Travel Stockwatch

Wednesday, 13 May, 2003 0

UK: Mixed day for industry shares on a quiet day for London’s markets

It was a mixed day for travel shares on London’s equity markets yesterday as the main indices struggled to make any headway.

The FTSE 100 index struggled to push past the psychologically-important 4,000 mark but ended up gaining 0.5 per cent in value and closed at 3,987.4, 18 points ahead. The broader-based FTSE 250 index fared slightly better and added 40.9 points to close at 4564.8, a gain of 0.9 per cent on the day. It was a moderate day in terms of the number of shares traded, with 2.1 billion bought and sold by the 6pm count.

There was mixed fortunes for airline shares; British Airways pushed ahead 2.25p to close at 138.5p, EasyJet lost 4.25p to end the day at 200.5p, while its no-frills rival Ryanair also went backwards, losing 1.5p to close at 430.5p.

The online retailer Lastminute.com lost 2.75p to end the day at 122.75p – just an ace away from its 12-month high – while MyTravel put on 0.25p to close at 18.75p. First Choice lost a penny for a closing price of 96p.