Property stocks lagged behind as the FTSE 100 edged into positive territory for the year.

British Land fell 9.4 per cent to 437½p, while Liberty International fell 8.1 per cent to 404p, Land Securities shed 5.9 per cent to 557p, and Hammerson dipped 5.4 per cent to 323¾p, hit by profit taking – the FTSE All-Share Real Estate index has risen 64 per cent from its March lows, outpacing the wider market by 28 per cent in that period – and negative broker comment.