outsourcing specialist Capita Group reported a 2.9 per cent increase to 770.5p, while mining group Randgold Resources saw share price increase by 2.8 per cent to 6,290p.