LONDON: Britain's top share index fell for the fourth straight session on Tuesday after polls showed the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union had widened its lead ahead of next week's vote.
The FTSE 100 index was down by 1.6 percent at 5,951.39 points going into the close of trading, its lowest level in nearly four months. The index also fell below the 6,000 point mark for the first time since February.
A poll from TNS on Tuesday said the campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, or Brexit, had a "significant lead" over supporters of remaining in the bloc. The referendum will be held on June 23.
Britain's biggest selling daily newspaper, The Sun, also came out on Tuesday and urged its readers to vote in favour of leaving the EU.
"There is little enthusiasm to buy UK stocks before the referendum, and sentiment has been further dampened after The Sun backed the 'Leave' camp," said London Capital Group analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya.
Economists have warned that leaving the EU would hit the British economy. That possibility has hit sterling in recent months and the FTSE has now started to track the general weakness in the pound.
While a weaker sterling can benefit the FTSE's international companies, it could also impact domestic consumer confidence in Britain.
"Domestic facing stocks, such as the housebuilders, look among those most at risk," said Dafydd Davies, partner at Charles Hanover Investments.
However, industrial equipment company Ashtead Group outperformed to rise 4.5 percent after a strong set of results and an announcement of a share buyback plan.
"This is a value stock worth investing in," said Gary Paulin, head of global equities at Northern Trust Securities, commenting on Ashtead.
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