Ex-dividend day weighs heavily on the FTSE this week

Thursday is ex-dividend day in London and this week there was a heavyweight billing that knocked the FTSE 100 sideways, including companies such as AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN), NatWest Group PLC (LSE:NWG) and Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LSE:RR.). There were 18.3 points collectively shaved off the index as a result of 12 blue-chips going ex-dividend on the day, when investors who purchase shares today are no longer entitled to their latest dividend payouts.