The FTSE 100 ended its four days of gains by slipping 0.7% to 5,345 yesterday. Miners were among the day's biggest losers, with Lonmin the sector's biggest faller, down 3.3%; the only stock not in negative territory was Kazakhmys, which ended flat.
Banks were mixed, with HSBC off 2.1% and Barclays losing 2.8%, but Lloyds and RBS both managed small gains, up 0.6% and 0.9% respectively.
Utilities were generally higher, however, with Scottish & Southern Energy and Centrica the best performers, up 2% and 1.9% respectively. And among food retailers, Wm Morrison added 1.2%, Sainsbury's was 0.5% higher and Tesco gained 0.4%.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Read the latest stock market news and charts here.
Europe
In Europe, the Paris CAC fell 34 points to 3,829; and the German Xetra Dax was 26 points lower at 5,778.
US
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3% to 10,437; the S&P 500 added 0.1% to 1,110; and the Nasdaq Composite was 0.3% higher at 2,203.
Asia
In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell another 0.6% to close at 9,676; while the broader Topix index lost 0.8% to close at 850. In China, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.6% to 3,303; and the CSI 300 added 0.1% to 3,630.
Commodities
Brent spot was trading at $78.57 early today, and in New York, crude oil was at $79.70. Spot gold was trading at $1,147 an ounce; silver was at $18.63 and platinum was at $1,461.
Currencies
In the forex markets this morning, sterling was trading against the US dollar at 1.6814 and against the euro at 1.1266. The dollar was trading at 0.6702 against the euro and 89.12 against the Japanese yen.
UK news
And in the UK, today's Queen's speech to Parliament is expected to focus on the banking industry, as it introduces the Financial Services Bill and a Fiscal Responsibility Bill. Likely inclusions are changes to the remit of the Financial Services Authority, which will have responsibility for financial stability, currently the preserve of the Bank of England. It is also expected to introduce tighter controls on bankers' pay.
-
8 of the best houses for sale with annexesThe best houses with annexes – from a period property in the Lake District to a 13th-century house with a two-bedroom annexe in Saltwood, Kent
-
Zelenskyy moves to appease Donald Trump – what happens now?Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is conceding ground to secure the least-worst deal possible, says Emily Hohler
