Around the World's Markets: London

FOOTSIE clawed back more than half its earlier falls as New York turned on a stronger performance than expected. The index ended 30.2 points off at 6,078.4. Mid cap shares were also off, but small company shares made headway.

Cadbury Schweppes was the leading Footsie constituent, gaining 51p to 1,001p. A Merrill Lynch buy note helped: there was also talk of a merger with Hershey of the US. Mortgage banks were helped by a good showing by Woolwich, up 19.25p to 384.75p.