The FTSE 100 Index’s first foray above the 6900 barrier in 14 years proved short-lived amid a disappointing session for European markets today.
Fresh attempts by the European Central Bank to stimulate the region’s moribund economy boosted stocks yesterday but this was later offset by a 6% slide for BP shares after the oil giant was left facing sizeable fines in the US.
BP was slightly lower at 454.75p today after the gross negligence ruling on the Gulf of Mexico disaster by a judge in Louisiana, while the FTSE 100 Index slipped 10.2 points to 6867.5 ahead of jobless figures in the United States.