FTSE five points down at close

London’s leading shares index struggled to make progress today after weaker-than-expected retail sales in the US overshadowed an upbeat bond auction in debt-laden Italy.

The FTSE 100 Index closed 5 points lower at 5899.8 after total retail sales in the world’s biggest economy grew 0.4% last month, compared with forecasts of a 0.7% rise.