18 February 2021 | 08:22am StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 opened almost 38 points down at 6,710.90 this morning, continuing its slump from yesterday on the back of higher-than-expected inflation figures. Medical technology company Smith & Nephew fell 6.1% to £14.72 as it reported a 42% fall in trading profits as consequences of the pandemic lead to a decreased revenue across the group as well as lower gross margins. Hays rose 1.2% to 159.9p despite reporting a sharp fall in first-half profit. The recruitment company vowed to resume its dividend payments later this year in August, citing a stronger recovery in the second quarter. Barclays fell 1.5% to 152.1p as profit was hit by £4.8 billion in bad loan provisions.