The FTSE 100 Index was lower today as investors awaited the decision of a German court on the legitimacy of the eurozone's bailout mechanism.

While it is expected that the ESM will be approved, the emergence of any prohibitive conditions attached to its use by debtor states remained a concern.

London's FTSE 100 Index was 9.3 points lower at 5783, with mining stocks continuing their poor run as Anglo American dipped 40p to 1915p and Eurasian Natural Resources declined 3p to 336.9p.

In corporate results, B&Q ad Screwfix owner Kingfisher revealed the wettest summer in 100 years had cost the group £30 million in profit.

In the wake of a 17% slide in bottom line pre-tax profits to £364 million, Singer Capital said the results were below expectations and that downgrades to full-year forecasts were "inevitable". However, shares recovered from an initial fall to stand 1.5p higher at 273.85p.

Barratt Developments was more than 4% lower in the FTSE 250 Index as the company's full-year results triggered a fall back from recent highs.

The housebuilder said profits rose 159% but the stock slipped 7.75p to 161.95p as analysts said the delay of a dividend payment until next year signalled a degree of caution.

The pound at 9am was 1.6092 dollars compared to 1.6069 dollars at the previous close. The euro at 9am was 0.7996 pounds compared to 0.8003 pounds at the previous close.