Around the World's Markets: London

SHARES closed lower yesterday as worries about interest-rate hikes on both sides of the Atlantic depressed sentiment. The FTSE 100 finished down 50.6 to 6.356.0, its lowest in two weeks. The blue-chip index was rocked hit by an uncertain opening on Wall Street and by concerns over UK interest rates. US employment numbers, which were in line with expectations, did little to ease fears of an imminent rise in rates. The mid cap finished 16.2 lower at 5861.9 while the small cap finished 2.2 higher at 2578.4.

Market Report, page 22