Markets opened lower today, continuing this week’s dismal run. The sharp oil price decline yesterday led the FTSE to a late sharp drop and guided the way for a downbeat US session. Asian markets overnight traded similarly as the Nikkei dropped a quarter of a percent. The FTSE 100 closed today 0.33%, the 250 was down 0.45%. At the top of the main index was Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn and Costa Coffee. Shares sat at the top for the whole day following the release of strong results in terms of like for like sales. At the foot of the FTSE (for the whole session), sat Provident Financial shares. They remained rooted to the bottom after reporting disruption from the transition of the home credit business would reduce adjusted earnings this year by c.48%. Shares eventually finished 17.59% lower.  Staying with company news, homebuilder Berkeley has reported a pre-tax profit for FY16 up 53% year on year, shares ended a little over 2% higher. This is as a result of selling more homes at higher prices, although they have cut the full year dividend. Toymaker firm Hornby shares dropped 1.15% today after reducing their pre-tax loss, helped from lower costs on their planned restructuring. As we write American markets are flat, with the dollar weakening.