FTSE 100 index drops on weak macro-indicators

FTSE 100 index traded lower on Wednesday as record high unemployment level and weaker manufacturing activity in Euro Zone weighed on investor sentiment. Another report from U.S. showed companies added less new jobs than expected in April. Standard Chartered tumbled 3.5%, Lloyds Banking Group lost 3.1%, while Barclays PLC shed 4.1%. On the upside Next rallied 2.1% on news its online sales jumped 12% in the 1st quarter. At the moment of writing FTSE 100 is 0.92% or 52.87 points down at 5,759.42.