Around the World's Markets: London

BLUE CHIPS reduced earlier losses. In a quiet session Footsie, at one time off 92.5 points, finished 37.3 down at 5,293.9. Supporting shares made modest headway.

Disappointing trading comments from the J Sainsbury superstores chain and the Whitbread leisure group rattled retail shares.

Sainsbury led the blue chip retreat, falling 34.5p to 525p, and Whitbread lost 27p to 788p. Water shares were ruffled ahead of today's expected move to squeeze profits by industry regulator, Ofwat.

Derek Pain, page 25