MARKET REPORT

LONDON’S blue-chip index was in the red yesterday as investors fretted about global growth and an economic slowdown in China.

The FTSE 100 closed down 32.33 points, or 0.47 per cent, at 6,845.17.

CMC Markets market analyst David Madden said the tariffs put on China by the US in the trade dispute have not hurt Chinese importers’ demand for American goods, but the Chinese “economy is clearly cooling, and at some point that is likely to show up in the trade figures”.

SThree upgraded its profit forecasts and announced the departure of its chief executive.

The group, which specialises in science and technology staffing, said profits will come in slightly ahead of market expectations after a “strong” finish to the year. SThree shares rose 10p to 270p. The biggest FTSE 100 risers were GVC up 60p to 721.5p, Paddy Power up 180p to 6,605p and International Consolidated Airlines Group up 8.20p to 618.6p. The biggest fallers were Evraz down 18.90p to 464.4p, Tesco 5.7p to 192.9p, and Barratt Developments 12.20p to 440.5p.