The blue-chip FTSE 100 closed Thursday's shortened trading session lower and clocked its worst year since the 2008 financial crisis as the United Kingdom widened restrictions to stem a new variant of the coronavirus raging across the country. The FTSE 100 lost 1.5%, with consumer stocks, mainly Unilever, Diageo and British American Tobacco , weighing on the index. The FTSE 100 has shed 14.3% in value this year, its worst performance since a 31% plunge in 2008 and underperforming its European peers by a wide margin, as pandemic-driven lockdowns battered the economy and led to mass layoffs. The mid-cap FTSE 250 index, considered a barometer of Brexit sentiment, was down 1.1%, ending the year 6.4% lower. UK markets will be closed on Friday for New Year's Day.

Source: Mint December 31, 2020 09:22 UTC