FTSE 100: GKN motors as market flatlines Shares in GKN have been hurt by speculation it might need to raise additional funds in order to finance a possible acquisition of Volvo's aircraft business. Following that decline, Credit Suisse upped its rating on the blue-chip stock to "outperform" from "neutral." "We upgrade our recommendation with concerns over the acquisition of Volvo Aero in our view discounted in the current price," said analysts. There is no certainty that GKN will acquire Volvo Aero Engines but with MTU having now reportedly exited the bidding process (according to press reports) GKN is in pole position. GKN accelerated 4.4pc but the FTSE 100 as a whole flatlined, easing 3 points to 5631. Dragging down the index were the oil giants, with Royal Dutch Shell shedding 4pc and BP losing almost 2pc. Weighing on the former were worries over a possible oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico after the oil major reported spotting an oil sheen near one of its platforms. The company said it had sent a spill response vessel and asked for aerial surveillance to investigate "out of prudent caution." Despite Liberum raising its rating on BG Group to "buy," the gas group fell 0.6pc. Miners tempered the index's losses, helped by firmer copper prices. Rio Tinto added 3.4pc and BHP Billiton put on almost 2pc. Amongst the second-liners, Hays jumped almost 11pc after the recruiter said it expected annual operating profits to be at the top end of market estimates as it posted higher-than-expected fees on the back of strong growth overseas, particularly in Germany.