Markets hit by borrowing, retail sales and Covid fears | Business

Stock markets in London edged lower this morning on concerns about the economy after borrowing and retail sales data and an increase in Covid-19 infections.

The FTSE 100 slid 18 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 7235.51 — down for the fourth day in a row — and the domestically focused FTSE 250 fell 0.3 per cent, or 82.6 points, to 23,492.67

The October borrowing figures showed that the government had paid more to service its debt owing to higher inflation, and retail sales data indicated that people were shopping early for Christmas, suggesting lower consumer spending at the end of the year

The DIY retailer Kingfisher was one of the biggest fallers, down 4.5 per cent, or 15p, to 322p. A 2.4 per cent