India, March 21 -- The U.K. market is down in negative territory a little before noon on Friday, weighed down by concerns about economic slowdown, and news about a fire near Heathrow that forced the airport to shut down for the day.
Weak public finance data also weigh on sentiment.
The benchmark FTSE 100, which dropped to 8,621.78 in early trades, is down 41.16 points or 0.47% at 8,660.83 about a quarter before noon.
JD Sports Fashion is down 4.4%. Croda International, Antofagasta, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Barclays Group, Glencore and Entain are down 2 to 4%.
Mondi, Spirax Group, Anglo American Plc, Howden Joinery, Rio Tinto, Experian, Lloyds Banking Group, Whitbread, Barratt Redrow and Auto Trader Group are down 1.3 to 2%.
Airli...