FTSE Royal Mail

public sector: Spire was the biggest casualty on the FTSE 250, which fell 2.1 per cent to 16,876.6, according to The Independent. But that slump was dwarfed by the one on the FTSE 100, which crashed 180.24 points, or 2.8 per cent, to 6,187.65 – its lowest point since mid-December – on continued fears over China slowing growth. The company, which generates around a third of its turnover from the public sector, revealed underlying revenues grew 5.1 per cent in the first six months of the year to £449.8m, with underlying operating profit up 6.7 per cent to £50.6m. Royal Mail was the sole riser, up 7.5p at 478.2p, although precious metals only lost a little of their shine as their safe haven appeal rose amid the turmoil. The pharmaceutical company Shire was down 268p at 4,807p as UBS suggested it faces huge difficulty in sealing a deal for US rival Baxalta. Gold producer Randgold Resources fell just 13p to 4,242p, silver miner Fresnillo lost 3p to 681.5p, and platinum distributor Johnson Matthey shed 22p to 2,669p. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.