FTSE 100 on course for monthly decline as virus fears rise

London's FTSE 100 fell on Wednesday and was headed for its second monthly decline in six as growing economic uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as Brexit subdued risk appetite. The blue-chip FTSE 100 lost 0.6%, led by travel and leisure and construction stocks, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 shed 0.4%, with analysts warning of higher volatility during the session as investors rebalance their portfolios at the end of the quarter.

Meanwhile, data confirmed that Britain's economy shrank by a record 19.8% in the second quarter of 2020 when COVID-19 lockdown measures were in force, a slightly smaller decline than an initial estimate of a 20.4% fall in output. British online fashion retailer Boohoo gained 2.3% after it raised its full-year guidance and reported a 51% jump in first-half profit.

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