LONDON: The FTSE 100 fell on Tuesday on worries about a stalling economic recovery and surging Covid-19 cases, with pub owners sliding on the prospect of further curbs as another round of Brexit negotiations began. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index dropped 0.5%. The mid-cap index slipped 1.1% and was on track to record its worst month since March.

Banks and oil stocks were among the biggest decliners, while defensive play such as utilities and industrials rose. Among bright spots, plumbing parts distributor Ferguson rose 6% after it restored its dividend as cost-reduction measures helped it report a 4.1% rise in annual profit.