The blue-chip FTSE 100 index closed 0.8 per cent lower, with chemicals maker Johnson Matthey Plc tumbling 5.6 per cent after it posted a near 90 per cent slump in half-year profit and refrained from providing an outlook for 2021. — Reuters pic
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index closed 0.8 per cent lower, with chemicals maker Johnson Matthey Plc tumbling 5.6 per cent after it posted a near 90 per cent slump in half-year profit and refrained from providing an outlook for 2021.The domestically focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index ended 1 per cent lower. “The reality has hit home for investors that we are seeing greater disruptions especially in areas of Europe, which partly was to be expected, given that we are going into winter,” said Azad Zangana, senior European economist and strategist at Schroders.
Chief Brexit negotiators suspended direct talks yesterday after a EU team member tested positive for Covid-19, with a Finnish EU minister saying talks were at “critical stage” but could still succeed.