Around the world's markets: London

IN BUSY trading, with share turnover again topping 1 billion, equities failed to generate much excitement as confusion over interest rates created uncertainty. Footsie fell 45.3 points to 5,206.6 but supporting shares managed to make moderate headway.

Superstores were weak as worries mounted that profits could be hit by a price war which, the market believes, is about to break out. With margins coming under increasing pressure analysts have downgraded profit expectations.

Derek Pain, page 23