THE FTSE 100 Index was stuck in the red yesterday as investor nerves continued to weigh on sentiment.

Oil prices were boosted as the Opec oil cartel announced plans to keep production at present levels.

The price of crude jumped to as much as $64.19 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange – the highest since November.

Oil company BP was one of the London market’s few risers, climbing 3.25p at 508.25p, with the higher oil prices adding support.

Royal Dutch Shell also rose, up 17p at 1645p.

Financial services and hedge fund firm Man led the fallers, off seven per cent or 17.25p to 232.75p following it announcing a 64 per cent fall in full-year profits.

This raised fears about its 2010 performance, even though yesterday’s results were ahead of hopes.

Royal Bank of Scotland was down four per cent – or 1.8p – at 37.4p and Barclays, off 3p at 287p, as well as insurers led by Prudential, 14.25p lighter at 424p. British Land fell 22.75p to 386.5p, despite Goldman Sachs upping its target price.

Hammerson was also off 9.5p at 287p.

And P&O firm Carnival climbed the fallers board amid news that its passenger liner Pacific Dawn was asked to cut short a trip over concerns about three passengers infected with swine flu. Shares fell 100p to 1575p.

Among the few risers were more defensive stocks, including British Gas parent Centrica, 0.75p better at 249.5p.

In the FTSE 250, building supplies firm Wolseley was another heavy faller after chief executive Chip Hornsby reported a near 90 per cent fall in profits.

Shares fell 18 per cent or 223p to 1005p.

Soft drinks firm Britvic added 3.25p to 278.25p after it emerged that private equity firm Permira had sold its 13 per cent share in the business.