Around the world's markets: London

SHARES struggled in another low-volume session. At one time down 124.5 points, Footsie closed off 92.8 at 5,587.6. Uncertainty about New York and another downturn in Tokyo did most of the damage.

Blue chips which went ex-dividend accounted for around 12 points of the fall. Longer-dated government stocks improved as investors moved into bonds. National Power, on talk of a pounds 7bn bid, rose 16p to 539p: PowerGen, seeking US deals, rose 12p to 780p.

Derek Pain, page 19