The failure of the Eurozone to reach agreement on another bailout held back sentiment. On the other hand, the news that there would further meetings in Athens later this week suggested a deal may yet be forged and equity markets reflected the push and pull of competing views.
The FTSE 100 vacillated for much of the day, moving briefly ahead at one point only to close 1.44% lower at 5,218. European markets were stronger, but the CAC 40 and Dax both gave up some of yesterday's strong gains. Asian markets were weak with the Hang Seng down 0.66% at 18,011. Only the US markets were up on the day.
Smith’s Group was one of the day’s big winners as it announced a rise in sales of 3% for the full year. Headline operating profits were up 5% after the group’s restructuring programme produced savings of around £15m during the 12 months.
Property groups also had a strong day’s trading, reversing a recent run of weakness for the sector. Capital Shopping Centres Group and Savills were among the day’s strongest gainers.
Man Group was the day’s biggest faller on news that the hedge fund group had seen net capital outflows of $2.6bn in the second quarter on the back of recent market volatility. The group said that it expected investor appetite to be weak for the rest of the year. The shares dropped 24.9% to 180p.
Shares in Domino’s Pizza also suffered after sales for the 13 weeks to 25 September came in lower than expected. The company had been one of the recession’s success stories, but brokers commented that the current valuation was ambitious if its growth rate was slowing. The shares were down 9.9% to 458.1p.