Subdued week as Footsie falls back from key barrier

THE FTSE 100 Index fell back from the key 4200 barrier yesterday after hovering close to a new two-month high for most of the day.

The momentum built up during the past week faded away as investors sold out of heavyweight tobacco, oil and telecom stocks.

A quiet start to trading on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average eased eight points early on, added to the subdued mood.