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One of the biggest gains outside the top flight came from Currys owner DSG International after analysts at Credit Suisse said the market may have overstated fears over the financial position of the stock.

Shares have slumped in recent months but were up 17% or 2.25p to 13p today after reports also said the government was considering measures to help companies affected by the withdrawal of credit insurance.

There was no such respite for Woolworths as shares continued to fall, this time by 22% or 0.44p to 1.54p. The latest slump reflected speculation that the company’s lenders were unwilling to back the £1 sale of the retail arm to restructuring firm Hilco.

Elsewhere in the retail sector, B&Q owner Kingfisher rose 5% or 5.7p to 108.6p but Marks & Spencer gave back yesterday’s gains to stand 2.25p lower at 204.25p.

The biggest Footsie risers were Vedanta Resources up 62.25p at 450p, Antofagasta ahead 35.75p at 354.75p, Anglo American up 78p at 1132p and BHP Billiton ahead 45p at 797.5p.

The biggest fallers were AstraZeneca down 214p at 2245p, Hammerson off 45p at 480p, Old Mutual down 3.9p at 45p and Vodafone off 9.4p at 112.5p.