The UK’s benchmark FTSE 100 index closed 1.45% lower to 6,460.52 on the final trading day of 2020 on Thursday, recording its worst year since the global financial crisis in 2008.
The FTSE has fallen 14% this year, with the UK stock market hit harder by the coronavirus pandemic than US, European and Asian markets, mainly as a result of the number of banks, airlines, retail and oil companies in the index.
In company news, transport operator FirstGroup (FGP) closed flat at 74p after selling three major properties for a combined $137 million, or £102 million, as the transport company sought to downsize its Greyhound property portfolio.
Housebuilder Countrywide (CWD) jumped 12.88% to 391p after accepting an improved 395p a share takeover offer from estate agent Connells.
Freight management services Xpediator (XPD:AIM) gained 2.91% to 33.96p after it had entered into an agreement to sell its subsidiary EshopWedrop to Inert Logistics for £0.3 million.
Catalyst Media (CMX:AIM) fell 1.96% to 50p as the marketing company reported wider annual losses after taking an impairment hit of £1.2 million on the writedown of its investment in Sports Information Services.
CBD company Zoetic International (ZOE) gained 1.45% to 70p after Path Investments missed the long-stop date to complete the purchase of the company’s 75% stake in DT Ultravert.
Zoetic, however, said it would continue to seek alternative solution to sell its stake in DT Ultravert.
