FTSE out of steam

The London market ran out of steam today as British Airways and the operator of the UK’s biggest coal-fired power station both sustained heavy losses.

Early gains for the FTSE 100 Index raised hopes of a new six-year closing high, but this quickly faded after lacklustre economic data in the US weighed on Wall Street. By the close, the Footsie stood 45.5 points lower at 6269.3.