06/09/2001

FTSE drops to three-year low

As the FTSE 100 index of leading UK shares dropped to a three-year low of 5,191.6 in Thursday afternoon trading the American Dow Jones showing signs of immediate nervousness on opening.

The reaction came as stock markets throughout Europe plunged to greater depths.

Technology shares dominated the losers' leaderboard, with Marconi shares slumping a further quarter to fresh life-time lows, and British Telecom shares hit a four-year low.

US markets, meanwhile, provided no support when they opened. Within minutes of the commencement of trading the Dow Jones industrial average fell below the 10,000 level.

After half an hour of trade the Dow plummeted 98.74 points to reach 9934.53, while the tech heavy Nasdaq fell 25.68 points to hit 1733.33. (MB)

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