Market loses gains as investor worries hit trading

LONDON’S blue-chip index slumped almost 100 points yesterday as worried investors put back nearly all of the previous session’s gains.

Fears over Iraq again dominated the mood, particularly ahead of US secretary of state Colin Powell’s weapons statement to the United Nations today.

With profit takers surfacing after yesterday’s £29 billion rise and Wall Street opening sharply lower, the Footsie closed down 99.3 points at 3590.1.