Losses put the FTSE 100 index at 4,806 after shedding 41 points in a morning dominated by poor news from the retail sector and fears of US rates increases.
Next was a major loser after reporting poorer than expected Christmas sales. The company ended the day 54p down at 1,627p, with too much stock in its stores in the post-festive season. William Hill, the betting firm, declining sharply by 28p or 5% to 555p at close. Allied Domecq fell 21p, to 503.50p, while gases company BOC declined 37p to 979p. Electronics retailer Dixons shed 5.50p to 150p. Legal & General closed the day 1.50p up at 112.75p. In the US the Dow Jones has recovered slightly from yesterday's heavy decline. The benchmark has added about 35 points to 10,665 during m...
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