Footsie down as Dow struggles

The uncertain run by the FTSE 100 Index continued today when early gains of more than 35 points were wiped out following a weak start in New York.

Fears that interest rates will go up in the United States were fuelled by strong consumer confidence data, driving stocks lower and undoing a rally in London built on a legal settlement between drugmaker Shire and a US rival over its best-selling medicine.