London shares weak but hold off lows midday on hopes of early New York rally

UK blue chips stayed weak around midday but held off their early morning lows, supported by hopes of a recovery on Wall Street today following a savaging over the past few sessions, although much will depend on February U.S. retail sales data due at 1.30 pm, dealers said.

By 12.18 pm, the FTSE 100 index was 68.0 points lower at 5,756.8, above an earlier low of 5,746.8.