Qatar stock market tumbles after Gulf states cut ties, as UK services sector growth slows – business live

Shares in Qatar plunge 8% amid diplomatic crisis, as UK service companies report that new business growth weakened last month

After a rough session of heavy losses, the Qatar stock market has closed down 7.27%.

The Qatar Stock Exchange has closed down 7.27 per cent. All 44 stocks were in the red. https://t.co/G2UqSz5VDP

After a fairly quiet morning in London, the FTSE 100 has dropped by 22 points to 0.3% to 7525.

Mining stocks such as Antofagasta (-2.7%) and BHP Billiton (-1.8%) are among the fallers, tracking a 1% drop in the copper price.

The pound’s gains also ignored an unexpectedly weak services PMI. The figure fell from 55.8 to 53.8 month-on-month, the slowdown due to the dual pressures of rising inflation and pre-election jitters.

The FTSE ended up bearing the brunt of the bad news, falling 0.3%; the index wasn’t helped by its mining stocks, which dropped between 1.5% and 2.5% thanks to copper’s own 1% decline.

“Geoff Ho is an absolutely first class reporter and a fine and decent man and our thoughts are with him and his family at this time.

“We are all hoping and praying for a speedy recovery.”

Thank you every one for the best wishes. I got out of surgery yesterday and am on the mend.

Sunday Express business editor Geoff Ho injured after confronting London Bridge attacker https://t.co/ki2rTkCX4t pic.twitter.com/ZkQ3W70XXt

So upset to find out this morning that Geoff Ho @FinanceHog was caught up in last nights attacks. Praying for speedy recovery #LondonBridge

Wishing a full and speedy recovery to Geoff Ho aka @FinanceHog – a top business hack, always a pleasure to deal with https://t.co/K2tmovmZro

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