London’s blue chip share index struggled to make headway today and only edged up 9.5 points to close at 6,117.3.
Among stocks, upmarket fashion label Burberry was the biggest riser in the top flight after its latest sales figures comfortably beat City forecasts.
The share price rally of 5% or 61p to £13.86 means the stock is now back at levels seen before a slump in September caused by fears over demand from big-spending customers in China.
Chip designer Arm Holdings was one of the biggest top flight fallers after broker Morgan Stanley cooled expectations for further strong growth in the share price, which has risen by 9% this year including today’s fall of 32p to 841p.
In the FTSE 250 Index, shares in grocery delivery chain Ocado were 0.4p higher to 84.5p after it posted a 14% rise in sales for the six weeks to January 6.
It came as HMV’s shares were suspended with a value of just £5million after the entertainment retail company called time on its long-running battle for survival by filing an intent to appoint administrators.
The biggest FTSE 100 risers included Pearson ahead 39p to £12.21, BG Group 25.5p higher at 1,073.5p and Associated British Foods up 32p to £15.32.
Among the biggest FTSE 100 fallers were Anglo American down 75.5p to £19.61 Royal Bank of Scotland 10.4p lower at 354.1p and Polymetal International down 32p to £11.04.
Stuart Lamont, of investment manager and financial planning specialist Brewin Dolphin in Aberdeen, noted Plexus Holdings up 3.4% to 255.5p and Faroe Petroleum 2.1% higher at 134.5p.
Among the day’s fallers, Parkmead Group gave up 1.6% to 15.125p and Lloyds Banking Group fell 1% to 54.37p.