FTSE falls back towards 4000 barrier

The FTSE 100 index drifted back closer to the 4000 barrier today amid a lack of activity on both sides of the Atlantic.

London’s leading shares dipped nine points to 4015.8 by lunchtime, reversing earlier gains as confidence remained fragile after yesterday’s mixed economic data.

Investors there had little cause for cheer today, with Wall Street closed for the Independence Day holiday and a lack of corporate news in the UK.