MARKET REPORT

THE FTSE 100 tumbled yesterday as concerns grew that prolonged inflationary pressures would force central banks to act aggressively, leading to a global downturn.

The blue-chip index dropped two per cent and posted its biggest monthly decline since March 2020.

Miner Anglo American (down 165p to 2,944.5p), packaging giant

DS Smith (down 15.1p to 279p) and retailer B&M EuropeanValue Retail (down 19.7p at 368.2p) led the big fallers.

House builders also slid after Nationwide property price data suggested a surge has slowed.

Barratt Developments shed 3.9 per cent (18.6p) to close at 455.4p.

Heavyweight oil companies BP (down 9.4p to 389.3p) and Shell (down 51p at 2,139.5p) also took a knock.

Among those on the up was

Bunzl Plc, which gained 48p to close at 2,723p, after the business supplies distributor said it expected higher annual revenue.