London stocks fall as weak earnings weigh; Cineworld slumps

Pub owner Mitchells & Butlers fell 3.82% after it said total sales for the 51 weeks ended Sept. 19 dropped 35% due to store closures and a sharp slump in demand amid widespread restrictions.

UK shares dropped on Thursday as fresh pandemic curbs threatened to derail a rebound in economic activity, while cinema operator Cineworld tumbled after warning it may need to raise funds to weather the crisis. The FTSE 100 index fell 0.9%, with travel and leisure stocks declining the most due to fresh curbs on movement and social gathering.

The mid-cap index lost 1.1%, with Cineworld tumbling 14.3% - on track to record its biggest single-day fall in nearly five months, as it swung to a first-half loss. Pub owner Mitchells & Butlers fell 3.82% after it said total sales for the 51 weeks ended Sept. 19 dropped 35% due to store closures and a sharp slump in demand amid widespread restrictions.