London's leading shares index fell back from Friday's six-month high today as euphoria over efforts to re-energise the US economy began to fade.
Following the US Federal Reserve's multibillion dollar stimulus package at the end of last week, attention turned to more uncertainty over Chinese economic prospects as the FTSE 100 Index slipped 22 points to 5893.5.
Spanish bond yields pushed back towards to the 6% danger zone as protests against the Government's unpopular austerity measures raised fresh fears about the debt-ridden country's future.
And there was also disappointing data from the US manufacturing sector as oil prices remained close to their four month highs on the back of the Fed's actions.
The pound pushed higher on currency markets ahead of inflation figures due out tomorrow. Sterling was at 1.24 against the euro and 1.63 against the dollar.
Evraz was the biggest top flight faller, off 9.7p to 284p, while Anglo American declined 47.5p to 2036.5p, as miners retreated following Friday's rally.
Royal Bank of Scotland shares have risen by more than 20% so far this month but the rally came to a halt today after Investec Securities downgraded the state-controlled lender to sell from hold.
It said the recent share price rise has been impressive but added that the outlook appears too weak to support the current valuation. RBS shares were 4.6p lower at 274.4p, a drop of nearly 2%.
Vodafone shares were also under pressure amid signs it will make a provision worth 2.2 billion US dollars (£1.3 billion) against Indian tax liabilities, even though it won a court ruling earlier this year against the government's demand for payments on its acquisition of certain Hutchison Whampoa assets.
The mobile phone giant could still be liable to payments if the government decides to apply the law retrospectively. Shares were off 2.2p at 173.7p.
There was further pressure on fashion house Burberry, despite hopes that London Fashion Week will help to restore some of the sparkle seen in the stock prior to its surprise profit warning last week.
Shares set a new high earlier in the summer but fell by more than 20% last week and were down 2% or 19p to 1075p in trading today.
Reckitt Benckiser shares were up 8p to 3580p after the Cillit Bang and Nurofen owner announced that Liz Doherty will be stepping down as chief financial officer, to be replaced by Smith & Nephew's Adrian Hennah.
Shares in JJB Sports continued to reflect expectations that all hope has been lost for shareholders following the company's downward spiral.
With Sports Direct International expected to take its pick of the best stores in a pre-pack administration, shares were 0.1p lower at 0.3p.
The biggest Footsie risers were Ashmore up 10.3p at 338.1p, G4S ahead 5.9p at 266.9p, Capita up 16.5p at 753p, and Serco ahead 9p at 595p.
The biggest Footsie fallers were Evraz down 9.7p at 284p, International Consolidated Airlines off 4.1p at 156p, Anglo American down 47.5p at 2036.5p, and CRH off 27p at 1251p.
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