Around the World's Markets: LONDON

BLUE CHIPS failed to respond to New York's overnight surge, with the FTSE 100 ending cautiously, off 32.9 points at 5,311.3.

Supporting shares made moderate headway. Manchester United, on the agreed bid from BSkyB, scored a 15.5p gain to 215.5p, and the satellite TV operation rose 9p to 482p.

Brewing groups firmed when two investment houses backed the shares as safe havens. Whitbread made a 46p gain to 818p.

Derek Pain, page 21