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After the European Central Bank announced a modest slowing in the pace of pandemic bond purchases the FTSE 100 closed the day off its lows but still down 1% at 7,022.62.
This came despite a solid open in the US where the S&P 500 was broadly flat as at 4.30pm UK time.
Airline EasyJet fell 10.1% to 709p as it announced plans for a £1.2 billion rights issue and revealed it had been subject to an unsolicited all-share takeover offer which had rejected.
The proceeds from the raise, combined with a new $400 million credit facility will be used to shore up the balance sheet, look to take advantage of opportunities coming out of the pandemic, boost ancillary revenue and invest in a new generation of aircraft to improve carbon and cost efficiency.
Betting firm 888 fell 3.4% to 388.4p on news it has entered into an agreement with Caesars Entertainment to acquire the international (non-US) business of William Hill at an enterprise value of £2.2 billion.
888 commented that the deal 'will create a global online betting and gaming leader by bringing together two highly complementary businesses and combining two of the industry's leading brands'.
Supermarket Morrisons reported a drop in first half pre-tax profit of 43.4% to £82 million as it faced Covid-19 costs and lost profit in its cafe, fuel and food-to-go business.
No dividend was paid in light of the offers from CD&R and Fortress with Morrisons reiterating that it is recommending CD&R's offer of 285p per share. Its shares were flat at 292.4p.
Animal breeding and genetics specialist Genus reported a 29% increase in profit for the 12 months to 30 June 2021.
However, the company warned that volatility in the Chinese porcine market would create a short-term headwind in the current financial year with growth below the company's medium-term goal. Its shares fell 7.3% to £54.70.
Reseller of IT Computacenter gained 1.4% to £30.24 as it reported revenue for the six months to 30 June up 29.2% at £3.18 billion with pre-tax profit up 59.1% to £115.2 million.
The company also said it expected to beat its performance in the second half of 2020 and to achieve a 17th year of uninterrupted growth in earnings per share.
Scottish free-to-air broadcaster STV reported a 35% increase in revenue for the six months to 30 June 2021 as it swung from a £4.9 million loss to a £8.5 million pre-tax profit.
The company upped its dividend by 23% to 3.7p per share with net debt falling 47% to £17.6 million. The shares were up 5.7% to 357p.
Independent hospital operator Spire Healthcare dipped 0.2% to 236p as it reported a recovery in profit and revenue in the six months to 30 June but saw earnings fall short of 2019 levels thanks to Covid costs.
Sportswear chain JD Sports Fashion fell 0.4% to £10.28 after announcing it had appointed former Nike man Bert Hoyt as a non-executive director.
Hoyt joined Nike in 1998, he was most recently VP/ GM of Nike EMEA, a position which he occupied until he retired in January of 2021.