Retail boost does not bolster FTSE

Investors were drawn back to the retail sector today after a week dominated by concerns over the impact of rising interest rates.

The improved mood benefited the likes of Tesco and Kingfisher, but the overall market was lower as the FTSE 100 Index remained on course to post its fifth consecutive daily decline. By mid-morning, the Footsie stood 26.3 points lower at 6569.7.