(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) Britain's top share index fell on Tuesday as bank stocks came under pressure after a local poll in Spain put euro zone financials on the back foot.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's People's Party suffered losses in local elections, throwing his re-election into doubt later this year and opening the door for the anti-austerity Podemos who might challenge the euro zone project.
Financials trimmed over 9 points off of the FTSE 100 index on the first session back following a long weekend extended by Monday's public holiday.
Asia-exposed banks outperformed, with Standard Chartered down just 0.3 percent and HSBC up 0.5 percent.
Energy shares took nearly 13 points off of the index, with a rally in Brent crude pressured by a stronger dollar. The sector is also under pressure due to a campaign for funds to divest holdings in energy companies.
Britain's FTSE was down 44.00 points, or 0.6 percent, at 6,987.72 by 0747 GMT.
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