The FTSE 100 Index fell 12.7 points to 5,435.1 today as frustration continued to simmer after central banks in Europe and the US failed to commit to further stimulus measures.
Mining stocks dominated the blue-chip fallers’ board, with Vedanta Resources off 50p at 935.5p, Rio Tinto down £1.46 at £28.69, Eurasian Natural Resources off 17.4p at 423.8p and Evraz down 9.2p at 279.2p.
Banks were also casualties of the weaker sentiment as Barclays fell 2.5p to 190.4p and Royal Bank of Scotland dropped 1.4p to £2.23.
Marks and Spencer was down 5.3p to 335.2p after Investec Securities said its analysis of the company’s annual report revealed a 0.5% drop in market share in womenswear last year. The broker has a sell rating on the stock.
With investors seeking safer havens such as utilities, Severn Trent added 47p to £17.82 and Scottish Gas owner Centrica rose 6.8p to 315.2p.
The Footsie’s biggest risers also included Capita up 18p at 649.5p and BSkyB ahead 15p at £6.96.
In the FTSE 250 Index, shares in oil rig engineering group Lamprell slumped another 22% after its second profits warning in less than a month. Shares were 24.2p lower at 84.5p.
Hobby firm Hornby saw a rise in its share price despite it cutting its full-year dividend and announcing a drop in UK profits. The stock rose 1p to 75p.
Housebuilder Bellway rose 26.5p to 770.5p after it said demand in the spring selling season had been resilient, with visitor levels and reservation rates continuing to beat hopes.
David Barclay, of investment manager and financial planning specialist Brewin Dolphin in Aberdeen, noted Standard Life 1.9% higher at 220.4p and SSE gaining 1.13% to £13.44.
Hunting fell 2.22% to 792.25p, A.G. Barr shed 2.15% to 351.55p and Wood Group was 1.8% lower at 683.75p.