The FTSE 100 ended down on Wednesday, but broadly held steady after yesterday’s gains.

At close the index stood at 5,108.90 – down 29.08 points or 0.57 per cent.

Leading the gains was Aviva, after the insurer revealed it was planning to list on the New York Stock Exchange, which would broaden the number of US shareholders – currently around 20 per cent.

The deal would not see new Aviva shares issued in New York.

The Aviva share price was up 3.80 per cent on the day.

Holiday Inn-owner InterContinental Hotels rose 3.32 per cent on reports of a recovery in the business travel market.

South African-based insurer Old Mutual rose 1.99 per cent, while Segro gained 2.33 per cent.

Sainsbury fell 3.28 per cent as it warned the recession could slow growth into 2010, while Admiral dropped 3.29 per cent as it went ex-dividend today.

Tullow Oil was down 3.23 per cent – cutting back some of its gains yesterday and Lonmin followed slipping 2.73 per cent.

In New York, the Dow was down 0.40 per cent at 11:49 EDT (16:49 BST) while the S&P 500 was down 0.13 per cent.

Frankfurt’s Dax was up 0.04 per cent today and the Cac 40 in Paris gained 0.09 per cent.

On the currency markets, the pound was down 0.08 per cent against the dollar to $1.591, while it gained 0.22 per cent over the euro to €1.084.

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