London stocks fall on wider lockdowns; Britain exits EU's orbit

London stocks fell in thin trade on Thursday as the United Kingdom widened restrictions to stem a new variant of the coronavirus that is raging across the country, and as it exits the European Union's orbit for an uncertain Brexit future.

London stocks fell in thin trade on Thursday as the United Kingdom widened restrictions to stem a new variant of the coronavirus that is raging across the country, and as it exits the European Union's orbit for an uncertain Brexit future. The blue-chip FTSE 100 lost 1.6%, on course to end the year down more than 14% and underperforming its European peers by a wide margin on concerns about Brexit and a surge in virus cases.

The mid-cap FTSE 250 index, considered a barometer of Brexit sentiment, was down 0.6%, falling for a second consecutive session. The United Kingdom exits the European Union at the stroke of midnight in Brussels, or 2300 London time (GMT), when Britain leaves de-facto membership that continued after it formally left the bloc on Jan. 31.

Real estate agent Countrywide jumped 14% after accepting realty management firm Connells Ltd's sweetened buyout offer, which gives it an enterprise value of about 223.1 million pounds ($304.06 million).

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