FTSE ends lower, dragged by banks, defensives

Defensive stocks and banks pulled Britain's top shares slightly lower by close of trade on Wednesday, offsetting gains from miners and energy stocks pushed higher by buoyant commodity prices. The FTSE 100 ended down 12.56 points, or 0.2 percent, at 5,996.36, having closed at a fresh 30-month high on Friday and above 6,000 for the first time since June 3, 2008.