Cushion for top-flight index

The FTSE 100 avoided the declines suffered by its continental peers, cushioned by a weaker pound and a jump in Tesco’s share price (see page 30).

London’s blue-chip index ended the day flat, down just 0.01% or 0.76 points at 7,414.42.

The Cac 40 and Dax ended the day down around 0.5% and 0.3%, respectively.

The pound rose around 0.2% against the greenback to trade at 1.314 but was down 0.6% versus the euro at 1.116.

Brent crude prices fell 1.8% to $61.88 per barrel.