London stocks slump on lockdown worries, Brexit uncertainty

London's FTSE 100 fell for a fourth straight session on Thursday, pressured by ex-dividend trading, with investors also taking cash off the table on the prospect of stricter coronavirus lockdowns and Brexit-related uncertainty.

London's FTSE 100 fell for a fourth straight session on Thursday, pressured by ex-dividend trading, with investors also taking cash off the table on the prospect of stricter coronavirus lockdowns and Brexit-related uncertainty. The FTSE 100 index fell 1.6%, with aero , travel and leisure, energy and insurance stocks leading the declines.

Business supplies distributor Bunzl Plc and Britain's biggest retailer Tesco Plc fell 1.3% and 2.6%, respectively, as they traded without dividend. The domestically-focussed mid-cap FTSE 250 lost 1.2%.

EU leaders are set to meet in Brussels later in the day where they will pressure Britain for concessions in Brexit trade talks, a day after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his disappointment over progress in negotiations. Pub operator Marston's shed 2.5% after it announced job cuts as a result of a new round of coronavirus restrictions in the UK.

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