The FTSE 100 Index failed to make progress today and finished down 0.9 points at 5,775.7 amid investor caution over fresh eurozone worries and disappointing data in the US.
Fears over Europe were fuelled after figures showed Spain’s recession was deeper than originally expected.
Embattled security firm G4S was among the biggest losers on London’s leading shares index after it revealed £50million losses on its bungled Olympics contract.
The stock was down 2%, or 5.2p to 261p, after it reported a sharp drop in half-year pre-tax profits to £61million from £151million a year earlier.
Marks & Spencer joined G4S near the top of the fallers board as last week’s excitement surrounding rumours of an £8billion bid from CVC Capital Partners began to fade.
Shares in the retail giant were down 8.9p to 362.8p.
Elsewhere, Lamprell gave investors more food for thought as the Middle East-based builder of drilling rigs and vessels used in the installation of wind farms announced losses of £29.8million for the six months to June 30. Shares fell 0.3p to 89.8p.
The biggest Footsie risers were Glencore up 17.2p at 384p, Carnival ahead 78p at £21.70, International Consolidated Airlines up 3.5p at 144.9p, and BT ahead 4.3p at 219.5p.
The biggest Footsie fallers were Eurasian Natural Resources down 20.3p at 318.6p, Evraz off 12.9p at 233.9p, Kazakhmys down 26.5p at 634p and Kingfisher off 9.7p at 276p.
David Barclay, of investment manager and financial planning specialist Brewin Dolphin in Aberdeen, noted that Xcite Energy added 1.09% to close at 93.125p. Meanwhile, FirstGroup edged 0.74% ahead at 245.25p.
Fallers included Wolfson Microelectronics, which slumped 7.42% to 209.25p. Cairn Energy lost 4.25% at 284p and Hunting also finished the day negatively, losing 2.77% at 772p.