London shares close flat as DJIA stumbles on disappointing job data

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2004

LONDON (AFP) — Leading shares closed the session flat, after a sew-saw afternoon session, with New York hitting session lows as investors fretted over the robustness of the economy after weaker-than-expected employment data, dealers said.

At the close, the FTSE 100 was 0.2 points higher at 4,698.9, well off an intra-day high of 4,724,4, after slipping in and out of the red throughout the session.

At London's close, New York was 38.90 points lower at 10,086.5, having earlier traded 22 points higher, as weaker-than-expected jobs data offset easing oil prices and reassuring third-quarter results from US conglomerate GE.

September US non-farm payrolls rose by 96,000 in September - below expectations of 138,000 growth - according to the Labor Department, while...