Meanwhile, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan looked set to end the week 1 percent ahead following two weeks of tech-led losses. It rose 0.2percent on the day while market moves around the region were small.

Japan’s Nikkei edged 0.1percent higher while US stock futures were soft, with S&P 500 futures down 0.2percent, though Nasdaq 100 futures turned positive by the middle of the Asia session to trade 0.07 percent higher.

“The bigger picture issue is that markets, particularly growth and tech stocks, have run very hard into the end of August, which has left them somewhat vulnerable,” said AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver.

“There’s uncertainty ahead of the US elections... China-US tensions keep creeping in and on top of that there’s now uncertainty about how the recovery will proceed from here in the absence of more stimulus in the US."

FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES FROM EXPRESS.CO.UK

5.01pm update: FTSE closes down

The FTSE-100 index at the close was down 42.87 at 6007.05.

The FTSE Mid-250 index closed down 168.04 at 17569.68.

5pm update: Eurozone yields nudge up

Eurozone government bond yields edged up on Friday.

But, prices remained supported as attention remained on the European Central Bank with little concern around an upcoming Italian local election.

Safe-haven German 10-year bond yields were up 1 basis point in late Friday trade at -0.49 percent, after hitting 3-1/2 week lows on Thursday.

Italian 10-year yields were also up 1 basis point to 0.96 percent, after falling to a new six-month low in earlier trade at 0.942 percent.

3.45pm update: FTSE-100 down

The FTSE-100 index at 3:45pm was down 25.33 at 6024.59.

2.30pm update: Egypt's resorts and ancient sites face tough winter

Tourism accounts for up to 15 percent of Egypt's national output.

Officials warned it was losing around $1 billion each month with the sector all but shut down since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Samir, a souvenir trader said: "We used to see about 50 buses here. Now there are none.

"We only had one bus, a week ago, full of Russians. They took some photos and left."

2pm update: Currency latest

The pound at 2pm was 1.2971 dollars compared to 1.2950 dollars at the previous close.

The euro at 2pm was 0.9129 pounds compared to 0.9132 pounds at the previous close.

12.00pm update: Eat Out to Help Out fails to help restaurant groups

Restaurant groups have been shedding points today, after ONS data indicated the Government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme has failed to lead to a permanent rise in visitors.

ONS data indicated under a third of Brits said they had eaten out between September 9 and 13 - down 38 percent on two weeks ago.

10.45am update: Currency latest

The pound at 10am was 1.2988 dollars compared to 1.2950 dollars at the previous close.

The euro at 10am was 0.9132 pounds compared to 0.9132 pounds at the previous close.

9.20am update: EU markets suffer sluggish open

Like the FTSE, EU markets are struggling on open today.

The Euronext 100, DAX, CAC 40 and Swiss Market Index are all down or hovering near zero.

Euronext is down 0.25%, DAX is down 0.42%, CAC is down 0.03% and Swiss Martet Index is up just 0.16%.

8.10am update: FTSE drops on open

The FTSE has dropped on open, mirroring yesterday's early-morning blow.

The UK index closed at 6,049 yesterday. It has already fallen to 6,037.

This marks a drop of 12 points in just 10 minutes this morning.