London shares close just off intra-day lows hit by financials, 'old economy'

Leading shares in London closed just off their intra-day lows after another erratic performance, with weakness in financial and 'old economy' issues preying upon early gains in the technology, telecom and media sectors - still buoyed by strong pre-weekend gains on the Nasdaq - dealers said.

Wall Street offered little direction to rudderless investors, with sentiment there knocked by profit warnings from benchmark stocks Texas Instruments and Procter & Gamble in early deals.