Leading stock markets ended up on the wrong side of break-even today as traders erred on the side of caution.
The FTSE 100 fell 29.18 points, or nearly 0.5% to 6,224.07, while the French Cac 40 and German Dax indices were down 0.75% and 0.81% respectively.
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was 0.17% lower by the London market close.
But Brent crude oil was up more than 2% at $41.39 per barrel, as of 6.15pm, as more drivers on the roads after lockdown in many countries raised hopes of a better balance between supply and demand.
Footsie fallers included housebuilding giant Taylor Wimpey, down nearly 6% at 142.75p after it said it was looking to ramp up developments in areas outside normal commuter belts as the Covid-19 crisis increases the trend for long-term home-working. It also announced it had raised £522 million through an investor cash call to help fund a land-buying offensive across the UK.
Small cap fashion firm Ted Baker fell nearly 9% to 107.4p after it said it had raised £105m through a share placement.
Meanwhile, the pound was almost unchanged against the US dollar at just over $1.24.
